The Cold Reading Series: An Idiot Box Alternative

On the Lot, Fox's Spielberg-produced Survivor-for-filmmakers reality series, wrapped its first - and most likely only - season last night to the disappointment of almost no one, based on the basement-low ratings that will probably ensure On the Lot 2: Electric Boogaloo won't be a reality any time soon. Which is a shame only because despite an annoying bimbette of a host and crazy judge Carrie Fisher, the show was, at its heart, giving voice to a bunch of young artists who managed to turn out some film of better quality than a lot of crap made by so-called professionals. (Vancouverite Zack Lipovsky, winner of the 2005 Crazy 8s Film Festival, did the hometown proud, but got booted off the Lot a couple of weeks back.) On the Lot showed how important it is for film (and theatre) artists to put their work before the scrutiny of an audience in order to better it, a sermon that the Cold Reading Series has been preaching here in Vancouver for 14 years.

Held every Thursday night at the Beaumont Playhouse, the CRS offers screenwriters and playwrights the opportunity to hear their work brought to life by actual actors, who in turn get the chance to work out their cold-reading skills (a much-overlooked tool in the actor's kit). Open to everyone from working actors to those just thinking about becoming one, the doors (and the beers) open at 8 and casting begins at 8:15 from whoever shows up. Writers can submit anything from feature or short film scripts, hour-long or half-hour television pilots or episodes, and stage plays of any length to lori@coldreadingseries.com. It's a great networking opportunity as well, for a town that spends most of its time sitting around waiting for their agents to call. Most of all, though, it's a solid artist's resource and well worth supporting. Besides, there's really nothing good on TV anyway.