Well! Outsourced won the Seattle International Film Festival “Golden Space Needle Award”. I suspect a few relatives voted twice. After watching the first showing in Bellevue, I was lying in bed in the throes of euphoric recall; basking in the memory of my big face on the screen getting a laugh, and a comment by my brother about how people “looked” at me after the show…then I realized it was the 4th time I’d seen the film, and the 4th time I’d engaged in this rapture.

That’s normal and good after a special performance, or a great auction. And it’s important to soak in the good stuff to fortify you for the trials ahead. But after a live show, this bliss is appropriately short lived. With a film you can artificially re-stimulate the original experience. I told my wife and daughter about all this, and they immediately made me promise that I wouldn’t start hanging out at the bar next to The Lynwood Theatre on Bainbridge, (when the movie comes here), in a desperate effort to be recognized by people dropping in for a drink after seeing the film. That would be the worst. Promise made.

The people behind Outsourced are distributing it themselves, and it will come to The Majestic Bay Theatre in Ballard around September 26th, and to The Lynwood Theatre on Bainbridge Island as well. (Also SF, LA, NYC - I’ll let you know the venues) For a behind the scenes look at my performing experience in India, go here: www.outsourcedthemovie.com and click on “jelly belly”

Meanwhile, I recently played another jerk boss in David Russo’s The Immaculate Conception of Little Drizzle. This may not be one I invite my mom to, but I sincerely expect it to become a cult classic.

All this makes me wonder…shall I try and re-kindle a career long surrendered? Richard Heffron, my father-in-law and retired film director, told me this: “It’s difficult to cast funny villains. Most actors can’t do it, because when they’re funny they cease to be threatening to the hero in the mind of the audience.” But I can be funny and remain nasty. That’s my talent! I was reminded of this by a high school friend. He saw Outsourced and reminisced about being relentlessly bullied by me in that same fashion. It’s not how I remember it, but I’m sure he’s not making it up.

Freehold Improv Intensive starts next Monday! There’s still room! And there will be no bullying! It will run from July 2nd till July 27th (taking the 4th off). It runs Mon - Fri, 9:00 - noon, with performances the evenings of the 26th & 27th. Cost is $495.

To sign up call Freehold: 206-323-7499. For assurance call me: 206-842-1646. It's by far the best class I teach, and you need no previous experience.

Week-ender Basic Improv Workshop: This is August 18th & 19th, (Sat 9:30 – 3:30, and Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm) At The Valley School in Madison Valley (I hope). $200. Scholarships for actors and students are available. This is a great, non-threatening way to get acquainted with the principles that drive the behavior of improvisers. No experience required. It’s great for teachers, trainers, real estate agents, activists, seniors, techies and the unemployed. Call me for more info: 206-842-1646.

AUCTIONS

I called a nice one at St. Michelle Winery for Alliance Francaise de Seattle. The hi-light for me was bullying someone into paying a substantial sum just to stop me from speaking French. That was a bargain at any price. If you’ve never been to the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Auction and Rummage Sale you haven’t lived. The auction is July 6th, and the rummage sale is July 7th. Later in the summer I’m calling a wine auction for the King County Realtors Assoc, and David Silverman and I will team up twice for The Bainbridge Island Council for the Arts. Together, we are scary.

In the Workplace

Last week I worked with world-class teachers for a great course taught by Stand and Deliver Consulting. The 9th annual ContinuO is moving to Portland this year. At the end of the summer I’m in NYC to work with SI Systems. I’ll spend an extra day. What show shall I see? And that’s my summer. The secret code for this newsletter is Jelly Belly. (Homework required. See link above.) If you mention these words to me a pleasure chemical will be created in my brain. I can re-stimulated the experience every time I hear the words.

Have a hot summer…Matt

206-842-1646

www.matt-smith.net