What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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the area because of large companies like Walmart and Tyson Foods, Smith says opportunities for his actors have been plentiful. "I worked as producer and casting director for 'Valley Inn,' as well as 'Man in the Trunk' and 'Parker's Anchor'," says Smith. "I was also a producer on 'Mayfly,' and we did some casting for that, as well as 'Neopolitan.' We do a lot of Walmart work, and we just did an online comedy series for Sam's Club that is coming out soon. We cast 'Door in the Woods' and helped on 'F.R.E.D.I.'. 'Riot Act,' which recently filmed here, used seven of our actors." Smith says there are several projects on the horizon that have to stay under wraps for now, but it's obvious that he'll be staying busy for the foreseeable future. "It's pretty easy, though," he says. "I'm so passionate about my work, it doesn't seem like work to me." I t was a whim. We thought it would be fun to spotlight some of the people we expected to change the Northwest Arkansas arts scene in 2014. Readers liked it. And here we are, with a feature so popular we've had to split it across two weekends! There is no fixed list of selection criteria. The people to watch in 2018 are those we think are making a difference now and likely to continue to in the new year ahead, this time selected by What's Up! staffers Jocelyn Murphy and Lara Hightower along with editor Becca Martin-Brown. We salute you, movers and shakers! Without you, Northwest Arkansas would be culturally so much poorer. Here are the first five, with the rest to follow on Jan. 7. Please note: The order is random. MARK LANDON SMITH Mark Landon Smith has a way of making things happen — for himself and for others. The executive director of Arts Live Theatre in Fayetteville, Phunbags Improv group ensemble member and Northwest Arkansas actor had worked his way into producing and casting independent films when he had an epiphany. "I had been casting theater for years, but I realized what I really wanted to do was establish a casting agency — the kind of agency I would like to have as an actor," says Smith. "I have a really good eye for who to bring into the room — who fits what role, that sort of thing." And when Smith decides he wants something, he makes it happen. He created the Actors Casting Agency in 2013 and hit the ground running. "It was very easy, because I was already so well-connected in the artistic community," says Smith. "I knew all the really outstanding actors, producers and directors in theater, and there was a good reaction from those people who were so happy to get this type of resource in the area." Smith says he had a clear idea of what kind of agency he wanted to create from the very beginning. "The biggest learning curve was educating other directors, producers and actors about what their options are in this area," he says. "We really don't 'hustle.' When I went into this, I decided that I wanted my business claim to be that people would discover us by our reputation, and that has worked out well. We're a boutique agency — we top out at a little over 100 actors. That way, you really have the opportunity to hone in on specific actors and plug them into projects. You get to know these people personally." With the burgeoning film industry in Northwest Arkansas — both the Bentonville Film Fest and the Fayetteville Film Fest are flourishing, and the next season of HBO's "True Detective" will be filmed in Fayetteville — and the corporate opportunities in 2630 E Citizens Dr #7, Fayetteville (Intersection of Crossover/Mission, Kantz Center) wolfpackhearing.com We offer the most advanced hearing technologies with a team mission of providing our patients with the highest level of exper tise and compassion. to schedule your COMPLIMENTARY hearing screening and consultation! Call (479) 957-9300 NWA EVENTHUB Northwest Arkansas' Calendar of Events! nwadg.com/eventhub DECEMBER 31, 2017-JANUARY 6, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 5 2018 Paparazzi Picks People to watch in 2018: Part one See People Page 39 Mark Landon Smith