Last Friday was my last day on the set of the feature film. It was a fun day for the most part until I found out that my other lines were cut and learned that I might not be getting paid. So I asked a producer to fill out my tax forms because I hadn't done so yet and I didn't want to mail it to them since I was on set with them. I was told that because they spent a lot of their money on a better camera, film, and better location that a lot of the actors would not get paid. I had them repeat it so I knew I wasn't hearing things. They went on to tell me actors that will be paid depending on how many days they were on set. Since some of my scenes were cut and some of my lines were given away, my week of work went down to 2 days. Talk about literally "acting for food."
So, I have an email to write to another producer. I'm not really so mad, as I am disappointed. I would have done the production regardless, but I was told I would be getting paid. In doing so, I turned down other paid jobs to do it. The upside to all this is, I do get a credit for my resume and met some people that could use me in their next production. It wasn't a waste of time, just kinda planned on paying my rent this month. Like I've said time and time again, it's part of the game, and this is just how this industry goes. It's over now, I filmed my scenes, got a credit, met good people, had a full stomach at the end of the day. Time to move on and stay on top of getting work and moving forward.
I worked on the show 'Entourage' yesterday. I try to dodge working this show for a couple reasons. The wardrobe people are really anal about the look of the show. So it takes you about an hour to get that all settled. Next you are surrounded by probably the most uptight women you will cross. Although they are beautiful, don't let this fool you. They are under the impression that if they bang one of the cast members it will be smooth sailing from here on out. Not the case, but they are right about one thing. If they are attracted enough, then yes, you will be noticed and be shown the back room. But I highly doubt they will be doing any of the work. To top it all off, you will be flagged and will not be able to work that show again. Why? Because you're used goods. So pick up your dignity ladies and stick with the game, or you can go back to answering phones at Macaroni Grill.
"Acting means living, it's all I do and all I'm good at. If I weren't getting paid well, I would still be acting in a small troupe somewhere. As you grow in this business, you learn how to do more with less." - Morgan Freeman
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Iceman Cometh
Yesterday was my first day as an actual paid actor on set. The night before I was sent my call sheet for the next day. A call sheet has all the information to what will be going on that day. It has the names of the actors that will be on set, what time they will arrive and which scenes will be shot for the day. It also tells Other misc. info would include lunch time, how many background extras and the crew call. There was a sense of accomplishment when I saw my name on the call sheet, rather than a random number that is apart of group of background. Everyone was really cool. I didn't take me long to figure out that everyone, including the crew, had worked on other projects. So I was the odd man out for the most part. But on the other hand, I told myself that I was chosen from many others to join this cast. They must have seen something in me that made them think that I would be great to work with.
So I started my day going through hair and make up and running through the scenes with the other actors in my scene before we went and camera blocked the scene. The other actors had been apart of commercials and other projects, so it was humbling to be around talent that was my age to learn from. It was refreshing to have the director talk directly to me and tell me what she wanted. On the flip side, it was also nice to ask questions and receive good feedback. The scenes we shot were of me and two other bully's picking on this nerd. A lot of my lines were stepped on, or given to another actor, which was a total bummer, but I didn't let that ruin the experience I was enjoying. But I think what made me the most happy was the fact people knew me by name and not as "hey you" or "who did that cross by the table?"
This experience couldn't have come at a better time. With a lot of the shows on hiatus I have downtime that makes me second guess what I'm doing. Not to mention that the last couple days I have worked background the people have really done me in.
I had a guy follow me around the other day on set that got on my nerves. I'm all for meeting new people and all, but this guy made me want to do a swan dive off Mt. Rushmore. I made the mistake of saying hello. From there all I heard about was how he loves to skate and to act. But he doesn't want to be a pro skater or just an actor. He wants to be skating on camera with a little acting thrown in. . . WHAT?!? He kept telling me how his agent hasn't done much for him. Over and OVER. Which made me believe had a little something going for him. UNTIL, he started to complain how it was "so hard to get SAG Vouchers and THAT'S ALL he wanted to do. Was get SAG Vouchers. Right there, he basically blew his cover and something he could have worked off of to get a little further. But he basically straight up told me really didn't have anything going for him. He was just another person that is limiting themselves, in his case, to skateboarding/acting and NOTHING ELSE.
The greatest thing you must realize is to be open to anything and everything. Still have some boundaries. I'm not saying you gotta do porn or eat a cow's intestine to be recognized. Just don't limit yourself right out of the gate.
"As an actor and as a person you come together with being in familiar territory although that has not been my whole life. That's been a part of it. I think a lot of people associate me with the west because of Sundance." - Robert Redford
So I started my day going through hair and make up and running through the scenes with the other actors in my scene before we went and camera blocked the scene. The other actors had been apart of commercials and other projects, so it was humbling to be around talent that was my age to learn from. It was refreshing to have the director talk directly to me and tell me what she wanted. On the flip side, it was also nice to ask questions and receive good feedback. The scenes we shot were of me and two other bully's picking on this nerd. A lot of my lines were stepped on, or given to another actor, which was a total bummer, but I didn't let that ruin the experience I was enjoying. But I think what made me the most happy was the fact people knew me by name and not as "hey you" or "who did that cross by the table?"
This experience couldn't have come at a better time. With a lot of the shows on hiatus I have downtime that makes me second guess what I'm doing. Not to mention that the last couple days I have worked background the people have really done me in.
I had a guy follow me around the other day on set that got on my nerves. I'm all for meeting new people and all, but this guy made me want to do a swan dive off Mt. Rushmore. I made the mistake of saying hello. From there all I heard about was how he loves to skate and to act. But he doesn't want to be a pro skater or just an actor. He wants to be skating on camera with a little acting thrown in. . . WHAT?!? He kept telling me how his agent hasn't done much for him. Over and OVER. Which made me believe had a little something going for him. UNTIL, he started to complain how it was "so hard to get SAG Vouchers and THAT'S ALL he wanted to do. Was get SAG Vouchers. Right there, he basically blew his cover and something he could have worked off of to get a little further. But he basically straight up told me really didn't have anything going for him. He was just another person that is limiting themselves, in his case, to skateboarding/acting and NOTHING ELSE.
The greatest thing you must realize is to be open to anything and everything. Still have some boundaries. I'm not saying you gotta do porn or eat a cow's intestine to be recognized. Just don't limit yourself right out of the gate.
"As an actor and as a person you come together with being in familiar territory although that has not been my whole life. That's been a part of it. I think a lot of people associate me with the west because of Sundance." - Robert Redford
Monday, June 14, 2010
Courage Under Fire
Well, last week was pretty successful overall. Even though I only worked for one day, that day lasted over 12 hours provided me with overtime pay that really helps in the long run. On Monday night I had a table read with the entire cast, producers, and director for the feature film I start this week. For those who don't know, a table read is pretty much what it sounds. Everyone sits around a table and reads through the entire script to see how it sounds and what changes could be made. So that was nice to see who I would be working with and working for. The only bummer was that the finalized script had cut out a lot of my dialog, which means, A: I have a few less days of work on it and B: less camera time. The bright side is I made this far and know that I am making progress.
On Wednesday I had an audition for the part of an assassin in a feature film. It's not a big part, but vital to the story. I'm not going to lie, this was a live and learn audition. I definitely could have done a lot better. Not only did I forget a couple lines, but I had something break my concentration before going in. I let another person in the waiting room take my focus off what I came there to do. Which was get a job. The place where the auditions where being held was in a house turned studio. So from the outside it looked like it was someone's home. So I am sitting in the waiting room, and I hear the doorbell ring. Which I'm pretty sure screwed up the guy that was auditioning at the time. I ignored it and figured the guy would realize to turn the doorknob and come inside. Next thing I know he's banging and knocking on the door. Out of respect for the guy auditioning at that moment, I got up and answered the door.
The guy outside say's "Sup'" to me and moves right passed me to the waiting room. I just took it as a douche bag move and sat back in my chair. Then the guy starts talking to me about some babe he saw outside. Which normally I'm not going to hate on the description of a beautiful woman, but this is not the time or place. When I got to auditions, I don't talk to anyone in the room. They are my competition, so why would I want to be their friend? I'm there to get a job, I don't care if you got drunk last night or stubbed your toe on the way in. So it was my fault to let that get the best of me. Lesson learned.
"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance." - Harrison Ford
On Wednesday I had an audition for the part of an assassin in a feature film. It's not a big part, but vital to the story. I'm not going to lie, this was a live and learn audition. I definitely could have done a lot better. Not only did I forget a couple lines, but I had something break my concentration before going in. I let another person in the waiting room take my focus off what I came there to do. Which was get a job. The place where the auditions where being held was in a house turned studio. So from the outside it looked like it was someone's home. So I am sitting in the waiting room, and I hear the doorbell ring. Which I'm pretty sure screwed up the guy that was auditioning at the time. I ignored it and figured the guy would realize to turn the doorknob and come inside. Next thing I know he's banging and knocking on the door. Out of respect for the guy auditioning at that moment, I got up and answered the door.
The guy outside say's "Sup'" to me and moves right passed me to the waiting room. I just took it as a douche bag move and sat back in my chair. Then the guy starts talking to me about some babe he saw outside. Which normally I'm not going to hate on the description of a beautiful woman, but this is not the time or place. When I got to auditions, I don't talk to anyone in the room. They are my competition, so why would I want to be their friend? I'm there to get a job, I don't care if you got drunk last night or stubbed your toe on the way in. So it was my fault to let that get the best of me. Lesson learned.
"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance." - Harrison Ford
Friday, May 28, 2010
Duet For One
I worked 3 out of 5 days this week. Considering this is the hiatus time of year, that is a pretty successful week. In all reality, working at least one day is successful this time of year. There have been many blessings that God has provided me with this week. On instance in particular happened at midnight on Wednesday. I got a call from the director of the web series I worked on a month ago. He called to ask me if I wanted to shoot a fake commercial spot for their show the following morning. They shoot everything in Pasadena, and I happened to be working on the show "Make it or Break it" in Pasadena the same day at 11:30am. So I agreed, and drove out there early in the morning, shot the commercial, then went to work til 12am that day. Even though it was a long day, it all worked out to kill two birds with one stone.
I probably wouldn't have gotten that call if I hadn't run into one of the producers of the web series on the set of 'Parks and Recreation' the following week. She was doing background work that particular day and I explained to her the path I have taken and hung out for the day. I'm starting to find that Hollywood is becoming a small world. Which is a good thing and feels right. After 4 years of this rat race, I feel like it's not been a complete waste, and still ask God for patience.
I worked with some real characters this week. For instance, I did a couple scenes this week. When going to wardrobe check, my FAVORITE type of folks were in attendance. I'm talking about the guys/girls who dress 'Hollywood' on any given day, come to set, are asked to change into something different by wardrobe, but don't change due to the fact that feel they already 'fit the part.' There are several reasons these people crack me up, but I will focus on the core part. You can't come to set dressed like that simply because: 1. you aren't there to impress anyone. you are there for a job. 2. you are there to look the way the production wants you to look. 3. If you want to be noticed, wouldn't you want to look like yourself and not EVERYONE ELSE in this town. I'll admit, I few pieces of trendy clothing, but when it comes to my job, and meeting with people in the industry, I don't look like I just popped out of an Ed Hardy billboard.
"In Los Angeles, it's like they jog for two hours a day and then they think they're morally right. That's when you want to choke people, you know?" - Liam Neeson
I probably wouldn't have gotten that call if I hadn't run into one of the producers of the web series on the set of 'Parks and Recreation' the following week. She was doing background work that particular day and I explained to her the path I have taken and hung out for the day. I'm starting to find that Hollywood is becoming a small world. Which is a good thing and feels right. After 4 years of this rat race, I feel like it's not been a complete waste, and still ask God for patience.
I worked with some real characters this week. For instance, I did a couple scenes this week. When going to wardrobe check, my FAVORITE type of folks were in attendance. I'm talking about the guys/girls who dress 'Hollywood' on any given day, come to set, are asked to change into something different by wardrobe, but don't change due to the fact that feel they already 'fit the part.' There are several reasons these people crack me up, but I will focus on the core part. You can't come to set dressed like that simply because: 1. you aren't there to impress anyone. you are there for a job. 2. you are there to look the way the production wants you to look. 3. If you want to be noticed, wouldn't you want to look like yourself and not EVERYONE ELSE in this town. I'll admit, I few pieces of trendy clothing, but when it comes to my job, and meeting with people in the industry, I don't look like I just popped out of an Ed Hardy billboard.
"In Los Angeles, it's like they jog for two hours a day and then they think they're morally right. That's when you want to choke people, you know?" - Liam Neeson
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tomorrow Never Dies
Today I worked on the show "Parks & Recreation." It was on-location in Hollywood at some popular club. The day went by fast, good people made for good times, that didn't mean I didn't have my usual encounters of what I call "Lifestyles of the bizarre and dramatic." Because it was a club scene, I was paired up with girl who seemed pretty normal. So she asked me how long I have been doing background work. I told her it had been doing it for 4 years and it has been a great way to be in the business, meet the right people, and go to auditions in between. She went on to tell me that she takes acting very serious. So I asked her what she meant by that. Her reply was, "I go on auditions and do a lot of reading." So I told her "Wow, that is serious." I couldn't tell if she thought I was a dick for saying that, or if she didn't know how to keep carrying on the conversation.
The whole interaction cracked me up for a few reasons. It's always nice seeing other people take acting/entertainment serious. But it's another thing when they act as if doing background work is a joke and think they should be working as a waitress and ONLY going to auditions. I will admit, background work can be viewed as a joke. The way I see it is, where else can you get the opportunity to be on a movie set and learn so much? You get paid to watch famous actors "act" in front of your eyes and watch how they get prepared, and how they deliver their lines. With that comes watching the director give direction.
Probably one of my favorite memories to date would be the time I got to be on set for the film "INCEPTION" last Fall. I got to watch director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) give notes to Leonardo DiCaprio. That is cool all across the board. When people were told to go back to the holding area for a break, I stayed back and watched the two titans talk about the scene. So while people are so focused on which head shot makes them look "attractive" or how do they get a SAG voucher, I'm taking advantage of something you can't learn in an acting class, read in a book, or on a DVD.
I chose to make background work my only source of income (besides voice over work) because all my focus is on finding the work, getting the work, and going to work. If I had another side job, acting wouldn't have my full attention. I am also always in the know as to what is going on, on different sets, and what new projects are in development. Slow and steady wins the race.
"I started with the firm conviction that when I came to the end, I wanted to be regretting the things that I had done, not the things I hadn't." - Michael Caine
The whole interaction cracked me up for a few reasons. It's always nice seeing other people take acting/entertainment serious. But it's another thing when they act as if doing background work is a joke and think they should be working as a waitress and ONLY going to auditions. I will admit, background work can be viewed as a joke. The way I see it is, where else can you get the opportunity to be on a movie set and learn so much? You get paid to watch famous actors "act" in front of your eyes and watch how they get prepared, and how they deliver their lines. With that comes watching the director give direction.
Probably one of my favorite memories to date would be the time I got to be on set for the film "INCEPTION" last Fall. I got to watch director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) give notes to Leonardo DiCaprio. That is cool all across the board. When people were told to go back to the holding area for a break, I stayed back and watched the two titans talk about the scene. So while people are so focused on which head shot makes them look "attractive" or how do they get a SAG voucher, I'm taking advantage of something you can't learn in an acting class, read in a book, or on a DVD.
I chose to make background work my only source of income (besides voice over work) because all my focus is on finding the work, getting the work, and going to work. If I had another side job, acting wouldn't have my full attention. I am also always in the know as to what is going on, on different sets, and what new projects are in development. Slow and steady wins the race.
"I started with the firm conviction that when I came to the end, I wanted to be regretting the things that I had done, not the things I hadn't." - Michael Caine
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Rounders
It's official, the slow season has started. A lot of the pilots that are due out in the fall have wrapped production on their first and second episodes. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to still find enough work to stay a float. There seems to be more feature films filming this year than last. Which makes me feel like we might be back on track from the writers strike.
I have received the script to the film that I landed a role in. My first day of shooting is on June 14th. Not too sure as to where they are filming or when the movie will be out. Or whether or not it's a straight to DVD/Blu-ray or if it will be screened at film festivals and shopped around to get a wide release.
Even the work has been slow, still hasn't kept the shenanigans from happening. I worked on the new Aston Kutcher / Natalie Portman movie last week and was paired up with a few interesting people. I was booked as one of four hacky sack guys in the park. A gay Latino, an Armenian, myself, and the whitest white boy in L.A. were the 4 dudes picked to play hacky sack on set. I felt like we were the little rascal rejects.
I have started to get auditions for my voice for voice over work. I have signed up for a website called Voice123 and they look at my profile and my demo, and send me a script to read and tell me how they want it to be read. I then record it, email it back, and wait to hear for another audition or if I actually got the job. Those jobs can range from $10 to $1,500. I haven't gotten a job yet, but I am not surprised. It's going to take some more practice and time to earn my keep.
"Life, like poker, has an element of risk. It shouldn't be avoided. It should be faced." - Edward Norton
I have received the script to the film that I landed a role in. My first day of shooting is on June 14th. Not too sure as to where they are filming or when the movie will be out. Or whether or not it's a straight to DVD/Blu-ray or if it will be screened at film festivals and shopped around to get a wide release.
Even the work has been slow, still hasn't kept the shenanigans from happening. I worked on the new Aston Kutcher / Natalie Portman movie last week and was paired up with a few interesting people. I was booked as one of four hacky sack guys in the park. A gay Latino, an Armenian, myself, and the whitest white boy in L.A. were the 4 dudes picked to play hacky sack on set. I felt like we were the little rascal rejects.
I have started to get auditions for my voice for voice over work. I have signed up for a website called Voice123 and they look at my profile and my demo, and send me a script to read and tell me how they want it to be read. I then record it, email it back, and wait to hear for another audition or if I actually got the job. Those jobs can range from $10 to $1,500. I haven't gotten a job yet, but I am not surprised. It's going to take some more practice and time to earn my keep.
"Life, like poker, has an element of risk. It shouldn't be avoided. It should be faced." - Edward Norton
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Untitled
I've been a little busy lately, so i apologize to those who read this as a way to kill some time at work, take a break in-between your kids, or just not listening to your professor in class. Cool things that have been accomplished include, an audition for a Music Video, a recording session for my official Voice Over Demo, and another audition for a feature film titled 'Delivery' that takes place later this afternoon. The audition for the Music Video was somewhat easy. They wanted me to present a comedy monologue. So I went with Vince Vaughn from 'Wedding Crashers' where he gives his speech about dating and the infamous line 'just the tip' is delivered. Sounds a little inappropriate, but I got some laughs.
The voice over demo was done at a studio inside of actor David Lawrence's home. David is well known for his role as 'Puppet Master' from the show HEROES. The last time we interacted was when he came to my apartment to set me up with my own equipment so I can record auditions myself, rather than pay an arm and a leg to use a studio EVERYTIME I get an audition. The process was a success! I am very pleased with what we came up with. Plus, the process helped with my ability to take direction. In the voice over world taking direction is a little different than it is when you are using your body.
The audition I have this afternoon is for a feature film called 'Delivery.' The role I am reading for is for a man in his 20's who gets his girlfriend pregnant, so they sign up for a reality TV show to follow their pregnancy. It's going to be a different kind of audition. They don't want me to come prepared with a monologue. They won't give me anything to read when I arrive. It will be strictly improv, on the spot type of deal. In other words, I'm coming in hot. I'm confident that I have the quick wit and ability to knock this out of the park. I'm really hoping that if I do get paired up with someone, that they also feel the same way, and are quick on their feet.
The one thing that I don't think people understand about auditions is process of it all. If it happens to land on a weekday, I've got to take the day off from making money to go. With that comes sitting in traffic to get there, the process might take about 7 mins or less, then hop back in the car to sit in the same traffic to get back home. All for a job that I MIGHT get. And if you get the job, you are working on the project on a range of 1 day, or 3 weeks. Then that job is done, so now you gotta do it all over again. The upside to it all is, Everytime you get work on film, that is your audition for other jobs. Directors and Casting Directors see it and know what you're capable of. From that you get offered parts instead of auditioning. Or, when you audition, you have a leg up on the competition.
The actor Chris Evans who just scored the role of 'Captain America' didn't even audition for the role. His work as 'The Human Torch' from the 'Fantastic 4' movies was his proof that he can take on the role as a super hero and is able to take on the responsibility of Captain America. That's just an example, personally, I feel other actors could have fit the part a little better. Anyways, it's part of what makes the whole industry fascinating to me. You work hard enough, earn your keep, and the rest will fall into place. With a little help from the big guy upstairs of coarse. He kinda has the last say in what we do at the end of the day.
The voice over demo was done at a studio inside of actor David Lawrence's home. David is well known for his role as 'Puppet Master' from the show HEROES. The last time we interacted was when he came to my apartment to set me up with my own equipment so I can record auditions myself, rather than pay an arm and a leg to use a studio EVERYTIME I get an audition. The process was a success! I am very pleased with what we came up with. Plus, the process helped with my ability to take direction. In the voice over world taking direction is a little different than it is when you are using your body.
The audition I have this afternoon is for a feature film called 'Delivery.' The role I am reading for is for a man in his 20's who gets his girlfriend pregnant, so they sign up for a reality TV show to follow their pregnancy. It's going to be a different kind of audition. They don't want me to come prepared with a monologue. They won't give me anything to read when I arrive. It will be strictly improv, on the spot type of deal. In other words, I'm coming in hot. I'm confident that I have the quick wit and ability to knock this out of the park. I'm really hoping that if I do get paired up with someone, that they also feel the same way, and are quick on their feet.
The one thing that I don't think people understand about auditions is process of it all. If it happens to land on a weekday, I've got to take the day off from making money to go. With that comes sitting in traffic to get there, the process might take about 7 mins or less, then hop back in the car to sit in the same traffic to get back home. All for a job that I MIGHT get. And if you get the job, you are working on the project on a range of 1 day, or 3 weeks. Then that job is done, so now you gotta do it all over again. The upside to it all is, Everytime you get work on film, that is your audition for other jobs. Directors and Casting Directors see it and know what you're capable of. From that you get offered parts instead of auditioning. Or, when you audition, you have a leg up on the competition.
The actor Chris Evans who just scored the role of 'Captain America' didn't even audition for the role. His work as 'The Human Torch' from the 'Fantastic 4' movies was his proof that he can take on the role as a super hero and is able to take on the responsibility of Captain America. That's just an example, personally, I feel other actors could have fit the part a little better. Anyways, it's part of what makes the whole industry fascinating to me. You work hard enough, earn your keep, and the rest will fall into place. With a little help from the big guy upstairs of coarse. He kinda has the last say in what we do at the end of the day.
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