The end of 2011.

I wanted to write something about 2011, summing up my year and expressing my feelings about the coming 2012. I did that last year. I called it"goodbye Two Thousand and Tenacious, hello Two Thousand and Elevated". I was so clever. Anyway, I just read it and realized I was way off.
I made the predictions about 2011 being my year when everything happens. I get an agent, I book awesome gigs, I travel all over, and I get all those video games I wanted. After reading it I was disappointed. Or at least the disappointment that was on my mind came to surface. What I was hoping for in 2012 was to finally get the agent and to finally move up to the next level. Whatever that means. But I already planned for that last year. And what's to say this year won't be different. Next New Year's Eve I could be writing a blog about the same disappointment I'm feeling now all over again.
But I won't.
This year was a pretty happening year. I did get to travel. I didn't make it to Orlando to visit everyone, but I traveled all around California some, I went to visit Virginia and the DC area, and I flew all the way to Alaska! I've been wanting to do that for a decade! This year, I did it! I met my pen pal, I roamed around at a State Fair and played pirate all day, I saw the Northern Lights and had adventures! I did a lot of pirating elsewhere, I hung out with butterflies, and I became a Jedi! I also got to do a good amount of fairs and a few conventions, just like I said I would. I also ended up with the video games I wanted (Epic Mickey excluded) and money left over at the end of the year. I got to play the Grinch again, just like I said I would. And it was noticed by plenty. And finally, I did take the first and hardest step toward entrepreneurship. So, to a degree, I did what I set out to do.
All that's left is the career stuff. I met some agencies in 2011. This year I will get one. My website will be done. The entrepreneurship will take it's next next step. I will take the next steps toward the career that I am aiming for, gain success, yada yada. I will be happy.
It's not like 2011 was a great year in general anyway. If anything it was horrible. It will forever be associated with mass protests, oppression, class warfare, and struggle. 2011 was a powder keg. If there was gonna be an end of the world I would've expected it to have come in 2011.
2012 should be different. At least for me. It will be a lot of fun. I will make it happen.

Hugo

This one might have spoilers. I try not to, but I didn't know what else to write about.
Someone needs to revamp the advertising spots for Martin Scorsese's latest picture, Hugo Cabret, because they make it look like a tritely enchanting story of a boy who befriends a robot who magically comes to life on goes on a CGI filled adventure. And that is not at all what this movie is. Hugo Cabret is the story of a gifted orphan who searches for his place in the grand mechanism of the world. Hugo Cabret is the story of a wound down man trying to escape a past which is being resurfaced. It's the story of a girl who finally has the adventure she's read about, a broken man becoming whole again and a couple coming together through the romance. But with all the stories that leisurely move along within the film, Hugo Cabret is above all a celebration of film.
As I watched the film, and became enveloped in the mystery of the mechanical man which Hugo devotes everything he has left in order to repair, I couldn't help feel a sense of magic. Perhaps it was simply Scorsese's direction, the winding shots which follow our orphan hero throughout the clock tower's he calls his home, or Howard Shore's lovely scores set to snowfall, but there certainly was magic in the air. Still, I couldn't figure it out. The film is set in a train station in France. The characters are not wizards, elves, or fairy tale heroes. The mechanical automaton which Hugo is repairing is a machine, and while extraordinary, it is not one which runs on anything supernatural. So where was the magic coming from? It's funny to think that the answer was in front of me the whole time. I was looking right at it. The magic was the magic film-making.
Toward the middle of the movie, Hugo takes his new friend to see her very first movie, Safety Last, the film famous for Harold Lloyd's death-defying clock stunt. You the viewer get a chance to see the film on the big screen, and feel just as audiences of it's day did, both wowed and terrified over the still impressive stunt work. The movie continues to mention how the early days of moving pictures frightened audiences into thinking a real train was heading for them. It showcases in glorious montage some of the most famous films of the early era ever. I for one was delighted at seeing images of Charlie Chaplin, Cesar the Somnambulist, and the moon from my personal favorite, Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon). I was delighted to see the film continued to share the magnificent imagery from the man who produced, directed, wrote, and starred in the iconic silent film, Georges Méliès. Scorsese paid a loving tribute to silent film and Méliès' work, showcasing clips from his imaginative masterpieces, and even going so far as to let us in one one being made. In that moment I realized where the magic was coming from.
We saw the hand painted sets move back and forth to allow actors dressed in bright costumes dance around live pyrotechnics and theatrical rigging to create the illusion of floating mermaids, flying spacemen, and dancing monsters. All the special effects and wizardy that made film so popular in the first place were put displayed in all their awesomeness, without aid of CGI filler to make it pop or sparkle. Watching as the images being recreated, you could see how it was imagination that inspired such awe and wonder. And it was pure love for film and all its potential that made it so beautiful and fun. It was the stuff that dreams are made of, pure and simple.
Scorsese paid tribute to a true artist and an time of true brilliance in film. And I believe he did so when we needed it most. We are currently in an era where movies are compelled by franchise profiting and tent pole films are given the most attention. Scorsese reminded us of when films drew in audiences because they reacted to them, and inspired those to make them so they could share visions and stories that before could only be found in dreams. Hugo was released in the same year studios released 27 sequels to previous movies, and within of month of when 6 movie reboots were announced in the same week. If there was ever a time when the film industry seemed to be out of imagination and creativity, it is now. And while I know Hugo was based of a book that somebody else wrote, it still reminds us of a time when film inspired new ideas, rather than repacked old ones.
Even so, Hugo Cabret is a wonderful movie filled with touching stories, lovable performances, and plenty of emotion. It doesn't have any supernatural elements or blockbuster action sequences to curl you up onto the edge of your seat, but you'll find yourself there anyway. You'll find yourself in awe, wonder, delight, love, awkwardness, tension, suspense, and triumph as the characters go about their lives and try to find their place within each others'. And when watching the timeless works of classic filmmakers, as well as the tributes of the current ones, you'll find yourself in believing in its magic again.
You'll also find yourself wanting to find an old theater somewhere that still shows black and white movies.

It's Peter Pan night!!

I'm about to lose my mind. I've been anxiously awaiting today for months. Months! Tonight is the premiere of Sky Movies' Neverland, and the big reveal from the "East of Kensington".
When I first heard of Neverland, I was cautious, but after seeing the epic trailer, I've been biting my nails anxiously awaiting the premiere. And that was in May! In July I scoured the internet thinking it had premiered in the UK and I could get my hands on it, but alas, I had to practice strict patience for half a year.
And with "East of Kensington", I stumbled across them in September and fell in love after reading every single post they made on Tumblr. And if you're not familiar with this grass roots short film, then you're clearly not following my Tumblr. The point is, I've been following the film just shy of stalker distance ever since I heard about it. As if that wasn't bad enough they had to add a countdown to some sort of revelation about the film that ends tonight. Which makes the excitement to see this film come together even greater. Though I will say, I'm pretty sure I know what's going on already (brushes shoulder).
I'm already excited so see both these films, and the fact that something significant with each of them is falling on the same evening makes it feel like a holiday. And I wanna celebrate! I'm wearing my favorite Peter Pan shirt and making announcements all over my social media networks. I truly am treating this like a festive occasion. I should decorate the apartment with even more of my memorabilia.

The trouble is, just a minute ago I discovered I have a SyFy channel that's running on east coast time. Which means I can see the movie three hours earlier than I thought I'd get to! 20 MORE MINUTES!! I'M SO EXCITED!!

The Muppets

I’m almost in tears. Reflecting on my time out at the movies tonight, it was the greatest movie viewing experience I’ve ever had. First of all, how often does a night spent sitting in a movie theater have enough happen in it where you can reflect on it? Not very, that’s how much. But tonight was unique. It was magical. It was sensational. It was muppetational.

My super amazing girlfriend Sami surprised me with tickets to go see The Muppets earlier today. I have been waiting for this movie longer than I can remember, erupting with excitement and laughter at every news tidbit, promo, music video, and parody trailer that came out of building this movie. And when it finally came… I had no money to go see it. So Sami’s surprise was more than welcome, it was uplifting! Still, neither of us knew how surprisingly joyous her joyful surprise would be. She picked two seats in the second row of the El Capitan Theater, just to the left of center. We knew there would be some sort of show involving Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and she figured we want to sit close enough to see it. So we arrived to the El Capitan, I checked in on FourSquare and got a free ‘50^th Anniversary of Kermit the Frog’ pin for doing so. We got our complimentary popcorn and sat down in the second row, right behind the organist, who soon played a medley of Mary Poppins and then followed it with “Rainbow Connection”. The show hadn’t started yet and I already got a little prize and felt the magic in the air resonating in me.
Sitting in the orchestral pit of the El Captain, I got to take in more of the theater than I ever had before. It was like I was seeing for the first time again. It’s a beautiful theater. The organist wrapped up his pre-show organing, exiting with “The Muppet Show Theme”, and the curtain rose, and once again, beautiful. Sitting as close as I was I really appreciated the classic Hollywood charm the curtains and lights all had. Then the final one parted and there was a series of boxes lined up across the stage, which I knew was for Kermit and Piggy. A Christmas-sweatered man came out with a microphone to sing Christmas carols with the audience. Then shortly after, Kermit and Piggy popped up from behind the boxes and joined in. Then the three asked the audience to join in, and we sang Christmas carols with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. We also rung jingle bells which we had been given earlier. The whole thing was wholesome yuletide merriment. As the songs continued, a spotlight popped up on Kermit, who leaned on his elbow, musing to the thought of snowfall in Hollywood, then to Piggy who sang sweetly to her frog prince. The host snuck behind them with a bucket of white confetti and threw it over the couple to make it snow for them. That was sweet enough, but the magic in the air ended the Christmas medley with snowfall in the theater itself. Kermit and Piggy waved goodbye and the theater went dark.

The movie started.

I’ll do my best not to spoil any of the fun and nostalgia of the film, but I will say that it was perfect. It began in a way that made you smile with childhood delight and fondness of yesteryear. The next scenes featured a whimsical and happy musical number in the genre that is distinctly Muppets. Optimistic songs and silly humor are expected in a Muppet movie, and this one did not disappoint. The jokes were signature of their style, but still fresh and new. The audience was laughing over and over again, and I can only imagine they were smiling between the laughs. I expected all the silliness and whimsy, but still found myself impressed with just how much was on the screen. Everything was bright, shiny, and fun!
Then the plot took our characters to Los Angeles. Immediately the bright, shiny, and new was gone. The movie addressed the unhappy reality that the Muppets have not been around much before now. Rather than seeing the brand new songs and dances, the film focused on the past. While I love nostalgia, and am excited to see relics of the past, seeing Kermit’s banjo covered in dust and Jim Henson’s picture on the wall was heartbreaking in the sweetest way. The plot continues to remind us that the Muppets have been all but forgotten. Essentially, The Muppets comes out and says the Muppets are no more. But here’s what separates the Muppets from every other beloved gang of iconic characters; they find inspiration out of nothing, support it, and believe in the most absurd of dreams. If dreams go to die in Los Angeles, they are resurrected at Muppet Studios. From there they set off to do the impossible and do what they do best. And of course, there’s optimism and silliness the entire time.
Moving right along, the majority of the movie takes place in Los Angeles, and I’m so happy to be living here because I feel I appreciated some jokes on a stronger level. Also because there are a number of locations I can “I go there!” to, and one I could say “I’m there right now!” to! In this movie, the Muppets’ Theater is the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, the very theater I was watching The Muppets. I was watching the Muppets perform in a movie in a theater where they perform! It was the next best thing to actually watching the show by being in the movie. That surreal dream was realized by my friend Jack, who I am now jealous as hell of. I’ve never thought I’d regret not doing more extra work. It’s always been a dream of mine to perform alongside the Muppets, and I’d totally settle for being part of the magnificent moments the people at Hollywood locations shared with them.
The Muppets gave us so many of those moments. My heartstrings were tugged repeatedly. Not just through nostalgia and fandom, but in the characters relationships, their struggles, their triumphs, their defeats, and more than anything, their hopes. While The Muppets has everything you’d expect in a Muppet movie, I was still surprised in their actions. The little things they do that make a big difference. The things you’d never see coming but for some reason are so glad you did. It was perfect. And there was also more celebrity cameos than I can count, so it had that going for it too.

As if all this wasn’t enough, I got a text from a friend of mine who works with Kermit. Yeah. Apparently he saw me sitting in that perfect spot, front and center, while he was waiting in the wings before the show. I saw my friend in the movie. Kermit saw me in the audience. Everything was awesome. And to top it off, the El Capitan put a display in their downstairs area featuring Miss Piggy’s wardrobe from the movie. There was also a mural to get your photo with, and two small sets from the movie. I got to see the dust covered banjo and picture of Jim Henson hanging on the wall. We sat down to get our picture. I got my picture in front a mural of the Muppets, in the building which housed their stage, wearing my Kermit the Frog pin, having just gotten a text from him saying he was glad I liked the movie… I’m glad I got the picture, but I’ll be reflecting on this forever.

An actoring lesson.

A week or so I participated in the first annual Experience NoHo Arts Festival. And by participated I mean I went to it. I wanted to see the great unknown wonders my community had to offer. I love these kind of things. I planned on perusing through art galleries and checking out what sounded like some pretty cool bands, but while killing time til other friends could join me, I thought I'd do some personal-minded stuff. There were acting classes being offered. I figured there's no better idea than being a part of the festival while actively being engaged in the betterment of my career. I'd see the galleries later with friends.
So I went to three classes. The first was at a place I think I had been getting newsletter emails from, so I decided to see what it was all about without really having an idea of what I'd be participating in. I walked into a Meisner exercise. I will admit, I was disappointed, as the Meisner repetition exercise is one of the few acting tools I know I don't like. But that's no reason not to participate, so I sat down and re-affiliated myself with Meisner. When the acting coach asked me if I was familiar with it, I told him I dabbled in it. I knew of it, I had done it, but I never really studied it. Even though I don't really care for it, when my turn came to go through the exercise, I felt comfortable with it and did my best. After two rounds of repetition, he told me that I've clearly done this before and knew what I was doing. I kinda found that surprising.
After the short workshop, the acting coach encouraged everyone to leave their information and consider checking out the full class. He came up to me and one other person specifically to tell us that we really should look into it. I forget the specific reason why, but it was very much the ‘you’ve got something in you’ kinda thing. So when they called me up to see if I was interested in auditing a class, I went for it.

This morning he interviewed me to learn a little bit about where I was in my career, as well as to tell me what the class is like. He gave me a scene to read over and told me I’d be working it later in the class. I have to say, the character he had me reading for was perfect. Anyway, we did the repetition exercises, which were a range of experiences in comfort and sincerity. The class continued with some improv scenes, which was interesting to watch. Then it was time for me to do my scene. I had read it enough times to connect to it, not enough times to be stuck in an idea of how it should go, but unfortunately still not enough to have the lines down. I had a good idea, but at one point I had to close my eyes and hope I got the words right enough not to throw off my scene partner. I had a fair grasp of the scene, but still had to look at the pages repeatedly. I wanted to keep eye contact with her and not risk breaking the connection I was making with her, but those damn lines were not there! The first read was not to my level of standard. Much to my surprise however, the coach said it was a good read. The next one was much better. We connected. Eye contact was there. It was real. I wasn’t reading the lines, I was in it. At the girl’s request we did it a third time, and that was just as good. I was much more satisfied with myself. The coach said it was a great read, though it still wasn’t perfect, and didn’t have any notes to give me. At least not yet. He wanted to speak to me after class.
He asked me what I thought of what they did, and whether I got something from it. He said he could tell I knew the exercise and had done it before. Then he told me I was a good actor. And he said it in a way that meant more than just "good". I don't know what, but he made it clean I should feel proud and confident in my acting. He restated it, then continued to tell me that I was a good type, I looked young, and that I should be getting a lot of work. But he also told me that I need to be anchored somewhere. I told him I had been in LA for two years and I hadn’t gone to any classes. I performed weekly with iO West for about six months, but that was about it. I wasn’t with a class, a company, or any acting institution where I was getting myself seen, meeting with people, or just plain being involved in my business. If I had that I could grow, get opinions from peers, and network. Which is important! His biggest advice for me over anything else was simply to find someplace that worked for me and be a part of it. I was a good actor, and I’ve got a lot going for me, I just needed to be somewhere.

This was all very nice to hear. I appreciated all he had to say to me, and I was grateful to discover he thought I was so good at what I do. But I’ll admit the comment needing to find a class and stick with it was a bit of a bummer. I always enjoyed my gyspy-esque lifestyle, bouncing around a number of places without being tied to any particular one. I completely understand his opinion, and I agree with it, but I just like variety. It’s fun.

So now my goal, aside from finding representation, is to figure out some singular place to work on my skills. I already have a class or two in mind, but then I also have to find the money for it. Which would be a lot easier if I had an agency backing me up when I’m auditioning. But it seems I’ll need to take a class and network with all of them first. But then again… that means I need to… Gah. It’s a tough business out here. And I’m well aware of that, don’t get me wrong. I’m going to take everything he said in consideration and keep working at all of this from all the angles I can. I’ll find my way into this cycle and then things will really get moving. I’m very confident in all of this. Nevertheless, it’s great to hear that I’ve got a lot going for me as a very good actor.

I survived Halloween Horror Nights. For the seventh year.

I woke up and my muscles are sore. My legs, my right arm, and the muscles in my fingers are all tense and aching from Halloween Horror Nights.  A little bit in my abs too. …ladies.

I’ve been involved with Halloween Horror Nights since 2004, and for seven of those years I’ve been a scareactor at the event. Four in Universal Orlando, and the last three at Hollywood’s park.  And now, I have finally made the choice to retire from it. And before anybody who knows me says anything, Yes, I have said that before. I decided not to do it in 2008 and instead enjoyed being a guest at the coolest event yet (in which they finally took my idea to do nothing but fairy tales gone wrong), but the next year I auditioned for Hollywood’s event while visiting Los Angeles, and was back in the game. And I’ve said it would be my last year plenty of times… but I think blogging this will make it official.

It’s a great event, and I’m proud to say this was the year that Halloween Horror Nights became the number one Halloween attraction in Southern California, beating Knott’s Scary Farm, which has been leading the race since they came up with the idea thirtysome years ago. I’m also proud to say our house, “Alice Cooper’s: Welcome to My Nightmare”, was consistently leading in points (or something) through the entire month. And personally, I loved our haunted house. I haven’t been so proud of a house or it’s cast since I first joined HHN with Castle Vampyre, a house that won House of the Year and was repeated the next two years. Alice Cooper’s Nightmare was just an awesome, ass-kicking house, full of tons of crazy, scary stuff and Alice Cooper references. Not to mention the rockin’ soundtrack. And for it, I got to play an 8’ tall version of Alice Cooper who was commonly mistaken for a pirate. All of this together made this the perfect year to go out on. I don’t know if I could top that role or that house.

All in all it was a good year. It was exhausting, grueling, demanding, physically stressing work, like it always is. We had to endure cold weather, hectic schedules, lots of prosthetic makeup, and a crazed guest who trashed our backstage break area on the last night. The other stilt walkers and I also had to deal with cheap stilts that were always unstable, until most of us upgraded to the much better, but much heavier stilts. Then we started this rotation system, it was weird. The point is, we had it tough in having to deal with a set of nine pound metal stilts; carrying them around the Scare Base where there wasn’t always room for us to do, waiting for a van to take us down to our spot that would still have room in it for us and all our stuff, and then performing quick, repetitive movements with weights strapped around our calves. Which is why so much of me is sore.

And like I said, this year will be my last. I got some brutal scares, a richly colored bruise (which you get every year), and I broke the set (like I do every year), and I was there almost every night, still coming up with crazy new ways to freak people out. The event really is something special, and it has always made the Halloween season epic. But while I'm working, I can never go to other Halloween events or parties, or even see all of HHN for myself, and it pretty much takes over my entire life for the time. I'm either working or recovering. But I want my October back. When next year comes around, I’ll find something else to do. It’s time for me to move on… I’ve done as much as I can... yada yada. Point is, Horror Nights was fun, but I’m done now. I went out on a "hell week" as a stilt walker in an amazing house in an impressive year... that's a good way to finish.

Plus I scared Alice Cooper's family.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

For the first time, I got to be the guy who saw the big movie before all my friends. And I loved it. So I'm gonna write a little bit about it. Though I don't know who'd read this; it's not like anybody needs convincing to see the movie.

Anyway.


This movie was magnificent. But I think that's to be expected. After all, it is the epic conclusion to a decade long movie franchise that has only become more magnificent, among other valuable aesthetic qualities. The final installment is the artistic culmination of the series; having begun gleefully, grown into the "darker" episodes, and maturing into the artistic achievements that have been the Deathly Hallows films.
What really resonated with me in this film was specific moments. Director David Yates slowed down many moments so that we may fully appreciate the pain, hardship, and chaos that would normally fly by without an honest chance to comprehend its severity. Not only did he slow them down for us, but shot and edited them in a way which would stop your heart. Or he would do the exact opposite and make your heart race and pound as hard as it could. There were a lot of intense moments, and not one was missed. Yates focused the strength of his cast, his photographers, and his post production team to hit as hard as he could.
On that note, the shots used old photography tricks like, depth of field, filters, and composition to convey the story through a visual medium. It sacrificed the crystal clear blockbusting IMAX 3Dness is so popular nowadays to produce spectacle that resonates on a different level. There was only one scene where the 3D made me "feel like I was really there," with all its roller-coaster-ride fun. The rest of the movie made me feel like someone was about to die, or the end was at hand,or triumph was at hand, or any number of feelings that shook me to the core. To me, it makes for a better picture to make me cry, or gasp, or applaud, rather than to make me say "wow, that was cool." (I have a good analogy for what I’m talking about, but I don’t wanna spoil a single thing.)
I got choked up. I held my breath for the characters time and time again. And I have never heard of an audience applaud for characters often as they did this morning. Granted I was watching the movie with fans, but as I said earlier, there were so many moments! Every character we've grown to love had their moment in the light. Some more than others. Even some we don't root for. There was an incredible amount of respect given to these character and their actions, which makes this closing chapter impossible to love.
Everyone loved it. The final moments were ones of joy. Not excitement or whimsy, but pure contentment. When the credits rolled, people didn't seem to cheer and woo like most people do after a totally awesome movie. They just clapped, like after a masterpiece concerto. At least that's how I remember it
So, I know you're going to enjoy the movie, but I have to wrap this up into a nice package: Enjoy the moments. Celebrate them. Enjoy the silence, celebrate the actions. Go so far as to enjoy the credits and nostalgically triumphant score that accompanies it! And celebrate the perfect end of a magnificent, outstanding series. Point your wand at the screen when the WB logo comes up at the end and say "Mischief managed!" I can't believe I was the only one to do that.

American Idiot:: The Movie: a dream since 2004.

The American Idiot movie is happening. I started dreaming about this almost seven years ago. But I thought seven years from then I'd be closer to being a part of it. So now the daydream that fueled the many operettas that took place in the driver's seat of my car has turned into a mere snippet from an online magazine (Playbill.com), I feel hopeless. As if I had gone through every experience chasing an idealistic dream to a glittering city only to be made an idiot of. I feel my six year character study of the Jesus of Suburbia is coming to a close, and all that's left for me to do is return home...
When I first heard about the album I was more excited for it than anything the entertainment world had come up with so far. Green Day was doing a rock opera. Nothing sounded cooler than that. I never bought things for myself except for gas money to go home and visit the girlfriend and family, but I saved up and bought the special edition from my tiny, local record store. I couldn't get over it. The album book had a story written through lyrics, letters, tirades, and sketches. These artistic glimpses gave clues and shared emotions of this true-to-life character with a larger-than-life ego, the untrustworthy environment he lived in, and a rebellious drive to reach something better. And then the story continued to the City, and meeting St. Jimmy and Whatsername. I could go on and on about how brilliant this album was.
And I did. I would spend hours talking about it to people who didn't know about it, and even longer with fans who loved it too. We'd talk about how many different ways the story could be interpreted; whether it was literal or full of metaphors, or both. I knew this album inside and out. I had some friends tell me that I probably knew the story and the character better than anyone, and others who would roll their eyes and sigh when I started talking it up again for the umpteenth time. It wasn't an obsession, but a passion.
I practiced the songs in the car. And I still listened to the album again and again. Not just because I wanted to study it and make sure I knew everything about it. But I loved it that much. I still listen to it and full and I never tire of it. It's that good! But back then I had to burn CD-Rs with the album on it because I started to wear it out so much. Then I wore out my first CD-R. Lucky for me the Dean Gray American Edit remix came out and I had something new to listen to that shook things up, and was full of even more artistry about the social climate and rebellious youth, but still was essentially the awesome album I was so into. I was also buying every entertainment magazine I could find about the band and the album. I was buying tickets to see the band perform live and in theaters in Bullet In a Bible. I was recording every show and VH1 special onto VHS tapes, just in case there was some new tidbit that I haven't discovered yet. I couldn't get enough, and fortunately there was so much to American Idiot that I never got bored with it. And there was the starry-eyed dream to be a part of the eventual feature film that I was sure would one day exist to keep me enthused about hitting play one more time.
And I went further than just listening, studying, and daydreaming. I wrote cover letters and sent my resume to Samuel Bayer's office. He was the awesome music video director who did every one of the videos from American Idiot. I read he was about to do the "Jesus of Suburbia" video, and I wanted to be a part of it in some way. It didn't matter to me that I was some college kid in Florida, I would do whatever it took to get to his California shoot. Unfortunately, two days after I wrote him, the video was premiered with Lou Taylor Pucci as the title role. I was too late to be a part of anything. Still, as determined as ever, I pursued everything I could do to get my foot in someone's door, no matter how long of a shot it was.
Then I moved to California. Shortly after arriving I found out that a theatre company in Berkeley had put together a full show using the music of American Idiot and some additional Green Day songs from their follow-up album 21st Century Breakdown. It had been cast, and rehearsed, and was now being put on stage. I read that the band couldn't imagine seeing American Idiot as a stage production, so I thought it might've been a community production or a school play or something. But I quickly learned that this was the real deal. That it was written and directed by Michael Mayer, the man behind Spring Awakening, and that even Green Day themselves were involved. So it wasn't going to be a movie, it was going to be a play after all. And I had missed out. I came to California too late to audition and have a chance to be a part of this too. And since I just moved and hadn't really gotten work yet, I didn't have the money to even see it. By the time I finally scrounged up the money to drive to Berkley and see it, it was sold out all the way until the end. I felt like a fool for not putting my name in sooner and then getting the money. But there was nothing I could do about it. It would've came and went without me.
Then the show went to Broadway. And I was floored. I couldn't believe it. I was thrilled that the show was getting national recognition and the actors were moving to a Broadway stage. I mean, so many dreams must have been fulfilled in that. And while I was still envious that none of these actors were me, I was just happy for the show, and that I may get super lucky enough that I could go to New York and see it. It was a like a second chance to be close to the show, even if I wouldn't have another chance to be in it. But then I saw the cast perform "21 Guns" at the Grammys with the band. And then they recorded the song with the band in the studio. Beyond my dream of being a part of American Idiot, there were dreams of getting to perform with Green Day that were being had by the cast. I was envious enough as it was, but this was like having it thrown in my face. And then Billy Joe Armstong joined the cast! I couldn't believe it! And not only was I not performing in "American Idiot" alongside a member of the damn band, but I still couldn't see it!!
Then the show ended, much to my dismay, but is going on tour, which gives me hope again. A possible third chance to see the show. And since I've also read they're holding auditions again, maybe I could somehow possibly have another chance to be in the show. But then again, I'm pretty sure that's stopped. So... by this point, I feel as if I've had all the chances there would be to be a part of the show. Or more accurately, I never really had a chance. I feel defeated in my attempts to move to the city and start something.
A while after the album my girlfriend and I broke up. I took it very hard, and in all the wrong ways. I felt like I needed a new persona, and being so into the character of the Jesus of Suburbia, I was inspired by him. So I came up with a new persona and called it character study. I took note of how people reacted to it, and how well it was working out for me in putting on this air of a reckless, brooding bad ass. But like JoS, I met a girl, and grew tired of the facade. And like JoS, I lost her admist deciding who I was. I experienced all this heartbreak and soul searching, and as painful as it is, I feel it's all worth it for the experience. And I would comfort myself by saying that it all helped me to better understand the Jesus of Suburbia and St. Jimmy, which would one day be helpful when I am part of the American Idiot movie.
Now, like JoS, I grew tired of my metropolis sized dreams being held down in a small town life. So I moved to the City, only to be confused in how to achieve my goals, make the wrongs choices, and find out I've missed out on it. It would make sense now to pack up and go home without even a name.

But that's one thing that differs between myself and JoS; I've still got that hope that I'll get something out of it. I'm still searching for an agent, so the next time I get an audition for a major studio feature, to have in my corner to back me up. And then maybe I can get it. And then maybe I'll make a new name for myself. And then maybe, hopefully, someone will want to tie it to the new American Idiot movie that's finally happening.

Foursquare (the app)

I could go on for hours about the game, but this is a blurb about the internet social network thing.
Yesterday I had my 100th check in on Foursquare. It was for my first time seeing a movie at the Mann's Chinese Theater, which happened to be an advanced company screening of the end of an epic decade long film saga, so it was a pretty awesome check-in. But I digress.
I've been a Foursquare for a little over a month, I've made 100 check-ins and received nine badges. According to the site, about three quarters of the places I check-in at are new, and I'm usually going to three different places when I'm out. All these stats are pretty awesome to me, because before I signed up for it I was complaining about how boring my life had gotten and that I don't do anything anymore. Now I'm doing a lot. According to Foursquare.
I put out this energy to the universe, that I was gonna be more active and have adventures everywhere. To make it official, I signed up for Foursquare, saying that I would need this account to keep track of all the fantastic places I'd be going. Low and behold, I'm going places! Not only am I just out and about way more, but this month I'll be flying to Virginia to be introduced to all kinds of new places for a while, and then the month after that I'll be in Alaska! And I'll be checking in like crazy!
But even more than the possible cosmic effect this internet game has had on my life, it's fun! I have no idea what it is about it that I like so much, but it's fun! I haven't bothered with the merchants, brands, or other third party things. I haven't gotten any of the associated apps, and I haven't started a To-Do List. All I've done is check-in to places and attach little messages every now and a la Twitter. And that alone is just fun to me. It's like a scavenger hunt that you can tweet about and everyone's in on it. And you get fictional badges for it!
There's also something about racking up points, fulfilling the many categories, and being rewarded for being some place new. It makes you feel all the more accomplished for spending time outside your living room, even if it turns out the place was a dud. And occasionally there are legitimate rewards, like free stuff or good tips to making the most out of some place you know nothing about. Eventually I'll try out the third party stuff and see what else I can get out of all these check-ins.
The only thing I really haven't agreed with is the same thing that kept me off the site for so long. Why is it called Foursquare. Four square is already an awesome, awesome game. And I don't see the connection or any homage being paid. And the other thing is that it's become this gateway app that makes me want an iPhone just so it's easier to check in. And since Foursquare, I've signed up for GetGlue, FormSpring, and now I'm considering Klout. I think it could lead to my destruction, but at least I'll be out and about when it happens.
Follow my geographic decline into madness on Foursquare.

the Looney Tunes reboot

And by reboot I mean heartless abandonment.
I love the Looney Tunes. My dad loves the Looney Tunes. I can't imagine how many thousands or millions of people still love the cartoon serials from the 1930s. But that's how good they are. They're timeless, hilarious, and super iconic. No matter how many times I see a Looney Tunes cartoon, or recently I just saw it, I still find it hilarious. And now that I've grown, I'm noticing things I never did before, catching references I didn't know about, and appreciating the cartoons on a whole new level.
Everything about them is top notch. It's some of the best animation ever. The characterization is superb, so much that it's why Disney Animation, who was the pinnacle of animated achievement, wanted Warner to be such a big part of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The directing is excellent, allowing the likes of Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng and Tex Avery to create a style all their own and build a name for themeselves, as animation directors. Who does that?! And the voice acting is phenomenal, which is probably why they've always had such a hard time bringing the characters back. Because Mel Blanc made those characters so loveable and entertaining. But that's not to say it's impossible. It just means you have to do it right.
Not crap out on it and bring us the new Looney Tunes Show:
For those who may be scratching their heads trying to figure this out, let me explain. It's exactly like you're thinking it is, but hoping it isn't. The premise of the show is Bugs and Daffy are roommates, they spend time together and misadventures ensue, most like by Daffy's antics leading from one thing to the next until it's all nice and crazy. Also, in case you couldn't tell, Bugs and Daffy are very much the "odd couple", Bugs being the irritable "straight man" and Daffy being the vaguely amoral comedic one. Here's a clip of the show which demonstrates the two's personality, as well as the style of the show:
Now if any of this seems familiar to you, you're probably a fan of Cartoon Network's recent hit, Regular Show. Or maybe your a fan of Clerks: The Animated Series. Or perhaps one of any shows with this exact same premise and style of comedy. If you're a fan of Clerks, you'll like this show. But if you're a fan of the Looney Tunes, you probably won't. But getting back to the point; the premise of 'two roommates, one who drives the other insane with his antics' is the most basic concept for a tv show. I would say it's been done a million times, but every example of a show like it actually had the sense to improve upon the concept some. But not this show, their idea of making this show special is purely 'it's got the Looney Tunes in it.' If it wasn't for the fact this show was heavily relying on brand recognition, it would just be a general sitcom cartoon.
The thing is, I don't really see what's wrong with that. I'd rather see them just make up two random characters, plug them in, and have that be the show. I honestly don't think it would matter either. The show has enough comedy it can hold it's own. Just market it right and it'll work. There's no need to ruin Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck but reinventing them to fit the criteria of these characters who are not really Bugs and Daffy. Bugs is not an irritable down-to-earth type who always disappointed by his roommate. He is a silly guy, who's upbeat even when someone's pissed him off.  He's the one to start shenanigans and get people into ridiculous situations.  He has also screws with people, gets mad, and zones out dressing someone's scalp like a fruit salad. I'm not even gonna mention the cross-dressing part of his eccentricity. The same goes for Daffy, who is usually the irritated one who breaks the fourth wall. They're both nut jobs who go loony and cause distress for others, but Daffy is the one who became the go to guy for getting the short end of the stick. Now it's Bugs. And the audience.
I understand that characters evolve and change over time, and that Bugs, Daffy, and half of the Looney Tunes characters didn't start the way they they're most recognized. So I'm not gonna get on how not right I think they look kinda odd and remind me of this. But I want to make clear that I'm perfectly in my right to bash this new show and say, evolution or not, because this new version of the Looney Tunes is not an redesign, modernization, or anything of the sort. This is like making a revamp of Ren & Stimpy but using Mickey and Donald instead. It disregards the integrity of the original characters, the work of the individuals who made these characters, and anybody who has the will to actually take a chance on a new idea.
If Warner really really feels the Looney Tunes are all they have to create a new cartoon series with, then why don't they just make more Looney Tunes cartoons?! Cartoon Network has been running classic Looney Tunes for a month, along with their movies, to rekindle interest in the characters. Personally, I think they're just reminding everyone of why they should be upset with this new show. Still, the cartoons were being shown again, and the world rejoiced. The other day, I caught a new cartoon, in full audience-pandering-3D. It was a Wile E. vs the Roadrunner, and it was great. They didn't speak, he tried to catch the Roadrunner, and the Roadrunner bests him. It was totally in the vain of the original cartoons, just modernized. And they played it among all the classics. It was just fine. Disney released a Goofy cartoon before one of their movies a couple years ago, and the audience loved it. Warner could do the exact same. Then they could let Cartoon Network or whoever wants to air the classics mix in a few new ones and give us new classics. It's As Simple As That.
Keep it simple Warner. No need to reinvent. That kind of thinking gives us stuff like this.

In my last post I praised the Old Spice gentlemen for their winning personalities. But I didn't go far enough to express the amazingness of the captaining Old Spice guy, Isaiah Mustafa. Isaiah is a former NFL receiver and barbecue restauranteur. Knowing that, it's hard to not be wowed by him and deem him even awesomer than before.
Having said all that, let me tell you about the Dos Equis guy, Jonathon Goldsmith, the most interesting man in the world. And no, I'm not referring to his character, I am referring to Jonathon Goldsmith.

Jonathon Goldsmith is an actor from the Bronx who trained with the likes of Robert Duvall and Dustin Hoffman, who he told off early in his career, saying he would make it and Hoffman wouldn't. Unfortunately, after moving to Los Angeles, his acting career consisted mostly of being killed on cop shows. These included everything from being hung to be ground up a nun impersonator. He did play the villain of a John Wayne movie, The Shootist, where Wayne fired blood capsules from a prop gun right between Goldsmith's eyes for several takes. He put up with painfully being shot in the face repeatedly at point blank because he's a badass. He eventually left acting and started what I would call an entrepreneurship. He started his own marketing company and assisted others on achieving their goals. After doing enough pitches on stages he yearned to return to acting, so he retired from the multi-million dollar company he himself started to be a struggling actor again.
But this isn't the part that gets me excited, while I still think it's pretty darn cool. No, here's what makes him the interesting entrepreneurial legend that he is. He also had a water-less car washing business. He's worked as a garbageman and a construction worker. He's rescued a stranded climber in Mt. Whitney and a drowning girl in Malibu. He supports a few important charities, including the S.A.B.R.E. Foundation to save Siberian tigers, which he has fed by hand. He was friends with the great Hollywood swordfighter, Fernando Lama, with whom they shared a love of sailing. It's that same love that keeps him living on 47-foot houseboat. He has a large library. He's into old philosophers more than he's into sports. He loves pocketknives and can open gang-style. He enjoys wine tasting and chopping wood. At this point, it sounds like potential material for one of his iconic Dos Equis ads.
It's stuff like that which makes me feel a little more sane about wanting to live like the character he plays in beer commercials. I participated in the Most Interesting Man's Cargo Hunt last summer, and I want to attend the Most Interesting Academy. I want to develop a taste for both kind of tortilla chips just to be a little more like the larger than life character. And if that would make someone a little more like the magnificent character than Jonathon Goldsmith is, I think that's perfectly acceptable.

The New Old Spice Guy

Much to my own surprise, I'm become a fan of several spokescharacters.

They've developed strong personalities that I, and the rest of the country can't help but me drawn to. I genuinely love The Most Interesting Man In the World. I want to be anything like him. I want to even be a pale comparison of him.
Still, perhaps the most charming and captivating spokescharacter of the bunch is The Man Your Man Could Smell Like. The original commercial is one of the most brilliant, successful, and entertaining commercials of all time. And a good part of that is all on the muscular shoulders of  Isaiah Mustafa, the charismatic actor who is a master of timing and staying focused as the world literally moves around him. It's far too easy to see why women love him and men want to be him. Evenmoreso than his predecessors, Neil Patrick Harris, who women love and want their men to be like, and Bruce Campbell, who both men and women love and want to be like.
Well, now, I'd like to introduce the next Old Spice guy, who's manly name has yet to be revealed. Until then I'll call him The Man Who Smells Like a Man Should Smell. He is not replacing The Man Your Man Could Smell Like, as America has proclaimed our love for that man. But this new man is Old Spice's representative for countries that aren't America. I assume countries which have a larger reptilian problem than this one.
I, for one, love this man. I think he is a great spokescharacter. Just as strong, charming, and handsome as all his Old Spice associates. I will admit, he is not as glorious as the American counterpart, but I would still love to see more of him being amazing. I would also love to get a white suit, grow my hair out, and walk around pretending to be half as awesome as he is. I could pull that off way easier than I could a towel.

After spending all morning scurrying in and out of the apartment, looking for my professional resume envelopes, I managed to get my resume and cover letter in the mail, just before the postman left the building.
Five minutes later, I find out that job has already been filled.

Rango

Since I first saw the trailers for Rango, I was interested. The more trailers and TV spots I saw, the more interested and excited I became. I loved the character design, the quirky humor, and what appeared to be a great devotion to detail and not phoning it in. Then they put out a trailer that showcased Johnny Depp playing his role alongside the corresponding animated scene. Of course the ad was saying "Hey, look! Johnny Depp! See!", but I saw it more as "look how much effort we put on having believable and genuine performances!" I had to go see it!
Unfortunately for me, I'm poor. Like, broke poor. Not only that, but I made plans to see it with a friend, and they kept getting pushed back for one reason or another... then she went out town... anyway, I was tired of waiting and went to see it, damn the expense. And now that I have, I'm kind of upset I didn't go see it earlier, or at a more expensive theater. (And you never hear me say that.) I want more of the money I spent on this movie to have gone to the studio. I want this film to be successful, and I want the studio to see this film as successful, because I want studios to have the artistic drive and boldness this movie had. Also, it's an original movie in a year of sequels. Especially for animated movies!
I encourage anyone and everyone to go see this movie, not only because I want it to be successful, but also because it deserves to be! It's original, quirky, and fun, just like the trailers told you it would be. But it's also artistic and has heart. It has action and danger. And it has amazing acting talent, not just Johnny Depp, there's a ton of talented voices in it. The acting and directing is on par with live-action films, if not better. The character design is just awesome. It's clever, imaginative, incredibly detailed, and it doesn't rely on being pretty. It's brilliant in some regards, and it looks incredible! And to support all of this, the story is simple enough for kids to follow, but solid enough for adults to be entertained with. And on that note, I couldn't believe the humor, and the art direction, handling of weapons, and everything that went into this movie. I almost don't think it was made for kids because there's so much in the movie 'you just don't see in children's entertainment!' And I think it's all the better for it! I don't care who the movie was made for, because like I said, I think anyone and everyone should go see it! It was just made to be a good movie.
I'm happy that the movie opened at #1, beating out several movies that were expected to surpass it, but I still feel like the movie hasn't been a big a hit as it should have been. Not that I'm on the ball with media news, but I figured I would have heard more about it. All I heard was there was a scene, or as I discovered upon seeing it, ten seconds within a scene, where the chorus of Mariachi owls are "hung." (They're only kind of hung.) I think since that was the only big upset in the movie is a testament to how great it was, because there was plenty that lousy parents could get all riled up over. But they didn't, because it was all part of a fantastic and impressive movie. The hanging thing was just there for show. And I liked that too. But still! I can't believe that's all I heard about it. There's so much more to buzz about! I wanna dork out with people about it! Especially the scene with the Spirit of the West!! How cool was that?!! Go see this movie so I can talk to you about it!!!

Helpful Tip: If you’re stepping out for a few hours, cook some back right before you leave and turn the fan on. When you return, the permeating smell of delicious bacon will be there to greet you.

I (want to) do my own stunts.

Last week I went to four auditions in three days, all held by WSSI, a water-stunt show company. Three of the auditions were for shows at Universal Studios Hollywood, which I've auditioned for and worked at several times, but these auditions were completely different. These were the stunt shows! I've always wanted to learn how to do stunts, stage combat, and pretty much anything in the entertainment world that's active. I've been trying to figure out how to audition for these Universal shows for years. And now, finally, I was auditioning.

The first was for Terminator 2, 3-D! I thought this was my best chance into getting my foot in the door with these stunt shows. The role I wanted involved physicality in movement, a small fall, and I think some combat. It was pretty basic. But it was also the most type-specific role I was auditioning for. Still, being angular and lean, I though I might have a shot at it. The audition consisted only of stepping forward out of a line of nine other actors and telling the casting table about your experience toward the show. I told them how I've been acting for more than ten years, doing improv for eight, working at theme parks for six, including Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. I added how I've got experience in stage combat, basic tumbling, and fall training through stilts. I felt good having a nice, broad understanding of the stunt work they needed, supported by all the acting experience.
Two guys later, someone was talking about their stunt experience, most recently on the new Spider-Man movie. Two guys after that, he was talking about all his experience acting in theme parks in Orlando, especially in the stunt shows. So... I wasn't feeling too special after that.

The next day was the audition for Waterworld, the big stunt show. This time I was aware that I was auditioning with heavy hitters. And since there was no specific type for this one, I was up against all of them, not just the angular, lean ones. The role also was the least stunt-involved, though it still involved stuff I've never come close to. I had no idea how I was going to stand out against everyone who had experience. This time I was the tenth person in a line of people with actual stunt resumes. When it was finally my go, I told the same group of people about my long acting experience and familiarity with comedy, which was important. I also told them about my foundations in stage combat, tumbling, fall training and everything I had mentioned last time, but in better detail. I also mentioned that the first gun I had ever fired was a black powder rifle when I was 10, and how I passed the hunter's safety course shortly afterward, since firing a gun was involved. And since it's Waterworld, I told them I was raised in Florida and could handle myself in the water. Then I hoped for the best.
Amazingly, I got called back, and was now up for a role in the Waterworld Stunt Show. This was epic for me.

The third and final day of auditioning was for the Zorro & Elena show and meet and greet. I wasn't gonna go, since I look nothing like Antonio Banderas and don't speak Spanish. But the woman running the auditions for WSSI told me to show up, so I did. I told them what I could offer, and didn't even try to kid them about knowing Spanish or anything. I can swordfight, and I look good in black, but I know my limits and I'm not gonna lie to get a job I can't handle. So I didn't get selected for that.
I stuck around afterward to support friends of mine who were auditioning for Elena. And while I was standing around waiting for them, I decided to audition for the fourth show, which was about to audition soon. It was a pirate show. But it was in South Carolina. But it was a pirate show. I had to audition. I knew I was gonna want to be a part of it sooner or later anyway. I signed up and went in. I was given three sides to chose from, which I would come back and perform for the new casting table. Also, I was told to prepare a song if I wanted to sing.
I chose the role I was less suited for, but thought I'd get to play with more. I went over it until I had all of what I wanted to do with it down. Then I spent the remaining time trying to remember sixty seconds worth of lyrics to "The Mariner's Revenge." I didn't want to sing an audition song, I was gonna sing a pirate song! When we went in, I was with five others, most of which had a long list of stunt experience, having done everything I had ever heard of and maybe more. I however was one of the few with acting experience. So I at least had a strength, but still, this was a stunt show. I stepped up to the casting table when prompted and first apologized for not having a headshot and resume for them. But thankfully, the group of people were wonderful and happy people. Even more so than the other group I had auditioned for the last three days with. They weren't bothered since I had to tell them about my experience. I told pretty much reiterated what I said the last few days, and expressed my willingness and drive to learn anything that I would need to learn to be involved. Then they asked me to read my sides, which I did. I was big and loud, trying to be colorful and mean as I could make the character, and also trying to say the lines smoothly, which I failed at. They spoke among themselves for a brief moment and asked me to read the character I knew I was more suited for. So I did, and somehow that went more smoothly, and was a better read than I thought I would give it. They seemed pleased. I then sang the disturbing verse of "Mariner's Revenge" that I could remember, and then was done.
I made it past the first round, and moved onto the physical portion of the audition. This portion began with pairing up to throw stage punches at each other, and of course, the opposite side reacting, then swapping. This isn't something I've perfected, but I was pleased that I knew enough to stay grounded and use my whole body in hitting. I also mixed it up, since we threw three punches before switching, which, I'm also pleased to say, was noticed. I saw that most of the people were up on their toes when they threw punches, so I was confident I stood out in a positive light. But in the second part I knew they would catch up and surpass me completely. This was the tumbling portion. I was the last in line, and as I waited, I watched people with obvious gymnastics backgrounds execute perfectly formed rolls down the mat. We started small and worked our way up to more complicated things. Which for me meant, I showed off that I could leap forward and go into rolls, and then continue rolling speedily down the mats, and then after would be pretty boring. We then moved to cartwheels, which I did my best to perform technically well. Then backward rolls, which I tried to make up for my hurried forward rolling by doing slow and smoothly. And then we moved onto handsprings and backward walk-overs. When I stepped up, being the last, I looked at the man prompting us and sincerely told him I did not know these moves well enough to demonstrate them. Without hesitation he thanked me, and I caught the rest of the table nodding approvingly. It went over better than I thought it would. Though it was still awkward when I walked to the end of the line with the rest of the auditionees applauding and congratulating me for.. being brave I guess. Anyway... it ended with each one of us being asked to demonstrate any other tricks or moves we wanted to show them. This is when the group got to really show off and show how impressive they really were. Most people were doing hand springs, flips, and really executing some awesome stuff that I have been dying to learn for years. One guy even showed us a move he created himself, and which I can only describe as this awesome, gyroscopic flip-turn thing. And he did it off the mats. It was pretty badass. I on the other hand decide to be funny and show 'I can do this,' (high kick), and 'I can do this,' (bent over backwards till my head touched the floor). And when I went to step off, one of the guys asked me if I had said I had a background in comedy (yes), and could I do some prat falls (yes)? I winged some prat falls on the front, side, and butt, and that was pretty much it.
From what I was told by one of the guys who was a little more in the know about this group of people, I had made a good really impression. I, however, was just happy that I had kept up and made it so far with people who had worlds of stunt training and experience more than I had. To even be considered was a huge thrill for me.

I came back two days later for the Waterworld callback, which I am sad to say I did not make. Mostly because I tanked on the acting part of the callback. I'm not gonna get into why that happened, but I'm just super bummed I didn't continue on and get cast, cuz I was really, really looking forward to finally getting involved with real stunt work and training.
Still, there's always the pirate show, next year, and who knows what else I'll find in the meantime.

I should probably hit the gym though.

I networked!

I like Twitter. I got on it because I could follow my hilarious friend @JoshuaWatford, @WeirdAlYankovic, and @DarthVader. I was entertained by it. Then I got wrapped up in the fun of micro-blogging and that became my thing. Then a bunch of friends found me and I found them and I'm sent all sorts of little blogs. But then, I found out I could network on it. An acquaintance posted something about the #ConnectionExperiment, an underground chatroom for the film acting community created through the use of a Twitter hashtag. Eventually an event was put together so these followers could meet in person, and I went. Now I'm meeting people in the flesh and networking in LA, because of Twitter. It was surreal.
Now I'm following all sorts of people in my industry, a good number of them are following me, and I'm using Twitter for more than just entertainment. It's crazy! It's like getting auditions from Facebook, it doesn't make sense! But it gets even better. After noticing a some tweets from @DanielleCasting, I thought this woman seemed rather nice and I decided to follow her despite trying to be selective about who I follow. (I'm already over 180 accounts.) And I'm glad I did. After a good while she started getting close to 5,000 followers and held a contest to honor it. Her 5,000th follower would win a meeting and reading with her, which is something since she is the head of her own casting agency. Well, I was in! I was contacted by her and the 4,000th follower/winner of the last contest, who had just booked a pilot, and was now determined to be the next winner. Not only was it a challenge with a fabulous prize package, but I felt like I had people rooting for me, expecting me to triumph in the end. Somehow, I managed to do it. I won the contest! I got to have a reading with a casting director! Because of Twitter!!

Today I had my meeting with Danielle of @DanielleCasting, and it was wonderful. She was just as sweet and helpful as she appears in 140 character micro-blogs. She greeted herself very warmly, invited me into her office, and asked me to tell her about myself. It didn't feel like a reading or an audition, but a friendly conversation between new acquaintances. After I read for her she gave me her feedback, which was great to hear and told me that I should use it when I go to audition for agencies, which is a big help to hear. She also asked me if I had any questions for her. I really wish I could've thought of anything specific, but even now I still can't think of anything, so I guess that means I'm okay. I did however mention that I wanted to know how I might find a good agency, since that is what I'm looking to do next for my career. I hoped she would give me some tips, but before I even realized what she was doing, she pulled out a sheet of paper to write down some names for me. I was practically floored by that. I had heard nice things about her from other tweeters, but she totally surpassed expectations in just how nice and helpful she was. I'm so glad I'm addicted to Twitter!

Ya know, what I really couldn't believe was the enthusiasm from her end too. 

meeting @KevinAllensays (actor) tomorrow for being my 5,000th follower! he will meet and read for me!!! #yeahbaby

in the office I go to meet and read my 5,000th follower @KevinAllensays and then lunch with Michael Sandford Casting

  She even joked with me afterward about my dorky hair. She's a lot of fun.

Playchecks

When I moved to California and was trying to get my acting career going in Hollywood, I was spending a lot of time with two friends. These two live together, and at their apartment I noticed all these paychecks they had taped to the wall next to their computer. They were self-made paychecks from production companies they hoped to one day work for/be paid money from. They, especially the girl in the relationship, is really into the belief of human influence or.. influence.. whatever The Secret is. That. The idea that i you put your goals, wants, and whatever else you’re trying to put into your life out their for the universe to notice and deliver to you. One means of doing this was to create paychecks they wished to one day receive. Their idea was supported by a playcheck (just came up with that) written to them from Judd Apatow’s production company. On the day the check was made, one of them received a check from that same company from doing extra work. Obviously the check was for a much smaller amount than they had predicted, but they got it on the same day!
I thought, why not, sounds like a cool idea. Well, I didn’t get around to actually doing it for about half a year. I kept thinking about it, but accurately designing playchecks and printing them up seemed like a lesser priority to job hunting and other activities. A week or so ago I finally made up playchecks for the major, secret audition I had back in November, hoping it would be yet another gesture to the Universe that I was ready to receive that role. Today I made up another check, because something told me to do it, and I finally printed them out. I’ll admit, I am a procrastinator sometimes. But I still printed out the checks in good faith.
Then I decided I’d check up on the casting news. I’ve been randomly checking up on news articles regarding the casting. Watching rumor after rumor be published and debunked, and after biting my nails for two and half months, I finally had reason to stop. Les than an hour after printing out my goodwill tokens to the universe, I discovered the role had been cast yesterday and I was too late.
I still haven’t hit the dates I put on the checks though.

Something I've noticed about LA: Rather than slowing down, drivers prefer to flash their lights at you to warn you that their car is quickly approaching.

Medical education video shoot

Just so you know, that was the name of the project. I have no idea what the video will actually be called, and as far as I can tell the producer of the project was the National Board of Medical Examiners. It's not the best project to put on a resume, mostly because I don't what information I'd put on the resume. Even more so, I'm not allowed to have a copy for my reels because the video is for educational purposes. And this is a shame to me only because it went so well!!

The project was supervised by medical professionals from UCLA, and possibly from the NBME themselves, to ensure that everything was accurate and true to life as possible. I was thrilled to have a number of actual doctors helping me to properly conduct myself with a patient and administer an exam. It was like we had five or six directors, but everyone worked together so well that there wasn't any issue outside of whether or not I would tuck my scrubs shirt in. Apparently it's an east coast thing. So on set was a camera operator and boom operator from The Office, and all these doctors, myself, a very talented actress, and another actor who got six heavy scenes of medical jargon the night before and stepped up to the challenge full force. With all this professional and earnest talent around me, it felt like one of the simplest shoots I've been on.
The new doctor actor was determined to get his lines down, which was tough, so I read with him for about twenty minutes while everyone else was on lunch. When our scene came, we were perfectly prepared. Even with last minute line changes he and I were natural and believable as real-life doctors in their break room. The medical staff was impressed, almost surprised, as to how much we sounded like residents talking to each other.
My scenes with the female patient were when I had to be the one spitting out medical jargon, while still being a warm voice to the distressed patient. She acted her anxiety and pain so well that it was easy to sympathize and want to comfort her. After one moment where (I can't say much) she experience a strong pain, we took each other's hand and I was just there for her while she expressed all her pain and strife. We had such a strong connection, and it was clear to the doctors watching. There was concern over whether (I'm trying very hard not to reveal anything that would spoil the educational part of video which I agreed to keep secret) I met a requirement, but they thought the connection we had more than enough made up for it. In fact, when we wrapped they were talking about whether or not they would have to change an answer on the exam because I may have done too well as an attending doctor.
The doctors on staff would help me out in properly conducting myself with a patient and in knowing what it is the doctor is really doing when they say this or do that. They explained how a line would be said in the context of the scene amongst all this medical lingo, and they would help out myself and the directors when there wasn't a line that made sense. They really helped me make my role as a doctor as natural and comfortable as any doctor who's done this hundreds of times would be.
And even the camera operator was a help! She made sure I didn't block the patient's face when they had a tricky camera angle and there was really no room for me. She was a wonderful person to work with, as were most everyone on this set, and the entire project was a joy to be a part of.

I'm kinda bummed that I won't have a copy of it to use for my reels, because I know all of it would be good material. The connections were real, the dialogue was professional, the production was excellent, and I was playing a doctor! A bright, young doctor who through his calm demeanor, truly cares for his patients.
I'm available for any medical programs.

I wanted to hop on Internet Explorer real quick to take care of an errand before bed. What I did instead was learn there is never a good reason to open Explorer.

Whenever I read a news story about a new advancement in time travel, and the new theory only allows travel into the future, I wonder to myself "then what's the point?"

I forgot one... My first phone audition.

Before the new year I had an audition for a medical training video for UCLA being supervised by one or two medical institutions or organizations. I'm not sure who. I submitted for the audition, they got back to me, and I had an audition with one of the UCLA medical representatives and the producer of the project. And the audition was over the phone. I didn't know you could do that. They didn't see me, my face, my eyes, or anything really, just heard my tone through my Metro PCS connection.
We read two scenes, and I got notes, but they liked it. They pretty much gave the role on the spot. Later that day I received an email saying I got the part, with all the info and the script.

Now, today I was called to check up on things and see how I'm coming with the script. They wanted to make sure I'm pronouncing everything well, that there aren't any awkward lines that need to be written, and just so see how I'm coming with memorization. With all the medical jargon, as well as the emotions in the scenes, they want to make sure that everyone involved isn't stumbling with lines and instead being natural. Honestly, I thought that was a given, but that's not the point. I studied up on the lines, and had them fairly down when I read through with them today. I pronounced everything just right, which is amazing considering I stumbled over "abdominal" for an hour. I knew how to pronounce it, but my lips kept blurting out "abdominable." And everything was fine. She was pleased how well I had taken her notes, she felt I could continue to do so when the medical professionals step in on the actual shoot, and everything felt good.

It's still kind of odd to me to do this over the phone, but if it works for them, it must be alright. I'm very excited to be on the actual set and do some acting with people. But even more excited just to do this super serious medical thing. I love that actual professionals and the board member from some medical group are going to be there to keep things as true to life as possible. It'll be an educational experience for me, it should turn out a great product, and best of all... I'm one step closer to being able to say "I'm not a doctor, but I've played one on TV."

My first Hollywood musical theatre audition.

I submitted to be in a musical theatre production, which I don't do often, because it was based heavily on Vaudeville, and Vaudeville is wonderful. The last time I auditioned for a musical theatre show, I got it, so why not try again. But I didn't realize how big of a production this was.
I got the call confirming the audition, which meant they wanted to see me. So far so good. But they told me to prepare two sides, a song, and a Vaudeville act. They wanted to see something entertaining, it could be anything, but I had to show them something! So I spent two days trying to put together some Vaudevillian comedy/tumbling act. Every idea I had wasn't practical, so I finally decided I'd just roll around and hope for the best. Besides, I still had a song and two sides to get familiar with.
I brushed up an old audition favorite, something I felt I could pull out of my back pocket and be comfortable with. Also thought I'd include my classic audition tune, "Mr. Cellophane," just in case. And for the sides, I brushed up, read them over, jotted some notes. I felt I could give a good audition without having it memorized. Then I noticed some names on the bottom of the sides, "Book by Milt Larsen, Richard M. Sherman and Joseph Hoffman. Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman & Milt Larsen." Particularly Richard M. Sherman. That's one of the legendary Sherman Brothers, who wrote pretty much everything for Walt Disney. And with my history and love of Disney, I wish I had prepared any of the music I could so easily perform, like for example ANYTHING FROM MARY POPPINS. Which I have the music for. But it was the night before, too late, I'll use the song in my back pocket.
The audition morning finally came. Wasn't feelin' too good about it, but by golly, I was gonna make it a good audition. I arrived signed in, and another auditioning actor asked the runner where he could find Milt Larsen. Okay, pay attention cuz what happened next happened very fast. He was saying he was supposed to talk to Mr. Larsen, which meant that he was here, which meant that Mr. Sherman was probably here. It hit me, I would be auditioning for the writers of the play. This wasn't a local theater's production of a classic musical that I just never heard of, this was a brand new musical written by these legends. Richard Sherman is the executive producer. And I was somehow auditioning for the opening cast. Those are promotional candies for the new show!! ohgodohgodohgodohgod this audition is way bigger tha-- wait a minute, Richard Sherman is here? He's right behind me! That's him! He's introducing himself. I'm introducing myself! I'M SHAKING RICHARD M. SHERMAN'S HAND.
This was unreal, and I was ecstatic, so I was determined to being entertaining, or at least charming. In the downtime before the auditions started I admired the Mary Poppins autographed theatrical poster in the hallway, as I do every time I'm at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio. I went over my sides again, and I was ready.
I was the first to audition. Somehow that happens to me often. And I entered a room with a tarnished old piano, and a little old man behind it. There was the auditionee's table, with several old men all wearing matching blue jackets. I was smiling genuinely and felt this wonderful comfort being among people I just assumed were from the good ol' days or Walt's era. I talked to the pianist about the song, we had it figured out, I thanked him, then greeted the rest of the men, spoke with them a moment. And then it was like I was back in college at all those theatre auditions I went to. I told them my song, the pianist played it, and I went into it. I could tell I was off time. I've been told that I should let the pianist catch up to me, rather than risk us stumbling our tempos around each other. And I figured I'd just sing the song and focus on me. Bad idea in hindsight. The director stopped me before the big note and told me that there's a lag in sound or something, and that I should be closer to the piano. The men all talked about how the piano was closer to center last time, so we pulled it over, and tried again. He asked if I had a second song, and for the first time ever I did and was thankful I remembered to do that. The pianist suggested I start right before the chorus and do a few quick bars, making sure I get to the chorus. I did it. The director however, wanted to hear the beginning verse. So we started over. Then I forgot the words and had to start over. And it occurred to me, it's been way to long since I sang this song, and I really didn't have it prepared as much as I had it on hand. So it didn't go well, but I got through the chorus. The pianist and I stopped, the director kept tapping his toe and prompted me to sing the chorus again. I was lost. I didn't know what to do with the song and the audition quickly ended. I hoped that my impromptu playfulness during the song would help, but I'm sure it backfired. They took a look over the profile sheet I filled out before the audition, where I listed every basic special skill I had that related to Vaudeville, which is pretty much everything that doesn't involve sports equipment. They told me they didn't need to see any more from me. I thanked them and left smiling. For a train derailing, I still had a good time.
I was disappointed that I committed some hamartia in focusing so much on the Vaudeville act, and not so much on the singing or acting. Now that I think about it, I should have worried about those first. Wowed them with my acting and singing talent, rather than the specialty stuff, just in case they decide to cut me off early. Makes sense now.
So lesson learned. And I'm sure I would have lost it during the dance, since I'm not a dancer. But I still feel bad that I got to audition for Richard M. Sherman, and pretty much blew it. I am better than that, and I feel like I let him down.
And he was so nice!

My first Hollywood coffee meeting.

Back in February I met a recognizable humorist at a convention. By the way, I have this thing about using names in blogs, so I'm probably not gonna say more than that. Anyway, we chatted, I mentioned in live in North Hollywood, and he said we should meet up to hang out. Awesome, I love hanging out with people. Then I lost his business card and it wasn't until the convention happened again, luckily for me a second time in the same year, that I could get his contact info back. So after half a year or so, I called him, somehow he remembered me, and we started to plan a meet up.
This took a few more months, cuz of the holidays an all. But a few days ago, we finally met up! I got there early, but showed up late cuz the clock in my girlfriend's car is slow and I always forget about it when I'm sitting it killing time! So though I planned to show first, he beat me to it, and texted me "Im the nappy haired Asian guy with a laptop." This was confusing, I don't remember him being a nappy haired Asian guy. Even more confused when I saw him there, with his laptop out and headphones on. So... I thought.. well, first time I met him he was in costume... and it's been a while... and he does have a laptop out. This must be the guy. I walked up to him awkwardly, and cautiously, until he noticed I was there. He pulled his headphones off, looked up and I asked, "are you Angus?" He wasn't. Angus was in the other corner watching the whole thing for his amusement.
Damn I used his name. ... Moving on.
I greeted him again, for the first time in months with a smile and "You're a jerk!" We talked for about twenty minutes about his project and my resume, the we got into our broken cameras. The meeting was shorter than desired, like I said, I thought we were supposed hang out, but I did know it was a business meeting and therefore expected a quick business chat and that's it. Anyway, it went well, he's a great guy, fun too. Not nappy haired. And as for me, I think I talk too much.

My first Hollywood acting class.

I attended my first acting class in Hollywood. Technically Burbank. And technically it wasn't an acting class, more of an auditioning class. And technically it wasn't a class, but a demo workshop audit thing. But it was my first acting class in Hollywood.
It was taught by Billy O'Leary, who I recognized as Tim's brother from "Home Improvement." I read up on his class and it seemed pretty legitimate. My friend Jo came along to attend the class with me, and we're both glad we did. Billy taught an excellent, informative, and very helpful class. I wish I had taken it before I had that major audition a couple months ago. After getting to know him and everyone else in the class, Billy taped us doing a side reading, and after that we watched and got notes. I learned some very helpful tips to audition with, and was also given a big note to take for future auditions. All in all it was an excellent class and I would love to take a full course with him. Ya know, if I had the money.
Jo liked it too. He also wants to take the course. Ya know, if he had the money. And let me say that the problem is that Billy's class is expensive cuz it's not and that makes the situation all the more upsetting. It's that Jo and pretty much in debt from living in LA over a year. I'd still recommend Billy O'Leary's classes to any actor in LA who isn't acing every audition they go to. Which I think is all of the ones who go to auditions.