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.