I don't necessarily MIND the holidays. In fact, I think they're a generally good idea. If you remove the rampant commercialism and the holier than thou religious centrism (along with all the ridiculous "Holiday" vs "Christmas" debate) it's a good idea. Once a year, why don't we put all our normal bull#$%^ aside and just be nice to each other for a change? I actually like doing nice things for people, especially the people I care about. I don't always have the sense to get my head out of my own ass all the time, but a nice wreath reminds me to buy that book I know my dad's got his eye on.
It's the shopping I can't stand. The parking, the bumping into people, the clawing for the last item on the shelf, these things make me murderous relatively quickly. I try to do as much as I can online, but this year even THAT managed to piss me off. A major bookseller who isn't Amazon.com has earned my eternal wrath at their stupidity. While I don't hate the U.S. Postal Service, I hate the other people who use them. Generally I like to buy myself a little something as I go along, reward myself for engaging the hordes. Now that it's all over, I can relax.
There is one story that I just had to write down, though. This one's for the books. My family is relatively scattered this year. My parents are at my older sister's place in CA this year. My younger sister was hosting her fiancee's family for Christmas. I opted to spend the morning with my wonderful grandparents who continue to amaze me. I know I won't have half that energy at half their age. For the afternoon I would go to my sister's, I haven't met this group of people that are going to be family soon, and what better time than Christmas?
This is where it gets good.
I get to the house, walk in the side door heading towards the kitchen. Directly in front of me is a crate.
In the crate is a duck.
Yep, a duck. A big white duck that looks ready to sell me insurance. Staring at me. I stopped, cause I was stuck. I was stuck because exactly one thousand and three increasingly hilarious things to say popped into my mind all at once and I realized I could say exactly none of them because there was a house full of people who might be very attached to this duck.
So we looked at each other. It was then I noticed a woman kneeling next to the duck and staring at me as if the sight of a new person in the house was stranger than, say, a duck hanging out in a kitchen. Turns out it's her duck. See, she's something of a bird lady. Bunch of parrots, cockatoos and the like. And, of course, the duck.
She was an absolutely delightful woman and completely understood my duck consternation. The rest of the family was very nice and I had a great time meeting them all.
But every time I turn around, there's the duck, staring at me as if to say, "Well, used to me now?"
From what I learned ducks make very good pets. They have great personalities and don't chew the furniture. this duck also had a jacket. It was actually a dog's jacket witht the sleeves sewn in. To me it looked like a smoking jacket. All it needed was a long stem pipe, a wing-backed chair, and a British accent.
I know this had nothing to do with acting, but I have to remember this shit.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
A Much Needed Kick in the Bottom
Oh, so lazy.
The past couple weeks have felt very stale. I know, I did have the longest work/class week ever, auditioned and won a part in an exceedingly good play, filmed one short movie and auditioned well for another, and then was sick for another week, but I don't really felt like I DID anything. No other auditions in the works. Gotta stay in the game.
Today I forced myself to work on my script. I keep making minor fixes, knowing there's holes but not really seeing any of them. Maybe I should let someone *gasp* read it. Then I can force myself to start on the next one.
I've spent a lot of time reading first timers scripts. You can have a lot of fun reading them here. Some are incredibly good. Some need a little good feedback and they'll be incredibly good. A lot are examples of what not to do. Those are the ones I learn best from. Like a lot of the bad no-budget movies I've ordered off the internet. I love them for their balls, hate their execution, and know deep in my soul that I could make something a million times better with less money. That's what Vince and I are setting out to do.
Whoa, digress. Basically I don't want to be that guy who thinks just because he put something out there he should be rewarded. I'm aiming for something more than passable, which is why I'm so hard on myself. It's also a reason why I DON'T do it more. It seems like such a high point to aim for, sometimes I wonder if I have any business at all trying. (Stupid, I'm aware.)
I still don't know much more about my friend's production, other than that he was cast in a VERY good role. The group has been around for at least the last four or five years, and are non-profit. I've seen several of their productions. Uh, that's all I'll say here. My friend is an excellent performer, and neither desperate for parts nor a moron. Listening to the plans for the production, I can see why he's excited. I thought it odd myself that all these stipulations were being added. I wouldn't agree to it myself, so I think I must have heard it wrong, or heard a wrong interpretation. I'll let you know, blogwatchers.
Oh yeah, Jonathan, thanks for coming. I AM reading your blog, but it's taking a while. Reading through five years of postings is taking longer than a week. Welcome to my blogroll.
This was supposed to be a short post.
The past couple weeks have felt very stale. I know, I did have the longest work/class week ever, auditioned and won a part in an exceedingly good play, filmed one short movie and auditioned well for another, and then was sick for another week, but I don't really felt like I DID anything. No other auditions in the works. Gotta stay in the game.
Today I forced myself to work on my script. I keep making minor fixes, knowing there's holes but not really seeing any of them. Maybe I should let someone *gasp* read it. Then I can force myself to start on the next one.
I've spent a lot of time reading first timers scripts. You can have a lot of fun reading them here. Some are incredibly good. Some need a little good feedback and they'll be incredibly good. A lot are examples of what not to do. Those are the ones I learn best from. Like a lot of the bad no-budget movies I've ordered off the internet. I love them for their balls, hate their execution, and know deep in my soul that I could make something a million times better with less money. That's what Vince and I are setting out to do.
Whoa, digress. Basically I don't want to be that guy who thinks just because he put something out there he should be rewarded. I'm aiming for something more than passable, which is why I'm so hard on myself. It's also a reason why I DON'T do it more. It seems like such a high point to aim for, sometimes I wonder if I have any business at all trying. (Stupid, I'm aware.)
I still don't know much more about my friend's production, other than that he was cast in a VERY good role. The group has been around for at least the last four or five years, and are non-profit. I've seen several of their productions. Uh, that's all I'll say here. My friend is an excellent performer, and neither desperate for parts nor a moron. Listening to the plans for the production, I can see why he's excited. I thought it odd myself that all these stipulations were being added. I wouldn't agree to it myself, so I think I must have heard it wrong, or heard a wrong interpretation. I'll let you know, blogwatchers.
Oh yeah, Jonathan, thanks for coming. I AM reading your blog, but it's taking a while. Reading through five years of postings is taking longer than a week. Welcome to my blogroll.
This was supposed to be a short post.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Verdict is In
I got the call yesterday morning about The Crucible. I've been cast as Reverend Hale, the inquisitor sent to Salem to investigate the charges of witchcraft. While I was gunning for John Proctor, the part I've been offered is mighty tasty unto itself. The gentleman cast as the lead looked as if he'll do a fine job in that role. I look forward to working with him.
Still haven't heard anything about last week's film audition. Generally, when a week goes by with no word I consider that my answer, but man, they seemed so positive. I know, I know, that was probably a sure sign I wouldn't get it.
My head cold finally settled into my chest, now I have the most fantastic stuff coming out of me. Lung butter. This is annoying. I could have been out painting the town red. Or out doing something that doesn't suck as much as staying in because you're sick.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently, who auditioned for a local musical with a group I have not worked with. He had to sign a contract saying he would be responsible for $300 in ads, or pay it himself, 15 tickets sold by him, and a monetary fine for every rehearsal he was late to. Now, as far as I know, there is no pay involved with this show. I may have been in some shows where they pushed us to sell tickets/ads, but this seems a little overboard. Anyone else ever hear of this?
Still haven't heard anything about last week's film audition. Generally, when a week goes by with no word I consider that my answer, but man, they seemed so positive. I know, I know, that was probably a sure sign I wouldn't get it.
My head cold finally settled into my chest, now I have the most fantastic stuff coming out of me. Lung butter. This is annoying. I could have been out painting the town red. Or out doing something that doesn't suck as much as staying in because you're sick.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently, who auditioned for a local musical with a group I have not worked with. He had to sign a contract saying he would be responsible for $300 in ads, or pay it himself, 15 tickets sold by him, and a monetary fine for every rehearsal he was late to. Now, as far as I know, there is no pay involved with this show. I may have been in some shows where they pushed us to sell tickets/ads, but this seems a little overboard. Anyone else ever hear of this?
Friday, December 15, 2006
Someday I'll Breathe Again
I'm never sick this long. Never. I picture my immune system as a 6'4" ripped dude carrying a baseball bat with nails sticking out of it. Named Diesel. I've never bothered to ask if Diesel is his name or the bat's name. Wouldn't be polite. Or safe. (BTW, Diesel came along way before Vin Diesel, so he's got dibs.)
Yesterday I dragged my best friend out to Boston for the premiere of Razor Man, a movie by Keto Shimizu. She directed Threads after this movie. Last night they held a screening at the AMC Loews on the Boston Common. I was really excited to see it. The trailer on the site was what initally convinced me to audition for Threads in the the first place. I also wanted to see what they were able to do with all that 16mm techno-gadgetry they have. I'm more than glad to say it was a success on nearly every level. I never asked about the story or any particulars so I could see it with a fresh eye. The shots were beautiful, the framing was amazing, the story really worked for a short. Not too complex, but not too simple either. It leaves you room to make a lot of your own answers. The actors did a great job. It makes me super excited to see the next batch of flicks, cause I'm in 'em.
Speaking of which, there is a teaser trailer online! The movie I did last week, Cillian, was shot on Canon XL2's with 35mm adapters. You can find it here, under "Selected Works." That's me in the suit.
Other than that, nothing of note has happened. Haven't heard about the film audition I did last week. Won't hear about The Crucible til at least tomorrow.
Yesterday I dragged my best friend out to Boston for the premiere of Razor Man, a movie by Keto Shimizu. She directed Threads after this movie. Last night they held a screening at the AMC Loews on the Boston Common. I was really excited to see it. The trailer on the site was what initally convinced me to audition for Threads in the the first place. I also wanted to see what they were able to do with all that 16mm techno-gadgetry they have. I'm more than glad to say it was a success on nearly every level. I never asked about the story or any particulars so I could see it with a fresh eye. The shots were beautiful, the framing was amazing, the story really worked for a short. Not too complex, but not too simple either. It leaves you room to make a lot of your own answers. The actors did a great job. It makes me super excited to see the next batch of flicks, cause I'm in 'em.
Speaking of which, there is a teaser trailer online! The movie I did last week, Cillian, was shot on Canon XL2's with 35mm adapters. You can find it here, under "Selected Works." That's me in the suit.
Other than that, nothing of note has happened. Haven't heard about the film audition I did last week. Won't hear about The Crucible til at least tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Ladies and gentlemen, just before the finish line...
...he collapses. I woke up this morning sick. Throat lined with sandpaper, head filled with cement. I knew I should have been taking more vitamins this week. I realize I'm so exhausted that my body has decided it's siesta time, but all I needed was one more *&^%ing day.
Grr.
I pumped myself full of cold medicine and made it to callbacks. I felt like I was underwater. Had to force my audition, hate it, but waddayagunnado? According to some folks they never even noticed, so I'm either a very talented actor or I always look like I'm juiced on NyQuil. I suspect the real answer is somewhere between the two.
Canceled my dentist appointment and actually called out of work for tomorrow. I never, ever call out sick.
Meh.
Grr.
I pumped myself full of cold medicine and made it to callbacks. I felt like I was underwater. Had to force my audition, hate it, but waddayagunnado? According to some folks they never even noticed, so I'm either a very talented actor or I always look like I'm juiced on NyQuil. I suspect the real answer is somewhere between the two.
Canceled my dentist appointment and actually called out of work for tomorrow. I never, ever call out sick.
Meh.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Nine out of eleven done
Two more days and I get some laziness in. After I clean my house, which is completely destroyed at this point. I've tracked dirt from both my basement and that warehouse all over the first floor. Piles of unfolded laundry have taken over my living room. Dishes rule my sink, and mail and assorted crap from my car have set up camp on my kitchen table. I do get a bunch of time tomorrow, it's almost like a day off, just a dentist appointment (hate the dentist) and Crucible callbacks tomorrow night. Maybe I should prepare for it but frankly I like winging it as much as I can in auditions.
The last of the weekend shoot went faster than any shoot I've done so far. There were only two shots to get, skeleton crew, so things went incredibly smooth. So smooth, in fact, that I had about six hours off before my next audition. See, Boston's an hour and a half away, so six hours off means I don't go home. Had I known I was going to have that much time off, I might have prepared an exciting day discovering things in Boston I have yet to see, or haven't seen in a while. However, I had no pre-plan for such events, and really didn't have the energy to traipse around town. So I went to breakfast with a few guys from the crew, then went to see Apocalypto. It was...interesting. It certainly wasn't bad. I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll be hunting out the DVD.
Hit my audition and it went really well. Apparently my Boston accent is convincing. It looked to me like I was hitting points that jived with the director's vision, which is what we all hope for. Who knows, you can never really tell what they're thinking, right? At least I know I smoked that audition.
Cross your fingers for The Crucible.
I missed seeing The Pick of Destiny in the theaters. I nearly wept. I already have the soundtrack and wanted to see it SO BAD. Curse the gods of movie theaters that are still showing Turistas and turning their backs on the greatest rock gods of all time.
Oh, and personally I have nothin against the use of 'y'all.' I've spent some time in the South, and personally love it. It's beautiful, the food kicks ass, and the farther down you go the friendlier people get, until you hit Florida and the displaced New Englanders. I actually use it in conversation once in a while, just to spice things up. But it really didn't seem to fit here. I'm more of a 'dude' guy.
Later, dudes.
The last of the weekend shoot went faster than any shoot I've done so far. There were only two shots to get, skeleton crew, so things went incredibly smooth. So smooth, in fact, that I had about six hours off before my next audition. See, Boston's an hour and a half away, so six hours off means I don't go home. Had I known I was going to have that much time off, I might have prepared an exciting day discovering things in Boston I have yet to see, or haven't seen in a while. However, I had no pre-plan for such events, and really didn't have the energy to traipse around town. So I went to breakfast with a few guys from the crew, then went to see Apocalypto. It was...interesting. It certainly wasn't bad. I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll be hunting out the DVD.
Hit my audition and it went really well. Apparently my Boston accent is convincing. It looked to me like I was hitting points that jived with the director's vision, which is what we all hope for. Who knows, you can never really tell what they're thinking, right? At least I know I smoked that audition.
Cross your fingers for The Crucible.
I missed seeing The Pick of Destiny in the theaters. I nearly wept. I already have the soundtrack and wanted to see it SO BAD. Curse the gods of movie theaters that are still showing Turistas and turning their backs on the greatest rock gods of all time.
Oh, and personally I have nothin against the use of 'y'all.' I've spent some time in the South, and personally love it. It's beautiful, the food kicks ass, and the farther down you go the friendlier people get, until you hit Florida and the displaced New Englanders. I actually use it in conversation once in a while, just to spice things up. But it really didn't seem to fit here. I'm more of a 'dude' guy.
Later, dudes.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Oy
Tired. So tired.
Seven days into hell week and I'm fairly cooked. I survived the 105 hour fiasco to come home to no heat. Said loss of heat made me late for Crucible auditions. At least those went fairly well. I feel like I gave a fairly strong audition and met some really nice folks. I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of my fellow actors, especially the teenagers. Fingers crossed for callbacks.
Now, it might be a good idea, if you get home at 10:30 and have class at 8:00 in the morning, to NOT have more beer than you think would be wise. I, however, usually fly in the face of all good ideas pertaining to me doing anything smart/sensible. Friday morning was r-o-u-g-h. But I found out I didn't need to be on set Friday night, so I had a glorious evening of watching the last eight episodes of 24:Season 2.
Finished my damn class this morning and made it out to set. In a warehouse. And the wares of this house apparently is dirt. Dirt that gets everywhere. On your cuffs, under your collar. Dirt that gives you those nasty black boog...
Ahem.
Apparently my fuses are so blown from this week I've become dumber than I thought. I could not figure out what we were doing. I looked at the script. I looked at the other actors. I looked at the script. I looked at the director. I thought to myself, "You know these lines, bro. Why are you being so stupid?"
I answered, "Dude, I'm trying. Help me out here."
So I said, "Okay. What can I do?"
"Thanks, man. I love you."
"I love you, too."
It would have been less embarassing if I did that all in my head instead of out loud. Fortunately such behavior is apparently commonplace with this crew.
So I pulled it together and we managed to get a nice shoot done, in a surprisingly short amount of time. I was even able to grab a bite to eat with the rest of the cast. Now I just have to get up at 5am to get back out there.
Night y'all.
(I will never say y'all again in this blog.)
Seven days into hell week and I'm fairly cooked. I survived the 105 hour fiasco to come home to no heat. Said loss of heat made me late for Crucible auditions. At least those went fairly well. I feel like I gave a fairly strong audition and met some really nice folks. I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of my fellow actors, especially the teenagers. Fingers crossed for callbacks.
Now, it might be a good idea, if you get home at 10:30 and have class at 8:00 in the morning, to NOT have more beer than you think would be wise. I, however, usually fly in the face of all good ideas pertaining to me doing anything smart/sensible. Friday morning was r-o-u-g-h. But I found out I didn't need to be on set Friday night, so I had a glorious evening of watching the last eight episodes of 24:Season 2.
Finished my damn class this morning and made it out to set. In a warehouse. And the wares of this house apparently is dirt. Dirt that gets everywhere. On your cuffs, under your collar. Dirt that gives you those nasty black boog...
Ahem.
Apparently my fuses are so blown from this week I've become dumber than I thought. I could not figure out what we were doing. I looked at the script. I looked at the other actors. I looked at the script. I looked at the director. I thought to myself, "You know these lines, bro. Why are you being so stupid?"
I answered, "Dude, I'm trying. Help me out here."
So I said, "Okay. What can I do?"
"Thanks, man. I love you."
"I love you, too."
It would have been less embarassing if I did that all in my head instead of out loud. Fortunately such behavior is apparently commonplace with this crew.
So I pulled it together and we managed to get a nice shoot done, in a surprisingly short amount of time. I was even able to grab a bite to eat with the rest of the cast. Now I just have to get up at 5am to get back out there.
Night y'all.
(I will never say y'all again in this blog.)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sixty hours in...
...about forty-five left to go.
It actually hasn't been too bad. Sunday was uneventful, last night I got to sleep the night through. Tonight looks like it might be the same, but I don't want to say it too much, because then I'll get no sleep at all. Class is hell, way overbooked and uncomfortable. It's already a necessary evil, having to be dealt with every two years, but this is insane. Only four days to go, I guess.
Trying to gear up for two auditions. Need to find funny a comic/dramatic monologue in the vein of Mean Streets. Not my favorite Scorsese. Any hints? Anyone?
In blog news, I came across a link to a website that I thought was really cool. It's a great idea. Power to the people.
http://www.adoptthismovie.com/index.php
I wanted to do more than just post it. What's twenty bucks to me? More important, what's twenty bucks to them? It's no big shakes for me, but if everyone does it, it could be a life changing moment for someone else.
Oh, and if you're in the fast lane, and you're only doing the speed limit, and another car comes up behind you, why wouldn't you move over? I've driven in a lot of areas in this country, and seen a lot of bad driving, but it seems my New Englanders take perverse pleasure in NOT making way for the guy in a hurry.
It actually hasn't been too bad. Sunday was uneventful, last night I got to sleep the night through. Tonight looks like it might be the same, but I don't want to say it too much, because then I'll get no sleep at all. Class is hell, way overbooked and uncomfortable. It's already a necessary evil, having to be dealt with every two years, but this is insane. Only four days to go, I guess.
Trying to gear up for two auditions. Need to find funny a comic/dramatic monologue in the vein of Mean Streets. Not my favorite Scorsese. Any hints? Anyone?
In blog news, I came across a link to a website that I thought was really cool. It's a great idea. Power to the people.
http://www.adoptthismovie.com/index.php
I wanted to do more than just post it. What's twenty bucks to me? More important, what's twenty bucks to them? It's no big shakes for me, but if everyone does it, it could be a life changing moment for someone else.
Oh, and if you're in the fast lane, and you're only doing the speed limit, and another car comes up behind you, why wouldn't you move over? I've driven in a lot of areas in this country, and seen a lot of bad driving, but it seems my New Englanders take perverse pleasure in NOT making way for the guy in a hurry.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Longest week ever
Well, I've managed to not have to post every waking thought for the last couple days. It helps that they had nothing to do with acting.
It looks like next weekend is a go for both filming and audition. I'll be heading out to Boston for Friday and Saturday night followed by what looks to be a very long Sunday. Sometime next Wednesday I'll be able to sleep in my bed for more than four hours. Times like this, I don't even look for the light at the end of the tunnel. I just put my head down and get from one thing to the next.
The exercise regimen is in place. I want to svelte down a little before getting to head shots. I don't consider myself a fatty, but I could stand to lose some belly before I go for them.
Heard from B. They finished shooting everything yesterday for December 31st. Apparently it went much smoother this time around. I'm glad. Hopefully it'll come together fine. Time will tell.
I thought I had something interesting to write about, but whatever it was, it isn't in my head anymore.
It looks like next weekend is a go for both filming and audition. I'll be heading out to Boston for Friday and Saturday night followed by what looks to be a very long Sunday. Sometime next Wednesday I'll be able to sleep in my bed for more than four hours. Times like this, I don't even look for the light at the end of the tunnel. I just put my head down and get from one thing to the next.
The exercise regimen is in place. I want to svelte down a little before getting to head shots. I don't consider myself a fatty, but I could stand to lose some belly before I go for them.
Heard from B. They finished shooting everything yesterday for December 31st. Apparently it went much smoother this time around. I'm glad. Hopefully it'll come together fine. Time will tell.
I thought I had something interesting to write about, but whatever it was, it isn't in my head anymore.
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