When I was young, I hated being asked my age. I’d respond, “I’m as old as the mountains and as young as the human race…” I should’ve added, “and perpetually full of shit… Namaste.”
Archive for the 'Acting' Category
Of all the definitions for resolution, I think I like this one best:
…the passing of a musical voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance…
Its that time of year again when people write “It’s that time of year again…” and then follow it up with every concept Madison Avenue subliminally and persistently injected into the reasoning centers of our brains throughout the 20th century. But I’m not an activist “Humbug” freak, either. Peace on Earth? I’m down for that. Good will toward Man? Sure, throw in animals, what the hell. Shop till you drop? That’s when I make plans to run off to an island — literally.
This is a remarkable short film. Remarkable cast. Remarkable effects. Remarkable story. And remarkable that it was ever completed! But after three years and many hurdles (read about the process), my mother’s short story was adapted to the screen, produced for just around $40,000, played twenty film festivals worldwide, and received awards for it’s animation (Red Rock Film Festival), narration (Seattle True Independent Film Festival) and screenplay (HDFest Film Festival – New York).
An actor prepares by punching his fist through his rib cage and squeezing his heart until all the emotions spurt out, splattering the audience… Or maybe that was Wes Craven. Regardless, I had a new experience with my latest job – Criminal Minds. Forgive me if this post is a bit too “inside baseball” for some of you. I am an over-sharer.
The mission is simple: star in a masterpiece. As an actor, I receive film scripts every day. I have my assistant read them to see if it’s something artistic enough to merit consideration. Once found, I dive into the role and spend months researching the various aspects of the character. Then, I’m off to an exotic locale to spend three months shooting what will ultimately be a meaningful film – a classic – a work of art…
Yesterday, I had my picture taken with 100 or so strangers. My second time. What the hell does that have to do with being an actor in Los Angeles, you ask? (And dude, why the attitude?) Well, that will require some back story. But hang in there, it’ll make sense.
It’s that time of year, my little pumpkins, when the rest of the country dabbles in acting. Though they’re strictly indie producers, working non-union and without a full crew. Hell, they only get a one or two night run without a stage or studio and no distribution or residuals. But they do get lots of candy! (Or lots of alcohol and some nookie for the older ones!)
This post is a little off my usual unpaved, beaten path. It’s a specific Google shout-out to all the folks who have ever studied or taught at the Estelle Harman Actor’s Workshop in Los Angeles, California.
We always hear the stories of actors in big budget films who had their one scene edited out, left on the cutting room floor. (In this day and computer age, erased from the hard drive would be more appropriate.) This is one of those stories.
I really don’t know why I choose titles that can be misinterpreted as something about the porno world. I assume it’s an innate talent (or inane one). Regardless, it’s still informative. See, very few, lucky actors can make 100% of their income from theatrical film and television shows. Most of us must diversify into other related areas. But, many of our friends and family don’t find these other areas as sexy to hear about. Ergo:
It’s messy. It’s expensive. And it’s intoxicating. Making art for yourself, that is. Recently, a reader asked if I had ever written anything aside from this blog so I sent him to my production website to watch the last short I made in 2005. He seemed to really enjoy it. And then it hit me; Perhaps you guys would, as well!
David Kohan and Max Mutchnick changed my life. They probably aren’t aware of this fact since they’re too damn busy being one of the most successful producer/writer teams in Los Angeles. Let’s take a trip in my “Way Back” blog machine to fully understand why. Please keep your hands and feet inside the blog at all times. No hurling, either. I’m a sentimental actor, not an investigative reporter!
To be honest, it was more like a hour and a half.
This is a post about the bizarre notoriety I received for what many (and myself) would consider a “take the money and run” part on CBS’ “The Bold And The Beautiful” soap. For those who haven’t been following the blog, I’ll recap.
500 channels will eventually rot your brain. Why would you do that to yourself? Just turn off your, um, cable box or satellite dish? And crank up the healthier option: your DVD player! I’ve got two DVDs worth of chuckles to plaster your plasma with (or liven up your LCD… or calm your Cathode Ray Tube?).
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