Film • Television • Voice Over
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.
Being an announcer at a live awards show in Los Angeles is not really high on my list of desirable gigs. It’s not because my ego has gotten out of hand (I hope). It’s just that you’re not always seen as a voice over artist (slash Film & TV actor) at these events. You’re on the crew. You’re “working” the show.
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.
Sometimes there are voice over gigs that double for therapy. I’d have to say my gigs with MediaMatters.org fall into this category. It allows me to funnel my cable news apoplexy into my craft, diffusing any “postal” moments I might have when in a political debate with tea-baggers (the fake kind, not some of my fun, kinky friends in West Hollywood).
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!)
Keeps the bill collectors away! Sadly, it does not apply to doctors. Thus, I have two things to share; a voice over job and my flu. Luckily, you can’t catch diseases from reading this blog (unlike the Drudge Report), so you just get the fruits of my labor… Oh, fever-induced puns! The best!
… Not to mention several unnamed characters from three huge games coming in the next six months (but due to big lawyers with legalese disease, I must quarantine the actual names).
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.
There are many rewards to be gained from doing voice over. There’s the money. The freedom to audition in your underwear from your home studio. The pseudo-fame that bubbles up to the surface of the cultural cesspool for fifteen minutes… And sometimes, if the voice over Gods smile upon you — enlightenment.
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!
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