Friday, November 30, 2007

I Was a Teenage Meth Addict

I pushed a terrified man against the wall today and threatened to violate his wife in a degrading and violent fashion. It was all in a day's work. I had an audition for an anti-drug PSA, and I was playing a meth-addicted teenage thug. And if you think that's a strange role for a mild-mannered middle-aged man, you're right. I was actually there to try out for the part of the terrified guy, but the session runner brought us in three at a time and had us take turns being the hoodlums. It was totally unexpected, but that's what keeps it interesting.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

New Tuna Flyer


There might be a flying fish joke somewhere in there, but it's been a long day. Anyway, if you see a little picture of the flyer over there on the right, click on it for a larger version. In case you don't, here's the gist of it: December 1 through 15; Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.; reservations and additional information at http://plays411.com/atunachristmas.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

I Gave the Director a Wedgie

A large man in a blood-stained shirt grinned at me as I walked along the canyon road. I sure hope I'm in the right place, I thought. My friend Summer is working on an indie film, and based on her recommendation, some performance clips and a headshot or two, the director had cast me in a small (but memorable!) role. I hadn't seen the full script and didn't really know what the movie was about. Fortunately, the big bloody man turned out to be a friendly guy who had come to guide me to the location. It's a horror spoof, and it turned out to be a fun shoot. The writer even added a scene for me that every actor has dreamed about, in which I Gave the Director a Wedgie. And we did multiple takes! In other news, my interaction with another actor on the train movie mentioned in the previous post seems to have inspired the director/writer. He's working on a new script written around our characters!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Station to Station

The word “set” would seem to describe something stationery, but I just finished working on one that moved all over Los Angeles. I was cast in an indie film that was set largely on a commuter train. We spent two days hopping on and off the Gold Line, from Sierra Madre Villa to Union Station and back again with occasional stops en route, to get all the coverage that was needed, while hoping not to attract too much attention.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tune a Fisk

I've begun rehearsing for an LA production of A Tuna Christmas. It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun to perform and, hopefully, to watch. It's written as a two-man play with lots of quick changes and cross-dressing, but the director has decided to spread the joy (and the work) by dividing up the roles among several actors. Most of us will still end up playing multiple characters. My chief role is Petey Fisk, a kind-hearted misfit who loves animals, but who doesn't always seem to be loved by them. Stay tuned for more information as opening night approaches.

Friday, November 02, 2007

GBZ and Me

I'm at the Coffee Bean between auditions, drinking a red-eye and using the WiFi (free until Nov. 11!). I did OK at my first audition, but I have doubts about my Great Big Zit. I think it may be holding me back, and I'm planning to dissolve our partnership soon. I'm not sure, though. What if it turns out they liked GBZ better than me? Maybe if we get both roles, I can do one and GBZ can do the other.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

The Year of the Diamond Dogs

I find myself liking Radiant's “That Girl” video (no, Marlo Thomas isn't in it).



In other news, “Nightmares” is over and the show went really well and got great reactions. I wasn't sure how many people would turn out on Halloween night, but we had a nice crowd at the show and the after-party. The audience was more elaborately costumed than the cast. Standouts included Superwoman and Wonderman, Bikini Guy, Trojan and Dracula. Bart was there for the third time and did a karaoke/stand-up routine dressed as Santa. I really need to keep my camera phone with me at all times.