Moneyballed

Well, I just got back from a "tryout" for the upcoming baseball movie, Moneyball, based on the book of the same name. It was a tryout rather than an audition, because I wasn't up for a specific part -- or an 'acting' part at all, but as a member of the baseball ensemble (they want to use real baseball players to double the baseball players of the era - 2002 Oakland A's.)

I am grateful to be invited to try-out, but damn, there were some good ballplayers there! From the discussions I heard and uniforms I saw, I'd say at least 90% of the guys A) played pro ball for several years RECENTLY, B) played for a top-tier D1 baseball program or c) BOTH A & B. It wasn't that I played bad -- heck we didn't even really do much; after warming up and playing catch, we each got to hit some batting practice. Having not faced live pitching in oh, a LONG time, I didn't do so hot. I only got 4 swings -- 2 weak grounders, a swing and a miss/foul tip and one decent liner towards short. And that was that.

The rest of the time was spent shagging flies during other people's BP (which was great. Man, I could do that all day...) and watching the pitchers pitch. Each pitcher (and I'd say 70% of the guys there pitched) threw three or four pitches. The baseball coordinator just wanted to make sure they could throw strikes with people watching. One of the pitchers was friggin' Bud Smith who threw a no-hitter in the major leagues! And, by the way, he's all of 5' 8'' and maybe 160 lbs. which is just another reminder that size doesn't matter in baseball. But what does matter is a God-given arm and repititions -- pitching, fielding, hitting. And that lack of playing consistently (at all?!) over 8 or so years really catches up.

So, I don't expect to be hearing from them for work on this one -- they have plenty of just-retired pros to choose from. But you never know... Anyway, like I said, a great experience; a cool, crisp morning; a beautiful diamond; the sounds and smells of wood and leather. And I would still maintain that among the actors in town, I would qualify as an upper-tier baseball player. But when that circle is widened to include all former pros/college studs in town, my abilities aren't so unique...

The Big Vote

Well, the ballots have been mailed out, and in less than two weeks we will all find out if the current SAG contract proposal will pass. Along with the ballot, the Guild sent out information, both pro and con. I see important pieces on both sides, and I am trying to find out as much as I can so that I can make an informed vote.

If it passes, will there be more work? Likely. But at what cost to actors' futures? Will the studios ever revisit the 'New Media' terms? They never did with home video/dvd. If the contract offer is turned down, will there be a strike in the future? Will the studios offer a better deal? Many questions will remain, even after June 9th. But, at least we'll know what the union at large thinks about this deal...

Meet Art

I welcomed a new friend to my household last week. His name is Art. He is a two-year-old half-Siamese, half Scottish Fold (notice the ears) rescue cat. Everyday he gets a little more comfortable around my place. He likes to play and have his belly rubbed, but still sometimes likes to hide under the couch. He is tall and lanky, has really soft fur - it feels almost like a bunny's coat - and pretty blue eyes. I hope to be able to give Art a better home than he's had in the past; he was adopted once and returned :( So far, he seems pretty happy here. And it's nice to have the little guy around.

The Mythic STARmeter

I'm not exactly certain how the STARmeter on IMDb works - it generally rises based on how many people search for you, and click on your name. But, I guess it rises big time if you're associated with a popular movie, since this week -- with the release of Angels & Demons -- my number is up to 14, 326 or about 200% higher than I have ever been before. Very cool. Now, the only question that remains is: how precipitous will the drop be after the movie's popularity fades...

Click here to see my IMDb Page

Dexter in the Flesh

Last night, Michael C. Hall was part of the SAG Foundation 'Conversations' program. It was a lot of fun to hear him talk about his career and audition experiences. He starts shooting the new season of Dexter next week... Good stuff!

Oh, also, there was another small earthquake yesterday. Guess the Earth is in adjustment mode...

Heavenly Box Office?

Despite some middling reviews (though almost universally better than its predecessor, The Da Vinci Code), Angels & Demons brought in a healthy $152+ million worldwide over the weekend. Hopefully it has legs, but it will no doubt continue to face stiff competition with blockbusters being released every week. Star Trek also held strong taking in another $43 million. Thanks to everybody who sent messages, texts, and e-mails saying you spotted me in either or both!

Here is a sum-up of the weekend box office from Nikki Finke: WEEKEND ROUND-UP

Quakin'

A 4.7 magnitude earthquake hit near LAX yesterday. I was at a friend's house much closer to the epicenter than my place, and I really felt the shake. It went on for about 12-15 seconds. Ol' mother Earth is pretty powerful...

Full article about the event HERE.

Angels & Demons Preview Screening

Gina took me to a preview screening of Angels & Demons at the beautiful new USC cinema school. The buildings are amazing as you can see from the pics -- almost like a huge Italian Villa -- on one side of the courtyard is the George Lucas Building and across the way is the Steven Spielberg Building. In addition to the free premiere, they had an In N Out truck there with free food. You can't beat that!

As for the movie, I thought it was really solid -- much better overall than The Da Vinci Code. It plays pretty well as a thriller, and they left out many of the truly absurd parts of the book. As for my small part: it became an even smaller part, as some stuff we shot got cut. But, I'm just grateful to be in it at all! If you venture out to see the movie (which opens May 15), look for me hanging around the Pope's office mainly. I'll be decked out in my blue Swiss Guard uniform. (There are many scenes with such Swiss Guards during the movie, but I was only around the Pope's office and in one other scene when Tom Hanks runs out of the archives building and gets into a car.)

It will be interesting to see how this movie does in terms of Box Office. I know the book wasn't as big of a seller as "Da Vinci", but I hope people come out and see this one!

Trekking to the Movies...

According to TrekMovie.com, Star Trek scored pretty big at the box office this weekend bringing in $76.5 million (Full Article Here) in the US and a total of $112 including the international take. By far, the best Trek opening of all time.

Also, thanks for all the notes, texts and e-mails about seeing me in the movie! I even heard from more than a few folks that didn't know I was in the movie - they just recognized me from the simulator scene!

Star Trek Opens!

Went to the midnight premiere of Star Trek last night at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. It was a sold-out, loud, rowdy crowd and a rollicking good time! They gave all of us some Trek merchandise, and the movie did not disappoint.

For those checking it out: look for me milling about on the bridge in my blue uniform during the Simulator scene (I get a nice reaction shot front and center!) and also next to Uhura in our cadet reds behind Spock in the following 'hearing' scene.

(Also, the view from the front of the Arclight looking at Hollywood Blvd. provided some large Angels & Demons billboards - coming out next week! ;)

A Little Bit O' Star Trek!

A still (and zoomed-in close-up) from Star Trek (coming out this weekend) - I'm in the background right next to Zoe Seldana (Uhura). What fun it was to be a cadet at Starfleet Academy! If you go to the movie, keep an eye out for me in this scene in my red cadet uniform and also in the Simulator scene wearing the blue "pajama" looking get-up...

Live long and prosper!