Happy Holidays!

Los Angeles is something of a ghost town this week.  I think that's at least partially since so many people who live here are originally from somewhere else and they go back home.  Also, most of the industry is shut down for the week between the holidays. 

I wasn't able to head home to Wisconsin (though I plan to get back in January), so I've been enjoying the lack of traffic here in L.A.  Also, it's in the 70s all week, so there's that.  Still, I missed getting to see my family and friends and hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas.

The cats are keeping me company; and my friends, Chris and Megan, had me over on Christmas Day to watch the Packer game and play a lot of Rock Band.  And I'm continuing my own Christmas tradition of eating way more than necessary.   Yes indeed, my holidays have been good so far.

Enjoy the last few days of 2011!

I Quit!

Here is a project I worked on a little while ago.  It is a promo/teaser for a reality show called "Quitters" in which I play the host.  Just for reference: when an individual or production company has an idea for a show, instead of just pitching the idea on paper, they sometimes produce a teaser or short to better show what the program will actually be.  And that's what this piece is.

It was a lot of fun to shoot, with some great actors to work with.  My friend, Alex, plays a tormented employee.

WARNING: SOME LANGUAGE NOT SAFE FOR WORK (or for those with delicate ears)

Holy Cats

As many of you know, Gina and I recently moved in together.  The biggest adjustment?  Our two cats, Moofy and Art, getting to know each other.  Here are a few short videos to show how they are "getting along."  The first is from when we just moved in November 1, the second was a standoff from a couple weeks later, and the last is from this week.  Progress?

Poor Art just wants to be friends and Moofy isn't having it:


A standoff:


Thankfully the bellowing business has mostly stopped, though this tender moment is still the exception:

Action!

Jonah, from JAMS, the producers of the PSA I wrote about last week, sent along this still frame from the shoot.  I'm doing my best John McLane impression as I burst from the house to go save my son despite the protestations of my wife (Lindsay Evans).  Will I succeed?  Can I navigate the nuclear fallout?  Will the world survive?  You'll have to wait and see!

14 Cents

Unbeknownst to me, I was apparently part of a class action lawsuit filed against EBay for inappropriate fees or something.  I got a letter informing me that there had been a settlement and our side won - yeehaw! 

I was also sent my settlement check; I won't be getting rich.  In bold, I am told to CASH PROMPTLY as it is void after December 21.  I better get this thing down to the bank ASAP!

Winter Wonderland

Heavy rain has hit Southern California, and for the first time I'm experiencing the horrible drainage of the Valley.  Streets are covered in giant puddles (lakes?) and cars are splashing water up some eight feet or so when rolling by.  Almost time to get out the canoe...

The Sky is Falling!

Well, not really.  The Cold War may be over, but there still exists the (remote) possibility we could someday face nuclear fallout.  With that in mind, a local municipality is funding some Public Service Announcements to educate people about what to do in the event that a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb is detonated.  A friend of mine runs the company contracted to produce the spots, and he brought me aboard to work on one last weekend in beautiful Ojai, CA.

I got to shoot with my friend Lindsay who played my wife in the action-movie style commercial.  It was a lot of fun to shoot, and I'm anxious to see how it turns out!

Batter Up!

I had a Honda audition this week with Skirts Casting.  The only thing the spec said was to look and dress like a "man's man baseball player."  Hmm... So I didn't shave and threw on an old baseball uniform.  After getting there I was told that I would be filmed getting ready to swing while being heckled by a guy in the stands (actually the guy behind the camera.) 

The action: be a little distracted by the heckler and then finally tell the guy off.  I did that a couple times and was out of there.  No idea how many people they were seeing for it, but it was a fun audition -- for a national commercial -- so it sure would be nice to get.

The Agent Dance

While my search for a theatrical (tv/film) agent continues... there has been movement on the commercial agent front: I was recently notified that my agency is closing that department, so I am now also on a hunt for a commercial agent. 

I was getting ready to do the dreaded "mailing" -- where you send your materials to a bunch of agents, hoping one or more will call you in.  BUT, got some good news the other day: my manager got me a meeting at an agency next week.  Hopefully that will go well and I can avoid the mailing bit this time.  Maybe in 2012, I can start to get out for some commercial gigs?  Stay tuned!