The March

The WGA rally in Hollywood yesterday was pretty amazing. The turnout was ENORMOUS! I stood about 20 feet from where Alicia Keys belted out two of her new songs, then joined the throng as they marched down Hollywood Boulevard. I was walking next to an Asian guy that looked familiar - no, it wasn't Nolasco, this guy was short and had glasses and I realized that he was the dude from Heroes. I don't watch the show, but I soon realized that it was most of the cast. I definitely recognized Ali Larter who is small but striking in person. They were soon surrounded by paparazzi, and I kind of veered away, not wanting to be that guy in the background of all the pictures. But, they seemed very nice, ready and willing to talk to their fans and take pictures with them. I saw some other actors and writers I recognized, and hopefully having some celebrity faces there brings even more attention to the cause.

~~~~
And the acting front, I finished writing out and sending postcards to every casting director in town - over 200. I'm not expecting to hear from them, but the idea is just to get my face in front of them. Then when I get my new headshots, I will likely target the casting directors who are working on projects/shows I would like to be a part of. A lot of writing and mailing seems to be the recipe for work out here...

First Audition

Well, I had my first L.A. audition today, though unfortunately it wasn't for anything too big or important. Still, it would be a fun project. It's a commercial/industrial (meaning it just shows internally at a company), but it is being shot using green screen, which means they shoot against a green background and put digital effects/backgrounds in later. Having never done green screen work before (which was used extensively in movies like Lord of the Rings, 300, and the newest Star Wars films) I would love to try it.

The concept of the piece: A master handyman - the main guy can do things like bounce nails on the head of a hammer the way people bounce tennis balls on a racket. He can also pound nails straight out of the air. So, for the audition, I had to simulate such activities. I'm sure it looked very bizarre to anyone happening by...

~~~~

Tomorrow, there is to be a big, "historic" march of striking writers and those sympathetic to their cause (ME) down Hollywood Blvd. So, if you watch Extra or Entertainment Tonight, you just might catch a glimpse of me in full picket mode!

Living in a desert

I can't tell you how many times since I've been here that I've heard, "that's because we live in a desert," or "that's what living in a desert will do." Having been here about a month now, I can definitely see what this desert living mantra is all about. The first thing I noticed is that it's always dry. Coming from a place where hot weather usually comes along with humid weather, it is a welcome change. However, it means you need to drink lots more! Especially if you do anything active, it is hard to stay hydrated unless you drink gallons of water per day - which I've been trying to do of late.

Also, the sun is HOT here. Even when it is only warm out (say 65 degrees), in the sun, it feels much hotter - and it is very easy to burn. The other residual effect of desert weather is that it cools off considerably at night. On a clear night, the temperature may drop about 30 degrees from the day's high. To me, that's perfect weather: you just throw on a sweatshirt and jeans and you're ready to roll.

So far, as long as I have my trusty canteen by my side, I'm liking this desert living...

Is it really November?

Yesterday I picked up the self-promotion/marketing postcards I had printed – they have three different pictures of me on the front. Out here, postcards are a quite standard and expected way to stay in touch with the people you meet in the business, i.e. managers, agents, casting directors. It’s an easy way to say thanks, let them know about something you’ve done, or fill them in on something you will be doing (a theatre show or a commercial to look for). And more than a letter or an e-mail, it also keeps your face fresh in their minds should a project come across their desk that they think you’d be right for. The postcard receivers like them because there are no envelopes to open – they can take a look, maybe read the back (though more likely not) – and toss ‘em.

So, anyway, this afternoon I am working on writing out postcards to all the industry luminaries I met at my class last week. And I’m doing so in my backyard where it’s a very pleasant 70 degrees in the shade. The sun is bright and hot and there is not a cloud in the sky. I have to keep reminding myself that it is indeed mid-November. I think I could get used to this…

My Apartment & Getting New Headshots

As some of you know, I live in a guest house, or more accurately I think, the former servant’s quarters of an old Italian style mansion. It is a remodeled, spacious, well-lit studio with cement floors (which keeps it cool) – and I’ve got an off-street parking spot, which is very nice as parking tends to be hard to come by around here. I’ve included a couple of pics here: on the one of the whole house, my place is the very bottom floor with the gated windows. The place also has a backyard which I’m free to use, and as you can see, it’s a good spot to read or work on the computer. There is another rental in the carriage house/garage, a family that lives on the floor above me (but is moving soon) and the landlord (a nice lady named Judith) lives on the top floor, so there are really 4 places on the property.

~~~~~~
Headshots

On Saturday morning, bright and early (about 6:30 a.m.) I drove down to Redondo Beach which is about 30 miles away – and on the ocean – to get new headshots taken. The photographer, a young high-energy guy by the name of Elijah Star, and I shot for a couple hours in several different locations. He’s a big fan of using natural light, and finding just the right spot where the lighting works to enhance the picture. It went pretty well I think and I should get the proofs to look at in the next day or so. Then, the process goes: pick a shot, get 8 x 10’s made up, and send them out to agents. I hope to get that process going by next week at this time...

By the way, how 'bout them Packers!!?!