Bloggity Blog Updates

So this isn't much of a hey look at me and what's going on post. It's more of a "I've gotten tired of looking at my blog and feeling it's a mess and beyond my control to clean up."

I'm not sure why I felt that way. Maybe because I always feel like I just barely have control over whats going on around me. Acting is like being an experimental air craft pilot. I'm like the Hal Jordan of the acting world. Just...you know, without a green ring and stranded alien giving me special powers...I digress.

Out of control. Yes yes. Most of the time I feel like everything is just barely being contained or just on the verge of blowing up. So those few things I do have control over, I've decided to give them my all.  This blog being one of them!  So I hope you all like the cleaner look and updated format.

What did I do?  Deleted a few unnecessary things and will continue to reformat a few of the things on the side bars.  I've also added a pretty swift little navigation/menu bar. Whatever you want to call it.
It's got links to my headshots on here, my reel, and 25 cents for love.  Not to mention a link to the official site cause I know you people love going there and refreshing the shit out of your browser to keep up with all my goings on.

Don't lie. I know you do that...err...I do that.

So look around. If you're here then you've probably already seen all this but I welcome feedback!

I'm an actor, give me notes damnit! Or good press. One or t'other.

More to come soon though. Got some SHOW news to broadcast.

In the mean time I'll leave you with this little tidbit from the Museum of the Moving Image*. Which is an amazing place and everyone should go visit. It's such a great trip through the history of film making from all aspects, not just the actors. But everyone involved in making a movie from start to finish.

This exists. Somewhere. Out there. People made this. And other people bought this.
Good night everyone.

*If you're a member of SAG-AFTRA you and a friend get in for free...so what's keeping you?

Brantford Film Festival!

I cannot be more excited to share the news that 25 Cents for love has been accepted into another festival and was chosen as one of their Official Selections! This November 1st through the 3rd our little film will be screened in Brantford, Ontario! Now we're officially an international touring film. 

Congratulations to all who worked on this film and helped us get this far!

Photo A Day 60

My official secret ballot is in the mail and whisking away my important vote as we speak.  Some of you may not know, the two giants, SAG and AFTRA are once again attempting to merge into one super Union.  The point of having 2 separate unions for tv/film..etc is outdated and pointless.  So all members are now being asked to vote yay or nay.  And mine's on it's way.  We'll see what happens at the end of the month.  Either we're ONE or still 2.

ballot!

Starting Things off Right and other New Years Sounding things

So I've officially neglected my poor little blog here over the past few weeks.  The new year is off to a crazy start, so I've been a little distracted.  As all you people whom I follow know, I just now finished reading all the posts I've missed over the past few weeks.  But now I know all about your lives.  Soo...here is mine.

2011 has been amazing. I don't really go for resolutions.  I prefer to make afirmations? State "I'm going to do this, or that will happen."  I also believe in the power of writing things down.  Makes it feel more important if you write down, "I'm going to land a commercial agent."  Its there. Looming at you.  Taunting you.  Forcing you to mail out those lovely little packages.  And off they go!

So I have my personal list, one of which is repeated every year.  Basically, I will build off what I've done this year and step up from there to the next level.  Well...I think I've already done so.

First off, 2011...I'm booked through May.  Yeah...sounds good, right?  Probably make room for some small projects here and there, like that skills reel...damn you time stop slipping away from me!!!  But I'm booked for almost half the year.  Currently, thanks to my "friendanager" Samantha Mason I landed a role in a new piece at Theater for the New City.  Damn spiffy credit.  And not much of a time suck either.  I'm on stage for 15 minutes.  I timed it.  It's great, in and out.  It's about waiters.  So most of us can related to the dialogue.  And so this is my month of January.  In a basement decorated like a bar at TNC.  I don't mind.  It's fun so far.  We opened last night and will run through the month's end.  If you get a chance, come check it out..Age Out is the name of the show. INFO!!!!

After that, as I think I've written before, I head into rehearsals with the American Globe!  Woohoo.  Playing Macduff and Duncan in..you guessed it..Macbeth.  I get to chop of the bastard's head.  Who wouldn't want that?  I'm itching to get to our first readthrough/rehearsal/orientation next Saturday.  You can bet I'll be telling you how it went.  I freakin' love Shakespeare.  I really do.  And the man's been good to me.  I can't think of a better way to spend 3 months this spring.

Speaking of Shakespeare...send some good vibes my way this weekend.  After the MTA trying its hardest to make me miss my audition for Virginia Shakes yesterday....CALLBACK!  For Guildenstern.  Seriously, better and better as the year unfolds.  Sunday I have an audition for Texas Shakes, so just roll over those good vibes, k? Thanks.

Last huge thing..I'm not officially hovering around all three unions.  I've been EMC for quite a while with Equity.  Which suits me just fine.  This time of year it's slow for stage.  Most things are cast...(see my year through May)  At the end of last year I joined AFTRA thanks to a project I was in going union.  Gotta love that.  And this past Wednesday...remember that whole thing about waivers for sag and all that good stuff?

Number 3 in the can!  That's right.  I'm now SAG-Eligible.  Not 100% yet, the paperwork is being filled out now.  But this past wednesday I earned my last one.  Being an over the top studio audience member for a web series.  Thank you Webseries.  Thank you!  So what's that mean for me?  I can join SAG.  Whenever I want.  And it means that I can now submit to everything and anything.  SAG and NON-SAG.  Cause I can basically join if need be.  So rock on!  Happy 2011..I see good things for not only me, but all my friends.

SAG, Waivers, Vouchers and Union joys..

I in no way claim to be an expert on any of this.  Afterall, survival job/creative income/web design..all that stuff.

There, that was my disclaimer.  So this post is inspired by numerous conversations with friends, colleagues, anyone and everyone about joining a union.   If something is wrong, please let me know and I'll adjust the info.

So SAG.
There are so many questions surrounding this union.  And all unions.  I'm hoping to use this as a way to clarify.

How do I join sag?

There are a few ways to join the union.  Its not like AFTRA where you can just buy in. Nor is it like other workers unions where you have to be nominated by a member.  No no no. SAG makes you earn your member ship.  The first way, and way most people join is buy earning vouchers.
What's a voucher?  Well..here we go.

There are Vouchers and Waivers.  

This is a VOUCHER:

For every SAG production, there must be a certain number of union background members before they can use non-union.  Lets say the number is 20 for "imaginary Epic Film Project."  Now, if only 19 of those union members show up, the production crew HAVE to make a non union person union for the day.  How is this accomplished?  They give you a voucher.  This DOES NOT MEAN YOU'RE SAG.  It means for that day you were given SAG status.  Just for that day.  Yes it includes SAG wages as well.

You may see on notices that are seeing SAG and NON SAG that it will say..SAG RATE/WAGES for non-union.  This does not mean you'll be getting paid the SAG rate as a NON SAG member.  This means you'll be getting paid SAG's NON UNION rate.  Which is about $70 something a day.  79?  Something like that.  This came up on the last project I worked.  If you're hired as NON UNION, they're not going to throw money at you.  So be aware of that.

Now, this has to happen 3 times in order to make you eligible.  THREE!!  Again, you need three WAIVERS, and they're cumulative.  It could take a few months, weeks, or years.  It's completely random.  The ones I have I was called in specifically because of a certain look I have.  So I knew going in I was getting a voucher.  Makes it easy.  But that's not how it always works, obviously.

Now whats that WAIVER thing I mentioned before?: 

This is for all you SAG members who are looking to work on student films or indies.  Almost all student films allow SAG members to work for them penalty free.  Not all.  But most.  And some independent films.  Since they're so low budget they can't afford the union's day rate, so you get a waiver that does what it says...waives all the perks of being SAG.  But you're not going against your union.  It's just like an Equity Showcase code for stage actors.

So thats the first way.  And the main way most people join the Union.  It's tedious and takes a long time and a lot of patience, but SAG here you come.

Hey brother can you spare a TAFT HARTLEY?

You've probably heard this term bandied around a bit, it comes from the 1940's when labor unions were up in arms trying to right the many wrongs that were being done to the workers.  No one was safe, not even we actors.  What does it mean for an actor?  It means that if you, as a NON UNION actor are cast as a performer in a main role, supporting, anything with a line, and are paid for that work, you are considered  SAG ELIGIBLE.  Look at that.  Easy peasy.  Sure it doesn't happen that often, but it happens.  There are numerous anecdotes about how this act has been played out.  I know I read an article once where the lead actress came into a room and said good morning to a NON UNION BG actor.  Of course being NON, didn't have any lines.  Well after doing multiple takes all day, the Actress finally said, he needs to say good morning back.  A person would say good morning, they wouldn't ignore you.  At this point it was too late to switch in a union BG actor since they'd been filming all day.  Mr Lucky duck NON UNION?  Tafted.  Bam. Now after 30 day's he would have to either join, or stop working on UNION films.  This way forces your hand a little.  The VOUCHER method gives you the option to get as many as you like and stay NON as long as you like.  Taft Hartley rarely happens, but is another way to become a member of SAG.  There is a fine that the production has to pay for this to happen, which isn't too hefty, but still something to be avoided,  hence why it rarely happens.

I wanna Join too, here's some money!!!

The third way, which is probably the second most common, is the buy in method.  Some Unions, like AFTRA will happily take your money and BAM...union.  Not SAG, but AFTRA.  What does this mean for you, you potential SAG or even EQUITY member?  Well after a year, as long as you're a member in good standing and have filled that particular UNION's criteria, you can just buy in to the other UNIONS.  You're now eligible.  The criteria, i believe is 3 background credits, or one principle credit. My AFTRA credit is principle, so you know where I'll be in a year.  It's pretty simple.  But also takes time.  It's because they all consider themselves sister unions.  Sometime long ago, they were all sitting around drinking, crochetting on the train, something, and decided, they should join forces to help eachother out.  Join 1, in a year you can join em all.  it's a win win for the unions and for you.

I'm going to add to this as more info comes in and is made clearer.  I'm sure I missed some aspects, or potentially got something wrong.  But these are the basic ways people become union.

good luck!

15.5 hours barely any sleep

Oh background work.  I hate you!  We all do.  I have railed against it in the past and still do.  It is essentially pointless work.  Aside from the fact that there is always an abundance of food, and good food at that, there is no point to it.  It is a huge waste of time and something that should NEVER go on your resume.  Ever.  We'll talk about that in a few.  Sure it pays, peanuts. And if you've never been on a film shoot it is the best way to get an idea of what goes on.  But its still the worst aspect of film that I can think of.

I have this agreement with myself, and its shared with a dear friend of mine.  No background work except for a few exceptions.  1) I like the show.  And I like 30-Rock, so this past weekend I agreed to do some BG work when they called.  and 2) only if they call me in for SAG credit. (Think I'm going to devote an entire post to this soon so look for that.  There are sooooo many questions about it.  It's a bit to get into)

So thanks to option 1, I found myself at Silver Cup Studios both this past Friday and Monday mornings.  Don't get me wrong, it is fun in a way.  You're on a film/tv set. Even the most cynical actor who is trying to pretend they're not impressed, is impressed.  One of the biggest downsides is the waiting.  That's all you do.  Wait.  Friday got there at 9 and didn't get to set until 4 pm.  Yup.  That was the 14.5 hour day.  Monday I filmed early and then spent from about 2:30-12am doing nothing.  Nature of the beast I suppose.  And sure, I "met" Tina Fey.  Er...she said hello to me as we were getting coffee.  So that was something.  I don't get star struck, but I sure was impressed to be in the presence of comedic talent.

Some interesting things about doing BG work? You get to see the innards of a studio or film.  We were on a plane.  They had the body of a plane set up in the sound studio.  How often do you see something like that?  No, there are no pics.  HIGHLY unprofessional to take pics on set and of the actors.  Silly bloggers what were you thinking?

The other aspect, aside from the waiting, is the other BG extras.  This might sound mean or horrible or cruel but I usually keep to myself when I do these things.  First of all I have a huge audition coming up for summer Shakespeare Festivals.  So I was able to spend some time re-reading Henry V.  But also, I know this is a generalization, but extras can be very very..odd.  I feel like every shoot I've been on there has been at least one person kicked off for some random reason.  And the others are all about being seen.  Now, the point of BG is to NOT be seen.  You are glorified scenery.  Sure its fun to see yourself on tv if you can, but that's not the point of the work.  So those people who spend all day planning and plotting to get seen on camera...annoy me to no end.

This shoot was actually made up of some fairly fun people who for the most part got it and understood that this is just a job.  Nothing will come of this other than a paycheck and maybe some interesting stories.  There were a few people very new to the world of acting who pumped us all for information.  Its nice to sit at a table and just discuss eachother's adventures so far.  See what works for other people and what you can possibly adopt to help your career.

Of course the question of, "do I put this on my resume?", came up.  The answer to that question is always no. I don't care what the logic behind it is, it's always no.  I've heard people say it shows that they're working on current projects.  I've also heard people say any experience is good experience.  No no no no no.  Do not put BG work on your resume.  Why?  Anyone can do it.  Literally anyone.  Hence why there are always so many crazies.  It is also NOT acting.  Unless you count acting as scenery as acting.  Then sure.  But no, it should never go on your resume.  Not even featured extra.  Ye be warned.  It looks very unprofessional and is not an example of your work.

Now the big question, why even do BG work.  Well I mentioned earlier that we do it to try to get SAG credit. I promise to devote a whole blog post to this.  There is a lot to cover.  But the short of it is that one of the ways to become eligible to join sag is to do BG work and get 3 waivers.  (3 credits) to become SAG.  They don't just hand them out.  They're random. It is a crap shoot.  But you do it anyway in hopes you'll get it.  I have 2 out of the 3 so far. 2 I got from being called in directly for work on 2 films.  Sometimes it works that way, sometimes you get them the day you show up..surprise.  But still a crap shoot.

So that was my weekend.  BG work.  Yeah, i did it.  I'm not proud, but I'm not ashamed.  Its how you get your foot in the door.  It just takes forever and I'm still trying to catch up on sleep.  While Friday was 14.5 hours, Monday was 15.5,  blech!

SAG please..

So here it is 2010 and I'm putting this out there into the universe. I hold in my happy hand 2 SAG waivers. All I need is my third and I'll be happy I tell ya. Happy. So Universe..to you I say:

I want my third Wavier SOON!

That is all.

SAG Waiver #2

So good news campers!!

Last week I was called in to do some extra work on the upcoming series, The Unusuals.  Its being filmed at Brooklyn's navy yards turned film studio...

Thats right.  Steiner Studios.

SO i travelled to Brooklyn this past monday for background work.  Work which i was called in specifically for.  I got the call on Friday which was a garaunteed SAG Waiver.  A waiver, or voucher, means that for the day a non-union actor is treated like a union member for a number of reasons.  After doing this 3 times you can become a member of the union.  My hair..i think.  So simple.  I was being called in, not really for extra work, but to have my mug shot taken.  I'm going to be a picture in a book that some female victim is looking through.  

My big break eh?

So I don't know when the episode airs, but it was the quickest shoot i've ever been on.  I was there for 30 minutes.  In and out and got a waiver plus SAG wage.  You really can't ask for anything better than that.

So after I was done..I wandered around for a little bit..

This is a morgue set, i believe.  So very cool to see.  An entire room built inside a huge soundstage.

And here is a shot of the very same morgue, from the outside.

And here is the main hallway that connects all the soundstages, Damages, to Unusuals, etc.  Cool to just wander down.

So the travel time to get to and from the shoot took longer than the shoot itself.  But in the end, I am now the proud owner of 2...count 'em, 2 SAG waivers.  1 more to go and then I can shell out tons of cash to get paid higher wages.  And then?  The moon!

It was very fun to just wander around, not something i think they let most people do, but I got to see the inner workings and goings on of a movie studio.  Lots of random people running around with rolls of tape.  And framed pictures of past films like Maid in Manhattan.  Quality stuff there.

When In Rome, Part 2

Week number 2! Alright. The first week of horrid background work ended. The crew flew off to Italy to film scenes there. Scenes that as far as i can tell will include Danny Devito. What is he doing in a Disney romantic comedy?!

So they called us in for another week's worth of work which went by nice and slow. If i haven't said it before. Background work is the most boring time sucking thing you could ever do. The only consolation is the fact that you're getting paid to sleep.

The Paramount Truck.

I dunno, I just thought it was cool. Yours truly and the mountain.

So we filmed and filmed and filmed. I will say this. The scenes we were filming (over and over again) take place in the very beginning of the film. The camera opens up on some exterior shot of the church, some scenes of the wedding itself, then it pans inside the reception hall where there are a few people dancing. Oh yeah, I'm there baby. I'm actually in several scenes dancing, a slow waltz, and also dancing with traditional dancers. The things we do for peanuts, right?

So here is a shot of the crew setting up some tracking shot. Like little train tracks.

And here we have one of the stars, josh duhamel getting ready for the next scene. His co-star, kristen bell...is off hiding somewhere.

Check out the location. Its downtown near city hall and Dance New Amsterdam. From what we were told its an old courthouse that they decorated to look like an Italian Villa. It looks good to me, never having been in a real Italian Villa.

As for the stars, mr. josh there was actually and surprisingly a nice guy. He was genuinely nice, not putting on airs as many actors do in films. Its refreshing when you see someone enjoying what they do, and enjoying the company of complete strangers. More so, its nice when that person acknowledges that we as background are peons, but important to the look of the scene and its not glamorous or fun work. His constant thank yous never once felt false nor were they unappreciated.

So again. more extra work. I have no crazy stories about the nutjobs who work as extras (since i was one of them) this time. Its always interesting, however, to see how things work on a movie set. And hey, its free good food. Can't complain about that. And of course, this was another possibility to get a waiver in order to become SAG. Someday.

For now..Back to auditioning. Good news. I've just been cast in a play opening in September. I"ll write details as i get it.

When In Rome

Well Ladies and Gents, it might not be glamorous work but once in a while background extra work can be fun. Or at least a way to pay the bills. On that note, last week i found myself as a guest at a huge Italian wedding (go figure) for the film When in Rome With Kristen Bell, Don Johnson, Danny Devito, Anjelica Houston to name a few. Don and Kristen (yeah like i can call them by their first names) were on set. No huge deal. Its always a great character study when doing extra work. I was contracted for 5 days so you can't complain about that.

The film according to IMDB.com is about "In New York City, a young art curator finds herself aggressively pursued by a band of wannabe lovers after she steals coins from a Roman fountain."

First day was cancelled due to the director being ill. (but still got paid!)
Second day, right off the bat someone wacko was escorted off the set. There are obvious rules to doing extra work. Basically, you're a nobody and don't presume that you have any clout. With a room full of 150+ extras losing you will not make much of a difference. So just sit and play nice with the other kids.
All in all it was a nice full day of filming where I was pulled out as one of the few people waltzing. So we'll see when this film comes out. Maybe I'm seen who knows? Who cares really. Its not featured extra work. Its a waltz for Christ's sake. It was a long day (night?) thought. 5:30 p.m. call and shot until 4:45 in the morning. good times.
Third day was cut short because the director was ill yet again.

and then we wrapped. Apparently he had his appendix taken out and was too sick to continue. I sadly did not get paid for the remaining days. Boo.

But still, it'll be a nice check and if anything i got to spend time with some friends who also worked the shoot as well as laugh at the most ridiculous characters...as usual.