October 2007 Archives

I just auditioned for membership with One on One. Like Actor's Connection and The Network, they function as middlemen between actors (sellers) and casting directors, filmmakers, agents, managers and producers (buyers), but their audition process is not just a formality.

I was rejected, but they invited me to try again, and I thought I'd share the feedback I got -- feedback I found constructive, solid and professional.

Yes, Mike has made the film and television industry the fastest-growing employment source in New York City, creating 10,000 jobs over the last year, and background extra work can be tough, but -- nothing compares to this: while doing background work on Damages, I meet a hilarious comedian, Canada Anne, who almost died during her extra background work for I am Legend:

As dramatic and tense as the 'evacuation' scenes in the above trailer are, C.A. says the actual 'evacuation' drama was even better -- she writes: As soon as the director called out "It's a wrap" , this swarm of people start running, screaming, kicking, pushing, and shoving and "evacuating" the set to book it so fast back to the tent to sign out that this "evacuation" scene was better then the evacuation scene back on set. The film crew should have filmed this and got more realistic evacuees.

In all seriousness, every movie star, every actor working today in film and television (well practically every one) has worked background. It's well worth the effort to not only know how to survive -- but thrive:

I had a cold-reading audition tonight, and they cast me on the spot: I was cast in a stage adaptation of the film Angel Heart, directed by Alan Parker.

The stage adaptation and direction is by Christopher Dames. Angel Heart one of my favorite movies from the 80's -- click on Angel Heart link to see the trailer.

I'll be playing two parts in two short scenes -- Dr. Albert Fowler (using my normal wild hair as Albert is a also a junkie) and Ethan Krusemark (a "respected" businessman, so I'll just slick my hair back and do a small change in costume).

It's a relatively short run, but a great opportunities because 1) the story is strong, 2) the original screenplay is great, and 3), it's a first for me: to play two different characters in the same play. (Actually, I'll be working on 3 different characters between now and the end of the year because the second cast for the Jewish Theater of New York's production of The Last Jew In Europe goes into rehearsal the first week of November).

After years of duck and cover, the County Clerk's Office of Kings County finally located me and sent me a Jury Summons for today, Monday October 22nd, 2007.

I showed up at the New York State Supreme Court House in the Brooklyn Heights part of Brooklyn at 8:30am, brought my laptop, started electronically submitting myself for some auditions, purchased A LOT of stuff online at amazon.com, got lunch, took a nap, and then when I work up, they said I had completed my jury duty!

I won't be eligible again until after 8 years.

I was actually looking forward to seeing it all through, starting with a real Voir Dire, a live "Law & Order" type trial, twists and turns, arguing, 12 Angry Men, etc., . . . oh well, maybe in 2015!

Wow! That was easy!!!!

Dear Reader of The Secret Of Theatrical Space,

        This blog has now qualified to become a member of Smorty, blog for money -- from their web site: Smorty is a bridge between bloggers and advertisers. Advertisers start campaigns with us and we deliver them to the right bloggers for publishing an opinion on their Blogs.

In short, I'll get paid to blog by 1) advertising on this on blogs and 2) by writing about what I think various products and services have to offer my readers (artists, actors).

        So -- an experiment in Capitalism, and a way to continue to indirectly support myself as a actor, but in a way that's is directly related to, and definitely part of, that main goal. Smorty will point me to products and services that are targeted to readers of this blog, and I'll do my best to point out their value for you from my perspective, as someone living in New York City and learning to become a better and better actor.

       A second, and almost even more important, reason for doing this (though it's great to get paid for my time) is that one of my goals is to become a great commercial actor -- because it's fun, and it pays, and what Smorty is asking me to do is write my own commercial copy!

      So -- the benefits of Smorty for me and you: 1) you get to read about products and services that I hope will be of interest to both you and myself, 2) In addition to learning how to handle commercial copy in front of a camera, I'll now get a chance to apply what I'm learning as a commercial actor to writing my own commercial copy, and 3) . . . I GET PAID!!!!!

     Money is definitely not every (or the only) thing, but it is definitely ONE thing -- it's a hell of great motivator.

My monologues and cold reading auditions have been going well -- surprisingly well: I've been getting called back (maybe about 1/3 of the time), and I've been thinking my way through my monologues, moment by moment, and the same with my cold readings.

While I haven't yet been cast in anything -- I'm not concerned. What I have control over, what my targets are during an audition, i.e., moment-by-moment, not knowing/anticipating what I'm going to feel & think until I do feel and think, concentration, the characters thoughts & words coming out as easily and naturally as my own, all this is what I'm constantly striving towards, and to see it start to happen during real auditions is enormously gratifying. That's what I want -- and I want more of that, to get better and better at that.