So Much More to Do!

6/2011 Rehearsals begin for "Speakeasy" with Theater Unleashed
5/2011 "Entropy General" opens
4/2011 Print Job for Invisalign international
4/2011 Shot "Heart and Soles" with director/writer Yudho Aditya
3/2011 Rehearsals for "Entropy General" begin with Alive Theater
2/2011 Shot "Greener" with director/writer Kyle Lau
2/2011 Voiceover for "Blade of Solitude" with Eric Marks
2/2011 Shooting "I Like it Rare" with director Jay B. Julio from CSULA
2/2011 Shooting pilot for "Rock This" as Marcus
1/2011 Started improv classes at Second City with Rebecca Sage Allen
1/2011 Continuing my personal education with a Shakespeare literature class
1/2011 Photo shoot with Keith Park for State Farm
11/2010 Performed in a Hereandnow production in Wichita, Kansas
10/2010 Filmed "Night Shift" with director Christopher Kurose from USC
9/2010 Table read for "A Love Like This"
9/2010 Invited to join Hereandnow Theater Company
8/2010 Performed in Boba Stories with Hereandnow Theater Company
7/2010 Cast in Boba Stories with Hereandnow Theater Company
6/2010 Signed with Angel City Talent Agency
5/2010 Table read for a Matthew Barry & Nick Cassavettes project

Greener

I had the opportunity to be involved in a short film that shot over the weekend called "Greener." It was written and directed by Kyle Lau and I do have to say that he is truly inspiring. A young man who wrote something and got it financed, produced, and shot! Although the script was cut down from it's original size do to budget reasons, it is still amazing what was accomplished over the course of the weekend. Kyle had a professional crew (many, if not all, UCLA film students or alumni) that worked around the clock to make sure that his vision remained his vision. But Kyle was very open to input from the cast and crew and over the short weekend, we all had fun and developed a type of cohesive unit that I'm sure many other film crews don't have. I'm not trying to sound corny or anything, but honestly, Kyle had his shit together and even though I personally didn't have a big role in the film due to the cuts, I wanted to make sure to give it my all the entire time... and it seemed tough at times because Saturday night, although I thought I was prepared for the 39 degree weather, I was not. I underestimated how cold it would be and I couldn't feel my toes, my fingers, my ears, or anything else for that matter... but you know what? I don't have a complaint except I didn't come prepared and that was my own damn fault.

I'll tell you, we had a big rumble scene where two crews went at it. Even though it was professionally choreographed by the stunt coordinator Steve Rizzo who has doubled for Seth Rogen in such films as "Observe & Report," "The Green Hornet," and "Pineapple Express..." we still got our asses kicked from rolling around on the ground, throwing punches, and receiving "stunt" punches... and I can't stop thinking how incredible it is to be on a film set. Anyway, as carefully choreographed as the fight was, there were accidents galore. Two crews that were supposed to hate each other... the tensions rose when Kyle called action and you let emotions run high and the next thing you know, I punched Kyle Garibaldi across the chin. We were professionals and both stayed in character but as soon as Kyle (Lau) yelled out cut, I had to go make sure that Garibaldi was okay and man, he handled it like a champ. He certainly got his pay back though because the next day, he punched me across the nose and yep, you guessed it, I bled!!! Again, we were both pros about it and stayed in character... the camera was on us at the exact moment so I had to milk it and turn to the camera, blood and all!!!

Speaking of the next day... I came super prepared with thermals on, gloves, an extra layer of clothing underneath, and everything else! You would have thought I was getting ready to go on a trek into the mountains of the Himalayas or something.

The overall experience was wonderful and it's a simple reminder of why I am in this business. I enjoy doing it and I enjoy being a part of a story... especially one that was dear to Kyle. There wasn't much acting involved for me, but watching the other actors work and watching Kyle work has certainly contributed to my growth as an actor. There's a cast and crew party this Thursday I hope I can make it to and I'll be looking forward to seeing the movie in a few months as well!

So far...

2011 is good so far... I'm really enjoying my Shakespeare class and it feels good to be back in school without all the pressure of graduation... I've even toying with the idea of going back and completing an English degree... but for now, I want to focus on my acting career. For obvious reasons, Shakespeare has always intrigued me, call it an excuse, but I just never had any time to sit down and read it... or the formal training or patience to understand it. With this class, I'm 'forced' to read it and I love it. I know in some way or another, it's a direct contribution to my craft as an actor. To be able to read Shakespeare and understand it makes reading or speaking 'regular' English so much easier! That and the fact that we are dissecting the characters and the themes helps me add to my process as an actor. I'm glad I took it.

The State Farm shoot was fun. Simple. I got to use some of my rock climbing skills even though it had nothing to do with rock climbing. I'm excited to see the pictures when they come out. Somewhere in Asia, I will be seen... now let's work on America! I had a broad goal of booking something with Angel City... this was a start... but I'm hungry for more.

I've been prepping for "Heart & Soles" and I have been thinking about Harper a lot. It's an important project for me because the script touches me in a way that I cannot explain. As an actor who currently lacks a process and who is in the process of learning (always), this piece is challenging to me. Plus, it's important to the director/writer Yudho so it's that much more important for me. I'll keep you all updated on it as the time comes nearer to shooting.

Two months into the year and I haven't booked a play yet... 10 months to go! There's a wonderful feeling I get from being on stage that makes me love what I do even more. The rehearsal process, the development of the characters, how everything eventually comes together... I've gotta rock every audition I go on and I'm gonna find a more solid monologue than the one I've currently got.

Improv at Second City is fun, fun, fun. It makes me feel like I'm a kid again, you know? You come in, strip all the cares in the world away and play. As an actor, this is so important to me... to be able to not judge and go with whatever your scene partner is giving you. It allows you to create organically and it brings out the creative side of me even more. Which I need to develop. I'm excited about taking the follow-up class.

My reading has been suffering... although I currently count my readings for my Shakespeare class as reading... but I have to read. I want to read. My thirst for knowledge is un-quenching. I'll finish 'Outliers' and move on to another book!!!

Goals: 2011

I didn't sit down and write a list of goals for 2011... but here's what I have so far in no particular order:

1. Get a legitimate website up... I'm kind of working on one of my own, but I do not have the patience or discipline to learn how to do it... this needs to change.

2. Book a commercial... national would be nice!!!

3. Get a solid reel together to post

4. New headshots with postcards

5. Send out more thank you cards!

6. Do 3 plays but two that are not with hereandnow Theater Company

7. Find a good scene study class that works for me

8. Find a manager... not sure on this one... but it's there and I'll keep my eyes open!

9. Internship somewhere in the industry... preferably in a casting office

10. Wake up at 8am, Monday - Friday... it's not going so well... but I'm working on it!

11. Write some type of a short story

12. Develop Secret Identity Crisis

13. Book 5 short films for my reel (3 down... 2 to go)

I'll add more as the year goes by.

What Have I Done For Me Lately???

2011 is the first official year that I am pursuing my acting career without the burden of worrying about school or anything else. Acting is now my priority and 2011 is going to be the year that I use to build a strong foundation of work... I must say, it's off to a good start... but I gotta stay hungry. I'm eager to learn and build, build, build. Below is a list of steps I've taken towards my career... let's watch this bad boy grow!!!


4/2011 Shooting "Heart and Soles" with director/writer Yudho Aditya
2/2011 Shooting "Greener" with director/writer Kyle Lau
2/2011 Voiceover for "Blade of Solitude" with Eric Marks
2/2011 Shooting "I Like it Rare" with director Jay B. Julio from CSULA
2/2011 Shooting pilot for "Rock This" as Marcus
1/2011 Started improv classes at Second City with Rebecca Sage Allen
1/2011 Continuing my personal education with a Shakespeare literature class
1/2011 Photo shoot with Keith Park for State Farm
11/2010 Performed in a Hereandnow production in Wichita, Kansas
10/2010 Filmed "Night Shift" with director Christopher Kurose from USC
9/2010 Table read for "A Love Like This"
9/2010 Invited to join Hereandnow Theater Company
8/2010 Performed in Boba Stories with Hereandnow Theater Company
7/2010 Cast in Boba Stories with Hereandnow Theater Company
6/2010 Signed with Angel City Talent Agency
5/2010 Table read for a Matthew Barry & Nick Cassavettes project
2009 Booked: SGI print job
2009 Booked: Apple print job
2008 Filmed: Music Video with director Eric Marks from USC
2008 Filmed: Before I Wake with writer/director Eric Marks from USC
2008 Filmed: One Hour Fantasy Girl with writer/director Edgar Michael Bravo