Sanford Meisner

Tueaday, July 6, 2013

Looking at my blog I realize it has been a while since I've posted anything. This is due in part to being busy-which is a good thing-a very good thing...and also in part because I'm not sure I really had anything to say. And like my momma said-if you don't have anything to say, don't say anything. There's plenty of people doing that in the world today.

There's been a lot going on since my last post. The phone has been ringing and my email in-box is all abuzz. There's nothing like a buzzing inbox. 

What? 
Well...there isn't.

....

~I worked as an extra on the set of Netflix's House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey. I was scheduled for two scenes that day. I first played a bar patron in an upscale Washington, D.C. establishment. I was really only background-background filler though. Just a shadow. A shadow holding a sissy drink. 

Let me explain.

We all know of course that when you see actors drinking in movies and on television they are not really drinking alcoholic beverages. I don't know how it happened, but when they positioned all the extras around the bar I wound up being handed a champagne flute with a cherry at the bottom. It could have been a gin and tonic in a rocks glass...or a beer. I would have settled for a Coke with a lime on the rim. But no. The Hand of Fate had something else in mind. 

So there I am...talking to all my buddies-all 6'3 of me-holding this dainty little glass with pink bubbles. Ahhhh...acting.

Thank GOD I would playing an FBI agent later on that day. Maybe I could shoot someone-pretend shoot someone that is and erase the memory of my sparkling girly drink. 

Please don't write or call. That was not a comment on women...or girlies...it was a comment on bubbly drinks in champagne in slender little fluted glasses.

My experience on House of Cards turned into a near 14 hour day. With travel from Richmond to Baltimore, a 22 hour day total in fact. But well worth it. 

By the way, I looked pretty darn awesome in my FBI windbreaker with my rubber gun, handcuffs hooked to my belt, and FBI badge swinging from my neck. 

LOL. Every little boy's dream. Right? Cops and robbers. Just awesome. 

We, the four FBI agents, worked with Gene, our stunt coordinator, for most of the day and actually wound up hanging out with him on set. 

HOC was my first acting experience that included guns and stunts and next to Killing Kennedy is probably the biggest thing-in terms of production and number of people involved-I've been part of....so...I guess what I'm saying is it was very, very cool stuff.

House of Cards shoots in Baltimore til November. 

I'm hoping to return.
Maybe they'll give me a manly drink next time. Like a...well...I'm not drinker. Just give me something with balls and fill a glass with it.

~Another 48 Hour Film Project has come and gone. 

I once again worked with the amazing team of final.revised. 

This year we received BUDDY FILM as our genre. 

The finished film is a little gem called P.A.L.

Photo Courtesy of Tina Rodriguez

If you haven't seen P.A.L., please click on the word PAL below to watch it on youtube. 

PAL

I'm so proud of this film and what, we as a team, were able to create. It has been described by more than a few as a cross between Chaplin and PIXAR. It is our first sentimental film. During the screening of P.A.L. at the BEST of Richmond on Saturday, August 3rd, the audience did actually 'awwww' a few times. BEST compliment...ever!

P.A.L. garnered the team four awards: AUDIENCE FAVORITE-Group B, BEST Use ORIGINAL Prop, BEST use of line of dialogue and BEST Special Effects. 

GREAT job everyone! Congratulations!

There was some stiff competition this year. I think, though, we accomplished what we set out to do. We created something special that will last for ever. 

~Work, work, work...

Since the beginning of June 2013, my resume has exploded. I have truly blessed with a variety of opportunities. 

Beginning with Killing Kennedy I have been on a pretty wild ride. 

By the way...KK promos will start airing on FOX during Sunday football after Labor Day. I can't wait to see what the talented team of VARIABLE from New York has created. 

I worked on an industrial film shoot, shot three commercials, performed as a detective for a murder mystery dinners, starred in a short film, and worked as an extra on a show that was just nominated for 11 EMMY'S.

I continue to perform with West End Comedy, the best improv comedy group in Richmond. I also continue to serve as their Artistic Creative Director. 

Click on the link to see what this talented, funny, most awesome group is up to:

WEST END COMEDY

Our next shows at HATTheatre are August 23rd and August 24th. 

This Friday I will shoot my second episode of A&E's Killer Kids series. I will be playing Prosecuting Attorney Steve Simpson in the trial of Melissa Garrison. 

And as always...

I continue to send out resumes and go to auditions. It is the nature of the beast. I do have tough skin though. Having been a starving artist, I understand that you may send out 1000 pieces of self promotion material and if you hear back from just one person...well then...you should consider yourself lucky. 

It's an adventure. 

So far I have truly blessed. 
I've been a demented, abusive father, a bystander waving at JFK, JFK's Secret Service agent, a doctor, a bar fly, a guy with power-saw, an FBI agent, and soon to be a lawyer. 

I am extremely grateful to those who have had the faith-the trust-to give me work.  

I don't know what's going to happen...where this will take me. 
I'm just enjoying the ride. 

keeping it reel
copyright 2o13