Keeping It Reel: An Actor's Blog

February 10, 2014 I am a total wreck today. Emotions are way out of control. My tough skin is taking a beating and I fear I will be black and blue for a while. I have an audition today for what could be my first national commercial. So, naturally, I am excited and nervous.  Mostly though I am sad and disappointed.  I'm not going into any details. Suffice to say that I learned a hard but valuable lesson this past week. It's a lesson every actor should learn because, sadly, the truth is, this is a crazy, fickle, insanely unfair industry.  Being a talented, professional actor will only get you so far in this business.  I've experienced that first hand.  I n the end, it doesn't matter how reliable you are or how talented you are or how nice you are or...you getting the point? It doesn't seem to matter if you are never late for your call times or are a good listener. It's the fact, Jack. Doesn't seem fair, does it? You get the part because you l...

February 2, 2014 REST IN PEACE,   Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  Hoffman The Actor His IMDb page.  The sad story.   News story about his death today. Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  One of the best actors of our time. Passionate. Dedicated. He would totally disappear into a role.  Such a waste. So terribly sad.  Demons are demons. It doesn't matter if you are an actor or a banker or a guy who delivers pizza. It is truly a dark ending to such a bright light. “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.” ~Phillip Seymour Hoffman “The size of my head though is pretty abnormal.”  ~Phillip Seymour Hoffman "Being unemployed is not good for an actor. No, it isn't, no matter how unsuccessful you are. Because you always remember getting fired from all the restaurants. You remember that stuff very, very strongly.”  ~Phillip Seymour Hoffman

February 2, 2014 There's a debate on the internet.  The question was raised: Does a background actor include his or her experience as a background actor on their professional resume? I'm going to weigh in here because most of the work I am getting at the moment-and I say at the moment because I will move up to the next level-is background work.  The way I see it: work is work.  Listing background work on a resume, to me, shows several things. It shows the most important thing: someone hired you .  Secondly,  when someone sees you've worked as a background actor and there are numerous jobs listed they see that you have experience on set. Lastly,  if you're working regularly as a background actor on the same project then the casting agent and the production team must like you and what you do as an actor.  You must have something to offer. You must be viable.  My current resume has two sections: one that lists the jobs in which I p...