Keeping It Reel: An Actor's Blog

November 26, 2014 Suffering for your art takes many forms.  Last night, while filming an episode for Turn: Washington's Spies , I suffered. And I suffered repeatedly .  I obviously can't say much about the specifics of the episode we were filming. I think I can safety say I was playing a militia soldier.  Yeah. That it's about it. We started at 3 PM and I knew right away we would shooting into the early morning hours. Nothing new there.  The skies were grey and the weather forecast was hinting at rain and even at a chance of snow. Again, nothing new there, especially for the production team and cast of TURN . We've seen fire and rain....and rain...and sleet..and horseshit.  Randall Wallace, on the set of POINT OF HONOR : "That's what a period piece is: rain, mud and horseshit." Standing my post last night, in mud and ' snow,' and   dressed in rags, I was positioned behind a horse.  I've worked with a variety of animal...

November 18, 2014 I am now a member of SAG-AFTRA .  As a wise rascal once said, "I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way." Eyes on the prize and baby steps forward.  and as always... Just keeping it reel. Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved.

Novermber 7, 2014 COBBLESTONES AND CAPES We are off and running on another season of AMC's Turn , which as I wrote previously, is now being called TURN: Washington's Spies .  I just wrapped on Episode 4 mid-day yesterday.  It was a rainy day in Historic Petersburg, wet, but no spirits were dampened. Here's what I can tell you about this new, exciting season: "..............................................................................." You didn't think I was actually going to tell you something, did you?  I, mean, I do want to work again.  Besides, I really hate when details about productions are leaked by people who should know better.  There is an honor system but because said honor has been betrayed by people who don't have any honor,  most shows require that all actors sign a non-disclosure agreement.  So, I have to nothing to report from the set of TURN: Washington's Spies other than to say I am once again h...

November 5, 2014 Donuts & Butterflies Auditioning is rough. Understatement of the century. Even the most seasoned pros, those who still have to, that is, admit to getting nervous stomachs or even panic attacks right before they audition for roles.  Imagine any job interview you've ever had. Now imagine you're sitting in the same room...naked. Butt ass naked . Totally exposed, both physically and emotionally. T hat's sort of what auditioning is like.  Sort of .  I don't know if there's any real advice I can offer.  Be prepared .  When it comes right down to it, be prepared.  "Fill your pockets (hypothetically speaking) but not so you are weighed down by what's inside."  The above is a combination of quotes from actors Kevin McNally and Richard Warner.  Be prepared. Know who you are auditioning for and who you are auditioning as. If there are sides, know them. Be prepared. Be prepared enough so that if you are asked to impr...

November 1, 2014 Self-Promotion & Marketing You can be the best actor in the world but if nobody knows you exist, what's the point?   Sure. Your cats can enjoy your monologue from GlenGarry Glen Ross but are they your target audience? Will they get you work? Do they know anybody who can get you work? The answer is no. No they will not and no they do not.  They're cats. All they care is about is what you are going to feed them, when you're going to feed them and how deep is your devotion to them. They could care less about your acting career. So who, besides your mother, and everyone she talks to, knows you're an actor looking for work? At some point you have to promote yourself. You are, after all, a business .  You must treat yourself like a business,which, as unappealing as it sounds, means there will be paperwork involved.  The horror. The horror . Self-promotion is something I am good at. I have owned my own businesses and have promoted e...