Keeping It Reel: An Actor's Blog

August 18, 2013 A rainy Sunday This is one of those dreary days-weather-wise and emotionally.  It's one of those days when i'm full of self-doubt and questioning just what the Hell am I doing doing what I'm doing. For someone who has never really been comfortable with the way he looks, I find myself questioning my decision to once again throw myself into a business where looks are so important.  And believe me...I know exactly who I am and where I stand.  I'm 48. I'm 6'3 and right about 231 pounds.  I have a little more real estate on my forehead than I used to.  I am not the leading man type.  I comfortable knowing I'm the chubby best friend who is either an alcoholic, gay or who will eventually get killed halfway through the movie but by my death inspire the leading man (in a most excellent montage of working out and gathering weapons ever) to seek revenge on those who did me in.... It's okay. I'm comfortable with that. Some major sta...

Thursday, August 8, 2013 It's funny what you to do get work as an actor and even funnier what you do when you get the job.   Case in point... I'm driving to Surry, VA. to shoot an episode of the A&E True Crime series Killer Kids. I know. Has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? This is the second time I've worked on this series.  My first experience was shooting The Cody Posey Story. I played a porn-addicted, abusive father who tries to get his step-son to join him and his wife in a three-way. So, basically, a douchebag.  Tomorrow I am shooting The Melissa Garrison Story .  You can read about the case by clicking on the link below: MELISSA GARRISON I'm not playing a douchebag this time. I'm playing a prosecuting attorney. (Waits a beat) You done with all the jokes in your head?Okay. Anyway... Today I will venture out and look for suit jackets and maybe ties that fit 1990's styles. More than likely I will spend most of my day in a number of thrif...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013 I'm not sure anyone is reading this blog.  That's okay.   It really is.   I'm a writer. I enjoy writing.  If someone else enjoys my writing, well then, that's an added bonus. HATERS GONNA HATE I wish I could say all my experiences have been positive.  And...if I'm going to keep it reel ( I know. It's a horrible pun. mea culpa mea culpa) I guess I should say that some not-so-good things have happened as a result of all my recent acting opportunities.  It's life though. Right. And, as we all know, shit happens...sometimes when you least expect it...sometimes from sources you'd least expect...but shit sucks no matter where or who or why...it's why they called it shit and not puppies and gumdrops . Yeah. Haters are going to hate.  As a friend of several years told me, when I talked about what was going on and how some folks were reacting to my current situation,  FUCK 'EM!' he said.  Well. There's n...

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 ...

July 20, 2013 Well, I didn't get the commercial job in Charlottesville.  It is a lesson all actors must learn. It's a hard lesson. Sort of like Algebra.  It is a lesson I learned all too well as visual artist.  The lesson being "You're not going to get every job you go out for in your career." In fact, you might send out 1000 resumes and attend 250 auditions and only get one job. I'm sure the actual factual data is more profound than my numbers.  Seeing the lesson and understanding the lesson is a matter of perspective. A perspective that comes with age and experience. It is important to remember that the one job you did get is a job.  The commercial I auditioned for most recently was for a air conditioning and heating company. The casting agent was looking for someone who was 'heavy set, hairy and sweaty.' To be honest...and just between you and I...I'm not too broken up about not getting this one.  There will be other jobs.  ...

June 30, 2013 Hunched over my fake booze, holding my fake cigarette, I waited for the call of action from director Nelson McCormick. The scene being shot would involve two Dallas patrolmen coming into Ruby's Carousel Club. There would be a short exchange. I gathered it was going to be something along the line of the two cops revealing that Oswald was going to be transferred later on that day. They would reveal the time and location thus setting up the scene in which Ruby walks directly up to Oswald and shoots him point blank range. Sounds like a quick shot. Right? Actually there would take after take, from a variety of angles. Cameras would be moved and lights would be adjusted.  We, the extras, were removed and taken to a holding area. Then we were brought back in and then we were taken back to the holding area.  For the last shot, the cameras were situated near Ruby and the two cops. Aside from the bartender Tony, I would be the only other actor on set. Me. The lone...

June 30, 2013 I was awake late Friday night...or to be exact....early Saturday morning....partly because I was still trying to cool down after the improv show earlier Friday night and partly because I was waiting for a phone call from my wife who was on her way to New Jersey.  I looked down at my phone and noticed that I had missed a call from about 12:45.  I didn't recognize the number. I listened to message from the assistant to the casting director for Killing Kennedy . I was instructed to respond to an email in regards to my availability for an 8:45 A.M. call time later that morning.  I  of course responded with an enthusiastic "I'll be there." Looks like I was heading back to Camelot.  Trick was, I had to get my sleep which was going to be near impossible seeing as my mind was racing.  I did finally manage to drift off. Luckily I had set two alarms and somewhere between 6AM and 6:11AM I awoke knowing in just an hour or two I would once aga...