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...

January 30, 2104 I am giving serious thought to begin writing a book called HOW TO BE THE BEST BACKGROUND ACTOR YOU CAN BE.  I worked with two of those guys again last night and it got me thinking.  One of the thoughts I had was that if you are a self-centered jerk working on a television or movie set is not going to change that fact. It's only going to magnify your personality.  You are a background actor. There are rules. Whether you agree with them or not, there are rules. Whether you feel they apply to you is irrelevant . These rules you feel don't apply to you exist for safety reasons and for production reasons. Here are some bullet points which eventually become chapters in my book: ~DON'T WANDER OFF. Stay with the group. A television or movie set is not your playground to explore whenever you are not being used. The P.A.'s, whose job it is to make sure you are assembled and ready to go onto set to work (the reason you are-remember?) don't have t...

January 26, 2014 If you trust in your song Keep your eyes on the goal Then the prize you won't fail That's your grail. That's your grail So be strong. Keep right on To the end of your song. Do not fail. Find your grail. Find your grail. Find your grail. Life is really up to you. You must choose what to pursue. Set your mind on what to find. And there's nothin' you can't do. So keep right to the end. You'll find your goal my friend. Find your grail.  Find your grail.  Find your grail. When your life seems to drift. When we all need a lift Trim your sail. You won't fail.  Find your grail.  Find your grail.  Find your grail. Life is really up to you. You must choose what to pursue.  Set your mind on what to find.  And there's nothin' you can't do. Find your grail. Find your grail. Find your grail. ~Find Your Grail, Spamalot , Eric Idle It would probably not come as a surprise to you I...

Someone once said 'When GOD closes a door he opens a window.'  I'm pretty sure the someone was a PELLA salesman.  PELLA. Viewed to be the best.   One of my doors is closing today.  There are few open windows in front of me. One is being propped up by an old ruler.  Goodbye's are never easy. Some are just sad messy. Quite often they are just awkward and messy. I think Dorothy proved that in The Wizard of Oz when she pretty much told The Tin Man and Lion 'Yeah. Not so much you two.'  Dick.  So here I go, as Tom Petty said, into the great wide open . About to find out how reel it's going to be.  Copyright 2014.  All Rights Reserved. 

January 21, 2104 To SAG or not to SAG.  A question every over 50 Hollywood actress might ask herself when contemplating a little nip and tuck here and there but of course I'm not talking about sagging, I'm talking about SAG.-ing. Being part of The Screen Actors' Guild , that is.  I not over 50 but there will be a time shortly when I will have to make some decisions.  SAG Waiver:   A SAG waiver is a necessary part of joining the Screen Actors Guild. An actor needs  three  waivers for membership. The waivers are provided when producers cannot meet specific requirements for hiring members and non members for background roles. I apparently have two waivers. One for the project I am currently working on, AMC's  Turn and one for Netflix's  House of Cards, which I filmed back in July of 2013. A ll you need is three.  Now I say 'all you need is three' like it's as easy as that.  For me it presents several problems.  For one, ...