My audition for "The Guardian" went pretty well. I later got more insight into what they were looking for and I would have done things a little different. I have to make sure I get the entire character breakdown from my agency. I also get a call today for "LA Dragnet" for Tuesday. I believe it was from one of the drop-offs I did yesterday.

Today I was on the lot @ Universal for a producer session for UPN comedy "Rock Me Baby" through Susan Vash Casting. The callback went great and hopefully she'll keep calling me in.

Afterwards I went into my trusty HP iPAQ Pocket PC and checked for the addresses on the lot so I could do some drop-offs. I really didn't feel like doing them....well because I was just tired. It was hot outside, my car was running hot, my agent was having problems e-mailing appointment info for today, Friday and I wanted get home to make sure I had the info.

As I was ready to pull off to go home I stopped and said "what the heck are you doing? This is where you shine; this is where your magic happens". I take my seatbelt off, break out my computer and get a move on with the map of the Universal Lot. After taking forever to find the first drop-off and on my way to the 2nd I run into Susan Vash and her associate Reyna Karp whom I had just read for.

Me: (to self) Oh Sh*t, I'm not a stalker.
(Normal voice from across the street) Hi!

Susan & Reyna:
You're still here?

Me:
I'm doing drop-offs.

Susan & Reyna:
Gotta take advantage of the pass, huh?

Me:
Yeah, you never know when you're gonna get back on the lot.

Susan & Reyna:
Yeah, I guess your right.

Me:
Ya know, I pull out my little computer (showing them) and look up all of the addresses and get to work.

Susan & Reyna:
Wow! That is the coolest little thing.

Me: Yeah, gotta help the agents out anyway I can. Myself too, I get 90%!

Susan & Reyna:
You're smart. We'll do one for you. LaPadura/Hart Casting is right next door to us.

Me:
You're kidding. You wouldn't mind?

Susan & Reyna:
No problem. (I give them the photo that I have in my hand) (to each other) Who else is near us?

Me: Ah ladies, you're the best! Well have a great, safe weekend and THANK YOU. See ya.

I proceed to try and make a couple of others that I can't find and call it a day. Tomorrow I have a pre-read for "The Guardian" @ Sony Studios and you can bet I'll be looking for more magic.

Today I have the first commercial audition in the last couple of weeks. It's for "AT&T" @ Jeff Rosenman Casting. It goes alright, nothing special.

"Rock Me Baby" @ Susan Vash Casting goes well. Susan and her associate, Reyna, remembered me from previous visits to their office and postcards. They seemed really happy with the read and asked me to return for producers in a couple of days.

Okay Monday goes by without no call about "GMM". I do get an appointment for UPN comedy "Rock Me Baby" for tomorrow though.

Shoot day goes off without a hitch. I'm always amazed at how the writers come up with so much funny stuff while we are shooting. The actors always deliver as well. I haven't been booked on the next episode as of yet, but the casting director did mention something about it to me. I guess I won't know until I know.

Pre-shoots, pre-shoots, pre-shoots. I didn't think today would ever end. Trust me, I'm not complaining, I am glad to be working. The guest stars on the show this week are the "Queer Eyes For The Straight Guy" guys a.k.a. "the Fab Five". They have a funny scene totally playing themselves and are really nice people as well. After almost 12 hours on-set we are finished. A long day in sitcom world.

Okay, get this. I wake up this morning @ 9am because I need to move my car. As I walk out my door I see a "GMM" script. WHAT!?!? I guess I've been written back in. I'm in and out of the shower in a flash and on my way. I arrive at the studio and within 5 minutes the director, Peter Bonerz, begins placing me in scenes. Peter is definitely in my corner; he just seems to make sure that I'm around. So, in less than a day I go from being written out to appearing in 3 scenes.

A call comes in for another studio film audition for tomorrow; I hope I can make it somehow. It's not looking good because we have a lot of pre-shooting to do for Thursday's show.

Oh yeah, I think I got a desk on the show. Meaning a place where I normally am going to be. A really good thing.

GOOD MORNING, STEPHON!!!! Usually when my caller ID says "PRIVATE CALLER" it's my theatrical agent. The first thought that ran through my head was that I had been written out of the current episode. I was right. Oh well, it happens. At least I still get paid. Also, if I know anything about this show, it's that they re-write quite often. I could be back before it's over.

Today I have a lot of running to do; just the way I like it. I start in the morning at a Talent Manager Panel @ AIA. I'm not looking for a manager, but I usually pick up some useful info. Next is to a seminar entitled "Succeeding in L.A.". Hmmm.......not a whole lot picked up here either, but I will try to simplify my resume a little. I then rushed back to AIA to catch Casting Director Jane Jenkins. Jane and her partner Janet Hirshenson are the people behind The Casting Company. They cast mostly studio films. I really wanted to hear what she had to say. All in all, it was good, productive day.

Table read, "Good Morning, Miami" episode #2. This morning I tuned in to watch "Good Day LA". One of the co-host, Jillian Barberie, is going to be a guest-recurring character on the show. I wanted to see what she was like before the table read. WOW! This woman has a lot of energy. She's cool, hip and seems fun. She is perfect for the character on the show.

CUT to: 90 minutes later

I am sitting next to Jillian at the read and she is going to be absolutely fantastic.

It's as hot as can be and I'm on my way to Fox Studios for a producer session for "NYPD Blue". The associate casting director, Scott Genkinger, The role is a "murderous, thug type of guy". These roles are a real challenge for me. I'm not your typical "murderous, thug type of guy". I have to resist the temptation of trying to convince people that I'm mean. I have to just put "Stephon" in that situation and trust it. I just wanna have a good, strong read. It goes well enough, but not great. I spend the next hour doing drop-offs on the lot.

Show day!! What a long day. Today was kinda hectic, maybe it was because it was the first show of the season. I also missed a commercial audition. I hate missing auditions, but I guess I have a good reason. I think we've got some really good stuff. I always say that, I really believe the show has what it takes to be a "go to" show for NBC.

Back in the saddle at "Good Morning, Miami"!!! This morning we have the table read for the first episode of the season. I was happy to see the cast & crew again. I got meet Tiffani Thiessen; she is doing the first 3 of 4 episodes. Based on what I've heard from several people it seems that my character may be around quite a bit again this season. My commercial agent calls with a same-day call for a "Chevy" audition for Cathi Carlton Casting. I have booked 2 commercials through Cathi in the past. The audition went well.

Today I participate in the reading of a script that a young lady I used to work with in New York with wrote.

Drop-offs, drop-offs & more drop-offs!

NO!!!! The driver-side door handle on my trusty Honda Accord broke today. Now I have to get in through the passenger side or reach around and unlock the driver-side door. IT'S TOO HOT FOR THIS!!! No, really this is good. It just reminds me that it is time to get a newer car. I'm going to try to make that happen this Fall/Winter.