Today is my day of work on “Easier, Softer Way”. Since I had a 12:30pm call I was able to get some drop-offs done in the morning. The first thing I notice after arriving on set was Danny Masterson’s name on the call sheet. All along I thought that Scott Grimes was playing one of the leads. Well I guess things change don’t they?

After checking in with the appropriate people and going through make-up and wardrobe I decide to go to the set and check out what they were shooting during the “hurry-up and wait” period. I catch up with Mekhi and Ronnie and say my hello’s and am meet Mekhi’s little brother; he’s a cool young cat who is looking to make moves himself.

The first AD on the shoot is Babu Subrumaniam; Babu directed the episode of “ER” that I worked on a couple of years ago. Matter of fact many of the crew are from “ER”. Mekhi is an actor’s director; he knows how to communicate to actors. He knows what he wants, is direct, but willing to listen. He also is the first to let you know when he likes something: you’ll see that big smile or hear him laughing out loud.

The scene was pretty quick for me; I was just in the very beginning of a larger set-up. All-in-all, it feels great to see what he’s doing and watch his career develop. I went to one of the open calls for “Clockers” back in 1993 in Philadelphia. Mekhi was booked for that film from an open call in New York. It didn’t matter how wrong I was for that character, I went anyway. Of course I had never heard of him because it was his first job. I was thrilled to get to work with him in 1997 in the film “Hell’s Kitchen”, again in 2003 on “ER” and now to be directed by him in “Easier, Softer Way”.

After I wrapped for the day I thanked Mekhi and said to call me if he ever needs a reader; he responded by saying he’ll call when needs another actor. I probably sounded like I was selling myself short, ooops. Anyway, he is a very down to earth, cool dude.