Callback: "McDonald's" @ Maryclaire Sweeters Casting. This was a "straight to callbacks" dealio, but it seemed more like an "allback" session. It looked they called "all" of them from the first session plus more. There were SO many people there. I'm not complaining; it's better to be on the callback tape than not...and I felt that it went well.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Audition: "Progressive Insurance" @ Ross Lacy Casting. I happened to be in the right place at the right time to get this one.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Stephon Fuller talent scout? I don't know about all that, but the kid definitely has an eye for what can work and why - in many situations - entertainment business or not. Agenting and managing has definetly crossed my mind. Actually, I thought about managing before I ever pursued acting.

Anyway, remember that "Perfect Storm" of a client that I consulted earlier this year? The one I pitched to my theatrical agents and they immediately signed her? Honestly, I've consulted numerous very talented actors but the element of youth AND the ability to play 4-6 years younger than her age made the "Perfect Storm" quite unique.

She doesn't have a lot of credits, but enough to say that she's been to the "Big Show". Her youth also makes it a little more okay that she doesn't have a lot of professional credits. It just really added up to an easy sell...at least "in theory". She may not have thought so because at the time we met she'd been in Los Angeles for several years, but never having the proper guidance.

During our initial meeting I felt that with the right opportunities the "Perfect Storm" would book jobs & make money - quick. I felt all that within 10 minutes of meeting her and at that point I had never even seen her work...it was just a feeling...a strong feeling.

So here we are; eight weeks after signing with the agency (the exact time-frame I projected) and she booked her first job. I figure, "hey if I can't bring in money for the agency I'll bring them someone else who can!"

So what did "The Perfect Storm" book? A guest-starring role in a pilot that works for two weeks. Yeah! Needless to say I'm ecstatic about the news. And yup, she's playing quite a bit younger than her actual age.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

What a week…or more like 10 days. My mind is so twisted that I feel like I'm going absolutely crazy. The 5 year anniversary of my mom's death and her birthday were recently and I'm filled with emotion. That's nothing new. The problem is that it won't overflow and come out.

Usually, during this time of the year I'm either okay or a basket-case...for a moment, hours, days or a couple of days - or anything in between. This time I feel like I'm in a haze. Kinda like drunk driving - not that I've ever done that. Ya know how when you have to sneeze, but when it's time to actually do it; the sneeze won't come out? That's the way I've felt for the last week or so. I feel like I'm ready to cry like a baby, but I'm only 96.1120% of the way there...the other 3.888% is killing is me.

I am guilty of privately balling like a kid in a few movies lately. It didn't have much to do with the films themselves; there were just some parallels that have conjured up what I went through in '02 and '03 when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It's tough to say the least; I miss my mother more than words can describe. My mind has been so glazed over that I actually fell down the stairs yesterday coming out of my building. Yeah, seriously. Do you know how many times I've walked down those stairs over 9 years? Thousands of times, but this time I missed the last step, fell, scraped my knee and twisted my foot. I had my PDA and cell phone in my hand and fortunately didn't break them. That wouldn't have been good.

In my experience the loss hasn’t gotten much easier, it just changes. No, I’m not a basket-case on a daily basis – far from that, but often times I feel like an orphan. I wish I could have shared some of my successes with her. She would have been thrilled to know that I worked with Steven Spielberg – he directed “The Color Purple” one of her favorite films. I mean, I’m sure she knows, but I would have like to talk to her about it. She was a funny lady and I miss her everyday.

It’s been quiet business-wise lately; so to get through with my sanity intact I’ve kept myself extremely busy with editing my demo reel and other stuff. I’m really enjoying the editing and other things I’ve been into recently. I just wish I understood the programs a little more. I’ll just keep working at it.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Print go-see: "Motorola" @ Catherine Eng Casting. Quick-fast. In and out. 3 digital stills and I was on my way.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Audition/Producers/Tape: "Journeyman" @ UDK Casting. My agent called with this appointment and we had "the talk"; the talk about whether or not to pass on it. We weighed the pros and cons and decided that we'd go in on it.

The first two times I was called in this season for this show were for guest-starring roles - this is a co-star. It's one of those roles that I'm trying to graduate from from a "career standpoint", but from an "actor standpoint" I'd usually rather be auditioning for a chance to work than not. No worries; I ain't trippin'. I used to be so good at booking the small co-star roles, but lately not so much. The good thing is that I've had more appointments for more substantial roles and they are going well. It's great to be able to have these conversations with my agents.

Another reason to go in is that this is the last script that “Journeyman” has because of the strike and it's unknown if they will be getting a back 9 pick-up order. So I'll try to get what I can while I have a chance to get it.

Funny enough, I hadn't read for this particular casting director for 3 years and this call was the 3rd appointment in 6 weeks.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Audition/Producers/Tape: "Scribble" @ CHM Casting. This one went great! The two co-directors and writer were there and I did exactly what I wanted to do and more. I don't know if I'll be considered for the role, but that doesn't matter. I was very, very happy with what I left in the room.

For me, it can be weird auditioning for a casting director that I also work as a reader for, but this time it was "smoove like butta"...and I have crashed and burned in that type of situation before.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRX79E75yA

Airing: Tuesday, November 13th "Bones" 8pm on FOX - please check your local listings.

Wow! I was out at Universal picketing in support of the WGA on the strike lines today and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many celebrities in one place at a time. I saw quite a few people I’ve worked with in the past. I actually spoke with Ken Jenkins from “Scrubs”, David Kohan – showrunner “Good Morning, Miami”, John Amos – “The District” and Jere Burns also from “GMM”; he introduced me to Patricia Heaton. Generally, I’m not a star-struck person, but this felt more like peers in a professional sense. I guess that’s a good thing. Now that I think about it maybe I am a little star-struck when I go to the dirt bike races and see the riders do their thing up close.

Anyway, I hope this strike thing gets settled with a fair and equitable deal soon…very soon. This is a far reaching thing for very average working people just trying to make a living. I know because I’m one of them.

Cool! My scene on "Bones" aired as it was written. You never in these situations – and if there anyone who knows it’s me! I think I know a little too well. Obviously I did ADR so that told me that they were at least planning on using my stuff at that point. BUT! I don’t believe it until I see it. It is what it is and it ain’t what it ain’t….until it is…

I didn’t totally believe I was in it until I started getting calls from the East Coast and even then that was because they saw my name in the opening credits. Even that didn’t guarantee how much or little of the actual work they used. My little brother called from Virginia and just laughed so I couldn’t tell anything from that dude. I’d have to wait two more hours.

I must say I say was pretty happy with the results and they didn’t cut any of the scene. Within minutes of it airing I was already editing my demo reel. I’ve never had a demo reel before. I never thought it was that important for my particular situation so I waited until got they type stuff I wanted to showcase. I mean I could have cut one years ago with what I had, but I wanted to make sure it “furthered my cause” and was a legitimate tool for me and my representatives.

I felt it was smart for me to wait until I got “an anchor” before I put something together. That strategy fits better with “where I’m headed” versus “where I’m at”. So this “Bones” one hour drama piece coupled with my “Love, Inc.” half-hour multi-camera piece goes together really well.

I’m not an editor by any means, but I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to put something together on my own. I have a sincere interest in this technical side of the business. So I’ll cut something rough for my agents and go from there.

The strategy will probably be to have a one hour drama clip, a half-hour comedy clip and a 2-minute hybrid for my agents. And for me? I’ll have a “Long Ass Demo – Extended Mix” for my ego.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html

Another Callback: “FedEx” @ Kathy Knowles Casting.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html

Audition: “Mr. Clean” @ Craig Colvin Casting. This went really well and was weirdly fun.

Audition: “Lays” @ Jessica J. Casting. This one went great too! The woman I was paired up with as ‘My Boo” was so unbelievably sweet and hot. You would think I’d be used to it by now. But women are something else; especially friendly, smart ones. I hope I get a callback on this one.

Callback: “FedEx” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Another really great one for today! That’s 3 in a row. The director was in the room via satellite from New York. I couldn’t see anyone except for him. I believe this shoots in New York. I left there without any connection to actually booking the job. It seems like it’s been so long since I’ve booked anything that I just go to the audition and don’t really imagine getting a call saying that I’ve been booked. That might be a good thing – I don’t know what works anymore – used to think I did, LOL!

As soon as I got home from the “FedEx” callback there was an email notice informing me of another callback tomorrow afternoon – For “FedEx” – same place – same casting director. …hmmm, I wonder how that happened. Oh well, I’ll be there that’s for sure.

I also got a direct call from a casting director for a theatrical audition for next week. Cool, I spoke to her for a bit and asked her to also call my agents.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html

Audition: “UPS” @ Ross Lacy Casting. “Not so much” on this one. It was a little weird and I know exactly why – I’ll have to get used to it and get out of my head about it. Callbacks are tomorrow and I don’t think I’ll be getting an invite.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html

It's official - the Writers Guild of America (WGA) contract has expired and it looks there will be a strike. I have no idea what the outcome will be, but the strike is something that I'm very much in support of. For starters, the DVD/home video residual formula is in serious need of fixing and the trend toward downloading media is just the beginning of what’s to come. I don’t know how long the WGA strike will last, but I felt it could come to this a long time ago. I experienced the commercial strike in 2000 and that was brutal. I spent time walking the picket lines in 2000 and plan to do the same in support of the writers as well. This is potentially just the beginning of what could be a very contentious 12-18 months ahead for the entertainment industry. The Directors and Actors Theatrical contract both expire June 30th ’08 and the Actors Commercial contract expires October 31st ‘08. It’s funny because sometimes people outside the industry don’t think this is a real industry and a real way to make a living. I’d say a strike is pretty real…what to do, what to do.

I figured out a while ago that I was going to get a job for several reasons – to earn money, to keep my mind active while learning something new, to earn money, to meet new people, to earn money etc. I’m REALLY excited about it too! Ain’t no stinkin’ strike gonna slow me down! I just have to alter my game a little. So, the strike is coming and so is the first day training for a new position. It felt like the first day of school! I was a nervous wreck at times, but I handled things pretty well I think. We’ll see how it works out as far as scheduling when I have auditions – I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Audition: "ING" @ Craig Colvin Casting. It went okay I guess, nothing special. Even if it was “special” that doesn’t necessarily mean anything at all.

After being out all day training and settled in for the evening; I checked my email and saw a message that caught my eye. Why, you might ask? It had the word “FREE” in it. It was a free preview of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” – tonight; and it starts in 90 minutes. I had never seen an August Wilson Play and one of the leads is Ben Guillory – artistic director of the Robey Theatre Company. Ben directed the last play I was in, “For the Love of Freedom Part III: Christophe” and a staged reading of “A Soldier’s Play” by Charles Fuller. I really enjoy his work and have had great experiences working with him. So I decided to go to the preview at the last and really enjoyed the performance.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/consultations.html