Shooting: “Do Not Disturb” @ Fox Studios. The look on my friends face was priceless when she saw me at rehearsal this morning. I was going to call her over the weekend and tell her I got the part, but I figured I’d wait and surprise her on-set. I’m talking about the friend that I worked with on “Dollhouse” recently. Actually, she was sorta my stand-in even though she didn’t end up needed to actually “Stand-in” because we were pretty much finished as soon as we started. She’s a regular stand-in on “Do Not Disturb” and she put the energy out in the universe that I would be working on the show in the very near future. I think she is magic!

Even funnier is that on Friday, shortly after I auditioned for the role, but before I received a call that I was the choice; she was reading the role for the producer’s run-through. Weird, huh? Even more weird is how I have an attractive, blonde woman standing in for me in the first place AND she’s way curvier than I…way more.

I wish I could promote myself the way she promotes me. Every time I’m on set with her she sells me as this person that’s really, really on the move. I have to learn to just “go with it” and “be that guy”. It’s hard because I feel so silly being promoted like that as I’m naturally pretty low-key. Oh well, I’m trying to embrace that part of the business and be more willing to “get out there” and “work it”. I’ve always been terrible at the networking and schmoozing part of the biz, but I’m trying to get better in that department.

It’s been 3 years since I’ve worked on a multi-camera show; so I’m definitely looking forward to the live audience dealio. So after checking in I was shown to my dressing room; which was an interesting experience…I’ll leave it at that. The director, Bob Koherr, treated the cast & crew to a trip to a coffee catering canteen truck. Since I don’t drink and have never had a cup of coffee in my life I opted for a Strawberry/Banana Extreme smoothie and it was the best Strawberry/Banana smoothie ever! Thanks Bob!

After a while I was introduced to regulars Niecy Nash, Jerry O’Connell, Jessie Tyler Ferguson and Jolene Purdy – all very nice, funny people. We rehearsed/camera blocked and I went to wardrobe and that was it – I was wrapped for the day. I have to say that I felt like a grown-a** man in the suit they chose for me. Maybe the clothes DO make the man… Tomorrow is shoot day.

A couple of hours later I got word that I have a callback for that “Cheetos” commercial I auditioned for last week. I had a strong feeling this would happen and I really hope that it all works out and I can get released long enough to make it to the callback. I kept all of my agents abreast of my availability so we’ll see what happens.

Oh yeah, I was told that I would have a different dressing room tomorrow for the long shoot day. That is a good thing.

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

Another overnight shift last night. I gotta tell ya; this overnight stuff is BRUTAL and I DO NOT recommend it. It’s just so hard to get the amount of rest that I really need; not that I got the proper amount of rest before I started working there, but still.

Anyway, I had a commercial audition scheduled for 12:30pm. I figured I’d get in the bed by 8:30am, wake up @ 11:30am, shower and make my way to the Valley. Lo and behold, just as I was preparing to go to bed my phone rings at 9:14am. It was a number I didn’t recognize so I let it go to voicemail. The call was from a casting office asking if I would come in to audition by 11am. I called back and told them I would be there and then e-mailed my agent to give her the info as well.

This was the same office, same show and same episode of the audition that was cancelled 2 days ago. Multi-camera shows have way more rewrites than single-camera comedies and one-hour dramas.

When I arrived at the audition I saw several people I knew; some of which I’d work with in the past and some I hadn’t seen in some time. I’ve been keeping a low profile for most of the year which has been working out really well for me, but it was great to see some of actors that I’ve been in the game with for years. One person was Lydia Blanco who recently tested at the studio and network level for a pilot. Lydia and I worked together in “The Terminal”.

Audition/Producers/Tape: “Do Not Disturb” @ Greenstein/Daniel Casting. The role was that of a reporter and everyone I saw looked right for the job – including me. It went pretty good in the room; I’ve had better, but it was good. The woman, who I assume was the writer, offered some feedback; I did it again and was on my way. It is known that, especially, in half-hour comedy it’s really important to stick to the script. I had a little something I wanted to add, but not in a “oh I added this because I thought it would make it better” sense.

I added it in a down-low type of way – under my breath and to myself, but loud enough for writer and casting directors to hear me. I did it in the same way I added a line while working with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks on “The Terminal”. It was just kinda a natural next thing that this character might say. It seemed to go over well enough. So that was that - we’ll see. I should hear something (or not) soon because today is Friday and I believe it starts Monday for a live audience shoot on Tuesday. With that I was on my way to my commercial audition.

Audition: “Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr.” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. I must admit I was really, really tired for this audition – I worked all night and hadn’t slept at all. That isn’t the reason why I sucked in it, but still, LOL! It was pretty simple, but I just couldn’t get it right. BUT!! I think I’m really right for it; so maybe I’ll get a callback despite dropping a bomb in the room – hey, it happens.

Two hours later at 2:49pm my agent called me to tell me that I’m “the choice” for one of the reporters for “Do Not Disturb”. They just needed to make sure it was going to stay in the script before making the official offer and that I was available and interested. Cool!

Then at 4:04pm my agent called with the offer of the 2 days of work. So I accepted the terms and that was that. I must admit that I was expecting more in the way of “’da Benjamins” and considered doing a “no quote”, but after talking to my agent about it figured that it was worth the trouble for this type of booking.

I am really looking forward to working on a multi-camera show in front of a live audience. It’s been 3 years since I done it and there are only a handful of those types of show currently on the air.

Later I was e-mailed the script and the co-writer of this episode is, Kirk Rudell, Kirk was a writer/supervising producer on “Good Morning, Miami”. Maybe the 12 episodes (really 14 episodes) that are listed on my resume worked in my favor – who knows.

The neat thing is in this business you really never where the day is going to take you. I had one appointment scheduled today and ended with 2 appointments and a booking. It also tells me why I’ve always included my direct contact info on my resumes. I was called directly for this job. Who knows, the casting assistant could have stopped trying to reach me after not getting my agency on the phone because they weren’t open yet. We wouldn’t even have known I was being considered if she chose to just go “NEXT” on the list.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that I am thrilled again that this show is under a SAG contract and not AFTRA.

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

Audition: “Cheetos” @ Ross Lacy Casting. YES!!! This went great! I had the best time. It was so simple, but I think I was perfect – I think. At least it felt perfect – eff that, it WAS perfect! Where’s my callback??? I think I’m really right for it so we’ll see what the future brings.

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

So I worked overnight last night, came home and got in the bed about 9:30am with an alarm to wake up @12:30pm to rehearse for my 2:30 audition for Fox comedy “Do Not Disturb”. That’s the show that, last week when I was working on “Dollhouse”; my friend said she always thinks I’m going to book a job on.

I woke up about 10 minutes before my alarm was to go off and lied in bed running lines before I was actually going to find the energy to get up. Right then my BlackBerry rang and it was a message from my agent saying that the audition had been cancelled because the role had been cut. Aw man! I was feeling good too! Oh well, what can you do? That’s they way multi-camera shows work – constant rewrites. Who knows; maybe the role will get written back in or another role will surface. Stranger things have happened. So, my narrow a** went back to sleep. Not for long though; I woke up a little while later and did some general drop-offs around town.

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

Audition: “Healthy Choice” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one went okay I guess; I made an amateur mistake – I went in before I was ready. Simple as that; I should have taken another 5 minutes to get the dialogue where I needed it – but it was still fun ‘cause my partner was cool to work with.

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

Audition/Tape/Producers: OMG! When my agent called with this appointment I could tell that she REALLY didn’t want me to go in on it and I understand why. It was another really small co-star role. But the thing is that I’ve been dropping off photos around town; specifically to people I have worked with in the past. Well, that’s not totally true I’ve been dropping off to a lot of places, whether I’ve worked with them or not, but this particular place has an associate who hired me last year. I was trying to jog her memory.

Maybe it worked, I don’t know, but the thing is I didn’t want to drop-off within the week and then not come in when/if they call with an appointment. I mean, there are situations where I would do that, but I felt that I wanted to go in on this. I didn’t want the word to be “well, we keep getting his photo and postcards in the drop box so why is he refusing to come in?” I actually do drop-offs in different ways to different offices depending on which one of my agents cover that particular office. It can get a little dicey sometimes, but hey, “a brotha needs to work – knowwhatimsayin?”

Anyway, the audition went okay. The best part was that they talked about the other job I had booked through the associate. That was cool because they know I’m hirable. So, on to the next and, hopefully, more substantial one.

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

Shooting: "Dollhouse" @ Fox Studios. This was good time; a little nerve-racking 'cause I had to correctly pronounce a few medical terms and use a few instruments while working on a patient. It was hot, sweaty and fun.

My name was on every single page...

The only bad part was that I had to get my shift at my day/night job covered. That might sound a little silly, but I pride myself in being a hard, reliable employee/independent contractor - whether it's for Warner Bros., Paramount or a job in the "real world". I wanted to also work at my other job because I like having a tight schedule and it's a good mix for me right now to have things to do that aren't entertainment related.

It was a pretty short day shooting and I could have made it to my overnight shift in time, but I had already gotten it covered.

On the show I worked with a friend that I’ve worked with numerous times in the past. She works on another show on the Fox lot normally and said that every week she thinks she’s going to see me show up to work on it too. I like that way of thinking! Anyway, I haven’t yet auditioned for that other show, but I have read for that same casting office the does casts that show twice this season. So maybe I’ll get a chance to get on that show before too long. Fingers crossed. I won’t bombard them with more drops – that would be overkill, they know I’m out here.

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Okay, it looks like me being "the choice" for Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" has turned into me actually being booked for the project. It should be fun; sure I'd like to do more, but I'd rather be on set than not right now. Make no mistake; it's great to book another job, but the smaller co-star roles are not so much where I want to go with my career.

One of the many good things about it is that they agreed to pay me more than I expected thanks to my agent. Of course the money isn't the only good thing, but it's an important element in the bigger picture. Another good thing is that this is the 3rd time that this particular casting office has hired me. That is definitely a good thing. Oh yeah, ANOTHER great thing is that I now have something new and fresh to send postcards about. So there you go; it's usually better to be working than not - usually.

Oh yeah, and how can I forget this positive part of the equation? It’s a SAG show and not AFTRA. I know I’ll eventually work under an AFTRA contract, but right now I don’t even pursue AFTRA shows in my personal hustle. Hopefully, one day things will change, but right now in my mind AFTRA = a pay cut. For the life of me I can’t understand why AFTRA is SO okay with actors working for less than we have in the past. I keep thinking I’m missing something about AFTRA, but I can’t get anyone to explain to me how AFTRA is moving acting as a profession in a positive direction.

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

…hmmm – no news on my “situation” today. “Situation” meaning me being “the choice” for the role on “Dollhouse”. I guess I could’ve simply called my agent to see what the dealio was. Sometimes I do exactly that, but for some strange reason I’ve just decided to let it work itself out. I mean if they want to book me I’ll eventually find out, me calling is not going to speed things up. All of the sudden I’m “Mr. Patient”??? Where did that come from? “Patiently, impatient” would describe me well – sometimes.

On the flipside I called one of my other agents to see if I was still in the running from my callback yesterday for “Kath & Kim”. No rhyme or reason; I guess I wasn’t feeling so patient. The answer came about an hour later it was “no” I am no longer in the running for “Kath & Kim”. Oh well, hopefully I’ll get another shot to work on the show again soon.

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

Callback: “Kath & Kim” @ Greenstein/Daniel Casting. This went really well. It was just a couple of lines, but I walked out thinking I booked the role and even if I didn’t book this one they will bring me back in soon for something else. I felt great about it.

Yesterday I got word that I was “the choice” for “Dollhouse”, but I didn’t hear anything by the end of the day yesterday or all day today. …hmmm…being “the choice” and being “officially booked” are two totally different things. “The choice”, “callbacks”, nor “avails” pay a fee – “official bookings” do. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get some news that includes me being “officially booked”.

Here's the postcard I sent out a couple of weeks ago. I didn't have anything specific to highlight, but I wanted to take a moment to recognize the assistants, associates and directors in casting and the directors on the projects I've worked on over the years - and obviously try to drum up some business. Thanks guys and gals!

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

Well, I “thought” I was off work last night. I was “on-call” and was called in to cover someone else’s shift. I’m tired, plus I have two overnight shifts to follow. I’m not complaining, I’m just sayin’.

Audition: “Kath & Kim” @ Greenstein/Daniel Casting. I read for a series regular role on the show a couple months ago and it’s nice to get back in there. It’s not a series regular role, but something is usually better than nothing – usually.

I worked overnight last night; got off at 7am this morning, slept from 8am until 9am, rehearsed some more from 9am to 9:30 in order to make it to my audition at 10:30am. Whew! At least I’m off tonight.

When I first read the sides I had this character in mind that I wanted to go in as, but in the end decided not to take the risk of taking it too over the top. I was hoping I wouldn’t regret it. The audition, which was a pre-read, went well. I read it once, got some direction and did it again and was on my way.

Soon as I got in the car to leave my agent called. My first thought was that I needed to return to the casting office to read again with more direction. I listened to the voice mail from my agent and it instructed me to call the office. That usually means that I booked something or am close to booking something. Could I have booked the “Kath & Kim” that quick? Stranger things have happened…not to me, but they’ve happened I’m sure.

When I called the office the agent that left the voicemail was on a conference call and I spoke to one of my other agents – the one that covered the “Kath & Kim” office. She asked how it went; I told her and she said that the other agent would return my call shortly.

A short while later my call was returned. The news was that I was “the choice” for the role from my audition for “Dollhouse” yesterday. My agent needed to confirm my quote information to make the deal. Cool!

Five minutes later the “Kath & Kim” agent called back to say that I have a callback for “Kath & Kim” tomorrow at the studio. Yay!!

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

Audition/Tape/Producers: “Dollhouse” @ CFB Casting. Cool! I did a drop-off at both locations of this office last week. I also recently sent out a round of postcards last week as well. Gotta let people know I’m here…and still here. This office previously cast me on “Monk” & “Weeks”. Let’s make it a third time!

I worked overnight last night; got off at 7am this morning, slept from 8am until 9am, rehearsed some more from 9am to 9:30 in order to make it to my audition at 10:30am. Whew! At least I’m off tonight. The audition went well and I was on my way…I didn’t even do it “better” in the car on the way home.

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

I took ANOTHER blood test this morning. Still trying to get to the bottom of the reasons why my iron is low. My anemia is very mild, but I feel completely drained of energy sometimes. Working the graveyard shift probably doesn’t help either...and I need to eat more…and drink more water…and sleep more. I know, I know. Anyway, I should get the results in a few weeks and the figure out what the next step is.

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

After 2 weeks of quiet I finally got a call for an audition. YAY!!!! My night job is occupying quite a bit of my existence right now so I don’t notice it as much when I don’t get appointments. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. At any rate, it’s nice to have other things on my mind than the entertainment business.

Audition: “The Game” @ Susan Goddard-Smythe Casting. This just went okay. I won’t go into it too much, but I think I heard the actor before me through the wall and thought he was perfect for it. I knew going in I was going to have trouble – maybe he got in my head – just being honest.

Audition: “State Farm” @ Alyson Horn Casting. This went great! I think I’m perfect for it and I should get a callback.

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

Last minute, same-day call. It seems like it's been forever since I've had a theatrical appointment.

Audition: "Dirty, Sexy, Money" @ Junie Lowry Johnson Casting. I've been trying get back in this office for a long time. One of the associates used to call me in a few years ago. I never felt I was quite right for the roles, but it was great to get seen nonetheless.

The role was that of a reporter; a few lines. It would have been nice if there was more substance; actually my agent was a little weary about me going in at all, but right now I'd like to book just about anything.

It went okay. Actually, it went much better in the car afterwards. It was one of those situations where I think I should've committed more and not downsized it for the small casting office. I should've been "that actor" that you hear through the walls hooting and hollering because he's "in the zone"...yeah that's probably what I should've done. Oh well, I bet “that actor” got the job - and rightly so. Good for him!

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

Ten years ago today at approximately 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) I boarded a flight from JFK to Chicago. Why? Because I was relocating to Los Angeles. Yup, I was leaving the Big Apple for Tinseltown.

Was I nervous? Not too much. Not because I'm not a "nervous type"; (trust me, I get super nervous about plenty of things) it was more because everything was happening so fast. I felt like a passenger in it all; I was nothing more than a piece of the engine. I wasn't planning to move to LA so soon. I'd had a day/night job at the Harley-Davidson Café that I really enjoyed, a special "lady friend" that was very important to me, a theatrical agent (I stopped saying 'legit agent' about a year before leaving New York), I'd just signed with my top choice commercial agency (DBA) and I was only an hour flight or 6-hour bus ride home to Virginia Beach.

I wasn't really ready to leave New York...well, that's not totally true. Sure, I was tired of my 3rd floor walkup, my heavy-ass backpack, the stifling hot (and nasty) 42nd Street/Times Square Subway station, but I thought I'd be in New York for at least 18 more months - oooh, oooh, oooh, I almost forgot the mice in my apartment. Yes, I was tired of the mice (I had no idea at the time that I would move to LA and encounter the West Coast brethren of the New York mice- mice that fly – also known as BATS!!!!) BUT, all in all, things were working for me. I LOVED many things about New York, especially riding my mountain bike through the city dodging cabs along the way…and down the West Side Highway to Battery Park…and across the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges…

Of course I knew I was eventually moving here to Los Angeles, but I thought it would be a little more rehearsed and planned out. I was prepared, very prepared in fact, but it felt a little premature. Premature, but I knew I had to follow the signs of how things were unfolding for me.

It all started because an actor friend of mine that I met in Virginia Beach in my first acting class and moved to New York with (and shared a bed with for 4 months in Hell’s Kitchen) – long story. Anyway, he had relocated to Los Angeles from New York and booked a pilot for NBC. The pilot was picked up to series and he was coming to New York for the annual Upfront Presentation with his agent. He told his agent about me and she agreed to at least have a meeting with me whenever I decided to move to Los Angeles. That got my wheels turning.

Within a week or so I’d done a 42-piece targeted mass-mailing with cover letter to commercial and theatrical agencies in May of ‘98. The mailing resulted in 6 appointments including the one with my friends’ agent. I flew to LA in June to meet the interested agents, but had to cut my trip in half because of a commercial callback in New York. Fortunately, I was able to reschedule my meetings and get them all in before returning to New York. The meetings went very well.

The last day before leaving I looked at apartments and then hopped on the red-eye to New York that Sunday evening, my birthday June 28. I arrived in New York early the next morning, got cleaned up and went to the callback – it went great. Two days later I had another callback which also went great. Later that day I got the news that I booked the commercial. YES!!! It was for the first Ford Expedition SUV shooting in Brooklyn - Prospect Park to be exact, near where I used to live in Park Slope.

We shot July 20th & 21st and I left New York on Tuesday, July 28th on a flight to Los Angeles connecting in Chicago. I was flying stand-by and wasn’t sure if I’d arrive here in Los Angeles that night or the next morning. I called my new commercial agent from Chicago to tell her that I’d be ready to audition the next day after 12 noon and she already had an audition for me scheduled at 10:30am!!! (I’d sent my headshots to her a week prior from New York to help get the ball rolling.) So on July 29th 1998, 12 hours after moving to Los Angeles, I had my first audition. In fact, I had 3 auditions and 3 callbacks my first week in town. Wow, happy anniversary to me. Ten years!

I’ve experiences so many things along the way – great, no so great and many things in between. One of the things I’m experiencing right now is being at a job I worked at years ago – same shift, same place and even some of the same people. It would be easy to look at it as a step backwards, but I see it differently. I see it as a step, sure a challenging step, but a step nonetheless. Yes, I have to pull out my bag of mental tricks to get through it at times, but a brotha gotta do what a brotha gotta do. The job is a great diversion in my life right now and it occupies idle time.

Today I went to Magic Mountain with several co workers and rode some of the most insane rollercoasters in my life – Tatsu & X2 were two of the craziest.

me scared? c'mon.

I’m not much for theme parks in general, I’d rather ride motocross, ski, snowboard, fish, mountain bike, but I’m really glad I went. It was cool to hang out with my co-workers out of uniform and in a different environment. I had fun until I lost my cell phone at the very end. UGH! But I really like my new BlackBerry Curve that I bought the next day with a completely, COMPLETELY unexpected residual check from a foreign airing of “Bones” that covered the purchase and more - A new phone wasn't in the budget otherwise.

Where are my callbacks!?!?!

I didn’t get a callback on ANY of the last 3 commercial auditions I went on and, trust me, I was sooo good in them, LOL! Oh well – NEXT!

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

YES! At 4:16pm the callback came in for last weeks “National Car Rental” commercial @ Ross Lacy Casting. NO!! At 4:45pm the call came in that they had to cancel my callback because the role was cut. Aww man! Anyway, at least they wanted to see me again for the spot. Then, at 6:04pm, another call came in for a different commercial also at Ross Lacy Casting.

Audition: “Marshall’s” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Another really great one. Callbacks are next week and I plan to be there.

On to other stuff…I’ve had two blood test in the last week to try and figure out this mild anemia that is sapping my energy and making me so tired. I have a sinking feeling of what the doctor will recommend for the next step of testing. I did it a couple of years ago and it’s not pleasant, but did include some good drugs…really good drugs.

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

Audition: “Jack-in-the-Box” @ Alyson Horn Casting. These are the spots I should be booking left and right - I’m perfect for it!! And it went great too. I better get a callback; I have to get a callback.

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

I attended the SAG Hollywood Membership Meeting this afternoon after working all night until 7am. I’m surprised I stayed awake for the 3-hour meeting, but I did. Every time I go to a meeting more and more SAG members are attending which is a sign that actors are paying more attention to the health of our industry. We still have a long way to go in my opinion. There are 50,000 plus SAG actors in Hollywood – there should be thousands at every meeting – it’s only our futures. Keep showing up, a more informed membership is going to be a stronger membership.

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

Audition: “National Car Rental” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This audition went really well – again. I expect to be at the callbacks next week.

The even better part about it was chatting with fellow actors about life stuff. Mostly, non-acting related stuff It was just me and some of the usual suspects that I often see on the audition circuit over the years. I bet it’s some of the same conversations that many of today’s highly visible actors have had decades ago.

So I'm at work last night and I get a table of 7 guests. It was late...or better yet early - about 3am. They were a little rambunctious - just a little, but nothing that was a problem. I've learned to deal with many things at that hour of the morning in West Hollywood.

I had gotten them water and was finishing the taking of their food order when another gentleman joined the party. The gentleman was greeted very warmly by the party and then left to talk some other people at a different able.

Let me add that this gentleman's reputation precedes him - in a big way. ..make that a huge way.

I exited to enter the food order into the computer.

I returned to the table to deliver drinks and they were calling him by a different name; that confused me a bit, I was sure that my eyes were not playing tricks on me and it was who I thought it was. A few in the party were making comments in line with this gentleman’s reputation - that told me my hunch was right. A moment or two later said gentleman returns to the table. I give him a menu and some time to look it over. I return to the table and he asked me "what's good? I wanna get some eggs, whatchya'll got?" I go over some options for him and....

....did I mention earlier that his reputation precedes him? It does. Did I mention that he's way bigger than me? He is. Way stronger? No doubt. Way meaner? Probably…yes.

The first two things he asked for we didn’t have so I gave him options of what we did have. At that point he leaned in really close to me…really close…totally invading my personal space, but I held my cool…until he put both of his hands in his pockets…goosebumps immediately came over my body.

....did I mention earlier that his reputation precedes him? It does. Did I mention that he's way bigger than me? He is. And his rap sheet is longer than mine…..waaaay longer. Mine is mad short.

So…as he stands there…a full 8-10 inches taller than me…weighing nearly double my weight…he gives me his order. Excuse my French, but I was sweating my ass off…like seriously. I thought there was the ever so slight chance that I could be taking one of my last breaths. Not really, but sorta.

Here’s this huge presence, with a reputation that precedes him, towering over me, very closely I might add and I don’t have much of what he wants to eat – at 3am. Plus, I hardly heard what he did say he wanted because I thought I might have to duck, run or swing. I actually thought that something bad might happen – in that exact moment.

The super tricky part was that he was pretty nice and respectful which made me even more wary of what might happen. Anyway, I repeated the order while writing it down and he thanked me and went to sit down with the rest of the party.

His order came up, but since he’s quite recognizable he was talking to other people who noticed him. At one point I went to tell him that his meal was ready, but thought it was smarter for me to not interrupt this particular gentleman while talking to those particular women. He eventually returned to the table and I delivered his food. There were a few things he needed and I was there to handle them – he was always very nice and respectful.

I escaped with my life, LOL! This was just two days after I almost had an altercation while at work in a totally different situation. In that incident I wasn’t the least bit intimidated and would have done what I had to do to defend myself. Yup, I’m much more of a lover than a fighter, but there’s a time to defend yourself too, plus I’m quick and in shape.

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

I was confirmed to attend the SAG Board Meeting last night but I got scheduled to work and had to cancel. I was looking forward to getting insight into where SAG is as far as the negotiations with the AMPTP are concerned.

I'm trying to keep that stuff at "arm's length" for my own sanity, but it's difficult because the deal we get is most likely going to have huge ramifications down the road…just like the original home video contract in the 80’s that has never been improved upon. Can you believe that? Twenty-two years at the same terms?

Not to sound like a downer, but I felt that last Tuesday was a sad day for actors. I say that because I can't figure out what scenario that the ratification of the AFTRA contract is helping actors make a living. Sure, they made a deal to keep actors working, but at what cost to the profession in the longer term?

Listen, I could be wrong about AFTRA in general, but I can't find anyone to show me how they are fighting for me - the middle-class working actor that aspires to continue making a living in the business. I'm more than willing to listen. Why are Disc Jockeys and Television Broadcasters that are AFTRA members voting on a contract that I may be working under as an actor? It makes no sense to me.

From my POV they just seem to be so agreeable when it comes to the AMPTP. No, I don't think SAG is perfect, but if I was in a foxhole with bullets flying overhead I would rather be supported by SAG than AFTRA everyday of the week. It seems that AFTRA is fighting for more jurisdiction from SAG even at the expense of the performers that it represents. Maybe I’m crazy, but that’s what it looks like to me.

I could see this situation coming years ago between SAG & AFTRA and here we are. The scary part is that if AFTRA continues doing what they are doing I can see our current rates actually decrease.

You would think that since we are "the talent", the faces on the DVD boxes, big screens and small that we'd have some leverage….yeah, you’d think. I really hope that over the next 3 years we can figure out a way to merge or better yet absorb AFTRA into the Screen Actor Guild. I’d like to see Equity eventually become a part of a restructured performer’s labor organization as well. Isn’t there strength in numbers? A conversion between two of the head honchos.

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

Finally, my episode of FOX Drama “Bones” reruns tonight/Monday @ 8pm.

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

Callback: "American Airlines" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. I was really hoping to get to the next step for this amazing gig; so needless to say, I was very excited when the call from my agency came in. I've auditioned for this director a couple of times in the past - always via video connection from New York. That's a little weird because you're seeing them on the TV screen, but they are also seeing you - in real time. It's not like watching TV at home.

I've had many callbacks for this office over the years and even a few bookings and I really appreciate them bringing me in for these great opportunities to work as an actor.

Anyway, I've had some good ones for this particular director and I expect to get to work with him sooner or later - sooner would be nice...'cause my passport is ready to be stamped.

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

Today was a really great day! No specific reason. I guess because I have my health (at least I think I do) and my life and so much potential to improve my current situation. I think part of it is that I have a schedule that has put my mind in different places and giving me a breather from the SAG/AFTRA/AMPTP negotiations. It also helps me forget that I am not vacationing on the East right now.

I am really happy to have a day job right now – well, night job. Of course I’d rather be doing acting jobs, but at the present I’m weathering the storm. There’s no doubt that I’ll get more acting jobs in the future. I must admit that working the graveyard is extremely difficult, but I knew that going in – I do not recommend it.

Back at home in Virginia Beach my little nephew made the all-star team in baseball and had a scrimmage over the weekend. It was killing me that I wasn’t able to make it because normally I would be there at this time of the year. Anyway, my father, who I haven’t seen or spoken to in 5 years, went to the game. He had never gone in the past because he’s always working and I’m thrilled that he went. I can’t help but wonder how it would have turned out if I was there too. I think it would have been okay…I think.

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

Audition: "American Airlines" @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was a good audition and I would LOVE to book it. I am really, really overdue for another acting job that shoots out of town and points abroad and this one does. How about Dallas, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Caracas & Shanghai...yes, I need to be a part of this production.

Traveling overseas for an acting job is a lot of fun; although I'm sure it can become not the greatest thing if you're away from your wife and missing your kids baseball games and dance recitals too often...I don't have a wife or kids yet so send me!

The audition was conducted by one of the session directors in town that really communicates with actors and he did me a huge in favor during my audition. The audition was a series of vignettes and I had some good stuff flowing. I know that if I can make this particular session director smile I’m doing a lot right. Three vignettes deep I was doing great!

That’s when I fell into the trap of trying to do more “great stuff”. My first acting teacher in Virginia used to call it “the call of the wild”; when you hear the audience approval and try to be even more entertaining. It rarely works and didn’t work for me. I KNOW BETTER than that!!! Or maybe I don’t.

Anyway, he stopped me, put me in place by telling me that we had three great takes and not to do too much on the fourth and fifth. He then rewound the tape to erase the last take and let me do it again – less was more. He didn’t have to do that for me and I really appreciated it. I did the 4th and 5th takes and felt great about it. Hopefully I’ll get a callback; my passport is ready to go.

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

My earnings period for my SAG medical insurance ended today and I’m thrilled to have met the qualifications for another year of coverage. Even better news is that I’m only half way to the end of my earnings period for my SAG pension credit, which doesn’t end until December 30th, but I’ve already met the qualifications to earn the credit with 6 months to go! That’s make 11 credits in 12 years. That is really good news in this slow period for me.

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

Many years ago…on this day…early…5:15am in fact…I was born in Kings County Hospital on a naval base in Lemoore, CA to George and Louise Fuller…long before “The Jeffersons” was a TV show. Happy Birthday to me!

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

Audition: “Clorox-2” @ Jessica J. Casting. Ahh, this was just okay. Definitely not my best work. I just didn’t connect with the material. It wasn’t bad material, I just didn’t deliver.

Believe it or not I met ANOTHER member of the cast of the show I like to talk about the most - “The Wire”. That’s 3 in the last 3 weeks. I’m looking forward to season 5 being released on DVD.

Here we go - I'm at work the other night and a regular diner comes in. She was a nice, quiet young lady that's always a pleasure to serve. I was on my break when she arrived so I didn't know exactly what type of soda she was drinking - diet or regular. The other server had taken over my section while I was on break so when the diner in question arrived I was downstairs in the break room. I noticed that the diners' drink was getting low when I returned to floor and I wanted to get her a fresh one, but I wasn't sure what it was. So I found the other server in the back and asked her because I wanted to be smooth and not interrupt her dining experience. Ya know, just sweep through, take the old glass and replace it with the new one.

The other server said "Coffee and Coke". I said "Coffee and Coke? Really? Eww. That's nasty. Are you serious? She's drinking coffee and Coke?" She repeated, "Yeah, coffee and Coke". I said, "Wow, that sounds harsh" and went back on the floor to get it. Mind you, this young lady is a regular customer on my shift, but I never remember her drinking this particular concoction of "Coffee and Coke".

You see, I've never had a cup of coffee or a drop of alcohol in my entire life so I'm always learning new things that people drink. I once had a guy order a Bloody Mary with grilled shrimp in it. What? News to me, but I don't get out all that much so maybe it's all the rage in Hollywood. Anyway, so I get a tall glass for my female customer (still thinking it's odd) fill it with ice and half way with coffee and, you guessed it, I put Coke on top. Then I smoothly switched out the old one for the fresh one and went about my business.

I was doing my job; checking on my other tables and happened to glance over at her and she caught my eye. She gave me an inquisitive look “what is this? I immediately knew I had messed up big time. I went over to her and explained what she was drinking and, thankfully, she was a sport about it. It was sooooo funny.

``````
So I catch up with my fellow server and said “you told me she was drinking ‘coffee and Coke!’”

She replied, “Yeah, Coffee and a Coke”.

I said, “Ohhhhhh!!!! Coffee and A Coke! I gave her “coffee and Coke!

She said, “No you didn’t! Coffee and Coke? In the same glass?”

I replied, “Yeah, that why I said it sounds harsh.

She said, “What did she say?

I said, “She laughed, she was cool about. I feel so stoopid, LOL!!!”

``````

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

Audition: "Folger's" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This session was being conducted by one of my favorite session director/camera operators in town and it went well. I think I'm really right for it so hopefully I'll get a callback.

After the audition I skateboarded to the post office to get a few stamps. The clerk, who I've dealt with many times over the years, looked at me and smiled...and kept smiling...then offered to help me...while still smiling. It threw me off because it wasn't an "I love my job, 'how can I be of service' type of smile". It was an "Oh snap! That's dat dude from so and so" smile. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic; more like "hey, didn’t I just see you on uh uh uh uh...." type of smile.

At any rate it was pleasantly weird because I didn't know if she thought I was someone else or if she had really seen me in something recently. But what? Well, I did have about 5 things re-run in recent weeks. Maybe that was it. I don’t know. It’s interesting how we actors are often treated differently – whether trying to get a job or buying stamps.

This was a little odd as well. I was at work the other night and taking a food order for a table of two men and a woman. I had pen and pad in my hand just getting to ready to take the order for the lady and one of the men said “OMG look at his hands”. I was like “huh?” I thought I had a finger missing that I didn’t know about or maybe grew an extra one. Then he said, “look at his nails, he has perfect nail beds”. Then he zoomed in on one particular nail on one particular finger…and actually touched it! He touched my finger! I wasn’t quite sure what to say or do; I just stood there and eventually uttered “wow, really?…I’m not sure what to say…how about ‘Thank you!’”. ‘Yes, thank you. I haven’t really heard that before at least not like this. Then there was 1.5 seconds of silence; it felt like 2 whole seconds of silence. I then said to the lady “and you’re having…

I try to keep my hands looking presentable, but nothing overly presentational at all. I guess he has a thing for hands. Admittedly, when I lived in New York I used to get a manicure every two weeks. Yup! I had my Korean spot on 57th bet. 6th & 7th Avenues; between the old Motown Café and the sneaker store! Damn, I miss those days! Every two weeks! It was an event that was on my calendar. I didn’t get my nails painted or anything like that. Nope, no clear coat either; just cutting & shaping my nails and massaging my hands. Myself, I’m a sucker for a woman with natural, beautifully manicured hands. I can become mesmerized with a womans’ hands if they’re nice like dat! Hmm…do I have a hand fetish? Woman’s hand fetish? Not so much into guys hands…

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

The last time I was in Los Angeles on the 17th of June was 2001. I’m usually home in Virginia Beach riding my Motocross bike, spending time with family, cutting the lawn, cleaning the garage, working on bikes, fishing and leaving my LA life in the distance for several weeks. It’s certainly one of the highlights of my year.

But things are different for me in 2008. Unfortunately, I’m not able to get home at the present, but hopefully that will change sooner than later. It’s okay though; I talk to or communicate in some way with someone in my family everyday. That way I don’t feel so far from home and I get to laugh which I love to do every chance I get…but it has to be funny and don’t laugh at just anything.

The sisnlaw (She can ride too!)

'da brothas


some of 'the crew (Yup, the neice can ride too!)

'da fish


'da 'lil sis

'da bikes

'da memories

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMXinr1N9w

Costco – The 99 Cents Only Store – cleaning my Honda Accord – HBO’s “The Wire”. What do they all have in common? They are some of my favorite things to talk about; especially “The Wire” which I think was one the best shows on Television. I love talking about the characters and the storylines.

Recently I’ve spoken to two of the lead characters on the show. I ran into Wendell Pierce who played “Det. William 'Bunk' Moreland” and had a few words with him. Then, 3 days ago, I had taken my seats out of my car to clean the interior in front of my apartment building and Wood Harris comes walking up the sidewalk. Wood played “Avon Barksdale” on the show. We had a nice conversation about the show and his point of view of it. Nice guy, super-talented and he’s really excited about his upcoming projects.


It felt great to be a true fan of their work, but not a fan in the Hollywood fashion just in recognizing talent on its merits. Too bad The Emmys haven’t done the same; somehow the missed the boat time after time.

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

Callback: "Cox Communications" @ Craig Colvin Casting. Another of many callbacks for this particular office which I hope will turn into an avail followed by a booking. Yes! That sounds like a plan.

The callback went really well. Actually, the director thought we had worked together before, but we hadn’t. It was kinda funny when I revealed that we’d never met, but then I wondered if I should have just let him think that we had…hmm. I don’t know, I made the room laugh through it all and the work felt real and good. So we’ll see I guess.

One of the days I’m going to book something for Craig Colvin Casting; I promise!

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

I attended the SAG Solidarity Rally at SAG Headquarters this morning and let me tell you there were a lot of actors that are very upset with what is going on between SAG & AFTRA – or better yet, what is not going on between SAG & AFTRA. It’ll be very interesting to see if the new AFTRA deal is approved or not by the members. If I was a member of AFTRA I wouldn’t vote for the deal.

Callback: “Cox Communications” @ jacob casting. This callback was a pleasant surprise because I thought I was a little too young for it. Good thing they are smarter than me! Anyway, it went well and I was happy with the outcome. I get plenty of callbacks and it’s time to turn them into bookings – yeah, I like the sound of that.

Would it be weird to say that I’m happy to have a job again? No, it’s not perfect and some of the situations I find myself in are “interesting”, but you do what you have to do. Plus, it gives me a schedule again and I’m much better when I have a tighter schedule than not. Yes, the hours are tough, but I knew that going in. For the time being I need to still have my days open for auditions and such. My personal life will take a hit, but like I said I gotta do what I gotta do. This part of the actors’ journey – the rollercoaster.

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

I got off work about 7am this morning to find a text message from one of my brothers informing me that one of my other brothers’ was in the ER with a bulging disc in his back. I immediately felt an insane amount anxiety. I had no idea what had happened and call right away to find out.

It turned out that he’d aggravated something while riding his mountain bike last week and the pain became unbearable. I know my brother and he must have been in an extreme amount of discomfort to have gone to the hospital emergency room @ 1am. Geez, if it ain’t this it’s that these days.

I couldn’t talk to him just yet; he was drugged up, but I did talk to the brother that sent the text. He told me that even morphine wouldn’t ease the pain so they had to give him something stronger through an IV. I don’t know what the heck he was trying to prove on the mountain bike. He knows he will NEVER be able to hang with me on a mountain bike – ever. All of my male siblings are quite active and sometime we don’t know when to stop I guess.

I can’t tell you how much I love my siblings and how much it hurts me when things aren’t okay with them. Like many I don’t have a perfect family, but they are mine. I’m not extremely close with all of them, but I love them nonetheless. Nobody in this world makes me laugh like my siblings and laughter is one of my favorite things.

Get well brother…so I can wax your ass next time I come home.

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

So my agent contacted me with the news that I won’t be going any further with the pilot. Oh well, there’s always next time.

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

Audition/Producers: “Kath & Kim” @ Greenstein/Daniel Casting. After 5 weeks without a theatrical audition this one came through. It was a very last minute session for a new series regular in the pilot. They’ve been looking for this character for months, even changing the gender from female to male. It actually is scheduled to shooting next week.

My agent, who was very excited to have gotten the appointment, and I talked extensively about the approach to take with the character. I had two ways prepared to do it at the audition; one really, really over the top and another that was more rooted but still a little zany. In the end I don’t think they were interested in either choice I had. I think I would have been better of if I’d just simply had a conversation with the other character, but that seemed like it would have just come as flat. I figured that they had seen everything in town and were looking for a different way, but it wasn’t my day and I didn’t leave feeling so great about it. I called my agent afterwards to fill her in with the details and she said she’d follow up on it.

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

So it’s been two full weeks back at my old/new job…. It’s been interesting to have to return there. Someone very, very dear to me asked if I was humiliated or embarrassed about being back there. I’ve admittedly had and continue to have many different thoughts about the experience, but fortunately humiliation and/or embarrassment are not two of them. No, it’s not easy, but I have nothing to be ashamed of - at all. Heck, I’m proud that I was able to make a living as an actor for 7+ years without another job.

My fellow employees have all been welcoming to me; some of which I worked with when I was previously employed there. Yes, I do think about possibly pursuing other things, but honestly, I really want to continue to be a working actor. So for now I’ll be working there to stabilize my income while I figure out what my next move will be.

I wish SAG & AFTRA were working together as a negotiating team. More accurately I wish there was just one union for actors and not two competing against each other – for the same work. Sounds crazy I know. I hope the “working actor” that can realistically raise a family in Los Angeles doesn’t disappear because I want that in my future.

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

Wow, it’s been just over a month since my last theatrical audition. That’s a long time for me. I went 3 full weeks without a commercial audition before that started back up. I had the BK callback, but it’s obvious now that I didn’t book it. Oh well, I’ll get ‘em next time. Hopefully, it’ll start up theatrically soon too. I’ll give it the rest of the week and if I don’t have any TV/Film activity I’ll call my agents just to see what’s happening. It’s a weird time in the industry; I don’t think it’s dead, but weird nonetheless. Hopefully it’ll stabilize soon.

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

Audition: “Comcast” @ Craig Colvin Casting. This went great and I think I’m perfect for it; well maybe not perfect, but right enough. Hopefully, I’ll get called back.

Speaking of Craig Colvin Casting; I’ve referred several of my consultation clients there for commercial classes at his Cocola Studios and they have been very happy with the results. Myself, I’ve been auditioning at Craig’s office for years with numerous callbacks and avails, but no bookings – YET!! One referral I sent there booked 3 commercials over the last 2-3 years or so. Where’s my booking??? It’s coming, I’m sure.

Another company that provides a great service for Los Angeles-based Television Casting Directors is CastingAbout. Since CD’s move around so much it can be a challenge to keep up with them, but CastingAbout does a great job sorting it all out.

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

Audition: "Cox Communications" @ jacob casting. This went okay, but I think I'm too young for it. Who knows though, I could still get a callback - fingers -crossed!

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

Callback: “Burger King” [skirts] casting. This spot is pretty funny. They kept me to read with several different women. I’m not sure what that means, if anything, but I sure hope they book me. As always, it’s neat to get to see different people do their interpretation of the same material. Some of it was really great and some was quite boring. At any rate I hope I get to shoot the spot.

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

Audition: “AT&T” @ Joe Blake Casting. I walked into Ocean Park Casting expecting it to be the madhouse that it usually is. It wasn’t. In fact, it was a ghost town. There was only one job being cast with one actress and one actor waiting. “Wow”, I thought, this is “not” what I expected to see. Maybe it was a barometer of how quiet it’s been for me…or maybe not.

Anyway, I signed in, got my copy and started rehearsing the dialogue. After a while, the three of us were called in for a group explanation. The other actor stayed in the room to audition; myself and the young lady left to be next. I was heading to the other side of the room to continue rehearsing when she called my name. I had never seen this really attractive actress before and was a bit startled. She was explaining that she’d read my blog in the past and that it helped her before she moved to Los Angeles. Her fiancé had told her about it. She was so excited and rambling pretty fast when she just stopped and said “I feel like I know you, can I give you hug?!” I said, Of course!” So we hugged.

The timing of it all was just perfect because it was a concrete message that I’ve given something back to my profession and that my contribution matters. If it wasn’t for this “Alicia”(sp) I probably wouldn’t have known that today. It’s easy to forget that my contribution, in the form of this almost 600 pages blog, is read by quite a few people – some actors, some not. Alicia, you made my day, thank you!!!

Afterwards, the audition went really well and I hope and expect to get a callback.

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

It is worth it? …hmmm. It’s definitely been worth it, I’ve had a great, rewarding journey thus far. But is it worth it moving forward? I don’t know. I’m at a crossroad…I think.

I’m speaking of continuing on this acting journey. I’m just not sure how much more I’m willing to do. I’m not really close to “hanging it up” just yet, but honestly it crosses my mind…quite often actually. That’s not anything new; I’ve had those thoughts for years. I'm just venting-I've worked too hard, too smart for too long to give up...I think.

These feelings will probably subside once these SAG-AMPTP–AFTRA negotiations are over. It would be so much easier if I could just ignore the state of the business and what we are up against. Many actors do just that and I understand why. Who wants to really read all that literature that comes in the mail from the guild? Who wants to attend the meetings? It’s not fun or interesting to most, but our future as performers depends on it.

The way I look at it is that we actors didn’t always get residuals or have decent wages & working conditions. They weren’t given to us by the studios without a fight and trust me at every negotiation the studios are trying to minimize those benefits. Somebody stood up a long time ago to fight for the benefits that I now get and I have to do my part to help for the people who will come after me. No, I’m not on the Board of Directors of SAG doing the really heavy lifting, but I like to call myself “a good soldier” who can and does enlighten my fellow performers at every chance I get. Sure, I probably take it a little too seriously, but it’s difficult for me to just think everything is going to be okay…it’s only my future.

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

Tonight was my first shift working on my own after training. It was pretty busy and I think I handled myself quite well. Something funny happened. I waited on an actress that is a regular on a current TV series. I immediately knew who she was, but I, of course, I didn’t say “Hey, you’re on that show!” I just did my job. She was kinda looking at me like we’d met before, but we hadn’t. She finally asked what I used to do before working there. I told her that I was an actor and she said, “I knew I’d seen you before!” It was pretty funny and quite unexpected. I’m guessing maybe she had seen the ”WaMu” commercial.

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

Wow, I had my first training shift last night at my new/old job. OMG! Is about all I can say. This experience is going to be a trip for many, many reasons. It’s so weird to back in the exact physical space that I was 7 years+ years ago. I don’t mean that necessarily in a negative way; just in a way of memories flying back in my head and clouding my thinking. The shift went well; I just gotta get back up to speed and learn my way around.

Audition: “Burger King” @ skirts Casting. Ha! Imagine that – an audition! I was started think I had been dropped by my agents! My last audition was 3 weeks ago; which is a long, long time for me. The audition went really well. The spot is pretty funny - I was slapped repeatedly by the female in the spot. She was great to work with, but realistically, I doubt they would ever cast me, an African-American actor, in that role – I’ll be up for the other male role. What ever works; hopefully I’ll be at callbacks on Tuesday.

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

I had orientation for my new/old job today. It went well considering I’ve been away for 7 years. Sure, I have mixed feelings about. I’d obviously rather be booking guest spots on TV or commercial campaigns, but you do what you have to do when you have to do it. The flip side is that I’m enjoying having a little bit of mental space between me and the business. It could be a turning point for me career –wise.

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

Tonight I attended the SAG Town Hall Meeting at the WGA Theatre. Let me tell you, the actors in attendance were fired up – me included. We were lined up before the doors opened eager to get the latest word on the negotiations between SAG and the AMPTP. I really, really wish there were more actors that showed up for these meetings. I find that many actors don’t think it affects them all that much and I can understand why, but this is a business and we are doing jobs that we need to be fairly compensated for. These negotiations affect me and the rest of us working-class actors in the most direct way possible.

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

Finally! I got to see my new, white-haired elderly friend; and she is going to be just fine. Yeah, she was a little sore, but she’s feeling much better. I was glad to get confirmation that she was okay.

It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve had an audition and who knows much longer it will be. I don’t know and I’m not too pressed about it for some reason. I was on-call for jury duty last week for the 3rd time in the last 5 ½ years. I was hoping to get called in to serve, but I couldn’t even get in on that. Ha! Nobody is interesting in my services it seems, LOL!

I’ve been going through old records and had to do some new calculations and in ’05 I drove over 4,000 miles in auditions, callbacks, rehearsals, bookings, classes and workshops. If I included drop-offs it would have been a total of at least 6,000 miles or more.

I was even surprised by those numbers and don’t know how I kept that pace up for so long. It’s easy to do it for a day, a week, a month or even a year. Try it for 10 years. It’s a monumental amount of work and I’m glad it’s behind me for the most part.

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

It’s official. I got my old job back. Interesting, to say the least. I’m not tripping out over it either. If anything, I’m tripping by the fact that I’m not tripping.

I stopped by to see that elderly couple from yesterday’s mishap. I didn’t get to see the wife because she was resting, but I talked to the husband. More accurately, I listened to husband. He told me this incredibly long story about…something. I had no idea what he was telling me through his accent, but I trust that it was a great story. He was so animated while telling it; his face just lit up with joy. Or maybe he was saying “keep your dirty paws off of my wife or I’ll breaka your face!” I don’t know.

No auditions for two weeks. Wow. I wonder how long it will last. Another day? Another week? A month? Another hour. I don’t think I’ve had my last audition, callback or booked my last job, but who really knows when the last one is? Time will tell.

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

Check this out. This afternoon I had gone out to get something out of my car and on my way back to my apartment I sensed “something” was going on. I had no idea what; it was just one of those feelings you get. I stood on my tip-toes to look around and saw, in the distance, a Black woman struggling with a Caucasian man on a 4-wheeled scooter. The kind an elderly or disabled person might use. I sprinted across the street with lightening speed to help, but to be honest, I had no idea what was really happening between the man and the woman.

As I got closer I could see that the woman was in her 50’s and the man, probably in his 80’s. The cart that the man was sitting on was trying to move forward, but the woman was trying to stop him. It was only then that I could see that an elderly, white-haired woman was under the scooter while the man was completely out of control with his hand on the throttle trying to go forward. The motorized wheels kept lunging forward while the Black woman was trying to get the man’s hands off of the controls. The white-haired, elderly woman was screaming “GET IT OFF ME, GET IT OFF ME!!!

Thankfully, I’ve been working out at the gym on the regular and I’m strong like a MOFO! I lifted the scooter off of the woman like the Incredible Black man that I am. You shoulda seen dat sh*t yo! I rolled up like I was gonna save everybody and everything. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time for me to rip out of my shirt and scream like the Incredible Hulk...or Michael Jackson.

So I get the scooter off the woman, comfort her and have her lay still to make sure she wasn’t seriously hurt. She kept repeating, in an Eastern European accent, “I didn’t want to go, I knew something bad would happen”. She didn’t know what the heck had happened except that a damn scooter was pissed off at her for some reason. At that point I didn’t know what had happened either. I slowly helped her get to her feet and guided her to a shady area to gather her wits. Her glasses were bent which gave her a small cut on her cheek; she had a small scrapes on her head and hands and a little abrasion on her leg. Also, her pants were torn and she was quite dirty from being laid the eff out on the sidewalk.

It was only at this point that I got the full story of what happened. The Black woman in her 50’s was a hospice nurse. She was walking along side of the elderly man on the scooter when, all of the sudden, he started going really fast and out of control down the sidewalk. The elderly, white-haired woman was also with them, but she was walking some distance in front of them further down the sidewalk using a walker. She was also his wife. Yup, he had run over his wife with his scooter.

The man on the scooter hadn’t used it for a while and was getting familiar with it again. He’d also had both legs amputated just above the knees and was wearing prosthetics. He was confused and felt terrible about what had happened.

I thought about calling an ambulance, but after a moment or two I assessed that she was okay, just a bit shaken up, bruised and sore. I wasn’t sure what to do next; it all happened so fast. Then the woman asked me if I worked in the area. I replied, “yes”. Then she asked if I had a car. Again, I said “yes”. Next she asked if I would take her home. I said “Of course I would”.

So I went to get my car, cooled it down with A/C blasting, put her walker in my trunk and helped her to the passenger side. We left the hospice nurse and the husband to get home with the scooter on their own. On the way home she was very appreciative of my assistance and I asked her where she was from. She was from Poland and had come here through Canada, had 4 children in the area – one of which is a producer. (I can’t get away from the business, lol!)

I helped her out of the car and up the sidewalk to her home and was on my way. Shortly after arriving back at my apartment I remembered that her walker was still in my trunk. So I drove back to her place to drop it off. She was resting out on the front stoop and was surprised to see me again. She said she was going to be okay. I believed her. Growing up in Poland in the 20’s and 30’s. I’m sure she has seen many things tougher than a silly runaway scooter – even if her husband was driving it.

It totally made my day to be able to help a stranger.

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

I haven't had a single audition in more than a week. Not alarming, but a little unusual.

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

WOW! Talk about full circle or should I say “fuller” circle – no pun intended. I applied for a job today. Not just any job; my old job at the place I used to work at years ago. I say “fuller circle” as opposed to simply “full circle” because when I worked there I used to dream about “not” working there and coming back in a different incarnation. That exact thing happened when, about a year after I left, I booked a job that was to shoot in Japan and the fitting was held at my former place of employment. I thought that was “full circle”, but today the circle grew another dimension, to “fuller” when I filled out the application. Yes, it felt a little weird, but it wasn’t as bad and jarring as I thought it would be. There were several people that I knew from years ago when I worked there that greeted me warmly. Another thing that was weird was that I didn’t know how much I hadn’t forgotten about that experience until I was physically back in the space. It was a long time ago – but you gotta do watcha gotta do.

It was the logical place to return to. Why? Parking. I’m only sorta kidding. Parking in LA is one of the things that has the potential to drive me absolutely crazy. I’ll see what happens. Who knows, maybe they’ll hire me. At minimum, if I get the job, it’ll help keep me stable while I decide what I’m going to do in the near future. I’m not looking at it as my exit strategy away from my life as an actor, but I can’t help but think about leaving LA as often as it crosses my mind. It’s not a new thought it’s been that at least the last 5 years. I know I can make LA work for me I just have to try harder, be smarter and there are a few things I can change in my life.

One thing is that it’s more difficult trying to make a living booking co-star roles. So my approach is to relax a little more and not put so much pressure on myself. I’m not thrilled about doing those roles in the career sense, but at the same time I love being on set even in that capacity. There is no question that more guest-starring and beyond roles are in my future; I just have to keep moving forward. So I’m going to trust my foundation that I’ve so carefully built and get smarter with my hustle - whatever that entails. That doesn’t mean I’m going to sit idle; it just means that I’m looking at some things a little differently.

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

Part of this journey is being able to “do whatcha gotta do when you gotta do it”. That being said it looks like I’ll be rejoining the work force. I’m not sure in what capacity, but I have some ideas so what we’ll see what works for me.

I was looking at my earnings over the years on the SAG website (not that it’s been THAT much, it hasn’t), but I can say that I’ve earned several hundred thousand dollars over the course of my career - all under Screen Actors Guild contracts. Now the key is to keep earning and moving forward with a positive attitude onto bigger and better things.

My problem is that I’ve gotten bogged down with the serious side of the industry. It’s hard not to considering the current state of the entertainment business. Sometimes I wish I could just remain oblivious to the inner workings of Hollywood, but it might be my future so I have to have to pay attention to the really important stuff. Honestly, it has me completely drained and beat up, but I can’t complain because there are many more people that are actually doing the real union work. I’m more like a good soldier who has always done a great job of informing fellow performers, attending meeting and when needed, being on the picket lines.

We actors didn’t always get residuals, pension & health benefits, overtime, etc. Somebody, many people, had to fight for these provisions in our contracts. I feel as though I HAVE to participate in the process to protect these benefits for and make things better for those who will come behind me. After all someone did it for me.

Things are changing in this line of work and I don’t know how the chips are going to fall, but it’s going to be different. I’m already feeling the way new media is affecting the landscape as this tough business gets tougher.

Example: My “Bones” episode hasn’t rerun on network, BUT it was available – online - for months after it first aired and I didn’t receive a dime for that additional use of my work. The online version had 4-5 commercial breaks for which, I assume, the network received advertising dollars, but the actors received nothing. I’m way past the point of just being happy to book a job and see myself on TV, in a film or a commercial. It’s a job, a job I love when I get a chance to perform, but a job nonetheless.

I’ve worked plenty of acting jobs for free and will do more in the future I’m sure, but for those jobs I knew up front that it was going to be free. The play I did several years ago was free, heck, it actually costs me money to do, but I had an absolute blast doing it and I knew what I was signing up for in the beginning. The “Bones” appearance wasn’t meant to be free.

I am thankful that I have the experiences behind me that I do. By that I mean my foundation and infrastructure, the team that I’ve built over the years and credits that I’ve earned. I’m tired and I think I need to slow down in order to help myself move forward.

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

”Miscellaneous Commercials”. You gotta be kidding! No, not at all. That is what I found as I was looking into some old financial statements. An envelope labeled “Miscellaneous Commercials”. Wow, that was “back in the day!” when I always had at least one commercial running, or just filmed one or one being held by the ad agency…at least one. I gotta get back on the stick and get some jobs. I must admit I smiled when I saw “Miscellaneous Commercials”. It’s not like I’ve done THAT many, but more than most.

At times it’s easy to forget exactly how much I’ve accomplished in my career. Just being able to say “career” is a huge accomplishment. I don’t take it for granted; I have been very, very fortunate – not to be confused with lucky. It took me years to be able to say I was a professional actor on my own personal level. I was a “waiter/actor”, then an “actor/waiter”, then simply “an actor with a career”. “Actor”; that is exactly what it says on my tax returns.

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

Audition: “Charter Communications” @ M Casting. I had more dialogue in this audition than in a lot of my theatrical auditions. I read for 3 different roles – I’d like to book one of them.

Afterwards I had a meeting with my new agent at my commercial agency and I like her a lot. Hopefully we can book some jobs together.

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