Audition: “Wendy’s” @ ASG Casting. I had a complete blast in this audition with a great partner to work off of. In the details for the audition they asked that we be “clean-shaven”. At first I didn’t pay too much attention to that note, but later said to myself “why not?” I’m not on avail for anything else at the moment and if this will give me an edge it only makes sense to do it. I booked a “Wendy’s” spot years ago when I was based in New York and got to travel first-class to Miami, stay in a 5-star hotel and earned a nice payday along the way. Actually, it saved my butt from living in my car when I first arrived in LA…not really, but it helped me out a lot. Maybe lightning can strike again!

Audition: “cars.com” @ Spot Casting. This went well too. I’m still being paid for the “cars.com” commercial I did for this years Superbowl. Funny enough, even though it hasn’t really aired all that much I’ve made much more money than I thought I would. They should hire me again. I can do it!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Today, I spent several hours shooting photos of my friend, actress, writer, producer Hazel Dean. It was fun and I think I learned a little bit more about photography.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape: “Svetlana” @ Lauren & Jordan Bass Casting. Wow, I have no freaking idea how this one went. It wasn’t scripted. We just did an improv; I had fun and wanted it to go longer, LOL! It seemed before I knew it I was in the car! Again, I don’t know what happened in the room, but I had fun and would have loved to see where the improv would have gone.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

After a busy, draining day of driving yesterday I slept soundly last night and woke up late this morning to the sound of…rain. Lots of rain. In fact, it was raining cats & dogs, East Coast-style! A feeling immediately came over me that I had to get out in the street and do my photo drops…especially today, especially in the rain.

I look at a rainy day of doing drops in LA as like a bonus; a day where the average person is going to stay home…because it’s raining. The thing about that way of thinking is that it usually garners average results, and average results, particularly in this business, is NOT where I want to be. So I have to do more than most…and on a consistent basis. I admit that it’s an energy-draining proposition, but what else can I do but stay engaged in the game if I’m going to play the game.

Amazingly, I had one of my most successful days in the field. I completed my entire list for the day. That does not always happen. It felt great to feel like I was helping myself and my team to move forward; now I need to book some of these jobs that I get appointments for!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Geez, TGIM! Yeah, Thank God it’s Monday. Why do I say that? Because my “Monday” is like a normal person’s Saturday. I’m tired. After working 5 overnight/graveyard shifts in a row, for who knows how many weeks back-to-back, I’m in need of some downtime. So I get home around 5:30 am, talk to my little brother back in Virginia and get in the bed around 6am in an attempt to catch up on the weeks’ sleep…which rarely works.

See, the thing is that I don’t really have a “weekend”. My “night job/server/Sunset Blvd babysitter” weekend is Monday/Tuesday and my acting weekend is Saturday/Sunday. Often times I feel like as though I’m on-call 24 hours a day. Plus, sometimes I have employee meetings on my day off and weekend auditions.

I’m often asked, “How I do it”. At times, I ask myself the same thing.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I do it and/or have done it for such a long time. My body isn’t sure either. The physical toll it takes on me is evident…mentally and socially too. Part of me has to live in a state of denial and associate certain things with certain things. Another part of me feels that it’s highly unlikely that I can work as hard and as smart as I have for as long as I have and not get to where I’m trying to get to.

What keeps me going? For one thing I still have a burning desire to act professionally…I love being on-set. Another thing is that I feel like I am “right there” at the point where real career building jobs will fill my resume. Still, another reason is that I’ve come a long way from Virginia Beach and it just makes sense to continue on the journey. I'm not at all complaining or even venting; I'm just talking about my situation. I'm quite fortunate to have two jobs that I earn money at.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was offered a promotion at the night gig, but after seriously considering it for a week or so I respectfully declined the offer. It would have included a bump in pay, but I’m just not prepared to take on the extra responsibility. I also didn’t want to accept the position and have it put me over the “tipping point” of my sanity…it’s such a tough job. Not tough like digging ditches, but tough nonetheless. The greatest part of the whole thing is that I put myself in a position to being able to decline the offer. I’ve used the job to place myself in the driver’s seat vs. the passenger position and THAT feels great. Three years ago I might have HAD to accept the position.

CUT TO: 10:33 this morning, I’m in a deep sleep – Phone ringing.

It’s my commercial agency. I let the call go to voicemail, but right away it’s ringing again. It must be a same-day call so I answer it. Sure enough, it’s a callback for 12 noon, in 87 minutes in Santa Monica. I was so tempted to roll over and grab just 5 more minutes of rest, but I thought better of it and got up, in the shower and on my way.

When I got in the room I immediately recognized the director, David Shane. He directed the “KY Brand” commercial I did in New York last year…unfortunately it never ran, but it was still not a bad financial experience, plus I got a trip to New York out of the deal. The audition went well so we’ll see what happens.

After the audition, and since I was way out in Santa Monica, I figured I might as well drop-off some photos…even though I really wanted to go back to sleep. Gotta keep on…keeping on.

This is where something really inspiring happened. I stopped by one place on my list and there was an empty drop-off box. I didn’t want to put my headshot in there because it was raining a little and the box didn’t look active to me. So, I paused, and then opened the door to the office not knowing what I would find. I knew whom I might see because I knew who the casting associate was, but you never know what might happen. My style of drops is to stick and move, but I’m extremely calculating at the same time.

When I opened the door, I saw, at the very back of the office the associate in question. I waved and just said I wanted to drop a photo for their files and she politely motioned that she was on the phone. With that, I was on my way…I’m always careful to not be a burden while being a pleasure to deal with.

Twenty minutes later I received an email on my phone from her and it read:

====

hi nice to see you for a moment today

sorry i couldn’t come say hi

we cast the role in XXXXX but i will hang on to your pic for future stuff

signed XXXXX

====

Actually, I didn’t even know there was a role I was right for in the project. I was just doing a general drop-off to remind them that I’m still here, available and ready to work on whatever they are casting

It was such a boost to validate all of the effort it takes to drive around this city for as many years as I have. That includes countless miles, hours, photos and a few parking tickets along the way beginning in August ‘98. This same associate, years ago, as an assistant at a different office, received my postcard, called me in and booked me on a popular dramedy a few years after arriving from New York!

There has been a lot of question of whether or not it’s worth to do drop-offs; especially the way the casting process has changed. I think it’s worth it.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Sprint” @ Joe Blake Casting. My agent woke me up with this same-day call. It went great! I went in the room and didn’t feel all that prepared, but I threw all that “baggage” away and had fun.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producer/Tape: “Raising Hope” @ Dava Waite Casting. I was really happy with how this one went. I felt like I had a hold on the character and I did what I set out to do. Can’t ask for much more than that…well, yes I can but; this is a great start. Actually, I have a little history with Dava’s office. She called me in for CBS sitcom, “Yes, Dear”, years ago; I didn’t book the role, but a few episodes later they called and offered me a role. I really appreciated that. Can lightning strike again? I think so.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: ”XXXXX” @ Xxxxx Xxxxx Casting. I signed a non-disclosure agreement for this one…so I guess it didn’t really happen.

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Audition: “McDonald’s” @ Cathi Carlton Casting. Good stuff; pretty simple. It was one of the type of auditions I don’t normally excel in.

Callback: “Alka-Seltzer Plus” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. I had a great feeling that I was going to get a callback for this one. The callback itself? I think it went okay, but there was a little blocking change that I wasn’t told about before the first take and it might have made me look like I didn’t know what I was doing, but I did it the same way as the first audition…oh well. You never know.

Audition: “Comcast” @ Alyson Horn Casting. This went well. I am so thankful that I get brought to this very important office on such a regular basis. It’s been a long time since I’ve booked here, but she must believe in me because there are many other actors she could call in my place.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Happy Anniversary to me! 17 years ago, on Wednesday September 22nd 1993 @ 7:30pm in Virginia Beach, VA I took my first acting class and embarked on a very, VERY interesting and difficult journey. Sometimes, oftentimes, I think a lot has happened in those 6209 days, other times, occasionally, I'm not so sure.

Hold up! Of course I’m sure! I just don’t think about it in those terms on a regular, basis. So I’m going to take a moment, and revisit some of the experiences I’ve had as a professional performer. I hope it doesn’t come off as me being full of myself…here it goes:

Member of the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG).

Had the same, effective theatrical & commercial representation for 12+ years.

Had my first audition in Los Angeles just 12 hours after arriving from New York.

Had 3 commercial auditions and 3 callbacks my first week in Los Angeles.

Had a period of 7 years that I solely made a living & filed taxes as an actor…took vacations too!

Have traveled to Washington, DC, Miami, New York, Japan & Spain as a performer.

Booked a national commercial and was “unbooked” just before the fitting.

Have performed onstage at the Kennedy Center.

Was cast in Ocean’s Twelve by director Steven Soderbergh & CD Debra Zane, but the scene was cut before filming.

Was also cast in Ocean’s Thirteen by director Steven Soderbergh & CD Debra Zane, but this time had to pull out the film, and a scene with Al Pacino, because of a commercial booking…I was later edited out of the commercial.

Have worked with several directors who are very highly regarded in their field – Film, Steven Spielberg. TV Comedy James Burrows. Commercials, Joe Pytka.

Have qualified for Health benefits every year since becoming a member of SAG.

Have become a vested member of SAG which awards me with a pension at retirement.

Have been featured on the cover of Backstage magazine.

Have been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) in a piece on the casting process with Casting Director Debra Zane.

Have been featured in “Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business” By Bonnie Gillespie & “Acting Q’s: Conversations with Working Actors” also by Bonnie Gillespie & Actor/Author Blake Robbins.

Have learned a lot about how the casting process work…maybe too much.

I moved to New York with $200 in my pocket, no job…shared a bed in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan…with a guy…for 4 months.

Have been featured on the Wrigley’s Jumbotron in New York’s Times Square.

Have been interviewed on the New York-based EverythingActingPodcast.

…umm. I just got “wide-open” with the “me” stuff. On the one hand I feel like I should apologize for laying it on so thick, but on the other hand “it is what it is”…it’s all true and verifiable. Plus, I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished in a notoriously difficult business. No, I’m not exactly where I want to be in my acting career, especially the working in a restaurant part, but I’ve usually been able to make the best of most situations I’ve found myself in.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Lately, I’ve been dropping off my headshots around town like a mad man. Why? I gotta get “this thing” in motion. What “Thing?” My career. That’s what “Thing”. I HAVE to make it happen and move to the next level in my acting journey. For me, the major way of doing that is to hustle…get out of the house and participate in my success. Back to the drop-offs. I’ve always heard actors talk about the “many reasons” why dropping off photos is a waste of time or that it’s no longer effective. Usually, there doesn’t seem to be any concrete reason why they say what they do, but I definitely have concrete reason as to why I say otherwise.

Hustle: Anything I’ve ever accomplished has been because of that…I can’t stop now. Have photos; will drop them.

Audition: “Better With You” @ GO Casting. This came directly from a drop-off yesterday. How can I be sure? They told me.

Audition: “VW” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Yeah, good one in the can. I have a pretty good track record at this office.

Audition: “Alka-Seltzer Plus” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. Yes! This went really, really well. While in company of my scene partner I felt I was in the presence of a real talent. That woman was a pleasure to watch. I hope both of us will be at callback in a few days.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Work, work and more work it seems is the order of many of my days of late. I’m not complaining; I’m just sayin’. I think it’s better than not having enough work opportunities to make a living. Speaking of work, after the monthly employee meeting for my night job I received a text message, directly from casting director Dori Zuckerman, asking if I had a current wireless conflict. If not, she was offering me a time slot to audition for AT&T later in the afternoon. It was a great surprise, but not shocking.

I met Dori about 10 years ago in a casting director workshop and have worked for her as a reader countless times over the years. I’ve even booked a few jobs with her and learned a bunch about the casting process.

Audition: “AT&T” @ Dori Zuckerman Casting. The audition went great and I had a wonderful conversation with my scene partner afterwards.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “LVCVA” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was quite the lively situation…and fun. Big ole group thing.

Callback: “The Whole Truth” @ Shaner/Testa Casting. Yep, me as a judge. I think this went well. The writer/producer/director, not sure exactly who the beautiful woman was, but she was very nice to me and thanked me for coming back in to read for the role. She’s probably nice to everyone…not just me. She sure did have a great smile

Anyway, I didn’t have any questions about the character and went right into the first read. I got a little bit of direction and read it once more. All seemed very happy with the performance, including me, and I was on my way.

This caps a week of 8 auditions and several graveyard shifts…I’m exhausted, but not complaining. The only thing is that I didn’t get too many drop-offs done this week. I did quite a few the week before and I’d like to think that some of that ground-level hustle had to do with the busy week I just finished. Who knows; I’ll take it however it comes.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers/Tape: “The Whole Truth” @ Shaner/Testa Casting. I think I’m really right for this one and I was happy with how everything went in the room. I read it once, got some direction and did it again. I would LOVE to book this role. I’d even have to join AFTRA to do the role…don’t get me started on 2 unions for the same acting work.

Less than an hour later my agent calls with a callback! YES! But for another, smaller role. Huh? Yup, and get this? It’s for the role of a judge. Really? Yup, really. I kinda don’t see myself as a judge, but it really REALLY doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what the buyers think.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “xxx” @ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx. This didn’t happen, but the confidentiality agreement I signed did.

Audition: “Target” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This is a spot for the upcoming Christmas season. Lots of underplaying for the feature director that is directing this commercial.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “NCIS” @ Susan Bluestein Casting. Yes! I’ve been trying to get into this office for years. The audition consisted of two short scenes and although I wish I would’ve read the second scene again, just to clean up the dialogue a bit, I was very happy with the outcome. I hope I’ve opened the door to a long-term relationship with this office.

In a new development at my night job I've been offered a promotion, a small promotion, but a promotion nonetheless. I'm not sure if I'm going to accept or not...gonna take some time to weigh the pros and cons.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “The Defenders” @ Felicia Fasano Casting. I have been trying to get into this office for years with no success, but finally it happened today. Not sure if it had anything to do with the general drop off of my photo last week, but I’ll take it any way I can get it. It’s been incredibly quiet from me lately, especially theatrically.

The role I went in for was that of the Master, the Legend…Sammy Davis, Jr. Yeah right. I mean, I don’t how know much I look like him, but I’d guess we are/were of similar stature and build. Dancing skills? Me a close 2^nd. Nah, not really. Singing skills? I’m right there…hmmm, not even close. Me drinking on stage with cigar in one hand and a gin martini in the other? Now you’re talking! Few can drink and smoke like me.

The cool part was that, in the description, it specifically said that the role did NOT have to be an impersonator, just an actor who resembled him. Cool. So I did some research on him over the weekend and Sammy was a bad dude for real. Massive talent. Going in I felt fine because it wasn’t like I had to dance or anything.

Of course, as soon as I got there the dialogue had completely changed. It wasn’t a whole lot to begin with so the change was no problem. I go in and the first thing I’m asked is if I’ve ever “done Sammy”, LOL! “Oh Sh*t!, I’m thinking, but I didn’t trip on it. I just gave her what I had…which wasn’t enough. She gave me some direction and I did it again. I think she wanted me to “be him” because my look was in the ball park, but she said “Nah, you’re not Sammy and I’ve got real impersonators coming in. But you’re a good actor; I’m pulling your photo and I’m going to get you back in here for something good.” Then she said, “Sorry.” I replied, “No, this is great, thank you.” And I walked out feeling really good about myself. I have to add that I smiled to myself when she turned my resume over. Why? Because I know exactly what’s on it.

So I have to stay out in the street; keep dropping photos, keeping trying to get more rest, keep trying to not let my other gig get the best of me and keep believing that I can continue to move forward in this career...and build my other one.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Wow, I got a very unexpected residual check today for the www.cars.com commercial. Perfect timing because I’m in the market for a new Windows laptop.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Petco” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Nice! This went great!

Wow, what a surprise! I got a holding fee for the Healthy Choice/Marie Callendar’s commercial today. It wasn’t a huge check, but it completely paid for the computer I bought today. I ended up getting an eMachines desktop instead of a laptop and I spent less than I had planned. I’m also going to reinstall the OS on my Macbook so that it will run faster. All that will help me run a smoother operation and get out in the street to make things happen again.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Wow, I got a very unexpected residual check today for the www.cars.com commercial. Perfect timing because I’m in the market for a new Windows laptop.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Ugh! I had a feeling this was going to happen. Why do I say that? Because I think it’s official that the Marie Callendar’s/Healthy Choice commercial I booked and shot back in early March is not going to go beyond the test marketing phase. I knew there was a chance of that from the beginning, but you hope for the best…and I still am. The possible use of the campaign was as follows:

Rate: Scale. Option for foreign, theatrical, industrial, dealer, simulcast, internet and new media at SAG minimum***

Run/Usage: Test Market (probably 1 to 2 cycles as wildspot) prior to roll out Nationally***

I guess that means the campaign didn’t test as they had hoped? I don’t know, but I saw another spot for Healthy Choice/Marie Callendar’s that was very similar to the one I was in. I haven’t had the best of luck in recent years commercially; not sure why. That’s just the cycle of things and my cycle of things hasn’t been all that favorable, but I keep moving in a positive direction. It seems that if there is some way, any way, for a booking to not end up the way any actor would hope; that way finds its journey into my life. This is run down of what the most recent commercial bookings I’ve have booked have gone:

MICHELIN TIRES – October ’06 - I had to pull out of OCEAN’S THIRTEEN and a scene with Al Pacino to do this one. In the end my scene was edited out of the commercial.

WaMu – December ’07 – Multi-day shoot and a great, national airing for a couple of months.

CHEETOS – September ’08 – A few days after being booked and just before I was going to the fitting I received a call informing that my booking had been cancelled.

KY BRAND – March ’09 – I flew to New York to shoot this one. After receiving holding fees for a year the commercial never aired.

CARS.COM – December ’09 – While it was great that this was a commercial for Super Bowl; those spots don’t always continue to run after the big game. To my knowledge, they only aired it on TV once, but I’ve made a nice amount of money through other ways the client bought it.

MARIE CALLENDAR’S/HEALTHY CHOICE – March ’10 – My commercial was one of a 6-spot campaign, but it appears they cancelled the entire thing and filmed new ones.

Oh well. What can you do? Good question. What I do is realize that it’s a great “problem” to have. It’s much better than to not have booked them at all. This cycle, if that’s what it is, will change into something more favorable I’m sure. In due time; I just have to keep my head in the game.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “USPS” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. It’s been 2 full weeks since my last audition. I HAVE to get on the grind or my career will be in the past. That can’t happen. I’m a professional actor and I need to act professionally.

The callback went okay; not sure I gave to the director what he was asking for. It went really well in the first audition so we’ll see what happens.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

hmm…another week with no appointments…at all. I would think that things would be picking up for me, but it doesn’t seem like it. I’m sure commercials will come back around, but theatrically, I have to stay on the ball. There is so much “trickle down” going with actors from a higher tier being willing to do work that they wouldn’t have taken in years past.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “USPS” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. This went great and I think I’m right for it. This is where I had my very first commercial audition in Los Angeles…12 years and 15 days ago. I’ve had many callbacks and avails, but haven’t yet booked. One day I will.

Audition: “Nationwide Insurance” @ Lisa Fields Casting. This came in as a same day call from my agent and also went well.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “Jack-in-the-Box” @ Alyson Horn Casting. Yes! Finally a callback for something. This was the appointment I had last week that I totally could not get it together. Fortunately, the session director was quite patient with me and got me to where I needed to be to shine on the tape. I guess it worked because I don’t think there was any way I would have gotten to round two.

It went well; who knows if I’ll book or even get placed on avail, but I do know that it felt good in the room. Alyson always calls me in for this client and I believe I’m right for these spots in particular; so eventually I should score some points with a booking.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Ford” @ Liz Paulson Casting. Eh, this went okay. Kind of caught me by surprise. In hindsight, I think me and my group would have been better off playing it smaller…but who knows.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Jack-in-the-Box” @ Alyson Horn Casting. Ooops! Not so much on this one. I was having trouble getting the dialogue out of my mouth…so was my partner. Thankfully, the session director was super patient with both of us and I think we put good stuff on the tape in the end.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Wells Fargo” Skirts Casting. Yes! Good stuff here and I think I’m right enough for it. Very happy with how it went.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

This morning, after working all night, I drove to Manhattan Beach to…Adopt-A-Kid-For a Day. Yeah, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while and I finally stepped up to the plate. It was a great day and a great way to give a little back. I really want to be a part of the solution. I mean that in general in many aspects of my life. No, I’m not perfect, but I aspire to be one of the people who care about humanity…like my mother.

I was paired with a 7 year-old and his 8 year-old friend along with another mentor. We got in the water with them, taught them how to fly a kite, participated in a 3-legged race, etc. It was wonderful experience and something I’m sure I’ll do again in the future.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Check this out! I went surfing today! Yup, sure did. AND paddle into, caught, and stood up on the very first wave I attempted to catch. I hooked up with a few people at work and had a blast. I think it might be something I want to do on a more consistent basis and it’s much more fun than going to the gym…although I need to go to the gym to be able to do it. It wore my a** out!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Charter Communications” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Can we just skip to the callback already??? It’s been since forever it seems.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Cox Communications” @ Michael Sanford Casting. I really like Michael Sanford; he’s just seems like a super nice guy, but I hate trying to park near his office in Hollywood, lol!

Anyway, the audition the audition went fine…neither here nor there.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Time for my yearly comprehensive physical examination. I’m fortunate to have qualified for SAG medical coverage, consistently for the past 12+ years. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment in my acting career that can sometimes slip away in the day-to-day journey…especially when I’m asking someone how they want their burger cooked at 4 in the morning…

Anyway, I appear to be in pretty great shape according to my results. I’m definitely getting a little banged up by the night job, but I’m fortunate and making it work for me the best I can. I’ve even started to hit the gym again…I’ve been told that the gym is a good thing, LOL!

Oh yeah, there HAS to be a better way to perform a prostate exam. If you haven’t had one…it sucks. No, really it does.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape: “Chuck” @ Patrick Rush Casting. This office has cast me twice in the past and I am way overdue for a third one, but I don’t think it’s going to be this one. I wasn’t terrible, but I don’t think I nailed it either…not happy about that. I haven’t had many TV/Film appointments lately and I have to make each and every one count.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Bank of America” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was quick-fast, pretty simple…how about let’s book something?

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “McDonald’s” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Yes! I left feeling really good about this one. I think the director and I had a real connection. Of course, the director doesn’t usually make the final decision…at least not alone, but I felt it was a start. Who the heck knows with these things?

I also finally got my birthday present today…my new iPhone4! I must admit that I am soo excited. My current phone is being retired for one that, hopefully, works better.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Target” @ Davis/Baddeley Casting. This was a blast; I even had a girlfriend in the scene. Imagine that! Hopefully, I’ll get a callback. I think it might be a holiday spot.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “McDonald’s” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Good time, good actors; hopefully I’ll get a callback. While I was waiting to audition a woman came in who I thought I recognized, but I couldn’t figure out from where. We happened to be in the same group and when she slated her name it came to me. We had worked on “CSI” together almost 10 years ago!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

It’s my birthday! I have always kept my birthday a low-key affair. Part of the reason is that I’ve always looked a bit younger than I actually am and it usually draws attention to that fact. Another reason is that I have a serious fear of rejection. I have always feared that if I tried to have a birthday party nobody would show up. Same thing with Christmas; I never ask for gifts for Christmas.

What I thought I was going to do was to go to Olive Garden, alone, for dinner (I like the breadsticks) and buy the new iPhone 4 (it’s on order). That isn’t what happened. One of my co-workers at the night job sent me a text, wished me a Happy Birthday, said we’re getting wasted and sent a text to the whole staff at work to inform them of the fact. Needless to say I was freaking nervous…I’d never had any type of birthday gathering.

I have to say it was a great time and very interesting to watch through my sober eyes. Sure, I’ve been to plenty of gatherings and watched people morph from normal guy/gal to “who IS that?” This was different because this particular gathering was being held in my honor and for some reason I felt a certain amount of responsibility to keep things in check. Yeah, there was some broken glass, but nothing crazy or insane. I know I wasn’t supposed to, but I slipped the waitress an extra tip…I know how great that feels when someone does that for me when I’m waiting tables.

It would have been even cooler if I was a drinker, but I’m just not. I hated cheating my friends out of the joy of “THIS GUY NEEDS A DRINK!” or “WE’RE DOING SHOTS!” To replace the void of me not drinking I smoked a few cigarettes instead. My goal was to feel crappy in the morning…like I had partied like a rockstar. So I smoked a brown thingy by Nat Sherman and a Parliament Light. Neither of them left too much of an after taste, but I did get a little light-headed.

Later a group of us hung out at a co-workers apartment while they played music that was waaay too loud at 3:30 in the morning. Then we headed to another friends apartment for more music. I finally got home about 5:30am. I was partied out. I hope I can wake up for my 11:30 commercial audition in a few hours. I had a great time.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Church’s Fried Chicken” @ Gabrielle Schary Casting. Having a great time in an audition is always a great thing. It doesn’t mean I’ll get a callback, but I think it’s good start.

This sides were in English & Spanish and the session director asked me if I spoke Spanish, “No” I replied. But then, when I slated my name on camera, I gave him my alter-ego from my night job – Hector-Jesus de la Cruz…the son of Fernando de la Cruz Espinoza Nunez, Junor… My partner and the session director started laughing and complimented me on my accent. It was a risk. The audition went well and hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition “Cell South” @ Maryclaire Sweeters Casting. Yay! This went well and the session director was the same woman who ran the session for the last commercial that I booked. I had a chance to thank her for being so patient and helping me through the audition which led to the callback and eventual booking.

Audition “Cox” @ ASG Casting. This went pretty well also; although I might be little young for it. We’ll see.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Two auditions. Same casting facility. Same product. Different casting offices. Two different times = 2 separate trips and that makes for a very long day after a long shift at the night job last night. But hey! I had 2 auditions!

Audition: “AT&T” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was quick and fast; just a mini interview and it went well.

Audition: “AT&T” @ Spot Casting. This one was quick/fast too. Callbacks next week.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Kibbles ‘N Bits” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was simple and fun and I would LOVE to work with a dog in a commercial.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Amex” @ Shane Casting. This was fun and simple; although I think I might be a bit young…I’m sure that’s my own personal baggage though.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I am not writing about the audition that I didn’t have to today. Why? Because I signed a non-disclosure form that I wouldn’t…but I felt good about it. Hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

I saw “Sex and the City 2” a few days ago. I had never seen an episode of the TV series or the first film, but I enjoyed the one I saw today much more than I thought I would. It was quite entertaining and can only imagine how funny the series was.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers: “DGI” @ ASG Casting. Usually when I go to this production company, Tool, in Santa Monica it’s a bit of a madhouse, but this time it was very mellow. I think this particular role was added at the last minute so they were bringing actors straight to the director.

While I was rehearsing the dialogue a man walked up to me and said, “I have a good feeling about you”. I replied that, “I have a good feeling about me too!” He asked me if I had some good dance moves and I told him I did. Truthfully, I’m not a dancer at all…or even all that rhythmically inclined. He then told me he was one of the producers, but didn’t want to get in my head…thanks, lol!

It was a silly spot that I felt silly about doing because, yes, I was in my head about the dancing…but had they cast me I would have done it…and cashed every check they sent!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Xerox” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Ugh! I was terrible in this audition. Not sure why, but it was bad. Fortunately, the session director was patient with me. In the end I think we got two decent takes to send to the producers, but still…

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape/Producers: “iCarly” @ Krisha Bullock Casting. This went alright; I think I had a few good moments in the read…I have an underlying feeling about possibly working on an AFTRA show…I’m coming to terms with it though…I have to since many of the new pilots are AFTRA, but I’m going to keep chasing the remaining SAG shows that are left.

Another anniversary is upon me. What is it this time? Two years ago today I rejoined the workforce as something other than a professional actor…at the same job/place/position I’d left 7 years prior…yeah.

Happy anniversary to me.

How do I feel about this? Hmmm…good question. Well, on the one hand, of course, I’d rather be a series regular on a TV show or doing many more films and more commercials, but I’m doing what I need to do while I need to do it.

That being said; I have to say I’m handling it quite well. I am taking full advantage of having two jobs that I make money at. Sure, it can be quite exhausting, but some people are exhausted from looking for one job…I have two and they are both profitable.

In 2006, without question, the smartest thing I did was to enter my financial data into Quicken so I was able to see exactly where every dollar I had was going. In an instant I changed my relationship with money…for the better. I was never really bad with money; I always saved enough to be able to spend 6 weeks a year back home with family. BUT I was never really great with money either; I was just okay…like many of us. Being able to see the data on the computer in pie charts and graphs changed everything.

I have found that it’s much less about how much I earn; it’s much more about how much I don’t spend without knowing why I’m spending it. I have turned into an extreme saver.

Speaking of smart things…in 2008, without question, the smartest thing I did was to pick up a way to earn steady money in addition to acting. I tried a few things that didn’t pan out and ended up revisiting a place from my past. Admittedly, I had to find a way within myself to deal with it because I knew it could lead me to a nice-so-great place mentally.

So here I am, 2 years into the game, and it’s not…terrible. Actually, things are really good considering the reality of the situation. No, it’s not perfect, but the upside greatly outweighs the downside...by a long shot. I am making the best of what’s in front of me; while still creating a better future. I’m still making adjustments and trying to improve in other areas of my life, but I’d guess that is something that never really changes about most of us.

One thing, for sure, that working full-time has done is occupy my time. It’s also taken me away from constantly thinking about the business. THAT has been a great thing for me. Why? Because I have so many other interests outside of “the biz”. I’m even reading my second book this year! Imagine that! Two books in a year is monumental for me. I always read a lot; just not usually books. I’d read newspapers, magazine, online, etc., but not usually books….I was always envious of people who read books. This latest book was a gift from a friend written by Hill Harper and is titled “The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships”. Kind of heavy huh? Well, it was recommended and I’ve always liked Hill Harper so I will at least give it a shot and try to get through it. I have a feeling it’ll be an easy read for me though. Thanks Frances.

As I mentioned earlier something else I’ve become really interested in is finance…my finances to be exact. I’m investing 20% of my pay into the company 401(k) program plus the percentage that the company matches and saving even more per month per month into a Roth IRA. Those vehicles for savings help to lower my taxes. I’m trying to position myself to buy a condo or house…maybe here in Los Angeles or home in Virginia Beach. I also would LOVE to get a newer car, but my ’98 Honda Accord with 152,654 miles runs just fine…and of course it’s paid for. So that wouldn’t be smart. I’ll have to settle for the iPhone 4G when it comes out.

Other good stuff is that I’ve earned enough to qualify for another year of SAG medical insurance and almost have the earnings required for a SAG pension credit.

So all in all, after 2 years, things are really good. I’m thankful for my employment and I’ve met some really good people that I work along side of. Will I be working there, slinging burgers ‘n Bud, in another 2 years? I don’t have the answer to that, but I do know that I expect to book many more acting jobs. Yeah, I’ve got something to offer that’s worth seeing.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “FedEx” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was fun! I worked with 2 other talented actor who, along with me, would be PERFECT in this spot, LOL! Hopefully we’ll all be at callbacks next week.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Wow, 15 years ago today I arrived in New York City, Port Authority to be exact, with a pink duffel bag full of clothes and $205 in my pocket. Time sure does fly!

A lot has happened in that time, but I’m not at all finished; my journey is alive and well. I’m extremely excited about my future; somewhat excited about my current situation, but I have all the tools to continue being a success on a larger scale.

I smile when I look back to where I was a decade and a half ago and the fact that I’m still at it is a testament of something…sometimes I’m not sure what, but this career choice is not for the faint of heart.

I have risen from being one of many who arrive in New York & Los Angeles everyday to being one of relatively few who have earned a Screen Actors Guild Pension as a professional actor. I am very proud of that. I plan to build on the foundation I’ve built over the last 15 years and moved to a new level over the next 15 years and beyond…here I come!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Wow! Guess who has an audition?! Me! I was beginning to think that my career was over and I’d had my last audition. It has been SO slow for me lately; I ain’t tripping though ‘cause I’ve been in the game long enough to know that it comes and goes – ebbs and flows.

Audition: “t-mobile” @ Spot Casting. Good stuff; quick in and out.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

This is just the coolest! My youngest brother Todd has been in Los Angeles on business for a few days and has extended his stay so we can hang for a bit. I can only imagine what it would be like to have some family (at least family I got along with) out here with me. Todd and I have always gotten along great so it’s really working. I even took a few days off of work…that is something I don’t do very often, but I’m trying to take more time to do things other than work.

Today we went skiing and had a complete blast before I had to rush back for an audition; great conditions for his first time skiing on the West coast. Tomorrow we’re going to a motocross race in San Bernardino. So we’ll be spending a lot of time in the car together and I love road trips!

Audition: “Sony” @ skirts Casting. I thought this went well and I had a great partner to work with.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

After about a day and a half in bed and a steady diet of hot tea, water, ZiCam up the nose I feel much, much better. Thankfully, because being sick sucks!

Audition: “Universal Studios” @ Shane Liem Casting. Pretty simple audition, but I could see having a HUGE headache if I was to book it. I’ll take that chance! That’s why we get the big bucks!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Uh oh! I’m not feeling well. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen too often, but I feel terrible. Stuffy nose, headache, sinus pressure, sore throat, etc… I’ll deal with it.

This afternoon my youngest brother Todd is coming to Los Angeles for business. Family is a really big deal to me and Todd has always been one of the good things for me concerning family. Much of the rest, concerning family is, let’s say,….challenging. Not all, but more than I’d like to admit. Yeah, there are a lot of things I wish were different, but it is what it is I guess.

My agent calls with a same-day, last minute call for an audition.

Audition: “HBO/True Blood” Promo @ Michael Sanford Casting. This goes really well for me and my wife “Candace”. She was a real pleasure to work with.

Afterwards I went downtown to pick up my brother at his hotel and hangout for a bit. After he finishes his work stuff he’ll stay with me for a few extra days. It was weird for him to finally see my new place after hearing about it for so long. Hopefully we’ll get to go skiing while he is here.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

After a busy night at work last night I barely made it out of bed to this audition. AND right as I was getting up to shower my agent called to inform me that the location had changed from relatively close to where I live to all the way in Santa Monica…@ 3:40 in the afternoon. Hello interstate 10…at least I can catch up on some of my podcast listening.

Audition: “Radio Shack” @ Lisa Pantone Casting. When I walked in the room I realized that this was a callback. There must have been 7-8 people in the room. I was calm, cool and ready to book this sucka! I had a couple of takes and was happy with the results.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “State Farm” @ Liz Paulson Casting. This was cool and fun from slating my name all they way to the end; my partner and I worked really well together. I really like this acting stuff!

Audition/Producer/Tape: “Rizzoli & Isles” @ UDK Casting. This was a little weird. I think they thought I was reading for something different than I was actually reading for. One person told me that it was okay to stand and move around and another person said that I be reading with her. The character only had one line; so I really wouldn’t be reading with anyone and they wasn’t any movement to speak of. In the end I started laughing and I think they finally realized…something. I’m not sure what, but we all started laughing. I think they confusion was that they were reading about 6 different characters at the same time and didn’t know who would be coming in the door next. No worries; they are only human. So we’ll see what happens I guess.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “Best-Buy” @ Ross Lacy Casting. YES! This was definitely one of the best callbacks I’ve ever had. They even called me back into the room as my “wife” and I were leaving. I sure hope it goes from an “avail” to a “booking”.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Best-Buy” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Fun stuff, I had a wonderful “wife” to work with. They should bring us back to the next round.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I got my taxes done today and I have to say it was a very pleasant experience. Things are looking great for me.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “HawthoRNe” @ Megan Branman Casting. This was for two different roles. I felt that the first one I read for went well, but the other role was just okay. I think I was more right for the second role and I should have asked to do another take to smooth it out…but I didn’t. Mistake.

Audition: “Private Practice” @ Lowy/Brace Casting. Yup, I’m STILL trying to get on this show AND they are trying to get me on this show. That is a great place to be, but I NEED to seal the deal and go to the set to shoot it!

In the room I read the character once, got some direction and thought I followed it pretty well. I don’t know if they were giving callbacks right away, but, at any rate I’m confident that they will keep bringing me in until I get something on the show.

Tonight I attended the Los Angeles Premiere of “The Joneses”; a film directed by Derrick Borte. Derrick is a friend of mine, also from Virginia Beach, from way back in my BMX/Bodyboarding/Surfing days. Yeah, a long time ago.

It was almost surreal a year ago when I attended a rough cut screening of the project, but it was really surreal when I saw it at the ArcLight tonight. The film stars Demi Moore, David Duchovny and Lauren Hutton. I attended with Jonathan Julian, another friend from Virginia Beach. We really enjoyed the film and I expect him to generate quite a bit of heat from. Afterwards we went to the after party and had a great time. Derrick and I got to catch up a bit and talk a little shop. He’s already been hired to direct another feature this coming Fall. One of the really cool things is that Derrick still lives in Virginia Beach and doesn’t seem to have plans to move to Hollywood any time soon. So if you wanna see a film that will make you think go see “The Joneses” – it opens in limited release Friday April 17th!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Panasonic” @ Terry Berland Casting. I auditioned at this office once last year, but I think the last time before that was in 2004. Welcome back! I hope I can get back on her radar!

The audition went pretty well I thought…so we’ll see.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I haven’t had a single audition in almost a week and half. I ain’t tripping though. I’m very fortunate to have opportunities to audition on a very regular basis. But, I’ve been trying to take advantage of the slowdown while I can because sleeping 45 minutes here, 4 hours there definitely takes its toll on me and I’ve been very busy for the last several months. True to form my commercial agent woke me up this morning with an appointment for this afternoon. Cool.

Audition: “AT&T” @ Craig Colvin Casting. This was a lot of fun. The set up was supposed to be 4 adults and 2 children, but they ran out of children so we went in alone. Me and the other actors I read with had a complete blast. Hopefully I’ll see them at callbacks!

Guess what? I went to Barnes & Noble the other day…and bought a book…I’m even reading the book! The title is BRAINWASHED: Challenging the Myths of Black Inferiority – by Tom Burrell. I had recently listened to a podcast with the author on The Tavis Smiley Show and immediately wanted to read the book. I have never been that much of a book reader. Actually, I’m quite envious of people who do read novels and such. I don’t and never really have. I read a lot of magazines and such, but I haven’t read too many books…maybe it’s my ADD – at the same time I’m an information junkie.

So far in reading, it’s very interesting in how the author is explaining the effect slavery has had on Black people in America. Wow. It’s not complete news to me, but you just wanna shake your head when you see so much information dedicated to the matter all at once. It’s hard to believe that there was a time in this country when my ancestors were legally considered less than a full human being of a person…yes, legally. Again, I say wow. I can absolutely say that it has had an effect on me all these years later.

I’m trying to do what I can to make this world a better place. I doubt I’ll be able to change the world, but I can try to make things a little better. I want to be a great brother, uncle, friend. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be a great husband and father – that would be incredible! I have to find more confidence first.

I don’t plan on trying to be perfect, but I would like to be an asset to a given situation if I can. Matter of fact there are a couple of young people at my night job that I’m encouraging and trying to help get out of debt. I don’t know a ton about it in general, BUT I know exactly how I did it. I also know how I completely changed my spending habits. I was never terrible, but even not being terrible leaves room for a lot of improvement. Two full-time jobs will definitely help to curb spending that’s for sure! It’ll also kill your social life.

Get this: over the last 2 weeks I’ve run into the director of the last commercial I did on 3 different occasions. He’s been in post-production since we finished shooting and just delivered the finished spots to the client. He said they should start running in the near future…I don’t know if I’m in the finished spot. I sure hope so. The commercial is for “Marie Callendar’s/Healthy Choice”. There are 6 different ones, but I’m just in one of them.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Tonight at work one of my guests/customers was a director and his wife that I met 8-10 months ago at the restaurant. Of course I didn’t know he was a director when I first encountered him; it came out in the small talk we were having. Turns out he was in town from London meeting with agents. He told me about his film and I checked it out on their website. I contacted him to tell that I really enjoyed it and he responded in kind.

CUT TO: 8-10 months later…

He and his wife came back in the restaurant and I recognized him right away, but it took me a moment to remember exactly how and in what context I’d had met them. Then it came to me; I remembered the table they sat at, the reason he was in Los Angeles, they agency he signed with…and his name. He was completely shocked.

Since the time I’d first seen him he had left the agency he originally signed with, moved to one of the Big Four agencies, got a project in pre-production…and moved to Los Angeles from London just 4 days prior. He said they didn’t know anyone so they came back to the restaurant; a somewhat familiar place for them. He told me that in a few days he was set to visit 3 different places out of town for location scouting for his project. He also asked for my contact info to stay in touch. Cool. I sensed that he and his wife are nice, genuine people so I gladly gave them my information. I wish them both the best.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Today I participated in the WGA program that reads the scripts of at-risk students in the some of the high schools in the area. Today it was Crenshaw High and, as usual, always great fun.

Audition/tape: “Hung” @ CFB Casting. …not so much.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Nine years ago today I left my job waiting tables…at the same place that I am currently waiting tables. How’s THAT for full circle? Trust me, I’m still not sure how that is for full circle. It’s been an interesting mental trip, waiting tables again, but I think I handle it pretty well…usually. I have good days and not so good days. I don’t usually have bad days, but at times it’s a major challenge to say the least…major challenge.

I’m not sure how long this trip will last at the restaurant, but I am determined to keep things moving in the right direction…and I think it’s working slowly, but surely. Of course it’s working…I’m just looking for more results.

The flip side is that, thus far, I’ve made this trip down “day-job road” work for me way better than I ever would have believe. I just have to stay focused and keep expecting…correction, demanding more from myself.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Findlaw.com” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was fun! It was one those law commercials written in the style of the commercials that you see during The Jerry Springer Show or Judge Judy. I love those commercials! They are hilarious to me. I had a great time and hopefully I’ll get a callback.

I contacted my theatrical agent to see if there’s any hint that I’ll be going to callbacks for the pilot in auditioned for last week. No news as of yet, I hope that changes and I get another crack at it. I think I’m really right for the character…fingers-crossed.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Bing” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was another same-day call, which I am really getting used to. Sometimes I feel like a doctor who is always on-call. It’s all good though, trust me, I’m not complaining. It’s great to have as many opportunities for work as I do…even if they arrive with very little warning.

The audition went quite well I think. I went in with a child actress and her mother. They both were quite the joy to work with.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Vlasic” @ Bad Girls Casting. This same-day call went well. It was pretty simple; we just kinda reacted to an unusual situation. The trick was to not over-act, but still react in a real way. I think I got it right.

Audition: “AARP/Hartford” @ Michael Sanford Casting. Hmm…not so much. Didn’t feel so good about this one. Oh well, that happens…gotta pick up the pieces, learn from it and move on.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “The Untitled Dana Gould Project” @ Barylski/Wright Casting. I arrived at the Warner Bros. Ranch Studio Lot early and had a great warm-up session outside by myself. Casting Director Deborah Barylski entered the building as I was outside and greeted me warmly. Deborah hired me years ago for the ABC pilot “Life With Bonnie”. It’s rare that casting directors actually hire actors directly, but that’s exactly what Deborah did for me in the pilot season of 2002. I auditioned, left the room, she called me back in and gave me direction, I read it again and she told me that she was going to recommend that Bonnie hire me. “Bonnie”, as in Bonnie Hunt. She also explained to me that since it was a pilot she would have to get approval from the network. Three weeks later I got the news that the network signed off on me.

Back to the read…I felt really good about it and I think I’m right for the character…or at least in the ballpark of what is right. I really hope I get to the next round.

Audition: “Time-Warner Cable” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This went really well…on the 4th take! Yeah, my partner and myself, mostly me, got off to a bit of a rough start. Actually, I think it made it even better because at that point we were certainly having fun and that is usually a good thing. Hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Happy birthday to my car. I purchased it, used, 6 years ago today. When I bought the car I had no idea how I was going to make the monthly loan payments. I had been doing my best, with mixed results, to live a cash-only life; I was surprised that I was even able to get a loan in the first place. I literally didn’t know where I’d get the money for the very first payment due just 30 days later.

CUT TO: Several years later.

Somehow, I was able to pay the car off one month early and now enjoy having reliable transportation without a payment. Yeah, like most people, I’d LOVE to have a newer car, but now isn’t the right time for that…it doesn’t fit into staying as close to being debt-free as possible. Now THAT is a great feeling and I plan to keep it that way. I’ll get a nice ride one of these days, but I’ll do it in a way that, hopefully, makes sense.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers/Tape: “Love Bites” @ Debra Zane Casting. This was at one of my very favorite places to audition. Debra, Tannis and Shayna are just wonderful people…I wish I would have been more wonderful in my performance, but we’ll see. It’s an NBC series so maybe I’ll get back in for another role…if I don’t go further with this one.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Big-O Tires” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was fun and I auditioned with a guy that helped to train me as a commercial camera operator. That was back in the Fall of 2007. I actually ran a few sessions for pay, but I was never able to get in the rotation of regular work. Ultimately, and obviously, I opted to return to waiting tables where I worked years ago…the single most, smartest decision I made the entire year of 2008. Anyway, it was a good audition and I expect to be called back to the second round.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Applebee’s” @ Hayley Marcus Casting. YES!!! This was, without a doubt, one the best, most fun auditions I’ve ever had. It was all improv and I had a great partner that was right there with me. We were supposed to be brothers in the spot I think we were totally believable. To top it off it was a casting director I don’t think I’ve been in for before.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape/Producers “Ghost Whisperer” @ Donna Rosenstein Casting. I don’t know how many times I’ve auditioned for this show. Will I ever get on it? I sure hope so! This is the last episode of the season; I’m not sure if it’s returning next season or not…I hope so.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Shooting: “Marie Callendar’s/Healthy Choice”. Call time: 7:30am. Location: Miracle Mile District of Los Angeles – 29th Fl. I parked my car, as directed, at The Peterson Automotive Museum and jumped in the waiting van to shuttle me to craft services for breakfast. I met a few other actors that I’d be working with and then walked over to our trailers for wardrobe, contracts and other stuff. The two lead ladies were flown in from out of town; Mary Crosbie based in New York and Susan Messing based in Chicago. Gotta love those out of town gigs. Exactly one year ago on March 4th 2009 I was flying back from New York after shooting a commercial there.

When everyone was ready we made our way to the set on the 29th floor of the adjacent building. I don’t think I’d ever been that high up in LA before; the panoramic view was mesmerizing. It felt GREAT to be working!

A moment later we were rehearsing and then shooting. The really funny part for me was that in the original audition I completely butchered part of the dialogue and out of all the actors in Los Angeles and wherever else they held auditions I was the one chosen to say those very words. How cool is that!?!

I made it through the day relatively well considering I was at work until 5am and had to wake up at 6:30am for my 7:30am call time. Yeah, there was a period during the day that I was really tired so while on break I went to the craft services table and got some Gummy Bears and Jelly Belly’s and started having some fun…and it gave me a boost of energy.


bellies, bears and a berry...a source of energy.

After lunch we shot the second part of the scene and some other stuff; waited around for a while and we were wrapped. It was a long 10 ½ hour day. I got home by 7:30pm to get 2 hours of sleep because I was scheduled to work at 10pm. It’s rare for me to be tired at work; before and after, yes, but not during. This night I was really dragging; I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for a while and it caught up to me.

One of my co-workers could tell that I wasn’t my normal, energetic self and I explained to him what my recent activities had been. I had been asked to work the previous night because someone called in sick. He suggested that I should have just said “no” to the extra shift since I was shooting the next morning. I understood where he was coming from, but I explained to him that if I do what most would have done in that situation I’d be crazy to expect different results. I have felt that I have no choice but to worker harder than most. I told him that “typical effort” usually results in “typical results” and “typical results” in my business, this business of entertainment, is not what I’m after. He thought about that for a moment and then understood where I was coming from.

My turning point at work was seeing a man, one of my customers that I was serving; he was suffering from some sort of nervous condition; I think it might be the same thing that Michael J. Fox suffers from. Right away, I felt blessed to only be tired. That gentlemen, I assume, has to deal with that condition 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Me? All I need is some rest.

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Audition: “True Jackson VP” @ Harriet Greenspan Casting. This went okay, super rushed, but okay. I did it once, got some direction and did it again and I was on my way.

After the audition on the Paramount lot I was walking back to my car and saw that I had a message from my commercial agency, Kazarian-Spencer-Ruskin (KSR). Usually, I get my audition notices through e-mail and confirm through e-mail before the wonderful assistants, Leah or Jamie, have to call me with the same information. This was a missed call/message and no e-mail.

Of course, one of the thoughts that went through my head was that I had been replaced, fired, etc…no longer booked on the “Healthy Choice/Marie Callender’s” commercial. I don’t say that to sound pessimistic; I’m just a realist and know a lot about how the casting process works…sometimes I think it would be better if I knew less than I do. All in all knowledge is power.

Booking the job is just part of the journey that most actors would consider commercial success; I consider it about 91% of the way. Once you book the commercial you need to actually get the opportunity to shoot it. I can tell you from personal experience that just because an actor is booked on a commercial doesn’t mean that the actor will get to shoot that commercial and even if you shoot it doesn’t mean you’ll be in the final edit to air…if it airs at all. Lots of variables in play.

Anyway, I checked the voicemail and it was assistant Leah. This was a good sign because if I was being replaced/fired, etc. my agent Samantha would have been the one leaving the message. It’s funny how so many thoughts went through my head in a split second because after Leah said her name, but before she started the message she paused for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, I got the voicemail message which was that I would be receiving an audition notice through e-mail and to disregard it because I’m already scheduled to be shooting tomorrow. Sigh! A few minutes later I got my call time for tomorrow.

I’m glad I received the audition notice anyway because I will try to make that audition as well. Could be an early wrap on the commercial, late call time who knows, but I don’t like missing auditions.

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Remember those photos I did for my friend Greg last week? Well, he was ready to get a few duplicated and he was informed that the resolution wasn’t high enough. Tough lesson; I never said I was a professional. Anyway, today we shot again and attempted to do better than the last session, but still capture some of the good stuff we had. I think we did pretty well for me being someone that doesn’t really know what I’m doing.

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Fitting: “Marie Callender’s/Healthy Choice”. It’s always great to go to a wardrobe fitting; it means I’m getting ready to work! This fitting was actually at someone’s house; a really nice house. Not anything big or outrageous; just a nice piece of property and a house that felt like a home. Being there made me want to have a little space of my own.

When I was walking up the sidewalk to the front door I could see that a woman was leaving and that she looked familiar. A moment later I saw that it was, Minnie, one of my supervisors at my night job. It was great to see her; I don’t think we are going to be in the same commercial, but it’s the same campaign.

I got to briefly talk to the director, Gavin James, about his journey to where he currently is in his career and thank him for the opportunity to work. He is also the writer of the commercial.

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