So here we are…or rather here I am. What is going on? Sometimes I think I know. Other times I’m convinced that I have no earthly idea. It’s a weird existence, but it’s probably something that many of us experience. At the end of the day I think I’m doing the right thing by, at least trying, to participate in my success. That very success fall into several different areas.

One of the most important areas is to be a great brother and uncle…and I wish I could say “son”, but I think that boat has already sailed…my mother passed away 8 years ago and my father and I haven’t spoken in almost as many years. I‘m very close to some of my siblings and not so much to others. That area of family is so important to me, because truthfully, it’s all I’ve got. Something I need to give an ample amount of attention to is to develop better, richer personal relationships here in Los Angeles. Even though I’ve lived in LA for going on 13 years I don’t feel that I’ve really tried to make it my home. I need to change that.

Speaking of my father. I often wonder how I became someone that he “could care less about”…actually “much, much less”. I also wonder why I’m not completely broken over it…or maybe I am and I deny it. I know a lot about denial. I know that having no father figure in my life effects me; I’m just not sure how. There are many things he could have helped to guide me through…or maybe he just didn’t/doesn’t know how to be any different than he is. I guess I can’t blame him if he’s doing the best he can with what he has to work with. Oh well, I can’t force him to care if I exist or not. Many have it worse than I; so I’ll run with what I have…whatever that is.

Another major area in my life is my employment at the restaurant…and, most importantly, how I’m handling it. I’ve been working at the restaurant for 995 days and I have to say I’m very proud of how I’ve handled it. Make no mistake; it’s tough and I DO NOT recommend working a schedule like mine for a lengthy period of time. But I think the very fact that it’s extremely tough is, in some areas, the advantage that will make the difference in my future.

I’ve usually been able to make “lemonade out of the lemons placed before me” and this night job experience is no exception. I’m completely amazed at what I’ve been able to accomplish in less than 1,000 days. I don’t know that I believed I could be debt-free short of being a series regular on TV or having tons of commercials running and film roles…or winning the lottery, LOL! But I did it; I turned the financial ship around and I’ve turned into a saver-saver on a mission. I have no choice because, as an actor, I really have to look out for my financial future and retirement. I’m already a vested SAG member with a pension and I qualify for an early retirement, so the key now is to increase my earnings so that my benefits will increase as well. I’m late to the party and I have a lot of catching up to do.

One of the greatest things about this particular part of the journey is that I’ve been able to encourage other, mostly younger people to take control of their spending and believe they can get out of debt too. I wish someone would have helped me using a language and method of financial literacy I could’ve understood when I was younger, but things happen when they do.

All in all, I’m on a good track and I think great things are ahead for me in my future…in several different areas.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I had a long, draining night at work last night and an audition scheduled for 10:40 this morning…that I…wasn’t really…looking forward to waking up for. I say that hesitantly because I, even after all of these years, appreciate each and every appointment that I get. I don’t want to not have to get up for these appointments…I just wish this particular one would have been a little later in the day.

My alarm went off @ 9:40 and while still stirring in my ultra-plush bed trying to deny that I needed to shower and get on my way my agency called at 9:49 to inform me that the entire session, and my appointment, had been cancelled. Back in to dreamland I went…zzzzzz….

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Audition: “Lunchables” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This went well; I was in and out in a flash.

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Callback: “The Southern Company” @ broad-cast. This callback and the connection with my partner was great! And the room/creative team received me very well. At least I thought so.

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Audition: “Ant Farm” @ Brice/Gergely Casting. Not great. I had absolutely no connection to this character. I almost felt that I should have passed on it, but I went in anyway and tried to make it mine as best I could. I don’t think I was terrible, but I didn’t really believe I could have booked the role. I also know that it doesn’t matter what I think. We’ll see, or we won’t.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “AT&T” @ Dan Bell Casting. This audition was an interesting look into the casting process. All of the actors in for this were Black. But the casting director explained to us that, originally, this particular spot was slated to be cast with Caucasian actors. So that means there are probably an entire group of White guys/gals wondering why they didn’t get a callback because “it went great!” This is a classic example of “Ya never know”. Anyway, I think it went really well and I hope I get to the next round of the casting process.

Several years ago I had an “incident” with a crazy-a** actress in a workshop. I hadn’t seen her for years and made sure I steered clear of her unstable personality. Here is a revisit of what took place: Part I - Crazy lady. Part II - Crazier lady!

Audition: “Liberty Mutual” @ Laray Mayfield Casting. This one also went very well. Callbacks, bookings – bring it on!

I have a feeling that things are going to get much busier before they slow down. I have a lot on my plate these days and hopefully I can figure things out.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Guess what? After a week of no auditions I finally have one today for a commercial. I really thought I was going to get a callback for that BANK OF AMERICA spot last week, but I guess they thought otherwise.

I’m not sure what it is, but I feel some really exciting things coming my way. I sure hope so, lol! Because I certainly don’t know how long I’ll be able to continue my workload at the night gig. It’s taxing to say the least and being “super-reliable” makes it easier for additional duties to fall in your lap. Anyway, I try to remain optimistic…and I am.

Audition: “The Southern Company” @ broad-cast. I’m perfect for this and it went well, so hopefully I’ll get to the next round.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

How cool is this? So I’m at my night job; yeah, the one I work at night until the wee hours of the morning, and I see a recognizable face. I say “hello” and he returns in kind. It was the director of the Healthy Choice/Marie Callendar’s commercial I did in March ’10. Unfortunately, the spot didn’t/hasn’t run hardly at all as of yet, but I did recently get another holding fee so maybe there is still a chance.

It seems like that has been the story of my life of late in the commercial world – It goes like this: I book a commercial but it doesn’t run or it runs a tiny, tiny bit. What gives? And I always have confidence that “the next one” is the one that’s going to do great for me. I mean; there isn’t much I can do about it, but keep trying to book, stay grateful for every opportunity from my wonderful agents, be thankful that the best and busiest casting directors in this town still believe in me and my talent and hope for the best, but still…

I think what it is is that I’ve done roughly 35 commercials and most of the first 20-25 all ran and I made decent/good money on them and now I’m just in the natural “ebb of the ebb & flow of abundance”. That great thing about it is that since I’ve radically changed my relationship with money I’m not waiting for the checks and THAT is a great feeling.

Anyway, back to being at the night job. The director remembered me and we made a little small talk and he said he was working on a series of spots for a client with the same creative team and he’d love to work with me again. He then asked my last name, put it in his phone and along with my commercial agency. What better way to book an acting job than to have the director in your corner? Of course, I’m not banking on anything happening, but you never know. I feel that, in some cases, “who you know” is less important than “who knows you”. I sent a message to all of my commercial agents…mostly to let them know I’m still out here trying to make it happen for the team. I’m not waiting by the phone, but I really hope something comes of it.

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Audition/Tape: “Community” @ Dava Waite Casting. This is the same casting office the recently booked me on RAISING HOPE. That is what I consider a success because much of this business is about repeat business. Of course I want to book whatever job I’m currently auditioning for, but if I’m looking for a career in this crazy business I need to book the office. If I book the office I put myself in the position to book without even, in some cases, auditioning at all. They’ll call my agent, check my availability and make an offer. Anyway, this particular read went okay; not expecting to hear too much about it.

Audition: “Bank of America” @ Ross Lacy Casting. YES! This was one of the auditions I missed earlier in the week while I was shooting THE MENTALIST. I’m so glad I got another chance at this one. The session director was one of the guys that is great at his job of getting actors on the right track to doing well in the audition. I also make sure I play great attention to his explanation because he could be instrumental in whether I get a callback or not. The audition went great! Callbacks are next week…I think.

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Audition: “THE MIDDLE” @ G. Charles Wright Casting. This audition went really well. Evidently, my choice in the scene was something that the casting director ,G., hadn’t seen before. He laughed, had me do it again and then said, “That was funny, leave it just like that. I’m going to bring you to callbacks in an hour”. Cool!

Obviously, I was planning to do exactly as I was told in the callback, but I knew it was a big risk. It was a big risk because as I was in the room the scene started to make a little bit more sense than it did before…but not really. I couldn’t tell exactly what the character was doing. So, when I did the exact same thing for producers it didn’t play well…at all. The casting director, G., didn’t leave me hanging; he told the producers that he thought my take on it was funny and different. After that little slightly uncomfortable moment I was given a different direction that was completely different than what was on the page. I took the direction with no problem, but I have to say that I felt like the sides could have been MUCH clearer.

So, in the end, I felt like I didn’t show well to the producers. But I felt good about my standing with the office itself; I’m confidant that they will bring me back in the future. I just hate to have it go that way; especially for a SAG show. That’s cool; on to the next one.

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Shooting: “THE MENTALIST” @ Polsa Rosa Movie Ranch in Acton, CA – 46 miles from West Hollywood. It’s 6:45am Monday morning. I got off of work at the restaurant a little over an hour ago. I feel pretty good considering my workload of late. I’m taking a deep breath to focus on the day ahead…and the night too, because I’m scheduled at the restaurant tonight as well.

Oh yeah, I have two commercial auditions scheduled too.

Last night one of my fellow employees was telling me that I need to take time off when I book an acting job. I partially agree with him, but I largely believe that a tremendous part of my success comes from the fact that I’m willing to show up earlier than most, stay later than most and stand longer than most. It’s not the first time I’ve worked all night and travelled straight to the set for an acting job. It’s not easy and I don’t recommend it, but the entertainment business in general isn’t easy and I don’t really recommend it.

The drive to the location was beautiful with light traffic; it was also quite a bit colder than it was when I left WeHo (West Hollywood). I was prepared with layers of clothing to wear under my wardrobe to prevent frombeing a freezing mess. As soon as I arrived at crew parking a van drove me to base camp. I was shown to my small trailer that, thankfully, was warm & toasty and then headed right to make-up/hair. That, of course, only took a moment. I then headed back to my trailer to fill out my contract and was called to set for rehearsal.

Production equipment was everywhere! This was a really big scene that I had a very small part in and right after the first rehearsal things got…interesting. At least in my head they did. The star, $30 million dollar man, Simon Baker had a few opinions about a certain part of the scene. That part of the scene happened to be the part of the scene that my dialogue was in. I listened intently to his POV and understood where he was coming from and knew that if he got his way there would be no reason for me to say and/or do what I drove 46 miles after working all night to say and/or do…in the freezing cold. Yeah.

I wasn’t freaked out or anything because I really didn’t think they would change it. I felt, at minimum, they would shoot it as scripted and deal with it later. At any rate, it was cool to see how he felt about the work. After a while all that seemed to blow over and everything was back to normal.

The set was pretty cool; I was playing the part of a gold prospector. That felt a little weird at first, especially when I saw my fellow prospectors who were all background players. But I’m glad they chose me! Anyway, some of the background talent were real people that really prospect for gold! I learned a few things and they said that there was gold in the stream we were shooting at. For some reason that really got me excited.

Usually when I work I hang out with the background actors. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always done that. It was weird and a little embarrassing when I was told that I didn’t have to stand in between camera set ups…I had a stand-in that could/would do that for me. I just kind of laughed it off and introduced my self to him. I’m sure that will change when I start getting larger parts on a regular basis.

Around 11am I was released for lunch. That set up was at a slightly higher elevation where I hoped I could get cell phone reception. I was able to get a little bit of service and get the message that my commercial agency had successfully rescheduled my appointments for later in the day. At that point I felt there was a still a chance I’d be able to get there in time.

Back from lunch and my part of the big scenewas up. Up to this point I hadn’t spoken to the director, he had a zillion things going on, but he came over said “hello” and thanked me for being a part of it. Early on, when I first started doing this professionally, I always felt that they director should “say something” to me as an actor. I’ve learned that if they aren’t saying anything to me than it probably means I’m on the right track.

One tricky part was when I was dealing with a stuntwoman in the scene. I guess I expected a safety meeting or something because I had to push her into, what I thought, was a potentially dangerous situation. But, I guess they trusted me because I got nothing so I just used my best judgment and gave her a big hug after pushing her in the water both times.

After that I was finished for the day and, yes, I missed both of my commercial appointments. No, I wasn’t happy about it, but I can’t think of a better reason to miss them. After all I missed an audition for this very show just several weeks ago and got another crack at it.

Before leaving set I got to witness one of the real prospectors panning for gold AND he found some. I saw it with my own two eyes. It was very small; like very course black pepper, but gold in color of course. Simon was watching too and the gentleman said he was going to put in a vial and give it to him as a gift…just what the $30 million dollar man needs right!

Back to the trailer, out of wardrobe, sign out, inthe van, down the hill to my car and back to WeHo I go. For the life of me I can’t figure out where the energy comes from to keep me going sometimes, but I have to say that I made it through like a champ. I rushed home to try to get 2-2½ hours of sleep before going to work at the restaurant. Whew!

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I guess I’m still employed. I say that because production contacted me with my call time for Monday. It’s way out in Acton, about 50 miles away, where I shot the www.cars.com commercial in December ’09 for last years Super Bowl. I have to say that I made pretty good money on that for a commercial that very few people saw…and I didn’t even make the 30-second version. I was only in the 60-second one.

I’ve got a lot on my plate for the next several days, but I think I can handle it as long as I keep my head in the game. My schedule is this: I worked overnight last night (Thursday) and I’ll be doing the same Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights as well.

Here is where it gets interesting. I’ll get off work around 4:30-5:00am on Monday morning and I have a call time of 7:30am for THE MENTALIST 50 miles away in Acton, CA. I’ll need to be on the road around 6:15am to be on time. Some would take the evening off, but I’m planning to soldier through. I love that beautiful drive out there and I’m really looking forward to it. They say that there might be snow at that elevation.

So I’ll get to the location, shoot for as long as it takes and somehow, someway try to make it back in time to get seen for these commercial auditions I have scheduled for Monday afternoon as well. Looks doubtful, at best, but you better believe I’m going to try and fit it all in. All that, of course, before I go back to the night job that evening. I’m tired just thinking about it! But I have no doubt that I can do it…no doubt at all.

I have to be willing to do more than the average person if I want better than average results. And I can tell you that average results, in this business, is NOT where I can afford to be. Not with the lofty goals I have for 2011…and beyond.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Fitting: “THE MENTALIST” @ Warner Bros. studio. This was quick-fast; I was in and out. Can’t say I’m looking forward to seeing the person that fitted me on-set. He was “all-business”; not very warm…at least not to me. At least he didn’t stick any pins in me.

I gotta tell ya; I’m thrilled about the way this booking has come about. UDK Casting isn’t an office I get into very often so I feel quite fortunate when it does happen. But the really cool thing is that I had an appointment for THE MENTALIST back in November, but I had to cancel because I was already booked on the DEGREE commercial and the days would have conflicted if I booked. So here I am, just a matter of weeks later and I get another bite at the apple…and this time I booked the role! Gotta keep moving in this direction…and, at the same time, step up into more substantial roles.

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*Yeah! This morning I woke up to an email from my agent that officially booked me on THE MENTALIST. Nope, not as big a role as I would have liked, but a role nonetheless…and on a very successful show – one of, what I call, the “Blue-Chip” shows. Plus, I got a slight raise of my daily quote AND it’s SAG show. My fitting is tomorrow at Warner Bros. Studio.

Callback: “Lowe’s” @ Broad-Cast. This was fun and I felt really good about it. It doesn’t shoot for a couple of weeks so maybe I’ll hear something good soon. I know one thing is good, or rather great, is that this is an office that hadn’t been to in a really long time, but in the last few weeks I’ve gotten two callbacks there. That’s great.

Audition/Tape: “Torchwood” @ John Levey Casting. This went okay, I think; not great, not terrible.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Yesterday, right after I finished my scene at RAISING HOPE a gentleman came up to me with a script in his hand. I wasn’t sure what he wanted. It turned out the he was the writer of the episode and wanted me to autograph his personal copy of the script. I felt all special!

One more thing; I spoke to the ad agency for the DEGREE commercial in New York and they told me the release for the commercial is Monday January 17^th. The plan is for it to run on network and cable. Hopefully it will run in foreign territories as well.

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Shooting: RAISING HOPE – I actually went to sleep last night like a normal person. It’s often difficult for me to sleep because my schedule is so erratic, but last night was a great success. I made the 25 mile trip and arrived at the studio right on time at 6:15am. I checked in, got a breakfast sandwich, signed contracts and into my wardrobe. My trailer was one of the nicer ones I’ve been in flat screen TV, stereo system, L-shaped couch, desk, shower & full bathroom.

At 7am I was taken to the stage for rehearsal with the series regular and the other co-star. I was playing a guard in a jail so they had to prop me up with the accessory belt, radio, etc. When the prop master put the first belt on me he had a feeling it wouldn’t fit because the guards are “usually a bunch of fat guys”. I smiled to myself because when I went in to the audition I was thinking the same thing; “that I was too small and slight to be a guard in a jail”. Of course, I let that thought go and went in the room to do 3 lines of the best small/slight guard I could be…I guess it worked because there I was getting ready to shoot the role.

A moment later we were rehearsing. A got a little direction from the 1^st AD and we did it again a 2nd time; then were shooting. After the first take the director changed what the 1^st AD told instructed me to do and we did it again. To be honest with you, I don’t see how I’m going to be seen…maybe my feet - unless that was a super, duper wide-angle lens they were using.

Anyway, after that take the director came out and gave me a thumbs up! Wow, maybe they could see me. I don’t know, it felt like a voiceover. At 7:25 I was wrapped and finished for the day; other than my dialogue I never even spoke to the other co-star or the series regular Garrett Dillahunt . Not bad for a full day of pay.

I emailed all my agents to let them know that I was available for the rest of the day for any appointments that might come up. I made the 25-mile drive back and took a nap. When I woke up I got news that I was on avail for THE MENTALIST audition I went in for yesterday, also that I have a callback tomorrow for a commercial and that I left my wallet in my wardrobe at RAISING HOPE. So yes, you’re right, I made the 50-mile roundtrip drive to pick it up. All-in-all a great, productive day.

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Today was a great, first business day of 2011. I started out with hitting the gym before the sun came up. Then made the 50 mile round-trip to Chatsworth for my wardrobe fitting for RAISING HOPE. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made that same trip just to drop-off an unsolicited photo with the hope of getting an audition. I’ve also made the trip several times for an actual audition and, today, it felt great to make the trip again for a wardrobe fitting. Tomorrow will be even better because I will make the trip again to finally work on a job.

The fitting went very well; I was the only one there so it was 20 minutes over and out. It’s funny because on the way out I went a different way for a strategic reason, but then I thought if that reason materialized would I even recognize it. The reason is that I was hoping to see Dava Waite, the casting director. Funny enough, I don’t always get to see them in an audition or there is so much going on the room that it’s best to just focus on the work. Any way, as soon as I rounded the corner to exit through the lobby there stood Dava. It was perfect! She introduced herself to me, but I knew it was her. She’s such a nice lady and even apologized for me having to drive back out there tomorrow to shoot. I told her that I’d much rather be out there playing with them in the studio than much else tomorrow. I can’t wait!

Afterwards, I ran some errands and then got lost on the Warner Bros. lot on my way to the producer/director session for THE MENTALIST.

Audition/Producer/Director: “THE MENTALIST” @ UDK Casting. I took a little risk and used a few props and I think it worked for me. I felt really good about how it went and was on my way.

While I was trying to find the correct building I realized just how many times I’d been on the Warner Bros. studio lot during my time in Los Angeles and it made me feel great. But said a “OUCH!” to myself when I walked by the building where I had my wardrobe fitting for “Ocean’s Thirteen”…that I didn’t get to shoot…long story.

I’m exhausted, I’m going to sleep, I have ANOTHER 50-mile roundtrip to make for a 6:15am call. I’m thrilled! 2011 is off to a great start.

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Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a better celebration than I did last night. Mine was spent at work. That, in itself; wasn’t the problem, I volunteered to work. Even the revelers weren’t too out of control, except for the girl who I had removed from one of my tables before her insides came outside of her body and the Australian guy who I told that he would be escorted out of the establishment if he kept throwing the menus. That stuff I can usually deal with.

There were other things, which I won’t go into, that really upset me. My attitude was completely in the toilet. It was probably a fitting wake up call on the first day of the New Year. BUT I usually have a way of making lemonade of the lemons that are in front of me. Amidst the extreme frustration that I felt I learned something. I learned that my general attitude and drive (practically every other day of the year) is one of my greatest assets. Of course, I am aware of that in general, but periodically I think it’s good to see the contrast of a good, positive attitude in action. It showed me how rare it is that my attitude is that bad and for such a sustaining period of time. That rarely happens to me. There is no way I could be a functioning individual if last nights’ feeling was a regular occurrence. No way. I’d self-destruct. It was eye-opening and things have to change…and they are.

I’m looking to make some serious strides this year and really use my talent and drive. Mentally, artistically, financially, personally, even philanthropically and any other way I can be a positive force in this world.

I had a customer the other night say a few things to me that I could have easily taken the wrong way. One of which was that I was “lazy and wasting my time toiling around Los Angeles”. Of course he’s completely off the mark about me being lazy, but I think I understood the wasting my time part. He made a few other comments too. I looked deeper at where I think he was coming from and believe he was complimenting me in a roundabout way and telling me that I should be doing much greater things than what he sees me doing. It’s easy to say that to someone, but I believe that he thinks I have what it takes to be at “that level”. I think he’s right, in fact, I know he’s right. Relatively few are going to make a living in the entertainment business; he believes I’m one of them. He doesn’t know that I paid my bills solely through performing for 7 consecutive years. I’ve been there and I’ll get back there.

I also got my yearly review at work that, on the surface, I didn’t really agree with, but again you make lemonades out of lemons. The seemingly not so positives were taken, by me, as compliments for very different reasons. Yes, I value my employment at the night gig, but I didn’t move here to sling burgers. My dreams and aspirations are so much bigger than that. My drive is bigger than that. My talent is bigger than that. Everything about me is bigger than that…and eventually the results will be bigger than that. Actually, the results are already bigger than that.

I’m very proud of how I’ve parlayed the situation thus far. I’ve been employed there for more than 2 ½ years and I’ve called in sick a grand total of…zero times. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up the slack for other people for whatever reasons. I don’t have time to get sick and think that way of thinking keeps those ailments to a bare minimum. It’s cool; I’m used to it. It’s rare that I meet people that are willing to stand longer than myself. You’ve gotta put in the work; you’ve gotta show up.

The numbers are in and I must say that 2010 was a very successful year. No, I didn’t book as many jobs as I had hoped, but my life isn’t only about booking jobs. Overall, I definitely moved the ship forward. I think part of making things happen in the entertainment business is simply not giving up your place in line. I’m definitely holding my spot. I feel that, at any moment, things can really jump to another level for me in my acting career. I expect it.

I did well in 2010 and I got a few key things on my plate for 2011. I’ve gotta stay focused, dedicated and keep my eye on the bigger picture. I can’t get too rattled by things that don’t really matter in the scheme of where I’m going. Let’s do it!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Chevy/SUV” @ Craig Colvin Casting. This was a surprising, same-day call. I wasn’t expecting any appointment during this week, but hey, I’m town and I’ll take it. I had a great time! No sides or anything; just a personality interview with two other actors. Hopefully, I’ll get to callbacks and finally book something at this office.

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We lost a legend today. R&B singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, etc. Teena Marie passed away today at the age of 54. As some of my close friends know she was one of my most favorite performers. 54? That’s just way too young.

Back on June 29^th 2002 one of my dearest friends, Genine, surprised me for my birthday while I was in New York. I didn’t know what the surprise was, but she needed to stop and get tickets for it at the venue. The venue was BB Kings on 42^nd St. so I waited in the car, double parked, on the busy street while Genine went inside. I had traveled up to the NYC from my Summer vacation in Virginia Beach and very vaguely knew that Teena was on the road. I thought to myself, “Maybe this is where she’s performing”.

Right as Genine was getting out of the car a limousine pulled in front of me. I knew there was no way that it was Lady Tee herself, but I reached for my camera just in case. I couldn’t believe my eyes; it was Teena coming in for a sound check. I eagerly leaped out of the car and Genine snapped this shot of the two of us. Thanks Genine for one of the best birthdays ever for me. Teena, thanks for the 10.6 hours, 1.11GB adding up to 123 songs on my hard drive. R.I.P.

Me & Teena Marie/New York

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Happy Holidays! I hope everybody had or is having a great holiday season. I worked last night; of course it was pretty slow in the restaurant. I think I get more tired when it’s slow than when it’s busy because I was completely exhausted today. I just didn’t feel like getting out of bed…so I didn’t; until my younger brother called and we discussed things we plan to do in the near and distant future.

That conversation gave me a serious boost of energy and I decided to get out of bed and go skiing at Mountain High, the closet ski resort. They have night skiing so I figured I’d go get a few hours in on the slopes. I think I underestimated how cold it was going to be; I was freezing! But it was a blast at the same time. Until I finished and was packing up! It had started snowing pretty heavily; at least for me. I must admit that I was a nervous wreck driving down the mountain in my little Honda. I refused to be a statistic and get into a fender bender…or worse. THAT was NOT how my quiet and potential depressing Christmas was going to end up. I saw cars on the way down the hill that didn’t have such great luck in getting out of there without running into something, but fortunately, I made it unscathed.

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Callback: “Capital One” @ ASG Casting. This went fine; I think the director might have had a long day by the time I got there or maybe it was the rain. It wasn’t bad though. I have to say that I think it’s a long shot for me to be placed on avail or book. Why? Well, because in this particular spot I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s going to be a Caucasian actor to book the role. If they cast me, a black actor, they would probably cast a black wife and kid to go along with that. Of course that can happen, but I would think that they would already know if it’s going to be a black family…of course there is option that it could be a mixed family. Again, what I think doesn’t matter, but it was great to have a callback. It gives my agents & casting the continued signal that I have the goods for the big stage.

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Audition: “Lowe’s” @ broad-cast. This was a ton of interesting fun! I had a great fellow performer in my “wife” and we connected really well. I expect both of us to be at callbacks.

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Yes, it’s official! I’m booked in the role on RAISING HOPE. It’s a smaller co-star credit…the kind I’d really like to move on from, but at the same time it’s great to be on set and get a current show credit on the resume. Plus, I expect to have a great time. The part that I’m truly conflicted about is that is an AFTRA show. I’m not sure if I’ll have to join that union before working, but I sure wish it was a SAG show. Oh well, if I have to join, and I will eventually, I’ll try to make the best of it.

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After a very restful night of sleep I was awoken with a call from one of my theatrical agents. The news was that Greg Garcia, Creator/Executive Producer of RAISING HOPE, MY NAME IS EARL & YES, DEAR viewed my tape from yesterday and wants me to read for another, larger role, today @ 2:15; this time at Paramount Studios. That is great news!

After downloading the 6 pages of material, doing more research in trying to see who this character is interacting with in the script and just before getting my video camera set up...I got ANOTHER call from my agent saying that Greg had already made a choice with a different actor and that my appointment had been cancelled. Ouch!

It’s not at all a lost because I’m very happy that after viewing my tape he saw the potential to use my talent in a more substantial way. My agent also informed me that I am still on avail for the role that I read for yesterday and I should be officially booked by the end of the week.

Audition: “Best Buy” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was great, especially because, Marvin, the session director makes me so nervous. Not bad nervous, just nervous nervous because he’s so good at his job and I don’t want to look unprofessional when I read, especially for him. So it was a good time for myself and my partner and hopefully Marvin too.

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Busy day on tap, but I think I can handle it.

I am scheduled today, noon – 4pm, for some training for my night job, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to make it. Just more proof of why working days or evenings for a supplemental income gig probably wouldn’t work out for me.

Audition: “Capital One” @ ASG Casting. I’m getting better with knowing my dialogue, which is a good thing because it enables me to be much more free in the performance. This went really well.

Audition/Producers/Tape: “Raising Hope” @ Dava Waite Casting. Not sure how right I feel I am for this one, but I’m going to give these few lines all I have to give. I went in a few months ago for this show and am glad they have invited me back to make the 50-mile round trip drive to audition for another part. Actually, I like making the drive. I’ve done it numerous times; usually just to drop a photo, with the hope of getting an appointment. So to actually get an appointment is a victory for me.

The audition goes well…I think. It’s hard to tell, but I guess…time will tell. Next!

Audition: “Starburst” @ Joe Blake Casting. This was a complete blast! I had a great time with my partner, Mike, and the session director. Funny guys, funny spot.

While I was walking back to my car I got the call from my agent that I am, “On Hold” for “RAISING HOPE”! Of course I’m not actually “On Hold” because that would mean that compensation is involved and there isn’t, which means, more accurately, that I’m “On Avail/Watch & Advise”. Yeah! The dates to clear are January 3^rd – 7^th. I’m assuming it’s just one of those days. Cool. I’m not even that upset that accepting the job would force me to join AFTRA…don’t get me started on that.

Audition: “Shake It Up” @ Howard Meltzer Casting. I felt good about how this pre-read went. It’s a multi-camera show and I love to be on it. I guess a callback is the next step since there wasn’t a camera present.

Again, when I was walking back to my car, I received another call from my theatrical agency. This time it was a Producer/Director session for THE MENTALIST. This is especially great news because I had to cancel the appointment I had with them last month because it conflicted with the shooting of the DEGREE commercial.

This was a busy, busy day and one of the main reasons why I moved to Hollywood. I’m following my dream; yes, I am.

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Wow, I haven’t had an appointment for over a week, but I have one today. This was 2 different spots with quite a bit of dialogue and I left feeling pretty good about both of them. I call that a victory!

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I got off work this morning and just before jumping in the bed to get some rest I got the news that a friend, actress Chane’t Johnson, had died of a heart attack at the young age of 34. Needless to say I was speechless.

I remember, years ago, when she first arrived in Los Angeles to take on this world of Hollywood. We attended casting director workshops together at Actorsite. Not only was it immediately evident that she was incredibly talented and dedicated, but she was also a sweetheart with a warmth about her that was the size of her home state of Texas.

Chane’t didn’t waste any time letting the industry know that she had arrived. She started amassing TV credits right away. I remember her first one on The Division back in 2002. Many, many more followed. We lost a great one in losing her…she really cared about people. Rest in Peace Chane’t.

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Callback: “TidyCat” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Hmm…not so much. I didn’t feel too much of a connection on this one. They even had a real cat to see how the actor would interact with the feline. That interaction ith the cat went better than the actual audition. Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t a terrible showing. I just felt kind of “neither here nor there”. BUT I’m smart enough to know that what I think doesn’t really matter. So who knows, maybe I’ll get some good news.

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Audition: “Well’s Fargo” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one was quick-fast and went great with a great partner.

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Audition: “TidyCat” @ Ross Lacy Casting. I think I did well in this audition involving a little gymnastics with two vacuum cleaners.

Audition/Tape: “Untitled Teen Action Comedy” aka “Spiderman 4”@ Francine Maisler Casting. This was the kind of role that I’m perfect for AND it went well. Big film, big casting office and I hope I book it.

Audition: “Staples” @ Shane Casting. This same-day call went really well also. Hope to see them at callbacks!

Audition: “The Killing” @ Junie Lowry-Johnson Casting. Another really big, important office and a hot project. I had to do an accent for this one, but it was very little dialogue. I think I did pretty well.

That was a great busy day in the field and it all worked out perfect!

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Callback: “AT&T” @ broad-cast. Looks like my hunch was right in that I would get a callback. The callbacks were held at a different studio than the first audition and, of course, I forgot and went to the original place. I made it to the correct address in time and I think it went okay. Not great, not bad. The director was on a monitor in New York or Chicago I think. Anyway, it was great to get to the next round again, but I’d LOVE to book something before the year is out.

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Audition: “AT&T” @ broad-cast casting. Hmm…this one was a little confusing because I often over think things that are very simple for most people. I’ve tried to get a handle on that, but I don’t think it’s working. Anyway, the session director gave me direction, I promptly made it confusing, but I still think, for some odd reason, I have a good chance at getting to callbacks.

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Today I shot more photos with Hazel Dean. I think we underestimated how cool and windy it was outside. It definitely made it much more difficult to shoot while we were just trying to keep warm and not blow away. Even still, I think we captured a few interesting shots.

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WAKE UP! I worked last night from 9:30pm until 5:45 this morning, got in bed at 6:15am and awoke 15 minutes later @ 6:30 to get showered and drive to downtown LA to be on-set for my 8am call time. If nothing else, I’m dedicated…

Shooting: National Network commercial for DEGREE with Bear Grylls. I arrived downtown at the location, checked in, got reacquainted with my fellows actors from the fitting a few days ago, jumped into my wardrobe and checked in with the producers and the directing team – The Perlorian Brothers. About 30 minutes after arrived, I have to say, that a strange feeling came over me. Why? Well, I’m a true fan of his show(s), Bear Grylls’ show, and I think he does thingsthat take incredible resolve, faith, skills, etc. Plus, even though, at this point, I hadn’t spoken to him directly he seemed like a super-nice guy…I’m a complete sucker for nice people.

I walked to set to watch them shoot a scene I wasn’t in and to get final approval for my wardrobe. Shortly after that the whole cast and crew drove a short distance to another location where I was to be working. While we were assembling for a rehearsal Bear came over to introduce himself to us. And yes, it’s confirmed, Bear Grylls is one of the nicest, most sincere, people I’ve ever met.

I have to say up that until immediately before the first rehearsal myself and the other actors had no idea what we were doing – nothing. Right before “ACTION!” the producer gave us the instructions of what he wanted. Of course, we did numerous takes and variations of what they were looking for. Something that was, I think, a great sign was that we were rotating 3 different versions of the same product for different territories around the world. Hopefully, that means that there are big plans for this campaign. Shortly afterwards we broke for lunch.

Bear, who definitely could have gone back to his large motor home, opted to, instead, dine with myself and the other actors. I have to say that it was weird to see him eat normal food…on a plate. You have to remember that, prior to this, I’d only seen him eat on his show, MAN vs WILD. On there he eats things like raw, live fish, snakes, caterpillars, etc! I kept thinking that it was probably boring to him to eat like the rest of us. I actually told him that I didn’t think that he ever got cold or uncomfortable in any type of conditions, but there he was; looking for a jacket like the rest of us, “I need a fleece mate!” He said. Great guy and I’m in complete awe of his knowledge and talent as an adventureman.

After lunch we changed into our underwear to brave the chilly temperatures, fake snow…and the freakin’ fog machine…the fog machine! The fog machine about put me down for the count. We finished up and heard, “It’s a wrap on our test subjects!” and got a big applause from the crew. One of the directors, the Perlorian brothers’, approached me to get my email address to make sure I got a copy of the finished product. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before. With that, I headed back to my tiny room in the trailer to change, return my wardrobe and I was on my way….On my way where? Home. To, hopefully take a nap before going back to my other job. BUT as soon I got almost all of the way home from downtown I realized that I had forgotten to get my wristwatch back fromthe wardrobe assistant. Ahh! So I called to make sure they were still there and drove all the way back downtown to retrieve it. That silly move cost me at least an hour of precious time in my lovely, ultra plush, queen-sized bed with 600 thread-count sheets. Believe it or not, 2-hours later I was due back at my night job. Hey, you gotta do watcha gotta do.

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Audition: “Turbo Tax” @ Ross Lacy Casting. I had to get rescheduled for this because the original it was during the fitting for DEGREE; fortunately it worked out. The audition went really well and my fingers are crossed for a callback! The fitting was cool too and I’m looking forward to a great shoot.

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Good news! It seems that the DEGREE people haven’t changed their mind about me. The talent coordinator and the people from wardrobe have called to set me up for a fitting tomorrow.

I say that because booking the job is only a step to actually getting to shoot the job. I have had that very thing happen on 3 different occasions for 3 different reasons. One was a commercial and two were studios films. Even though it was painful at the time it happened; I look at it as a success in my career. I believe that the more jobs one books, the more likely those things are to occur. It’s earning my strips in the business. So on to the Santa Monica fitting I will go.

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Today I participated in another student script reading project at West Adams High School. These kids wrote some really great stuff and, myself and the other performing had a great time reading it.

In other, great, fitting news on a Monday morning was a call from Alicia, one of my commercial agents. I don’t usually talk directly to my agents unless I stop by the office or its something real important. Most correspondence is through email with the wonderful assistants – Megan & Ariel.

So, the fact that it was a Alicia’s voice get me the feeling that great news was on the horizon. Sure enough, the news was that I booked the DEGREE commercial! I was so happy to get the news. The project run is National network, cable, internet & syndication.

In the “ebb & flow, comes & goes” column I was scheduled to go to producers for THE MENTALIST tomorrow, but it shoots the same day as the commercial. Oh well, I can’t think of a better reason for that to happen. Hopefully, they’ll bring me in on something else and another fitting, deserving actor will get my audition time. The timing of this might be perfect for earning my SAG Pension credit and qualifying for SAG medical insurance for next year. Plus, this commercial looks to be a lot of fun!

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Callback: “Degree” @ Spot Casting. Yes! Callback for DEGREE! I think it went well. On to the next step.

Audition/Tape: “Mad Love” @ CFB Casting. This was a same day call for a few lines on this new CBS multi-camera comedy. My agent wasn’t sure if I would agree to go in on it and told me that she would support whatever I wanted to do. Even though I would much rather go in on something more substantial I’m more than happy to go in on this. So in I went.

When I arrived at the casting office I was told that the sides had changed so I spent 10 minutes or so working on the changes. I think it went pretty good after asking for a rehearsal, but I could tell that I hadn’t read for a multi-camera sitcom in a while. It’s definitely different than single-camera and it’s good that I recognized that.

Good news! My agency called to inform me that I’m on avail for the DEGREE commercial. It seems like forever since I’ve been on avail for anything.

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Today I went to a photography workshop that was conducted at UCLA and it was great…and at a great price. It was valued at $450, but I found it on Groupon for $59 AND I actually learned some things about my camera. It was a great, productive and long day. I even booked out with my agents for it.

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Audition: “US Bank” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Good audition and for another session director that I usually feel pressure to do well for…I think I accomplished that.

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This afternoon I took a surfing lesson in Santa Monica that I found on Groupon. Although I had issue with the business practices of the company with changes the terms of the deal I had a good time. It was a great couple of hours of vigorous activity…I might do it again.

My agency called with an appointment for THE MENTALIST for next week…almost a week in advance. Cool.

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Audition/Tape: “Law & Order: Los Angeles” @ Megan Branman Casting. I felt good about this one; it’ll probably be cast from tape. It is the type of role that I go in for quite often.

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Callback: “Xerox” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was another callback with director David Shane who I booked the KY BRAND commercial through. He wasn’t in the room with us, but on the video monitor in New York. I think it went okay; he is so SO specific in what he wants from actors and very nice at the same time. Glad he continues to bring me to callbacks as I hope to work with him again in the near future.

Audition: “Degree” @ Spot Casting. Great audition; fun spot. I would LOVE to book this one. For some reason I think it might be for the Super Bowl, but I don’t know…and it doesn’t matter. I’d just like to get called back at this point.

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