Audition: “Ameriprise” @ Jeff Rosenman Casting. This was fun; I had a great time working with my partner.

Audition: “Southwest Airlines” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Take two…another fun one.

It seems like I’ve had dentist appointments every other day for the last month or so. It’s kind of funny because this latest temporary partial that’s in my mouth is SO bright I’m afraid to smile, LOL! I feel like I have batteries in my mouth it’s so white and bright. It’ll be in there for about a week until the permanent one is finished…I’m really looking forward to that; not the needles, but that part of the process.

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Life on the Sunset Strip…

Him: (through his Swedish accent) What iz thz...Bud Light?

Server:...it's beer, light beer.

Him: (blank stare) uh... (unintelligible....)

Server: it's...great taste, less filling. (the server laughed to himself; he made a funny.)

Him: I don't know.

Server: It's... it's diet beer.


Him: Oh! Nice, I have one...

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http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition “AT&T” @ Jane Doe Casting. Now THIS was an experience…a family experience. A fake acting family experience…well sort of. I’ll explain. In the spot I was to be the father of a 7-year old boy, the lead in the spot. I also had a 10-year old daughter and a wife. As expected there was a little bit of confusion in matching up the families.

I was there for a long time, which wasn’t a problem for me since I didn’t have anywhere else to be…’cept maybe home catching up on sleep. Do you ever really catch up on sleep? I’m starting to doubt it.

Anyway, after about 30 minutes I was matched with a family. I got a “son” who was “full of personality”. Did I say “full of personality”? On a scale of 10, he was a 50! But a great, active kid. I really like kids so we immediately hit it off. Then I got a daughter who was a little older, very active too with a lot to say. Of course, she fit right in with the two of us. We didn’t yet have a mom.

After another moment “my kids” and I were matched with a “mom” who also had a daughter that was there to audition. This mom had another daughter, about 4-5 years-old and a toddler that she was holding. The woman from the casting office that was putting the group together then looked us over and said, “hmm, that should work, it’s fine if you all go in together”. I think she meant that the real mom, would be my “acting wife” and I would have two acting daughters and the other two children would just be in the room.

I don’t think the “real mom” understood it that way. The real mom, to me, didn’t seem like she was there to audition. Her body language said to me that she was just bringing her actor-daughter to audition and had her two other children with her…but I wasn’t sure.

So they took us back where the audition rooms were…very small area and lots of people. You can imagine what that was like. Lots of rambunctious kids AND me playing HIDE ‘N’ SEEK. Hey, I never said I wasn’t part of the problem.

My “second actor daughter” was much more introverted and stayed close to her mother and two sisters. At this point, I really began to believe that the mom didn’t realize that the woman from the casting office meant for her to audition as my “wife”, the “mom” in the spot. So we get in the room and prepare to slate. The session runner had had a long day with many changes from the ad agency/production company and as a result his patience was a little…short.

The moment of truth.

I stood, preparing to slate, with my son and two daughters and the real mom sat on the couch, not on camera, with her other two daughters. The session runner pauses and asks; “alright, who is here to audition??” The mom, after glancing at us, quickly answers, “Not me”. I explained to the session runner how the confusion happened, but he needed a mom ASAP and convinced the real mom to be a commercial mom.

She put her toddler down and joined us on camera. I could tell she was really nervous, but she did fine with the slate and questions. Her other two children, still sitting on the couch started laughing and we couldn’t figure out why. Bingo! There was a monitor behind and above our heads that the kids were viewing. They could tell mommy was a nervous and thought it was funny.

Back to my “extremely active” 7 year-old son. I was curious as to whether he would be able to focus when it came time for the camera to roll. Let me tell you that kid was perfect. Focused, professional, interesting and full of personality. Maybe our connection will be my key to a callback.

==

Life on the Sunset Strip…

Observations: Table of 9 women. They order 7 sandwiches...all with french fries...didn't even ask about salads. No way they were from Hollywood. Nice women.

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http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “Cottonelle” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. Yay! Ironically, this was the first audition I had after getting my new temporary smile. I was able, for the first time, to smile on camera without being terrified with how I looked. Hopefully, the result of all of this dental work pain & cost will result in my having more confidence in many areas of my life.

The callback was a lot of fun and went very well. I think there is another round of callbacks tomorrow so, hopefully, I’ll make it to the next step in the process.

==

Life on the Sunset Strip…

Her: Do you have Fanta Orange?

Server: Sorry, we don't.

Her: Is that girl sleeping in the box behind the front desk?

Server: No, she resting; it's a fish tank. It's hard to tell 'cause they just cleaned it.


Her: REALLY??


Server: No. I like you. You're gullible.

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http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Untitled Courtroom Comedy” @ Pamela Azmi-Andrew Casting. This half-hour show stars Cedric The Entertainer as the judge; I was reading for the series regular role of the Bailiff.

This was funny and caught me off guard…again. An actor, a guy who I see at auditions, not ALL the time, but often enough. A while back he stopped me at an audition and wanted to let me how much he enjoyed the WaMu commercial I did some years ago. He even introduced me to his children as the guy in that funny dancing commercial. So today when I saw him he greeted me with laughter about the current DEGREE commercial I have running. The funny thing is that I usually feel as though I haven’t worked since….forever. But he seems to think I’m hilarious and I do hilarious commercials. LOL! aka LAUGHING OUT LOUD! I don’t know; it just strikes me as funny because, in my mind, I haven’t booked much of anything and definitely not anything that anyone has seen and would remember. Weird.

Back to the audition. I don’t know how it went; I know I wasn’t in the room as long as the other guys before me…who knows if that means anything. I didn’t feel like I was pulling the CD’s attention in the beginning, but there was a few times where I felt here presence and she was making some notes. We’ll see.

Back to the dentist. Great fun. Today I was scheduled to get some new measurements of my bite so that all of my teeth will come together properly when the permanent work is finished at the labratory. This, as I have found, is VERY important. How do I know? Because for the last 3 weeks I’ve been wearing temporary things in my mouth that do not match up correctly; therefore I cannot fully chew my food. Let me tell you…it sucks.

Lots of Novocain and lots of discomfort. 2-3 more weeks of this and I should be back on the road to normalcy with a new smile.

A few hours after I got home the temporary came loose again! ARGH!!! Well, it’s okay. I’m scheduled to meet the dentist tomorrow anyway, this time at the laboratory to talk to the people who are actually building my new smile. She’ll re-cement the temp back in for me then.

==

Life on the Sunset Strip…

Him: Are you all really open 94/7?

Server: No. 24/7.


Him: Oh.


Server: That is not a door sir. Sir...

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Time-Warner Cable” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Ah! Fun, fun! I had a great time in this one with a great group of performers. I hope I get a callback!

Audition: “Orbit” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was fun as well. My “wife” was cool to work with.

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Life on the Sunset Strip…

Server: Sir, I promise that if you remove your cool-ass, darker than dark sunglasses you will have a better chance at reading the menu. HOWEVER I do NOT promise that you will be able to fly if you remove your cape.



Him: ....

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Guess what I have today? Not one, but TWO auditions! It’s been two whole weeks since the last one; which was probably great timing considering my time in the dentist chair of late.

Audition: “Cottonelle” @ Francene Selkirk Casting. This was fun; I got to read with my friend, Skyy John. I’ve known Skyy for several years from being on the audition circuit and casting director workshops. We are both with the same commercial agency, KSR.

Audition: “Sonic” @ Spot Casting. Ehh…this was okay. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Life on the Sunset Strip…

Server: (in a whisper)...is that sign language?

Other server: …not only is that sign language; it's foreign sign language...

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http://www.stephonfuller.com

Oh no! Back in the dentist chair for too many hours and too much discomfort. I had so much Novocain today that my nose was numb. At least I’m not scheduled to work tonight. I feel like crap…and I have to go back to the dreaded dentist chair tomorrow. I’m not even sure why; I just show up and swipe my debit card. I’ll just be glad when it’s all over…so will my bank account. Ouch!

==

Life on the Sunset Strip…

Server: Have you seen the girl that was wearing that bra that is on the seat in table 2?



Other server: Nope.



Server: hmm…I'll check under the table...

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I feel like crap! Completely terrible. I had two root canals this afternoon and the Novocain is wearing off…plus, I’m scheduled to work in a few hours. This is going to be interesting. Maybe it’s good that I haven’t had an audition in a week.

==

Life on The Sunset Strip…

Server: Yes, this is a computer.

Her: Really?

Server: But it’s only for ordering burgers, fries, mojitos…stuff like. I can’t google what strip clubs are still open…


Her: Oh…

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Hey Mr. Postman? Thanks for stopping by and delivering those magical envelopes. Yes! A few days ago I received the first checks for the DEGREE commercial and they were for more than I expected. The first thing I did afterwards was to call my dentist and set up an appointment to begin the major dental work I’ve been talking about forever.

Last night I had my first grilled cheese sandwich and my first Valium. The sandwich was great. The Valium didn't seem to do much to me. Next up - Jack & Coke...and maybe, I'll give the Valium another chance.

Actually, I took the Valium in preparation for the procedures that were to take place in the dental chair.

I was in the dental chair from 7:15am until almost 2:00pm. Yeah, just shy of 7 hours. Lots of drilling, Novocain and the great news that I need to get 2 unexpected root canals tomorrow. I need another commercial on the air…and soon to pay for all of this.

The dentist left temporary “things” in my mouth which left my smile in much better shape than it was before, but hopefully the permanent one will look even nicer. It better.

==

Life on The Sunset Strip…

I'd never actually seen anyone get their car repossessed before. I lost my appetite...and I wasn't even eating. I felt so bad…

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

One thousand ninety-five days ago, 3 years to be exact, was MAY 21^st 2008. The day I returned to the world of having a day job…actually a night job. Correction, overnight job – there is a huge difference in between a night job and an overnight job. Don’t ask how I know…

3 years. Wow. Geez. What to say, what to say? I don’t know. Well, one thing I do know is that I’m very happy with most of how I’m handling it. I would also like for it to be over. Easier said than done. I’m making it work for the time being; better than I could have imagined. But I’d rather be on location…or in too many other places to name. But again, I’m making lemonades out of the lemons that are in front of me.

Happy anniversary…

==

Life on The Sunset Strip…

Ladies, if you and your girlfriend are out having dinner and one of the two men hangs back and steals the cash tip off of the table...he doesn't get a second date. Nope, it's time to move on to another fish in the sea.

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I attended the SAG/AFTRA One Union Meeting thingy last night. Geez, I don’t know what to think. I do know that we have to come together as performers if we are going to continue to be able make any kind of living as actors. I hope it happens, but in the right way. So much of it is over my head that I don’t even know what the right way is. I have 12 SAG pension credits that I don’t want to see marginalized. I earned them!

Audition/Tape “Dexter” @ UDK Casting. I was really happy with how this one went. A DEXTER booking would be perfect right about now…and it’s a SAG and not AFTRA show!

Audition: “Sonic” @ Joe Blake Casting. Another good one in the can.

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Life on The Sunset Strip…

Server (to self): you sat at the bar for 4 hours and I'm still having trouble believing you are a man...wow.

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http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Walmart” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Not so sure about how this one went, hopefully the third take was the charm. I was working with an 8 year-old girl and she was great, but it’s always a little weird about getting to close to them in the room…especially a little girl. So, as a result, I ended up “acting” a lot. By the third take I decided to go for it and treat her like I was really her dad and touch/tickle her. It worked, but I hope the cops don’t come after me.

==

Life on The Sunset Strip…

Johnny Depp? Taller than me. Dave Chappelle? Taller than me. Hulk Hogan's Ex? Taller than me. The chick in my profile pic? Taller than me. Bud Bundy? NOT taller than me!

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

My new commercial agent, Jamie, at KSR called yesterday to request a “get to know ya” meeting and it went great. My two other longtime commercial agents, Alicia & Brooke, sat in on the meeting as well. Jamie and myself are already big fans of each other! I plan to make her proud and happy to represent me.

Audition: “Chili’s” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This went well enough…they should callback and cast me.

==

Life on The Sunset Strip...

Server: Sir, I’m sorry, but we don’t accept cigarettes as payment…even American Spirit Yellows.

Him: That so weird…

Server: How would you like to pay?

Him: ...this is weird.

Server: I agree…

==

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Over the weekend I went to Atlanta, Georgia; and Montgomery/Tuskegee, Alabama for my nephew, Trey’s, college graduation at Tuskegee University. His sister, my niece, Candace, flew in from Minnesota to attend as well.

Trey didn’t know I was going to be there so it was great to surprise him. It was important to show support for what he and his sister are doing…being responsible, young citizens that are great additions to society. Sometimes I think my support can be a bit overbearing, but I just REALLY want to be a part of making things better. I also think I’m trying to compensate for the support I didn’t get as a younger person. Being on the college campus made me wonder where I would be today if I had any type of guidance as a younger adult. I think it would have made a big difference…a huge difference in fact.

For the first time in who knows how many years I rented a car while away. I ended up with a Ford Fusion and loved it. It really made me want a new/newer car…and soon; sooner than before. I’ve already started saving for it, but I will be financially patient. The goal is to save up and pay cash for it…or mostly cash. I figure this will happen in about 3 years; at that point my car will be 16 years old. It could happen sooner though.

I had a great weekend that was a wonderful change of pace in getting to see a different part of the country. I should do it more often.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

OUCH! I made a big boo-boo today. I, mistakenly, entered one of my auditions in my calendar as “1:15pm” instead of “11:15pm”. So, when I arrived in Valley Village at 1:15…I was 2 hours late. Fortunately, they were just on a break so I could go back later to be seen, but I had another audition all the way in Santa Monica. No one to blame but me. Let’s go!

I was happy to see that traffic flowed in my favor in getting to Santa Monica, but that is where time stopped. The audition took…forever.

Audition: “Xerox/Virgin” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. The copy for this audition was wall-to-wall. It was full page of dialogue and THAT is what was taking so long. Also, Marvin, the session director is very patient and helpful in getting great performances out of the auditioning actor. I was very happy with how it went.

In a jiffy I was back in the car and racing back to Valley Village in rush hour traffic.

Audition/Tape: “Spring/Fall” @ UDK Casting. I barely, barely made it there in time and…it went okay. Yeah, just okay. The casting director was impressed with my resume and the directors I’ve worked with. That put a smile on my face. I thought it was funny that the actor auditioning right before used to play for the Los Angeles Lakers!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/producers: “The Protectors” @ Billik/Wood Casting. I was very happy with how this one went. I was pretty much off book, felt the beats in the scene and knew what I wanted to accomplish. This was kinda funny. After I parked on the street at Culver Studios I paid the meter and was walking towards the lot. I noticed a Black, late model Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG. As I got closer I could see that an actor, sitting in the drivers seat was going over the same sides as I was…and I recognized the actor. I didn’t know him personally; I know him from TV & Films. I thought to myself; “Wow, how is this guy going in for the same 3-4 page scene I’m going in for.” I could’ve easily believed he’d would’ve been “offer-only” on a role like that. So I went through the gate, found the casting office and signed in. A few minutes later he came in. He wasn’t tripping or acting like he didn’t want to be there. I could have taken it like “Why am I going up against this guy?” or “Hey, I’m glad to be the company of an actor that has been working for years at a higher level than myself”. I chose the latter. At the end of the day I’m going to go in the room and do my thing and whatever happens after that…happens.

The audition went really well with exceptions of flubbing a few lines at the very end. They seemed pleased, said “thank you” and were finished with me, but I wanted another crack at it. I wanted a cleaner take…and I asked for it. I saw the casting directors face, Jason, and I think he was a little surprised, but accommodating. They obliged and let me do it again. Of course, this time, I HAD to nail it or I wasted their time. I cleaned it up and was very happy that I asked for the second chance. I’m not sure the 2^nd take was taped, but I didn’t want to drive home feeling that I should have spoken up in the room. The people that consistently work aren’t afraid to take charge in the room. I took charge in the room…of my 3-5 minutes.

As I was leaving the lot I ran into one of the actors, Tisha Campbell-Martin, that are in the scene that I had just auditioned for. I spoke to her briefly telling her that I’ve been a fan of hers for years and hope that I get to work with her on the show. Actually, I did kinda work with her, years ago, in my capacity as a reader for Casting Director Debra Zane. Great memory!

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I stopped by my commercial agency today to say “hello’s, goodbye & thank you’s”. There have been several changes with assistants and one of my 3 agents has left the agency. Nothing alarming; just people moving on with their careers. I always like to stop by and thank them for all of the work they’ve put in to help me in my career. Why wouldn’t I say thank you? I mean these people really try to make my life easier by securing me opportunities to work as an actor. “They” have done a great job; I need to do a better job of turning those opportunities into bookings. Truthfully, I feel that they get me enough chances/auditions to where I really shouldn’t need a survival job. I HAVE to do better.

Speaking of “survival job” I’m continually thrilled with the success that I’m having at getting some of my co-workers to take a closer look at their personal finances. I’m loving it! Truth be told; I’m amazed that it’s actually working. A co-worker texted me last week to share the news that she had finally opened a Roth IRA account and put auto, bi-monthly contributions in place. I had been urging her to do it for at least 4 months. That news made my day.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “CLOO” Promo @ Joe Blake Casting. This was a great victory for me. Wall-to-wall copy for my character and I nailed it! I had a great time with a great partner.

Audition: “Lottery Monopoly” @ Carolyne Barry Casting. I studied with Carolyne about 5 years ago and I thought she was a great, no non-sense teacher. I went to her to help me increase my callback ratio. I’ve always felt that my callback ratio was on the lower side, BUT if I did get to the callback level my booking ratio was higher. So my brilliant plan was to try to increase my callback ratio and, hopefully, that would lead to more bookings. Funny enough, my callback ratio DID increase, but my booking ratio seemed to decline. I’m not sure why, more than anything I think it was/is just the ebb and flow of the business.

Anyway, the audition went okay. I did the first take; got a lot of direction from Carolyne and on the second take did exactly as instructed. I was happy with my redirect. I don’t think Carolyne remembered me as a former student, but that’s okay. It shoots in Detroit next week, I don’t know when callbacks are.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I’d been asleep for about 30 minutes when my commercial agency called this morning with a last minute audition for this afternoon. It’s been a little quiet lately audition-wise so this was a welcome addition to my morning.

Yesterday was the day that the DEGREE commercial starring Bear Grylls was supposed to start airing. I figured that if it did start airing I would hear about it in some form or fashion.  Nothing. Crickets.  I mean it could be running, but I haven't heard anything. I’ve had terrible luck in the last several years when it comes to commercial that I’ve filmed. For some reason they just haven’t aired like I would’ve hoped. Don’t get me wrong it’s great to book and shoot them, but I’m also trying to make a living here, LOL!

I have to put it behind me, because, if not, it’s going to drive me crazy. The thing is that I’m hoping to use this commercial for a specific financial purpose. What I really need to do is to book something new and move on. Anyway…

Audition: “Home Depot” @ Craig Colvin Casting. This was fun. My “wife” and I really clicked and had a great time. While in the waiting room I had two separate conversations with fellow actors about personal finance at my audition. One of the books I'm reading, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY NOW by Jane Bryant Quinn, is 1190 pages long. It's a big, thick book so people often comment on it and that sparks the conversation. Anyway, it was great to talk, discuss and share things on such an important topic.

CUT TO:

Yes! My younger brother Jeff just called to say that he saw the DEGREE commercial. I have to say if there was anyone that I would have preferred to call and give me the news it would have been my brother Jeff. Jeff and I have always been close, but we’ve grown much closer over the past two years or so and it means the world to me. I guess it’s safe to say that the news of the spot running made my day.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Day in the life of an actor: Show up at audition. Read copy. There is a kiss involved...with a woman. There is the eating of food in the commercial, but no real food in the room, no problem. When I enter the room I only see 2 forks - one for her and one for me...no bag full of forks. Ya know, so each actor can have a fresh one. Ooops.

I meet the woman that I'll be playing kissy-face with and we're told that it's to be a "big, long, 3-4 second kiss". Cool. But what about that fork? How many people have put it in their mouth?

There was a shortage of women at the audition time so "my woman" was also the previous actors woman. Damn. CUT TO: ACTION! I say: Blah blah blah. She says: Blah blah blah. Then the KISS! Oh my...she's a method actor. Nice!

I tried to be all gentlemanly and stuff in the 1st take, but "my woman" wasn't having none of that; so in the 2nd take I matched her..."passion" with her...and the fork. Oh and how passionate she was. We made beautiful music together! Between her and the fork I think I kissed most of Hollywood today...and I'm strangely okay with that. I hope she's at callbacks...I'll bring my own fork.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

After sleeping for 90 minutes following work last night I woke up early to attend a 10am workshop. I know, what was I thinking? I was SO tired, but I just felt that I needed to attend this free workshop. It was with a casting director who specializes in comedy and he spoke on several things I need to hear. Some stuff I hadn’t considered, some stuff I had, but all in all well worth the trip to Burbank.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “State Farm” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was fun, a blast in fact. I was a part of a group of four actors…being actors. Good stuff.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “Ford” @ ASG Casting. Yes! Finally. This is my first callback since, January 28^th, 66 days ago. Without getting called back it’s hard to book commercials. It went well and…well…I guess if they think the same I’ll be placed on avail or booked. Time will tell.

I had something really cool happen at the audition and last night at my…other job. At the audition I saw an actress that I used to attend a lot of casting director workshops with. She asked me if I was still represented by KSR for commercials; of course I am! She said that, “thanks to me”, she is still repped by them too. For just a brief moment I was speechless because I had forgotten that, many years ago, after seeing her work, I referred her to my agents…and they signed her.

The other thing that happened was this. At my night job I’m trying to convince my co-workers to reduce/eliminate their debt, to save through the company 401(k) program and/or Roth IRA and to pay attention to bank fees, credit card interest, etc.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was explaining about the 401(k) returns and how it help to lower my taxes and I one of my co-workers approached me and wants to look deeper into getting into the same mutual funds I’m in. I was so excited to hear that! It’s working!

Between those two things I feel like I’m taking action to make this earth a better place through empowering others to help themselves. I don’t particularly enjoy going to the restaurant to work, it takes so much out of me, but these victories make it easier on a daily basis.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I’m tired, really tired, but after a few hours of sleep after working last night/this morning my alarm chimed to wake me. I’m scheduled to be a part of a group of actors to read Fairfax High School student scripts at The Greenway Court Theatre space. It was a complete blast. The space was great (complete with props), the scripts were great and the students’ attention span was great. The only thing was that we didn’t have time to read all of the scripts that had been written. Afterward a few hours of that I was off to my audition…the first one since who knows when.

Audition: “Ford” @ ASG Casting. This was fun and I think I’m really right for it.  Commercials have always been very important to me, but now they are even more important because so much of the scripted programming has gone to AFTRA. SAG is where my pension & health credits and medical insurance are. I know there is talk of the two guilds merging in the future, but I don’t know what that looks like as of yet. Plus, the SAG insurance premiums are set to increase…again, starting July 1^st 2011.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Check this out. March 25^th 2001...exactly 10 years ago today, I took a 60-day leave of absence from the same job that I currently work at overnight in the restaurant. That lead to over 7 years of totally making my living as a performer and I have to say that it felt great to look at my tax returns back then knowing that every penny was earned as an actor.

I’ve been back at the restaurant for almost 3 years. Wow. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep up the pace I’m moving at, but I’m making it work for now. I think I’m doing the right thing. No, my life isn’t perfect, but I’m trying to make things better.

I have to say that one of the greatest things that has come out of being at the restaurant this second time around is that I’m looked at as someone that is pretty good in the area of personal finance. What do I think about that? Well, I’m certainly NOT a professional, but I AM certainly an expert on how I, myself, completely turned my situation around and became totally debt-free in just 15 months. I’ve been on a mission to convince my fellow employees and most anyone else I encounter to do the same…and I have to say that it’s working.

Some have taken baby steps, others bigger steps and yet other haven’t done anything…yet. The key is that they are at least hearing it and maybe sometime in the future they will act on it. It’s a way of giving back for me.

Again, I don’t know how long this tour of a survival gig will last, but I will at least be able to look back and say that I learned a lot.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Finally it’s here! Today is the day I’m scheduled to get my taxes done. I’m hoping for great news in the form of a relatively large return. I’m also very excited to see how, or if, some of my investment choices help to lower my taxes.

The main reason I’m hoping for great news today is that I plan for my tax refund, if I get one, to play a part in the dental procedures that I have planned for the near future. I’m trying my hardest to NOT go into any accounts that I’ve deemed OFF LIMITS to myself. It’s so hard to stay true that because I’m so eager to get this over with, but…I have to be patient. I think…no promises that I won’t do what I hope I won’t do…jus saying’.

45 minutes later...

Uh, I’m a bit speechless. Yeah, my reward for having a better year in 2010 than 2009 is that I get to pay more in taxes. I actually owe the broke-ass state of California a few bucks. For the federal I will get a refund; much less than I’d hoped, but a refund nonetheless. I am not a happy, but I’ve gotta figure out exactly how I’m going to get this dental stuff completed.

I’d hoped, by now, that the DEGREE commercial would be running and I’d be receiving payments, but that, obviously, isn’t the case. I can’t seem to just book a commercial and have it run these days to save my life. I don’t know what the deal is with commercials and me in recent years. Maybe I just got spoiled with all but the last 5-6 bookings. It seems that no matter what I book, it just….ya know what? Forget it. I’m just irritated right now. I’ve gotta go deep and figure this out…and I WILL get it figured out. I’m going to stop venting and put my thoughts to a much more constructive use.

The good stuff; and there is good stuff. The major thing is that the funds I contributed to my 401(k) at the restaurant made a huge difference in the IRS refund that I’m due. Without those contributions I definitely would have owed the IRS a substantial sum… I don’t even want to think about that.

I’ve been trying, without too much success lately, to find exactly when, or if, the DEGREE commercial will start running. I hate having to do that, but I’m trying to plan something and this commercial is a part of it. So I apologize to the universe…and the people I’m contacting. I’m going to go back to my original contact at the advertising agency, the guy who put me in touch with one of the producers.

Wow! – CUT TO: 6 hours later…

That original contact at the ad agency already emailed me back! He cc’d the business manager for the account and said she might be able to help. So hopefully, I’ll know something on Monday. I’ll get a handle on this.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers: “Melissa & Joey” @ Rick Millikan Casting. This was a fun little bit that I would have been happy to do; not much dialogue but that’s okay. I felt like it went well. It was 2 or 3 lines…who knows? You go in, do your thing and it’s over before you know it.

When I checked-in with the guard at the CBS Radford gate I mistakenly told him I was there to audition for “Melissa & Leo’ instead of “Melissa & Joey”...ooops!

Actually, the most interesting part of the experience was the journey to and from the casting office. I took the long way because I’ve had great memories on the CBS Radford lot and I wanted to revisit a few places.

The casting bungalow was next to the one that we did the table read for “Good Morning, Miami” which lead to me appearing in 14 episodes. I just shook my head while sitting at the reading when I found myself at the table in between two entertainment legends…comedy director James Burrows & Film/TV star Suzanne Pleshette.

I walked past the stage 16 where the episodes of “GMM” were filmed and the building were I auditioned and booked the role. That was also were I booked the Bonnie Hunt pilot and “Yes, Dear”. Good memories of success!

Audition: “Pennzoil” @ Cathi Carlton Casting. Ooops. I just remembered that I’m not supposed to discuss this audition…I didn’t sign any non-disclosure form, but I think I remember seeing a sign by the door.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Wow, I shouldn’t be slinging burgers @ 4am. Yet I am and I’m trying to make the best of it while staying focused. It’s hard, unbelievably hard. It’s one thing to do it for a week, a couple of weeks or a month. I’m coming up on 3 years of fulltime, 5 shifts a week duty. I do not recommend it. I’m not Superman and it’s taking its toll on me, but I try to maintain and hang in there with a positive outlook. I think I do a pretty good job of that, but I cannot wait until this stretch is over. In the meantime I’m going to make it work for me. I think they call it “paying my dues”. I sure hope my dues are being deposited somewhere and someone is keeping track, lol!

I remember working with an actor on a cable show several years ago, before I was working at the restaurant I’m currently at. This was probably in 2005; I was making my living solely as an actor then. The actor was telling me that once when he had to go get a survival job he ended up being there for 7 years. I remember how my body shuddered when I heard him say that. Wow, I’m almost at 3 years.

Not sure what I’m getting at, but I do know that I’m very thankful for the steady employment at my night job and the fact that it was there for me when I really needed it.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape/Producers: Death Valley” @ Kelly Wagner & Dominika Posseren Casting. This audition was the direct result of driving out there a few weeks ago and dropping off my photo; a general drop-off for the show, just to let them know that I’m here and available. How do I know? The casting director told me. Many believe that doing general drops around town is a waste of time, but I still believe the practice can be effective.

I don’t know too much about the project, but hopefully if I don’t get this role I’ll be brought in for something else during the season…but I don’t know how many episodes they are doing.

http://www.stephonfuller.com