More internet drama, well not really, but sorta. I post on several internet acting forums and sometimes I get in the hot seat over what and how I post. I fully understand what I am doing with marketing/PR thing, which is something I know very well. This wasn't about marketing or PR; it was just about sharing my experiences. What happened this time was that I posted something about "booking dates", the reason I posted it was to reinforce how important it is to take those dates seriously. That's was the bare-bones of it.

Someone responded saying that" I am the type of guy who doesn't mind eating steak in front of others." WHAT!!! This particular person, in my opinion, is kinda negative in general so it would make sense that he would see it as me bragging. I don't really know him personally, but I have read his post online for several years now. I find him very funny, but in that kinda negative/pessimistic kinda way. If he knew me I don't think he would have written what he did about me, but he is entitled to his opinion. After a couple of exchanges the moderator of the board adding his opinion of my "online persona" I responded and emailed him personally. We had several private e-mail exchanges and got to know each other a bit better. In the end he seemed to change his opinion about me quite a bit.

I'm back in the saddle at "Good Morning Miami". We are back to re-shoot the pilot as some changes have been made in the cast and the script. I'm glad my small part remained. I had a great 3 days of shooting and I think this show is going to hit big. After all it has the "Will & Grace" team behind it. Of course, I may be biased. Anyway I can't wait to see it.

DAY FOUR "Honda/Japan"-Today we started work at Zuma Beach and then moved out into the Santa Monica Mountains. I just had the best time; this spot is right down my alley. Today I got to skateboard, play Frisbee, go camping, sing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and ride a mountain bike. We really earned it on this shoot.

The mountain bike portion had me so charged up that I almost got myself in trouble. I grew up riding BMX bikes and presently have a mountain bike. I wanted to just ride to my hearts content, but I had to follow the script. Craig and I took a couple of dry runs down the specified hill and then it was camera time. On the first run Craig went over handle bars right next to me. He was okay and we were right back in the saddle. A couple of runs later I went over the bars too. I wasn't hurt either; we both were wearing the necessary safety gear. I would love to see it on film though!!

A couple of shots later we wrapped four days of shooting!! It was definitely one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever been on. I thanked everyone for a good time. The producer, Ron Ishimoto asked me to do him a favor. "Sure, what do you need?" I answered. "Practice your snowboarding please." YES!!! See ya in October!

DAY THREE "Honda/Japan"-Today we shot in West LA. Unlike yesterday, it was quite cool since we were near the beach.

Today was water day. Yeah, we spent a good portion of the day soaked and wet. Hey! Somebody's got to do it right? It was about as real as it gets, having someone spray you with cold water over and over again. The producers/director seemed really happy with the footage that they were getting.

Also, the producer was telling me about the second spot of this campaign. If this spot performs well we will be doing another one, possibly in October. This next one will be centered on snowboarding! WHAT!!! He said that it may be in the US or not. We have to find snow. Have passport will travel. I am so fortunate and to think that I didn't even have an appointment for this spot. Go figure. Oh yeah, I also got word that the "Good Morning Miami" schedule is going to work out. YES!! I did not want to lose that gig.

DAY TWO "Honda/Japan"-Today we shot in Bellflower, CA. It was hot as could be and I really felt it. For me, it got interesting really early. We were only on about the second shot of the day and I started feeling a little weird. Now I'm not a "False Alarm Frank" type, if you hear me complain, it's for real.

So we're in the middle of this shot, they are shooting print as well as film so it's taking some time. This feeling came over me and my life went into slow motion. All of the sudden I thought I was going to faint. No REALLY faint!! As in fall on my face and wake up with a bloody nose. I started thinking about how embarrassed I would be if I had to interrupt the shot. Ten seconds later the shot was still going. We were getting directions to laugh and joke around. I was ready to collapse. I kinda made a motion to the producer that I needed water, but he didn't see or hear me. Then I tried to laugh to keep myself alert just to get through the shot. All that was really doing was using my last bit of energy. At this point I felt like I was going to black out.
This is all happening in about 2-3 minutes. Mind you, the last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt the job that 40-50 people on the film crew were doing. Again my life was in slow motion and going slower. I could not believe that I couldn't make it to the end of this take. I was starting to sway on my feet.

As embarrassed as I was going to be for stopping in the middle of a take, it would have been worse if I actually collapsed and fell on my face and started bleeding. This was the last straw. If we didn't cut in the next 5-10 seconds I would just have to stop.

Now I became two different people, lethargic Stephon and another guy who was watching this all happen. I mumbled to the producer "Ron, I need water......no, I need it now." They immediately cut and I fell back towards the mini-van and slid to the ground. Right away there were 10-12 people around me with water, a smoothie, and shade just trying to cool me down. I could not believe this was happening to me. We broke for about 30 minutes and the set paramedic kept an eye on me to make sure I was cool to start working again. It was at this moment that I found out that I was not invincible. WHAT!!! Drink lots water kids!! Anyway the rest of the day went on without a hitch.

DAY ONE "Honda/Japan"-Today I start the first of 4 days on the "Honda/Japan" commercial. We are shooting at Dockweiler State Beach; it is very close to LAX. I believe there was one plane per minute flying over us. We were shooting the print part, so we weren't recording sound. I haven't really done print before, so this was new to me. I don't think I am interested in doing more either. Unless, of course, it is part of some other kind of booking. I just don't plan on pursing it.

The commercial we are shooting is for a new Honda minivan that is for the Japanese market. It is a top secret job, any time it not being photographed they keep it covered up. We had a great time and the filet mignon for lunch was nice touch.

Mini drama with scheduling. It seems that there is a mix-up with my book out dates. I work Wednesday thru Friday and also Monday. I am supposed to start "Good Morning Miami" on Friday the 9th with the table read. They knew I wouldn't be able to make that, but they thought I would be there Monday. Anyway, I hope we can work it out.

Okay so I go to the "Honda/Japan" fitting @ The Standard. I mean it was so surreal. I have dreamed about when I would go back there in this same position. I thought we would go into a room and have the fittings. Nope, they had us parading around on the pool deck in the craziest clothing. In the end they asked me to wear this pink pair of Lee Jeans everywhere I went until the shoot. Yes PINK! WHAT!!! They didn't want them to look brand new. I said of course. I'm a team player and all, ya know down for the cause. Anyway, the next day I ran into the stylist and his assistant at Old Navy. Thank God I was wearing them! I was so proud! PINK JEANS!!!

It was cool too see some people that I used to work with. I saw one young lady I worked in the restaurant and she told me that she saw the "Pizza Hut" commercial with Carmen Electra in Berlin, Germany. I knew it! I believe they were running that spot here and abroad without paying the talent, maybe Carmen Electra was paid for international use, but I wasn't.

I received a call from the producer of the "Honda/Japan" spot. He wanted to schedule a fitting. The fitting is going to take place at Hollywood Hotspot the Standard. I worked there for nearly 2 years!! I laughed out loud!! It made me think of the times that the 11pm-7am graveyard shift was just too much. I would say to myself "one day I'll come back here on someone else's payroll and NOT have to park a car or take a drink order". I think that day will be Monday. I know it probably sounds silly, but I guess it's the little things. Now just send me to Japan! LOL!

My agent calls today to tell me that the pilot for "Good Morning Miami" is being re-shot. I'm glad that I am still in it. It is going to overlap with the "Honda" shoot a little, but it should work out.

Today one of my brother's leaves to go back to Virginia, he had been in town for a week and a half. It was great to finally have him here in LA. He had never been this far away from home and he was able to see what I do on a daily basis.More to come.....

I get the word that I booked the "Honda/Japan" spot!! This is really good news. It is on-camera commercial, internet, print & movie theatres. They are also saying that the same 3 guys may be doing more spots in the future. It feels good to have gotten this with no appointment. Also, my buddy Greg tells me that he booked one of the leads in a film that shoots for 6 weeks in South Africa. Cool!!

Today I attended a free career festival @ one of the many acting schools/workshop places around town. It was just something to keep me busy and learn more about the specific industry professionals that were in attendance.

YES! We get a callback as a group; well 4 out of the 6 of us did and it went great. The whole callback session was groups. It was one of those rare situations where I really felt the job was mine. We also knew that they were only going to hire 3 of whatever group they chose. Oooops. I began to think about if I got the job but Craig didn’t. Ewww! Anyway, my agent called later in the afternoon to say I was still in the running.

This is one of the main reasons I get in my car everyday and do drop-offs. You never know what you might run into when you are out in the field.

Alright!!! Another commercial audition, and this time I was requested by the casting director Jeff Gerrard. Cool! This is where I am trying to get-on the list of being in demand at least somewhat. The audition went pretty well but not great, it shoots in Dallas in a couple of weeks. I would LOVE to go to Dallas in a couple of weeks. Time will tell I guess.

On the way home I stopped by Chelsea Studios to drop off photos to commercial CD's. Actually, I wasn't even dropping of for me I was doing for some friends. I usually carry their photos with me as well. I had already dropped mine the other day.

Anyway, as I am crossing the street I see a group of four Caucasian crossing as well. I'm thinking "what the heck are they going in for"? I figure I look just like those guys; other than being black of course. As I get closer I see that I know one of the guys, Craig Welzbacher. We have attended workshops together in the past.

Craig asked me if I was here for "Honda/Japan". I say no, but I will check it out and see if they are seeing African-American guys as well. Craig gives me the low-down on the situation. Turns out, Craig was the one with the appointment actually a call-back. He was told to bring 3-4 of his friends. So he gave me the green-light to join his group. Thanks Craig!! We went in and had a great time. A callback would be nice. This is one the main reason that I get in my car everyday and do drop-offs. You never know what you might run into when you are out in the field.

Today I went to Broadcast Preview @ the Television Academy of Art & Sciences. What they do is to show a preview of all of the new shows for the upcoming fall season. I was surprised to actually see quick shots of myself in the pilots for "Life with Bonnie" & "Good Morning Miami". Hopefully they will really be recurring roles.

My first appointment since I've been back. I go in for "Providence". I felt like it went well enough. Hopefully, I will get a callback this week. On Monday I have a request appointment for a commercial. Things are starting up. Yeah!!

Today I attended the public hearing on paid casting director workshops in Van Nuys. Interesting to say the least. The day consisted mostly of people who are in support of workshops expressing their feelings. I must say I was surprised that very few people who are against them even bothered to show up. It seems, to me, like a mostly stupid debate. I mean if you don't want to do them then-DON'T!! It ain't rocket science. An interesting thing to me is that most of the people say that they don't learn anything in these seminars. That's fine, but they try to get me to say the same. How can you not learn anything? The outcome one way or another won't affect me all that much, but I would like to remain a choice for those who might want to use the tool.

Back in the saddle!! I'm home, here in LA once again. I am so ready to rock & roll. My vacation was great, but now it's time to get busy. Call my agents; stop by so that they "see me in the flesh". So much of this business is "out of sight, out of mind".

Today, on my last day of vacation, I went to a get-together with the core group of friends that I grew up with. I hadn't seen these guys in from 8-11 years. This was a wonderful culmination of great vacation.