My agent called this afternoon with the details of the “Bones” booking. Since I didn’t already have a Guest-star, one hour drama quote and my Guest-star, half comedy quote doesn’t quite translate I didn’t expect to get too much in the way of money for this job. Plus my half-hour Guest quote was for “Love Inc.” was on UPN and not one of the big four networks so, from negotiating standpoint we were pretty much starting from scratch. In the end I got everything I expected and a “little more”. The “little more” was my agent making sure I had the “nicest available trailer”. Cool.

I’ve had nice accommodations before, I think the nicest might have been…well the “nicest, nicest” was probably while flying to Tokyo, fully reclined at 38,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean, with this absolutely stunning Asian flight attendant taking my order for a 4-course meal to be served during the flight…her scent was like…her hands were so…anyway, back to reality, I think the nicest trailer was on “Ally McBeal”. It’s just good to have someone on your side to negotiate things like that for you because in many cases we actors just want the job.

Caleigh also told me that my co-star quote helped me get what I got for this guest-star role. I told her thanks and that the most important thing for me was the opportunity to work, furthering my relationship with a busy casting office, the main title credit, hopefully a nice piece of tape and the credit on my resume.

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

Audition: “Cold Case” @ Shaner/Testa Casting. This is a great role I’m reading for today; 13 pages of sides. I think I’m really right for it too and my agent is excited to have gotten me an appointment.

The first time I read it for the CD I was doing a little too much “stuff” and I was giving the note. The character is doing “stuff” in the scene, but I guess I went a little too far. I did it again and was much more grounded and real. The second scene went pretty well; not great, but good.

After I was finished he took a close look at me and then my credits and then said he felt I looked too old for the character and requested that I read for another character. So I took time with those and went back in. I felt a bit too young for the character, but I think the read was good. My goal is to be someone he’ll bring back in future if not for this role. He shook my hand and I was on my way. I think callbacks are Monday and I don’t think I’m getting one for some reason.

When I think about how many drop-offs, postcards, workshops, classes and miles I’ve driven around this town I just shake my head. It’s been an overwhelming amount of work and I wouldn’t want to have to do it over again from scratch. The great thing is that I’m seeing direct results from the effort and creative approached I’ve developed. I must admit that it makes me feel great to have made some headway in such a difficult field.

The other day when I was at FOX Studios waiting to audition for “Bones” I was going over my lines and I saw a golf cart coming my way with two women in it. As they got closer I waved and smiled, not because I knew them, because I just like to greet others with a warm, open smile.

Truthfully, I wasn’t paying that much attention to them because I was working on my material and then I hear “Hey Stephon!” As they got closer I see that it’s a very important TV CD and her associate driving the cart. It caught me by surprise, because even though I have met and auditioned for them in the past I just rarely expect people to remember me.

I also recall when I was at the table read after booking “Criminal Minds” and CD Scott David made it seem like a no brainer that I would eventually get on the show. I was surprised by that for some reason. No brainer? I didn’t think he really remembered me specifically they way he made it seem. Maybe he remembers that at the workshop I attended of his that my scene partner slapped the heck out of me during the scene. I won’t call that scene partner “crazy”, but I will say she was “crazy adjacent” at least. The story……

Obviously, I know that all the work I’ve put in is paying off, but for some reason I’m still surprise that I get appointments. It’s still surreal to me for some reason.

Audition: “XXXXXX” @ Xxxxx Xxxxxx Casting. I hate doing that but they had me sign a confidentiality agreement to audition for this project and I don’t want any trouble! I remember dropping off for this film November 20th 2006 way out in Malibu. I got kinda frustrated because I couldn’t find the correct building and almost gave up, but I kept at it and finally found the right office. I never expect to hear anything from a drop-off I just wanna get my photo in the mix and see what happens…looks like something is happening.

I’m not positive it came from that drop-off way back when, but I think it might have have. I don’t think my agent submitted me for a role of just a couple of lines because they are trying to get me in for bigger stuff. When she called she wasn’t sure if I even wanted to read for it or not. I love that! I remember when a similar sized role came up for “Spiderman III” and she had the same reaction. “Stephon, I’m sorry it’s just a couple of lines, but it’s a big project…are you interested?”

For the record, my answer in these situations is almost always a cool “yes” on the outside, but on the inside it’s “YES!!!” It just shows how much my reps believe in me and want more for me, but I can work it from the other side, because everything gets run by me before decisions are made. It’s a really big project, with a really big director and I’m really right for this small role.

The casting office was not releasing any sides for the project so I was instructed to arrive early to go over the material. So I arrive early, park, get buzzed into the building, sign-in, get escorted into the elevator, go to the 3rd floor, sign the confidentiality agreement. Then and only did I get the on page of sides. Then I had to go back to the 2nd floor to audition.

I saw 3 other actors there that I knew and had worked with in the past. That always makes me feel good; it gives me the feeling that I’m on the right path. So after all of that the read went really. I did 3 different takes that were put on tape and that’s that. Oh yeah, when it was over the casting associate kept the sides.

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

Audition: “Sony CyBravia” @ Plaster Casting. I got to play a waiter! It was fun and brought back some great memories because I was an excellent waiter if I say so myself. Who knows, maybe I’ll get a callback.

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

Wow, it’s been a busy 2-3 weeks. Cool, no complaints from me. My agent, Caleigh, left a message for me saying the she’d gotten feedback from “Bones” and to call her at the office. First, I have to say that it feels great to have an agent in the trenches with me hustling to get me seen.

She asked if I wanted the good news or the bad news first. I said I’ll take the bad news first, but I wanted to first thank her for her support, encouragement and always taking time for me.

So on to the bad news. The bad news was that I didn’t book the Guest leading role that I had the appointment for yesterday. Before I could tell her that I didn’t actually read for that role she flowed right into the good news. The good news was that I booked the role that they added just a few hours before my appointment. She said I am “the choice” and that FOX had already approved me. Needless to say I was shocked; totally shocked. I expected the good news to be along the lines of “we liked him, but he’s not right for this – we’ll bring him back”. The interesting thing is that this role is 10-15 years older than what I normally play. So we have to establish a quote and make the deal...wow.

This evening my commercial agent informed me that I had been released from my avail for the “AT&T” spots @ Ross Lacy Casting. I didn’t even know I was on avail. I hope I don’t continue my trend of commercial avail releases from the last year.

I was out doing drop-offs a couple of days ago and stopped by a casting office that I have a relationship with. I just put my photo in the box and was leaving, but then I saw a young guy and asked him if they were in. He wasn’t sure, but told me to go on back if I wanted to. I hesitated, but then went on back and the casting director and associate were there. They greeted me with hugs and asked what I’d been up to. They also told me about their current projects and made it clear to me that there was one I hadn’t been submitted for by my agent. I admittedly was a little surprised, by not worried or annoyed. I assume that happens from time to time and that’s why I’m out in the streets hustling, doing my part.

I called my agent and told her about the project and the roles the CD said I was right for. The CD said they’ll start reading actors in a couple of weeks and I’ll be brought in. Gotta stay on the grind.

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

I'm sure most of us remember where we were when the news broke of the WTC bombings 6 years ago today. I sure do. When I saw it on the news I couldn't believe my eyes.

A New York actor friend of mine, Dorian Missick, stayed with me while in Los Angeles a few weeks earlier taking meetings and booked an episode of "NYPD Blue" to shoot here in LA. He was supposed to return to shoot on September 11th '01. I feverishly started dialing his contact numbers trying to confirm that he was okay.

I finally caught up with him; he was at the airport in Newark in preparation to fly here before all flights were grounded. Fortunately, he was able to eventually get to Los Angeles shoot the episode.

Callback: “AT&T” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Bright and early this morning I made my way out to Santa Monica for a callback that I thought happened last week. Turns out I was being brought straight to producers for an entirely different series of spots. Cool. The spots were really funny, small and subtle. I also got to actually see Ross and thank him for the countless opportunities he has given me over the years. The audition went well and maybe I’ll hear something later today.

Audition/Producers: “Bones” @ Rick Millikan Casting. This is great news for a couple of reasons. One, is that I auditioned for Rick’s other show, “Shark” about 5 weeks ago and it went really, really well. I think I was a little young for the part, but I think Rick liked what he saw in my work. One other reason is that this is a Guest lead of this episode, 3 scenes and 8 pages of sides.

Believe it or not I think I’m a little young for this one too, but “really right” for it. I’ll let the producers/director make that decision. So after working on it for hours I felt ready to deliver the goods.

THEN….

A couple of hours before my appointment I get a call from my agent saying that casting had called and wanted me to read for another role as well. I was immediately familiar with the role she was talking about because I’d read all of the other available sides. Get this – this character is even older than the original one I was to read for, by 5-7 years. What?! Oh well. I felt I was “really right” for this one too just maybe too young according to the specs. Again, I’ll let the producers/director make the decisions.

So I get to FOX studios and there are quite a few actors waiting to read and they haven’t started. So I found a place to warm up the scene and focus. Since it was really taking a while to start I decided to call my agent for two reasons. First, to thank her for “saving me from myself” concerning “Journeyman” (kind of long story) and to ask if they had booked the role I went to producers for. I was going to wait to call her later, but the end of the day was rapidly approaching.

Since I hadn’t heard anything I figured they had booked another actor on “Journeyman” and I was right. Caleigh didn’t want to give me the news until after my audition so it wouldn’t mess my head up, but I was okay. Actually, I felt great. No, I didn’t get the whole dealio with the booking, but I got the vast majority of a really good deal. On to the next!

After some time the session started and Rick greeted me. He asked what character I had and told him the original character and that they added another just a few hours ago. He said, “okay, we’ll just read that one for time”. I said, “okay cool”. This was the smaller role and the one that was way older than what I play – at least I think so.

I get in the room, give a quick wave to the producers/director, take my place and get ready to work. Right then, director Chad Lowe, says and waves “Hi” to me in a way that made feel like I’d met him before – I hadn’t. I guess he’s just really nice to actors which I think is great.
The scene went “smoove like butta!” I took my time and felt the levels. When I got up to leave, Chad, again, was super nice and waved good-bye. He seriously made me think about if I’d worked with him in the past. Nope, but hopefully I’ll work with him in the future.

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

Callback: “Journeyman” @ UDK Casting. I am so perfect for this role it’s not funny. The callback went really well, just like the pre-read; actually I got the feeling that the pre-read was really a “work session”. I took that to mean he was already planning to bring me back for a callback.

Anyway, I got in the room with CD Robert Ulrich and director/writer/producer Alex Graves. I did it once, said my good-byes and walked off the FOX studio lot feeling great about my performance and that my work is done.

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

Me with two of my favorite people in the whole
world - my 'lil bro Todd & my 'lil sis Avis.

Audition: "October Road" @ Donna Rosenstein Casting. My agent called with this one and wasn’t sure if I’d want to pass on it or not – it was just a few lines. I returned the call to let her know I wanted to go in for a couple of reasons; one of which is that I need and want to work, but the other reason is that the character is drunk. I wanna play drunk again! I played drunk in a play a couple of years ago.

Oh yeah, another reason (that I didn’t tell my agent) is that this is the casting associate that I had the long conversation with at the surprise birthday party earlier in the week. Cool. Maybe I’m learning to network!

The audition was on tape for producers and it was quick-fast, in and out. I’ve been trying to get into this office for years. Funny how things work sometimes.

Audition: "Journeyman" @ UDK Casting. This is the type of role that I really fit on many of the 1 hour dramas currently on TV. The character is a crime lab analyst; ya know the nerdy type guy who speaks intelligently, but is “TV cool”. This role fits me perfectly, not that I’m even “TV cool” but…. It’s a one-day Guest-Star, that is possibly recurring.

It’s funny, UDK is one of the busiest TV offices in the country and I wish I had the opportunity to audition there much more often than I do, but I do get in on occasion. I booked “CSI” there years ago and I know all of the partners. I know this particular partner for this audition better than the others, to the point of being able to call him directly if there is something I want to be seen for. In all of these years I’ve known him I’ve never called him once. I have called my agent that covers that office before about roles in the past, but they didn’t think those roles where right enough to put in a call; which is great because sometimes I need my agents to “protect me from myself”.

When we see each other or talk, which isn’t too often, there is usually a bit to catch up on and we do it at a frenetic pace. Fortunately, when I was brought in the room, he was just beginning to talk, but caught himself and then said “we’ll talk afterwards”. This was good because I was really prepared, the role is perfect for me and I just wanted to get to work.

The audition went perfectly; matter of fact I think it was the best theatrical audition I’ve ever had. Yeah; definitely. I did everything I wanted to do the exact way I wanted to do it. When I was finished he too said it was perfect and asked me to come back for producers on Monday. We then proceeded to catch up for the next 10-15 minutes. Yeah!

I then called my agent, Caleigh, to let her know how it went and she was thrilled. She told me that it has definitely been a priority of hers to get me in for more substantial roles and I have noticed it. We talked about the “co-star thing” for a bit as well. I’m in a great position in that I have these wonderful agents around me that continually believe in me and my talent.

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

Audition/Producers: "Cane" @ LaPadura/Hart Casting. This was a producer session for the role of US Attorney. I read it once and was redirected to do it again. I was really happy with the outcome. I was also happy that, personally, I fully embraced the notion of being believable as an attorney - I'm growing up.

Rehearsal: "Darfur Stories: Tell Them". This is for a staged reading at the University Synagogue. It was fun; I got to work a small group of talented actors including Nicole J. Butler, Emma Jacobson-Sive and Charley Rossman (who couldn’t make this rehearsal because he was shooting in Canada). We are all reading at least 6-7 parts so it was a little chaotic at times, but fun to be up on our feet collaborating and acting. The actual performance is Saturday evening.

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

Audition: “Boston Legal” @ Valko/Miller Casting. This is a small, recurring role a clerk of the court. I’ve read for this office many times over they years, but haven’t booked since the first time I read for them for “Ally McBeal” – a long time ago. But they keep bringing me back and that is a good thing.

I was ready and the read went well. Ken Miller the CD gave me some direction and I took it; he asked me to come back for the producers/director later in the afternoon. He re-iterated that this role will, most likely, appear throughout the season.

Since I didn’t have anything else going on I hung out down in Manhattan Beach for a couple of hours until the producer session. The producer session went just okay I felt. I mean, it wasn’t bad; it’s just that I like to get right to work when I enter the room. After 9 years in Los Angeles I’ve worked with many of these producers/directors/writers in the past. So when you enter the room you don’t know if they remember you or not; so I was trying to concentrate on the work, but not be rude at the same time since everyone was being introduced to me.

Sure enough, the director I worked with on “Monk” was in the room. So in a split second my mind wondered if I should acknowledge him or treat him as just another face in the crowd. No worries, it just stayed in my head for a split second. So, we’ll see what happens. Ken Miller and Nikki Valko are great people to have in your corner and I’ll book for them again soon. I really want to be on “Boston Legal”.

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

Tonight my friend Denice Sealy invited me to attend a surprise birthday party for a casting associate at a really important TV office in town. I know this associate and have booked for the office, but I don't know him "like that" - obviously Denice is part of the "in crowd". I'm used to being left out and it’s okay – I’m pretty boring, lol!

Anyway, when the associate arrived he was really, really surprised to see everyone. We had a great time and had some great conversations about classic rock bands, Heart, Rush, Pat Benatar, Kansas, etc. Denice and I also spoke for a good while with a casting associate from another busy TV casting office in town. It’s always interesting to hear their perspectives on things. It was a great evening, surrounded by great people in a great house in Los Feliz – with a great view.

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

Audition: “The Shield” @ FMW Casting. I got a last minute, same-day call for this one and it’s about the same time as my commercial audition for today. I’ll try to go to the commercial one a little later if there is a time-frame window.

The audition for “The Shield” goes well, not as well as some of my other recent ones, but well enough. I think I could have taken the direction better in the re-direct. Lesson learned. I think it’s the 5th time I’ve auditioned for the show. This is the last season and I would really like to get on it before it’s over; maybe this will be the charm.


All eyez on me! Back in the day! Class is in session!
I smile EVERYTIME I look at this photo. I just love riding my bike.

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

Audition: "Holiday-Inn" @ Joe Blake Casting. I'm not really sure how this one went. The session runner wanted a lot of energy and me and the other two actors thought we gave it to him, but while, ya know, "keepin' it real". He let us know that he wanted more energy and more volume. We did that in the 2nd part of the audition and it felt forced, fake and not so real, but the session runner seemed to like it. Maybe there's a callback in there somewhere – I don’t know. Oh yeah, it shoots in New York.

Audition: "Bud-Light" @ ASG Casting. This was a simple one, completely opposite of the first one today and it was good and fun. I booked my first commercial in Los Angeles at this office.

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

Audition/Producers: "Woman's Murder Club" @ Megan Branman Casting. I read for the role of a doctor. I'm gonna book one of these soon. I WILL! I don't mean the role of a doctor I did that in the pilot of "Hot Properties" a while back. I mean booking a role at all, lol!

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

Audition/Producers: '"Til Death" @ Susan Vash Casting. I was in for this office just 2 weeks ago and I'm thrilled that I'm being brought back for another guest-star/possibly recurring role. I felt right for it and I’m losing a lot of my aversion to working on an AFTRA show – I think.

How crazy is this? Well, maybe it's not that crazy at all. Anyway, I thought it was at least interesting and you know me; I’ll watch paint dry just to make sure nothing happens.

Fred Thompson, who is all but in the race for the Republican nomination for the Presidency, is a well-known actor. Among other things he has appeared in well over 100 episodes of the "Law & Order" franchise.

Most candidates or potential candidates have formally announced whether or not they plan to run for their respective party’s nomination. At least one has already dropped out the race.

You might be wondering where the heck I'm going with all this. Or maybe you aren't. What does this have to do with actors?

The moment Fred Thompson officially declares his Presidential candidacy for the Republican nomination is this moment that all of his episodic runs and re-runs have to be pulled from the network schedules.

Why? Because any and all of his competitors can request equal time for the amount of time he's actually on the screen in any episode on broadcast television. I don't think the equal time provision extends to cable television, but the cable networks would probably pull the episodes too. I don't know, I thought it was interesting. That wouldn’t be good news for actors who worked in episodes with him, but great news for actor didn’t work in his episodes. Was that interesting?

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

Audition "Bud-Light" @ Craig Colvin Casting. Funny spot, fun audition. It almost made me want to start drinking beer. It just looks and sounds cool to “get a coupla cold ones” or “bring some brewskis”. It just looks cool; I can’t even hold a beer the correct “cool way”. I always feel that you could tell that I was a “beer virgin”. I sorta regret not having that Heineken when I was 19? Well, not really. I had it all the way to my lips and then I couldn’t do it for the crowd around me.

Anyway, so I went back to "job job" to see what the dealio is. This time I put a little more pressure on; I went in to ask to speak to the gentleman. He was in a last minute meeting so I didn’t get to talk to him, but he said to call to tomorrow.

It’s funny, I’ve had to beg, borrow and steal to get every job I’ve had – well not every one, but most of them. In New York I went to that restaurant 3 different times, at Old Navy at least 4 times, The Hollywood Standard at least 3 times. It should be interesting.

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

I stopped by the "job job" place to see if I can get some insight as to what my status might be following the interview last week. This is turning in a little project and its kinda fun.

I spoke to the receptionist, but I didn't want her to bother the manager I interviewed with. I was just taking the temperature of my situation. It sounds like the gentleman is super busy and hasn't gotten back around to me yet.

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

Audition: "Chevy" @ Cathi Carlton. Ah, this went okay. I felt really stiff for some reason. This spot was going to be with kids and I'm GREAT with kids, but I don't see a callback in my future for this one.

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

The manager called yesterday for the "job job" interview this morning. It went well I think; I was very honest about why I was there and the fact that I'm an actor. The gentleman explained that they were looking for people that would/could grow with the company. I don't know that I'm looking to be a "company man", but at minimum I'm an excellent employee. The funny thing it’s something that I’m really, really interested in learning...oops. Am I planning an exit strategy from acting unbeknownst to me? I don’t think so; I’m just interested in nearly everything that’s all.

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

Audition: "Hyundai" @ Ross Lacy Casting. Ah, this went alright; I might have pushed it just a tiny bit too much...or maybe not...it's been a minute since my last commercial callback and I don't think this is gonna be the first one to start things off again. Gotta get ‘em next time.

My theatrical agent called this afternoon with a request from "Brothers & Sisters" to use footage from my appearance on the show for some sort of special episode - for a fee of course.

So it kinda equates to having booked another day on the show and I'll get paid everytime they use it. That's cool, I just had to stop by the office to sign the contract.

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

Print Go-see: "IBM" @ Ben Sealy Casting. You know how these go - quick, fast, in and out.

Last night I cooked up a normal, real-world work resume - boy, that was weird. It showed me how much training I "don't have", but I have a healthy amount of confidence and I feel I can learn many things and do an exceptional job. I went to drop it off at a place I think might work for me and my schedule and the availability I need. I actually ran into the exact person that I needed to talk to. I got a good feeling from him and he said he'd call me for an interview sometime this week. It's really weird to feel that I hope he calls. WHAT?!?!

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