It’s my birthday…yeah.  I’ve never been too big about celebrating my date of birth. I’m not sure how that started, but I think it has to do with my extreme fear of rejection.  I’ve never once asked for anything for my birthday and definitely don’t have the guts to attempt to have a birthday party.  I just feel that nobody would show up, but that has been proven wrong because a co-worker pulled together a celebration for me a few years ago and people did show up!  It all probably has to do with me being rejected by my father growing up and still being rejected to this very moment; just a guess.  I think I’m on to something… 

On another note, I was interviewed about how I became debt-free by The JW Financial Coaching Podcast.  It was great to be able to share my journey on one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life by paying off ALL of my bills and turning into a saving machine!  I hope it inspires even just one more person to take control of their finances.  Here is the link:

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Audition/tape: “Hollywood Heights” @ Shaner/Testa Casting.  I felt ready for this read, but got mush mouth after the CD said “Action!”. It was weird; it was like I had marbles in my mouth.  Fortunately, the CD gave me another shot and I felt much better the second time around.   Then I did the second scene and that was good too.  I would love to FINALLY book something at this office.

After the audition I made my way to the credit union for my weekly deposit and ran into Matt Nolan, an actor I worked with on WEEDS in 2005.  Back when he and I worked on the show I didn’t have another job; I was making my entire living through acting.  Matt had been a similar situation, but needed to pick up a regular job and told me that he worked that job for 7 years.  I remember that my entire body shook when he said “7 years”.

The thought of having to go back to a regular job terrified me back then; even though I knew it could happen one day.  So here I sit, 7 years later from working with Matt on WEEDS.  I’ve been back at my supplemental job for 4 years…and who knows how much longer I will be there or somewhere else to make a living outside of performing.  The job wreaks havoc on me in many ways and has been a really good thing in as many ways too. 

Anyway, it was great to see Matt and he gave me a heads up on some things that he’s doing that could help me out as well.   

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Audition/producers: “The Wedding Party” Kendra Shay Clark & Helen Geier Casting.  Yes!  I had a great time in this audition…so much that I bought a dozen of donuts (Krispy-Kreme) on the way home.  A booking would be nice; I gotta get my butt in gear and produce some results in 2012!

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Today I had a short meeting with my new print agent.  She seems to be on the ball and ready to rock and roll.  I hope my photos that I’ve invested a lot of money in do the trick.  I’ll give it 2-3 months and see how much, if any, print auditions I get.  I really don’t want to have to reshoot…I wanna book some jobs.

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Callback: “SoCal Honda” @ Alyson Horn Casting.  I’ve had callbcks for this director several times in the past, but I never walk away feeling great.  Never bad, but not great…which has little to do with whether one books the job or not.

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Callback: “Fiber One” @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  I felt good about this callback and had a great wife to work with.  Hopefully, I’ll be placed on avail…or booked.

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Audition: “SoCal Honda” @ Alyson Horn Casting.  I think this went pretty well; mostly because the session director was so generous with his time, support and instruction.  My partner and I eventually got it right and walked away feeling great.  I was really happy because I actually overslept and woke up 5 minutes before my appointment.  I jumped in and out of the shower in a flash and raced over to the office; fortunately I live very close and wasn’t too late.

Audition: “Dodge” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Eh…not so sure about this one.  Even though it was just a personality interview type of situation I don’t know how well I came off on camera.  I was last in a line of 5 people and I think I might have been trying too hard to be interesting.  I don’t know; I just didn’t feel like it was a success…but that doesn’t mean I won’t get a callback.

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Audition: “Fiber One” @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  This was a great time!  I had a great wife that I played a great, affectionate husband to and two other male actors in the scene that really went for it.  I was so impressed with their commitment while watching them work.  

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Audition: “Audi” @ Plaster Casting.  Ha!  This one felt really good; even though I wasn’t totally sure what I was doing…I did it.  So, hopefully, I’ll be at callbacks.

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Audition: “Samsung” @ Cathi Carlton Casting.  Hmm…not sure how this one went.  I had to dance and I’m not that good at dancing.  Plus, I injured my back last week at the gym and I’m still a little stiff.   I did the best I could, but I think I…needed a little more…

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So yesterday I went to see THE AVENGERS.  Honestly, I don’t know too much about the history of each character and all of that since I’m not too versed about comic books.   As a kid I was out playing in the woods finding snakes or building a ramp to jump over people on my BMX bike – stuff like that.  As a result I didn’t watch a ton of TV…I know who Superman is though.  So I just watched the film and enjoyed it for what was on the screen in front of me.  I liked it.

At the very end my mind perked up to some dialogue that, for some reason, seemed familiar to me; very familiar.  I couldn’t figure it out at first, but then it came to me.  I’m referring to the people at the very end of the film that were, basically, talking about how cool it was that The Avengers were there to save the day. 

Cut to:

Back on February 3^rd of this year I got a last minute call for an audition for a small role in a very large studio film.  I didn’t know what the project was then, but now I know it was THE AVENGERS!  Obviously, I didn’t get the role, but I mention it because it made me feel as though I don’t give myself enough credit for what I have accomplished in the entertainment business.  It’s easy to concentrate on the fact that I didn’t get the role, but what I did get is confirmation that I’m on the mind of one of the most important studio film casting offices in Hollywood.  Just last month I booked a role in TOTAL RECALL, without auditioning.  That booking came from being on the mind of a different, really important, casting director in town.  Yeah, I’m making progress and I need to remember that and not be so hard of myself…while still pushing to make this career go to the next level.

I had a good commercial class today; I was pretty happy with my performance.  During the class a funny thing happened when the instructor was talking about an ad campaign from some years ago that was very successful.  The client, a bank, then changed ad agencies and shot a new campaign which, I guess, was a failure.  That bank is now out of business.  I was in one of the commercials of the new $100 million dollar campaign.  Ha!  Am I failure?  I don’t know, but I had a great time shooting the commercial and I made good money it.  I guess if one books enough commercials some of those companies will go out of business…just pay me first! 

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Audition: “Verizon” @ Pogo Casting.  I had no idea what I was doing in this one, well, maybe a little bit, but “my wife” was very helpful.  Thanks baby, lol!

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Callback: “Cox Cable” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Okay, so I made it to, what I consider 3^rd base, callbacks.  I went in with another great group of guys that I jelled with and had a ball.  I even got some direct attention from the director…which I think is a good thing.  

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Audition: “Cox Cable” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Yes!  This was a fun time with a fun group of guys.  Hopefully I’ll get a callback.

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Audition: “Temptations” @ Spot Casting.  This was good, simple and over in a jiffy.  I’d be a little surprised if they’d cast a black actor in this particular role, but I’ve been surprised before.  Hope I get a callback!

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Tonight I performed my comedy set in the showcase of my comedy class.  I taped it myself and, obviously, I have a lot to learn, but I was pretty happy with how it went considering where I’m at.  I was nervous, of course, but I got through it; even got a few laughs. 

I didn’t invite anyone because the only way I could have done the showcase is if no one knew about it.  I’m not sure what that’s all about with me, but I feel as though I have no friends.  I know it’s not true, but I often feel that way.  I think it stems from my intense fear of rejection; and that probably stems from never being accepted by my father.  It seemed that one of the students had invited half of the 30 people in the audience.  I was amazed at how far away I was from something like that. 

I’m not sure what I’m going to do next with the stand up comedy thing, but, at minimum, I’ll probably do some open mic events and see how I feel.    All in all, it was fun and I consider it a success.

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Audition: “Alltell” @ Joe Blake Casting.  After I signed in an actor approached me and said, “You stole my commercial”.  I laughed and was like “nah, couldn’t have been me I haven’t booked anything of note recently.  We talked a bit more and, in fact, it was me he was talking about.  It was the WaMu commercial from 4-5 years ago.  That was the one where he was “the choice” and the client changed their mind and “went another way” at the last minute.  That, “another way” was “my way!”  The casting office, I later learned, knew they chose me before we auditioned at the 3^rd audition.  I didn’t tell him that though…too much information.  We had a good talk, turns out he went in for the Degree spot I booked as well.  I’m sure he’s booked a bunch of stuff I’ve gone in for too.     

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Audition: “Walgreen’s” @ Joe Blake Casting.  I think this went…pretty good.  There was a lot of “business” to do, but I think I handled it well.  

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Tonight I did my first comedy open mic at Tribal Café with some folks from my class.  I even had a vegetarian sandwich!  At first I considered not going, but then I figured how stupid that would have been.  So I went.  I mean, after all, it was a chance to be out amongst people…which is something I really need to do more of.  It went okay…I think.  I learned a little; which is good.  I learned a lot from my classmates so I’ll call it a great success.  I’m less nervous now, but still nervous.  I’m looking forward to getting that out of the way.

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Audition/Producers/Tape: “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” @ Peter Pappas Casting.  I think this was the fastest audition I’ve ever had.  I walked in, signed in, went in the audition room, read the scene and was out the door in, I think, less than 1 minute…definitely less than 2 minutes.  It went well too!

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