Monthly Archive for March, 2004
I’m so exhausted right now…
Tonight I didn’t have to perform my scene because one of my two scene partners is out of town. It was a nice break to just sit and watch the scenes tonight. Once again I’m very impressed with the progress people are making with their scenes. One scene in particular, from “Hatfull of Rain”, really touched me. The scene is between a husband and a wife. The husband has recently lost another job working at a factory because he has become addicted to heroine. The wife doesn’t know he has been on heroine but instead thinks he has been cheating on her for months because he is always out and never home. The husband can’t find the words to tell his wife that he now has a drug problem. In this particular scene, the wife confronts her husband wanting to know who the other girl is and the husband is trying to convince his wife that he is not cheating on her, hiding the fact he has been out doing drugs. The scene is filled with a lot of tension and emotion on both sides and at the end the husband says, “I love you but I have to go out tonight…” and he leaves. Great scene.
My scene is coming along pretty well. In Tom’s recent critique of the scene, he said that I am doing a beautiful job performing the scene as myself being the most humble and repentful. BUT, I have not yet embodied the character of Biff Grimes. Biff Grimes is awkward and kind of a “knuckle head”. My performance is too confident and does not show awkwardness. Although, the good thing is that I have found the emotions in the piece. I can actually get really choked up and emotional in certain parts of the script where it calls for me to be choked up and emotional. It’s pretty cool!
0 CommentsYou never realize how much you depend on your wallet until you have lost it. This is the lesson I have been learning. It’s frustrating to think, “I’m hungry. I’m gonna go get me some lunch.” only to realize that you have no money ’cause you lost your wallet. It’s scary to look down at your gas gauge and think, “My gas is getting low, I should go to the gas station.” only to remember that you were stupid enough to lose all your credit cards and you have no cash. “What if I get pulled over by the police?” Well luckily I have an old license attached to my 24 Hour Fitness ID card that I had recently taken out of my wallet and put in my car. (at least I can still go to the gym…)
On the flip side of life I’ve been fortunate enough to have been contacted by some of my old friends whom I haven’t seen since 1995. Both of my friends are getting married this year. It’s crazy. I’m getting flashbacks of all the fun and stupid things we did back in the day. Good memories. Good laughs. Good friends. Isn’t that what life’s suppose to be about?
Tonight Heather and I grilled up some organic rib eye steak that had been marinating in teriyaki sauce and pineapples for two days. I actually got the recipe from Tom who was describing the process of marinating and preparing the meat as an analogy of how as an actor sometimes you need to tenderize your heart in order to let a scene or circumstance effect you and give you the emotions you need.
BTW the steak was delicious!
We finished off the evening watching Antwone Fisher. It was a very touching film and I was very impressed with the main actor playing opposite of Denzel Washington. His acting was very natural and emotionally connected. I really enjoyed the film and it left me wishing that I had the opportunity to play a character so emotionally filled such as the one in this movie.
0 CommentsFor the past few years I feel like I have struggled getting a really good headshot. Since 1996 I have had 5-6 photo shoots with two different photographers and unfortunately neither I nor my agencies have been completely satisfied with any of my photos. None of the photos seemed to bring out my personality or have that special “something” that casting directors are looking for. None of the photos except for the first photos I had done when I first arrived (the leather jacket shot taken by David LaPorte). I have basically outgrown my photos and now I need a great headshot that will grab attention and get me in the door. That’s why I chose to go with Vanie Poyey.
Vanie was one of the photographers suggested to me by my theatrical agency. I was actually given a list of different photographers and my wife and I sat down and browsed through the website for each photographer. In the end Heather told me I should go with Vanie because her photos captured a lot of creativity and personality and that’s what I needed.
So today I had my photo session with Vanie and it went incredibly well. Vanie is a very down to earth warm person and I felt very comfortable under her direction. In our initial meeting a few weeks ago we discussed my current headshots, what kind of roles I am auditioning for, what kind of shows/movies have I gone out for and what shows/movies would I like to go out for and would fit me. Vanie is all about finding the specific looks and characters that will best sell the actor to the casting director. This I totally love. It gives the photo shoot more purpose other than to get the “pretty picture”.
After arriving at her place for my session we talked briefly about my wardrobe and once again discussed the types of characters that I would fit. We decided on three looks/characters: the nice guy/college guy/guy next door, the urban guy/tough guy, and the young professional. Then we started looking at the clothes that I had brought to form outfits that would fit these characters. Vaney also started to brainstorm on locations around the area that we could shoot. We ended up shooting outside a public library, in a industrial wherehouse and underneath the freeway overpass. Working with Vaney was fun and very comfortable. She would create fictional scenarios in which each character could be in, in order to get personality and life in the photos. Everything was free flowing and minimally posed. We both had a great time and I believe this will translate into good pictures.
So in about 7 days I should have proofsheets of my photo session to show. I’m really excited to see the pictures. These pictures will definitely be different than any photos I have had done before. I can’t wait!
0 CommentsToday Heather and I woke up at 6am to take our corgis Lulu and Simon for a hike at Runyon Canyon. Simon did a pretty good job keeping up with us as we hiked up the hill but after a little while we thought it would probably be better if I carried him. What we quickly discovered is that Simon is the ultimate people magnet. Almost every single person we passed would emit the sound “OH!” as they walked over to pet Simon. “That’s the cutest puppy I have ever seen. How old is he?” was the popular question of the day. Unfortunately this made Lulu quite jealous since she is used to being the center of attention.
After leaving the park we were really hungry so we headed to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants - Poquito Mas. It was actually only 10:30am when we arrived but luckily they were open. Heather had a chicken burrito and I had the chef special - a roasted pasilla pepper with cheese on chicken with mango salsa. MMMMMmmmmm!!
(now the bad part…)
On our way home we decided to stop by Petco to get a few pet supplies. After buying what we needed we walked to the car and proceeded to put Lulu and Simon in the backseat. STUPIDLY, I placed my wallet ON TOP of the car. I remember thinking to myself, “I shouldn’t put my wallet here, but I will remember to get it.”‘
Well I didn’t.
I didn’t realize my wallet was missing until after we arrived at home and were taking our things into the house. When I started to look for my wallet I got a flashback of me, placing my wallet on top of the car. I quickly told Heather and jumped back in the car and headed back to Petco. On the way I scanned the road for my wallet. There was a very slight possibility that maybe my wallet didn’t fall off the car until a little while after we were driving. NOTHING. Then I arrived at Petco and searched the parking lot. NOTHING. Then I went inside the store and asked the cashiers. NOTHING. That’s when I started to panic.
I jumped back in my car and rushed home. I started to think of everything I needed to do to protect myself. Then I started to think of the horrible possibility that some kid or some bad person would find my wallet and think they had struck gold. My wallet had all the usual things - credit cards, drivers license, blockbuster card, insurance cards, and my SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.
DAMN!
How stupid am I to have my social security card in my wallet. Now anybody could use my wallet and all it’s info to wreak havoc on my life by committing identity fraud. Or maybe they would just max out all my credit cards. Now I was starting to feel sick.
When I got home Heather already had ideas of what I should do: cancel all my credit cards and call the credit bureaus. So I did. Then I started searching google for other suggestions. In my search I found this list:
1. File a report with the police immediately. Get a copy in case your bank, Credit Card Company or insurance company needs proof of the crime.
2. Cancel each credit and charge card. Get new cards with new account numbers.
Call the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies:
Equifax (800) 525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian (888) 397-3742
www.experian.com
Trans Union (800) 680-7289
www.transunion.com
3. Ask them to put a “fraud alert” on your account and add a “victim’s statement” to your file requesting that creditors contact you before opening new accounts in your name.
4. Ask the credit bureaus for copies of your credit reports. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your mane or unauthorized changes make to your existing accounts. In a few months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
5. Report the loss to your bank if your wallet or purse contained bank account information, including account numbers, ATM cards or checks. Cancel checking and savings accounts and open new ones. Stop payments on outstanding checks.
6. Get a new ATM card, account number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password.
7. Contact the Social Security Administration (fraud line): (800) 269-0271
8. Report your missing driver’s license to the department of motor vehicles. If your state uses your Social Security number as your driver’s license number, ask to substitute another number.
9. Change the locks on your home and car if your keys were taken. Don’t give an identity thief access to even more personal property and information.
Well it started out as a good day…
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Who would have thought that training a puppy could be so much trouble. Simon seems to “output” more than seems possible. I don’t know how he is able to poop every hour. It’s driving Heather and I crazy. I feel especially bad for Heather who has to contend with him all day while she tries to meet her work deadlines. If he doesn’t go out to poop every hour or two he ends up creating a mess on the floor that has to be cleaned. If we stick him in a kennel he just poops in his kennel. Fun stuff. He is very cute though.
0 CommentsI’m not afraid to admit it. “The Passion of Christ” is one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. Everything about the movie was masterful and beautiful. This movie touched my soul and shook me to the core. It really made me think about my life, my faith and my priorities. That is what great art is suppose to do. Make you think. Make you question. Make you believe.
I grew up in church and I’ve been taught the story for years. But to see it so masterfully brought to life brings a whole new dimension to it. Everyone should really see this movie no matter what your belief is. It’s just great art - period.
My only complaint…
…was the older Japanese mother and daughter who sat two rows up from me across the aisle and decided they needed to discuss the movie LOUDLY, IN JAPANESE, while watching the movie. I threw a loud “SSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” after the third incident but they didn’t get the hint. The FOURTH time a guy in their row got up and told them to be quiet. I really wanted to yell obscenities at them but I definitely didn’t feel it was appropriate especially watching a movie about Jesus.
1 CommentWilliam Hung’s 15 minutes of fame is getting extended a little longer. He has now signed a record deal with Fuse Music Network and Koch Records.
I’m getting 80’s flashbacks of Revenge of the Nerds, Real Genius and Say Anything for some reason.
Also check out “William Hung VS Wing!”
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Jin tha MC a American born Chinese rapper signed by Ruff Ryders - the same label that reps DMX.
2 CommentsWhat do you say to someone who has lost somebody so dear? do you use the standard, “I’m sorry for your loss”, or “I’m sorry”, or even, “My sincerest condolences”. Maybe you just avoid the whole thing and say “Hi, how are you?” Nothing seems right, nor can encapsulate the deepest sympathy you would wish to express. I was ill-prepared for the whole situation because I had never attended a funeral before.
I personally only have one living grandparent - my grandmother who lives in the philippines which I have met only twice. I regret that she couldn’t have been more a part of my life because I see how much Heather’s grandparents have impacted her life. It made me think about my life and my family.
In reflection, I realized that I spend so much time pursuing my dreams and living life in the fast lane, that I end up taking for granted people who love me. I find that I do not treat every moment in life as precious. But yet it is. I ask myself questions like:
“What difference have I made in my life? how many people have i touched with my life?”
“Will I ever have friends, family and grandchildren who will love me as much as Heather’s grandmother was loved?”
“What will people say about me, about my life if I died?”
“What positive impact have I had on other peoples lives?”
1 CommentWe will be at the farm till Sat. so I won’t be making any posts till then…
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