LA Blog #4

All right, I'm still getting used to keeping this updated so forgive me if I miss a couple weeks between posts... haha. What's new you ask? Let me tell ya.

It really blows my mind to realize how much money is wasted in the film/TV industry.  For example, last Monday I worked on the television series SHARK.  All I was to do is walk from a movie theater and cross the street for 2 shots.  There were already pedestrians walking the same path I was every time!  It seems to me that they could've gotten away with not paying 25 people to walk around for 4 hours and just let the pedestrians walk through their shots... oh well, I'm getting paid. No worries on my part :)

Now, the most exciting thing I have experienced working out here in LA so far was my very first costume fitting.  I pulled into the Disney studio lot (Yes, this is where Snow White, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, basically everything was drawn), to try on alien costumes for the upcoming film titled RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.  This appears to be a continuation of the classic series, and not a remake.  Billed to star in the film is none other than The Rock... I mean Dwayne Johnson...  So that sounds cool to me.  Its been years since I have read the books or seen the movies, but I do recall enjoying them very much.  I'm really hoping this will be shot inside of a studio because I am layered in a costume that is all black with a rubber mask and hood. This LA heat could do some real damage wearing that thing haha.

Wednesday of last week I started a small stint on an ABC Family show titled GREEK.  Now first off, the fact that there is a show about fraternities drinking and having sex and all on ABC "Family" is very humorous to me.  Now this day on the show I wasn't real fond of working on it.  It had a strange vibe that evening that I didn't care to be around.  However, now that I have done more work on it, I'm beginning to enjoy it much much more.

The weekend of course leads to more work at the theater, down two stories in Pasadena. Nothing changes there... 

Last Sunday was indeed spiced up by my cooking of some bomb ass meatloaf in my new slow cooker.  You better believe that.

Now, to catch you up on the week currently in order.  This past Monday I was part of what many refer to in the acting business as a "cattle call."  This is where they bring in about 300 people, and nobody really matters. All they need is a bunch of people to fill seats or make a crown, etc.  This was for a film called Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith, Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson.  I sat in a chair at a middle school choir recital in 95 degree weather for nearly 12 hours.  I must say I was getting a bit loopy near the end, but all will be well when that paycheck rolls in next week :)  Will Smith was not on set while I was working, but a very funny Woody Harrelson and an absolutely gorgeous Rosario Dawson were present.   Its annoying, but also quite humorous that all of those 9-12 year olds were making a dumpload more money that I am... whatcha gonna do?

I had no work on Tuesday which bummed me out.  I had planned on sleeping in a bit though because I had not done so in about 3 weeks.  However, my sleep was brought to a conclusion with a phone call from the casting service asking me to drive out immediately for a commercial shoot rush call.  A rush call is used when someone backs out at the last second and someone else is needed for replacement.  Now I was very excited about this, not only because it would be my first commercial and it would pay about double was I normally make, but commercials can be huge for a career.  Unfortunately she had to call me and tell me that there was a misunderstanding and that it wasn't working out.  I was bummed, and she felt upset herself about it and was worried that I'd be angry with her.  I told her that I was grateful that she considered me and that I appreciated all the work the office has gotten for me so far.  

This of course led me to having a day off, but what to do with it?  Greg suggested to me, "Let's sneak into Universal Studios Hollywood..." so we did.  He had done it once before so he kind of had it down.  I was a bit nervous but all went well.  Unfortunately the park kind of sucks.  They only have 2 rides in the entire park!  Very disappointing.  However, the Mummy Ride and Jurassic Park were pretty entertaining.  Normally they would have 3 rides, but the recently took down the Back To The  Future ride to begin building a Simpsons ride.  We'll see how that goes over...

Now, back to GREEK.  I have now worked a total of 3 days and it doesn't look like it will be stopping there.  They like to use the same people over and over as it wouldn't make sense to randomly have new people living in the frat house every week.  So, you could say that I am now an active member of Kappa Tau Gamma. Ridiculous. I'm getting to know the people on set pretty well and the crew folk are calling me by name which can't possibly be bad. (Most of the other guys are called "You") haha.  So, we'll see if that developes into anything.  If you are into the show, keep an eye out for me lurking in the background or playing pool or something. I should be in there often this season. Let me know if ya see me!

Now the weekend is here and I am back in theater again.  Nothing else planned for the coming days, but I suppose ya never know what could come up.  

Grey's Anatomy fans! My episode is airing on Thursday the 24th! I will be appearing in the scene in which the 3 leading ladies are out front of the hospital and an ambulance pulls up with Cheech Marin inside.  It may be my backside, but I should show up, at least briefly.  I will be seen in brown scrubs carrying a clipboard past the doctors and into the hospital doors.  Check it :)

In visitor news, it looks like DJ Snell will be making a brief appearance here in the next coming weeks.  Cassie Kendeigh will be stopping by for a short stay in the middle of May, followed by Leslie and Kevin shortly after.  Should be a very enjoyable month my friends!  Be jealous of those visiting me... and then un-jealous yourself and visit as well!

 Now, before wrapping up, I will post my top ten (for now) list of movies I'm excited for this year.  There will be some that I leave out mistakingly, but this is just an improvised list to satisfy your hunger until my much more in depth list is done :) Enjoy and take care!

10. The Incredible Hulk

9. Tropic Thunder

8. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

7. Zack and Miri Make A Porno

6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

5. Burn After Reading

4. Pineapple Express

3. Step Brothers

2. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

1. X-Files 2