Actor Growth

This phone call completely caught me off guard today. Essentially I got a call from the agency and assumed that it was to confirm whether or not I would be needed for a certain production as I was put on a six day hold.

Upon answering the phone the agency receptionist was telling me that I was submitted for an Olympic shoot before and that they wanted to book me for tomorrow if I was available. Of course, I said yes to it. I was just thinking to myself too how sudden this was and that to work in this profession you have to be readily available at virtually anytime.

I actually don’t even know the exact details for the project either. The only info I got out of the phone call was that it was for an ad campaign. Let’s see what happens.

I was working on a TV show today and while talking to other people it sounded like so many people were contemplating about creating a web series of some sort. Interestingly enough, over the weekend I learned that some of my acting coaches were interested in it as well.

Guess more and more people are taking the creating your own future route. I was trying to think of an idea and I think I thought of something that would be right up my alley. I think I need a female actress to partner up with that has the right background though as that would create the perfect dynamic for the theme.

Today I was working on a set that happened to be shooting exterior scenes. It was just simple background work so nothing too big. Now the places we were shooting happened to be around businesses. Therefore, it was a highly visible production.

One lady came out to see what was going on. I was standing in my spot in preparation for the take. In between the lady kept asking me if I was like a movie star and she seemed so excited about the notion that she was potentially standing next to a famous person. Of course, I just said I was not a star.

However, for some odd reason she just stuck at it. She then asked for my name and I mentioned it. Again, she asks if I am famous and I mention that I am not and even stated how just the fact that she has never heard of me should be a good indicator. Now the thing is she thought I was like being modest or something as she then says maybe I just don’t like to think that I am famous. She then starts to smile and all while constantly saying my name and telling the other business owners my name.

What an interesting day this was. The only thing I could think of that created this is because I was wearing high end clothing items which made me look more fashionable and wealthy. I guess this shows you the power on how much of an impact that you as a performer can have on people’s lives.

Ever since I worked on Fringe with the day that required me to have all this crazy makeup and prosthetics on everyone has been super interested in seeing how it turned out. Every set I went to afterwards where people recognized me from it couldn’t help but to comment about it.

So, today was the airing of that episode. The funny thing was that I personally wasn’t very freaked out about it since I saw it for so long. Here is a screenshot of one of the parts from the episode for those that didn’t see it:

You know what was kind of interesting? One side of my family was so excited about this that they phoned me about it. Really, from a professional career point of view things like this are really just for fun I’d say. Although, with that in mind I can already imagine how many phonecalls one can get when people start recognizing you in some kind of speaking role in either a hit movie or TV show.

I was actually surprised that they didn’t keep the full camera pan of the other mutated/infected people as I thought that was going to be the intro of sorts. It went by pretty fast. Guess you never really can tell what will happen in the editing room.

So today I was acting in that film where the challenge was that the makeup artists had to make us actors look completely different for two different roles. Today we shot one character and tomorrow will be the second one.

It was definitely interesting and this is the first time I had to wear a fake moustache for a role. Lol. Something interesting happened during this shoot too. The script in general is very vague as it was designed to be more of a challenge for the makeup artists. Therefore, in most cases the director and actors can improvise on the available script to try and make something unique. Apparently, the same script has been used many times with a different team.

For my scene, in the end I started to cry and the director was so into it as well as the whole room. The makeup artist was telling me too that he couldn’t believe that I stayed so focus when the whole room was going ballistic. Everyone was smiling and clapping at the end and it made many people excited to work with me again tomorrow.

There were actually some industry veterans in the room too helping out. So, in many ways I guess it was good, professionally speaking, for my career where I made an impact to further help make a name for myself. Who would have thought volunteering for this project would do something like that huh?

Today I went to the studio where my acting coach helped me to tape the scenes for my demo reel. His nephew dropped by to help out with the camera work. Surprisingly, one of my fellow classmates dropped by too. She forgot that there was no class today. But, she decided to stick around and help by being my reader which was cool.

For the most part it went well. One scene in particular was kicking my butt I must say. The funny thing is I have no real problems doing things that are dramatic or require a lot of intensity. However, when it comes to things that are more casual and laid back I tend to take it too seriously. It took quite a few takes to get it to the way the coach wanted.

Hilarious thing was that he commented that he now knows what type of scenes to give me during classes now as over the past few weeks he was having problems in finding things that are challenging and suitable for me. Basically, he is going to give me a bunch of romantic comedy audition sides. Have mercy!!!! j/k

Before we began shooting too I was talking to the acting coach a lot about the industry as he was sharing with me his experiences thus far in his own career. It was a very enlightening I thought and it was very cool of him to share his stories too. I was able to relate in many ways and feel that I now better understand many of the advice that he is given me such far.

He gave me a bit of a talk about stereotypes too and how to use that to your advantage. I’m very appreciative of all the time he has spent with me thus far. Now, to take the next step. I compiled everything and need to get it reviewed before going on to phase two of the career plan.