The Alchemist

A couple days ago, I was thrilled to have such a busy day that included 2 auditions, a class, and a rehearsal.

That was very cool, but now I have to say that my Thursday was even better. I started the day with 3 new commercial auditions as well as my improv rehearsal on my calendar! Fantastic! Then, as I was driving down into the valley for my first audition, my agent calls and tells me that I got a call back and put on first avail for the MasterCard commercial! Yes!

Of course, that complicated my day a bit. First, of all, I knew I wouldn’t be making my improv rehearsal. Also, I was now down in the valley without my “sailing” clothes for the MC commercial. Sigh. I decided I would take the time to get my clothes and hoped I would make my next audition on time. So here’s what happened…

Immediately after my 1st audition at 12:10 for a Casino, I headed home to get my clothes for the MC callback. Up and back, and now running late to my next audition at 2:15… I parked on the street and realized I didn’t have enough change for the meter. Fortunately there was a Starbucks near by (isn’t there always?), so I stopped there and got some change. Plugging the meter, I ran up to my 2nd and 3rd auditions - both at the same place, thankfully!

Now it was already after 2:30 and my auditions have stacked up… so I signed in for both at once and hoped for the best. Fortunately, the lady at the 3rd audition (for Telenor) was completely cool and let me keep my place in line while I waited to go in for the 2nd audition (for The Oxygen Network). Bang, bang… and lot’s of improv later, I fled from those auditions to make my callback at 4:00.

Again, fortune was smiling on me because the callback was only 15 minutes away and I actually made it there 10 minutes early! Woo! And then I waited as they were running late. Oh well, I’m just happy to be here. So I spent the time chatting with the other actors also waiting for this callback. (Most people I run into at auditions, of course, are “old timers” in the industry, so I like to chat and get information I can!)

As I sat there, one very nice lady in particular (Lisa) was attempting to make a decision that would potentially be a life-changing move up the coast of California for a job her husband was offered… and where it would be much more difficult for her to work in acting, of course. We talked for a while and she really seemed to appreciate my story of what she called “a leap of faith” to come here… although I don’t know how much it will actually help her make her decision!

So after all this time of chatting with her, they called us in together! I love it when that happens… it’s so much nicer to go into an audition with someone you know than a stranger. Especially when she’s supposed to be your wife! She was extremely pleased as well - and we had a great time in the audition. Who knows if either of us will get it, but I definitely feel good about the work we did.

Another busy and productive day! Fantastic!

Oh… and hopefully we’ll meet again on the MC shoot, but if not - good luck Lisa!

Yesterday was a busy day - and I love when that happens!

First, I had an audition for a MasterCard spot where I was to be a sailer that runs aground. Ugh. Guess I’m not a very good sailer. It’s a SAG job, so that’s both cool and not. It would be uuber cool to get, but since I’m not SAG yet… the odds are very slim. The SAG thing is a total Catch-22. It’s really hard to get SAG jobs if you’re not SAG, but you can’t get your SAG card without doing SAG work. Sigh.

Next up was an Improv rehearsal for the Improv show we’ll be putting up at The Next Stage on LaBrea. Improv is always fun! (But I really miss ComedySportz!!!)

Then, a 2nd audition - this one for Corona where I’d be a cowboy. And wouldn’t you know it? I forgot my boots at home. Gah! Anyway, this one was for print, so it was just stand and be photographed. A print ad would be fun, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Finally, I wrapped things up with my audition class. Officially the class runs from 7:30 - 10:30… but it’s a big class and we wrapped up around 11:30.

Whew. Unfortunately, the day was so busy that I missed a regularly scheduled class… but that’s a small price to pay to be getting out on auditions! Let’s keep them coming!

More fantastic fallout from being featured on IMDB last week! My IMDB STARmeter has gone up a bit. Ok, a lot. 9,599% up, to be exact. Last week my STARmeter was 55,468. This week? 577. Check it out:

Tim Robbins, Richard Gere, Brooke Shields, Ray Liotta, Jon Voight, Hugh Grant, Alfred Hitchhock… and me.

I’m in great company!

Working on the Cablevision shoot

It was a beautiful day yesterday in Pasadena! Sunny, low seventies, and I spent the entire day in my fantastically landscaped backyard relaxing, talking with friends, cooking hamburgers, eating, chatting on the phone, watching dancing girls, and accepting cupcakes from my beautiful dancing Australian wife. As you can see, I was working hard.

Thank you Brian, Shelly, Andrew, Brett, Pat, Autumn, and everyone else that helped make the day go so well!

Hey all, this is SO COOL! I’m featured on the front page of IMDB!

Seriously, go to IMDB now and see!

(I’ll post a screen shot of for posterity in a little bit.)

Update: Here it is….

My agent called a little while ago. I booked the Cablevision spot. Shazam!

Things are finally starting to roll here, friends!

I had 2 commercial auditions with 2 callbacks this week! Well, I didn’t book the first (crud!), but my agent called and told me I am now “on avail” for the 2nd commercial. Yay! Of course, I haven’t actually booked it yet… but I’m thrilled just to get to this point with the auditions. Now if I book this one, that will rock!

Oh… and did I mention that I’ve joined an improv group? We’re in rehearsals right now and will be putting on performances in April! I’m SO glad to be back doing improv! I really miss all you ComedySportz folks in Indy!

So there it is. It’s taken 2 months to get things moving here, but I’m pumped. Let’s rock this place!

Nope, they still haven’t added The Dark Knight to my credits, but Kate Chaplin was able to get my latest film - First They Came For… listed. Way to go, Kate!