Shot my scene with Kinky Friedman today for the movie Mars, directed by Geoff Marslett.
It's a combination of real people and animation. Saw a bit today, and it looked pretty good.
It'll hit the Sundance festival in September. (ish)
Monday, 16 June 2008
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Boo hoo!
Boo hoo! I'm not going to Sedona now, after all. The client for the Conoco ad that's shooting there decided (having auditioned a bunch of people, myself included, and have them travel TWICE in some cases - me a total of 800 miles) that they want to use a Native American for the job.
Why don't they decide what they want in the first place, rather than waste a lot of people's time and money?
Frankly, I'm pissed off. Disappointed that I didn't get to do the job, sure. But I did my part of it as I should have, and was professional about it.
Pissed off my time was wasted, though.
But actors aren't really considered to be all that important, I guess. Thing is, in Britain we get paid for a recall, precisely so that things like this don't happen. When the people making the decisions have to bear some kind of responsibility for their actions, they use their time - and others' - more effectively.
Ultimately, that leads to more professionalism all round.
Why don't they decide what they want in the first place, rather than waste a lot of people's time and money?
Frankly, I'm pissed off. Disappointed that I didn't get to do the job, sure. But I did my part of it as I should have, and was professional about it.
Pissed off my time was wasted, though.
But actors aren't really considered to be all that important, I guess. Thing is, in Britain we get paid for a recall, precisely so that things like this don't happen. When the people making the decisions have to bear some kind of responsibility for their actions, they use their time - and others' - more effectively.
Ultimately, that leads to more professionalism all round.
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Improvisation
I'm working on getting an improvisation group together.
Improv is a fabulous thing for an actor to do to get in touch with himself. It's invaluable, in fact.
As I'm writing this I'm sitting in the Hideout theatre's coffee shop. The Hideout's probably one of the better improv workshop/groups in Austin, although I confess I don't know all of them.
My main aim is to do more "dangerous" improv than is generally done, though. Although I'm keen on comedy, obviously, I really like to explore aspects of character that are deeper and darker and more uncomfortable. Not entirely sure why - it's just what I like to do. Lighter, comedic improv has its place, of course, and I'm not knocking it. I enjoy it immensely. But as an older actor I really want to delve deeper into character.
At some point I want to make films based on improvised work, something along the lines of Mike Leigh. I auditioned for Leigh once, many years ago, and oddly the audition didn't go at all well. It was as though I lost something, or wasn't able to make a connection with him, which is a shame as I'm absolutely convinced improv is a big strength of mine, and I can do a lot with improv and film - not "improvised film" as such - but film using plot and character devised and developed during the improv process.
I hope to get some meetings and workshops going soon.
Improv is a fabulous thing for an actor to do to get in touch with himself. It's invaluable, in fact.
As I'm writing this I'm sitting in the Hideout theatre's coffee shop. The Hideout's probably one of the better improv workshop/groups in Austin, although I confess I don't know all of them.
My main aim is to do more "dangerous" improv than is generally done, though. Although I'm keen on comedy, obviously, I really like to explore aspects of character that are deeper and darker and more uncomfortable. Not entirely sure why - it's just what I like to do. Lighter, comedic improv has its place, of course, and I'm not knocking it. I enjoy it immensely. But as an older actor I really want to delve deeper into character.
At some point I want to make films based on improvised work, something along the lines of Mike Leigh. I auditioned for Leigh once, many years ago, and oddly the audition didn't go at all well. It was as though I lost something, or wasn't able to make a connection with him, which is a shame as I'm absolutely convinced improv is a big strength of mine, and I can do a lot with improv and film - not "improvised film" as such - but film using plot and character devised and developed during the improv process.
I hope to get some meetings and workshops going soon.
Mars
Another film I worked on at the beginning of the year has some pickup shots which are happening next week.
I'm playing a reporter who's interviewing the US president, who's now been cast. Kinky Friedman is playing him, apparently, and I have some green screen shots with him.
It's a small part, but a nice little scene with the star of the film.
More on that when it happens.
I'm playing a reporter who's interviewing the US president, who's now been cast. Kinky Friedman is playing him, apparently, and I have some green screen shots with him.
It's a small part, but a nice little scene with the star of the film.
More on that when it happens.
Red vs Blue
This is a great voice over I'm doing for the films associated with the very popular video game, Red vs Blue.
Check out their website, here.
I'm playing a character called The Chairman who's...well, watch the films and you'll find out.
Here's a direct link the the films
Check out their website, here.
I'm playing a character called The Chairman who's...well, watch the films and you'll find out.
Here's a direct link the the films
First post
This blog is just to put down everything relating to my acting work - whether it's film, theatre, voice over, improvisation, internet, TV, corporate, or anything else.
Plus, how I'm doing the process, what acting means to me as well as my shared insights into characterization, auditions, castings, and the business of being an actor.
And just to keep people in the picture about what I'm doing.
Plus, how I'm doing the process, what acting means to me as well as my shared insights into characterization, auditions, castings, and the business of being an actor.
And just to keep people in the picture about what I'm doing.
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