AVAIL: Tabasco

Well, this is the first time in a while that I've basically felt like I've nailed every step of the process and I still don't have the job yet. However, I did get through to the next phase landing the "avail". It's my third one so far this year. Maybe the ad guys are finally returning to the normal fellas instead of the skinny nerdy techy types. Tabasco is right on the money for me. It's almost time for the beer spots to get cranked up for football.

Callback: Tabasco @ Gabrielle Schary Casting

Got the callback - Feeling confirmed, not in a Catholic way. The callback went just fine again. I was paired up with another chap from KSA. We were both playing the same role at the original audition. For the callback, we were reading both roles anyway. I felt great about everything, and on the way out, was stopped by the session runner to return and read again. The director said he felt like maybe I was stepped on a bit and wanted to give me another go. I suppose that was a good sign that they liked what I did in the first go 'round. I'm not sure the second time was quite as funny, but I do like to improvise.

Last night, my mom and I went to see a taping of a new sitcom called "The Bill Engvall Show". It was fun from an entertainment standpoint and very interesting to watch the mechanics of the production itself. The show debuts in July on TBS.

Audition: Tabasco @ Gabrielle Schary Casting

My mom is in town this week. Today, we drove down to Long Beach to meet an acquaintance of hers for lunch. We had tasty ribs at a bbq joint there and I located another Chick-fil-A. Afterwards, we drove to Santa Monica for my Tabasco audition. The breakdown mentioned a red t-shirt, though red is usually one of those colors you're never supposed to wear on camera. The audition had sides, but the session runner said they wanted us to play with the lines and improvise in our own style of humor. Sometimes that is more difficult once they've given you a specific script. However, with the lingering aftertaste of bbq baby back ribs on my palate, I felt like I nailed it.

Audition: Skittles @ Francene Selkirk-Ackerman

This one was just plain goofy. They seemed to be looking for the slacker type, which usually isn't me. However, just reading the spot, it seemed more appropriate as an office-y type. Guess we'll see what happens...as always!

Audition: Time Warner @ Kathy Knowles Casting

Back to Santa Monica, this time for morning rush hour. The audition went very well. I was supposed to be matched up with a female as a couple, but the audition holding area was just a bunch of guys. The session runner mentioned that it always seems to happen that way...the guys show up on time or early while the ladies run late.

Audition: TW RoadRunner Cable @ Joe Blake Casting

This morning, my wife and I went for a chilly hike in Burbank's Wildwood Canyon. Just before we left, I received an email notice about the audition. The character description suits me perfectly. The drive to and from Santa Monica on the 405 late on a weekday afternoon suits me a little less perfectly. However, the audition was speedy and great. Tonight, I'm attending the second of two workshop sessions with Traci Moscowitz of Valko/Miller Casting (Boston Legal).

Day 15: Passions - episode 2011 "The Final Chapter"

In a saga with so many "last" days, it seems odd to have finally made it to the actual last day. I had a few short scenes in which I get to continue making light of Luis' impending doom - "Torment with a smile." When it was all over, I thanked the cast and crew for making it such a fun experience. I stopped by the casting office to say, "Thanks" and "See you again." Then, I began the march of the unemployed actor back to my car and went home to mail more agent submissions.

Of course, nothing is ever final in Soapland. Perhaps I'll reappear on a desert island to terrorize Fancy and Luis after their luxury yacht sinks in the South Pacific. Maybe Miguel will get framed on some drug smuggling charges in South America and land in the third world prison where I will just happen to be part of a mentor exchange program. Maybe I am Alistair Crane! I gotta run. I'm meeting the 1/2 Man-1/2 Woman for drinks. Or am I? Muahhahhhahhhahaaaa!

Office work

I've been very busy the last two days. There haven't been any auditions, shoots or even shifts at my day job. I just tackled the office work that's part of my acting career. There were agent submissions, manager submissions, notices of Passions airdates sent to film/television casting directors and even commercial casting directors. There were trips to the office supply store, the printers and the post office, hours spent researching client rosters on the internet, hunting down addresses and trying to determine which casting offices are still open (pilot season is basically done). I coached a couple of my friends on audition scenes. I met with my scene partner from the In Demand Showcase to hash out ideas about shooting our scene and getting it performance ready again for potential meetings. I packed a lot into the unexpected days off from my job. Already, I've received one response from an agent. Tomorrow, I'm getting a haircut. Next week, I'll need to begin planning for my reel, deciding which scenes from my most recent job will make the cut with the other material I've collected. Then, we've got to clean this apartment. But I guess this isn't a blog about housekeeping.

Day 14: Passions - episode 2005

I had two relatively short scenes today with Luis and Pilar, who was new to me. Pilar is played by Eva Lemus.
My scenes were first up after lunch. Galen didn't see me until I stepped out for rehearsal, when he remarked, "Oh no...not you again!" The first 6 episodes I shot will finish airing tomorrow. The next 6 will begin airing May 8th I think. Episode 1984, which aired today, was the episode in which I got to blast Oliver, Galen's stunt double, with a high-pressure water hose. That was fun. In fact, I went into Jackie's office that day after taping and she said, "I've been watching you on the monitor...I heard you say, 'This is too much fun!'"

Shooting: Spec Commercial for Jon Hill

My friends Jon and Leigh Hill from Atlanta live out here and I shot a spec commercial for them yesterday. I don't remember if I blogged the audition... Anyway, I was playing a young dad who is confronted by the "birds and bees" question in the park. Corrin came along too and threw the frisbee around for a while. We had fun. The young actor playing my boy was a bundle of energy, so getting him to stay on his mark was a real challenge. Near the end of the shoot in a small park in West Hollywood (-ish), Rip Taylor randomly dropped by to see what was going on and network I guess. That was hilarious.

The shoot didn't take too long and then I spent an hour in an indoor cycling class at the gym. This is my new favorite form of exercise. I've dropped about 8 pounds in the last few weeks. It's a sweaty affair, but engages that competitive spirit and sense of accomplishment in me more than the treadmill or the elliptical machines. That's why I enjoy it so much.

I'm shooting another episode of Passions this Monday and next Monday. That may be it. It has been fun watching the first few episodes. Today's was particularly good for my reel.

Day 13: Passions - episode 2003

Today was tough. I had two scenes with a bunch of lines that did not just roll off the tongue. It was the first time I flubbed a line while shooting and it happened twice. It's no big deal and happens all the time in general, but one of the lines in particular was so difficult to say that I got in my head a little bit. Guess we'll see how this one turns out.

Airdates: Passions

I just received word that due to a preemption somewhere, the airdates for my episodes were pushed back 1 day. I've adjusted the schedule below. Since the May dates are a little farther out, I'll let you know of any changes there.

NBC - 2pm (Eastern and Pacific)

April 24-27, 30

May 1, 8-11, 14, 15

Suggested episodes that were particularly fun for me:

April 26, 27, 30

May 11, 14, 15

Also, I just got a script for this Monday. Surprise! But I'll take it!

Day 12: Passions - episode 1995

And the final day arrives at last. Today, I had two scenes with Emily ("Fancy"). These were originally Mike's. As a result, the content led to a big change in my character, which should be fun to watch. I dropped off some headshots at various CD offices on the lot today, and stopped by Jackie's office to get her opinion on a few agencies I'm targeting. She gave me some feedback and suggestions that will help tremendously. She also told me that there will likely be at least two more days - April 30 and May 7. Neither is set in stone yet, but so far all of the "maybes" have turned into "reallys". So, it wasn't so bad to leave knowing that it probably wasn't the final day after all.

Day 11: Passions - episodes 1993, 1994

Episode 1993 was originally scheduled to be my last. As a result of the changes, I also shot episode 1994 today. My scenes were pretty much at the end of the day, though my call time was 12:45pm for afternoon dry-block. There was one scene that was a little tricky because of the confines of the space we were working in and the number of people involved.

The scenes in episode 1994 were originally Mike's. Mike and I have established different characters, making these next two episodes an adventure. There's some fun stuff.

Day 10: Passions - episode 1990 (partial)

Since we were only doing one scene left over from episode 1990, today went by fast. It was good to be back after the break. I also got some great news. Mike, the other recurring guard, got a big guest star role on NCIS that conflicted with his episodes this week. Jackie called me to ask if I was available for Wednesday. Of course I am. So, I'm taking on his additional 2 episodes, giving me a total of 12 now.

Audition: Carl's Jr. @ Lisa Fields Casting

This is funny because two out of the three times I've been in for this casting director, I've had to take off some article of clothing. Last time it was my pants for the Allstate Mr. Change-your-pants-while-driving thing. This time it was my shirt. I was the first actor in again. The audition consisted of eating a little spear of fruit while looking at the imaginary beach scenery.

Day 9: Passions - episode 1991 (partial) & 1992 (partial)

Two partial episodes today. We did the remainder of episode 1991 and part of 1992. I also found out today that the other scene in ep. 1992 that I'm supposed to be in was cut. That was going to shoot on Monday the 16th. Instead, I'll just be doing part of episode 1990 on Monday the 16th. It was another laid back day. Call time was 11:30am, and under the direction of Phideaux Xavier once again, things were moving quickly. We didn't have a long wait before we shot the first scene. The second scene was just after lunch. By 2:30pm, we were on the way out. That gave me time to get my smog check done for the car registration. When you're waiting there watching the guy hook all the gizmos up to your car, it's tense. It's almost like your waiting for the results of some important blood test. I got a little anxious, but the car passed with flying colors, so we're good for another two years.

Day 8: Passions - episode 1991 (partial)

Today was a short scene that's part of episode 1991. "Partial" means they're shooting pieces of different episodes on the same day. The production coordinators who schedule this stuff must be good at puzzles. Call time was a very reasonable 2:30pm. The dressing room I used today had a leather recliner in it, so I took a light nap while waiting for my scene. There were a couple of last minute changes, line cuts and line swaps, but they didn't make a huge difference. However, the other guard had one line that kept cracking us all up, starting with Galen who plays Luis on the show. Once he started the laughing, we had a tough time avoiding it. Though it took us a couple of extra takes, we managed to finish and I was on my way home at 5:30pm. Not a bad day's work. I'll mention again that the cast and crew are very welcoming. Most of my scenes and chats cast-wise have been with Galen (Luis), Adrian (Miguel), Emily (Fancy), Mckenzie (Sheridan), and James (Sam). The other guard who is recurring is played by Michael.

Day 7: Passions - episode 1990 (partial)

I got a surprise call yesterday afternoon with my call time for 7:45am. It was a surprise because it was not a day that I knew about and a script I didn't have. Since it was to be one scene in which I have only a couple of lines, I decided to just pick up the script on set rather than make an extra trip. When I arrived, I was greeted happily by members of the cast and crew, again adding to the "at home" feeling. I was glad to be back too. We didn't get to my scene until after lunch due to some stunt scenes taking a bit longer than planned. Once we started working on my particular scene, it only took about 10 minutes and then I was done.

Day 6: Passions - episode 1985

Day 6 was a pretty quick one for me. I was only involved in a couple of scenes. The director was Karen Wilkens, who also directed the second episode last Friday. While I was in my dressing room, I got another call from the casting director. They've added three more episodes for sure, which will tape on April 16 and 17. We were flying back from a friend's wedding in Memphis on the 16th, once again proving that if you want to book a job, just buy plane tickets. So I spent the afternoon dealing with the flight change. The cost difference on the same airline was ridiculous. They wanted about $900 MORE to change the return flight from Monday to Sunday. We ended up cancelling those tickets and buying a direct flight from another airline for a couple hundred less than that. Craziness. At least we'll be able to change our original tickets at some other point during the year and we have a few more flights planned.