Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Broken Lizard

Well, about 3 years ago, I set down to set some long term goals and ways of reaching them. One of them was to act in a Broken Lizard Production. I loved thier movies, thought they were funny, and just the type of movies I would want to make. Well, less than two years late, then I meet one of the 5 main players from the group and get to do a little still shoot for him to help his presentation for Paramount. And you guessed it, he's just a guy. But how canny that I set something so long ago, thought, it would be impossible to ever get this goal, and two years later, one of my closest acting friends wife is best friends with his wife. and there you have it. On a small scale, but yet for yours truely, a victory. Now I wonder if it would have happened if I didn't set that goal. Maybe those goal setting things actually work.
Huh....
merica

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

When you suck

Yep it just so happens that at some point in time you're gonna suck. Be it an off day, or something out of the blue, or nothing at all, just sucking. And I'd like to be a guru and tell you all that there is an easy way out of it, or that you don't have to worry about it, but I would be lying. I will say though that you should try and learn from it, so that the next time it happens you won't suck so badly as the first time. Really when you suck at something, it means that you either you weren't prepared, you don't have enough skill, or you weren't focused enough. All of which you can work on and get better. Here is the story of what happened to me.
Being an actor out here, and in the late 20's early 30's white guy category, means there are a lot of us around trying to get roles. Luckily there are quite a few to be had, but a lot of us working to get that part. For me specifically, I have had to work really hard to break down some doors. And my job once I get into the room, is to win the cd. Not to book the job, but to win the casting director. Prove to them, that calling you in was a good thing, and to call you in for the next job that you are more right for. (I know this seems weird, but it is true) So, first day back after the new year, I see a role I am perfect for. A co-star for a show. Not too big, but perfect. "First TV credit here I come." I prep it, know it, know what I am gonna do with it. Easy stuff. Then something happens. The guy auditioning right in front of me, after his read, is flagged down by the cd and told they want him back for call-backs. Now, this shouldn't throw me. I have gone through this whole thing time and again all over the place. But I don't really look like him. Stop it, just go in and do your job, show them what you've got. And what Happens? Nothing. I stink. I show them nothing that I wanted to show them, and feel like I come across like a green actor, of which I am not. On the page, all over the place. And I get in my car and I am pissed off. Thoughts of "when are you gonna take this seriously?" fall into my head. Could I have known it better? Yep. Fuck. Me.
So what do I do after all the poor me stuff is over. I re-evaluate the situation. 1. It probably wasn't as bad as I think, but I know that I was vanilla and looked over. 2. If memorization of material is sucky, become better at it. 3. Always talk your auditions over with a coach. 4. Know that the marketing material is doing something because the associate knew of me, and I had never met her before. and 5. Let it go. Evaluate, and let it go. Because you don't suck, you just got reminded of what you need to do. And like my friend said last night, "Don't worry about it, the show sucks now anyway and you don't want to be associated with that show. "
That was the first time I smiled about it.
Take that 2010
'Merica