Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Day 31 - Well Played Episode 2.5, Well Played Episode 3 and SAG attack!

Day 31 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Shot Well Played Episode 3 today but first had to do a pick up shot for episode 2 because you could see crew in the reflections of the microwave! Great fun. Still so tired from the Spartan Race but was focused to get it done. Kaitlin Cullum was our guest star and she did a fabulous job! Crazy, sweet and talented all at the same time! Check out Episode 1 here! Well Played Episode 1

David Quittman. I hope this completes you.

And my payment for SAG went through today so its official. I'm yet another member of the prestigious and over populated actors union. Here's to fighting the masses!!

Until tomorrow!

Day 30 - NCIS stills, Surplus Store Shoot and Santiago Premiere

Day 30 VLOG CLICK HERE!

630am on set! "Travis! Youre first up!" And I was and then I was out! By 735am. I wore my Naval uniform and they took photos for my profile folder. Everything had to be in line and uniform and centered perfectly between the Naval flag and the American flag. My character is a Chief Petty Officer, the 7th enlisted rank in the navy. Its characterized my a distinguished record and time served. You receive a service stripe for every 4 years in the Navy. There are gold and red stripes. Gold indicate a perfect service record clean of any disciplinary actions.

Because I was done so early I had time to coordinate and still shoot the commercial for Surplus Store. It went very well and should be very funny. Did a bunch of different takes and a ton of improv. Cant wait!

Finally, joined Wesan and his agent, Addison Witt, at the L.A. premiere of the independent film "Santiago." It was made on a budget of less than some graduate student films and was better than most that have budgets in hundreds of millions. That is a feat. It was engaging from the very beginning, up the nose to fading red taillight. Congratulations Wesam Keesh. Blow him up on IMDb. His star meter could use the help. Kidding.....

Until tomorrow.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Day 29 - Sparta, Sparta and SPARTA!!!

Day 29 VLOG Click Here!

This day was solely devoted to The Spartan Race. 8 plus miles, rope climbs, mud crawls, hay stack climbs and just running, running, running!

Finished in under 3 hours. I'm done and in bed before 7pm!

Until tomorrow!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Day 28 - Elmo, Junkyard and SPARTAN sleep

Day 28 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Had a kids party this morning where I played Elmo. The parties are fun when you aren't harassed by kids and parents. Today was great. I think I made 7 balloons and then changed into Elmo for 20 minutes. Hugs, high fives and pictures. Super easy. Ideally I wont have to do it much longer out of financial necessity.

Next Wesam and I headed down to Hollywood to do a table read for our next episode of Junkyard and record the vocals. Check out the latest episode here. Junkyard Snoop Dogg

And finally, hitting the sack early tonight because tomorrow is the SPARTAN race. I feel I should have trained a little more but alas time got away. Check out this inspirational video to get an idea of what we're up against. Spartan Race

Until tomorrow!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Day 27 - Costume Fitting, Table Read and Joining SAG

Day 27 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Went to a fitting for NCIS. Walked in and 3 nearly identical guys were sitting on three separate couches. They all wore slacks, shirt, tie, legs crossed and were on their smartphones. I tried asking for direction but they just stared at me. It was funny in my head. I said "Im going this way" and left the room.

I grabbed a quick lunch as the cast and crew were on break. I find an empty chair and ask if its taken and its Rocky Carroll who plays Director Vance. It says "Its taken by you!" He introduces himself as does Michael Weatherly. Super nice.

Table read was quick, looked around the room, saw the rest of the cast including Mark Harmon and David McCallum. I looked around the room and everyone had a blue script but me. I was too nervous to ask for one so I just read it off of my phone. I was going green!

Since I was SAG eligible due to my Burger King spot I had to join SAG this time. I faxed in my paper work and will have to wait until Monday before I hear anything. First day is officially Monday for stills. Great days ahead!

Until tomorrow!

Day 26 - NCIS Booking, Hue Concept Complete and Sibby Kirchgessner.

Day 26 - VLOG CLICK HERE!

NCIS!! I booked it! Can't wait to shoot. Supposed to be 5 glorious days on set next week. It'll be like Silent Venom all over again but no snakes or Luke Perry.

Finished working on Hue for the concept phase of Benjamin Moore. Submitted our 5 best and I think they are really good. You know, it's funny. We're writing concepts for the character we created. We should be a shoe in but with 258 concepts, will the powers that be choose ours when it was our vision that created Hue in the first place? Oh I hope!!

And ran another workshop for SIbby Kirchgessner. Such a lovely woman. She just started talking about one topic and segued to another, just chatting and forgetting why we were there and no one minded. But then we got back on track and the class were great. Excellent reads. Jonte LeGras was in attendance. That's my roommate!!

Until tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Day 25 - NCIS audition, NCIS callback and Tongal!

Day 25 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Started the morning with a drive to Paramount to audition for NCIS again. It's always good to be called in. Matt calls me at work to ask how it went but secretly knowing all the while because.....

I had a call back that evening. Very simple. I walk in, say the line and go into cardiac arrest. Good thing I'm great at faking seizures. Kidding but seriously....I fake a seizure at Six Flags once and it went too far.  A woman, a complete stranger, raced over and put me in her lap while I kept going and played it off. Wow. Boy did I feel bad. I was in 9th grade too. That was too many years ago.

Lastly, more work on Hue for Tongal. Need to finish and polish tonight. I have a feeling if our concept doesnt get picked it will be because there are so many like it. We kind of set that up with the description of the character. But what rocks is we get residuals of any prize that is paid out based on our character. Totes my goats.

Until tomorrow!

Day 24 - Business Cards Arrive, Focus on Hue and "ART"

Day 24 VLOG Click here!!

Received my business cards. Look great!

Worked on Hue Chromagnum. Needs some fine tuning before submission.

Saw Pasadena Playhouse's production of "ART" starring Bradley Whitford, Roger Bart and Michael O'Keefe. It was good, not great. Material seemed to drag a little. I might have just been tired. Had a long day, hard workout and no nap. The material was translated from a French play  about 3 guys and a crappy piece of art that somehow interferes with their lives. Running an hour and 30 minutes I was glad there was no intermission. If I'd had to take my foot off the gas to refill I dont think I would have wanted to keep driving. But all in all the performances were great. These are 3 profession working actors who are very good at their craft. It was a pleasure to spend 90 minutes in their graces.

Until tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Day 23 - Equipment research, V/O Audition and Surplus Store Booking

Day 23 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Did some research on some lighting and sound equipment. Used my audio recorder for Wesam's video and my audition tape and it sounds so much better. Next a boom mike, lapel and some soft lights.

Made some recordings for a V/O video game audition. Lots of different dwarf voices.

Finally, booked a regional commercial for "Surplus Store" and should be interesting because its only my head superimposed on a Army action figure. Should be fun!

Until tomorrow!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Day 22 - Editing, Scott David and Self Butt Kicking

Day 22 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Woke up and first thing jumped on Final Cut to finish Wesam's audition video. Turned out cool. Unfortunately you can tell the difference between the D5 and CanonT2. But still looks great!

Had a workshop with Scott David today. This is the third time I've been his reader and this time I brought it. He was very impressed but told me I'm in a tough category. I keep hearing this. Also said he doesn't see me as a leading man, not so macho as metro. I get it. I'm musical theater and very animated. I'm no Jason Statham but I'm not always Ryan Seacrest.  I can pull it back, lower my speaking tone and kick some ass. Seriously....

Finally, ended the evening by heading to the park and killing myself with sprints and pushups. 7 days until Sparta!

Until tomorrow!

Day 21 - Lauren Bass, 5D and Audition Edit

Day 21 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Luckily the person running Lauren Bass's workshop today had to bow out so I stepped in and ran it for her. My scene went very well! Come on Lauren! You know you want to see me in your office!

Conrad brought over his Canon 5D and we shot a mock audition for Wesam. He did a scene from "Justice for All." At one point all of us were either on YouTube or google trying to figure out how to use the LiveVideo function. We all learned something today,

Lastly, I edited my audition piece together and emailed it off.  Watch it here!

Until tomorrow!

P.S. If you heard about my Wipeout win last March but never saw any of the footage, here's your chance. WIPEOUT!!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Day 20 - Tongal Trouble, Taped Audition and The Groundlings

Day 20 VLOG Click here!!

Hit Runyon first, need the cardio to keep up with the Spartan Race in 9 days!!

Got a call from Tim while he's having fun at Sundance. Apparently I screwed up some of my Tumbler links when I input them at 530am! Fortunately, the supervisor of the site was kind enough to message us to let us know they were not working. Thats good and bad news. The links weren't working  but they're looking at our pitch!

Put an audition on tape today for a short that shoots in San Diego.

Went and saw a friend, Scott Beehner, at The Groundlings tonight. Fantastic actor and so funny! He also writes a lot of the sketches too. Great talent!

Until tomorrow.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Day 19 - 6:30am, Manager letter and Stacy Taylor Singerman

Day 19 VLOG CLICK HERE!

I worked through the night to finish our Pringles pitches. All complete at 5:48 and in bed by 6:30am. Don't think I fell asleep until around 7 though. I was wide awake! I missed my sleep cycle so my body couldn't get back in rhythm. Tonight though I will sleep like a log.
Check out the finished Test shoot here. YEEHAW SUPERLATIVE

Sent an email to one of my managers asking for a meeting. I just want to meet and discuss 2012.  I know everybody is busy with pilot season and I would very much like to be one of those people too.

Finished the evening with a workshop with Stacy Taylor Singerman. She is the casting director of "The Secret Circle" and "The Vampire Diaries." Great read. She's working on a new pilot  and I would love to partake.

Until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Day 18 - Surplus Store Audition, Test Shoot and Melissa Messer

Day 18 VLOG CLICK HERE!

Started the day with an audition for "Surplus Store" which is a military goods and more retailer. The audition went very well. The guy who ran the audition also directs, produces and writes it. He kept saying how impress he was with my reel and he was glad to work with a serious actor. Even after my read he kept saying how impressed he was. That definitely raised my spirits. And even if I don't get this job I know he will remember for me for future projects. Great start to the day!

After work I raced home to shoot some test footage for our Pringle's pitch. Wow it is not easy to do without a crew!

Lastly I ended the evening with a workshop for Melissa Messer. Last time I saw her was the day before my birthday. It was good to see her again and luckily she remembered me from last class. Almost harder than being seen in this crazy audition world is being remembered in it.

Until tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Day 17 - Voiceover makeover, TCBC and Pringles

Day 17 VLOG CLICK HERE!

I used my new fancy audio recorder today to give ""Today" and voiceover makeover. It's a short Tim and I had shot but for the pitching stages on Tongal we need an example of previous work so I tried to spruce it up a bit. It's not brilliant but its not bad either having absolutely no production value and shot on an iPhone.

Took care of business cards today. I'll show you an example when I get them!

And worked on 3 segments for Pringles which I think are all funny. But I'm bias. Going to do some storyboarding before I hit the hay.

Until tomorrow.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Day 16 - Business Cards, Tongalicious and Low-to-no.

Day 16 VLOG - Click here!

Business cards. Need to have them. How professional does one look when asked for more information and you produce a fabulous and eye catching card? It says this person cares about what he's selling. He's organized. Focused. Someone with whom I want to work. Finished my new ones today and will order tomorrow.

More Tongal talk with Tim today. DiscussedPretzel Crisps, Pringles and Benjamin Moore. Crunch time tomorrow.

Finally, an audition that will have its West Coast premiere here in Burbank. I passed on the audition tonight because it was no to low pay which means I miss work and possibly the ability to pay rent for a month. That's what savings are for the musical theater fairy yells in my ear but the Leo Bloom in my other ear says you'll have to work double shifts at CPK to catch up plus you won't eat this month. He won this round.  I do have to thank Aaron Kozak for the audition and his faith in me.

Until tomorrow.

Day 15 - Acting Class, Self Reflection and The Golden Globes

Day 15 - VLOG CLICK HERE!

I joined an acting class with Rana Joy Glickman. Wesam introduced me to it and its been great. We usually start the class with a certain topic. Today it was "assumptions."  Draw your own conclusions about it. I did a scene that I wrote about a would-be politician pushed into the light due to the passing of his wife. You find out through twists and turns that the wife was murdered so an independent energy firm could secure a strong grasp on a new energy nation. Over a course of 2 years, the husband transitions into the role of politician and excels. He uncovers the conspiracy and tries to expose it. Heavy stuff!

After discussing the scene and my work and upon returning home I realize it was the first time I had put the scene up on its feet and the first time I had opened myself up to the material.  The beats weren't clearly defined yet. I know where they are but in the moment I glazed them over. As an actor I have to be honest with myself and admit it needs some work.

Finished the evening with the Golden Globes. No real surprises except Matt LeBlanc winning for being himself. He was the only member of "Friends" that was never nominated for an Emmy. GO MATT! And congrats the "Modern Family" for winning best comedy TV show. I love that show. Its a modern day "Seinfeld" with a family twist. Spend the 30 minutes every Wednesday and watch something that isn't crap!

Until tomorrow.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Day 14 - Party Creations, Scene Rehearsal and Brainstorming

Day 14 - VLOG CLICK HERE!!

Started lazy but had two kids parties in the afternoon. I work on the weekends for Party Creations and I've been there for about 3 years. I've done everything from Tarzan at a country club to Elmo in ghetto. Elmo almost got assaulted after being verbally abused. That was a close one! First party I played did Elmo. He's a lot of fun and I do the voice very, very well. Second was an easy athletic gig.  Basically I do football drills, obstacle courses and overall silliness.

I wrote a final scene for my acting class tomorrow morning and I rehearsed it tonight. Mostly proud that its a fairly well written piece. I hope it plays as such tomorrow.

Lastly, Wesam and I sat and brainstormed. Mostly I rambled on about my idea for a feature. I've written one scene just to get it out and I let him read it. He asks if it was from larger piece and the flood gates opened. In other words, we didn't get much written.

Until tomorrow.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Day 13 - Goals, Manager Meeting and Hue Chromagnum!!

Day 13 - VLOG - Click here!

Started by making a goal list for 2012. From increasing auditions per week to booking guess star roles, I compiled a doable list for 2012. First I need to update my headshots, get a more current look for myself, also launch my personal acting website among a few.

Met with my manager to discuss my goals and figure out a plan for the near future. The outcome? More aggressive action. Be more proactive. And stay on people's radar!

Tongal announced the winners of Benjamin Moore's character search and my writing partner Tim and myself came out on top 1 of 2 out of 375ish.  Great job!!  Our winnings will go right back into production for the next phase. Onward and upward!

Until tomorrow.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Day 12 - Lunch Meeting, Afternoon Audition and Evening Workshop

DAY 12 VLOG - CLICK HERE!

Met with a friend who has his hand in everything. Manager, producer, director, writer. Always changing hats. My worry in doing that is you spread yourself too thin.  My wish in the future would be to do the same thing.

Went over to Digitals Dogs Casting in Beverly Hills, their new locale, met with Robert and put me on tape for Calloway Gold. Voice over work is nice. Don't have to worry about how you look!

 Running a workshop for Ani Avetyan tonight. She's a casting associate for "The Closer." Until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Day 11 - Well Played....again, Platalets and Writing Buddies

Day 11 VLOG

Got up what I thought was early. 8:30am but the world was already wide awake. Had my coffee and almost completely skipped breakfast and lunch. Lately I've been living on coffee. Not great for my pearly whites. Buying stock in Crest Whitestrips.  Part of the "Well Played" crew came over for reshoots again and I do mean reshoots for the reshoots. Ridiculous right? Lesson learned. Treat you electronics with care. Dont slap your laptap, punt your external harddrive or drown your phone in soup. They will not work!

CPK is a great place to eat. Please bring you friends....and tips.

Jumped on over to Cedars Sinai Hospital and donated blood platalets. I literally fell asleep and when I woke up an hour later it was over. While I recuperated I watched Dennis Miller on The O'Reilly Factor.  He is a Genius!!

Wesam and myself are going to write a little tonight on these shorts we're developing. Conrad cancelled. I suspect he had a hot date but I can't confirm. Until tomorrow!

Day 10 - Short Films, Espanol and Sara Isaacson



Read a friends script today, well part of it. Sometimes you just have to be in the mood to read a certain piece of material and today I just wasnt. Made it through 34 pages though. Pick it up tomorrow and finish.

Also worked a lot on the short film scripts I'm developing. The hardest part is writing the way people really talk. Ever record a conversation and then transcribe it? Its amazing how the conversation jumps around and thoughts are not always linear. My entire college capstone was based on live and online conversations.  I just reread it the other day and was amazed! These things were actually said?! I thought. So that has been a challenge also not writing the plot! No one likes to be hit over the head by too much exposition.

More Spanish!!

And finally went to a workshop for Sara Isaacson co-casting director of Fringe and Alcatraz. She instantly remembered calling me in for a musical. Hopefully, I made a good impression and a new working relationship will follow.

Until tomorrow!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Day 9 - CPK, UFC and IRS

Had to open and was done just as fast. Ran over to an audition for a commercial for Ultimate Fighting Competition. I pretended to be a dad pushing his kid on a swing when a UCF fighter walks up and pushes his kid too. He pushes so hard that his child goes flying into the air. My kid asks if I can do that and I change the subject by taking him for ice cream. I mean of course I can do that! Again it was super fast, less than 2 minutes. Organized receipts going for that maximum refund!!! I'm amazed at how less I went to the theater this passed year. Most months I didnt go at all. I did DVr a bunch this year and watched a lot of Netflix. Until tomorrow.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Day 8 - Ty Harmon, Rosetta Stone and Forum Reunion

That Ty Harmon, he's seen it all, done it all in every aspect so he knows how hard it is to be an actor.   That's why he opens his workshops by encouraging actors that if they can imagine themselves doing anything else then go do it! It's a hard business.  But no one left the room so everyone it seems is in for the long haul.  I continued the Rosetta Stone training. I even got more languages which I wont be able to start for some time but I'm super enthusiastic about doing so! Next went to Gail's house for a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum reunion and viewing party!! I was hoping for a composite video of several shows but we found out it was one video, one shot, one show. Oh well. It was still enjoyable and since every show had its own ups and down we were able to identify it. Senex forgot part of his song, I had a frozen and spastic death scene, Senex "schtooped" a maid, Senex sang "L.O.V.E" instead of "Maid" and, wait, Senex AKA Brad Kesden, it was just your show that night. And he thinks he's not an actor. I miss all my Forum cast mates. Especially that super talented Kristen Towers-Rowles. I swear that girl needs a TV special! Until tomorrow.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Day 7 - Dallas Travers, Script ideas and more Tongal.

So the gym killed me yesterday apparently. Short film ideas. Please submit something! Trying to come up with some script ideas to showcase our talents as actors, writers, producers and directors. Dallas Travers. If you are an actor, look her up, heed her advice. It's great.  It takes two to Tongal. My writing partner and I didn't meet today but I'm working on some pitches here and emailing when I get done. We've been working in tandem, we both write something and then edit each other and it has worked so far. Two minds are infinitely more powerful together than each on their own. Until tomorrow.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Day 6 - Gym, Thank You Cards, Entertainment Weekly


Killed it in the gym, showered and then had a leisurely lunch with Rachel.  Got home and my phone rang with a number I didn't recognize.  It was one of our managers from CPK asking why I wasn't at work yet.  I misread my schedule and thought I worked in the evening.  I sprang from the bed, dressed for work and made it to Weho in record time but was still an hour late for work. Always, always, always check your to do list. Finished Thank You cards, gonna read my Entertainment Weekly and organize some taxes. And this feels normal to me strangely. Until tomorrow.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Day 5 - Runyon Canyon, Test Shoot and Workshop

Did Runyon with 5 pound weights in my hands stopping at landings to do pushups, mountain climbers and sit ups. Doesnt even come close to what Wesam and myself will face in the Spartan Race. We need to be ready and continue to push ourselves. If you only do what your body is capable you will never grow. You must go beyond. Watching Rachel at the test shoot today reaffirms she is great at what she does. Not only did she readjust at every take without the need for direction but the poise she had in doing it was amazing.  Because she is just that, amazing. Continuing on I went with her to her casting and did more Rosetta Stone Spanish in the car while she auditioned. Today was still level 1, unit 1, core lesson 3, colors, sizes, present and personal tenses. Fun stuff. Lastly, I ran a workshop for Lyndsey Baldasare who casts the new 90210. Check out her IMDb page.  Once thing she kept saying to all the actors was "dont judge the character." You have to believe and fully support 100% what your character says and does. If you dont, it leads to judging the character and you will come up short with the performance. Does a bad guy think he's bad? Maybe but he follows through 100%. Even a murderer can justify in his own head that what he's doing is right. Also dont judge yourself. Had an actor come in and the first thing they said to the casting director was "Hello again. Do you remember me? I had that really bad audition." At first she didnt but then it clicked and the confidence they walked in with was shattered in the CD's eyes. "No fear" and "no excuses" are the points of the day my friends. Until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Day 4 - Kickstarter, NCIS and letting go.

There were only 4 of us dancers in the kickstarter video but each was a big personality as most dancers are and sometimes you can't always be the loudest one in the room. So today I took the back burner and let go. My jokes were quality over quantity I suppose. Also in the audition, again, let go. You look around the room wondering if that guy will give a better read. Let it go. And I had more fun. After all, it is playtime.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Day 3 Audio recorder, Pretzel Crisps and Thank you cards

Subway was brain food today. Also helped Rachel work on her TOP films of 2011 for her YouTube page. Utilized my new recorder. That thing its going to come in handy!
"Stay on target. Stay on target." Red 3, X-wing fighter in STAR WARS.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 2 Well Played, Working out and Audition Log

Day two seems harder than day one. I actually planned a little. Wrote out my topics and shot! Interesting thing happened today. You know that adage "Never judge a book by its cover." Well I had a table at work and one of the servers said "Im not taking them. They send everything back and didn't tip me last time. They were so rude." So I think "Great! This is going to be fun...." My expectations were so tainted that I didn't even want to try to be nice but Im glad I was because whatever happened last time with that other server was not the case this time. They were lovely people and both kids were wearing SUPERMAN shirts! Plus they tipped 20%. Yeah for them.

And here is the link for my new web series Well Played.  Enjoy.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Day 1 - Photoshop, Tongal, and Final Cut Pro

You can get a lot done in 365 days. This year you get 366 so you can accomplish even more. Everyday you should further yourself. Im starting this blog to keep myself accountable. As an actor you have to hustle.  As an unknown actor, you have to hustle even harder. What did you do today to further yourself?