Numb3rs

Okay, so maybe I need to start watching more television...or at least DVR'ing it, because it seems 95% of these shows I am being cast in, I have never seen! I have heard of them all, but just haven't invested any time in watching them. Time to put my DVR to work!

Wednesday I was booked as a cop on the set of Numb3rs, which I know very little about...I guess it's about a FBI agent who works with a math genius, and they fight crimes together...umm, one equation at a time?

Well, you can bet your y(x)=ass, there was a crime happening on this set, and this police officer was going to get to the bottom of it! (or at least walking around appearing to be)

We filmed this down in a parking garage underneath Los Angeles Center Studios (where they film Mad Men, amongst several others) I was given my direction of what I should be doing as well as placement, but the director replaced me to walk in between the two leads during the opening shot, so there is ZERO chance you will miss me in this, should you watch the show.

It was fun playing a cop, in addition to not having to bring your own clothes...you get a gun! Well, a prop gun anyway. Either way, it would have been fun to walk around LA dressed the part, just to see the different reactions you would receive. You know like verbal harassment, attempts on your life, etc...apparently people do not like the LAPD out here, yikes!

Boston Legal Redux

Monday was my b-day, so had the day off to enjoy. Sherri took me down to San Diego to tour a couple breweries and we camped on the beach in the surf town of Carlsbad, it was pretty rad.

Tuesday though, I was called back to the office to see good ole' Denny Krane and family on set of Boston Legal. This time around I played a bar patron at an Irish pub. The set was amazing, seriously...for the lack of all the Irish pubs in this town, they should just hire this set decorator and carpenter, build a couple replicas and all will be right in my world.

It was a fairly short scene, they had me bouncing around, talking to a couple gals throughout the bar, so I should have some pretty prominent screen time as my first position had me set as the only one standing next to the large table where all the principles (James Spader, Candace Bergman, Laroquette, Capt. Kirk, etc...) were sitting.

I was directed to end up at a table with this gal, and while we were sitting there, we overheard Spader jokingly referring to us as the Argyle Twins, and we didn't realize until that moment...but the AD had placed us together and we were both wearing argyle sweaters. (that's a big no-no in wardrobe world to match similar looks) However, we had already got most of the shot so it was too late, we had to match the scene, and we just became the comic relief for Mr. Spader for the remainder of the takes.

Stay tuned for my first Boston Legal "appearance" which will air Nov. 17th entitled "Kill Baby Kill"

Okay...back to work!

Ahhh...back to grindstone. First of all...I wanted to give a quick "thanks" to all who read this blog, your comments and well wishes truly make it all worth while.

Had a great time off with friends visiting, we packed in some great adventures! Camping on the beach, wine country, hiking, Venice beach, shenanigans in Koreatown...to name a few.

Friday was back to the ole' grindstone for me though, and this time it would bring me out to Mira Loma Prison complex for the tv show "Monk", and I would be playing the role of "visitor".

Once I Google-mapped the address, I must say...I was a little unhappy to be driving the hour and a half jaunt on a non-union voucher wage, but alas, it was work...and hey, it's not like I was getting 18-life!

Turns out, the ride out was very therapeutic, as I was able to drive through the mountains just as the sun was rising (and traffic free I might add), listening to some great music...can I just say, California scenery is completely mind-blowing at times.

Once over the pass though, the clouds darkened, lightning bolts lit the sky like a row of cheap motel room signs well past their prime, skeletal remains littered the roadside, coyotes howling like there was no tomorrow...it was apparent that I have arrived at my location...dun, dun, dun...Mira Loma County Prison.

Okay, so maybe not quite like that, but it was serious business being there as we were within feet of the actual inmates. When we checked in, we were given several rules but the top 2 were: 1. Stay 20 feet way from the prisoners at all times, as well as ZERO eye contact and communication and 2. Stay 5 feet away from all fences at all times, as the guards could/would mistake you for a convict up to no good, and then...who knows?

After check in, I tried locating the bathrooms, while all the inmates (actors) were sent to wardrobe to get their 'prison blues', and as I neared the fence where the real inmates were having their "yard time" I overheard them yelling at the actors "Hey baby...(whistle, whistle), come here..." and some other comments not so playful. It was hilarious to see some of the actors expressions though, as they were helpless and just had to sit there and take it.

Once the filming started, it went rather smoothly. It was winter again (apparently in the rest of the country), so us visitors waiting to get inside the gates, were decked in our warmest attire, while it was 100+ in the desert. I was just happy I wasn't playing an inmate, as they were directed to be out in the yard lifting weights, running around playing football and basketball...umm, no thanks! Sure, it looked like fun to working out and playing, but that desert heat is no joke.

Heatstroke aside, this was a great location to be working on, it was a treat to be given the opportunity to see a live, working prison so up close and personal.

The entire shoot lasted about 10 hours, and we were released a little after sundown. I am not sure the air date on this one, but should be on in 4-6 weeks. As with all these shows, I will update this blog with dates as they happen.

For now though man, I am just happy to be out, tasting real food again, smelling the fresh air...and I ain't never goin' back!

...unless they call me tomorrow with a SAG voucher.

Getting out of Dodge!

Que pasa friends, I just wanted to send a quick note saying that I will be taking this week off from the ole' blog, as we have friends in town from Minnesota! We're heading North up to wine country for a little camping trip on the beach, should be swell.

Anyway, in the meantime...I took the plunge and finally completed my headshots on Thursday! I think they turned out pretty decent, let me know what you think please? I narrowed down the long list to a small handful, but would love to hear your thoughts on which ones you like.

If you're interested...follow this link, and feel leave me a comment on my blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshellmanshow/sets/72157608125476340/

Until then,

~Rob

Thanks 'Queer Eye Guy'!

Well, I thought I was going to have Friday off, but was called at the last minute letting me know they were booking me on a new pilot for Carson Kressley's new morning talk show. You know, the 'Queer Eye' blonde guy. Truth be told, I already forgot what the show was called, "Carson Break" or something like that.

Anyway, doesn't matter...the bigger story tonight is I am retracting my "necessary evil" statement I made in my last blog. I am officially withdrawing my name from the 'audience hat' effective immediately. Without going into another diatribe about my utter disdain for this circus work, I just want it on the record...I am done with audience.

I think what really did me in was all the dancing they made us get up and do, coupled with all bunch of clapping to the beat, and swaying our arms in the air like we weren't supposed to care, while eager audience members got up to sing karaoke hoping maybe...just maybe...this would be their big break. Believe me, I tried getting out of it, but the fluffer tonight was a 300 pound, bald biker dude who was Johnny-on-the-Spot with everyone and called you out on it, if you weren't participating.

(Oh, and P.S. - if I had to listen to another phallic joke...I think I counted 14? I mean...we got it dude, you're gay, let's the keep the show moving already!)

Later I spoke with the biker-fluffer and asked him outright how much he was getting paid for doing this, and are you ready for THIS??...$900 per episode...WTF!!? Okay, so let's do the math, shall we? 5 shows a week x $900 (ummm...carry the 1...multiply by HOLY $#@!...) that is $4,500 / week!!! That is the kind of money that is out here in Hollywood ladies and gentlemen.

So, as you can imagine...the $8 / hour non-union scale we are given to be there listening to these goofballs, no longer registered as a "good idea" to me. Beyond that, I was never doing this for the money, it's all about the vouchers, and this doesn't provide that for me.

On a lighter note, Carson (the host) singled me out of the crowd and applauded me for what I was wearing and said "he really liked my sense of style" which is a pretty big compliment, coming from a gay man who has had several style shows. His guests tonight were, 'Sammy Brady' from Days of our Lives / The Biggest Loser and a zoologist (yep...this was the pilot) and I have to say, the best part of the night was the kangaroo the zoologist brought out, I've never seen one in real life, and let me tell you...amazing creatures! Seriously, I think that might be one of the first things I buy if I make it big.

In closing, I am actually glad I did this tonight...it helped me realize that while money is essential, it's not the main reason I am doing this, and the work/experience is what takes precedence.

But really? $900...reeaally?

ehem...Trivial Pursuit

I know, I know...so I said I would never do audience work again. I had every intention of calling EM (agency) and saying "no more!" on several occasions, but the left side of my brain kept suggesting that this might be one of those a necessary evils I should endure, and that I should look at the bigger picture (so to speak). The 'bigger picture' being of course, duckets, dinero, greenbacks, or simply put...cold hard cash.

You see, tomorrow I am finally getting my headshots done, which is great news...because this means I'll begin auditioning soon! Anyway, couple that with the training I have coming up (i.e. - improv, method, etc...) and you get the gist, suddenly sitting on my ass for 8 hours (basically watching live tv) suddenly becomes necessary.

(Bloggers note - Necessary maybe, but just for the record, I absolutely loathe audience work, as there is little knowledge to be gained, one might even say it's...'Trivial'...wink, wink)

Okay, so let's talk about the inner workings of a game show, shall we? As the title mentions, I was booked as (cringing while I type) audience on Trivial Pursuit...the hottest new game show in America! haha...I added that part. It does, however...create a nice segue.

So, we arrived on set at 9am and there were two lines formed outside on separate sides of the main gate...one being booked by some one-man agency simply called 'Donovan Agency', and then mine, which was booked through EM. Standing in line, I conjured up in my mind, some West Side Story type, rival gang fight breaking out between the two separate agencies, which helped numb some of my pain of being there.

Once through security and inside, we took our seats and the crew of course picked and plucked, shuffling us all around, as they created their audience masterpiece for todays show. Once that was complete, this guy comes out to greet all of us...no lie...dancing to some Jock Jams techno tune, talking into a microphone with the most overly excited tone. (think car salesman, meets radio DJ on cocaine) His job was to essentially keep us alert and happy all day...I referred to him as the 'Game Show Fluffer'.

Now for our host...since I had no idea this show even existed, I had no idea the treat I was in for once we were introduced. Christopher Knight aka - Peter Brady! (I can't tell you how many times the Brady's and a bowl of chicken soup cured my colds when little) My giddiness was short lived however, as the Fluffer explained how much clapping we would be required to do, and that we should always have our SEG's on (Shit Eating Grins) as we were creating...and this is where I almost lost it..."Hollywood magic"!! (bwah-ha-ha!)

I started faux-clapping about the 1st hour into it, FYI.

All sarcasm aside, I was pretty surprised to learn that the contestants do in fact win all that money you hear about. Coming from a media background, I am somewhat jaded about what is perception and what is reality. At one point during the game, the shows producer had to stop recording, and let the contestants know he needed to review the tape to see who in fact buzzed in first, much like the NFL replay system. I was impressed! Another interesting item to note, there are a lot of takes during the taping of these gameshows...sometimes even having the contestants recreate their wins, losses, answers, etc...

On the last show of the day, they brought in a small busload of tourists to help create this "magic" they spoke of, and they were there for all of 45 mins. I cannot in my wildest dreams understand why anybody would subject themselves to this torture for free, especially when there is so much to see in Los Angeles!

Alas...we laughed, we cried, and soon it was over and I had paid my dues for the day, and the acting piggy bank had a few more pennies in it.

P.S. - thanks for listening to me rant, it was all done with a smile, I promise. :)

Samantha Who?

Tonight I just finished with Samantha Who? which stars Christina Applegate. I was cast as a 'business pedestrian' which means, yep...you guessed it...time to suit up Shellman! The scene took place in Chicago during the winter at a coffee shop, and everyone was instructed to bring their winter wear, as there would be a lot of outdoor shots.

I thought this would prove to be hilarious, seeing as how we live in Los Angeles and the word 'cold' is used about as much as the word 'hello' from a stranger out here is. However, much to my surprise people wore their 'Sundance' best (see film festival) and it actually looked like we were in a village similar to Lincoln Park.

So, there we stood most of the day, outside in the streets dressed head to toe in our scarves, gloves, hats...while only 18 miles away from us, 10,000 acres were on fire, and thousands of people were fleeing their homes. Something just felt a little odd about that.

I was asked to come into the coffee shop during a scene with Christina Applegate, which makes it #2 on the 'Bundy Meter' I've worked with, if you're keeping track! (Peggy Bundy aka Katy Segal is on Sons of Anarchy) I am getting my coffee to-go as the gals were talking about their relationships. I did a little reminiscing as I made my way to the front door, bracing myself for the cold blast that was about to slap me in the face as I hit the blustery streets of Chicago in December, and was pleasantly surprised as I waited to go back to my mark, wiping the bead of sweat from my brow as it neared 85 degrees. Hey, I paid my dues! However, I couldn't help but think about home today, and while Sherri and I both miss the Fall quite a bit...it sure was nice to know I could retire my winter jacket for the season.

The United States of Tara

Ummm....should be more like 'The United States of AWESOME!!' as that is precisely how I felt as I finished the work week on Friday. Allow me to explain...let's go back to last Wednesday, shall we? As I was heading home from Warner Brothers, I got a call from the agency saying I was booked on Diablo Cody's new project 'The United States of Tara' on Showtime the next day. (for those of you not from Minnesota, she won the Oscar last year for her screenplay 'Juno')

This role would take me from tow truck driver to impound worker. Not sure if that is a step up or down? Either way, I met it with the same enthusiasm as one does in corporate America towards 'casual Fridays', it's a nice switch from having to wear suits all day!

Two hours before I was due on set Thursday afternoon, I received a phone call saying not to report to set, and that they wouldn't have time to get to my scene. Here's the best part...I still got paid for it! Not only that, but now I would be booked for Friday essentially getting paid twice for the same amount of work. Pretty sweet deal I thought...so I kicked on the fan, took a nap, and enjoyed a hard days work.

Later that evening, I received another call from the agency confirming the call time details, but then he ended the call by saying the magical words every non-union actor wants to hear. "SAG voucher"

Yes, I heard him right...I got my first one!! I won't bore all of you with the details, but you need a total of 3 to gain eligibility in the Screen Actors Guild, and I am now 1/3 of the way there.

I arrived to set at Noon on Friday, with one other guy who was my impound co-worker. We were told we wouldn't be needed for awhile, so we kicked back in a trailer, enjoyed some crafty, and when we were called to set, they only needed one of us for the scene, but also needed a vehicle. My esteemed colleague rode his bike to work today, which meant it was time for Sherri's car to finally get it's BIG break! They used him in the scene, and asked to use my vehicle...which is great because that meant more $$ for me. (they're required to pay extra for vehicle use) it's called a 'bump'.

Being that we were only filming the one scene, we wrapped in under 5 hours! I couldn't have asked for a better end to the weekend. Just to recap...I was paid on Thursday to do nothing, then was told I would be booked to do the same thing tomorrow for more money on a SAG voucher, and if that wasn't enough...the most work I ended up doing was giving Sherri's car a pep talk to cope with it's butterflies! I mean, for God's sake...the car got more screen time than I did!

It was very hard to wipe the smile off of my face this weekend, in fact...I am still smiling, perhaps Diablo had spread a little Minnesota karma my way, or someone is looking down, but there is no denying...it has been a good week.

P.S. - Sherri's red Hyundai Elantra can be seen 4 cars in, on the left.

The Mentalist

Warner Brothers studios is probably the granddaddy of all the studios out here. Sure, you have Universal, Sony Pictures, Disney, Paramount, etc...all big. But WB is massive, and I couldn't wait to get on the lot with such rich history, and who knows...maybe even catch a glimpse of the Batmobile.

Wednesday's job had me booked there for The Mentalist, as I understand it, it's about a detective who is so observant, they think he is psychic and he allows them to believe it. Anyway...I was cast as a tow truck driver, and as we were all sitting in holding I began to look around, and it became evident as to what the scene was about. There were cops, detectives, reporters, divers, and then us...the 3 tow guys.

Hmm...sounds like a crime scene by the water, and something needs fishing out perhaps?

As we all sort of did our own detective work piecing the scene together, I was already on to my next observation, which made me laugh out loud.

"Holding" as I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, is the term used for where the extras are kept, sort of a base camp. How this terminology became acceptable is beyond me, personally I laugh at it as it sounds like a term used for cattle or livestock. Which leads me back to my amusing observation about yesterday. So, we reported to the Jungle stage, which is outside, down a trail into what looks remarkably like a jungle. (think POW scenes) But here's the kicker..."Holding" in this case, happened to be inside of an old wooden barn, and I just couldn't help but appreciate the humor in it all.

We broke for lunch around 3:30 and the AD said that she wouldn't need the tow guys, as they had to use their own production tow crew for safety reasons. However, she recast us, and needed 1 more detective for the last shot, and she asked me to do it. Which meant, I would need to eat quickly, head back to wardrobe and change. I toured the lot heading towards the Commissary and got to see some of the New York streets, as well as some of Chicago (for the ER shots), pretty cool! Well, I needed an iced coffee desperately, so I went into none other than 'Central Perk' the mom and pop coffee shop they used on 'Friends', however, sorry to disappoint...it was actually a Starbucks inside. After lunch, I tried to make my way towards wardrobe but again, the lot is huge, so I was a little turned around. No matter, in my journey across the lot I ran into the 'ER' stage, and saw a few of the doctors and nurses hanging outside smoking a cigarette, drinking coffee.

I made my way to wardrobe, suited up as the new dashing detective and was carted back to set. Our suspicions were correct, once I got to see the scene...they had submerged a car in the lagoon, and this was our scene of the crime. They actually had a fire hose filling the car with water from the other end of the lagoon, so that when the tow truck pulled it out, water came pouring out like it had been entirely submerged. Funny enough, on one of the takes the hose actually burst from the hydrant and there was a massive eruption of water, but the director had us press on to get through the shot, after which he yelled "Martini!" which is an industry term meaning that the scene was complete, and we were done for the day.

Look for me as the car gets towed out of the water, I am giving a statement to one of the reporters, as the divers come ashore.

Brothers & Sisters

Tuesday had me traveling to the land of the Mouse (Disney Studios) for Brothers & Sisters. I have to be honest, I hadn't heard of this show but apparently it's doing something right, as it's in it's 3rd season. I was playing a "Republican" at a book signing for Calista Flockhart's character. Well, the call time at this puppy was 6:30am, and since Disney's empire is located in the Valley, that meant yours truly waking up at 4:00am.

But I mean...nothing really primes you more than waking up at 4am, knowing you are going to play a Republican attending a book signing all day. Am I right???

zzz....

Wiping the sleepys from my eyes...Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, Steven and I all took the carpool lane and cruised onto set early. I went through wardrobe, and settled in with my coffee. At this point I grabbed my standard issue folding chair, and picked a spot up against the wall I thought would be quiet. It never fails...about an hour into sitting on these chairs, I always chastise myself for not bringing a comfortable camping chair from home. (let's see if I remember tomorrow)

7:30 one of the PA's comes in to let us know that she has some potentially good or bad news for us. Calista went home sick this morning, and the crew is going to either let us all go home (with pay) and call us back to shoot the scene when she is better (getting paid 2x for the same job) OR they would keep us until the end of the day in hopes she would feel better and muster the energy to finish the scene. Apparently, all they needed was this last shot to complete the episode.

Well, 5 hours had passed and they come back explaining that nothing has changed yet, and that they are going to break us for lunch and we'll know more at 1pm.

fast forward through lunch (I had a tuna melt)

As we all expected, she came back and we started filming at 2:30pm. In this scene I am sitting in the front row, listening to Calista read her book to us, and directly behind me sat none other than screen legend, Sally Field. It became quickly apparent that both of these gals were sick as dogs, I mean...literally I was caught in a celebrity sandwich of sick! They were troopers though and I did feel bad for them, but sure was glad to get out of that tiny set.

Still, I had to laugh driving home...as I thought to myself "God, I sure hope Sally Field didn't get me sick!"

That's something I'll probably never say twice.

Bone Deep

Well, the small work drought had come to an end Sunday when I received the call saying I would be working on the movie set of 'Bone Deep', I would be playing the arduous role of "hotel guest" switching over to the highly complex role of "street pedestrian".

All sarcasm aside, the location was shooting at the famous Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood and I was excited as I have yet to visit. Just a couple items of note, this hotel was the site for the 1st Academy Awards, Marilyn Monroe's ghost is said to be seen dancing in the ballroom, and various respected actors have resided here including: Charlie Chaplan, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, even Minnesota's own "Purple one" stays here!

The first half of the day was spent strolling a 25 yard section of Hollywood Blvd. as the camera shot from the 3rd story window of the hotel, as the thieves (principal actors) made their way to the hotel. Nothing too exciting to report about this scene, it was 7am...even the crazys were still sleeping I believe. The rest of the day would be shot inside the hotel, where the bulk of my scene would involve utter chaos and panic, as gunfire rang out, and we all were to react. I was picked (along with 7 others) to start on the 2nd floor with the principals (Paul Walker, and 2 more rapper/singers-turned Hollywood movie stars "TI" and Chris Brown) as they made they're way downstairs. I cannot even tell you how many takes we did of this, as there were so many people to direct, but I hated those steps by about the 17th reset.

Last scene of the night, I was outside of the hotel with a few other background actors as we were cued up to walk into the hotel entrance. Well, between all the takes we were to just sit tight outside with the 2nd AD, until the director yelled "Action". Well, this made for quite a show outside...as we were on Hollywood Boulevard smack dab in the middle of the tourists...and with all the lighting and equipment outside as well as us standing there in our fancy wardrobe, it wasn't long before the digital cameras were flashing, the fingers were pointing and dozens of people were just standing there staring at us, like we were the celebrities. Haha, it was really a creepy feeling!

When I got home that night I received a call from EM, saying I was booked on Brothers & Sisters at Disney Studios tomorrow morning...call time @ 6:30am!

Brush. Shower. Sleep.

Boxing and B-Listers

Last week I was able to enjoy a 3 whole days of downtime! (hence the gap in the blog) the first day off was fantastic, I was able to take in a couple movies, catch up on errands, get back in the gym and just enjoy civilian life. However, after the 3rd day without a phone call, I was starting to wonder if perhaps the initial wave of jobs I booked, was maybe just a fluke...and was starting to get a little anxious.

Alas, the free time was there for the taking, and I was going to take advantage of every minute of it, so when Sherri and I were not spending time together, I was living in the gym burning off all the Craft Services from last week.

I belong to this boxing gym out here called Fortune Gym. Justin Fortune is the owner, who also trains me on the side, I won't bore you with the details...just know, the guy went toe to toe with Lennox Lewis in a championship fight. Anyway, there is a point to this story...I was in there on Wednesday, and in walks Danny Partridge (aka - Danny Bonaduce) to film some sort of segment for his syndicated radio show he has. Apparently, the guy likes to fight now (alot)??

Okay, okay...so that was Wednesday. Let's fast forward to Thursday, I am in there hitting the heavy bag, and on the bag next to me was Bayside High's favorite transfer student, Mr. AC Slater (Mario Lopez). Apparently, he has some more "preppie" beatdowns to give.

So, while I respect the gym quite a bit, as it is known for steering far clear of "Hollywood types" and white collar boxing, I just had to laugh when back to back days in there...felt more like a night watching TV Land, and just had to share with you. I'll keep ya posted on any Tony Danza sightings as they happen. "Ay-Yo, Yo-Ay!"