CSI

Boy, the parties just don't seem to stop here in the Southland. The other day I was called out to Reseda, to work on the set of CSI...not New York, not Miami, just plain jane CSI. Whiiiich...one could argue the show should actually be called CSI: Vegas, but that's neither here nor there; no need for consistency.

I arrived at the shuttle and during the trip over, the transpo driver confirmed what the CD had told us on the details line, bring warm clothes because it's going to be chilly. Fortunately for me, I came prepared and brought some thermals. Yeah, yeah...you laugh, but I tell you what, that is the biggest misconception about Los Angeles, that it doesn't get "cold"...but fact remains, we're in a desert, and it does.

Okay, on to the details of tonight's gala...we will be playing "art goers" at some fancy party in Vegas, where the host ends up murdered. We shuttled up to this mansion atop of a long windy foothill. The views were spectacular, as were the grounds. Come to find out that this was Frank Sinatra's abode for awhile, as well as Marilyn Monroe's.



The night went rather quickly, as there were only a few scenes to be shot. We mixed and mingled, I pantomimed 'Fly me to the Moon' while staring down at the pool, imagining the parties that ole' blue eyes must have had during his stint here.




We broke for dinner, and in true Sinatra fashion...we all ate steak & lobster. Actually, it had nothing to do with Frank, when your show is a hit and making money, crafty is always superb, and if it's not, well...you're lucky to get hamburger.

Once the meal was complete, the generator supplying power to the meal tents went out, which pretty much left us all Strangers in the Night...ehem...sorry, couldn't resist. Since there wasn't anywhere else to put us, they had to wrap us early.

That's Life I guess...haha, okay now I am done.

R.I.P.

My Name is Earl

I had watched this show when it first aired, primarily because I was a big Jason Lee fan, from the early Kevin Smith days...but for some reason just never stuck with it. Glad to see it was still going though, as they hired me to work with them for a couple days.

The premise involved the cast trying to get on a variety/game show called 'Estrada or Nada' with the host being none other than Eric Estrada.



The casting director cast me as "younger audience / basketball player" Awww...nice to see they still think of me as a young, agile, sports jock type. Ha! Hey, I'll milk it as long as I can! Which reminds me ... 1. Send casting director flowers.

Location was at some random high school in the Valley, and much like the prison scene where I filmed 'Monk', I thought we would be completely separated from the inmates/students. Ohhhhh no, not so lucky I would come to find out.

The first scene called for us standing in line, trying to gain entrance as contestants on this game show, only to be turned away when they reached capacity. I was placed a few people back behind Jason Lee, Jamie Pressley (who does trailer trash like no other in the business I might add) and their other 2 cohorts. I was given 3 juggling pins as I stood in line. Apparently, I looked like I knew my way around a circus??? Well, sorry to disappoint, but I wasn't about to be the cause of numerous takes because it was 6:30 in the morning and I couldn't get my juggling timing down! No sir...those puppies stayed put, tight in my grip.

I stood behind an Elvis and a George Washington, and up ahead in line I saw a real juggler...but only they gave him something entirely different than pins. Raw meat. I mean...how much would somebody have to pay you to juggle raw meat in your hands at 7am? Something to ponder.

Jason Lee loves to improvise, so take after take, he would throw something funny/obscene in that we couldn't use, and the director would yell "cut, going again" and we found ourselves doing this same scene for some time. Just when I thought we finally had it, the school bell school rang and a sea of kids, flooded the school grounds around us.

At first I thought they were just going to their next class, but 5 minutes had passed, then 10 minutes...they were multiplying like Gremlins! "Hey Earl, we love you Earl, say something funny, etc, etc..." School security kept them at bay for the most part and said there was nothing he could do, this was called "Nutrition break" where for 15 minutes students were allowed to break from their demanding learning schedule, and drink some milk or eat a banana.

Sniff...sniff...what's that smell, banana? Nooo...huh, weird...smells sorta like aaaa...well, sorta like a skunk?

30 minutes had passed and finally all students were sufficiently nourished and back in their classes. We proceeded, and a couple takes later they got their shot. A couple hours had passed and we were brought into the auditorium to give some cheers, thumbs up and thumbs down for the game show, as the principles would be filming their stuff separately. That would pretty much conclude my audience work for the day, and it was time to slip into my basketball gear for a little 3 on 3.

Ummm, yeah...I think that lasted all of 3 minutes, as it was just a quick shot of us playing, while the character 'Randy' was playing tetherball. Not to worry, I got a $5 wardrobe bump and we were done for the day...until tomorrow.

The next day consisted of more of the same...audience shots, but only this time the cast would be joining us, as they're characters were able to get on the show. I was pulled aside and asked by the PA if I could work tomorrow as well, but being that I was meeting friends in Vegas the next morning, I turned him down. He asked another guy next to me, who agreed, and he sat him right next to Jason Lee in the audience! No matter, in my mind I had already hit the open desert road, and could all but see the Vegas glow on the horizon.

Any other time though, I would've jumped at the chance. Those are the opportunities you want to take advantage of in this business, because let's just say Jason improvises and happens to asks that guy sitting next to him a question, forcing that actor to reply...he would immediately be eligible to join SAG! It's called the Taft-Hartley act, it exists...but it's rare. It is considered the 'Holy Grail' for all non-union actors.

...and my search continues.

Time for an update!

Good evening/morning,

Just want to say, thanks for being patient and sticking with me on this journey. I know I haven't been very proactive with updating this blog as of late...I think my Holiday hangover lasted a little longer than most peoples.

No matter, got some much needed rest, popped some aspirin...it's all blue skies now!

Business is picking back up, and there has been lots going on, all of which I will update you with in the next day or so, cheers!

Ford (not so) Tough

In light of the recent auto bail out, Ford has some money, and apparently they wanted to spend it on yours truly. I was recently booked on a print job down in Long Beach, as a 'fish shop owner'. This gig had me travel down to Los Angeles Harbor, which is about 20 miles south of downtown. This city is so full of surprise, when I arrived I was completely shocked at how massive our ports are (later I Wikipedia'd it, and found out that LA is the busiest container port in the US).

This was a very small crew, as there were only 4 other models/actors working, the main photographer, 3 of his crew, the producer, and the client (some guy from Ford).

This was my first time working a print job, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I met with the costumer and he had me wear an apron over my flannel and jeans, pretty low key wardrobe. Once everyone was fitted and changed, we were given the breakdown.

Ford is bringing one of their Euro-vans over here to the States for commercial use, (i.e. - flower or food delivery trucks). Being that I was the fish shop owner, I would be meeting the other fisherman down by the docks, and purchasing my goods from them and loading into my fancy Ford fish-mobile.

Set decorators threw buckets of water down around us to give it the appearance that it rained and away we went. The photographer had me and one other guy loading and unloading this white crate in and out of the truck. I think we moved our bodies a total of 4 feet, walking back and forth, back and forth. Then the photographer would say "Okay guys, go take a break" and then we would sit around talking for 20-25 mins or so, then we would go back to work for 5 mins, then break again.

This rigorous schedule continued on for a total of 2 hours or so, until the caterers arrived and I was treated to a taste of home, "Famous Daves" bbq. You see...we don't have Famous Daves in LA, or so I thought, so it was a nice surprise. After lunch, we continued to take some more photos, but most of it was downtime, as the photographer was waiting for the right light with the sun. 2 hours later, he found what he was looking for and we were done.

I spoke with the client in the trailer, nice guy from Detroit. He said that this will either appear in the 2009 Ford catalog, or perhaps at next years Detroit auto show. Being that this was a non-union gig, I won't get any residuals, but I have to say...it was probably the easiest job I ever had to do.

Ready for my close up

Tonight I found myself back on 'Eleventh Hour'...I was part of a small crew working in a pub on the WB lot. Our "holding" area was located in the same church they used as the school house on 'Little House on the Prairie" as WELL as the Hazard County Courthouse for them good ole' Duke boys. My call time tonight was 9pm, which was fitting as this entire week I have been working long and odd hours, thus making my sleep schedule pretty much non existent.

Tonight was Friday night, and as I drove the Strip heading towards Warner Brothers, everything was pretty typical, the valets were out working hard, parking the various yellow Ferrari's and Range Rovers while people dined. I had to laugh as I saw a BMW getting his car valeted and his license plate read, "BE ELITE". (pause for gag reflex)

I was cast as the bartender in some Wisconsin dive bar, so fortunately I would be far away from that circus, and soon would be cracking the tops off PBR cans while I listened to the numerous ice fishing stories and how bad the Packers were this year. I actually brought a couple different Summit and Grain Belt t-shirts I had from MN, just in case I could convince wardrobe to approve it. No dice.

The set was pretty cozy, pretty much scale to most typical dive bars, there were pictures on the wall of hunters and their trophies, as well as other "regulars", if you will. Here's a fun fact for ya, the pool table was a stage table...they actually make pool tables for sets with rubber balls so as not to make any noise while filming. The cameraman was using a smaller hand-cam, which is supported around his waist, it's used to get close ups of reactions.

The premise here was involving a car crash being broadcast on tv, some lady was driving the wrong way down the freeway. The helicopter pilot filming the car, apparently goes blind and then they cut to commercial break. We're all in the bar watching this unfold.

The great part about tonight was I actually got to act a little. There were 3 shots to complete tonight, and the last one revolved around me, as they had a close up on me, getting my reaction to what was happening. It was actually sort of nerve wracking, as they lighted the entire set around me, gave me marks, the director gave me some motivation...and "Action!"

The nerves I spoke of, were more a result of the 20 or so crew members staring intently, as this was the last shot of the night...and everyone wanted to go home, so obviously they were hoping I would get it right. Well, apparently I did okay...the director yelled cut, and followed up with "Martini" and we were wrapped.

Before I knew it, I was heading back to West Hollywood in my "Elite" Jeep, to get a good nights rest in my "Elite" bed, next to my "Elite" wife.

Ahhh...vanity.

Funny People

Hello friends, apologize for the delay in between posts. The pending SAG strike makes it a slow time here in Hollywood, as nobody wants to move forward with production and then have to stop filming midway through it. However, I called my agent and said this is no excuse, I have a flippin' blog to write!! ...and without skipping a beat, they booked me pretty much the coolest gig I could have possibly imagined.

I was booked on a 2 day call for the new Judd Apatow movie 'Funny People'. I reported to the Jack Murphy Stadium, and when I arrived it was apparent why...they needed a stadium sized parking lot to hold the amount of actors hired for this job. It was a cattle call. I packed my gear and took my place in a line, no smaller than that of a new ride opening at Disneyland.

I overheard there were over 250 background performers hired for this, and I knew I was in for a long evening. 1 hour had passed before I was able to get on a bus, which shuttled us 10 miles North to the Skirball Cultural Center, where we would be shooting for the night. We departed the bus, and headed for the big large tents outside that we would be calling home for 48 hours. The scene looked like that of a festival, packed with hundreds of actors, PA's, wardrobe crew, and lines, lines and more lines. The first of which was to fill out a waiver form and have your passport/drivers license photocopied for their records. After that line, I proceeded into the tent to try and stake my claim, and make sure I secured a seat. They had us broken up into groups such as "Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc..." and the tables all had signs designating your section where you should be sitting. I was in "B" group.

Okay, so I lugged my wardrobe and book bag, and squeezed into one of the few spots that remained. Up next was Wardrobe, the line wrapped around the building 5x, or so it seemed. There was a line for new performers to be seen, there was a line forming for those who have already changed and needed approval, there was a line forming for those who needed to dress down into jeans. The sun was just going down when I left the wardrobe line, and then proceeded to what I had hoped would be my final line...Bag Check. 2 hours must have passed when it was all said and done, and it felt great to have just my book bag by my side, so when the dust settled...I took a stroll outside just to escape for a few minutes.

It wasn't long before one of the PA's called out looking for a group of people '30 and younger', and I was off to work. Walking to set I noticed pillars lit up and everything had 'MySpace' on it, it looked like it was going to be a very cool party. The PA placed us at tables right in front of the stage, and explained that we were all MySpace employees and we would be given name tags to make it official soon enough. A few moments later, they started bringing others up and filling in the remaining tables around the room. My guess is that there were about 150 of us "employees".

The first AD hopped on stage and greeted us, and gave us the skinny on how the night was going to go, and any bitter feelings I had about working overnight vanished when I learned what the scene was about. We were MySpace employees having our year end party, and "Tom" (you know, your 'friend' and president of MySpace) used some of his millions to book us one hell of a party, with a couple comedians (those being Adam Sandler & Seth Rogan) and none other than James Taylor!

This wasn't just James Taylor getting up and singing "Fire & Rain" a couple times for the movie, he performed his entire concert for us, as they were also recording a possible record. I remember when he took the stage, I couldn't wipe off the stupid grin I had on my face, I mean...I was getting paid money to sit and watch James Taylor perform all evening...not to mention I was in seats that would have cost more than what I made both days combined! After he completed the show, we broke for lunch (at 8pm) and had a feast.

When we came back, Seth Rogan took the stage to perform his stand up routine (this is a buddy movie about two comics, one has terminal illness (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201167/) and later Sandler took the stage to perform his banter. Say what you will about Sandler and his movies, but it appears he is getting back to his roots and what made him so great in SNL days. My face was already hurting from smiling so much during the free show, now I was in a room with Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow, and Norm McDonald...I mean, come on...there isn't enough Prozac in the world to match the giddiness I was feeling. (Okay, maybe if Will Arnett was there)

Later that night James took the stage again and Sandler had a nice jam session with him, and I kept thinking never in a million years could I have guessed I would be seeing Adam Sandler playing the blues with James Taylor, but that's Hollywood baby.

We wrapped around 2am the first night and reported back to set at Noon on Wednesday. Do you wanna know what is better than seeing James Taylor, Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, Norm McDonald and Seth Rogan perform one night?? Seeing them two nights in a row. This was a job I could get used to!

The second evening was more of the same, by now I have seen James Taylor perform all of his hits a few times each, Adam was making his way around the tables talking to all of us, and things were moving along. By 2am thought, we were starting to fade, we could recite "Carolina" backwards, forwards, and in many different languages (Swahili was my favorite) and so Mr. Taylor and his band had an all out jam session that last 20 mins or so that gave the crowd our second wind.

We didn't wrap until 4am that morning, and my sleep schedule was a little out of whack...but for being a slow time in Hollywood, I say we were working one of the best gigs in town.