Busy Day

I have a meeting with a commercial agent today at 11:50. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

This evening I'm meeting with the woman I am co-writing the screenplay with, so hopefully that will be a productive meeting as well.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Driving home from set today I heard a song that came out when I was in junior high school. It reminded me of a lot from my past but I really listened to the words today and it is funny how what a song means to you can change depending on where you are in your life.

The song is Shawn Mullin's "Lullaby". Below are the lyrics and what they mean to me now.

she grew up with the children of the stars in the hollywood hills and the boulevard
her parents threw big parties everyone was there they hung out with folks like dennis hopper, bob seeger, sonny and cher --> I didn't grow up that way but now I'm out in LA hanging out at parties with folks like Paris Hilton and Matt Leiner

now, she feels safe in this bar on fairfax and from the stage I can tell that she can't let go and she can't relax--> I have been to a bar on fairfax and the sunset strip and you never go to relax, you go to network and see people you haven't seen in awhile because everyone works 24/7

and just beforeshe hangs her head to cryI sing to her a lullaby, I sing
everything's gonna be all right rockabye, rockabye --> This part still reminds me of junior high and high school, very nostalgic.

she still lives with her mom outside the city down that street about a half a mile and all her friends tell her she's so pretty --> I don't live with my mom and I live inside the city.

but she'd be a whole lot prettier if she smiled once in a while`cause even her smile looks like a frown she's seen her share of devils in this angel town--> I smile a lot but I have seen my share of devils in this angel town already

I told her I ain't so sure about this place it's hard to play a gig in this town and keep a straight face--> My friend Cazzey Cereghino plays his guitar at Casa Vino in Long Beach and I go watch him play. He's not so sure about this place either, he is a writer trying to get published and then go home.

seems like everyone here's got a plan it's kind of like nashville with a tan, --> Everyone here is trying to be an actor or director or writer etc. They are always planning and scheming. It only has a tan in the summer, it is fairly cold here right now.

but,everything's gonna be all right rockabye.

Benefits

One of the benefits of being a member of the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) is complimentary movie screenings.

In addition to the regular advanced movie screenings, today I got free DVD copies of "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Departed"!

The reason they sent them is that both of these movies are nominated for SAG awards and Oscars and they want to make sure everyone voting has seen them. I think it is a BRILLIANT marketing technique!

Been in Jail for the Past 15 Hours

Walked into work this morning, ate an omelet and then got put in a jail cell. The character I stand in for was in jail for possession on the show, so I had to be locked up while they were lighting.

It is an interesting experience being "locked up" even if it is pretend. It makes you feel like a caged animal and you see for a few minutes what people who live in cells go through.

The cell is equipped with a rock hard cot, a tiny toilet close to the floor and a sink. All of the cells have bars on all sides so your convict cell neighbor could potentially strangle you through the bars while you sleep!

It was also interesting to listen to various crew members tell stories about their "hard time". Most were booked and in jail for things like public drunkenness, bar fights or unpaid parking tickets, but it was funny to listen to.

If you need to do a background check on someone, take a quick field trip to a local jail and see what stories are volunteered!

No Rest...

I had a meeting with a friend from back in NYC. He works for an acting studio out here in LA and he is in the process of setting up an articulation agreement with the school I graduated from and AIA Actors Studio in Los Angeles.

He asked me a bunch of questions about my experience of being a recent conservatory graduate new to Hollywood and in return, as soon as the agreement is finalized, I will be able to take some free acting classes!

I think it is a great plan he has set up and he is also going to be offering theaters in North Hollywood seminars for their members for a donation that goes back to that theater instead of to him for his time! That is pretty much unheard of out here. He is like a Knight in Shining Armor bringing awarness to the Los Angeles Theater scene, keeping LA actors in training and giving the kids who went to my acting conservatory a place to go when they graduate!

You go Richard Robichaux!

Deaf West Continued

Mainstream means a show that is for a general audience rather than just for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. The deaf actors do not speak, they just act and sign. They may say a few lines or make noises ie)laugh, cry, or scream, but for the most part, that is the job of the interpreters.

The interpreters are off to the side and emote with their voices, much like voice over artists. They have little to no blocking (directed movement) and they watch the actors to make sure they are on pace, the correct words with the correct signs.