Got Work?

We have a new stage manager at TNT named Jody. He sets the schedule now and has given me five days this week (Tues-Sat), which isn't officially full-time, but good news on the cash flow front.

I will find out March 10 about the LA audition.

My friend Rolan has gotten me in the door for a murder mystery that will play on the Nevada/Utah border in coming weeks. I don't even know if I could work it out with TNT, but I'm going to meet with them on Wednesday.  ¶ 10:45 PM

  LA and Back Today

I'm not sure what exactly I went to today. It was an audition for a reality show about the making of a TV Pilot. I would say that it went very well. It was very much American Idol for actors...not quite what I was expecting. I'll know more in a few weeks. It's called Pilotproject.

Oh...she did say that I would have to grow my hair longer for the part, which is funny considering the last entry.  ¶ 12:23 AM

  Hair

So...it was really just one audition for 3 spots by the same production company. It went very well. At the end of the audition they asked if I would cut my hair. The gig pays $500...I had to decide if my hair was worth $500 in a split second. My initial thought was "sure, what do I care." But then I remembered that I have to care these days. I just paid $175 for headshots and I would have to get new ones with short hair. I technically have to get permission from TNT to get my hair cut. I was the only guy with long hair at the auditioin, which would have been a really good thing had they wanted that.

"I can get a short trim...a few inches all around." That was my answer.

"OK, we'll call you." They haven't. It shoots tomorrow.  ¶ 10:45 AM

  Just Found Out

I have auditions for three different commercials today! Having an agent is cool.  ¶ 11:44 AM

  Barry Wheeler

Somehow I ended up playing Barry in TNT three days in a row. I really enjoyed the part. Now I go back to Michael for the next three days. That means 6 days in a row for me...a record. The cool thing is that my family has been out of town anyway, so its not like I'm missing time with them.

I will be going to LA Saturday to audition for a TV pilot. It's a long shot, but I'm sure I'll learn something by doing it. My friend Tommy may be coming with me, so if nothing else we can hang out.  ¶ 10:50 PM

  Jerry Mc-f'n-Guire?

Cody Garden is my agent. Today I signed with McCarty Talent. It was my #1 choice. So...yeah, that's good.  ¶ 4:34 PM

  You take one shower and...

I was in the shower yesterday afternoon and received two voicemail messages. One from an agent that I am hoping will sign me. We are meeting in the morning. The other from an acting coach, Gerald Gordon, that I am hoping will let me study with him. (I'll have to go through an interview process and audition to be his student.)

So far I have been struck with how much of this industry is waiting to have a phone call returned. Until now in my life I have normally been the guy that people waited for a phone call from...now its the other way around. It is humbling and makes me feel a little bad about my tendancy to wait a few days to return calls. (I have always had a slight fear of speaking on the phone...I know its strange, but with the exception of about 10 people I have to force myself to pick up a phone and dial. I guess its some form of shyness. Phone calls are very intimate compared to other forms of communication...enough about my oddities...)

I also received another call today from yet another agency. I will wait and see how tomorrow goes before calling them back.

On another note, TnT is directed by one of the original writers, a man named Larry who lives in NYC and visits us every few months. He will be here this week and they have finally scheduled my to play my other part (Barry) while he is here. It could help my chances to go five nights per week there.
  ¶ 11:22 PM

  The Biz

Life is so much more than business. Business, however, is a part of life. I have started this second blog to keep a record of my journey as a professional actor. So...let's get caught up:

My name is Joe. I'm 30 years old, married with two kids. I live in Las Vegas. And I have no idea how I became a professional actor.

I graduated from seminary in 1995 and moved to Las Vegas to be a clergyman for the rest of my life. Somewhere along the way I grew disinterested in religion and church as business. If you are more interested in my faith journey and spritual quest, you'll wanna read my primary blog.

Early last year I began exploring acting in my free time. I took some improv classes with The Second City and The Groundlings. I landed a few interesting gigs including playing the role of Michael in Tony n' TIna's Wedding at The Rio.

As of this week, I have reduced my church work to 10 hours per week in an effort to make my living in acting and storytelling. I have no idea what is to come, but I am ready for the journey.

Today I met with an agent who "really liked me" and thought I was "unique and talented." She was however, "not ready to sign me" because "I don't know enough yet to be excited about being signed." Interesting. Truth is, I wouldn't have signed today anyway because I'm meeting with another agent next week. That agency is my first choice. So I am hopeful. The lady today did say she might call me if something comes up. She mentioned a show called Scare Tactics in which I would scare unsuspecting people...I'm thinking no. Improv is more fun when people know you are acting...

On the way back from that meeting I got a call from a dinner theater in town that might hire me to act on my off nights at Tony n Tina's. I'm currently working at TnT 3 nights per week and on a waiting list to go fulltime. This could fill in the gap until then.

I think you are up to speed now. Here's to professional pretending.  ¶ 11:53 AM