My Last 10 Days

Here's a brief summary of my last 10 days in LA (Oct. 15-22):

Thursday: My first gig! I got to be a Zombie in a MTV Halloween Promo for Artist of the Week Kristinia DeBarge (ironic since I often times talk trash about MTV programming and had no idea who Kristinia was before I met her- who, by the way, turned out to be a very nice person) which will be on MTV this coming week (Oct. 25-31). I was at the shoot for 12 1/2 hours- actual time I was in a filmed shot: 45 to 6o minutes max. Most friendly/enjoyable people to talk to: makeup artists, Kristinia's bus driver and the sound guys. I got lost for an hour on the way back to my apartment (apartment address located in my Facebook profile). Tried scrubbing off all the Zombie makeup on my face

Friday: Continued to try and get excess makeup off of face and hair from yesterday. Auditioned to take classes at Groundlings Theater (and passed). Groundlings is a sketch/improv comedy theater where folks like Will Ferrell, Phil Hartman, and Michael McDonald got their start. Ordered more headshots from Walgreens. Hung out and played Scrabble with my New Yorker roommates.

Saturday: Auditioned for a Doritios commercial and to take classes at Second City Los Angeles (and passed). Second City (similar to Groundlings) alumni include Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Chris Farley, and Mike Meyers. Ate at a Greek restaurant and chatted with a Russian waitress while eating a salad with Italian dressing. Went to the downtown LA library (which has a gift shop) and after it closed, I headed back to the wrong parking garage, which I found out after I had walked all 5 floors looking for my car (sometimes you just have laugh at your own misfortune).

Sunday: Nervously watched the Vikings get lucky at a local Sports Bar surrounded by Ravens fans. Auditioned for a Geico commercial (and got lost for an hour trying to find the building of the audition...might be time for a GPS).

Monday: Submitted to every audition I could find on LA Casting's website. Auditioned for a theatrical production based on Seinfeld called "A Show About Nothing" as Draper (the equivalent to Kramer). Received a parking ticket.

Tuesday: Was an extra for the upcoming Disney movie "Starstruck" and got to be a 21 or younger club-goer for 14 1/2 hours. I was told over the phone through Central Casting (an agency that strictly casts extras) that they couldn't use me for this particular film (which is based entirely on physical attributes), but my buddy Joseph suggested I come anyway and spect. Specting is a term used for those who are not casted as extras (aka Background Actors) for a film or TV show, but show up anyway in hope that if someone doesn't show up, they may get a chance to take the vacant spot. So far I'm 1 for 1 on specting.

Wednesday: Did background work for "Starstruck"again- this time for only 13 hours. Heard back and was cast as Draper for the director of "A Show About Nothing." Received yet another parking ticket.

Thursday: Auditioned for a Boost Mobile commercial as an Elf (the really tall guy from Men in Black auditioned for the same commercial right before me). Also auditioned for a student film at Santa Monica College for the role of a roommate who is creepily obsessed with his ex-girlfriend. Met with "A Show About Nothing" director to go over some paper work. Got called back for the Boost Mobile commercial for Friday. Played Scrabble with the roommates.

Besides the above, I make sure I write daily. I'll try and post some new poems I've been working on (including one about my first day being an extra) on Facebook sometime. If anybody ever has any specific questions for me, please, send them my way! I'd really enjoy answering them! Until next time....

Funny observations of the week: 1) The bus driver for Kristinia DeBarge called me over, asked me where I lived, and say to me in a serious tone: "I'm going to find you, and when I do, I'm going to f*** you up" And we've been friends ever since (this guy had excellent comedic timing. I told him he should try stand up. He told me that everyone laughs at his jokes except for his wife). 2) DeBarge's diva moment: "Oh my god! I can't believe it! I just swallowed a bug! Gross! That is so gross!" 3) A crew member's t-shirt on the set of "Starstruck" read "You looked better on MySpace" (gotta love those novelty t's).