Sometimes You Need A Kick In The Ribs

I had been in a kind of funk for several weeks recently. I know some of it was caused by unpleasant health news that has yet to resolved, but a lot of it was because I wasn't working much. After a flurry of work during the last 3 months of last year, 2015 was starting out pretty dry. Only a couple jobs to be had and a creeping sense of no accomplishment and depression. I am actor after all, and I'm not acting.

Then it happened. I was cast in a low budget indie feature called "Retake" as a Homeless Man. It was a one day part and I found out the day before the shoot that mass transit would only get me to within 14 miles of the location. I went into a mini-panic. After a few e-mails to the producer, Sean Mandell, I must have been really wanted, for he sent a P. A. to pick up and drive me out there. Now, that was very nice! The location was east of Santa Clarita at an old motel on an old highway. Very moody indeed. I was wearing a costume I put together and it was immediately accepted. That's always nice, too.

After lunch it was time to shoot the scene I was in. As the Homeless Man I punch one of the leads although I can't tell you why as it is an important plot point. So, therefore, GO SEE THE MOVIE! Anyway, it was physical scene with some improvised dialogue. Suddenly, it was like the proverbial lightning bolt. A kick in the ribs, if you will. Acting! Raw! This is why I came to Los Angeles in the first place! I was having exhilarating fun. The director, Nick Corporon (also the writer), was great and did a lot of retakes and I am assuming not because that was title of the film. I must of punched that 6' 5" actor at least seven times. There was a lot of coverage for this scene that might last 2 minutes on screen.

(As The Man, before we lost the hat)

After being pushed out of the shot (literally), I found myself running ten yards off-camera, I was pumped up. It was a great feeling. Almost as if I had been in an artistic lethargy for those several weeks. After my role was done, the cast and crew gave me a hand and that, my friends, as it is rare, is quite nice.

(With Tuk Watkins on the set of "Retake")

 

OF Mass Transit & Chickens

How in the name of death is easy but comedy is hard does an actor travel to auditions, callbacks and shooting sites without a car in Los Angeles? Why, mass transit, of course! I'd say over 90% of the time I use mass transit with only a couple of rides from pals. So, except for when my friend, Art, picks me up every 3 to 4 months to do a run of a dozen or more casting agencies, I'm a mass transit working actor.

In Los Angeles the mass transit system is called Metro and considering the sprawl of this area it does a fairly good job of running on time. Metro also operates a subway and several light rail lines and dedicated busways. The subway is an especially great way to get from North Hollywood to Hollywood as it takes only ten minutes which is impossible to do by car. On most lines, buses/trains arrive every ten minutes or less.

(Me trying to catch the Malibu Beach bus. - photo credit: E.L. Nagode)

Now, before you think this post is a puff piece for Metro, let me advise you of some of the drawbacks of the system for the commuting actor. When I went to Culver City from my home in Northridge to appear as a guest on "America's Court" with a 8:30am call, I had to catch the very first bus of the morning. That meant waking up at 4:00am because in more "suburban" areas, Metro's service is spotty in the early morning as opposed to more main corridors. This holds true for late at night as well, for although Metro operates some Night Owl service, there are only 2 routes in the entire Valley. Plus, except for Friday and Saturday night, the subways and trains stop running before 2:00am. So, one of the rides I received was after the night shoot for "Ataru", which ended at 2:00am.

You may be pondering, what does any of this have to with chickens? Actually, there may be some correlation, especially when you spend any time hanging around the subway, however, it mostly has to do with practicing your lines. Whether you are doing the practicing for an audition or a shoot, your roommates may not be interested in being THAT person over and over again. Hence, chickens.

(Chickens fascinated by my powerful line practice. - photo credit: Jovan Jupiter)

As you can see in the photo above, chickens make a rather attentive audience. You practice one path or another, speak softly or break out in a bellowing yell and they continue to stare at you with a fowl look in their eyes. You stand and try a little move and they seem to ape your movement. When you are done with your practice session, the chickens will always give you a round of appreciative clucking. Just another helpful hint from your favorite mass transit working actor.