Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Whoever said Acting was easy.....

is very wrong!


Movie Night is wrapped!
Now, it's all about the post and editing.
I wish I could say I enjoyed my stay in LA...but I was too damn busy to...
Mostly 15 hour + shoot days, had to extend my trip...hardly had time to see my close friends.
To those of you I didn't see: please accept my humblest apologies. I wanted to see everyone, but just couldn't.

On another note - we did have fun working - especially since we DID get it all shot.
Plus, I had a hand in the make-up (special F/X and what-not) - we had much success with the special-effects, I believe. Can't wait to see it all!

We also had particular fun shooting our exteriors "guerilla-style."

But we got it all!!!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

...and we're rolling....

While filming is going great, we've fallen a bit behind. Not surprising considering the intricacies of this project: tracking camera effects, special F/X make-up, complete coverage, etc. So, I've had to extend my stay here in LA for a few more days.
No worries - it's all gonna look great. And it gave me another day to visit old friends, which was lovely.
Had a nice hike to Bronson Canyon, saw the "Batcave" from the 60's TV series - pretty cool!




I was feeling bad as this was more of a work trip, not leaving much opportunity to socialize.
This short will be a great showcase for all involved.

We're getting it done.

Oh, and it's 70˚ here, by the way; I hear it's about 10˚ back East....not rubbing it in....just sayin'

Monday, January 2, 2012

Auld Lang Syne!



Another year.
While 2011 was not without its challenges, I can't complain. Truly, I cannot complain. The year began with my literally being snowed in, in New Jersey, and it ends with my basking in the sun in Los Angeles. I'm here shooting a short film. It is between 70˚-80˚ here.
As I write this, I am downing a nice coffee in my favorite coffee bar, the Bourgeois Pig, and wondering why the overly-tanned guy across the way from me feels it's OK to take his shoes off and sit on the sofa, barefoot.
LA, baby!


Anyway...It may be cliché, but it is hard to not get reflective around this time of year.


So, to keep up with a new tradition - A wise friend of mine suggested that instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions (that are likely to be broken), it is better to list your accomplishments from the past year.


So, here goes (chronologically as best I can)


* Taught 3 courses (both SPRING and FALL Semesters) at 2 Universities
* Co-produced and acted in Us vs. Them, an Off-Off Broadway production
* Started Volunteering at NY Cares
* Performed in a show at the Montréal Fringe Festival
* Got new headshots
* Taught a class during the summer session at Rider University.
* Performed the role of Oberon and Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream
* Booked a Co-star on Law & Order: SVU
* Performed in another production of Small Talk in NY (this show crossed an international border, I have no problem listing it twice!)
* Shot a feature film
* Shooting a short film in Los Angeles
* Designed Make-up for 3 plays and 1 short film 
* asked to return to teach at both universities, for the SPRING '12 semester
* My family remained healthy (not an accomplishment, per se - but I'm grateful as hell for it!)


I made some new friends, lost some old ones. 
Endured loss, and overcame setbacks.
I have been very fortunate and am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way - despite the obstacles that '11 brought with it.
While I feel good about the past year's accomplishments, I cannot use the word, "satisfied." There is still a sense of unrealized potential, or success that I cannot help shake. Maybe that feeling is what some call "drive" or "persistence."
I don't know.
Maybe the coming year will bring some greater sense of ease...?


May the best of 2011 be the worst of 2012!