Unscripted - A Blog for Actors - Backstage

Quiet, Please.

I totally shushed these two girls at an audition last night.  I'm still in shock that A) they would be that thoughtless towards other actors, and B) I am now apparently an old lady.  Or something. 

Because I have been in an acting rut, I went to an open call last night.  Normally wouldn't go unless it's for something fabulous that I am more than perfect for.  And even then I'd rather mail the theatre or CD directly and request an appointment.  But anywho, there I was, elbowing dozens of twenty-something Caucasian brunettes in cute shoes, hoping to scrawl my name on a piece of crinkled notebook paper before it filled up.

The monitor was kind enough to transpose all the names from the "unofficial" list to the "official " list, himself.  And, to avoid a second wave rushing the defenseless clipboard, he read the new order aloud.  I stayed seated on the little square of hallway floor I had staked out for myself, figuring that everyone would be courteously silent (or relatively so) until all the names were read.

Not so!  These two girls standing above me started talking at full voice just after their names were read.  "Excuse me," I whispered and pointed to the ear I had cocked in the direction of the monitor.  Was that annoyance I saw in their eyes?  I do believe it was since my plea only silenced them for all of three seconds before they started in again.

"SHHHH!" As soon as the sound escaped my lips I think I entered into shock.  Did I just shush someone?  I hate shushing!  In the movies, in the library, at a play… no way.  It's more annoying than the actually talking.  But there I was.  Rankled enough to shush. 

Naturally they looked at me like I was crazy then moved further down the hall… where they once again continued aloud.  In an echo-y hall.  But I was too mortified to request their silence again.  I did manage to hear my name and 3 and a half hours later I was auditioning. 

Not bad for an open call.  Except for that shushing thing.

--Susan Atwood

High Hopes vs. High Expectations

The sky is certainly the limit in this business.  I would say it's healthy for actors to believe this wholeheartedly as they wend their way, looking for their first big break or looking to bring themselves to a higher level in their career.

However, most actors don't achieve the level they have been hoping for and as a result  find themselves pretty bummed out, possibly even depressed. 

This is where expectations come into play.  It's healthy to have high hopes; I just heard Zach Braff, another Jersey boy, is going to be receiving 350k per episode on Scrubs.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't have similar hopes for myself.  I honestly do hope to one day be in a popular series for a few years anyway and making that type of money.   (See my earlier rant about wanting a series.)

I honestly hope to be making some movies during my series' hiatus, and I hope to take 8 week jaunts to Europe with my family while awaiting for the new season to begin filming.

These are hopes.  I'd wager they are similar to your hopes.  Maybe we can also admit to hoping for one of those coveted awards that we will assuredly place on the mantles of our Malibu or Tahoe dream homes.

Nothing wrong with big, big hopes.  But when things are not going as we planned, we need a reality check.  We need to understand that expecations, even if we honestly do expect to one day be living our wildest dreams, expectations need to be steeped in some reality.

We can hope for the best, ultimately, but we need to expect reality, daily.   This business has never been easy and it never will be. 

So keep hoping, keep dreaming.  But keep yourself grounded in reality.  Realistic expectations will insulate you from feeling you've "failed"  if at any given time you're not where you had always hoped to be.

Break a leg!

photo credit: (My Kindergarten Class Photographer, LOL )   

--Jim Todd

Tip O' Da Day

I’m told these blogs should be from three hundred words to five hundred words, but you know what, sometimes a brief statement or just a few words speak volumes louder then millions of characters and neatly arranged spaces ever could. For instance, when I first moved to Los Angeles, seven or so years ago, someone told the story of Bette Davis’ famous advice to young actors… It was just two words… “Take Fountain.”

To this day I utilize that advice whenever Sunset or Hollywood is backed up. Over the years it’s probably saved me countless hours… Course I like to think the advice is deeper then it probably was intended, and that Bette Davis was really saying… “Always consider lesser known alternative routes.”

Unfortunately my advice today isn’t as succinct, probably won’t save you any time out of traffic… But then again, I’m no Bette Davis.

Here it is, and while it might seem simple, a few actresses at today’s audition on the FOX LOT probably could have benefited from it. If you’re new to Los Angeles, and you’re going to your first audition at a Studio, remember four things…

1)    Always be early. Often there’s a line of cars, line of people, security doesn’t have your name on their lists, or you have to park off site… Know that if you’re on time at a Studio, you will often be late.

2)    Carry your ID. Most likely you’ll be asked when you park, then again when you walk on. You might even be asked a third time. Always have it with you.

3)    Wear comfortable shoes. Today I could not have physically parked further from the casting office. Do yourself a favor, if you want to wear uncomfortable shoes that look great… Carry them. Then put them on in the waiting room.

4)    Bring an umbrella (if there’s a chance of rain). I always forget this one, cause I don’t really care too much… But if you care about your hair, and how it looks… Bring one.  If it rains, you’ll get wet.

I suppose there are other tips about being prepared, making choices, and actory bits and pieces like that, but hell, if you don’t already know that stuff, get out of the way for an actor that actually takes his craft seriously.

(You should also know that with a quick web search, Elizabeth Taylor, Mae West, and Lauren Bacall have also been credited with giving that advice.)

And with that… Four hundred and twenty six words!
Bang!

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche

Spring Awakening

Best Show On Broadway Right Now

Spring arrives tomorrow.  Aside from thoughts of debauchery and wanton sex, spring is a time of new beginnings, new plans, new hopes. 

So what are my plans now?  Hmm, well, I'm looking for a "real" job.  (I know, the dreaded J word.  Don't hate me. )  Hey, I'll always be an actor, but right now I'm kinda burned out from the vagaries of temporary employment and its propensity to suck the infinitesimal life out of my five-dollar-off-the-sidewalk-from-some-blind-dude-in-Manhattan wallet.

So my strategizing right now is to build back the green in a stable job while I continue pursuing acting work.  I just will relish some job stability for a while. 

Spring is just about here!  I took the following photo at  Tougas Family farm in Northborough, MA over the weekend.  It says, "Closed" and "Join us Mid June to Mid July."  They have fantastic blueberries and strawberries there.  I love this farm.  I love jogging and walking around it.  Lots of good insight comes to me while jogging past the pumpkins, the blueberries, the strawberries--or the snow, whatever is in season at the moment.

Don't laugh, but I also made a snowman this weekend!  LOL  I haven't made a snowman since I was a kid.  Is this some type of Wild Hogs crisis I'm having?  ahahah  Making that snowman was too much fun!  How old am I, twelve?  Well, I'm going skiing one more, perhaps the last, time this season.   I hope to be skiing when I'm 90.  Here's to Spring and to all of us a very hearty acting and monetary harvest! 

(photos by me, snowman created by me, unemployment by the bums at my temp agency.)

--Jim Todd

Monday Morning

I'm at home in my pajamas (note, no picture today). It's nearly 10:00 and the only plans I have are to: post and to hang out with a friend. Thus, the perks of life as an actor. Well, we paid our bills yesterday and I must say it was tempting to go apply for a job at Trader Joe's or Starbucks this morning. I'm just getting my Pilates (Survival Job) off the ground, so I have about 6-8 classes a week and a few private clients and still with a much higher hourly wage I'm only making a grand a month. Gotta kick it up a notch. Off I go to do just that. (Oh, and do a little hanging out as well.)
--Evelyn Elam

The Art of the 'Thank You'

Although I am a non-singer, I always try to watch the American Idol auditions.  I begged my mom to watch them once so she could see how auditions can be.  Afterwards, she said, “Those people aren’t really like that.  They just do that to get on TV.”

Sure some probably act crazy just to get on TV, but if you’ve seen more than one episode then you’ve probably also experienced the bone-chilling reality that some people are just nuts.  And if you’re an actor, you know that on occasion you’ve shared the same room with similar folks.  Like the girl who’s so excited to do her monologue because she gets to cry in it – really hard.  Or the guy who shows up in character – complete with costume.  Or the guy who launches into a bitter tirade about how he can't get cast because he's too talented and good-looking and the directors clearly never know what they're doing.

I watch the American Idol auditions delighted to know that these people are everywhere and not just sitting next to me in the audition holding room.  This season however, I was delighted by something else…

I took this great monologue class which also covered the art of auditioning.  And what was hardest for me was smiling as I enter the room and smiling and saying “Thank you” before leaving.  I mean, understand the necessity to be pleasant and to say thank you (duh), but I am not a naturally “smiley” person (I’m always the girl on the street to whom old men always say “Smile honey, it’s not that bad!”  Ha ha.  Shut up, old man.), and to me forcing a smile always felt… well, forced.

But this time on Idol I noticed how sane the normal people looked next to the crazies, and why.  They didn’t try to force "having personality" by acting “perky” or “upbeat” (this is something I may be guilty of in the past) – which can make you look desperate or overly caffeinated.  Nor did they take themselves too seriously – which can make you seem homicidal.  The most successful people just smiled pleasantly, listened quietly, and said simply “Thank you” to anything positive given and a polite "Ok, thank you" to any criticism.  And that’s it.  And they were elegant and normal and I want to be like them. 

So I will practice my smiling.  And no matter how nervous or anxious or headachy I am, I will find something to smile about – naturally.  And I will not look crazy.

--Susan Atwood

You Know You’re Getting Older When Your Blog Starts With “There was a time…”

There was a time when getting one audition was all I wanted. “If only I could get an audition… Man, life would be sweet. That’s all I need is one.” I, like the character Jean in MISS JULIE, knew that if I could just reach that first branch, I'd go right to the top.

Then all I wanted was one audition a month. “After all it’s a numbers game.” Then that changed to… “If only I could get a call back… I’d have a real legitimate shot if the producers and directors got to meet me and work with me, face to face…” Of course, that changed to… “If only I’d get put on avail…” “If I had one audition a week…” “Three appointments a week and I’m happy…” “If I could just book one of these suckers…”

Well, I’m here to say, that for me, it never really changes, no matter what stage I’m at… I’m always looking for more. For what’s next.  For what’s up ahead on the bright sunshine lit horizon called life. There have actually been times while working on a TV show, movie or commercial where I had the thought… “Geez, I got nothing lined up after this…” Or thinking, the week after I shot something, “I haven’t worked in like forever…”

My constant battle is to remind myself to stop and be grateful. To appreciate where I am. To appreciate how far I’ve come. To appreciate.  To not only dedicate time to seeing up ahead, but also to look out the side windows, and in the rear view mirror too.

(Miss Julie is a classic written by August Strindberg)

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche

Teenagers Should Be Film Critics

We know the target audience for most movies are males between the ages of 18-24, so why are most film critics wimpy old men who speak about films as if they are addressing the Ladies' Auxiliary?

When was the last time you were "enchanted" at a movie?  Have you ever said a film was "delightful"?  Which is why it's time for film critics to go the way of the 8 track tape, or at least update to reflect the current movie-going audience.

A great article about this is in Variety:  Film Reviewers, Moviegoers Disagree

It makes sense that a teenager should be one of our famous movie critics.  Teens are the ones going to the movies!

Lofty wimp film critic:  "Another virtuoso performance by Ms. Streep.  Raw lyric power suffused with a visceral ebullience not seen since the days of Garbo and Bogie and Bacall."

Teenager:  "Yo, that sh** sucked major donkey balls.   

Lofty wimp film critic:  "Ms. Jolie evinces a nuanced, exhilarative concupiscence in Lara Croft."

Teenager:  "Dude, her freakin' hooters! I'd definitely hit that!"

--Jim Todd

That ain't no Orange Juice

Start the day off right.

I mean "be safe..."

Wait...

How 'bout both?

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche

To Debt Or Not To Debt

Like almost every person in America, I have debt.  Student loans (still) and several thousand dollars in accrued debt from moving, taking classes, getting headshots, etc.  My day job (I’ve had the same one for the past… too many years), in combination with thoughtful spending and not having room for extras in my studio apartment and playing the 0% revolving credit card game – has helped me be able to cut that debt in half. 

But recently, I have to wonder if my struggle to become debt-free hasn’t put a crimp in my life as an artist.  Case in point: the voiceover demo.  This is a huge expense.  With coaching and recording and reproduction, you know you’re looking at spending at least $1,200 all at once.  So I’ve put it off and put it off and put it off…

Only here I am now… still at my day job!  Still dreaming of what life could be like with my very own demo.  Of course there’s no saying that if I’d put the demo together years ago that I’d be working regularly by now… but how do I know?  I won’t know until I try.  Right? 

Right?

Argh.  It’s just so frustrating.  Like a shell game or something.  If I spend the money and accrue more debt, that’s more time behind the desk in order to pay it off, but if I don’t accrue the debt then that could lead to more time behind the desk…

And for the love of god, I can't stand being behind this desk!

So, you know, that does it – I have to just give this a try.  I love voiceover auditions.  I know I’d love this job, even though I’ve only ever had one VO job before in the past… so, wait… maybe that means I’m not cast-able?  Maybe this is a huge clue that I need to pay attention too??? 

Dammit.  Why is this so hard and scary to decide? 

I’m just gonna do it.  Really.  I am.  I am.   

--Susan Atwood

All Quiet on the Acting Front

After a great shoot last weekend, this week has proved to be pretty quiet on the acting front, thankfully on Wednesday I had a “same day” audition pop up for a breakfast cereal… But now two days later, I'm guessing that's probably as far as that one will go. But who knows really. Either way it doesn’t matter. That audition was packed with familiar faces, where we all knew each other from auditions, TV or movies, a room full of professionals; all there for a two second look and an improvised line of dialogue. Every single one of us was more that qualified to do it.

However, this week as a writer, things shined brighter. I wrapped my second term in a professional screenwriting program. Got three sets of very positive notes back on my latest script. Started rewrites on that. Started research and writing a new script for my next term. Got word that a pilot of mine is now in the hands of a development executive at one of the networks. And lastly I’m told an “informal deal memo” may be on its way to me, for a comedy I Co-wrote about a year ago.

So, although the acting front was semi or mostly quiet this week, the writing front had enough bang whizzes to keep me energized. Perhaps today I figure out  an action that makes it so next week, the acting front perks up. Of course, as always suggestions are always appreciated.

(also pictured: writing classmate Bita Shafipour)

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche

Better & Better

So, another USC experience within a week. I must say, all the people I have encountered there, be they directors, producers, actors, or just passersby are all lovely and courteous individuals who conduct themselves with utmost professionalism. (All math aside...read The USC experience.) Waiting for the punchline? There isn't one. In this case, it's actually true. Whatever they're doing at USC or whatever they're putting in the water: AWESOME! Anyway, the point is: I had a second USC audition within a week and decided at the last minute before leaving to pin a couple of headshots up on a random bulletin board before leaving.

The minute my feel hit soil back in North Hollywood, I get a call from a producer asking me to come audition for his director on Saturday. He had spotted my headshot on the bulletin board less than an hour after I pinned it there and called me. (Insert happy dance.) Sometimes following those little "why-nots" can have the best results. Granted I only booked another audition, not a job...but that's what leads to the jobs, right? And who wouldn't want to spend more time with people who treat actors with respect!

On the Lot....

On the set of "A Cup of Tea," Coco Silvera has her photo taken by makeup artist Christ Polito for continuity.  (Photo by Dan Tedlie)

A Hair-Brained Phenomenon

Why, oh why is it that when I decide to spend the day hanging around my apartment eating candy (refined sugar free, of course!) and watching daytime TV, my skin is flawless without a stitch of makeup, my hair is so shiny and bouncy that it should have its own commercial, and I have the ability to connect with any material I manage to work on with the greatest of ease?

In contrast, please tell me why on the days when I am auditioning for an agent and a national tour, my face erupts with welts the size of small volcanoes, my hair revolts as payback for years and years of bad cuts, color, perms, teasing and hairspray, I develop a twitch in my left eye, and I cannot remember any of the lyrics to a song I’ve been singing since college—all of which end up rendering me a screaming crying mess of a woman running around the apartment throwing hair clips.

(Sadly, that last part is not a joke.)

Is it all just nerves, stress, and fear that cause my body to freak out?  On some unconscious level do I bring this on myself in order to have an excuse for any mishaps that should occur at the audition? For example: “Well, of course I couldn’t hit the last note of my song, my hair was in my eyes.” Or: “How can I commit to the emotional stakes of the monologue when my zits are throbbing?”

No, there’s got be another reason for this phenomenon.  I simply refuse to believe that my brain is controlling all of this—sadistically sabotaging my ‘actor’ life but allowing my ‘sit-at-home-all-day-and-do-nothing’ life to be a real breeze.

I need to get to the bottom of this.

Time for the wrist brace. I suspect some more Internet sleuthing in my future.

-- Kerri Aab

Inquiring Minds

I always hesitate when people ask me what I do for work.  I used to never say "actor" because I felt that since I didn't make my money from it, then that wasn't really my profession.  My perspective on that has changed since then, but I still almost never say "actor" (or I hesitate greatly before I do).

Maybe I'm just crabby, but I just get exhausted by the usual roster of questions that inevitably follows when I tell the truth:

"What do you like better – film of theatre?"
"Where did you study?"
"Are you in anything now?"
"Do you prefer New York or LA?"
"Have you been in anything I've seen?"
"Have you ever worked with anyone famous?"
"Have you thought about auditioning for [insert name of hot Broadway play or any of the New York serials]?"

And my absolute favorite is when you explain how difficult it is to get auditions for certain things (most things worthwhile) without and agent, people will sometimes try to help with:

"Why don't you just get an agent?"

Great.  Thanks.

I'm excited that they're excited for me.  Really.  Its fun, but it can be annoying – especially if the old career hasn't been going so well lately and you'd rather not think about it.  Although… I suppose I regale doctors and lawyers and firemen (which I could totally stand to meet more of, btw ;)  with same-old same-old questions: "What's the grossest ailment you've seen in your office?", "What's the weirdest case you've handled?", "Do you guys really rescue cats from trees?"  So I suppose maybe it's only fair. 

Ok, I promise I'll try to be a better sport about it.  But if I feel I don't have the patience that day… I'm making something up.

-- Susan Atwood

Cancellations…

It used to bother me greatly when auditions were canceled underneath my feet, leaving me with nothing but scratch out marks in my date book. However, these days, most of the time, I actually look at as cancellations as blessings.

Last week I found I was canceled on a call back for a pharmaceutical company’s spot. When I asked for some details on it, I found that they canceled a third of the people they planned on calling back. One third? Can anyone say, “All back?”

I’m not sure about you all, but when the role has nothing to do with anything but a look, if they can rule me out off the tape, I’m completely fine with that. As I have so many other things I can do with my time.

Today a guest star audition was canceled. Now, while I like to try to think of auditions as mini-performances… The truth had nothing to do with me, and everything with the fact that the producers decided the role wasn’t necessary or wasn’t serving their brilliant script. So, while it’s always nice to be in the running, it’s much better to be in the running of a scene that will not only make final edit, but also remain the same size or grow and develop.

So for me, having an audition canceled isn't really so bad...

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche

Mugger of 101 Year Old Should Be on Broadway

There's been a lot of news lately about the feisty old 101 year old lady who survived a beating by a heartless mugger in New York.  She was punched repeatedly in the face! 

I like her comments:  "If I were younger I would have gone after him and killed him."  Granny Get Your Gun!

I have a suggestion when they catch him.  Put him on Broadway!  That's right, specifically in "The Producers."

When the little ol lady number comes up, where the stage is full of blue hairs and their walkers, the creep can be escorted by New York's Finest and left center stage to be at the mercy of the ladies!

While they beat the living daylights out of him, 8 performances per week, the audience numbers will return to their Matthew Broderick/Nathan Lane days and the show will be extended and saved from the closing that it's scheduled for.

And the little ol lady will get front and center orchestra seats on the house, of course!

Everybody wins!

--Jim Todd

Quiz Show

I had this film audition Saturday that I'd been pretty psyched about.  Good script and the director seemed really organized.  He'd scheduled the auditions a month in advance, had the sides and full script available online and his emails were super-detailed yet succinct.  However, when you schedule an audition that far in advance, things crop up.  So he sent three separate confirmation emails… which seemed a liiiittle controlling… but whatever. 

Then when I arrive yesterday – no more than 10 minutes early as repeatedly requested – the director strides across the room and up to my face and says, "Do you know the stated reason why he (the other character in my scene) has come with you to your apartment?" 

Hey, nice to meet you, too.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, taken off guard. 

He repeated, "Do you know the stated reason why he went upstairs with you?"  I wasn't sure what he was getting at since the male character never 'states' why he is coming up with her.  "They just got back from a vacation…" I fumbled.  "Yes!" he bellowed, "That is right.  He's helping her with the bags." 

Phew!  I got my little trivia question right.  What do I win? 

"But why is he helping her with the bags?" he pounced again. 

This game kinda sucks.  At a loss I tried, "Well, maybe he wants a little… you know…" 

"To make love?" he looked at me as though I'd just insulted his mother, "No!" 

"Are you sure?" I smiled, "I mean he is a man."  I chuckled at my own little joke… 

"No."

"Oh."

Did someone just suck all the humor out of this room with a big hose before my audition?

I wanted to say, "Look, dude.  Instead of playing 20 questions, why don't you just tell me?  I mean, if I don't get it right, are you going to kick me out?  If you are that's fine, but I doubt that's the case so let's just get to it because you're already running 10 minutes late and I was the first audition after the lunch break!" 

But I held my tongue and instead ventured, "Well, they went on the trip because he wanted to get back together with her –"

"Yes! Yes, that is right," he looked happily relieved.  And so was I. 

I did the scene but was so disoriented that everything I'd memorized went out the window.  I had the script in hand, but still.  I hate it when that happens.  I guess I'll have to study more and practice for the oral exam before my next audition. 

--Susan Atwood

The USC Experience

Wow. So, that's a busy campus. I'm sure it's very organized and all, it just doesn't seem that way to a first-time visitor. Attempting to park anywhere near the building you need to access is an awkward experience: the "guards" at the gates seem determined to send you to the OTHER parking areas... and then when you get to the OTHER parking areas, the parking attendants there are confused as to why you were directed to theirs when "your building" is next to the first parking lot you attempted to park in, in the first place. I eventually found a street spot with a 4-hour limit. That seemed to be the way to go and it was a nice walk--a bit long--but shady for the most part (thank GOD I didn't wear heels!). The students at the USC campus are friendly and willing to direct you to the right place, if they know where it is.

It was an odd little audition once I got there. It consisted of 3 lines of dialogue with "my daughter" who was behind a door (or for auditioning purposes on the other side of a portable chalkboard). So, I was delivering my lines to the chalkboard. Interesting...And the director had herself positioned on the opposite side of the chalkboard, so she had to get up, go around the chalkboard and watch the actors in profile to see what they were doing. Interesting... Actually, she was a lovely and passionate filmmaker and how she runs her audition is up to her. However, there were some other peculiarities that warranted attention: First of all, she wanted to cast a 30 year old woman (the character I went in for) to play the mother of a 17 year old daughter. (And no, there was no teen pregnancy as an undercurrent in the story.) Math anyone? Secondly, the film takes place in the present. However, the father, who my character had an affair with (God knows when) was supposedly 30 back in the early 70's (before my character would have been born), so that would make him how old now? And how old when we had our affair? How old was I? I was told there would be no math. (And no, there was no Lolita undercurrent in the story either.) So, I was auditioning for the "mom" part with other actresses whose age range seemed all over the place and "daughters" who were old enough to be my younger sister. Apparently, the director was also told there would be no math. Is ANYONE more confused than me? NO? Excellent. Ultimately, I think the filmmaker just didn't quite get that most mothers of 17 year olds are much nearer to 40--or in this day and age, ahem, 50. Look, it's not that I mind auditioning for the mom parts...I am a young mother to a TODDLER. But, I'm 26 and my daughter is 2. Let's do the math.

Whew. All this to say, sometimes a project looks good on paper via ActorsAccess or LA Casting or whatever and then you get there, read the backstory of the characters, and wonder if you're shooting a Twilight Zone episode. Ultimately, I like USC, the director was lovely, and once I parked my car I had little difficulty finding the place--and I was on-time...can we say as much for all of our auditioning experiences?

Cramps and Bloating...

This morning I woke up with the worst calf cramps, and a wonderful bloated feeling... Why? Is it cause I'm expecting a friend and entering into my "Moon Cycle....?" Probably not... Probably not... Its probably got much more to do with eating seemingly two-hundred pounds of salty snack foods yesterday while shooting a commercial in the Los Angeles National Forest and not being quick enough to the spit bucket.

But the clients seemed happy, the director thanked us all for being so funny, no one got hurt on any of the stunts, no one got canned, and they made all the necessary shots they needed to make before the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Over all it was a good day.

However... Besides the cramps and bloating today, was the shoot problem free? No way.

I'm sure there is a list of things that any department could tell you about, but from where I sat... The picture truck started overheating EARLY in the AM, and steam became another character in-between takes. My fellow actor found out on set that they intended to fly him out the front windshield of the picture truck with a cable hung from a forty-foot crane. And I had to drive with two cameras, and a four banger (light) mounted on the hood of the car, and a white screen blocking the entire passenger side window, all the while driving, acting, tracking Big Foot along side of us (then behind us), and stopping an exact place each time... At an exact angle each time. And wouldn't you know it... Yup, I missed the mark a few times.

Well, hopefully the spot won't miss its mark and it'll have a very long run, where its seen very frequently playing on National Network (and not as a wild spot).

Today on the menu is Water. Water. Water. Water. Oh, and maybe Orange Juice as per my mother's previous advice.

(also pictured: Joe Lotruglio and Sasquatch -played by Brian “CreatureBoy” Steele) 

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche