Late to the Game
A (somewhat) Daily Record of My Journey (in my 40's and beyond) to Success in Hollywood
For My Writer & Actor Friends…
So… Welcome to the new normal. Entertainment is stalled. Folks are looking for diversions. People who already had careers are struggling. My more established writer friends say they’re still getting reads and virtual meetings. But if you’re still trying to connect, to...
Today Was a Good Day!
These past few weeks, a good day was any day where at least one good thing happened. Today? Today felt like an embarrassment of riches. Or, like my mom said, it's been quite a desert, it's time you got to the oasis. As I mentioned Tuesday, I signed with Ami Mariscal...
Social Media
When did we get to the point that social media is, in fact, the opposite of social? Unless screaming, bullying, ad hominen attacks and demonizing your neighbors and friends is part of your social life, that is. We can't even have a civilized conversation about things...
Submissions
I submitted for 9 roles today on Actor's Access and got 1 request for an Eco-Cast (Self-taped audition)
Who Named Los Angeles?
Okay, so the title is a little bit of bait and switch, because not only is there no record of one person who named the city of angels in 1781, historians can't even decide what the original Spanish language name was... The most popular theory, that appears to be...
Read more“When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.”
– Cynthia Heimel, author
Looking Creatively Foolish
"When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap." - Cynthia Heimel, author
Read more“People read fantasy to see the colours again. We live our lives and I think there’s something in us that yearns for something more, more intense experiences. There are men and women out there who live their lives seeking those intense experiences, who go to the bottom of the sea and climb the highest mountains or get shot into space. Only a few people are privileged to live those experiences but I think all of us want to, somewhere in our heart of hearts we don’t want to live the lives of quiet desperation Thoreau spoke about, and fantasy allows us to do those things. Fantasy takes us to amazing places and shows us wonders, and that fulfils a need in the human heart.”
~ George R R Martin
“People read fantasy to see the colours again. We live our lives and I think there’s something in us that yearns for something more, more intense experiences. There are men and women out there who live their lives seeking those intense experiences, who go to the...
Read more“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows.”
~ Walt Disney
“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows.”~ Walt Disney
Why Can’t We Get Along?
You ever have one of these conversations? Me: I believe A, B & C. Other: Well, you're wrong. D & E are just flat out wrong. Me: That's ok, cause I don't believe in D & E, just A, B & C. Other: No, that's not possible. In my experience, when people say...
Hollywood Story: Jonathan Cain
In the 1970's Jonathan Cain was just a young man with a dream to make it in music. He moved from his family home in Chicago to Los Angeles, and started hustling. But as anyone in Hollywood can tell you, it was a struggle - to make ends meet, find a gig, even keep your...
What distinguishes us
This post might seem slightly off topic for a blog about my quest for success in Hollywood, but it's not really - I am a Christian, and my writing and acting are a part of my calling as a Believer. I am also of the (rather strongly held) opinion that part of being a...
Talk About Full Circle…
I just found out that a film I played a very small part in will be playing Saturday, April 29th, at the Sunscreen Film Festival, which, of course is where I first made the decision in 2010 to move out to California and pursue my calling as a writer and actor. If...
Quote: Alfred Hitchcock
"A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission & the babysitter were worth it."~ Alfred Hitchcock
Failure Funds Future Success…
A lot of folks pursuing a life and career in this business are worried that even one tiny failure will be the end of everything they've tried to accomplish. But that's patently false. A Casting Director that I know often comments that the audition doesn't...
Running the Numbers
I was trying to put the Hollywood journey into perspective for a friend earlier today, so I checked out the various sites I submit on and did some rough math. In the just over 5 years I've been in Los Angeles, I have submitted for more than 6500 projects and roles. I...
Starting (Finishing?) Strong…
I wasn't sure whether to title this starting or finishing strong. Sunday the beginning of the week, so starting, but it's the conclusion of a long weekend, so finishing? Who knows. Anyway, started bright and early today, setting up for church at Pacific Crossroads....
On Set: In Tune
Had a really good day today on set, shooting the short film "In Tune" for the 168 Film Festival. Started at 9, got to meet the crew - really professional group. Hung out for a bit, the catering/crafty was my good friend Angela Tesch, volunteering after she met the...
Double Take-ing
A very long day today. I had planned my schedule out to allow a few extra hours to write before I had to leave for the monthly writer's mixer. That got stalled early on. On the way home, I stopped at the library book sale. When I came out from the sale, I had a flat...