Word Block.
Yes. Callbacks, screen tests, unfortunate jogging outfits, cool mornings, hot coffee, cold beer, possibility. Double yes.
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Screen Test #1
Got released from my Test Deal this morning. As did everyone else.
Don’t have a bad thing to say about the entire process. Liked the producers and the casting director; enjoyed working with the director; valued being on the Warner Bros. Lot in an official capacity; very proud of the work that I did.
Objectively, I wouldn’t take back a single choice.
Another test coming soon. (Like, this week soon.)
Screen test results. (Sort of.) — Update!
UPDATE:
Not dead yet. Not even close.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Interesting day today. For starters, there is a glitch with the Pilot that I tested for Wednesday. ”Glitch” is a polite way of saying huge f*cking problem.
Going into details would be redundant and potentially damaging. In lieu, I’ll say that I did a great job and I know there are people who want me to get the job. The aforementioned problem has nothing to do with the actors. It’s an executive thing that is effecting every actor for every role they tested. Thus, I’m assuming that it’s over until I’m told otherwise.
I suppose this is the bad news.
The good news has a higher word count.
Auditioned this afternoon for another pilot and smoked it. There was an ease and confidence before I walked into the room. Some combination of repetition, subsequent comfort and the “test experience” had me feeling spry. Fully expect a producer session next week.
The second section of good news relates to how I digested my bad news.
My reaction: “Okay. Sure thing. Next one.”
Finally, I got internet installed and a kitchen table from Target for $22.99 today. If you don’t think this is a big deal, I think you’re an asshole.
Control what you can control. In the case of the Pilot, that list looks like this:
- Pre-read: (Excellent.)
- Producer session: (Excellent.)
- Screen test: (Great / professional.)
Once the discussion centers around the executive structure as it relates to the show, I’m off in the wilderness. You have to make this distinction; otherwise you’re no different than the retarded dog who barks at waves in Venice Beach.
Second full week here. Second great week here.
Stephen.
EDIT: Very nice person named Shada did a “digital painting” of my headshot and sent it to me. You can check out the rest of the work here.
Like any other day.
9:09 PM, Pacific Time –
Wow… Screen tested today for a series regular on a network show. Felt great.
Things are out of my hands now. While “things” were in my hands, I handled the shit out of them.
Now… A drink with friends and a peaceful sleep.
Really thankful for today.
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I did not put a coffee stain there on purpose.
Casablanca. Seriously. Of all the sound stages, on all the lots, in all the world…
They don’t call it a vanity mirror for nothing.
Screen testing.
How the hell is everybody? Good? Good. I’m great.
It’s been a lovely, welcoming transition to life as a resident of Hollywood; since I don’t know where to begin, I wont begin anywhere.
My hood: I’m three blocks east and two blocks north of the most touristy intersection in Hollywood. And yet, I live in a quiet, unassuming building that feels like some combination of a dorm and an ashram. The quickie guide that I popped up here last week wasn’t that far off the mark. My local watering hole couldn’t possibly be better. My first night there I got into a long conversation with Jim, the bartender, about Maple Leaf Gardens (!) while enjoying $3 pints (!!) and listening to the defining album on heartbreak as deemed by The Great Hank Moody (!!!).
“Thanks for the conversation Jim.”
“Welcome to the neighborhood Steve.”
As a tribute to Hank Moody I just threw a little Warren Zevon on. Watch me go.
No TV / TV like you’ve never seen it before: Once I get a kitchen table and my couch is delivered (on eBay from Culver City at a whopping price of $140 that includes delivery and two side tables) I will be done decorating for the time being. That means no TV. It’s an exciting advantage, that plays out like this: It’s Pilot Season and I have auditions flying at me from every conceivable direction. Scripts need to read, lines need to be learned and every audition deserves as much attention as is humanly possible. Something about realizing that any of these jobs could fundamentally change your life keeps you motivated. Not getting a television is sort of like putting blinders on a horse. What choice do I have but to do all my work? It’s awesome. That’s the philosophical.
The practical: I’ve decorated my apartment for less than most people pay for a dresser. Frugal doesn’t even begin to cover it; maniacal’s better. And yet, I can’t go cheaply on a television. Impossible. When I book a show I’ll get proper televisions.
(Yes, plural. I’m going to put three televisions in my living room. A 52′ in the center and two 32’s on each side. That way I can watch three sporting contests at once. It’s a man-cave in my living room. I’m going to do it and I don’t care what anybody thinks… Unless you think it’s sensational.)
Screen testing: I’m testing tomorrow for a pilot. When I wrote yesterday that there are four levels to most auditions during Pilot Season I bungled the order. It actually goes like this:
- Pre-read with casting director.
- Producer session.
- Contract negotiations / Pilot Deal.
- Screen test.
The Producer session yesterday was super interesting. I’m not going to get into particulars about it or give away any details to do with the Pilot. I’ll just say that it’s an amazing opportunity and I’m ready. Feels nice.
Pictures through the day. And GOOD music below.
Stephen.
Believe me: No celebrities stay here.
Sun tan lotion for scalp = Necessary.
Producer Day.
EDIT: Booked a screen test for this Wednesday!
Heading up to Burbank in an hour or so for my first “producer session” of pilot season. Pilot season auditions – and auditions in general – have four levels:
1. Pre-read with casting director.
2. Producer session.
3. Screen test.
4. Offer.
Sometimes you will start with #2, and every once and a while you jump from #1 to #3. I’m expecting a couple of producer sessions this week. If those go like my pre-reads went, then I should start testing.
Meanwhile, it is so beautiful here today that I thought I might snap some photos. Stay tuned.
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Seriously considering getting a table.
Ho-hum.
The idea of Arnold walking into this studio as “Mr. Freeze” gives me great joy.
Greetings.
February 14th in LA: 81 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I’m Louis The Dog away from being home.
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PilotMania I
What a week!! (Wait a minute. What’s that? It’s only Wednesday?)
Had two great auditions today, one of which yielded an immediate callback. My apartment has a bed, Season 3 of “Mad Men”, coffee and scripts. It’s perfect.
I’d say more but I’m trying to eat chicken wings before I fall asleep.
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Finding value.
Had an audition today for a comedy where I couldn’t find the funny. This is peculiar because I love comedy and I think I’m an acute miner of it’s treasures. Not this time.
When I first taped for this part (in Toronto), I was unaware it was a half-hour, single camera comedy. The scene – to me alone – read like a drama. For that reason, I couldn’t view it through any other prism.
There are three interesting things to consider:
- Labeling something one way and then not finding a way to be flexible is an excellent argument against stereotyping based on appearance. (Just saying.)
- My audition was excellent from an acting standpoint and poor from a genre standpoint. I know this because…
- THE CASTING DIRECTOR TOLD ME! Right after we finished the audition he told me exactly what I did right, “You’ve got chops young man.”, and exactly what I did wrong, “You need to do a better job of understanding exactly what you’re reading for.”
That was a laser like assessment. My counter – that I accidentally got stuck in the “drama lane” and couldn’t switch back – is irrelevant. Which is why I listened to everything he said. This casting director, a big casting director, will see me again. He’ll cast me, eventually.
There was value in today.
