Friday once more, dear reader. Tidy up day and more phone calls.
Chatted to the E D D about their miscalculations (they were very nice about it and promised to put it straight) and I had my telephone interview which seemed to go well too although I have the feeling they are going to try and get me to do any job that comes along while I'm inbetween acting jobs. I'll keep you posted on that!
Took littl'un out to play in the afternoon and headed straight for an air-conditioned 'Under the Sea'. Can't play outside, it's 100 degress F!! That brings up a rather worrying possibility of what LA and most of SoCal (and Nevada, NM etc.) would do if we had another energy crisis here and there was no electricity to power the good old A/C! It's very possible it may happen and peoples' daily lives would change radically. I think that would bring Hollywood to a grinding halt!
That's what happens if you colonise what is essentially a desert climate folks!
Anyway, littl'un had a ball. After he went to bed, we watched 'The Island' and sort of liked it. The leads were great even if the story was a little predictable. Who cares. It was a cool story and great SFX. I'm a sucker for even a half decent SciFi. How much did it cost? $100M + - wow! Any I heard that Michael Bay is a total git and is not very well liked. Watched the extras on the DVD and you can see that the guy loves himself!
Oh, almost forgot. Just after 6pm, I had a call from the chief over at MBA with whom I left a message the other day (remember?). Anyway, he was incredibly nice and even though he was sending a clear message that he was realigning his agency to build already established careers rather than trying to launch new people into the industry which is what they were doing, he told me to send in a hs/res and they'd have a pow-wow about me and someone from the office may call. We seemed to connect on a couple of levels so I decided to go for broke and tell him that if he brought me in, I'd blow him away. I have nothing to lose and he's just another person I would probably never have the chance to speak to again so I thought "stuff it, might as well'. Hopefully he saw a respect for his position but also a hunger and a confidence rather than arrogance. We'll see, eh?

Spoon River class. We continued the analysis of last week's verses and heard the new ones from the peeps who missed last week. There really is so much in each verse. Edgar Lee Masters REALLY knew what he was doing. There's a good reason why Sandy Meisner chose this book as an analysis tool. It's quite simply the best book in America to identify real human emotion and the art of 'doing'. You may scoff but if you're serious about acting, you need to read and understand each and every word and moment from each and every story from everyone in the book. Thes stories are real people with real emotion. No psychoanalysis. No reading between the lines, no stories to make up. It's all here in black and white. Amazing.
We were told that we need to rehearse these at least 6 times before the next class!
Picked up the monkey and went to the movies for his first EVER film in a cinema! We went to see 'Cars' as we thought that would be the best one to hold his attention (if it were possible). For the most part, he did sit still and watch it until near the end when he became a little restless. I thought the film was very good. I had heard mixed reports but I really enjoyed it.

Wednesday. Rehearsed Spoon River with KC. Excellent! We discussed both mine and hers. She has a whole new perspective on hers which will allow her to be much more personal.
These verses really are amazing. So powerful and every word has a purpose. Nothing is gratuitous, everything's in there for a reason.
Home and set about phoning everyone I could for referrals and appointments...
JC gave me a name, GK, at AAA. Called and left a msg. RJ at JLJ gave me three (and told me I could call him back to let me know what happens), MB at Marc Bass Assoc (left a msg.), TJ at Mccabe Justice and the person who answered the phone asked me if I had five guest star roles. I said "No" and she said "not at this time, thanks". Nice. The third was Global Artists but RJ didn't have a name so I need to do some more research on that one. Low and behold, GK's (from AAA) assistance, Q, called me back and asked if I could give her more info on why I wanted to speak to GK. I told her I was searching for representation (usually a cue for the phrase 'sorry but no') but I did have a referral from JC. Q told me I could send in my hs/res for consideration. Result! Yes, even an OK to send in stuff is an achievement in Hollywood these days! I will pop that in the mail tomorrow. Targeted mailing is the only thing that works, believe me. Flushed with success, I cold called the L. Agency and spoke to the lady 'half' of the team and she told me to send her my materials too. Great! Two to send out tomorrow!!
I even called my existing Theatrical agent and asked if there was anything I could do to help their submissions (that's code for "you're not sending me out, this is a veiled kick up the arse"). They told me that they had submitted me for a couple just today (convenient, eh?) and that because it was Summer, things were slow. "In the Autumn, things will pick up, I'm sure". Uh huh, yes, sure they will. I mean, the five months I've been with them and not been out even ONCE theatrically was due to the Spring into Summer period being slow, I'm sure.
Ah well, at least I have some calls out and can send some stuff to keep things moving.
L & L came over for a mini birthday party for munchkin and they played a lot. My life is just cake and play-doh at the moment. L's hubbie, J, is a writer but can't seem to get things moving as he hasn't sold anything yet. This also means that he can't get an agent, almost a complete disaster for a writer here. It's bad for an actor but it's REALLY bad for a writer. He does have one friend with an agent and I told L that J's best (and probably only) chance is to get a referral (can you see a pattern for agents here?). I also suggested that shooting a trailer for his script would probably build a bit of interest and offered my production/directing/acting talents for free (where I'm going to find the time, I have no idea). I'm nice like that!
Also mailed BB at UTV to try and find out if they could screen some of the CC footage for LK of BG. Haven't heard back yet. Called LK's office to get his availability for the next couple of weeks. If I can get these two guys in the same room at the same time before the 12th of Never I will be doing very well.

Some links for you...
Running a background check on that modeling / talent agency that has just contacted you to tell you that you/your kid/your goat/your accountant is the next big thing to hit the big/small/round/insect screen has never been easier. Buyer beware.

Seems too good to be true?

Got a minute to watch a movie?

Inflatable Spacecraft???

Oh, thank heavens! Hollywood's going to be OK after all. Call off the paramedics! Whew.

Tuesday - paperwork day. Checking out some audition postings online and starting a battle with the E D D. They deliberately make a ton of mistakes including totally miscalculating the benefits due to you and scheduling a telephone interview at a time you have told them, in writing, that you are unavailable. Basically, roadblocks to them giving you benefits and to cap it all, you are given a telephone number to call to correct any mistakes or to reschedule the interview (upon which your benefits are based, by the way) which is completely IMPOSSIBLE to reach. It's deliberate and a total pain in the arse. rant rant rant... Oh, you should see the list of jobs they show on their 'jobs' site. Don't get me started.
I have to phone and email everyone I know with a theatrical agent of any kind (I'll take anyone with a pulse at this point) to ask for a referral. My theatrical agent... 5 months and not one, NOT ONE audition. I fear that this is the rule rather than the exception, people. Anyway, I must be positive! I'll keep you posted.
Littl'un had his 3 year check up today and he screamed a lot at the docs. Ahhh. I can't believe the level of conversation he is capable of already. Blimey! Aren't kids amazing?

Well, Monday was my first day in Advanced at PHW. Pretty small turnout, six of us, out of a possible 12 I think, but it was fine. Gave me a chance to settle in to the different people and energy in the room. We're adding on more emphasis on our relationship and making them a little more involved than in Intermediate. Not that this emphasis should make one 'play' anything or any story, rather it should add more possibilities to the working off and maybe add some more directions for the exercise to go in. It certainly was interesting to work with K for the first time ever and to make up a fairly complex relationship. I was pulled out of my activity for the most part (which was bad) but I enjoyed the new experience of the new class. It's going to be fun!
TS was very very upset about his FF committee who seem to have done next to nothing in the run up to the festival but also most of them have seemingly failed to commit to actually turning up and carrying out duties at the Festival this weekend. Unbelievable. I was so shocked I volunteered to usher on Saturday. Well, you have to help, don't you.
Picked up monkey and headed home.
Had a phone call from my agent to go to an audition at 6.30 for my favourite commercial casting director, SL. I think my agent was little surprised as SL probably sought me out and called him without him having to submit me! Haha. It's nice when that happens. I love SL! The audition was for a credit card company and I had to play a leprechaun. Funny skit where I've replaced my gold for the card. Nice opportunity to have some fun with a funny script. Oh, and in an Irish accent, too, which I enjoyed. Fingers crossed as always.

Some films which caught my eye...

WAL*MART: The high cost of low price

CYXORK 7: No money, no script, just egos and earthquakes

Online: The Movie

And, Oh my god, this one will blow your mind, literally. Enjoy!
Sunday's Game

Some links for you to look at...
Probably the best commercial you will see, ever (IMHO)
Having seen that, how about crashing your own Jetta, online!! Choose your car and click 'Watch safe happen'. I like the UFO best. Very cool.
Strange...Man turns paper clip into house
Sopranos move aside...The Irish are coming
Shit scared about flying in a post September 11th World? You should be when you see what a crap job the authorities are doing to keep us safe in the air. Ongoing series of articles...

Up early and went to a superb seminar called "Screenplay in a Day" which was presented by former PHW students who have done some serious work in the writing field over the last few years. Credits include a TON of network TV and some very famous feature films. The cool thing was that they are about to take their presentation on the road and so they laid on a cut-down and condensed one-day version just for PHW students for next-to-nothing dosh. Incredibly concise and useful material along with examples on DVD. They covered pretty much every thing from idea through structure, characters, re-write, pitching, marketing and everything inbetween. Superb.
Why did I take a writing course? Well, the chances of me nailing down a top slot in a big budget movie are probably not high just at the moment so I am going to have to come up with a bunch of stuff I can work on myself - good stuff, not crap! Stuff that people will actually want to watch. This will serve to bring me more exposure and to keep me working in an industry that is growing more unwelcoming to the lowly actor every day. You can never have enough strings to your bow!
Left there and went to the WB lot where I joined a script reading for a script by a friend - not sure if I wrote about it a few months back but this was the script I 'Anglosised' to ensure the British characters spoke English and other details were authentic. The read went really well and, ultimately of course, I would hope to land the part I was reading. The writers are seeking some funding but one of them is incredibly well connected with various studios through his other 'string' in production.
Long day... no rest for the wicked

Party time! The bouncer arrived at 10.30 and it went up in the back garden. Coooooool, very big. Monkey's face was a picture when he discovered he had his very own bouncer!
Got busy prepping for the party... you know, cleaning, running errands, blowing up balloons, generally putting things out, that kinda thing.
For those not in the know, the typical LA 3 year old's party has a bouncer, a 'craft' table, a play-doh table, juice boxes (or bags), yummy food and sodas/waters for the adults. If you wish, you can also add 'kiddie entertainer' to the list but it is optional. We didn't have one.
But stick to the list of staple items and everyone will have a few hours of all the kids playing together while you grab a plate of food, a drink and a chat with others who are there for the same rest and relaxation. The kids, of course, do everything they can to kill each other... chucking rocks, jumping on each other, pushing each other off things, that sort of thing. It's a game you see... the kids try and mame each other and the parents try to stop them. It's fun!! They're very spirited at 3 years old, let me tell you! We were very pleased that a good number of his friends (and ours) turned up and we all had a good day. Lots of laughs and friendly banter. All finished off with a very tired birthday boy... perfect.

Friday and school for the munchkin.
Took time to read thru the script for Sunday. Several changes since I read thru it a couple of months back. Should be a good session.
Picked up the littl'un and brought all the other littl'un's little cakes so they could celebrate his birthday too! Lots of very interesting characters in his class, that's for sure.
Opened more pressies and did a stack of stuff for tomorrow including his cake. The missus did a marvelous job with all the baking but I did lend a hand with the frosting! I'll post a piccy very soon (try and contain yourselves until then)!
Nothing from the callback so I'm fearing the worst. Great, put on another avail and didn't book it. That's life in LA, I guess... On to the next one...