Another Week of Torture!!

Gosh, it's been slow this week. I'm only working 2 days. When I'm not working, I don't know what to do with myself. All the people I know here have jobs, so when I'm off during the week, I'm bored out of my mind. The one day that I worked this week was pretty nice though.

Tuesday I worked on the show Shark. It's a new show this season and once again I've never seen it. So what made this day so great? Well, most of the day we shot on location at the beach. Right on the water, and it was sunny and 80 degrees! Perfect day. The first scene we shot was actually at a small store in Venice, then they shuttled us to the beach. As we were leaving the store, I got into one of the vans to go to the beach when all of a sudden Ray J jumps in the van. You know Ray J, the singer Brandy's brother. He must have been guest starring on the show. I wasn't in the first scene and he wasn't in the beach scene, so I don't know. Let me tell you, dude is SHORT. He's like 5'2". Ok, not that short, but I give him 5'6" at the tallest!

For the beach scene I played a cop, and this was the first time I had to actually wear a bullet proof vest! Man, I'm thinking about getting one of those. It made me look so buff, haha. When I was changing into my uniform, I paused in the mirror after I put the vest on because I really looked like I had some serious muscle. I think it gave me some inspiration to really work out, because I looked HOTT with the extra buffness, lol. I was sad when I had to take it off. On the other hand, the vest was tight as hell. If you are trying to lose weight, I suggest getting a bullet proof vest because I could hardly eat anything at lunch time with that thing on. How on earth do cops get fat if they wear those things?!?!? I don't get it. In the meantime, the uniform looked so real, that before we started shooting, I kept getting stopped by people on the beach (pic at left is old, but it's the same beach). Picture it: You have a large number of people standing in a group (the film crew) and a guy in a sheriff's uniform standing there. People kept coming up to me and asking me if it was ok for them to sit here on the beach etc., etc. So, I played along and told them "No", and that they had to move on down the beach! haha....the film's security was going to make them do it anyway. At one point, a real police office even pulled up next to me in one of the lifeguard trucks and asked me if an incident had occurred here. I laughed and told him I was an actor and that we were shooting a television show. He laughed and got all red, and his partner in the passenger seat was cracking up. It was pretty funny!

I thought of something random the other day. Everytime we have an outside shoot, I always notice that there are more than a few white people who are all burnt up and red at the end of the day, even if they put on suntan lotion. It just made me think that I'm lucky to have brown skin, and that I can be outside, or at the beach all day and not get burnt. I've never been sun burnt and it looks like it hurts like hell. But my question is....does anyone know how suntan lotion really works?? It doesn't make sense how something transparent can protect your skin from the sun. Dark skinned people have more melanin in their skin. It's a brown colored molecule that actually shields your cells' DNA from the UV sun light. That makes sense to me. How does suntan lotion do it? I bet you my friend and fellow med student Justin M. knows. He seems to know a lot about a lot of things. He even had a thorough answer to my question about why gas costs more in California than in Ohio!

Last thing is a story I forgot to mention in my previous post. When I was on the set of Boston Legal last week, I met this girl whose arm was in a sling. Naturally, people asked what happened, and this is what she said. She was at a party at a house in the hollywood hills and this really drunk guy kept hitting on her, repeatedly. She kept shutting him down, politely of course. He wouldn't let up, and she told him to just leave her alone. Well, he got pissed, grabbed her and threw her into a wall, and said to her, "I have more women than hair follicles!" Now, a few things ran through my mind as she said this. 1). WTF? Who says that? 2). this guy needs his ASS beat, seriously. and 3). that comment he made sounded JUST LIKE a comment that a certain blonde haired fellow classmate of mine would say. I bet you every one of my med school classmates that reads this know EXACTLY who I'm talking about. First of all, if you have to say things like that, you probably have NO girls at all. Secondly, he must be an outcast.

As for the girl, she hit the wall with such force that her arm completely popped out of her shoulder socket. The doctors of course had to pop it back into place and she said it was the most excruciating pain she has ever felt in life! I can imagine. She said she may end of suing the owner of the house because, surprisingly, "no one knew who this guy was". Isn't that sad? No one wants to help this girl out because they are cowards! I just couldn't believe what she was telling us, so I had to share this story.

And finally, I realize that Grey's Anatomy was a re-run this week. Just my luck!!!! How many times has that happened now?? Isaiah Washington must be causing such a ruckus on the set it interrupted production. He's another one who needs his ass beat. He was really cocky when I saw him on set and what he did to his co-star(s) was not cool at all.

Until next time.........

Where Did All My Crazies Go?

I was banking on meeting some off the wall crazy person this week so that I'd have a great story to write, but unfortunately, they didn't come out this week. I worked every day too. Oh well, I ended meeting a lot of recognizable faces this week, more than ususal. I'll sum it up and keep it short and sweet so I can eat my Coldstone!

The week started off on Scrubs. Loooooong day, but it wasn't very exciting. Neither Zach Braff nor Donald Faizon was working that day. Whoever was working, I didn't know them, because I've never watched this show. Anyways, there was someone there hanging around the set that is not normally a part of the show. It was Michael McDonald, and I'm not talking about the singer. Don't recognize the name? You might know him better as Stewart from Mad TV. He was there hanging out with some of the crew, but I don't think he taped any scenes. So, he must've just known someone and wanted to hang out. I didn't talk to him, but I saw him talking to and joking around with some of the other background people, so you know he's cool in my book.

The next day I was on the new show What About Brian. I'v seen previews for it, but I haven't watched. Gosh, I don't watch anything because I'm always working! Anyway, the oldest son from 7th Heaven is on this show (I don't know his name), but he wasn't working that day. We shot on location at the Santa Monica Pier and the real Muscle Beach, as opposed to the muscle beach at Olentangy Commons where I lived last year! It was actually a clear day that day, so you could see the mountains in the distance, and the water looked blue. Other than that, boring day.

Next day was a new show called Raines. It just started filming and we were taping the second episode. It's going to air in January '07. It starts Jeff Goldblum and Nicole Sullivan, another Mad TV ex-cast member. Let me just say that Jeff Goldblum is funny!! First of all, if it wasn't for Jurassic Park (one of my favorite movies), I wouldn't know who the heck he was. We would be taping a scene, and when the director yelled "Cut!", he would start acting really weird, singing and stuff. It was really funny and I couldn't tell if he was just being funny or if that was really how he was. I thought he was weird at first, but then I realized he was just being funny. I talked to him for a few seconds and I had to tell him that Jurassic Park was my favorite movie.

And finally, yesterday I was on Boston Legal. Once again, never seen it. But I was in a bar scene with William Shatner and Delta Burke! Did anyone see "The Roast of William Shatner" on the Comedy Channel? It was funny as hell. He seemed cool, and he looks just the same in person as he does on tv. Delta Burke was a different story! First of all, when she walked in, I didn't know it was her right away. She is tiny, like 5'3" and skinnier now. Her hair was flipped out at the bottom like a 50's style kind of, and she had more make-up on than I have ever seen in my life! I mean, they proably used 5 compacts of foundation on her. I don't why. She looked pretty, and really nice. She smiled at me and just looked really homely, but she looked animated, like a cartoon character because of all the make-up. Also, her cheek bones were really high and her eyes were slanted a little bit like a cat, which makes me think she's had more than her share of plastic surgery. I'm not trying to be mean for once, just truthful. I liked her though, she was nice.

Other than that, the episode of Grey's Anatomy that I was on SHOULD air this coming Thursday, emphasis on "should". Contact me for the scene description because you WILL miss me if you're not paying attention. Actually, if you have Tivo, that would be best. If not, you just have to be really attentive.

The First Rain

I have been in L.A. for about 3 and a half months now and it rained for the first time yesterday, since I've been here. It wasn't very much and it lasted for only 30 minutes or so. It's just amazing to me: 3 months with no rain. It rains every other day in Ohio. I'm surprised it wasn't acid rain that melted everyone's skin away considering all the smog here in L.A., hence the picture on the left. Plus, it's October, and the average daily temperature here is 75 degrees, whereas in Ohio it's in the 50's right now. I've never lived anywhere but Ohio before and I'm not used to such a steady climate. I love it.

I only worked two days this week which sucked because I was bored out of my mind. There is so much to do in L.A., but it's not really fun when your other friends are working and you don't have anyone to do them with. Wednesday I worked a show called All of Us which is a show on the CW network starring Duane Martin and Lisa Raye. Tisha Campbell (Gina from Martin and My Wife and Kids) was guest starring that day. In real life she is married to Duane Martin. It was cool. I was in a restaurant scene and everyone on the set was really laid back. Nothing special happened that day. Oh, but guess who was directing this particular episode? It was Alfonso Ribeiro aka Carlton. Makes sense. Will Smith created the show. Alfonso was cool but he's gained A LOT of weight!

Friday, I was back on Vanished. I played a hotel staffer. Once again, they gave me some good camera time. There was a small fight scene, scuffle rather, in the hotel lobby, and they needed another person to step in and help. So, naturally they approach me to do it among the other 20 extras, haha. BUT, still no speaking lines. I should've just asked them for a line. That's how one of my friends got a line in a show. Oh well. This time I will watch the previews on Monday nights so I can be 100% positive when this episode is going to air, then I'll let everyone know. By the time this episode airs, hopefully I'll be doing something bigger and better anyway. Who knows. Hollywood is brutal.

The only interesting thing that happened to me this week was someone that I ran into, and actually talked to in the grocery store earlier this week. This person can be considered a legend. At her peak, she was a huge music star. I think she had hits starting in the 60's and going on into the 80's. So, I'm walking around in the grocery store and coming around the corner I see a head full of some big, wild hair. This woman is wearing a purple, suede sweatsuit and pushing her grocery cart. She turns her head toward me, and I'm looking right at Diana Ross!! THE Diana Ross from the Supremes. I kind of froze for a minute because I'm standing right in front of someone who is really famous, and then I just said, "Hi, Ms. Ross". She said, "Hi, how are you?" I said, "I'm fine", then we went on our merry ways. She was nice, and she's the most famous person I've met since I've been here.

Well, remember the Japanese video from my last post? My mom and sister thought it was stupid. They didn't even laugh. I don't know why I think it is so funny, but I do. I said I'd post part two, so I still will. If you think it's dumb, then don't watch it, but I think it's hilarious. They tried to get creative and add in some scenes with actors. My random observation for this video is that the camera guy keeps zooming in on the girls' shoulders, of all areas. Just something I noticed.




Ok, that's it for Japanese videos. I'm over it now, lol

I Post A Lot When I Don't Work

I havent't worked in the last 2 days and I've been bored out of my mind. I was going to wait until tomorrow to post, but I couldn't because I have two funny things to share.

First, God must be testing my personal discipline or something. That's the only reason I can come up with for why this next thing happened to me. So, everyone knows by now about my reflex laughter. My severe inability to control my laughter when I hear or see something funny. Well, you can imagine what I was going through when this happened.

I started an acting class yesterday, a cold reading class. A cold reading is when you go on an audition and the casting director gives you a scene to do, by yourself or with someone else, with little or no time to prepare. This class is supposed to sharpen those skills. I audited the class yesterday, which means I went to observe to see if I would like it. There was a girl there who was auditing as well. She was kinda cute I must say. Anyway, the instructor asks us to do a scene together, so he gives us a scene and says, "Go". This girl has done theatre for 10 years, so she was saying her lines with feeling, whereas, I was more or less just reading them off the page because I was a little nervous. So the instructor stops us, and he tells me to do some things that will help me be more aware of my scene partner so that I will actually be responding to her, and her words, rather than just read the lines. He tells us to look into each other's eyes, and not to break until he says so. As we're doing this, he tells me to describe what I see, in detail. So, I look at this girl, and to my surprise, she has a single booger in each on of her nostrils! (I'm laughing so hard as I type this right now I don't know what to do). Can you imagine the thoughts that went through my head? What was I supposed to do? I couldn't open my mouth to talk or else just laughter would come out! I definitely started to get hot and sweaty.

I was doing good; I wasn't laughing. But in order to accomplish this, I was literally squeezing my balls as hard as I could. I was just sitting there, paused, and by this point, the instructor is saying, "Go on, describe what you see", as the other people in the class watched. I uttered a quick, "I see a girl", then I shut my mouth. And of course he told me that wasn't detailed enough. So, I had to take a deep breath, say a little prayer, then just make up some stuff. Whew!! Passed that test!

The second thing I want to share is another video. I kind of like how the video added a new flavor to my blog. Makes it more interactive. No, this one is not another one of New York, but it's just as funny. This video is a Japanese video that was put together to teach Japanese people how to speak English. It's kind of long, it's almost 4 minutes. But please, watch the whole thing. I'm not going to tell you how many times I've watched it, cuz that's embarrassing. But here are a few observations I made that made me wonder:

• why the people in the street are totally off beat
• who came up with that background music
• the second "lesson" is called You drive me crazy. I can totally see myself saying this to some of the people I meet on set, hand motions and all
• How can someone make this video and then request, "Don't make fun of me"?
• the 5th lesson or so is called Leave me Alone. Once again, I'll be using this one on set, complete with hand motions
• And lastly, lesson 6, I can't stand the sight of you! Who on earth picked some of these phrases to teach Japanese people to say in English?!?!?!

Watch the vid, and you'll see what I'm talking about. This will be a great study break for any of my classmates studying cardio!

So, what'd you think of the video? The last lesson was best of all! Would you believe me if I said there was a part 2? Well, there is and I'll put it up on my next post. I can't get enough of this stuff. I LOVE to laugh!!!!!

This Is What I Have To Deal With!

This past Friday was the first night shift I've ever done doing background. My call time was 9 pm at 20th Century Fox Studios for a show called Standoff. It's a new show, I've never heard of it, I know nothing about it. In any case, we started at 10 pm and wrapped at 4:30 am!!!!! Do you think my night was boring?? Of course not, because once again, I met a crazy person. I've often wondered if there is something about me that draws weird people to me because I attract them like magnets. Even after my mom read about the crazy lady on the Transformers set, she called me to say she thought I was making it all up. I told her no, and she asked me how on earth I attract these people. Afrah has pondered the same thing. I have no clue, because honestly, I sit there and mind my own business if I don't feel like talking, but they somehow migrate over to me and start chatting away.

Anyway, I meet this guy who I'll call Gadston, and he is about 57 years old. He has a southern accent and talks like a wise old, grandparent that loves to tell stories. I'm sitting across from him, and there is a guy sitting next to him. He is talking this guy's ear off and I'm just glad it isn't me for once. But then the guy gets up and Gadston turns his attention to me. Here is a transcript of our conversation at 2 in the morning (notice how one sided it is):

Gadston: Ya know, I do this background work a few times a week to get away from my wife.

Me: Oh really

Gadston: Oh yeah, that woman annoys me sometimes. I gotta get away from her! Actually,
she saw me on t.v. the other day on Without A Trace.

Me: For real

Gadston: Yeah, I played a night clubber at a strip club and I had to put money in the thongs of
all these pretty ladies.

Me: Wow, that's interesting.

Gadston: Oh yeah, them ladies were fine. And when my wife saw me on that episode, it got her
horny as hell.

Me: Really?

Gadston: Oh yeah, seein me with all those pretty ladies, my wife got sexy as hell after that!

Me: Musta been nice.

Gadston: Yeah, and on the set that day there was this really F-I-N-E woman. She was so sexy
and she caught me staring at her snatch!!

Me: ooohhhh

Gadston: All I could do was look at her and say, "I'm sorry". She looked at me and
said, "That's all right!"

At this point, all I could do was laugh, because he was being so serious. It was funny, but then one of the assistant directors rescued me and called us all into the set. This guy just kept talking and talking and talking. Who will I meet next? I can only imagine.


I don't have anything else to say right now, but I just want to leave you with a short video clip. If you've ever watched Flavor of Love, then you know who New York is. She cracks me up!! I can sit and laugh at her all day. I found this video clip that someone put together on Youtube and it's hilarious. At least I think so. Oh and a little DISCLAIMER here: All black people DO NOT act like this, obviously. These people are picked specifically for television and ratings and all that stuff. I know most of you know this, but with what I've experienced in the last year, you'd be surprised at the ignorance of some people!

Busy Week, Of Course

First off, I know that episode of Help Me Help You didn't air on Tuesday. So, I give up. I'm not wasting my time, or anybody else's by telling people to watch shows, then they not air. I know that they shoot the content of a single episode out of order, but they must be shooting episodes out of order too. So, I won't be listing any shows that I'll be on unless I happen to catch a preview for the next week and know that I'm in that episode. Besides, I know it's annoying to look for someone in the background. Trust me, I'm trying to move on.

My week started off on Monday on CSI: NY again. We were shooting on location dowtown at an abandoned warehouse. It was kind of freaky. As you know, something interesting seems to happen at least once a day to me, and this day was no different. The clue is in the picture on the right. Basically, we were on a lunch break, and I was on the phone talking to Afrah. I went outside of our holding trailer so I wouldn't annoy people with my conversation. So I'm standing there talking, in the hot sun next to a fence. Lucky for me, I was wearing a white shirt and so I didn't lean on the fence. The fence is a long fence, and as I turn toward the fence, right where I would put my hand if I were to lean on the fence is a black widow spider!! Yes folks, a real black widow, and it had the characteristic red, hour glass on its belly. It was no bigger than my pinkie finger nail, and it scared the hell out of me! I thought these things were only in Arizona or something. I mean, what if that thing would have bitten me?? It would've been curtains for Kris! Now, I shake out all my clothes and shoes before I put them on. I'm too young to die.

The last two days I've been on the set of Ben Stiller's new movie. It's still untitled, but I played a wedding guest, which means it was the most boring 2 days of my life. Movie sets move along slower than television sets. We do take after take after take and on and on and on. So, I basically sat at a table for 2 days straight, both days being 15 hours long. This movie seems like it's just a classic, funny Ben Stiller movie. It's directed by the same guys who did There's Something About Mary. We were shooting in some vacant building where I guess a lot of mafia activity occurred in the 30's and 40's, and there were many murders in this building. So of course there were people talking about ghost stories and stuff. A lot of movies were actually shot at this building including Cocoon, and one of my favorites, Hocus Pocus.

Ben Stiller is one of the "cool" celebrities. Down to earth, humble. He talked to us, answered questions would people would stop him. This is something I keep a look out for in case you haven't noticed. I just can't believe certain "stars" who refuse to talk to background people, as if we're the sum of the earth. I can't ever see myself being like that. That reminds me, there was a lady from Police Academy in this movie as well. I'm not really familiar with those movies anymore because its been so long, but apparently her signature phrase was "Talk is cheap", or something like that, and she was doing it for people on the set. See, that's what I'm talking about. Cool people!

Last thing I have to say is that I had my first indulgence since I've been in L.A. I tried so hard to resist, but I finally caved and got a Sidekick 3. I think I did pretty good holding off for 3 months, but I had been looking at them in E-Bay and Craigslist. When I saw this girl selling one for $240, I jumped on it, since it would be $350 otherwise. I'm selling my Sidekick 2 to a friend here for $125, so it's really like I got the Sidekick 3 for $115. Not bad, huh? It's nice. It has better graphics, bluetooth, an MP3 player, a better camera, and a sleaker look. I'm satisfied now (for the time being!).