Life as almost but not quite, an actor
Enitech labs and Devil’s Bible
Two projects that I’ve worked on. One is the following website for a technology company: Enitech Labs. I know that I’m going to be selling products for a long time, and this one I am proud of.
The other is a TV historical re-enactment. I was totally stoked to write about the experience, and post some great pictures, but unfortunately they had me sign a non-disclosure. I would not have written anything even remotely derogatory, but oh well. So I leave you with thoughts of being a disposable walking talking prop.
One of my favorite things that I encounter is the assumption that I am an idiot as soon as I am introduced as an actor. It is a perennial experience for me on most sets that have a large crew. I understand a lot of it. I arrive later, leave earlier, eat more food, have less manual labor to do, and generally do cool, exciting or humorous things. Even if I hold a piece of tissue in my nose for five hours, or have to chug three full pints of beer, or roll around in the snow for half a day, it’s still usually more fun than doing the same with a camera, or a light or a boom.
So often I end up in the position that I find myself in a bar when I don’t know the bartenders, doing an intricate dance to let the people know that I’m ‘cool’, and will treat them well and tip them. The equivalent in film often being not saying anything at all for about eight hours and being referred to as talent. Which is both fun and amusing. The tactic that I have found to be the most helpful is to wait until the crew member in question is incredibly bored and tired that they let down their guard enough to find me interesting as I sidle up and say “Hey, how’s it going”, to which is responded; “All right, could be worse”. This small chink in the armor of a crew member can than be exploited for beer, a ride home, or simply to find out what the next shot might be.
That is Luke’s leg. His hands are tied behind his back or this would not happen.
Celia says that Josh and I are in Love. It was fleeting.
In truth I have been lucky enough to make friends on every set that I’ve been on, and it comes from a desire to have a loose, relaxed humorous set. No matter what material we are filming, it’s the happy downtime that makes the 14 hour day pass as quickly as possible. Both Luke Woodruff and Josh Bower know how this works. I give them a ton of crap non-stop for days on end, and they pretend to tolerate it for my benefit. Maybe the crew members are right to avoid me.
Katie is only beginning to be tormented by me, she keeps coming back though!