1st Let's Play Catch-up; Then Let's Play Barbies!

I'm behind the times. A few items of the past few days that I've yet to blog about...

I had the commercial audition yesterday. Strangely enough, I was told to prepare for "The Doctor". When I arrived, I was told I would be reading for "The Grill Man". So, I was not prepared, and probably looked like a fool. Of course, I only had 3 lines as "The Grill Man", and I did pretty well for my 4 minutes of prep time. However, many of the men there to read for the role, seemed to "fit" the role better than I did. Keep in mind that "The Doctor" and "The Grill Man" appear in two separate commercials. They were not related. In addition, I showed up dressed in a nice shirt, tie, sweater and khakis. Typical "grilling" attire. Right? I called my agent and explained what happened, and that despite my non-preparation, I did quite well. They said that I was called in for "The Doctor"; no doubt about it. What happened? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop? The world may never know. Callbacks are next week, so we'll wait to see.

We had our first readthrough and rehearsal over the last two days for Sleeping Ugly. The all-new, original music is brilliant, inspired and hysterical. I will be doing much more singing than I anticipated. I don't have a solo number, but will appear in almost every chorus number in the show. I'm thrilled about it. Last night's first rehearsal was a blast and it looks like the cast will be a real treat to be with over the next 4 months. I'll be playing 3 roles in the show, and I'm assuming several bit parts that need filling. I'm ecstatic to be back on stage w/ the Griffin folk. Good times.

My day so far today has been all about completing a final draft on Sid's Apple. I'm about halfway through, and find that there is little in the way of story or dialogue corrections that need to be adjusted. There are plenty of technical issues that need to be resolved, but after only a few hours, I'm halfway done. It is possible, folks, that I will have in my hands an actual final draft of my script by days end. Tell me how crazy that would be? I would like some additional feedback from some new folks, who have yet to read any draft and from the few people who have read previous incarnations. Basic question to anyone who might have an answer.

WHEN A CHARACTER MOVES FROM ONE ROOM TO ANOTHER; SAY THROUGH A THIRD ROOM, MUST THERE BE AN ENTIRELY NEW SCENE HEADING FOR THAT BRIEF MOMENT? FOR EXAMPLE, SID MOVES FROM HIS BATHROOM, THROUGH HIS BEDROOM, TO HIS LIVING ROOM. WILL THE "BEDROOM" HAVE ITS OWN SCENE HEADING?

In addition, I got a reply from long lost friend that I was debating about asking in the first place. His major suggestion is to get an agent. Per his message, I've done my part of the work, it is now up to someone to negotiate and represent me on my work. It's as simple as that. The contest I'm eyeing to submit to, includes literary agencies on the roster of judges. So, seemingly, that is already in the cards for me. He also recommended contacting or researching the film office of the city I would be interested in having the film produced. I actually have come to the conclusion that Rapid City, SD (the largest community near where I grew up) would seemingly serve the script well.

Movie weekend. I don't feel like going into details, so, this will be quick. The other half and I went to see Capote. It was wonderful, and seeing the struggle w/in Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) was an exceptional piece of acting. The other half said it best; "It's a boring movie that keeps you interested." I agree. On paper, it didn't seem to be anything that would make me rush out to see it. The performances carry it to another level. It was not boring, although it could easily have turned out that way. Should Hoffman beat out Heath Ledger? I'm still not sure, but Hoffman's final moment with Perry; before Perry's hanging, was nothing to take lightly. Splendid.
We came home in the evening after the Capote viewing to watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Birth. Emily Rose was great fun, scary and had some super performances. It is not The Exorcist, and was not able to obtain that same level of realism or horror. Overall, a worthy Saturday night fun-fest. The nastiest moment? The bug eating. Ugh.
Birth, on the other hand, was a genuinely interesting, very bizarre film. I loved its "independent film" quality. The score was strange and off-putting. I can't recommend this film enough. Toward its last third (where an explanation is attempted), it gets a little lame, but the end makes up for this stutter. Those that don't know...the film is about a woman who loses her husband and ten years later, a ten-year old boy approaches her, trying to worm his way into her life; claiming that he is her long dead husband. There are some very intense, strange moments in this film, and they serve to further confuse the audience and the characters. It's a beautiful movie to look at, and some of the odd camera angles and shots are pieces of art in themselves. It's hard to explain my reaction to this film, other than it's weird and completely engrossing. I found myself hoping against hope that it was her husband, and the next moment wishing very hard that it wasn't. Nicole Kidman is the wife, and it's a wonderful performance. Check this one out. It's eerie, heart-breaking and technically brilliant!

While we were out, the other half and I found a trio of Roger Corman films from the sixties. The DVD was called his Puerto Rico trilogy. He apparently did three films consecutively on the island, and we chose to watch The Last Woman on Earth. It was extremely low budget, but a gem nonetheless. It follows three people who come back from a scuba diving trip (off the coast of San Juan) to find the rest of the world dead. There's never really an explanation, but it's a fun concept and even on a meager budget, is carried out well. Obvious tensions arise between the single man and the married man and his wife. The fun part of the film was seeing locations on the island that we have visited; including El Morro and the Caribe Hilton Hotel. It's only a little over an hour long and a super cheapie, but I do recommend this.

That is all.