I had some slight hesitation about writing on this experience because I wanted to see the finished product of the CollegeHumor.com sketch. I mean I shot this thing all the way back in November, and I didn't want to come off like an ass if the final video cut me out entirely. Let's begin from the start. Back in April, I auditioned for the former casting director of CollegeHumor.com, Adam Newman. I found the audition through one of those pay-to-meet events at a service called The Network. Check them out here: The Network NYC Here in New York, there are three main agencies that host these workshops, classes, and pay-to-meet events. These agencies are: Actor's Connection, The Network, and One on One. I prefer both The Network and One on One because you have to audition to be able to sign up for events, and they always seem to have a nice mix of casting directors, agents, and guest artists. Now these events range in prices with some being pretty costly for a broke actor, but in the long run, I've found these events to be worthwhile investments. So I auditioned for Adam Newman back in April. I used a comedic monologue that's in my current repertoire from a play called "The Balcony Scene" by Wil Calhoun. Adam and I had a short Q & A, and he seemed pretty responsive. He said everyone would be filed away in their database, and that I could possibly be contacted to do a sketch...
Cut to November when I received an email from Lisa asking if I wanted to be an extra in an upcoming CollegeHumor.com sketch. I'd be playing a student for $60 in a sketch set in the 80's as part of an acting class for one of their newer characters, Yeardly Tinsley, a foul-mouthed failed actor. The sketch was to be a part of their newer "VHS" series. Each video was to be centered around a "found VHS tape" with various footage of different shows and specials. Did I want to do the sketch? HELL YES! She soon sent me a script and asked for my dress size. Fortunately I had that day off from work, and I showed up bright and early at 9AM on a Monday at the Atlantic Theater Company with my best "80's clothes". The sketch was taking place in an empty black box studio theater, and we were constantly reminded that we as the "students" were supposed to take this acting class very seriously. We could not crack smiles or laugh if the scene did not call for it. We were told to think of those Michael Caine acting videos set in the 80's.
On-set for "Acting Class"
When arriving on-set, we were greeted with coffee, pastries, and bagels. I was in food heaven. We were asked to hang out while the crew was setting up, and for some of us newer CollegeHumor recruits, we were asked to fill out basic paperwork and tax forms. We also met with make-up and consulted with the costumer about our looks for the shoot. Apparently all of my clothes were considered too dark and drab for the look they were going for. Let it be known that I am terrible at costuming/dressing myself. Our smart costumer chose a look that was bright, fun, and preppy. I was dressed and sent back to set to wait some more. I felt like a villain from all of those high school teen 80's movies. The cast and I came up with fake names for our students. I was to be known that day as "Rick Studebaker". Any minute I was ready to scream, "NERRRRRRRDSSS!"
Meet Rick Studebaker...
Most of the morning was spent snacking and cracking jokes in the makeup room with the star of the sketch, Josh, a CollegeHumor veteran. I had a plan, and that plan was simple. Get to know people, be a nice/funny guy, and get asked back to do more projects. Also if I could get a line or some decent screen time, that would be great too. The interesting thing about doing the shoot was that most of the sketch was improvised. Yes we started out with a script, but I soon learned that Josh was an amazingly talented improviser. The director would let Josh toss out lines, play, and have fun as Yeardly. Josh started out in character, and he just wouldn't quit finding newer and funnier lines. It was like getting a Master Class on how to be funny on camera for sketch and commercials. The shoot went very smoothly and was a ton of fun. Throughout the shoot, Josh would improvise dialogue with the students, and suddenly a light bulb went off in my head... Thanks to my improv training, I was accustomed to listening in a scene and then returning with a line or quip at a moment's notice. I was ready to deliver if called upon. At one point, Josh was to go around and ask various students secrets. Here I thought, "Now this is my big chance!" "Who has a secret," Josh asked. Two kids' hands went up as they were cast per the script. Boom! My hand went up to volunteer. Someone else's hand shot up too. We were then locked as "The Secret Kids". Score! I might get a line in the sketch after all! Soon we were prepping the "Secret Scene", and off we went. It started off with this kid, Brandon. Next came me, then another kid had to share a secret, and finally the secrets would top off with a girl who was cast to deliver the secret that she was molested at a young age. Ahh... comedy. Brandon started by saying he killed a gerbil in grade school. As my turn came, I knew that I had to "heighten" the pattern of secrets by sharing something that was deeper and darker than Brandon's secret. Ding! I had it. While not entirely a true secret, I figured that my character "Rick" was a closet transvestite. I had my secret! The camera turned to me, and I blurted out my secret hoping that it was good enough to make the cut. The next boy delivered a line about throwing up in school, and finally we reached the girl who delivered the molestation bombshell. We finished the shoot with tons of stuff that didn't make the cut such as Brandon delivering a monologue while Yeardly directed him, and I volunteered a few more times to do non-speaking business with Josh. I might have cut some people out from getting some opportunities for screen time, but I guess I figured, "How many chances am I going to be able to do this? "You only live once right? I also supposed that I probably wouldn't see most of these people again, and if I stole some thunder, who cares? I went home that day proud that I made an effort to step forward and speak up. I didn't fade into the background. I took a chance and hoped that it paid off.
For months, I addictively checked the CollegeHumor site to see when the final cut would be posted. Yes I had told friends that I had done the shoot, but I was eagerly anticipating as to what the final sketch would look like. I know it seems insignificant, but this second gig meant the world to me. It was further proof to my circle and to me that I was meant to be here in New York. It's proof that I am funny, talented, and I was meant for something more. Here I was taking one step further into this crazy mixed-up world of theater, film, and television. Yes I did do the All-State ad a while back, but I still haven't seen a copy of it or what it looks like. This simple sketch is further evidence that I'm making strides in the Big Apple, and that my first gig was not a fluke or accident. It's been a crazy ride so far with an even crazier start to 2012, but I feel like we're just revving up the engine. Stay tuned.
Here we are. The final product. What do you think? You can check out the final version of the sketch here:
So recently I switched jobs... Okay I was fired. Let's be honest. Some of it was my fault, and some of it theirs. I suppose it was fate, and these things happen for a reason. It certainly woke me up from my general malaise and stupor. I was pretty unhappy for a while, and some of the people were straight up terrible. For a week or two I was dead broke, and thanks to the many terrific friends that I've made here. I survived. I got the hook-up for this job from a friend I made through improv. Thanks to her, she helped me live another day in the Big Apple. So now I've gone from waiting tables to currently working in a call-center for a reputable theatrical company that sells tickets to Broadway shows here in New York and across the country. It's been interesting going from the lunch and dinner rush to the slower pace of office life. I think I'm still getting adjusted... The people here are nice, and I'm currently closer to Actor's Equity HQ to audition for more theatrical productions than I've ever been before. I usually can sneak out on my lunch hour to audition for some regional theater or the latest Broadway hopeful. Here the coffee flows plenty from one of those fancy K-cup machines, I can drink all of the Diet Dr. Pepper I want, and I've decorated my little cubicle to resemble my own little slice of life. The thing is that here it's pretty easy. The money is not as good, but it's easy to get comfortable and feel safe. I just have to be careful... I don't want to get too comfortable. I don't want to forget why I moved to this city. My dream. My love. My constant.
It's been a rough start to 2012 nonetheless... Recently, my professor, mentor, and friend John Dennis passed away. JD, as he was affectionately called, was the head of my MFA acting program at LSU, and by God was he incredible. JD brought me to LSU when a lot of acting schools wouldn't even give me the time of day. For those three years, I grew as an actor under his tutelage, and I would often run to his office for guidance and a place to hide. We shared a mutual love of Tennessee Williams and snide, snarky comments. We had a special bond I think different from some of his other students. His passing has certainly kicked me in the ass to get going and get back to auditioning. This past week, I auditioned for a new diverse version of "A Streetcar Named Desire". I only prepped my Williams' monologue a few nights before, but when I entered the audition room, I felt him there. He was guiding me, coaching me as only he could to get the best out of me. I'm probably going to miss his memorial service this weekend here in Baton Rouge, but I'm pretty sure he would want me to just keep auditioning, hustling, and working. It's also around this time that I think of another friend, Chase Korte. Chase, was one of those superstars during my time at the U of MN that you knew was going to do great things. Unfortunately his life was cut short when his car was crashed into by a drunk driver. At times I feel guilty for living longer than Chase. Sometimes I ask, "Why am I here? Why was he taken?" His passing was so quick and so sudden that I still can't believe it. I still expect to hear his voice or hear about some great project that he's working on. Once he passed, I secretly resolved to live for Chase, to work for Chase, and to do all of the things that he didn't get the opportunity to do. That's why I need the constant reminder to follow this dream. One of Chase's favorite quotes was, "Follow your bliss..."
Where were we? Oh yes. One of the perks of this new job is that occasionally we get tickets to free shows both Off-Broadway and on. I have this thing that my homework is to try to see theater at least once a month. Keeps me inspired. The night before, I saw "Sistas: The Musical". A decent jukebox musical that was a bit heavy-handed on history and light on character relationships. Last night I got a free ticket to the revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Unfortunately I missed this show with Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe and Glee's Darren Criss. This particular production starred Nick Jonas of... Jonas Brothers' fame? Let me just say... Oof. I'm sure he's a nice kid, but he was just very vanilla... Like tapioca. Bland, boring, and could barely sing which is important when you're like in a musical... When your lead female blows you out of the water when doing a duet and your acting can't carry a scene, you're definitely in trouble. I think the show certainly left me empty too. The show is definitely a blast from the past, and this revival had a bright 60's feel that was fun... I guess it just hurts too that thanks to "Mad Men", there's been this huge resurgence of 60's nostalgia. As an actor of color, you'd love to do these kinds of period pieces, but usually the stories don't call for anything other than white faces... Or the casting director's just not that imaginative... So while the supporting cast was very talented, the production just left me wanting something more... Michael Urie from "Ugly Betty" was delightful as usual, and the lead ingenue had a terrific voice. I'm glad I did see the show. I'm definitely grateful for the free ticket. Lord knows I'm still too broke to afford Broadway tickets, but I think this show certainly inspired me. It fueled what things/projects I need to start working on. It energized what I should be working on, and what my art should be. I bought the mug above because I thought it would be cute to have around the office, but I also thought it would be a good reminder as to why I'm here. The show certainly let me know that I still need to raise my voice. To speak up, sing out loud, and just be heard. JD and Chase, I hope you're watching... I'm gonna make you proud. I'm not gonna stop. I've only just gotten started...
