But, I was up and center big time in a movie that was an Oklahoma City University student film directed by Bryan Cook (see the previous blog). Bryan was doing this to get his Master’s in Film. Gosh, but I learned a lot about filming. I learned how a movie is made and found it very informative, instructive, interesting and see Bryan to be very focused on the result he wanted. It is now in the editing process and will be ready in several months.
I did become a regular on the casino commercial circuit in 2010 – and never even spent a dime! I was involved as an extra in a number of Chickasaw casino shoots. Perhaps there is some Indian blood in my heritage – and by now it is Chickasaw.
Each shoot introduces me to very interesting, nice, and talented people. I have made a whole new group of friends and have even joined the Facebook crowd. Come on and join me there. I had to do it – people kept telling me what my adult kids and their children were doing – before I knew – so I joined the team. My brother and sisters are on there also along with various nieces and nephews and their spouses.
Just before Christmas, I was involved in a commercial that was filmed at the casino in Newcastle that was also a Chickasaw owned establishment. And, as with my other shoots, the new friends I made had some wonderful stories.
During the time before and after the various action sequences, we extras have time to get to know each other and find out the buzz in the acting world. Most have regular jobs and do this for the fun and a little bit of spending money. I had known two of the actors from previous classes I had taken. Robin Garner, a delightful young lady, was one of the people I had met when I began my first acting class at Chris Friehofer’s The Actor Factory. She starred (well maybe co-starred since I am the star of my own writings) in my blogs dated 11-06-09 and 12-29-09. Robyn Bondeson, a cute petite blond who rides big honkin' Harley’s, is in my class with Michelle De Long at Actors Casting and Talent. One new actor I met was La Tasha Hartley who has been in a number of films in New Mexico, and is a PRN at Mercy and OU Medical Center. She has been in some movies in New Mexico and is familiar with some of the agents in Santa Fe. I told her I thought I would give a Santa Fe talent agency a chance to have a real shot a having a future star on their role so I sent them my information, but they must not recognize talent as I have never heard from them. Sounds like the plight of most actors, as that is common.
La Tasha Hartley and me
All had stories of various movies they had been in - or tried to be in. Doug Zweiacher laughed when he told about his role in the Brooks Douglas’ movie “Heaven’s Rain”. Doug was playing a Big Mac prisoner while the filming was taking place at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, OK. He was dressed in full prison garb and from what I gather, very much looked the part. After his scene, he started walking out the gate with the other actors. One of the guards stopped him with a yank on his collar and said, “WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” “On a break with the others” he replied. “OF COURSE YOU ARE", he answered. And with that, the guard marched him to a holding cell. The guard had to find Paul Brown, the director, to get him released from the cell. And, that took about 45 minutes. Doug asked for something to eat while he was in lockup and the guard got a bologna sandwich for him. The director did show and eventually got jail-bird Doug released. However, when the filming was done for the day he almost got caught again. Another guard, who had seen him earlier in his prison costume, almost called for a prison lock down because Doug was leaving in civilian clothes – the man almost has a “record”. This newer guard was not around when he was released earlier. The life of an actor is never dull.
I wonder what Doug Zweiacher does look like in black and white stripes?
Another actor in the commercial, David Hanson, played a prison guard in our joint “Bringing Up Bobby” scene I was in. Oh, that vixen Gwen Blaylock! She laughingly told about her previous five husbands. She said she is not looking for number six. Her resume lists several movies including “Bringing Up Bobby” where she played a bartender when they filmed at the Round Barn in Arcadia, OK. Erin Brickman is getting her master’s in Sociology at OU and is a former college soccer player at New York University. Unfortunately, I did not spend much time with Seth Ervin, but hope we have a chance to work together. One gentleman I have heard of for years but had never met was John Ferguson. Those of you who have been around Oklahoma City know that he is Count Gregore and has been for 50 years. What a delightful person he is to be around. And, that rounded out the cast.
Not yet being the big star I hope to be, I was surprised to find all the actors I met to be outgoing, inclusive, friendly, helpful, and encouraging. They seemed genuinely happy for a fellow actor getting a role. I saw no one upset if some else got a part – but I must admit to some inner growling when I was not cast as the car salesman and of all things, with a movie filmed in Oklahoma, the role went to someone from Texas. But, they were all kind to an old geezer like me.
I am now looking forward to see what 2011 brings and have to make sure my shoes are polished and my tux pressed for my red carpet stroll – you just never know what’s around the corner. Will that elusive Academy Award role show up? However, (hint hint to you casting directors) a speaking part will suffice just fine.
