DIPPITY DUDA

After discussing some options with JD and Rich, I decided to text Duda and her friends. Here's how my text messages ended up when we started at Pure in Caesar's Palace:

Me (10:50PM Sat, Sep 29): Duda, were @ pure 2nite. Lets party!

Me [to Brenda] (10:59PM Sat, Sep 29): Im @ pure. Wut r u doing 2nite?

Duda (11:01PM Sat, Sep 29): That was so last night we r at tryst

Brenda (11:04PM Sat, Sep 29): Staying home i'm tired how long u r going 2 be here?

Me [to Duda] (11:48PM Sat, Sep 29): Booo! Hav fun, were rollin. Ttyl.

Me [to Brenda] (11:50PM Sat, Sep 29): Aww, ok rest u prty animal. Leavin' sunday.

Tam (11:45PM Sat, Sep 29): Go outside! Its open upstairs

Brenda (11:57PM Sat, Sep 29): Hey why am i the party animal when ur the one partying. I work @ 2 2morrow if ur up maybe we could 2 lunch be4 u leave

Me [to Brenda] (12:39AM Sun, Sep 30): Ok would love 2 do lunch but lets play it by ear. Who knows what time i get outa here! Pleasant dreams.

Me [to Duda] (12:56AM Sun, Sep 30): Hey lets trade, e 4 some rails

JD (1:56AM Sun, Sep 30): Where are you? Bare backing?

Me [to JD] (1:58AM Sun, Sep 30): How did u kno? Im outside. Might play sm texas hold em bonus.

Me [to Duda] (2:53AM Sun, Sep 30): Whats up? Where u @?

Duda (2:58AM Sun, Sep 30): We r still at tryst

Me [to Duda] (4:23AM Sun, Sep 30): WELL LOOKS LIKE WELL HAVE 2 PRTY IN THE OC

Duda (4:25AM Sun, Sep 30): Where r u guys

Me [to Duda] (4:26AM Sun, Sep 30): WERE @ SOUTH POINT

Duda (4:37AM Sun, Sep 30): What hotel is that at

Me [to Duda] (4:41 AM Sun, Sep 30): U DING DONG SOUTH PT IS DA SOUTH MOST HOTEL. WHERE CAN WE MEET?

Duda (5:45AM Sun, Sep 30): Oh sorry ding dong i'm not in the up it eee up in vegas we r at our hotel now

Me [to Duda] (5:49AM Sun, Sep 30): WERE HEADING OVER. WHAT RM #?

Duda (5:53AM Sun, Sep 30): We r at mr.lucky's eating at our hotel

Duda (5:55AM Sun, Sep 30): Who r u

Me [to Duda] (5:57AM Sun, Sep 30): OMG! FRM DRAIS TWINKIE. RM#?

Duda (5:58AM Sun, Sep 30): R u asian

Me [to Duda] (6:04AM Sun, Sep 30): DUH! HAHA STOP STALLING. LETS PARTY!

Duda (6:06AM Sun, Sep 30): We r so partied out save up fo REHAB 2morrow 6 hrs away

Me [to Duda] (6:08AM Sun, Sep 30): BOOO! STOP ACTING LIKE UR 40! 8D

Duda (6:14AM Sun, Sep 30): Oh ok rock star have at it party party party 2morrow

Me [to Duda] (6:16 AM Sun, Sep 30): TXT ME WHEN U GO, POSER.

Duda (6:18AM Sun, Sep 30): Poser?? I will fuck ur eggroll up w my chopsticks when I see u

Me [to Duda] (6:30AM Sun, Sep 30): EGGROLL? U MEAN LUMPIA BEYOTCH! 8D

Me [to Brenda] (3:15PM Sun, Sep 30): Holy ish, i just got up! I guess no lunch 2day. rain check?

Brenda (3:58PM Sun, Sep 30): Aww next time

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

We got into Vegas around 8:30pm. The weather was perfect. It was like one of those Southern Cali summer nights, just when the evenings begin to warm-up to around 70 degrees. Because of the dessert air, it was dry and just barely cool.

After unloading our junk at JD's parents' house in North Vegas, we left for South Point to pick-up Tam and Johnny. But we ran into a bad omen. Johnny had left his backpack in the cab and it had his credit cards and ID in it. So we got stuck at South Point for an hour or so trying to figure out what we would do. In the meantime, JD and I played some blackjack and lost $40. I hate blackjack!

I saw Joyce and Peter walking into the casino and ran after them. I said hello, gave Joyce a little bracelet for her birthday and told her our plight. She offered to have them stay at her hotel room, but I told her not to say anything because I didn't want any drama. I told them I would call them to find out where they were and see what happens.

We decided to leave South Point and head to Drai's for the night. As an after hours club, we had to wait until 2am for it to open. So we were actually early. After a plop, I played some Texas Hold 'em Bonus and won a few dollars. I also hung out at the little stage they had and watched an 80s band rock it out.

Finally, after Steph's friend Judy and her man Mickey arrived, we went into Drai's. Mickey hooked me up with cover and a drink. The guy is very generous, and we would end up seeing just how generous he was in less than 24 hours.

We were lucky to get a table near the bar and dance floor and that's where we met the OC cougars.

NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY

I got to the WB Ranch about 45 minutes early, so I parked and tried to sleep. Of course, that's nearly impossible in a civic unless you're really really tired.

When I got out, I walked to where I saw other people walking and moseyed on over to crafty. The craft guy asked me if I was on the show, clearly sensing my unsure energy. I said I was and he proceeded to introduce me to the wonderful array of food. It was all about breakfast burritos this morning which shocked me since studios are normally very stingy when it comes to food (at least that's been my experience with WB).

The scene was of a group of tai chi practitioners doing their thing in the park. Then, one of the guest actors gets a call in the middle of our session and we look at him like he's an asshole. We did a few takes and then, we were wrapped.

Today was easily the shortest day I've had. It took only about one and a half hours to do all the takes.

Afterwards, I wanted to get into the main lot to visit Central Perk, but the security guy told me that I wouldn't be allowed in with the Ranch pass. Oh well. Looks like I'll need to get that copy of the Fresh Prince some other way.



Postscript: I think my scene was cut because the episode never ended up with a tai-chi scene.

OH MY ACHIN' BACK

Whenever I wake up from having slept too much on my current bed, I get a back ache. I remember my friend Vanessa telling me that she used to wake up with back aches on her futon and after she bought her super duper, super fancy, part foam, part latex bed, she no longer knew what a back ache was.

Maybe I just have to start working out again so that my bones and tendons are lubricated. Either that or I finally have to switch out my mattress. This is getting ridiculous.

I booked Notes From the Underbelly today. Abby booked me and was surprised that I was listed as a Filipino. I was kind of worried I would lose the role, but she just said I didn't look Filipino. It turned out she was Filipino and she asked me all the same questions and comments most people have. "Are you full Filipino? Really? You don't look it. You look Hispanic." I'll need to get in touch with Abby to ask her to contribute to my blog.

I never thought my tai chi experience would ever land me a role, but sure enough, it did. Abby says all the extras actually need tai chi experience, so I wonder how long they will be making us do this.

THANK YOU JERICHO

It was a bitter sweet feeling, this final day for me and Brandon. We started in Simi Valley and we ended in Simi Valley. I hoped I would get to be in the last episode, and sure enough, I got my wish. Driving through Big Sky Ranch in complete darkness and then looking up at the stars while at base camp filled me with cosmic energy.

Today, we shot the last scene as Rangers. Kevin, the 2nd 2nd, confided that this would probably be it as the rest of the week would be reserved for principal actors. I joked with Brandon that we should attend the Comic Con next year as Rangers. I'll need to get in touch with Christie, one of the costumers, and ask her if I can purchase my outfit. Then, I can walk around the convention area and tell people I'm a Jericho Ranger ala Drama from Entourage.

After the scene, we were wrapped and I left a note on Christie's car. I hope she gets in touch with me because I need more stories for my blog.

SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES

There comes a point during work when you get a little cocky and a little lazy which then gets you a little late. Although I gave myself an hour and 20 minutes to get to set on-time, it's just not enough time during rush hour. When I got near Irwindale, the Amber Alert sign said 50 minutes to Pasadena. It was 8:30 am and I needed to be on-set at 9:00 am. So I called Jason and told him I was going to be late to set about 20 minutes. He told me to just get there as soon as possible.

I actually arrived 20 minutes late when I got to the parking lot. But I still had to get through security and walk to set. There were two younger ladies that went through security with me and talked about how late they were as well. They told me check-in was a little further up as we walked through the studio lot.

The big white tent we walked into was partially filled with people hanging out, waiting to be called. I received a call from Jason and I told him I was in the tent checking-in. When I checked-in, the Asian dude looked over his list and couldn't find me. He looked at my visitor pass and said that I wasn't on the list. He didn't care though and said he could use me and gave me a voucher. It was a non-union voucher, but it was definitely not a Central Casting voucher. It was an Axiom voucher which I'd never seen before.

Then I went to wardrobe and ran into one of the five original Jericho rangers whom I had worked with last Friday. He was the only one that couldn't come back because he had a possible two week movie gig. That was about the time I figured out that I wasn't at the right place. I also looked around and noticed that "Zohan" was pretty much plastered everywhere. I also noticed that this was an Adam Sandler production which didn't match with my idea of a Terminator spin-off.

So I left and went into the WB TV building to ask for help. Two guys gave me a map and directed me to studio 25. I finally got there and people were still checking-in so I didn't feel so bad. The PA asked me what my excuse was and I told him I was sent to Zohan. I don't think he knew what I was talking about and he definitely didn't seem to care.

Holding was in studio 25 where Friends and other famous movie and tv shows were shot. Some of the extras and I were tired of waiting, so we decided to walk down to set and get some food. We were placed in a scene around some lunch tables and after that was done, we were sent back to holding. I told the extras I was hanging out with earlier that there was food at the Zohan tent, so we decided to walk over there since it wasn't too far from holding. Unfortunately, crafts already took everything away and there was only some muffins and fresh fruit left. We took what we could get and left.

Our next scene took place in front of the school, so I was posted with two other Asian guys. Coincidentally, it turned out that one of the guys had actually replaced me when I was called-back for Jericho while I had already booked Criminal Minds. I began to wonder if this was just a coincidence, or an example of synchronicity.

I met Vanessa who was an actress on Ladybugs and she was kind enough to show me the WB museum. It held two stories of props, scripts and costumes for several tv shows and movies that were produced by the WB. The best part of it all was the 2nd story which was devoted to the Harry Potter movies. You can actually sit down and try out the Sorting Hat. It seemed very sure of itself and declared, "Slytherin!"

Afterwards, she took me to Central Perk, a WB store that sells dvds and other merchandise. I bought moms a magnet and bought Vanessa a Jamba Juice for sharing the museum with me. It's also when I found out she was really into the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It's curious things like this that really fascinate me about some people.

The shoot inside the high school hallway went on and on until we finally wrapped at about 11:30 pm. I wouldn't have worried too much about it except for the fact that I have an 8 am call-time tomorrow.

JERICHO'S BEEN GOOD TO ME

Rather than trying to relive how I got to be SAG eligible, I'll just say that Jericho has been really good to me. I know I was whining about driving to Simi Valley, but I suppose it's all worth it now. I'll always remember this show for calling me back to work as a Ranger more than three times. Today was my fourth call-back and each time I was called-back, I was paid on a union voucher.

It seems all too easy earning my union vouchers. I've spoken to some extras who have worked for over a year and still have not become SAG eligible. At the time of this writing, you can get into SAG with a speaking line (in which Taft-Hartley kicks in and you are automatically eligible) or you need to receive three union vouchers.

There really isn't any rhyme or reason to getting a union voucher. Most of the time, you need to have some kind of special presence on the screen. That is to say, you need to be doing something that isn't ordinary. For example, nudity would probably get you a voucher. A principle actor who falls on you or pushes you or something like that would probably get you a voucher. The easiest way is to get called-back for a matching shot. That's how I became eligible.

I was in a scene one night of filming and the next episode continued that scene. In order to match the two, they needed the same background actors so they called me back. I wasn't the only one. I was called back along with another guy that was in the same scene. I didn't do anything special - they just needed the same performers.

Today, three other extras and I were booked because the scenes shot today were continuations of scenes shot last Friday. Although the call-time was very early (6:30am in Van Nuys), I just thanked the stars and was okay with waking up early and driving the freeways when there was no traffic. It's not so bad when you leave before 5:30am. It's just smooth sailing.

I got my first smoke bump today since they were spewing fake smoke inside the abandoned garage. I also met the SAG rep who told us that in order to get a make-up bump, you need more than 50% of your body to be made-up.

I had breakfast and a snack of meatballs and chicken fingers right before lunch. I didn't want to eat any more meat since I had eaten a steak last night for dinner. However, it was fillet mignon wrapped in bacon so how could I dare pass it by? I felt bad because I could only eat half of it. My stomach wasn't feeling great either and I had to drop some deuces while on set. I chugged some lemon lime sodas to calm my stomach, and it did help a little.

We were all called-back tomorrow at practically the same time. After driving, there's hardly any time to do anything but sleep.

Episode 205








Episode 206













Episode 207

I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE

The title is actually the working title for the once titled, House Bunny. It was shot somewhere around 20th st. and Gramercy Pl in L.A. I was booked on this because I was not permitted to work on Side Order of Life since I had already worked on the show. You see, sometimes Fate will prevent you from doing something so that you can do something else you're meant to do.

In this case, it was to finally meet Anna Ferris. I had written her fan club once requesting an autographed head shot. It never arrived and I didn't think any more of it. Then, when I was booked on this movie the first time, Anna wasn't in the scene. I was bummed.

Hearing about Anna from a background actor/magician didn't make things better. He told me he was on location watching her wash a car with Katherine McPhee. She was lathered-up with soap and wet with water. And so was Katherine. On top of all that, the holding area was filled with hot co-eds. Again, I didn't think any more of it.

But then, I got booked and even though I was one of only a few non-union extras, I got the chance to see Anna in a bikini top and short shorts. She was fit as a fiddle and was much smaller in person that I thought. I just wish I had her head shot so I could've asked her to sign it.

The only thing remarkable about this shoot was when I was told twice to act more animated. Apparently, I was in the background pretty clearly and looked dead just holding a fake cup of beer. So I actually had to "act" and felt really dumb doing it. The best advice I received from the AD was to use an arm motion and tell a story while saying, "it was this big!"