BAD SAMARITANS #2

I was on time today, in fact, a little early since I was late yesterday.  I got a chance to eat breakfast and be ready for another day of the shoot.

We were all in our wardrobe from yesterday, but then we were asked to change into the waiter outfits the principals wore yesterday.  I felt bad for a lady who had to let the big, sweaty principal wear her clothes for the shoot.  How do we not get compensated for allowing the cast to wear our clothes?  Thankfully, I only had a beat-up vest that my type had to wear.  I know he was sweating in it as much as I sweated in that shit yesterday.

As we sat around watching rehearsal, the scene got interesting because someone had to get tazed.  First, it was going to be an older lady (which would have been hilarious), but then the director chose me to get tazed.  So of course, I was game but also a little nervous.

But that's what rehearsal is for.  You keep doing it until you're ready to shoot and you keep shooting until you get it right.  It wasn't the action that was difficult, it was the stifling heat and humidity.  The only cooler they had was a swamp cooler that only blew in more humidity.  It was terrible and the excuse the director would use was, "just use it."

What made it somewhat ok was that we all had to go through the hell.  In some ways, going through something terrible kind of unites people.  No one was immune to the heat and humidity, even the director who was sweating like hell.  He'd make a good character actor because he's just as funny as the rest of the principals.

We got a break and had lunch so that helped a little.  We were able to rehydrate a bit, but that wasn't an issue for me since my training for the marathon has allowed me to get used to not needing a lot of water when thirsty.  Then we were back and shooting again.

A stuntman helped me with some knee pads and taught me how to fall and after a few stabs in the gut that actually hurt a little, we were done.  I was so ready to leave that I forgot about the vest I lent.  I asked wardrobe to just mail it to me when they were done with it.

(written 9/30/12)

BAD SAMARITANS

I thought that leaving at 6:15AM would get me to downtown in time for a 7:15AM call time, but I was thirty minutes late.  Apparently, these guys didn't care too much because it's a web series.  The tables that were set up were standard, but they were filthy and crafty looked like it was hastily set-up.

It turns out it's just a low budget series that'll go on the web and I doubt anyone will watch it.  I was part of an all Mexican background cast and hardly anyone spoke English.  They were really cast well I must admit.

But I felt out of place because I can't speak Spanish very well and although people tell me I look Hispanic, I just never felt that way.

The changing area were these little tents they set-up.  It was also hot as hell inside the building that used to be the Herald something or another.  The crew looked like they were all students from USC.

On the other hand, Bud Bundy from Married with Children was in the cast, and the PAs, make-up and wardrobe were all very professional and eager to please.

If it wasn't so fuckin' hot, it wouldn't have been so bad.  But now I can really say, "I can't work like this!" and know what I'm talkin' about.

GO ON

Go On is the new series starring Matthew Perry.  I swear, I don't know how this guy keeps getting work because he's had so many failed series.  But I guess he's got a great agent and people love the guy.  Or maybe he's spending a ton of his own money.  I don't know.  But I ain't arguing cause work is work.

I was cast as a valet guy.  But at wardrobe, everything was way too small.  They even had a woman's shirt instead of a man's for me.  So wardrobe told me to return because they would get everything in order for me.

After chilling in holding for awhile which was hot as hell, they sent me back to wardrobe to get my vest and new shirt.  Everything fit much better.  Then I went back.

Basically, it looked like we were in some kind of closed art gallery.  The main room was converted to hold a limo and that's where they shot everything.  It was nice and cold in there, but everywhere else, it was hot.

I hung around with the door man, but finally, after close to eight hours, we were wrapped.  They didn't need us after all.  These kind of days are weird, but whatever.  Work is work.

(written 9/28/12)

TWO AND A HALF MEN #3

I was booked as a cafe patron and as usual, there were way more people booked on this show than they need.  And as usual, I was not chosen to work.  There were only five of us who were not chosen to work - one Asian guy, a black guy and two white guys.  I guess I can be counted as either Asian or Hispanic.  I can't tell if the PA is racist or just doing his job since the show is supposed to take place in Malibu.  I don't mind too much as long as I get to hang out in a holding area that is cool and comfortable.

Unfortunately, holding was inside an empty stage and it was pretty warm inside.  The good news, however, was that we were fed dinner in the commissary.  I love eating in there because the food is pretty good and it's buffet style.  Of course, as is my custom, I took a bunch of cookies and brownies back with me to holding.

Although we had to wait for the taping, the other guys shot their scene and we were wrapped.  Not a bad day.

(written 9/27/12)

AUSTIN & ALLY

I was sent to Hollywood Center Studios to work on this Disney show as a restaurant patron.

What made the day interesting were the special effects they had right on stage.  We were supposed to be restaurant patrons at Magic Castle type place.  The black lady I was paired with told me she had actually been to the real Magic Castle, but couldn't really recall if they had a restaurant.

The guy Austin was placed in a chair that levitated and the table was rigged with some bread that popped up magically since the waiter was supposed to be a magician.

Although the rate is low, it's nice to be on stage since it's cool and the day is pretty quick and easy.  Plus, I noticed Ally is the same actress from the Sarah Silverman show.  I'm glad she's got her own show because she looks like she can make a pretty good career out of this.

(written 9/25/120