Me with my "kids"

No, I am not going to be a “mom” but I did just shoot a Ronzoni webisode and played “Supermom” last Wednesday. It was a very long day but super fun and incredibly rewarding.  The director, crew and actors were all very professional and it was a treat to do some solid acting and use my comedy chops. 

I’ll post the footage when I receive it but the general flow of the two minute commercial/webisode is a mom trying to get her kids to eat healthy.  I try to get my kids to eat sardines, liver, brussel sprouts, etc… and I do a lot of crazy things to convince them that eating well is important.  The conclusion or “funny” is that Ronzoni has vitamin and calcium infused pasta that can work in place of some of these gross things and that your kids will actual be excited about eating!

The shoot consisted of over 50 shots and I’d say that I was in at least 45 of them and I had about ten costume changes!  It was a blast to shoot and my “kids” were perfect!  Things are lookin better and better.  I hope the positive momentum keeps moving me forward. Below are some entertaining photos from the shoot.

Me giving my son an early bday present of sardines! mmmm

I chased this "Diverticulosis" (i.e. stomach inflamation) around with a spoon.

Me and my "Futuristic Mom" costume with driector, Andrew Miller

Me fighting off a team of Ninjas...bad a** mom!

Me with the "bear" I arm wrestled...I won of course!

The funniest costume of the day, me with my fellow Luchador

Me, playing a "mom", playing Vanna White

Andrew Miller - Director, Me, Michael - Camera, Michael - Costume/Props...yes this is a dress I wore in Miss America...I knew it would come in handy!

I was out of town for a lot of September and while I love the flexibility of “my job” as an actor, it is also very difficult to maintain a sense of productivity and order especially when I am not in L.A. I find myself wondering if I could be doing something more and what if I miss a casting because I “booked out” and don’t get called in for an audition because I am out of town. It’s a delicate balance and one I am still perfecting. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my visits with my friends and family over this past month but its back to work and I am in “turbo mode”. As an actor, we are our best advocates and I don’t expect anyone (including agents) to hustle for me better than I can hustle for myself, right?

One way I try to be productive and get ahead is through creating a plan and being persistent. This plan is mostly comprised of networking through mailings and emails, staying in a good class and working on my craft, and submitting or everything I can get my hands on. I believe that many people could achieve greater success if they had a clearer plan and treated acting like a 9-5 job. I know that I do this and work hard but not because it guarantees I’ll be success in the sense of booking a series regular role. Rather working hard is in my nature because I want to know that I am doing everything I can to get work so that when I look back on this time in my life I won’t kick myself and say, “well, if you would have done it this way, you would have been a success.”

My five words in the script and my call sheet - - very exciting!

This strategy of persistence is paying off because I landed two very cool jobs upon my return to LA on Sunday! Honestly, it’s a tie as to which is more exciting. The first one was offered to me by my “friend” and someone I have mailed at least 7 postcards to over the year, Gwen, the Casting Director for General Hospital. She called and asked if I’d like to work on Tuesday and that she was giving me an “under 5”. Meaning, I had actual words on network television. While I only had five little words, the significance of this day was a personal and professional milestone for me. I am now Sag eligible and have a recognizable credit on my resume. The cast and crew were fantastic and now I feel like all of my jitters are officially out of my body and I’m ready for a bigger role!

The second job is a hilarious webisode for Ronzoni Pasta. I will be playing a “Supermom” and it is hysterical. I go through at least 10 costume changes, fight off ninjas, arm wrestle a bear, and play a Vanna White-type character. It’s about pages of dialogue and I can’t wait to shoot it next week! I will definitely keep you posted on this and am tickled that I’ll get some good footage out of it.

I played "the woman" that Max uses to get Diane jealous. Me and "Diane"/Carolyne Hennesy

Lastly, I was called and asked to be an extra on Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, Olivers Arrow. While it’s only extra work, it’ll be fun to pretend I’m a famous movie star. Plus, I get to wear a fancy gown and be a “party goer” in a castle. Once Leo and I are on a first name basis, I’ll be sure to invite you over to our place to hang with him. My strategy of persistence is paying off and LA better watch out…I’m on fuego (fire)!