Up Against All Odds

This post will be the most honest, and probably the hardest thing I will ever right in my life.  This is the honest to GOD truth about me, and what I am up against here in LA LA Land (As I Call it)! First of all, a ton of folks told me when I first started my career, "DO NOT move to New York City".  "You will never make it, on Broadway".  "Too many people in that industry".  My Aunt Brenda said "Your mother needs your help, you are the man of the house, maybe you should stop performing".  I remember being so hurt, and upset.  Now as I look back, I chuckle, I love my aunt, but oh how wrong she was, and it is funny to hear her brag about her Broadway nephew.  I didn't listen then, and I am not listening now.  I am following my heart, and my passion.  Everything about my move to LA statistically speaking says it won't work out.  Everything in my core, gut, sole, says I am going to thrive in this town, and my dreams will happen.

My manager brought me into his office, to show me the breakdowns, and what he gets from week to week.  Did you know that in the actors breakdowns that come out weekly, that most the job descriptions is Caucasian male?  I scrolled through about 80 posts in the breakdowns for actors.   I found a total of 10 jobs for an African American Male, and even less for women, and  less for Asian or Hispanic people.  WOW!  Reality check right there.  Contrary to most peoples beliefs, Many friends have said to me, "It is easier when you are ethnic"!  WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!  We might have less competition, but we still in the year 2013 have way less work.  My manager proved this fact to me.  Which means, I might be waiting a long time for my dream gig to come true.....

Then there is the fact that I not only look African American, that I am a mixed male.  This is just like New York City, some projects I wasn't black enough to be in... (for example Hairspray)..  Some times this worked in my favor.  I played a Puerto Rican, and even making my Broadway debut playing Indian in "Bombay Dreams". Most times I was rejected because not Latin enough, not black enough, not mixed enough.  This problem is world wide though, every actor goes through this, but I feel it is heightened in my case. It would depend on the project, trying to find out where I fit in, because of the complexion of my skin.  Interesting huh?  In film it is even worse, cause the camera is in your face, and you have to read that race asap. BUT I AM A BLACK BOY!  I PROMISE!  :-)

My age continues to come up in this town, and the fact that I am not a very young man.  Yes, this sets me back even more.  To move to LA at my age is unheard of, this town is so youth oriented.  I will be competing against people who have been in this town for years, who already have extensive resumes, because of that fact.  "But I look really young", so that is great, people say to me.  However, I am not here in this town to lie about who I am, and my age.  Everyone tells me not to tell my age, including my manager, but I want to tell the truth.  Hey, competing against kids for a kids role is not what I am interested in.  I want to play mature folks, cause that is what I am, and who I am.  No matter what I do, my maturity will shine through my work.  So why lie???  I don't know..  I go back in forth from time to time. It is tough.  I just want to work, and do projects where I can unleash all this talent I have trapped inside me, ready to burst out!  Is this too much to ask for?

My manager said to me "I don't want you playing those soft roles".  "Huh" I said, "soft roles meaning what"?  Confused by this comment, and listening to a person who represents me beat around the bush.  This is a big thing I am finding in LA.  Playing or Being Gay is still a little forbidden.  When if you look at Television, the gays and gay characters, are taking over the small and big screen.  I don't mind playing a "soft role" or a gay role (which is what I'm assuming he meant) .  I don't mind at all... Yes I don't want to play a drag queen or big flamboyant person, because I don't want to be doomed to being typed cast like that the rest of my life.  What is wrong with playing gay?  There are all different types of gay.  I admit I would prefer to play straight, or a  neutral role, because that is all I played all my life.  I love being an actor, because I get to use myself, every side of myself, drawing from me, and who I am, and playing it as best as I can.  Becoming someone else, but always using my many crazy selves as the outline .  If that makes any sense?  I have to get in where I fit in, and if playing "soft" roles get me in the door, bring it on!!!!

At the end of the day, I have faith in GOD, and I know that I am supposed to be here right now typing this blog entry to the world.  I am supposed to be honest, and believe in myself.  I know what my heart wants more then anything in the world.  I trust in my faith, and my spirit.   I trained and worked so hard for this, and I deserve a shot just like anyone else.  Am I Crazy?  Yes, you have to be crazy to pack up your bags and do what I am doing.  I AM HERE PEOPLE, and I Am Not Ready To Give Up Just Yet!

Let's try something new in Hollywood, let's tell the truth, therefore I will end this entry with a declaration.  I, J.R. Whittington, legally known as James Ricardo Whittington, I am a 37 year old, African American, Homosexual, Christian who moved to LA! Up Against All Odds! 

Manager/ Reel/ New Headshots

I am here in Los Angeles California, and I am living in a very cute area called North Hollywood.  I love my area as it is full of lots of theaters, cafes, restaurants, and trendy people.  I can walk to grocery store, and any little essentials I need I can get to by foot.  As a New Yorker I love to walk, to not have to drive everywhere makes me happy.  However, LA you have to have a car, so I leased a cute little 2013 Toyota Yaris!  My apartment is pretty empty, but I do have all my essential furniture, it is the extras that make it more "homey",  that I need to buy.  You also need money to buy those extras, but I spent so much on my car, furniture, headshots, etc. That the cute pictures and paintings, wine rack, and things I want-- but don't need--will have to wait.

My career is important to me, and I prayed to GOD when I had meetings with Managers--to manager my non existent acting career--that I would have a sign from him (GOD).  I chose the manager route because I felt at this point in my career, I need someone who is going to push for me.  Not just an agent where I am just another number.  I met with some people, and actually some management teams that sounded interested flaked out on me.  What?  Flaky Manager?  No Thanks! Wow, this L.A. scene is sure different then New York.  These people are way more relaxed, but in a weird way.  Maybe New York City, has me too strong, with non relaxed all business, and no play mentality.  As I attempt to get more relaxed and go with the flow to fit in with this L.A. crowd.  I realized that I need to learn to adapt to this new lifestyle, while staying true to myself.  J.R. breathe for a moment, get back on track. The manager who showed the most interest was a man named Marcus Fishman, he works for Advanced Talent Management in Glendale CA.  He was very cool, a little head strong for my taste, but as I sat in his office, I waited for my sign from GOD.  He said "This is weird but I am going to do something that I wouldn't usually do on first meeting".  He called General Hospital and said "Hey you guys are looking for an African American boy, and I have one here in my office that you should see".  This man Marcus Fishman didn't even see my work, and he was pushing for me on instinct.  This was my sign from GOD, and I signed with Marcus shortly after that.

Now the work begins,  I needed a new headshot, as  all my old headshots make me look like a sexy model.  This is not who I am going to play on t.v.  Headshots in NYC became unimportant to me, cause all the casting people there know me, and respected my work.  Here in LA, I need that shot that will get me through the door, and that shot which would portray me in the light I want to be portrayed. "You gotta have a gimmick if you wanna get ahead" from the musical Gypsy.  This song rang true to my life, in search of doing honest work, I knew that I had to portray myself and play myself in the begin of my career just to get into the door.  Who am I?  A very well dressed, intellectual black male, with a big heart, but can be mysterious and dark at times. How do I put this in a photo?  Where do I see myself?  The WB would love me, shows like Gossip Girl perfect.  I believe Shonda Rhimes would love me as well, Scandal and Greys Anatomy are not only my dream shows, but they are actually places that I would really fit in, with my style of acting and my look. I also think I can be the nerdy yet cute, (LOL) CSI tech guy.  And where I truly fit in is a soap opera or lifetime movie (hey they are frowned upon, but I will take the gig)!  Knowing all this was a big help with me picking my pictures.

My reel is done, but I am not happy with it, as it comes off very one sided and little over acted.  Hey I am learning the film medium.  Everyday, I am figuring out that on stage you have to be big to reach all these people at the top balcony.  The film medium is completely different, as I have to play it minimally. The technique and, the true core of the work is still the same.  I am a very trained actor, and I have studied many techniques.  Meisner is my favorite at the moment, but I take from many different techniques to come up with my own that works for me.  I guess as time goes by and when I book stuff.... I can add it to my reel, maybe one day I will have a reel I like... But I am a work in progress...

The End For Now Blog World! 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

I am an actor, but I began my career singing and dancing for a living.  I studied theater at the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music, and began a journey at becoming a triple threat (Singer, Dancer, Actor).  My biggest dream was to get a Broadway show.  That dream came true when I made my Broadway debut in the musical "Bombay Dreams"!  I have worked in theater non-stop for the past 16 years, and have done many, many musicals.  Traveled from Germany, National tours of the U.S., to Vegas, and Canada.  I have had  a blessed career thus far.  This blog will document my life as I take a huge leap of faith, and attempt a T.V. and film career in Los Angeles California.  I will document my auditions, my ups, my downs, my faith, my passions, my sweat, my tears, my life.  This is going to be a new challenge.  My blog will be the ultimate reality serious, will I make it?  Will I give up? Will my dreams come true?  Am I crazy? What would a person do for love?  This is the story of an actor, who loves what he does, who is not in it for fame, who is all about the work.  This is my story, and I hope you enjoy the ride....