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!
