Category Archives: Acting & Entertainment
Jessica Chastain & #NoExcuses
I saw Zero Dark Thirty the other day at a SAG Awards screening. The big bonus was a Q&A with Jessica Chastain hosted by Janelle Riley. I was always a fan of Jessica’s work, but now I am a fan of her general process of approaching life. Before she was famous, she didn’t JUST take class (although, she is Juliard trained) and she didn’t wait around for people to give her work. She created work for herself. She didn’t get discouraged. She embodies what we’re talking about when we say #NoExcuses and #NoRegrets.
I shot this quick clip at the the start of the session and she gave us some great inspiration. Obviously, this was taken with my Nokia Lumia 920 – a Windows Phone 8 device. 
DalyDose of Les Miserables
OK, Christmas is coming up and that means family and presents and worship and…and…big movie openings, obviously. One of the biggest that is getting all kinds of hype, is Les Miserables and it should make a ton of money. Watch the trailer here and then get my quick review.
Here’s the Trailer
aaaaaaand now…your DALYDOSE!!!
Naughty List Claus
It’s Christmas time and I had a little afternoon wine to gussy up the courage to send Santa a video job application.
I’m pretty much perfect for the job as you’ll see. I’m not sure what I could have done to improve my chances. It IS all about knowing the right people though. So, if you know Santa or any little elves or even Rudolph, I would appreciate the referral.
I’m counting on getting this gig and I can be a little vindictive, which is something those who refuse to help me out, might want to remember. You’ll know what I’m talking about after you watch the video.
Actually, I’m going to quit talking (typing actually) and let you click on over to my video job pitch.
DalyDose of…Thankfulness
We are in the middle of a long weekend and you might be getting tired of family and longing to clock back into work on Monday. Apparently, my inner jerk wanted to send a message with my phone. He put the Nokia Lumia 920 on the tripod with a PhoneBoat accessory.
What is YOUR inner jerk, thankful for?
You have homework. Here is a topical reading list:
YouTube Acting School With Ricky Gervais
Look at that picture of me. That’s me doing some fine acting in the short film “Textually Active”. You can, of course, read about that in my earlier blog entry JD: The Gifted Director.
I have been at this acting thing for quite some time now and it was interesting to have a chat with someone recently about all of the training we do. We spend a LOT of time, energy and money trying to get back what we did naturally as kids. When we were kids and played cops and robbers, we believed that we were the parts we were playing. When my sister had a tea party, she WAS the fancy hostess. It was play, but we committed to it.
As grown ups, we have that playing squashed out of us, so we ‘study’ to try bringing it back. It can cost a lot of money, but now we all have a chance at learning from a leader in his industry. We can learn from him and his guest lecturers for free and even without their knowledge. I have collected clips and provided commentary so that you can learn from the Unofficial Ricky Gervais School of Acting’s (RGSOA) YouTube Campus.
DalyDose of…Union+AT&T Savings
Please note that what I am telling you about here applies to ANY union member, who is (or wants to be) an AT&T Wireless subscriber. My message is geared toward actors, but is just as applicable to unions of all jobs, in all industries across the land. Now on to my regularly scheduled blog.
This is the first blog entry where I’m saving you money on technology and productivity. Yay me! How about I start it off with a quick JD video intro…
Read on to learn HOW to take advantage of the savings!
A Host of Issues
Not every job in front of the camera is acting…just ask anyone who’s seen a movie starring Kristen Stewart! I kid….I kid!
Besides actors, your screens are also graced with hosts delivering various content to you, on every screen that you own. As much as I’m known as a “funny guy”, my most-seen work in the biz, is as a host on America’s Minority Health Network (www.amhntv.com). AMHN plays in doctors’ waiting rooms across the country.
I know, I know…”hosting” sounds glamorous, right? Well, read on my friends. Oh…there’s video too.
Movie Going Experience
It’s that time of year. The weather gets hot and we all head inside to see big summer blockbuster films. We all know that the films vary in quality as much as they do story. That makes the risk great, considering the monetary investment involved. How do you hedge your bet?
I haven’t quit acting…
I was having a discussion with a friend the other day and it came up that since my last agent quit the business, I haven’t looked for another. That prompted her to ask me “Did you quit acting?”. I responded that “No, I haven’t quit acting…but I have stopped auditioning” That’s an over-simplified response, but it felt right and most closely articulated my current perspective. She didn’t get what I was saying and thus she doesn’t really get ME.
Writer’s Block–“No Excuses” Birthday Video
Today is my birthday and what better opportunity to put out an experimental type of video. My friends should all be nice to me and find something to like…anything.
I did this because of a “No Excuses” pact that I’ve made with myself and recently with my friend Natalie Oman. Last year, I put together Textually Active for my birthday, but this year I didn’t have the money to to make the next film in that series. No worries, we JUST DID IT. Video below!
