I went to craigslist a while back and replied to one of those posts regarding the "online casting" gigs out of desperation. They cast extras/background actors, and I got in. New Mexico is one of the largest film/TV production sites next to L.A. and N.Y. in the U.S. Anyway my first gig was for a prime-time TV series, "In Plain Sight." I played a hospital orderly. This time I played a gay club regular/VIP in the German movie with a tentative title of "Friendship", and this time I brought my phone for bloggin'. The movie is being shot in German so I wasn't really sure what was going on. Basically, two German soldier/brothers go to America to find themselves, or their father, one of the two, and in order to make ends meet, they stop in Vegas to make money as strippers at a gay club. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it takes place in 1989.

I decided to use the few resources I have for the task at hand, linen suit, pastel blue shirt, and Ray-Ban's. And off to the set I go for an 8:30am arrival time.

This guy handed me a card as soon as I walked into "base camp." It reads "your average balding middle-aged white guy." He thought I was a real actor.

It was time to eat some complimentary breakfast. I had some eggs and tots.

Base camp, downtown Albuquerque.

After breakfast, it was on to wardrobe. The wardrobe people are cool, and they have a trailer full of clothes in all sizes. They liked my look from the start. They suggested I wear a Hawaiian shirt underneath my jacket and get rid of the pastel blue shirt. Here is the changing area.

Original Idea.

Second option.

After wardrobe it was on to "holding", which is were everyone waits patiently to be called, including this guy with the wonderful Wisconsin waterfall whipping around the room. The company also casted strippers, transformers (transexuals), and janitors in addition t0 the 30 or so gay club goers. We all sat in holding together.

Holding sucks. I waited there 4 hours before I was called. No chairs. Just a bunch of people doing awkward things that I don't want to mention. At least I kept receiving cards.

Complimentary Cheese Puffs = bad idea. I had a film of crap fused onto the roof of my mouth and teeth after about 6 cups.

My little set up.

Finally I was chosen. I went down to the club and I was handed a glass half full of O'Douls. "Am I drinking? As soon as I'm done."

And also $50 in Motion Picture currency to stuff into the thong of the dancers. Yay. I never made it that far though. When the director saw Don Johnson (me) I was taken away from the crowd and onto VIP. Phew.

Here is the outside of the club. Apparently, it is a pretty cool bar to go to in Albuquerque when it isn't being used for filming, and it is not called The Black Mustang.

Back inside it was time to shoot. Here is the set. I was supposed to be in the crowd.

Some Film Actors.

"You want more mysterious, I'll just think where the hell is the Whiskey." It was Iced Tea. Here is my view of the scene. Im kinda like the bad-ass VIP dude sitting behind the club owner (cowboy hat) and his girl in the red dress.

I had to stand up and dance during the stripping performance. Sometimes without music, in dead silence. About 50 times. Anything to be out of holding and out of the crowd.

Film Actor.

I was tired. This went on for a long time. I wont be doing any more gigs anytime soon. It doesn't pay much and it takes up your entire day. And you can't leave until the director calls it a wrap, no exceptions. I was there all night.

Finally done, and in my car, going home.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Taking it to the stage

1 Comments:

About Me

Previous Posts