Zach's Red Carpet Experience

The Artist walked his first Red Carpet on Sunday afternoon for the Teen Choice Awards.  It was also an event to help raise funds for HeroesRide.org.  

The Red Carpet took place at CBS Studio City.  We've been there enough times now that I know whether to turn left or right on My Three Sons Lane, Gunsmoke Avenue or Newhart Street.

I'll be the first to admit that my fashion sense does not go far beyond jeans.  Zach's mom couldn't be here this weekend but she was able to be part of the wardrobe selection via text message.  It took three trips to Macy's, two stops at Urban Outfitters and a visit to Wasteland (in Studio City) but we got his outfit ready for the Red Carpet.  Here he is the day of the event:

After all of the shopping trips on Saturday, I only had to buy him the blue shirt in the above photo!

He was nervous before the event because he wasn't sure how to stand, what to say, which way to turn, etc.  His instincts kicked into gear once he got on the Red Carpet and he handled the walk like a champ!  

The fundraiser also featured three first response cars used on 9/11.  I have to admit I was a little choked up being so close to the vehicles.  Check them out below:

Pretty amazing to see them in person...And really amazing to watch The Artist walk the Red Carpet!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4115971/

No Time For A Long Post...

I have to get The Artist to an ADR session for "Golden Winter" (and feed him lunch!)

FYI...ADR is "Automated" or "Automatic Dialog Replacement".  It means actors go into a studio and
re-record dialog that can't be used or saved from a production track.

I took a few photos at CBS Studio City yesterday and wanted to share them with you.

I ran across this awesome sign while looking for the audition office.  Unfortunately, no Sleestaks were guarding the room.

This photo (and the ones below) are from the sidewalk leading to the main building on the lot.

Greatest Audition Drive Ever!

It's been a busy (but fun) week as The Artist has been on the run with auditions.

One of the auditions was at UCLA's Medical Center in Westwood Village. 

From the Village website:

"Westwood Village is Los Angeles' premiere village centre - centrally located in the heart of Los Angeles, serving the neighborhoods of Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Wilshire Corridor, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica.  This charming and unique area displays a rich history recognizable by its architecturally significant buildings, many of which were built in the 30's and 40's.  Architectural styles include New Orleans Revival, American Colonial Revival, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial Revival, Period Revival, Post-war Modern, French Regency, and Classical Revival."

The guy that called Zach for the audition sent us an instruction sheet that was almost "War And Peace" in length.  It gave us construction zone warnings for the 405, where to pay and park, where to park for free, shuttle stops and ride times, walking instructions to the audition spot and every hallway twist and turn once we arrived at the building.

All of the info made me a little paranoid about getting there on time so we left much earlier than normal for the audition.  I decided at the last minute to take the surface streets instead of the 405 so I made it to the location about 45-minutes earlier than I would have on the 405. (Woodman to Ventura to Sepulveda to Wilshire to Westwood Village...for all of you fans of  "The Californians")

I made it to Westwood Village and drove through a sea of BMW's, Jaguars, a Porsche or two and even a Lamborghini.  I was at a stop light when the Lamborghini pulled up next to me.  I noticed that the guy behind the wheel was giving me a dirty look.  I wasn't sure why until I realized I was at the light in a big red truck listening to "Beez In The Trap" by Nicki Minaj and "Drank In My Cup" by Kirko Bangz as loud as possible while waiting for the green light.


I laughed as he gave me the "You Are Beneath My Notice" look.

I wasn't in the clear yet because I still had to park/walk/ride a shuttle.  I decided to find the building first and then determine where to park based on the distance from the building.

I found my destination and I also found....

***An open metered spot RIGHT IN FRONT of the building***

I couldn't believe it!  After all of my worries about getting there on time and where to park once I arrived, I found the best parking spot ever!

Zach and I grabbed the spot before anyone else tried to park by the meter.  We were happy but also super early for the audition. 

We decided to celebrate by getting a snack at The Coffee Bean and returning to the truck to find more music to annoy the beautiful people.

How To Scare A Mom & A Cashier In One Day

It was around 9pm on Friday night when we received a last minute paying job for Saturday afternoon.  Zach was offered the part of a kid being bullied in a music video.  Did he want the part?

A paid job....YES!

The shoot took place at a high school near KTLA's studios off Sunset Boulevard.  Did I mention this is the biggest high school I've ever seen???

Zach reported for his call time and was introduced to the on-set teacher.  I told her Zach didn't have any homework and she replied, "No big deal...We don't do homework on set during the summer".  

If you don't do homework then why are you on the set?

The start of the shoot was delayed for 20 minutes because we had to wait for a guy to open the gates to the basketball courts for us.  I discovered the guy with the key was waiting in the car RIGHT BY THE GATE.  I discovered this after the production assistants had disappeared to find the keeper of the key.

A shot of Zach on set before being bullied for the cameras.

I was asked by the director if it was okay for Zach to be covered in fake blood for the shoot.  He only asked because the blood would also get on his clothes.  I didn't mind at all and I texted his mom to tell her The Artist was having a great time on set.

After the shoot was over, I pulled Zach to the side and took some photos of his (fake) blood covered face.  I texted them to his mom because she knew he was being bullied and I was certain she would realize the blood was not real.

Nope...Here is our text conversation:

Dana: "OMG WHAT HAPPENED"

Mark: "Face Plant"
Dana: "Is anything broken"
Mark: "Teeth"
Dana: "Teeth broken out???"
Mark: "It's makeup..."

Dana: "OMG I almost passed out...I am shaking"

Did I mention I thought she would realize it was fake blood?  I won't post a photo because she reads this blog and I don't want to freak her out (again).

Zach mentioned he was hungry as we left the set.  We made our way down Sunset so we could hit a 

drive-through on the way home.

We ordered his food and pulled up to the cashier window.  The conversation went like this:

Cashier: "That will be five-dollars-and-AAAAAAHHHH!" (she slams the window shut)

Mark: "What's wrong?  Zach, what just happened?"  (as I turn and look at him) "Crap!"

I forgot he was wearing the fake blood!  The cashier came back to the window with her manager.

Manager: "Do you need us to call 911?"

Mark: "No...it's all okay...the blood is fake...he was shooting a music video."
Manager: "Are you telling me the truth?"
Mark: "If he was hurt would I be wasting my time ordering a chicken sandwich?"

We got back to our apartment and waited until we were sure nobody was waiting at the elevator.  

Zach got off the elevator and ran to our apartment before anyone saw him with blood all over his face.

FYI...I made sure to send his mom a "post blood photo" so she could see that he was okay after the shoot.

A Happy...And Kind Of Sad...Fourth Of July

The Artist and I spent the Fourth of July at The Oakwoods Apartments in Toluca Lake.

The apartment complex is famous as the subject of the movie, "The Hollywood Complex".  The Oakwoods specializes in (expensive) furnished housing for families moving to Hollywood for the acting careers of their kids.  You can rent by the month at The Oakwoods.  Some of the famous names that have passed through the complex include Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Jessica Biel and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The complex is located between Warner Brothers Studios and Universal Studios.  It's more like an extended stay hotel instead of "a home" since the cast of characters living at the complex changes from month to month.

Zach has made some friends at The Oakwoods.  It's hard not to make friends that live in the complex due to the amazing amount of child actors that live in the apartments.

The complex is located in Toluca Lake.  There have been a number of famous Toluca Lake residents over the years including Bob Hope, Andy Griffith, Frank Sinatra, Miley Cyrus, Jack Black, Rick Dees, Bing Crosby, Ashley Tisdale, Henry Winkler and dozens of other celebrities.

The 4th party ran from 6pm-10pm.  The party included a band, volleyball, open swim at the pool and a great view of two fireworks shows (since the apartments sit on top of a hill).

Zach had a great time swimming, playing various sports and running around with a ton of kids that live in the apartments.

I don't know how much the band made but I believe they were overpaid for their services.  They took a break and suddenly the evening became an Oakwoods Talent Show.  I saw an 8-year-old sing  "Tik Tok" immediately after a 10-year-old sang Cee-Lo's "Forget You".  There were more songs, dances and jokes from the kids as the band chilled out by the pool.

I had to take a "mental break" so I went inside the clubhouse.  I entered a room filled with ads for casting directors, head shots, karaoke, acting classes and seminars (all at super inflated prices) that are available for the residents of the apartments.

I went outside and met various parents that were all too eager for me to watch their children on stage that night.  They wanted me to witness the birth of a new show business career.

Every kid I met that night was friendly and ready to show off their talents to a new audience.

I felt sad at the end of the night because I knew many of the kids were there because mom and dad were convinced they had found a new bread winner for the family.

Don't get me wrong...I realize I'm out here to help my kid start his acting career.  I'm not here to turn my kid into my retirement plan.

I met many parents that are already deciding how to spend the future earnings of their children.

A very very odd Fourth of July....

The language of Hollywood

Here are the best phrases I've heard in the past 7 days:

***"I like to think my headshot is also a look into my soul."

***"Let me tell you how good my kid is doing..."

***"There are two types of actors.  There is the scripted actor and there is the unscripted actor.  Sometimes the two types meld into a jaw dropping combination of acting energy."

***"Let me tell you what my kid did last week..."

***"I haven't memorized the lines.  I think the screen writer would appreciate my throwing his words away."

***"I booked a gig but I forgot to ask where it's located and how many days I'll be on set.  Do you think I should call the casting agent?"

***"Security is not just a job...It's also a performance art."

***"Did I tell you about my kid?????"