What Does A Teen Actor Go Through To Land A Gig?

Zach recently shot a Toshiba commercial in Coto de Caza, California.  We were surprised when we got to the set because we didn't know anyone else in the cast. 

Why was this surprising? Read on...

The call for the audition came on a "mehhh day" for Zach.  He had been up late the night before taking care of some homework.  He was also at "low ebb" due to a cold he couldn't shake and various medicines trying to get rid of the cold.

The one plus to the audition was the fact it was all improv so he didn't have to worry about learning any lines.  The audition was in Santa Monica at a place we had never been for a casting call.  We arrived and realized the place was busy when we spotted this sign:

"I'll Take 'C' For $300, Alex"

We made our way to the correct studio and signed in to wait our turn.  The casting director made her way around the room and randomly assigned everyone to a "family".  The actors had about 5-minutes to discuss the scene before they went in to audition together.

The audition seemed to go well.  The casting folks praised Zach's group and said they would need to keep them together since they did such a great job.  Zach left feeling good about his chances since they loved his "family".

We got the call 3 or 4 days later asking if Zach was available for the shoot.  I said he would be there and then I heard nothing for hours.  I finally got a text informing me there wouldn't be a teacher on set.  I told the producer "no problem" since he does a lot of self directed work!  Once again, nothing for hours....

I finally got the confirmation the next day.  I had to contact his school and let them know he would miss his Wednesday appointment.  This is normally not an issue but he was going to miss a test.  We rescheduled his review for Thursday morning and his test for Thursday afternoon.  The only info I needed now was location and wardrobe.

The wardrobe needs were small and easily handled.  The shoot was scheduled for a 7:30am call time in Coto de Caza.  I had never heard of this place and had a feeling it might be a bit of drive.  I looked it up and discovered I was going to have to go on the 101 to the 5 to 133 to 241 to Santa Margarita Parkway to Coto de Caza.  Ugh...

There were also two toll roads thrown into the mix.  I got lucky because I didn't know about the toll roads.  A good 90% of the time I have no cash on me.  It never occurs to me to stop at an ATM.  I only had money on me because I had to use some at a parking garage in Santa Monica.

The distance from Sherman Oaks to Coto de Caza is 73-miles.  With a 7:30am call time, I knew we had to leave by 6am (if not earlier).  I made sure everything (work permit, school work and wardrobe) was in a stack and ready to go so I wouldn't forget anything in the morning. 

I woke up at 5am on the morning of the commercial.  Zach got up at 5:30am and we were on the road for our 73-mile trek by 5:55am.  Zach immediately fell asleep in the passenger seat.

We arrived at 7:40am.

The only talent on time was the grandfather in the commercial.  He left his place at 5am.  Everyone else got stuck behind a wreck on the 5.  I was able to work my way around a good portion of the backup thanks to the car pool lane.  Out of everyone that was late for the shoot, we were the "least late" of the group.

According to Google, "Coto de Caza is a census-designated place and guard-gated private community in Orange County, California."  This also means that every home in the community costs millions of dollars.

The first shot of the day involved the adults of the cast so Zach and I sat on the deck by the pool while he worked on his homework.  After a couple of hours, his "family" was ready for their first group shot. 

The happy family together for dinner.


Our surprise came when the cast gathered together because we didn't recognize anyone in the group.  Zach was the only member of his "audition family" to make it into the spot.  I also found out later in the day that the casting director was leaning towards a teenage daughter in the spot.  She changed the part to a boy after she met Zach at the audition.

Everyone realizes they need their photo taken with the Toshiba camera.

 

Being in a gated community also meant we had to stay on the set all day.  It was actually rather nice because it helped us form a sense of community.  I don't know if we felt like a real family at the end of the day but there was a definite bond between the cast, crew and parents on set.

 

Zach's mom and sister for the day.

 

While I was happy for the shoot to end, I was not looking forward to the drive home.  We left at 6pm (Zach immediately fell asleep in the passenger seat) and arrived home at 8:15pm.

 

Here's an example of what a pain it is to drive on the 405.  It took me a little over 2 hours to go 73-miles from the set to home.  The night before (at the same time of the evening) it took me a little over 2 hours to go 15-miles from Santa Monica to home on the 405.

 

The spot producer was thrilled with Zach.  The director promised to send me a link to the spot when it's ready to view.  I'll ask if I can share it with you once I get the link.

 

Zach's Ultra Awesome IMDb Page





My unexpected trip to Salem

My Dadager job is great fun because I get to spend a good amount of time with my teenage kid.  He even acts like he doesn't mind being around me most of the time.

It's a fun job...But it doesn't pay all of the bills.

I've been doing a lot of freelance and contract jobs to give me a flexible schedule.  As I've mentioned before, sometimes we get less than 8 hours notice before an audition. The freelance gigs are easy to handle on a set and I'm able to work on them away from a traditional office situation.

I had a meeting last week for a contract PR job in Burbank.  I knew the street but wasn't sure about the actual location of the building.  Imagine my surprise when I realized it was this building:

The building formerly known as "NBC Studios"

 

The name change happened last year.  NBC still has a lease in place until 2013.  Jay Leno's "Tonight Show", "Days Of Our Lives" and "Access Hollywood" still tape at the studio.  The tours of the facility ended in 2012.  NBC's local LA news and the west coach branch of NBC News are still located in this building.  Most of the shows/news will (more than likely) move a few miles away to Universal Studios in 2013.

 

I took a right on Bob Hope Drive and arrived at the guard gate.  My second surprise happened when I received my parking pass/guest pass:

 

I had no idea I was heading to the "Days Of Our Lives" set.

 

I followed the directions given by the security guard and passed this giant sound stage:

 

 

I made my way around the building to an open stage door.  I could hear the Tonight Show Band rehearsing for the show.  I also passed by this vital piece of Tonight Show equipment:

Don't even think about throwing your trash in this dumpster!!!

 

I headed down the walkway and reached the main building where I was greeted by this great artwork:

 

 

I knew I was getting close to the PR office when I passed this beauty:

 

Over the years, Stage 4 has included "The Andy Williams Show", "Card Sharks", "Elvis Presley's 68 Comeback Special" and "Days Of Our Lives". 

If you're of a certain age you hear the voice of Macdonald Carey as you read the words in the photo.

 

I walked the hallways and made my way past the makeup room and the main set before I got to my destination.  I thought I was in the wrong place because the room number listed on the visitor pass turned out to be a break room.  I walked in on a group of actors running their lines.  The room also had instructions for recurring cast members and background players.

 

Sorry for the blurry photo.  I was trying not to get caught taking the photo in the room.

 

I was about to turn around when I heard voices from the hallway behind the break room.  I walked back and discovered the PR firm!

 

I haven't heard yet if I got the contract job.  Even if I don't land the gig, it was worth going to the meeting for the adventure!

 

P.S....As always, I'd appreciate it if you would click on the link to Zach's IMDb page.  The higher the number of clicks...The higher his ranking on IMDb!

 

Zach's Ever Awesome IMDb Page

 

 













Life Lessons To Be Learned From Improv

The Artist has been performing in various improv companies since early 2012.  He's been on the stages of L.A. Connection Comedy and The Second City Hollywood.  Zach has also taken classes at The Groundlings.

While a lot of improv is goofy comedy and silly situations, there are also some useful lessons that can be used in everyday life.

One of the basics ideas behind improv comedy is "Yes And...".  What this means is that you always agree with the person you're performing with on stage.  You agree and say "YES".  The act of saying "yes" means you agree with the scene and situation your on-stage partner has created.  This is known as "The Rule Of Agreement".

Working As A Team At Second City Hollywood

Are you always going to agree with your friends and co-workers?  Will you always say "Yes And..." to their ideas?

In a word...No.

But "The Rule Of Agreement" reminds you to keep an open mind and to respect what your friends and co-workers have created.  The idea of "Yes And..." also helps the act of creation because it allows you to add to the thought process and contribute your own ideas.

Practicing "Yes And..." allows each cast member to contribute to a scene.

Improv also teaches you to be decisive and make statements.  The scene will not go anywhere if you answer your partner with a question.  Improv teaches you to make a statement that moves the scene forward and gives your partner the next step in the scene.

The same advice can be used in the business world.  Answering your boss with a question doesn't help resolve a situation.  Answering with a definitive statement lets your boss know where you stand on a question or issue.

 

Don't Be The One Guy Standing Alone At Work Acting All Superior!

 

Improv has helped Zach become a better stage performer and a better "team player" on set and at home.  Not everyone can say they have a teenager who is willing help at home!

Come On - You Know You Want To Click The Link To Zach's IMDb Page