A Random Up Close And Personal Celebrity Encounter

Helicopters are a common sight in Los Angeles. It seems like police helicopters are in neighborhoods on a weekly basis aiding in manhunts. News helicopters are out a few times a week covering police chases. Helicopters are so common that it takes a little while to realize something out of the ordinary might be happening when they are flying around my neighborhood.

I heard two helicopters flying overheard last week. They were in the neighborhood for so long that I eventually realized something more than a police chase was going on that afternoon.

I went outside and looked around but couldn't see them in the sky. I did notice smoke filling the air a few streets over from my place. I walked towards the smoke and was able to spot two helicopters hovering over the hills of Sherman Oaks. I eventually ended up standing in the parking lot of the McDonald's close to my home. The parking lot was full of people trying to get a glimpse of the house on fire up in the hills. One helicopter was making an effort to put out the blaze while the other one looked to be a news helicopter getting footage of the action.

I walked to the edge of the parking lot where a guy was standing by himself watching the fire. He was wearing an ill-fitting shirt that didn't quite cover his belly, black shorts and white socks, I didn't pay much attention to him but he eventually said "Look at those two helicopters. You'd think the wind from them would help put out the fire."

There are some people you've never met in your life but you instantly know their voice from TV and movies. This was definitely the case once the guy started talking to me. I agreed with him but didn't turn to look at him. He then said that the house looked nice and maybe the fire didn't do much damage. I turned towards him to reply and said something that I don't remember. What I do remember is my first thought when I looked at the celebrity with the recognizable voice:

"Jon Lovitz is not that tall in person."

Admit it. Now that I've told you the name of the celebrity, you can hear his voice talking to me about the fire,

I never let on that I recognized him. I did mention the sound of multiple helicopters made me think a giant police chase was happening. He laughed and said the fire was not as exciting as a police chase. Plus, he remarked the smoke from the fire was now white and that probably meant the fire was close to being out. His other theory about the white smoke was:

"It could mean they've elected a new pope."

It hit me then how odd that moment was for me. I'm standing in a McDonald's parking lot listening to a former SNL cast member do stand-up comedy for an audience of one (me) about a fire we were both watching.

We continued to chat while he made jokes about the fire decreasing the resale value of the homes in that neighborhood. After a few minutes, I politely excused myself so I could go home and finish some work. I walked home thinking that my encounter with Jon Lovitz was the most "Hollywood" thing that has happened to me in months.

Celebrity sightings are commonplace in Los Angeles because of the number of movies and TV shows shot in the area. However, it's rare to get a private comedy show from a person you've watched on television since the 1980s. I should say it's rare to get that opportunity without having to pay big money for an appearance fee!

This Actor Hopes To Be An SNL Cast Member In The Future.

What Should An Actor Do After Pilot Season?

The TV upfronts are over and the fall television schedules are set for the main networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW).  While the upfronts represent a beginning for the actors who landed pilots that got picked up, this time of year also represents an ending for some actors.

The months of January-May are a busy time in Hollywood. A great number of actors move to Los Angeles during this time of the year for pilot season. Since the number of actors is much larger than the amount of available roles in pilots, the end of pilot season sees many of the temporary residents of Los Angeles head back to their hometowns.

Will they eventually return to take another shot at their acting career in Los Angeles? A good majority of them will say "Yes" when asked this question. However, some will go back home and never find a reason to try again in California.

What about the actors who didn't book a pilot but decide to stay in Los Angeles? What opportunities remain for them in the time between the end of pilot season and the start of episodic season in late summer/early fall?

There is plenty to keep you busy if you know where to look or if you want to create your own opportunities:

• Casting directors continue their work in the summer months because movies and commercials don't stop filming during this time period 
• There have been multiple auditions in the last few weeks for plays in Los Angeles so think about trying the stage this summer
• The time between pilot season and episodic season is a chance to update your resume, get new headshots and make sure your social media is an accurate representation of your brand as an actor
• Schedule meetings with your agent and manager to review how pilot season went and what you can do to prepare for episodic season
• Pull out that script you've wanted to complete and create a project that plays to your strengths
• Take an acting class or attend workshops in order to keep your acting skills sharp

Acting opportunities in Hollywood don't stop just because pilot season has ended for the year. It might take some extra effort on your part to find a project or a role that fits your skills. Just remember that it's worth the effort because you might find the part that kickstarts your career and helps you become a working actor.

This actor has booked a few roles since pilot season ended.

A Visit To The Voice

I had a chance last week to attend a taping of The Voice. I realize it is a live show but they do tape it for playback later on the West Coast. I enjoyed the experience but I'm not sure if I would do it again.

The show starts at 5pm on the West Coast. I went on a Tuesday which means I attended the one hour version of the show (the results show). Even though it starts at 5pm, audience members have to check-in much earlier.

I arrived for check-in around 1pm. My check-in time was 1:30pm but it is a good thing that I arrived early. I drove to one set of gates and was directed to another gate in order to get to the parking garage for the show. Once I got to the correct garage, I drove around for 10 minutes looking for a parking space. I was about to give up when a security guard waved me down to tell me that new parking spaces were being opened up. I just needed to follow the signs to the new parking area. I drove along the new path and ended up parking right in front of the check-in area.

Score one for me!

When you arrive at the check-in table, you need:

• Your ID
• A signed copy of the photo waiver that says they have the right to use your image during the show as well as in photos taken during the show
• A signed copy of the waiver that says you won't reveal what happened during the show until after the broadcast, not reveal trade secrets, etc.

There are two lines at the check-in area. The first is for people with priority seating and the other is for general admission/people who don't have reserved tickets but hope to see the show if possible. I made my way through the priority seating line and was directed to an area with a large tent.

I think it was around 1:45pm when I arrived at the tent. I wasn't sure what time it was because you are not allowed to take your phone with you after you check-in. Depending on when you arrive, and when you get back to your car after the show, you can spend a good 4-5 hours off the grid. 

The tent was the area where everybody that made it into the audience had to sit and wait. The paperwork for the show asked the audience to "dress to impress". Since it is a TV show, they want the audience to look stylish when the cameras do crowd shots. It was interesting to watch the crowd and see what some people consider stylish and impressive. Some of the outfits on display included:

• A newlywed male from Texas who was wearing the biggest belt buckle possible, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat that seemed to be glued to his head
• A female wearing a pink skirt, pink shoes and what might have been pink leggings but could have been pink short shorts
• A guy who denied that he had heard of Chance the Rapper even though he was wearing the same hat and outfit as Chance
• An assortment of plaid shorts that marked people as not being from Los Angeles 

There was music playing and food trucks for snacks but no clear indication of when we would be heading to the sound stage. After an undetermined amount of time, two guys approached the crowd to tell us what to expect during the show. They interacted with everybody by making jokes, answering questions and playing games.

Finally, it was time to head to the sound stage. The crowd was seated according to the color of the wristband you were given during check-in. You were either seated quickly or had to wait and see where the open seats were after the rest of the crowd entered the building.

Between the super long wait between check-in and going to the sound stage, and the loss of contact with the outside world, I was kind of over it by the time the show started at 5pm. 

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the show. I always find it interesting to watch how TV shows are put together. It is fascinating to watch a live TV production crew in action because the clock is constantly ticking for them during the show. The actual program was a little like being at church because there was a lot of standing and sitting and more standing and sitting and even more standing and sitting. The warm-up guy was good and got the crowd energized and ready for the show. He also came out during the commercial breaks and told us what was happening next and to be sure and stand and scream loudly for our favorite singers. Everybody followed their cues and made sure to show some love to the contestants as well as the judges.

One thing about being at a live TV show is the sound is certainly not the same as you hear on your TV. Because of the cheering of the crowd, it was next to impossible to hear Carson Daly at the start of the show and also at various points throughout the program. The judges are focused during the broadcast but they do interact with the audience a bit during the commercial breaks. The house band always sounds great on TV but they were loud and amazing in person. They played a variety of songs throughout the show and I came away very impressed with their skills as musicians.

The show wrapped up at 6pm and I was ready to hit the door and go home (and check my phone). Like I said, I enjoyed the show but there was way too much downtime between check-in and the start of the show. I understand the need to hype the crowd and explain the rules of attending the broadcast. However, that could have been done not long after we arrived instead of making everyone sit around for an hour (or more) after check-in.

I got back to my car around 6:30pm and was happy to be reunited with my phone. The two things I didn't understand about taking our phones were:

1. If one of the main features of the results show is a Twitter save, why do they deny the audience the chance to participate during the show they are attending?
2. Are they afraid the audience will post photos during the show on social media? It is being broadcast live to multiple time zones so it's not like many spoilers are going to happen.

BTW...I mentioned earlier that the producers of the show make you sign waivers that you bring to the show. If one of the waivers deals with not talking about what goes on behind the scenes of the show, why am I discussing my day in detail?

They never asked for any of the paperwork at check-in. They also never asked for it before we entered the sound stage or after the show. It never occurred to me they didn't ask for the paperwork until after I got home and emptied my pockets.

If you are a big fan of The Voice, or of hanging out under a tent with hundreds of strangers, I recommend trying to get tickets to see a live taping of The Voice. It is one of those "Hollywood experiences" that everyone should have a chance to enjoy if possible.

This actor was at an audition during the taping of the show.

All The World Is A Stage

The Artist had an audition last night for a play. While this isn't his usual type of acting gig, he has performed in plays in the past.

Zach arrived at the theater and was greeted by a long-haired dachshund and four older gentlemen who looked like they were booked by Central Casting to play the part of theater directors. They were dressed in a variety of hats and scarves and sat in the shadows to observe the proceedings happening on the stage.

After the initial introductions ended, Zach was called up to the stage to perform his scene, The character was a smarty pants teenager having a conversation with his mother. He performed the scene with a reader sitting to the side of the stage. The scene ended and there was silence in the room. Finally, the guy in charge of the group of theater people said this insightful comment:

"Huh."

Silence once again filled the room as everyone tried to determine what he meant by that one word comment. Zach was the first to speak up:

"I have absolutely no idea what that comment could possibly mean."

Everybody laughed and the audition director gave Zach a few notes while looking at his resume. The director noticed all of the comedy and improv in his background and remarked that he had perfect training to play a kid with a smart mouth. After a few more jokes back and forth, they started the scene again. Zach got halfway through when the director said that was enough. Of course, Zach was afraid that he had missed a line or not followed the directions properly. Instead, the director said:

"Callbacks are Monday night at 8pm. Can you be here???"

After agreeing to the time and date, Zach was dismissed from the stage.

Think good thoughts for him over the weekend and into Monday night for his callback. He is okay with not getting much in the way of conversation from the folks running the audition as long as they keep inviting him back to the theater.

This actor also has a stand-up comedy gig next week.