Wishing humble pie was cherry instead

Posted on April 29, 2009

I write this with a tinge of sadness and disappointment, but life must go on.

I finally have admitted to myself that I need to find a 2nd job.  Waiting tables, dog walking…basically whatever will be flexible enough to keep me in pursuit of my passion.  It’s been a good 5 years since I had one.  I’ve taken freelance work here and there, but I need more income.  I’m having to swallow some pride.   It feels like a defeat, but I am still hopeful and faithful that I will once again be able to support myself and my family by being an actor.

I remember telling my late grandfather that I would be content waiting tables for the rest of my life if it meant I could still pursue acting.  A Depression era survivor, this amazed him at the time, and he really couldn’t believe it.  I also remember a few years later, I faced a crossroads and was weighing the options of leaving my path or staying the course.  He turned my words against me in the most inspirational and encouraging way…and I picked up the heavy suitcase of my calling and headed on down the road.

Here I am again, and I doubt this will be the last time.  Sometimes I wish I were a musician, then I could always go to my instument and create.  My art unfortunately requires quite a few more people.

I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  And if you have any leads or ideas I would appreciate them greatly.  I get confused and disillusioned.  I’m not quitting, and check back for updates.  But now comes the hustle of maneuvering schedules, having people cover my shifts because of auditions, and getting managers frustrated at me because Red Lobster isn’t my #1 priority.

It’s funny, I’ve done this twice before…I got a job at Houston’s (a GREAT restaurant-woulda made 3K/month in tips alone) and had to quit 4 days into training to get my SAG card.  Then again, a couple of years ago, a friend got me a job at McCormick and Schmicks.  Same story.  3 days into training, I had to be scruffy for a commercial I had booked the next day.  Got canned.  Maybe it’ll be that way again for my series regular role on the next Seinfeld.

Oh well, a boy can dream…

Trifecta

Posted on April 16, 2009

Today was a great day.  One of those you just enjoy living.

At 10:45 am I had voice-over auditions at Imperium-7 (my agent) for Walmart and a pretty sweet new video game.

At 12:45 pm I had an on-camera commercial audition with Crash Casting for the new 2010 NCAA football video game.  It features the Florida Gators, which totally sucks because, for those of you who don’t know, I am a MASSIVE Tennessee Volunteer and we are bitter enemies in South Eastern Conference football.  However, this isn’t football….it’s a commercial, and one I could make some great coin on, too.  My arms might never forgive me if I have to Gator chomp, though.

At 2:45 pm I had 2 Co-Star auditions for a new TV show called Secret Girlfriends that is coming to Comedy Central.  Right up my alley.  The script seems pretty freaking hilarious.  As it should be with Comedy Central, I suppose.  The casting director was so nice, and we joked around quite a bit.  Mostly about the people running around the office that were working on America’s Got Talent.  They were crazy.  But both of my reads went really well.  She laughed a lot and said “perfect” and “great”.  You know, all the stuff an actor likes to hear.  We’ll see.

So…it isn’t so much the hope for booking these jobs.  It is, don’t get me wrong, I would pee for joy, but it’s also about being an actor.  Running around L.A.  Going from Mid-Wilshire over to the Valley and then to Burbank.  My dufflebag with different wardrobe choices in the back seat.  My janky brown suitcase full of sides (my lines) and headshots.  Eating lunch on the run.  Awkwardly putting in my contacts in my car.  Checking my nose for boogers before I go in.  It makes me come alive!  Not necessarily the boogers….

Point is, I had a wonderful day!  I am so blessed to be able to pursue my dreams.  To have these wonderful opportunities.  If bookings come, then great, and if not, well, I’ll just stay positive, keep doing my best, praying, and looking forward to whatever is next.

Glad you’re here with me!

About the picture….for those of you that bleed Orange, you know I had to do it…GO VOLS!!!

Voice-Over Booking!!!

Posted on April 8, 2009

I just booked a voice-over for McDonald’s!  I get to record it tomorrow morning at 9 am.  Funny that my last post was talking about my frustration with VO, huh?

It will be a radio spot.  Not sure if you’ll get to hear it…I’ll try and get a copy of it to post up here.  The breakdown wanted it to be as close to Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer from NBC’s 30 Rock) as possible.  I’m so excited!!!!!  I think it’s an ad that pushes their new frufru coffee drinks.

Just so happy and thankful right now!  Celebrate with me!  Woohoo!

No more Hay or Wax on Wax off

Posted on April 7, 2009

Hey friends.  Sorry again for the truant post.  Things have been pretty great!

I was on avail for Subway!  Shoulda let you guys know, I know!  It didn’t work out.  It would have shot the 1st and 2nd of April.  So close, yet so far away.  But it was great to see Abby Miller again!  She played my wife in one of my State Farm spots.  We went in to the original Subway audition serendipitously, then both got a callback, and then got to go into the callback together as well.  She has the most positive outlook on life and career stuff.  She’s one of those people you leave a conversation with feeling hopeful about, well, everything.

Makin’ Hay closed on Sunday.  This is always a bittersweet ordeal.  You get so close to people when you work with them, and are holed up in a dressing room with them and their B.O.  A bond is formed.  And it sucks to break it.  But, it will be great to have my weekends back again.  My friend Robbie is in “The Lion King” in Vegas.  Guy does a show every day, and twice a day on weekends.  Course he gets paid pretty well for it, but still.  I might kill a wildebeast or two in my downward spiral to insanity if I were him.

I had a great time doing the show.  Not sure if musicals are my bag, but everyone was really incredible to work with…truly.  You don’t get that very often.  Actors, egos, one spotlight…I mean, sometimes there’s conflict…sometimes quite a bit.  But these people were so giving of themselves.  On and off the stage.  They really welcomed me in and made me feel at home.  And I enjoyed the role.  Dumb hick roles (a la George Clooney in O! Brother Where Art Thou?”) are not the biggest stretch for me artistically, but it was really fun, and I needed to be in front of an audience again.  Feed my soul.

I had a couple of commercial auditions last week.  One for Subaru with Cathi Carlton, and then a Klondike with Joe Blake.  Both of the callbacks are scheduled for after Easter so I’ll keep you posted.  The Klondike involves getting my chest waxed on camera.  Eeeesshhh.  As long as they pay me and it airs like crazy for 30 years.

I had an audition for a pilot too!!!  My fist one!!!  2 lines.  Guy selling suits out of a van.  He’s supposed to be menacing and smarmy.  I feel my look is more everyman funny best friend, but I can do anything.  I’m an actor, right?  Still.  2 lines?  They need to cast someone who looks menacing and smarmy…I would.  But it was still a blast.  Gotta love going out for Film and TV no matter what.

Voice-over auditions have been pretty steady as well.  I tell you now, as I’ve told you before…breaking into VO has got to be the hardest aspect of the business.  It’s so frustrating, but I love it.  I may take a class to change things up a bit, get some inspiration, but I don’t know.

Speaking of class, Tom Irwin’s Monday night class is amazing!  I finished up last night with my scene from “All my Sons” by Arthur Miller, and have now been given “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck.  “Which way did he go, George?”

© Copyright www.mattloweactor.com • Developed by LightsOn Web Solutions • Theme by Brian Gardner.