New Work

March and April are shaping up to be busy months.

Last weekend, I was an extra in Ishu Krishna's first feature length film Arrange to Settle. I was part of the opening montage, and I'm part of a series of men the lead actress dates. I walk up the sidewalk, wave to her and we hug hello in front of the restaurant.

This weekend, I'll be shooting my first speaking part in Phillip Yang's student film, The Last Job being shot at George Mason University. And next month, I'll be in a leading role in a Masters Thesis film, Unhinged, directed by Janelle Bowe at Howard University.

So You're an Actor Now?

I went on my first film audition Saturday, Feb 26. I just got the part.

Its been 20 years since I auditioned for anything. Back then, it was high school drama productions. They were usually pretty frustrating affairs. Many of the productions were musicals, and I couldn't sing or dance, so I was left playing the heavy: Big Jule in Guys & Dolls, or the Russian Constable in Fiddler on the Roof.

Back then, a friend told me about a casting going on for extras in Dead Poet's Society. I was a junior in high school, and took off from Career Week to be in the film. I think I worked about four days, and was amazed at the process of filmmaking. Because the set was a courtyard, they left many of the extras in place as they re-set the camera and lights. I wanted to keep working in film, but it didn't seem possible at the time. I went to college and studied art, and began my career in graphics.

Fast forward to 2007: Body of Lies was shooting in my neighborhood, and was looking for extras. I had such a great time that again I wanted to work in film professionally. I hooked up with a local crew and PA'd on a short film and I again wanted to get into it, but my life was making big shifts, and I had to focus on buying a house, and raising my first child.

Its when I was home with her that I thought about film again. I got inspired by a viral video clip of Michael Emerson in an industrial video, and the thought that down the road he would become Benjamin Linus on LOST.

I was browsing craigslist when I saw an ad seeking actors for an industrial film. My thinking was, If I could be an extra, I should try for nonspeaking roles. If I could do that, I could grow into a speaking role. I already had a job, I didn't need to make a lot of money, but would't it be great if...

So I went in the basement, took a headshot of myself, and sent it in.

I didn't hear anything for almost a year. But last month, a talent agent who had cast the industrial film called to see if I was interested in trying out for a commercial. I went, but I was out of my league. It was so exciting that I decided to keep trying, but I wanted to start building my reel for the next opportunity. I signed up to be an extra in an independent film, and met a great group of people who like me weren't professional actors, but were trying. I started lining up auditions and potential shoots. My wife is not sure what to make of it, but she's very supportive.

When I went to this audition, I explained that I didn't have speaking experience, and that I'd be happy to play Policeman #2, etc. The director emailed to say that part had been edited out, but that she felt I could handle a much larger speaking role.

How to fix your Byline app (iPhone)

Saturday, I noticed that my favorite RSS reader Byline had an updated version available. When I installed it, it froze and crashed. Opened it again. Crash. Again, crash.

I figured out a workaround:

1) Delete the app from your iPhone

2) Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, and install the old version.

3) Before opening Byline, update the app on the iphone through the app store, then open it, enter your google info and enjoy.

This worked for me. I hope this helps until it gets fixed.

UPDATE Phantom Fish has updated Byline. Its available now in the app store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/byline/id284946773?mt=8