Nothin' like a little Nativity action

For the past couple years I've acted in a short sketch on Christmas Eve to dramatize the message of Christmas. This year, and for the first time in my life, I had a puppet as a co-star.

We affectionately called her, "Fluffy,"

Shots by Jason Roche

Trailer to Enemy of Mine

Triton Hotel (Kimpton) posted on their site

http://www.kimptonhotels.com

Yes, I'm wearing a robe, a giraffe print robe. 

Enemy of Mine

One great way to get a film produced is to have a DEADLINE. So many films never get completed and end up staying in post-production limbo but.. when you enter a contest you have some incentive. We had 48hrs to complete a short film and I'm glad to say we did and it turned out awesome. It was for the
http://www.producersguild.org/?Shorts_contest so as soon as the judging happens I'll post a link on Vimeo! Here's a couple shots from the set!

My friend Tammy came to do hair! Theresa, getting her hair done, has been a long time friend on numerous sets and so fun to work together!

 Director -Kerwin Kuniyoshi & Director of Photography-Jerry Yoon storyboarding.

 Set designers-post-apocolyptic space.

 Sun beat and dirty-me

I'm in the Semi-Finals for MADMEN casting call

Thank you for those who supported and voted.

Now, creator and producer Mathew Weiner will choose someone for a walk-on role and a Banana Republic gift card. Two runners up will also receive a gift card.

View the finalists on this link: http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/browse/top10

Hotel Triton

Shooting a spot for the very creative and artisitc HOTEL TRITON (a Kimpton Hotel).


Working with reknown photographer CRIS MOLINA.
This guy has been all over the world and worked with Elle Magazine (USA, and Turkey), Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Kimpton and Hyatt Hotels, Coca-Cola Company (Europe, Asia, and USA), Time Warner Music, HBO, Fox Networks, Neiman Marcus, Armani, Donna Karan and, Oscar De La Renta to name a few. 

I signed a contract saying I wouldn't post any pics from the shoot or blog about what we are doing/wearing. So I will honor that.

All I can say is that I really like this hotel and I am glad I get to represent them!

Good

Did a photo shoot for GOOD TECHNOLOGIES. www.good.com

Photographer was CURTIS MYERS. Check out his stuff: www.curtismyers.com
Gotta love this: How I found the studio.

Casting Call

One of my fave shows is having a contest so I entered!!

It's easy to vote, you just login w/ Facebook or Twitter, or your email! And you can vote very day, once daily, until September 9th!
Vote here:

MAD MEN CASTING CALL

HUGE THANKS to my good friend John Meyer who took the photo for me!

Westerns

Shots by Mark Holthusen!

http://www.markholthusen.com/

For behind the scenes the day of the shoot, and the inspiration for these covers, you can read this blog entry. 

Knife Fight

This week I had a "featured role" in Knife Fight, a filmed directed by Bill Guttentag (who happens to be a professor at Stanford).

A featured Role basically means I'm in a scene interacting with a principal character but no lines and most likely no credit. But hey I was glad to do it as there a lots of great actors in this flick like Rob Lowe, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Julie Bowen--the mom on MODERN FAMILY.

The film deals with the dark side of political operatives.

I got to play a liberal political blogger.

Here I am with actress Jamie Chung. I had never heard of her but she's been in a lot of films, (just in the Hangover part 2 as the main guy Ed Helms' Fiancee). Basically in the scene her character talks to me, a blogger, and I just get to nod my head.



That is Bill the director in the pic above.
The scene was filmed in the Honey Honey (Crepe) cafe in San Francisco.

Much Ado about SOMETHING Amazing!

I tried to turn it down a couple times. My life always seems so full as it is. I shuttered at how much work it would involve volunteering with twelve kids attempting to perform Shakespeare (in the original language), especially twelve kids with English as a second language. And as far as I knew none had ever acted in any capacity before. It seemed quite challenging.  But I'm extremely glad I didn't miss this opportunity. About six weeks ago, because of the encouragement of a passionate parent/neighbor of mine,  I sat down with this local committed teacher, Sarah Coyle, who explained her big dream: to give her kids an opportunity to do something they'd never done before (and might not ever get a chance to do). Due to many school district cuts, public schools have no room for extras, let alone the arts. My heart melted and I agreed to direct this group of 4th and 5th grade students in scenes from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing."

I first only agreed to one hour a week. The realized it needed to be two, then three hours, and on some weeks four hours with the last week being as much time as I could! And with a lot of prayer we pulled off two performances on Friday and I must say, they nailed it! I was so proud of them. (We have one show left next week). Needless to say I grew in love with them (even when they forget their lines and add lib things about Chuck E.  Cheese and Red Lobster. Yes it happened, and it was one of the funniest moments in the performance).

My mother-in-law painted facial hair for the guys. It added so much and gave them a boost of character.

The backdrop/set was designed and constructed in a great community collaboration (I love this word).
It all started from my neighbor who connected me to the school. Then she and another friend who is a part of my Church designed/painted the set. It's beautiful.

5th grade Victoria, in blue below, plays Beatrice. She will also get a scholarship to attend Broadway By the Bay's Youth Theatre Conservatory! There was even an article written about her and our production on Patch.com Read it here. http://redwoodcity.patch.com/articles/whiz-kid-performs-shakespearean-comedy.

The kids had never experienced wearing a microphone before. Having amplification added so much to the performance.

 My long time friend, Erica Wyman (actor and director as well, below in the pink), with her Broadway by the Bay connections hooked me with the Boys and Girls' club two years ago. And now she agreed to help partner in this little production. She arranged a great sound system and invited Broadway by The Bay's Development Director Tyler Bennet and Executive Director Jim Gardia, to watch the show. They greeted the kids afterward and just gushed all over them which made the kids feel so amazing! We are so thankful to Broadway by the Bay for covering our costumes, as well! They were a perfect fit for the show!

My favorite part was hearing the kids' reactions. They knew they had accomplished something beyond their abilities, they felt good about themselves, experienced teamwork, and they were already dreaming about a "Midsummer Night's Dream for next year"....We'll see about that..

Cisco Eos

Updated Demo Reel

Tony Gapastione Demo Reel 2 from Tony Gapastione on Vimeo.

Producing a short film

I'm creating a short film. It will be a short film for the 168 Film Project in LA.  It's a "speed film-making project so we have one week to write the script and one week to film & edit it.

If you'd like to participate in any way, (acting or behind the scenes crew) I have some needs.

SHOOTING  SCHEDULE:THURSDAY 2/17 START & FILM MUST BE EDITED AND OVERNIGHTED TO LA BY THURSDAY 2/24.

All films screen in Hollywood at the 168 Film Festival on March 31 -April 2, 2011.

We are also looking for donations to rent gear & provide food for the crew & talent who are volunteering for the fun & creativity of it.


More soon.