One of the best acting classes

Here's some pics of the class of kids I get to hang out with on Thursday nights. It's one of the highlights of my week. These guys (and there are more girls in the class than pictured but most of all left before we started taking the pics).

By a gracious grant from the Black Eyed Peas these kids have a phenomenal space to work their creativity. Full dance studio, computer lab for editing videos, and an amazing sound studio to record their music. It's a very amazing thing that they chose Redwood City to be a site! Watch the Video.

Each weeknight they have electives like acting, movie editing, sound mixing, dance, etc. in which they can take. It's a great program in association with Broadway by the Bay that I am so blessed to be a part of it. I come home full and energized with these kids' stories. All of them learning skills and developing their talents to make a difference and live a better story than the streets are offering them. We are working on improv skills, acting for the camera, and most of all, learning to tell (and live) a story that is worth watching (and living).

These kids are talented, amazing, and the future!

Halloween 2009

Halloween is an excuse for all people to let out a little creative expression... or just good old fashioned play time. An actor's dream.

Trauma

Thankful that SF has a new show fully shot up here on location and in Treasure Island studios. (Hasn't been a show in ten years where all production is in SF). Trauma has been shooting up here since February and so far people are saying it is the new "ER." Please support it because it's great for our Bay Area economy and actors! I was a stand-in (for more info on what that is see this post) on Trauma this week. Of course I didn't get to do any acting but it was fun that I got to hang out on set, have some good conversations with fellow aspiring actors, and watch some great movie-like stunts on set.
I also got to hang out and watch the director, Jeff Reiner, in action. It was really cool and then I was talking with this guy behind the cameras (for like a minute) who then tells me he's Dario Scardapane, creator/exec. producer and writer. Dang, that was cool, and he was super friendly. Hear an interview with him here.

I'm praying that some day I'll get to work more on the show (or any show or film for that matter) other than just some extra work and maybe get a line...or two, or five.....someday. Here's for hoping.

Watch Trauma Monday Nights, 9pm, on NBC.

My 3rd BDFI shoot

In Gunshy, I was an medical insurance reviewer held hostage by a patient whose
case I had to dismiss. She was obviously not happy.


In the scene I come to consciousness tied up in a strange place and have to face my captor.

Another BDFI shoot

Just shot another scene with the Berkeley Digital Film Institute. I got connected through my last project there (and still have one more project to complete with another student). Although it's all gratis, it's fun to work with dedicated students who work hard because then I get more practice, get to make some new connections/friendships, and possibly get stuff to use for my real! It's also a bonus when you get to shoot in a coffee shop (Village Grounds Cafe) and drink your favorite espresso drinks (Soy White Mocha) while filming through the night (when I work best)! Thanks to Adria (director) and the whole crew, especially Brooke the barista slash production assistant.

Notice the rascally Alfalfa hair...

6th year with IADC

IADC stands for International Defense Counsel. This is my 6th year acting as a witness for this very prestigious training ground for up and coming lawyers held at Stanford University. Here's a shot from one of Stanford's courtrooms.

BDFI

Rehearsal in the park.


Just worked on a student short with the Berkeley Digital Film Institute (BDFI). It was my first time hearing of them and working with them. The student team I worked with did a great job, they were very professional and took their project seriously. I really liked working with them and got hopeful for the talent that is in the Bay Area. I hope we have more great directors and producers who stick around San Francisco and bring some great film work here.

I played something all too close to home for a lot of people right now: someone who lost his job and hasn't been able to find work. He has a "Chance Meeting," with a former co-worker of his who's very stressed and caught up in her deadlines. Their conversation reminds both of them of the pluses and minuses of having a job and how easy it is to be enslaved by a job one minute and lose your job the next minute.

Chance Meeting from Lyniel on Vimeo.