Another Gleeful Day

Hey everyone,
I've been super busy with editing my documentary, Volviendo

www.volviendo.org

and writing a screenplay for a friend that I haven't done a lot of acting. However, I did get another chance to do background on Glee. I thought I'd post this up for you guys just so you can begin to get an idea of how common it is for people around here to randomly work on large productions. It is a lot of fun, yes, but my goal is for all of you to be a little less star-struck by it all. LA has a massive facade, and YOU join me in digging deeper without driving down here and clogging up the freeways even more.
What I think is the best part of all of these huge productions is LUNCH TIME WITH NEW FRIENDS. For example...



Meet "Soundsplosion"!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Soundsplosion/168382873221060
We were all hired to act as a Glee Club from somewhere in the US that made it to Nationals. We decided that we're all from Hawaii, though our true ethnicities range from Venezuela to English, American mutt (me), Puerto Rican, and African-American. But it was, in the end, Brian's Hawaiian that we all agreed on, since we all loved hangin' out in the sun on break.

The name "Soundsplosion" was one of the names written down on a prop on set. The prop was a board that listed the names of the winners. They decided we were one of them!! Whoot Whoot! So we picked the name fourth or fifth from the top (I can't tell you whether or not "The New Directions" were on the list, or else I will get in trouble.)

Anyway, I'll keep you all posted. I would love to take some Improv classes in the summer, if the good Lord wills. They're aboute $300 a semester, but improv experience really boosts my chances at landing a lot of roles, especially COMMERCIALS. If you feel inclined to contribute, please click the donate button on the left, and it'll show you how.

Thanks for reading and watching! I'll keep you posted on the heat of my iron,
Phillip

Keep Phillip's Iron Hot GLEE

JUMP ON THE SET OF GLEE WITH ME!

Follow me around on the set of GLEE as I show you the ins and outs of background acting with my new friends, the GLEERATS. Also, meet a special blog guest cast member from Glee!

Keeping Phillip's Iron Hot 4-21-11

KEEP POSTED FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS OF MY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE ON the show "_L_ _ "

VIDEO UPDATE: CAZT and NYFA... in ONE day!

The Kiss(es)

So I kissed the girl. In fact, I kissed two girls... twice. Man, what a day. I hope I get the part, but I'll be alright if I don't.

But before the kiss, I went to an audition just for background of a music video. In the audition, the lady saw that I can play the piano (on my resume) and told me to come for another audition at 5! So I had three auditions today! Talk about doin' the runaround in Hollywood. But I had a blast, and I met a couple of really cool girls - Arlene and Mariah. We had lunch at In 'N Out (always good). I need to remember to take pictures for you guys to enhance your blog experience. I'll do so from now on!

Peace.

-Phillip

The Kissing Question

Alright guys,

I'm in a dilemma. Yesterday I auditioned for a New York Film Academy short film. I play the best friend of the main character who has a crush on her, but I don't confess it until the end... AND THEN WE KISS. It's a good little story, and I like my character AND they called me back and said they want to see "kissing chemistry" between me and a potential girl for the role. So what do you think? Should I do it?

Keep this in mind - I have had ONE kiss in the last TWO YEARS. It's kind of a big deal (trying to save all the rest for my future wife.) But I think that I would agree to kiss someone if the project was bigger than just a student film. But that's selfish of me to consider this short film as unworthy of my kiss just cause I'm not getting paid a bunch... or at all.

So what do you think? Is this a good reason to kiss someone else? Should I only kiss if I'm a paid actor? Should I never kiss? Leave me your response either here or on Facebook.

VIDEO UPDATE!!

VIDEO UPDATE! Need I say more?

-Phillip

Face Time With Casting Director!!

Hey guys! I hope you're enjoying my new blog. Check out my reel below if you haven't.

Vikie, my (AMAZING) consultant at AIA Actors Studio gave mention to an opening in an opportunity to get face time with Casting Directors Megan Foley and Chuck Marra in a 3-session class on commercial acting. The cost is $99.00 for me. I would love to take it, but the cost is just a bit too much. However, if I toss in $45, and you guys match me, I'm in! To throw in your two cents, click on the PayPal "donate" button to the left.

-Phillip

Below is more information on the class:

Class Description

Each section in this 3-week workshop builds on the week before, in order to give each actor a more detailed understanding of the casting process. We want our actors to understand the purposes of each step of casting; from prepping a job, to first calls, and on through callbacks. When actors understand the casting process from a casting director’s point of view, they simply audition better.

Week 1: Interviews and Improvs

Every audition, whether you’ve realized it or not, contains an interview. This all-important phase of the casting process, sets most actors on edge. In week one, we will work to make each actor see what’s needed in the interview and teach each actor how to use this step to relax, focus and charge them up for the audition that follows.

Week 2: Short copy and working with a partner

So many actors dread the ‘one-line’ audition. So many actors wring the life out of the 2 or 3 line auditions, and we hear so many actors blame their scene partners in the audition, for not getting the role. This week we focus on these ‘problems’ in the audition process.

Week 3: Long Copy

This week we concentrate on working with long copy. We focus on 1) several very effective line learning techniques, 2) what’s underneath the copy, 3) what the clients are looking for, and 4) really using adjustments by directors and casting directors.

Instructor Bio

Megan Foley and Chuck Marra have been casting and teaching for over 20 years, which means they have a lot of knowledge and experience to draw on. They’ve cast over 3000 commercials, films, television shows and plays. Megan is one of the nicest casting professionals you well ever meet. Chuck is also an actor, and is a master at improv. And both of them are truly actor's advocates. They're currently working on spots for Prim Valley Casino, a video game, and the feature Blake's Country.

Megan on IMDb

Chuck on IMDb

My Acting Stuff

So this is my (incomplete) acting reel. It includes a scene from the gripping short film "Paying Tribute" that I did with Kaila Criscione at USC, and most recently a scene that I shot this month from "The Social Network" (yes, I play Mark Zuckerberg) by JP from CSUN.

My Passion and Reason to Act

After years of spiritual maturity, I had denied this passion, sought God, and found myself back in Los Angeles for the purposes of acting (not on my own accord, but on the accord of my dad, who is a firm believer in striking hot iron.) So, by February, here I was again, “called by God” to strike the iron of the acting world. And yet I hated the rat race of the industry, I didn’t believe in the false hope of fame, and I couldn’t justify the investment of acting.

But, as I shared this struggle with my fellows here in LA, I was told that acting might not simply be my calling, but my enjoyment, my rest, my worship to God. Who says I’m here to join the rat race? Who says I’m here to be famous? Who says my investment would be a waste? And so, while I wage war against this present darkness, I can rest in the enjoyment I find while holding a script to speak and an audience to entertain. And while everyone else enters an audition hoping to “make it,” I know that I have already made it. It is a security that will no doubt shine in this shady place.

And upon such an epiphany, I suddenly found myself desiring to act more and more with every day. I asked my friends to take headshots, I edited my first acting reel, and I took classes – more and more and more classes!!! … And then I ran out of money…

So here I am, driven with an unstoppable determination – not for money, not for fame, not for respect, but for acting. Having offered this controversial art form to God with opened hands, I trust that this desire is from Him. Many of you may have already believed that of me, but such a process was necessary for me to believe it myself.

-Phillip