Coincidence?

It's been a week of luck and coincidence; or has it?

Coincidence #1, Gretchen and I really wanted to see the special member's only screening of "Sunset Boulevard" that the Film Society was presenting last Tuesday at the Broadway. So I was a little disappointed last Monday when I picked up a second day on "Guide to Life" a.k.a., "Good Luck Charlie: The Movie". But, money is money and I was enjoying the work as well as seeing friends I hadn't worked with in over a year. Four o'clock rolled around, I called Gretchen and told her it looked like another full twelve or thirteen hour day. Imagine my surprise when we were wrapped only forty –five minutes later, I was able to make it to "Sunset Boulevard" after all.

Coincidence #2, we have season tickets at Pioneer Memorial Theatre and the next show on our program is Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard". Before the movie started, the Film Society emcee, stated that the Film Society's screening and PMT's presentation of the musical were not, as I assumed, brilliant cross promotion, but strictly coincidence.

Coincidence #3, on this day in 2002, the brilliant writer and director of "Sunset Boulevard" Billy Wilder, died at the age of 95.

Coincidence #4, Gloria Swanson died at the age of 84 on my birthday in 1983.

Before last Tuesday, I'd never seen "Sunset Boulevard". I probably saw bits and pieces of it on KSL's "Big Money Movie" or KUTV's "2 on the Aisle" but I'd never rented it or watched it from beginning to end. The Film Society found a pretty good print and what a treat to see such a classic on the big screen at the Broadway. Eleven Oscar nominations and three wins, I've never seen the 1950 Best Picture or Best Actress winners, after Tuesday I don't know how they could have beat "Sunset Boulevard".

The writing, music, the performances of the other actors all pale when compared to the performance of Gloria Swanson. Its Swanson's acting and performance in "Sunset Boulevard" that I would like to concentrate on. I've been called a physical actor; Swanson's performance could be a Master's thesis in physicality. Although Swanson was one of the few actors who successfully made the transition to "talkies" her career declined soon after and based on "Sunset Boulevard" I have no idea why. Perhaps then as now, even for a highly skilled actress, having birthdays is a career killer. The ability to convey emotions strictly through physicality and expressions demonstrates, I believe, a truly skilled and talented actor. The looks, the body movements, even the way Swanson grabbed William Holden's arm, fingers gripping him in claw like fashion, was classic. The emotional arc of Swanson's character was wide, dramatic and, when needed, subtle. If you're an actor or director whose only seen Gloria Swanson in "Airport 1975" or in the 1966 episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies" that bears her name, I'd urge you to get a copy of "Sunset Boulevard" (I've added it to my Amazon Wish List) and study not only some great performances, but the work of a truly great writer and director in the person of Billy Wilder.

Without the ability to show emotion through speech patterns, silent film actors, were probably better actors. I wonder if acting schools or workshops ever assign modern actors to study these incredibly talented people and their performances.

Everything fell into place so I could see "Sunset Boulevard" last Tuesday, I learned a lot from the movie and it was entertaining as well. So until next week, I'll see you on location, on set or in the studio, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

 

Feedback, not playback…

There was a short span of forty-four years between my first and second "real" auditions. Unfortunately, the first has been entirely forgotten, (thanks to a drug induced stupor, but that's another episode of "Oprah"). I walked out of that second audition forty three years, ten months and twenty some odd days (but who's counting) higher than a kite. I mean I hit that sucker out of the ballpark! (At least I thought so.)

The casting director, (who will remain anonymous) had me go through the dialogue twice, pausing only to give a few bits of direction between the first and second run through. And then came the feedback, "very nice, thank you".

I called my agent and after a thorough interrogation, learned absolutely nothing.

A few months later another film, another audition, but this time a different casting director. This time though different feedback; he said, "thank you, that was very good".

Another call to the agent, more interrogation and then she called back, "______, said you were too big." Too big, how can you be too big for "_________________".

If the common consensus is true and we actors are a totally insecure bunch of psychos, why did we choose a profession that requires a never ending job search?

I don't know, I studied business, economics and history in college, not psychology.

I do know that three times in the last seven or eight months I've received unsolicited emails from directors and casting folks after an audition. In each instance, they were very complimentary of my work and told me I was too old or in one case, the wrong color. In each case, those emails made me feel almost (Note: I said, "Almost") as good as if I'd received a call back or booked the role.

Honest feedback helps me to know what I need to do next time. I bring this up because in a recent meeting with my agent, he asked me about some (in my mind positive) feedback he'd forwarded about me and some other actors from our agency. Apparently, I was one of the few, maybe the only one, who was grateful to get it. (Note to Casting Folks: I promise I won't grovel and claim I can play taller, shorter or a thirty-something female.)

If I can't or don't hire an acting coach or invest in either private or group lessons, then I'll never progress. If I don't have the courage to read reviews of my work or listen to fellow actors at the end of the day, I'll stagnate.

So, at the end of the day, I want constructive criticism and feedback from the casting director, the director or my fellow actors. How about you?

Let's talk about it next time we're together on location, on set or in the studio…

 

Acting is hard work

Acting is hard work. I shot a short yesterday, three pages, four actors and my part was over and done with after six and a half hours. I've had longer days; I'm a veteran of one of those eighteen and a half hour "High School Musical 3" days that was followed by thirteen hours on "Bible Stories". (I was up THIRTY-NINE straight hours for those two shooting days.) I did that sixteen hour, outdoor shoot (in was it October or November?) at the Gateway for "Waiting for Forever" (aptly named). I've had earlier call times, this one was only an hour earlier than what I'm used to five days a week. This project was shot less than three miles from home, I've had to travel farther to get to set (refer to the abovementioned "Bible Stories" shot a gazillion miles West of Lehi.)

So why did I fall asleep for five hours yesterday afternoon (yes, and evening) after I got home?

I've often joked that a man is only allotted so many overnight shoots in his life; this certainly wasn't one of those.

Acting is hard work, and it wasn't until I started acting that I realized how physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting it is. I don't know if it's the need to constantly be "on" for hours on end or if it's the repetition of the same emotions time and again. It's probably both. In my role yesterday I had to tell the parents of a nine year old that their daughter has cancer. I got to the place I needed to be by reliving my real life experience of telling my sister that our mother had cancer. (My own little "Stanislavsky moment, but at the same time, the DP commented positively about my physicality.)

I've had roles with more dialogue, I've had more emotional roles and I've even had roles with no dialogue which were far more demanding from the perspective of physicality. What I haven't had until yesterday was a role that was an emotionally draining "Perfect Storm". Since I started acting again nearly three years ago, I've developed an appreciation for what my fellow actors do. I constantly find myself sub-consciously dissecting roles and scenes wondering how they did it and what it took. Natalie Portman in "Black Swan" is a recent example.

But I do love it; the drive for perfection, being "on" for your fellow actors, showing the director that they made the best choice when they cast you for the role, the inner satisfaction that comes from knowing you did your best.

So, Dawn thanks for a good script, a good cast and crew and thanks for the opportunity to practice my craft.

I guess the only time acting is hard work is when you do it right. I can't wait until the next time I'm with my friends on location, on set or in the studio…

Thank you…

One of the many virtues that my parents taught and hopefully instilled in me is gratitude. With the passage this afternoon of HB 99, I feel compelled to thank everyone who was involved in the process and worked to make HB 99 the law. And through this blog, I'm urging everyone to follow suit and also thank those involved.

First, to the officers, board members and members of the MPAU for their time, money and energy to get an incentive program passed and, with the passage of HB 99, improved. If you're not a member of MPAU, please join, if you are a member, renew your membership. (Mine expires this month, but I am committing through this post tonight to renew.)

Next, I'd like to thank Representative Greg Hughes for his sponsorship of HB 99. I'm certain that there are a lot of groups and organizations who would love to have a sponsor of Mr. Hughes' stature on their side. I'm a student and an observer of politics. At a time when many states are reducing or eliminating their film incentive programs, we can all be thankful that ours is coming out of this year's legislative session better.

Next, I'd like to thank all the members of the House and Senate who voted in favor of HB 99. In particular, I'd like to thank the members who took time to respond to my emails extolling the virtues of HB 99. Admittedly there were a few who declined to support the bill, but at least they were honest and allowed me to address their concerns and hopefully I educated a few of them.

A special thanks goes out to the members of the "Executive Appropriations Committee". We're still in some pretty difficult economic times; across the nation the states are faced with $125 BILLION DOLLARS in combined deficits and I know I wouldn't want the job of divvying up the state's tax and revenue pie.

Governor Herbert, I understand you were involved in some meetings about HB 99 last night. In anticipation of your signing it into law, thank you.

We can't forget Charlie Evans either. Charlie is the lobbyist the MPAU hired to educate the members about our bill and its benefits. The employees of the Film Commission are barred by law from lobbying. But they've been instrumental in gathering the facts and figures needed to educate the Legislators regarding the benefits of first, SB 14 and this year HB 99. So, Marshall, Trevor, Ricky, Tammy, Mimi and Tommy (I hope I didn't miss anyone) thank you for all your work, not only during the legislative session, but the other 320 days of the year too!

Finally, to my facebook, acting and movie crew friends who responded to my requests to write and call members of the House and Senate, thank you. I value our friendship and I hope that I didn't come off too strong with my requests. If I didn't truly believe that HB 99 was good for all of us, good for our families and careers, I would not have asked you to do the things you did. Thank you and I'll see you on location, on set or in the studio…

 

What kind of food is Bosnian?

What started out yesterday afternoon as trying out a new restaurant in a strip center, ended up more like having dinner in the home of a good friend, but, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Yesterday morning Gretchen and I were driving up 33^rd South and she said, "There's a new Bosnian restaurant over there." We talked about it for a few minutes and decided to try it "sometime". Between her photo club meeting yesterday afternoon and the Symphony last night, dinner out was the only alternative. It came down to a choice between "Tasty Thai" and the new Bosnian place.

We chose Bosnian and weren't disappointed. When we arrived we were greeted and seated by the chef/owner, Ibro Sameric, his wife Mila works right beside him. I thought that this restaurant, "Old Bridge Café" had more choices than our usual Bosnian place, Café on Main, Gretchen thinks fewer menu choices. Whatever the case, the food was great.

If you're looking for a restaurant where the Sysco truck pulls up every Monday and Thursday and the food comes hot out of the microwave, this isn't the place for you.

We started with a portion of Zeljanica; a totally delightful appetizer of philo dough stuffed with spinach and a white cheese. A portion for each of us was my only mistake of the evening. We could have shared a portion and been satisfied. "Old Bridge Café's" portions are generous and a great value for the money.

I enjoy Cevapi, the beef sausages that are a staple and favorite at every Bosnian restaurant. I chose a half order of five and they came to the table hot and flavorful nestled between a piece of very fluffy Pita bread. To call it Pita though, doesn't do it justice. It's unlike any store bought Pita you've ever had. I also ordered Shish Kebab. The pieces of beef on my Shish Kebab were tender, moist beef rib eye steak. The chicken was pieces of breast meat that were just as moist and tender as the beef. Both had been marinated, cooked to perfection and came to the table piping hot.

Gretchen ordered the Muckalica, a Bosnian stir fry of beef, onion, mushrooms and peppers. Again the food was flavorful and hot. The special of the day was Goulash, and unlike Hungarian Goulash, the Bosnian variety includes vegetables. The Goulash was heartily recommended by fellow diners.

The bread basket was generous and served with Ibro's special unique blend of Feta, Cream Cheese, Butter and Whipping Cream. There was also a delicious portion of a Red Pepper puree that added still more flavor to an already wonderful meal. The great thing about "Old Bridge Café" is that everything is made from scratch on site.

Did I mention the desserts?

We split a piece of chocolate "Multi Layer Delight Cake" that was a delight. It was difficult to pick between that, Urmasica, Baklava and an apple version of the "Multi Layer Delight Cake". Before we left however, our host persuaded me to try a little piece of Urmasica, and it was very good.

So what kind of food is Bosnian?

Hearty, flavorful and spicy without being too hot.

The "Old Bridge Café" is named after a bridge in the city of Mostar in Herzegovina. The owners are from this city and the region of the same name. "The Old Bridge" was originally built in the mid 1500's, severely damaged during the war in the 1990's and restored in 2004.

Ibro and Mila moved to Utah over twelve years ago to give their children a better future.

It's amazing what you can learn during one dinner. We'll definitely be going back and I hope that you'll take the earliest opportunity to sample the wonderful food and hospitality of "Old Bridge Café" at 249 East 3300 South in South Salt Lake. "Old Bridge Café" is hearty cuisine, generous portions and a great value at a moderate price.