Back to reality...........Keep it moving people!

TV Audition: "Las Vegas” @ Liberman/Patton Casting
The role of Driver.
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So I wrapped my shoot for O13 (we were in Anaheim) and I flew through traffic back to LA to try to make this audition. I felt a bit rushed and flustered when I arrived. I tried to calm myself down and slow things up a bit(after all, it had been a long day!), went in and did my thing. I felt pretty good about it. Not great....just pretty good. Still, I did the best that I could. I really didn't even think I would be able to make this audition...since I had no idea when we would wrap our scenes. Fortunately, I made it.

This was one of those tricky auditions where one could possibly sabotage themself. By that I mean, I wasn't on the top of my game with this one. Since I only had the sides the night before, it was hard for me to get off book on that material, while I DEFINITELY had to be off book for O13. Priority had to go to O13. Still, I kept a copy with me at all times. Just to glance at it every now and then. (The part on Las Vegas didn't have that many lines anyway. Still, more of a reason for me to have it committed to memory.)

There's a very good saying in the acting business. "You're only as good as your last audition." Meaning, you might think an office really likes you. They may bring you in for all sorts of stuff, time and time again. You know they want to book you on their show. They like your work, personality, hustle, etc. But that can all end if you lay an egg or bomb just one audition. So what's the lesson. BE ON YOUR GAME! Don't take any of these opportunities off! Again, sometimes we forget how special it is JUST TO GET THE AUDITION! Give it the respect and time it deserves. Because if you blow it.....that could be your last one in that office for a while.

So we'll see what happens with this one. I did the best that I could. In the meantime, no time to dwell on it. It's on to the next one.

ps. Oh yeah, and then after the audition, I headed out to class w/ Ivana. Busy day...But I love it! Living the dream baby....living the dream.

Working on some little project.....yeah right!

Had a great time on the set of O13. My scenes were with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Bernie Mac, Matt Damon, & yours truly...that's it! Let's see, we're talking 3 academy award winners (Clooney, Damon, & Soderbergh), a nominee (Pitt) and one of the funniest comedians in the country (Mack). Whole lot of star power on that set. No pressure right?! Smile. You should know I definitely came prepared to do my thing......and did!

Don't know what you may have heard anywhere else.......but take it from me, ALL of them were awesome to work with and very friendly towards me. Bernie was cracking jokes and telling stories throughout the day and had everyone crying.

Steve Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean's 11, etc.) was the coolest. He's very laid back, knows what he wants in every scene and it was great working with him. Very, very actor friendly.

When I wrapped they all showed me lots of love, complimented me on my work (Steve said "Great work Angel, I'll see you again" (uuhhh....can we, like, get that in writing! haha) and we took a few pictures. Yeah, I'll work with these cats again........and next time I'll have a much bigger role. I can just feel it.



Just wanted to share this experience with my friends in hopes that it'll inspire you, just like many of you have inspired me with your projects, positive vibes, prayers and support. Thank you.

Well, that's it for now.....time to start working on the next one! Hope you're all doing GREAT! Take care and God Bless.

ps. Now watch all my scenes end up on the cutting room floor! Ha! Hey, even if they do.....these memories can't be cut from my mind. They'll last forever. A.

"Today was a good day." - Ice Cube

Ocean's 13 - Now THAT is a DREAM call sheet!

Especially since I'm on it! Yay! I'm number 39!! I'm truly Blessed. Needless to say, I'm very excited and looking forward to doing my thing. I'll upload some pics from the set soon. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Take care and God Bless.

TV Audition: "The Loop” @ Lisa Miller Katz Casting
The role of Jeff.

PRODUCER'S SESSION!!!:
"Criminal Minds" @ April Webster Casting. The role of Tech.

Audition: "24 Hour Fitness” @ ASG Casting
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TV Audition: "Las Vegas” @ Liberman/Patton Casting
The role of Henchman.
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TV Audition: "CSI" @ UDK Casting
The role of Alfonso Ruiz.

Here's a Thought...Be Different...Be Yourself!

Some of you may/may not know that I've been studying with Ivana Chubbuck for a few months now. I only bring that up to share the following story:

Last week I did a scene with a classmate and very accomplished actor Clement von Franckenstein. (I know him best for playing the role of the French President in the film “The American President” with my boy Michael Douglas….smile. My boy…yeah right.) We both worked very hard in preparing to put up the scene for class. Now when I tell you we were ready....trust me, we were ready. We did the scene and I felt VERY good about our performance. (My classmates are always sooo kind and nice, telling me how much they enjoy my work.....thanks.) The feedback from Ivana totally took me by surprise:

She asked me what I thought of my performance….I told her I felt very good about it. (No shame in my game….I’m my own worst critic, hence, I feel I can be very objective about my work. Still, if it’s good….it’s good. Nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself either. She says to my partner and I that she thought the scene was "okay". (So I'm sitting there saying to myself "Whatever, I don't care what you say....that scene was off the chain....I know good work when I see it!") AND THEN SHE DROPPED THE BOMB ON ME:

She says: “Angel, if 50 people were to audition for this scene….48 would have done it exactly the same way you did. They’re just doing what’s on the page. Yet all 48 of those actors doing it the same are totally different from one another. There should really be 50 totally different performances!” Angel, I can tell that you’re special and you have all sorts of things you’ve experienced….you need to show that in your work.

I said to her “Damn, you’re right. I took the easy way out didn’t I?” By just playing what was on the page and not making it Angel’s. Urrhhh. Needless to say, she’s SOOOO right. But what’s even more frustrating is……I ALREADY KNEW THAT!!! I became aware of that years ago working with Haile Gerima in a workshop @ Howard University. That along with SOOO many other empowering truths like…..What is beauty? Who says it has to be slim? or a particular color or complexion? or hair color, texture, etc, etc. Or why only one race of people can sell certain kinds of stories to Hollywood….and only another race can sell another? The point being made was simply not to conform. Be yourself, tell your story, you are unique…..THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS WORLD EXACTLY LIKE YOU!!! Use that fact as your selling point! Embrace it! Don’t hide from it. We can’t allow people to “validate” us or empower them to say we’re good or bad. That is simply one person’s opinion. (And probably a very close minded one at that.) The truth is, another person may feel totally different. We as actors can not keep letting these opinions make us “feel great” or “feel terrible”. We have to be secure and confident with what we bring to the table and if they like it….they like it. If not…so be it! This (plus years of very good training) may sort of explain why I’m always pretty confident with my work. I feel I’m at a point acting-wise where no coach or teacher is going to “re-invent the wheel” for me as far as acting. Still, it’s good to STAY SHARP and maybe tweak a few things here and there.

In fact, I’m always preaching and coaching other actors not to “water down” your personality to become a character….but instead take the character and make it part of you. How would YOU deliver these lines if you were this character? That’s what makes these parts interesting. Hey, it may/may not be the right choice but it’s a strong choice being made by a professional actor.

That’s it for now people. Hope you're all doing great. I have a couple of auditions tomorrow....please keep me in your prayers. Tks.

PRODUCER'S SESSION!!!:
"The Unit" @ Bialy/Thomas Casting. The role of Elias.
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Audition: "Delsym” @ Gabrielle Schary Casting

CALLBACK AUDITION!!!:
"Sears” @ Blanca Valdez Casting

Audition: "Sears” @ Blanca Valdez Casting
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TV Audition: "The Unit” Bialy/Thomas Casting.
The role of Raul.

This one is a Biggie! Nice size Guest Star. I'll let you
know how it goes. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks.

Hopefully, my laryngitis will be gone by then......yeah, I'm serious.

THE EYE OF THE TIGER - ROAR!!!!.........sort of

2nd CALLBACK AUDITION!!!:
"X-Box” @ Cathi Carlton Casting.

Well folks, this will be the THIRD time that I go in for this commercial. You know what.....I'm claiming this one! I'M GOING FOR IT! BOTH GUNS BLAZING! I'm going in with confidence knowing that IT'S MINE. Bottom line is, if God wants me to get it....I'll get it. It feels good to have this sense of confidence. It's mine and tomorrow I'm dropping by to remind them that it's mine! Yeah!!!

------WE INTERUPT OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM------
Okay, now that I've gotten all that out of the way....smile. If you can find it in your heart, please say a little prayer for yours truly. I can certainly use some prayer power. Thanks
------NOW BACK TO OUR PROGRAM ALREADY IN PROGRESS------

I'll let you know how it goes and WHEN I BOOK this one!!! Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers. They have really helped! Tomorrow it's WAR and Daddy's (yes, me....just play along will ya!) got his game face on!!! I'm going "ALL IN" and I'm placing all my chips towards the center of the table! I want the other actors to hit me with their best.....because I'm definitely going to hit them with everything...including the kitchen sink! LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

CALLBACK AUDITION!!!:
"X-Box” @ Cathi Carlton Casting.
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This would be my first commercial booking since I've moved out to Cali....Yeah, I would LOVE to get this! Please pray for me on this one folks. Tks.