Still Waiting...

Hello boys and girls.

I am still on a somewhat tropical island in the middle of nowhere, having deep conversations about the universe with a palm tree. A romantic way of saying still unemployed surrounded by swimming cash sharks cows with their jaws out waiting for cash I don't have." Time is ticking, and when it gets to 0:01 there is no hero to snip the wire, no beefcake to push me out of the way saving my bacon and no way you'll see me coolly walk away as if the impact will leave me unscathed. No, I'm stuffed like roast chicken. Boy, I'm sick of sending out CV's, I may as well blow SOS smoke signals and get the same results. But negativity only brings more rainclouds so I try and stay on the bright side, work on making my script tighter, watch movies I hadn't got around to seeing, keep our house tidy, workout a little - try get that lean action figure I need for Chase, learn guitar finally and try learn little bits of my wife's language and annoy her with my perfect pronunciation. So far so good, she's a frown away from throwing me off the balcony ;)

I just finished watching Another Earth which is a good simple sci fi/drama film and I love how it tackles the question of a theoretical Multiverse - What if there was another you? right now? would this doppelganger be exactly the same? maybe fitter? not as fit? smarter? richer? Put simply when you made a decision, you chose A and they chose B? Where did they end up? Should I have chased this insanity dream? Should I have instead stayed at school, did some boring degree and end up better off?  Should I have not bothered with the music and joined the army instead? Am I crazy for wanting to do acting/directing for a career when the other me is a real estate agent starting to build his nest egg? Sometimes I think like that, I'm happy others do too. You know, 2 words I learnt when I was young I learnt from my boy Stallone in 'Over the top'. Regret and Obligation. There I go, I've fallen off the rainbow again. The words should have been, Perseverance and Determination.

I had 2 interviews for a sales position at Whitcoull's Sylvia Park. The first one went well, me and the guy clicked and talked for over an hour. I was a little surprised the job would be minimum wage but I said if they offered opportunities to rise through ranks through hard work and results I would be keen. I was pretty confident about getting the job, I didn't really want it to be honest but that shouldn't have cracked the surface. So of course I was happy when I got the call to come in for a Second Interview. Both times I turned up for these interviews and the interviewer was late, maybe a warning sign, or an excuse to flee. I stayed. 

The set up to this one was totally different, similar questions but different environment. I wasn't seated across from my questioner, instead I sat in a chair in the middle of the room facing a wall, while one assistant talked and took notes from my left side and the manager asked her questions from the right. She was attractive too which made me a bit speechless (as in Raj from Big Bang theory) but I got my bearings back and even with my attention divided I tried to stay cool but a couple times I was left blank. When have you gone over and beyond  for customer service? Uh..talked about my GKR days working with kids and grandparents...Whats something in the workplace that displays your creativity? I said most jobs didn't allow me freedom to break protocol. So she said what about at home? I told her about when we moved in we had no mattress and all the shops were closed, So i put all our clothes on the floor and plumped them up and slept on that for the night, I was doing DIY at home and didn't have a hammer for the little nails so I used the nunchuks which worked for the main ones (bought a hammer the next day to finish them off), using cardboard boxes for tables etc

Long story short. She emailed me I didn't get the job. I would have preferred a phonecall like the Secure parking guy did but OK. It's a little like a break up over a text, but that was a fun waste of a week anyway. I've applied for another 10-15 jobs this week so hoping something sizzles. speaking of sizzles, Fancy a hotdog? Funny costume huh

Worked on Shortland Street today as a friend mentioned he had been on the show in an armed defenders squad role. Thought I'm available, may as well put my name down, so got something from my agent, just a walk on role, but then I remembered why I don't really like doing shorty. The people are nice (one of the actors said hi) but being referred to as 'Hey, green hoody, come over here' instead of being asked my name sort of gets under my skin the 4th or 5th time I do this thing. But hey, take the crumbs build a cake. Soon as I get a bloody job I can put this plan into action, get my camera, get casting, shoot this damn Chase film and have a ticket to wave around and open some doors. The film game's like the job game, all catch 22. No job, no experience, but if you have no experience how do you get a job?

In terms of Chase news, I added a new character, Alice, the camera-woman following around Chase has officially replaced 'Paul' so now the script has got more of a buddy feel. Also Nazim won't be directing as I originally planned as he had some family affairs to take care of back home, so it's a one man show for now, but I have a couple acquaintances whose services I plan on acquiring prior to shooting.

Anyway, keep out of the sunburn and play safe ( I know its winter, but the UV still gets you, you should check out my sunglasses. I look like a one man goodcopbadcop, they call me the babyfaced badass. I'm going to bed now before I do any more damage to the interwebs, good night, that's all folks!)

(the recent eclipse as seen in Philippines, supposed to be a Venus thing happening in June too- space is pretty cool, why didn't I become an astronaut? maybe we all are and don't know it? cool film premise ;) haha)

Tetris, the pieces start to fall into place :) (Shortland St & The Lighter news)

Timefish has been handed in scars and all, done more extra work on Emperor this week and have started looking for jobs/houses. Finally the Shortland St work I did in January aired, remember the post about my back? Well here I am (snapshots at end of blog) maybe The one where I talk to the girl was cut or next episode? We'll see I guess.

Nazim also gave me a copy of 'The Lighter' DVD today. It's fantastic! As soon as I get a you tube link I will share it with you guys. I'm so nerdy in this short film, watching me on screen felt foreign lol. Great directing/ editing and score by Nazim...I can't wait for you guys to see it....

Anyway in between hunting and packing I took some pics below. And until I have Timefish ready for you guys, see you when I see you ;)

Taking a pic, oblivious that my wife is a ninja ;)

Packing to move out in a couple of weeks. This is only half of my DVDs.
wow. I can see why I'm broke lol.


Tonight's Shortland Street screenshots.
(trust me, it's me, My elbow was seen by thousands lol)




to be continued (I hope :D )

First work of 2012, Shortland St extra again and Ad Audition

I've always wanted to draw stuff for my blog, but I don't. This year is about do's and not don'ts. So, now there are drawings. you're welcome :)

Shortland Street Extra, January 10

Every time I return to South Pacific pictures to do some extra work on Shortland St, we have to wait for anywhere from half an hour to an hour for the AD to let us know when they are ready for costume check then on set. I put my backpack down filled with spare clothes and pull out a book and then watch the minute hand race the second hand for like what seems like forever.

During this time I always feel like the GANTZ characters. For those of you who have never read/seen GANTZ, its basically about all these people who don't know each other who get transported and wake up in a room. All that's in the room is this black sphere (above) and the heavy silence as they wonder what will happen next. They end up hunting aliens for the sphere with alien weapons of their own but that's getting off track, what I'm trying to point out is the suspense always gets the best of me. (I highly recommend the manga/anime/movie adaption by the way)

ANYWAY, today's shoots were in the Cafe, my first job was facing the wall and having a coffee while the action took place. Though I am always happy for the opportunity to work on a live film set for a television series I couldn't help but feel pretty down. I traveled an hour by bus and walked another 20 minutes for this? I can imagine the discussion later...

Matt - "Look mom look, that's me, the guy with the black Tshirt! I'm on TV! :D"
Mom - "really? :S .... hmmm that could be anybody though... "
Matt -"no, but it is! it is! :("

In the second set of shots I got to talk to a young girl as we shared drinks at a cafe table in the background of the main action, which made the day totally worth it, I always figure, 'if you can see the camera, the camera can see you'. She asked me how old I was, I told her to guess. She said, "I don't know, 15, 16?" I told her I'm 25. Maybe that's why it's hard for me to get roles because I still look like a teenager? Well, this 15 year old thought so anyway. It was her first time miming in one of these scenes, which is great cos it gave me a turn to show someone what to do which is always a funny experience to have with someone, because you can't help but smile when you pretend to be puppets or mime some actions. You always burst out laughing (quietly or you'll take attention away from the main cast which isn't the background players job, our job is to be ignored, guess I'm good at that from real life experience lol) :)

I've come to the conclusion that the A in acting must be for Awkward, or I should be positive and think maybe ACTING is Absolutely Cant Think I'm Not Good? Good day anyway. Satisfied I walked to the bus stop, waited for an hour for it to arrive, then sat and pondered my next move as I traveled home for another hour, a long day but another notch I can add to film experience. I'm happy I have a good agent, as I'm getting more opportunities to do practical things.

First Audition, January 12

This was my first audition for a national beverage commercial, I can't tell you the brand cos of contract stuff but this was a big deal to me, Again with the GANTZ feeling as I finally found the place and walked into the waiting room. There was a guy with a bigger build and way more manlier than me and then there was this other guy who (small world) worked with me a couple days before on the Shortland St gig. As they both left the room to do their auditions, I was left alone with the measuring tape trying to figure out how big my chest was and how tall I was for the costume details on the audition form. Then came time to shake it out.

The audtioneer came in, shook hands, then I introduced myself to him and his partner, they had a camera next to their desk with the papers of the script and the casting details. Auditioneer took a photo of me, then using the camera checked my profiles and asked me some questions. I was happy and calm because I had seen Bruce lee's screen test for the original green hornet series many times, It's funny to see things haven't changed. Then we ran through some scenarios for the ad, which was pretty funny acting out the ad, whether or not I achieved the right look is up to them but fingers crossed it was. I get a call next week on whether or not I made the cut. We shook hands and I made the long trek home. Boy I can't wait to own a car again!

Today.
Did the last of the grocery shopping and also bought Yelawolfs album, even though I bought Watch the throne a couple of days ago I'm hungry for some fresh music. I want to finish my album this year and just focus on films from then on. Also watched Pursuit of Happyness again while having Tea, I love that film, it's shot really well, the acting is phenomenal and the story is so inspiring. Anyway I have school on Monday, as well as JKD classes resuming too. I hope to finish my logo finally and finish the shots needed for the Phonecall short film. All in all, a good start so far to 2012, my year of promise :)

My SAE News item and A Glimpse in Shortland St

Above is my news piece I did for our school news show assignment, I had to cut an interview out that I had in the original piece with an EB sales chick as she didn't want her views on you tube, which was OK, I'm in it for the marks but I interviewed some friends so I posted their bits here on my blog for them, and for you guys of course so when you see a fake news thing in one of my films you can say you've seen my very first one ;)

I been watching Shortland St on demand to see which scenes they ended up using from the days I turned up, after much heartbreak finally managed to find a scene, Episode 4867 which aired on Nov 1 :) Took some screenshots to share with you all ;) Proof I'm not bullshitting I have done extra work :P
They have 3 cameras running at the same time, so what they end up using is at the mercy of the editors in the editing room, the other 2 shots i recognized this week I wasn't seen in. But I'm happy I can finally say I was on NZ TV in some capacity.....here's to more opportunities :)

cheers!

Shortland Street, Christchurch and the mutating assignments

Hi! :) It's Been a while since my last entry but I haven't had any new footage available to share recently. I will have some new stuff for you next week so I will just spend this quick moment sharing what steps I have taken since my last blog on my chase for fame, fortune and respect.



First professional Job Late last month (and today, My second :D) as a Shortland Street Extra! :) Shortland Street is New Zealand's leading Drama. (soap) A Hospital Drama which screens 5 nights a week for 15 years and still going strong. With viewings in Britain, Australia, Fiji etc It is arguably our most successful local TV production. And I, finally, had the stars align themselves in order to get selected. (I am stoked with my talent agency right now)

As an Extra you are pretty much background talent, making the scene with the actors more believable. For example, A scene in a bar between a guy and girl wouldn't be as realistic without the crowd behind them, notice how none of passing crowd look at the camera like you see in your live reports on the evening news? That's because they are paid (or unpaid in student cases) to be there because like it or not, subconsciously as a viewer you notice these things, and the idea of film and television is to immerse you in their world and the more you can relate the easier the transition.

I can't share too much of how the crew works but what I can tell you is that it was eye opening and I am quite excited/scared of trying to get into this industry, with all the organized chaos and intimidating equipment I'm not sure I have the confidence yet to direct something of that magnitude. I'm a trigger happy guy who just aims his camera and shoots shit. I can't imagine sitting in the directors chair while camera machines glide around you, boom mics and lights swing above you, assistant directors and producers surround you and actors and actresses ask you questions all the while keeping your composure and trying to get all the magic shots before the deadline, *deep breath* well, The team sure work for their art that's for sure ;) The more I work the more my confidence will grow.

The Hospital scenes I did background work in was a)being pushed in a wheelchair, and b) Walking from one end to another through the doors holding flowers, then today (If you will opportunities into existence, they will come) We shot in the Bar, talking with other extras over drinks and overall learning heaps. My confidence is growing, especially since being around established actors and not acting like a puppy dog though these guys are local stars (in my head I'm like holy of holies wow, I have the biggest crush on that girl and she's here? In front of me? She's even more beautiful in person!!! on the outside? I'm playing it cool like it's just another day at the office- not easy) :) I mean, When I told my mom I got work on Shortland St (her Favorite favorite show) She was excited too, though you can imagine my expression when she asked if I played the drug addict last night, I told her they shoot 6-8 weeks in advance So no, but keep your eyes open in 6 weeks for me :).

In More good news, I might get a part in another NZ show but this time not as an extra, my wife is excited for me and supports me but for this one I'm actually quite scared but like the saying goes (well, the book) Feel the fear and do it anyway! so more news WHEN that test screening turns out OK in October :) (Positive things happen to those who attract it with positive thoughts)

Went to Christchurch for My nieces 3rd birthday party, Caught up with the whole family and wife and relaxed, also caught up with my music business partner. Was a really great weekend, was a little sad on the flight back to Aux but as the wife says, no guts, no glory. The next 4 weeks are going to be a pressure cooker, but with pressure comes diamonds ;)

I have (in order) the following assignments to complete; my 3d production, Music Video, Tv Commercial, Film Essay, News production and the assignments keep coming!!!! So yeah, that's what I'm fighting with over the coming month.

Also on the personal project side I have to finish editing 'Mondays' (my gun test short film) and start work on the street fighter production as my hair is almost the right length now...

And to finish up with, JKD is going awesome at the moment, Learning wrestling over the last couple of Sundays which has been great and I'm all over Little Idea (Siu lim tao- Wing Chun's first form) like a rash, Been watching alot of fights lately too so can't wait to get on the dance-floor again and kick it, anyway, It's been real, see you in a week or so ;)

Don't forget you can waste time all you want but you can't buy any more of it, so make every moment count and achieve something of importance to your goals and dreams once a day, routine is a cancer so do something once a day that helps you grow as a person ;) And Just in case you forgot what a KO looks like....

Take control of your circumstances, Don't let them control you :) Kick them in the face! :P