What Doest It Means To Be An Actor?

This is a question I toss around in my mind from time to time. Over the years, the answer has varied. A subtitle could be, "How do I define success as an actor?"

Sure, a young actor's starry eyes are filled with visions of fame and fortune and posing on the red carpet. I know mine were. We all know too that a real actor is passionate about acting, about theatre and film. The other stuff is great, of course, but we all tell ourselves that we would act even if we were only performing in a church basement for free. That's not practical either.

At first, I'd tell every aspiring actor that of course, he or she could become a big star! As I matured, I realized how desirable it is to be a working actor, nevermind the A list. Hard work, study, training, practice, experience, professionalism -- all these things could add up to a satisfying career as an actor. But it isn't quite that easy, is it? It takes a lot of fortitude -- and a lot of love of what you're doing -- to remain a dramatic artist. I think I'm arriving at yet another understanding of what it means to be an actor. I was listening today to Olympia Dukakis on the radio, discussing her life and career as an actor. As I listened another description began to take shape: an actor is not much different than any other working man. Just as painters and poets, sculptors and other artists seek to illuminate what's best in humanity, and just as we reach out to each other just to know we're not alone, the actor can find fulfillment in simply a job well done.

Words are inadequate today, but I'll think on this and take it up again. . . . .

Indian Summer

An Indian summer, to me, is incomparable to any other seasonal phenomenon. Even sweeter than the first hint of spring, an Indian summer is a delicious gift offered by nature before the descent into the deep fall and ultimately, winter. Although technically it's only a true Indian summer if it occurs after the first frost (and I don't think we've had one yet), I would not call the lovely weather we're having by any other name.

For once, we're not rushing to greet the change of colors. During our first film project -- shot over a number of years and with a story and visual theme that takes place in autumn -- we prepared carefully to shoot while the fall colors were at their peak. Now, we were in the opposite situation: rushing to capture a late summer look before the majority of the trees turned. It was a real race; one that we completed successfully. It took ten days of shooting, but we did it. We no longer dread spotting another red or orange tree! Now we're on to the second round of exteriors that do take place during the peak of fall colors and will conclude by our final sequence of exteriors using the late fall look of empty branches.

One place I recently discovered while location scouting: the Clinton River park system in Shelby Township. Did you know Shelby Township has about 1,000 acres of park land, much of it containing wooded natural habitat along the Clinton River? Like my recent discovery of New Baltimore, I was amazed that I've lived in southeastern Michigan just about my whole life and never knew about the Shelby park system. When I called Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Youngblood, he offered to have a park ranger show me some location options for our shoot. A park ranger! Immediately, Ranger Smith of The Yogi Bear Show flashed in my mind. How interesting....was this going to be a real park ranger or just somebody who filled in the title as a formality? Well, after meeting with who has to be the most effervescent park ranger on earth, I can now attest he is the real thing. Ranger Kerry S guided us with enthusiasm, knowledge and wisdom. I felt like a kid on a field trip. I learned to distinguish poison ivy (three leaves) from a natural decoy (five leaves); I saw firsthand the handiwork (or should I say the toothwork) of beavers on trees; I learned how life-giving sap rises and falls in trees. That's a lot for a city dweller/suburbanite to learn in a couple of hours.

DREAMS at 1515 Broadway

Another opening night! This year we're producing a very interesting play from our past called Dreams. I have to say that although we've worked with some good actors in the past, this year's group is probably the most "even" we've worked with, meaning the level of skill across the board is consistent. Normally, in a group of actors with serious aspirations, there are a few very strong actors amid a group of solid actors and a few who have difficulty holding their own. Not so this year.

We had a success last night -- no disasters, thank God! Congratulations, Jeff, Aaron, Ahmad, Don, Leon, Rhys, Ian, Ann Marie, Jen, Shayla, Maiya, Marcel, Jim, Mary, Tony, Lauren, Josh, Cheryl, Scott, Joey and Rochelle! I'm so proud of you!

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I'd also like to thank my "gal Friday" -- on Friday -- Megan Otzen. I'm very excited about encouraging her talents in the world of film and theatre production design and art direction. We ventured out to the workshops of the Grosse Pointe Theater to pick up some last minute wardrobe items. Rick at the GPT was wonderfully kind and helpful. And funny too. His love and knowledge of costume design for theatre is inspiring.

Well, it'll be off to 1515 Broadway soon... Bye for now!

Successful Music Video Shoot with GOREVETTE!

Hello, Everyone!

I'm so pleased that our shoot went well yesterday. We invited Gorevette (check out their MySpace page) to participate in a scene from our current film project Politics of Street Crime. The scene takes place in an after hours club (when was the last time YOU went to an after hours club?) and show the band (Nikki Corvette, Amy Gore, Lianna Castillo and Al King) performing as "Monique" and "Michelle" (played by Agnes Rose and Natasha Akrawi) walked through the scene. Mic Lydell and Tim Cole (as "Cowboy" and "Reichers," respectively) also appeared in an incidental scene.

Some of the footage shot yesterday will also be used for a music video for Gorevette. Long story made short, I had been communicating with Amy Gore for a bit to make this happen. It was a pleasure dealing with Amy and the rest of the band. They were sharp, professional and very cool. I urge you all to catch their show July 18 as part of the Concert of Colors. Did you know they were contacted by the legendary Don Was about performing together? The same Don Was that produced a Rolling Stones album and was leader of the famous Was (Not Was).

Props to our crew too! Matthew Dakho -- a fine actor in his own right -- helped run a smooth set as AD. Jaclyn Wells, with quick and quiet efficiency, dressed the set in record time. Saw her dancing too! Doug Austin, our cameraman (and also a drummer with Via Regia), bonded with drummer Al as they worked to solve the problem of how to play drums without making noise. We were able to keep up the necessary pace with Steve Horn's stoic focus as key grip. Much thanks to everyone else: Theresa, Rachid, Whitni, Irina, Jim, Dan, Justin, Caitlyn, Marco, Chivon -- have I left anyone out? If so, please forgive.

And finally, thanks to everyone at Bastone Restaurant and Commune Bar: David Ritchie, Matt, Bronwyn, Christy, Kelly, Kane, Mary, etc., etc.

OK, kids....gotta go!

Bye for now,

Aida