Future Projects, boxing update etc

There is a Shakespearean monologue in Henry IV, in which Falstaff sings the virtues of sherry.  Of course, in his time, it was known as "sherrisack".  Nonetheless, this monologue is essentially a commercial, touting the benefits of drinking fortified wines, and pinpointing the fine qualities of a well made sherrisack. 

I want to film this monologue as a commercial in black and white and use these videos/clips as reference points:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GveTzOQNCrM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_saLrADKqNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amnpKeRivMI&feature=related

I suppose the product will be a fake one, called "Sherrisack".

One of my acting heroes, Orson Welles, tackled this monologue on the "Dean Martin" show.  Here is that video, fast fwd to 3:52 to see the actual piece (before that he waxes poetic about Falstaff, and you will also see an excellent example of old school stage makeup application)

Marvelous.

As much as I'd love to do the whole piece as a faux commercial, it would simply be too long. So I have to make cuts and shorten the length to 60 seconds. 

So that's what is down the pike for me.

Additionally, boxing is going really well.  I am finally able to throw a jab, right cross combo without lunging forward on the cross when I spar.  "Lunging forward" can just mean an inch or two.  If you expose your face just a little bit for a split second, that can means lights out, taking a canvas nap etc.

Of course, when you are just hitting the heavy bag or hand pads, it's easy not to lunge....but in the heat of a sparring session it's a challenge to keep cool and maintain solid technique.  I attribute keeping cool to years of playing football and the fact that I don't freak out when I take a hit.  I attribute the technique to improved foot work/coordination and I attribute this to jump rope.  I'm a skipping machine these days.  I can skip 5 different ways interchangeably.  It's fun to do 100 one way and then switch back and forth.  Man oh man, skipping rope can be an exhausting workout when done right and long enough.

I can now see some abs poking through my belly.  At first I assumed it was smaller rolls, as opposed to larger belly rolls, but upon further inspection, they are indeed abs.  So that's cool.  It has definitely inspired me to put boxing and fitness in high gear.

Actors need to have a "bullcrap meter" and a video demonstration

You need to know when you are faking it and when the emotion is real.  One of the biggest things I continue to struggle with is the realization that I am already good enough.  I don't have to create an emotion.  I don't have to make an extra this or an extra that.  If the emotion is there, great, just walk into it - so to speak.  But it's been a challenge for me not to conjure up some kind of an emotion when  I believe the scene calls for it.   When you've been trained so long in a certain thought, it becomes hard to break such old habits.

Boo hoo, woe is me and all that bunk.

And frankly, casting directors know when you are faking it; they see acting all day and there is no fooling them.  So don't fake it!  That way, at least they can call you an honest performer. 

One of the things that helps me rid this nasty habit is a recently installed "bullcrap meter".  Whenever the needle moves, I stop and start over again from a few lines before.  It's been hard to install said meter, because I naturally want to make progress and blast through the piece - but my coach has made it obvious when his needle moves.  There I am, in the middle of a piece,  in front of the intimate acting class.  I'm just chillin', siting in a metal folding chair and then......

"Nope!  Start again." says Steve


Ok, I'll start again, I think.... 

"Ap! Ap! Ap! Ap! Ap!" instructs Steve


Oh boy, I guess I'll take that again.

"No Phillip, again." Steve rebukes


Ok man, just breathe you can do this, just speak! 

"Hot Damn!  One more time just like that." Steve encourages (!)


Focus....and here it goes...

"Ha!  You son-of-a-bitch you!" 


So here is my bullcrap meter hard at work as I wrestle a Iago monologue from "Othello".  Obviously, ones bullcrap meter is always subject to calibration. [UPDATE: I now realize that I left out a line '....mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership.  but he sir, had the election] followed by: and i, whose eyes had seen the proof....  Oh well, I'm not embarassed, it's not like it's on the internet for the whole world to see.

Actors should never judge their character; embracing my inner Iago.

That what my sensei told me, and it is very helpful.  He also said to eliminate all "fluffernutters", meaning all the unneccssary embellishments when you act, e.g. don't comment on the line with your face after saying the line.  Got it?  OK.

A few days ago I took one of those silly quizzes on facebook.  This one was "Which Shakespearian Character are you?"  I would have bet a gajillion dollars mine would have been Falstaff.  Jocular, lighthearted, quick witted, slow footed and all around party animal.  But noooooooooooooooooooooooo, I had to be "Iago."  Iago!  What?

Then after a while I realized that I was judging the character.  Yes, it's true; Iago is a bloodthirsty, calculating sociopath.  But at least he isn't this junk!  I swear to God, they must only sell that stuff to sorority girls or tertiary level alcoholics.

So I chose to prepare a Iago monologue from "Othello" tonight for class.  I also decided to find personality traits that I, a decidedly non-sociopath would have in common with Iago.  And wouldn't you know, I found something. 

Sociopaths (and I admit I am painting with broad brush strokes here) will do whatever they can to get what the want, even if it casues harm to others.  I admitted to myself that I hate it when I move out of the way of physically smaller people on the street.  Why do I accommodate those turdwads?  Why do I always sway and bob and weave through foot traffic?  I am a 6-3, 255 pound man with a working knowledge of boxing.   So if you don't want to get out of the way, hey man, suit yourself. 

I tested this out last night when Mrs. PhillyRay and I went to MoMA to see an exhibit and some of the mainstay pieces, Jackson Pollacks, AD Reinhardt etc.  We met on 57th and 5th and walked down 5th Avenue, it was around 6pm.  It was crowded, predictably so.  My conscience told me to budge.  Budge not, say I.  "Stay the course, PhillyRay" I thought.  U-oh here comes someone,  steady, steady...wait for it.  THWAP!  BOOM!  OOF!  (Shout out to Edward Ruscha)  I even saw people about 15 yards away and thought "Oh man, this is going to feel great!"  That's right, I even started to look forward to these shoulder knocks.  (Side note:  my friend Mark is the king of not moving out of the way. It's such a treat to walk down the street with him, in all honesty.  It's hysterical.)

I had embraced my inner-sociopath, my inner Iago, if you will.  It felt great. 

Even just a little step like that can make you connect with a character you would normally struggle with.  You're not willing to do that?  Well, then...despise me if I do not.

EPA 2DAY 4 MOV (Updated 8/12)

That's code.  Code for what?  Code for "Equity Principle audition today for 'Merchant of Venice'".  That's what!  I am excited.  I got my trusty if not lucky 2:50 audition time.  I like that time.  It works well with real estate showings.  A lot of people like to see things on their lunch  break or after work, so consequently, 2-4pm is kind of slow, and at times, dead! 

I'm very excited for this audition.  I believe that I am right for the role of "Lancelot Gobbo", and a previously aired shakespearian monologue on this site was indeed Lancelot Gobbo's.  So, wish me luck.  But also, wish that the role is not yet filled.  That's the tricky thing with Equity auditions.  They by union rules have to hod auditions.  This remains true even if the role has been filled.  Often times you have no idea, until you walk in the room and there are 8 people (role is up for grabs), or there is 1 person, usually an ASM, and the role is painfully so, already cast.

Oh yeah, a few days ago I mentioned that I joined twitter.  Well, yesterday I canceled it.  Meh.

UPDATE:  The audition went really well.  I had her laughing, smiling and genuinely enjoying my take on Lancelot Gobbo.  However, it was just a casting associate; who knows if the role has/hasn't already  been cast.  She was very kind and created a supportive environment.  I'm officially putting it out of my head............now!