I received a call today to appear in Bordertown with Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas. I'll be playing a newspaper reporter. (Jennifer is also a newspaper reporter in the film.) I go for a costume fitting tomorrow and work next week.
MJG
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
After Blah Blah Blah
I think I did well Sunday evening with my parts in the staged reading of the screenplay “Blah Blah Blah” … considering everything.
It was a challenge because of how last minute everything was. We only had one rehearsal, and that was 3 nights before the performance. During the rehearsal I read roles that I didn’t read in the show and didn’t read roles that I did read in the show. When I arrived at the theater, I was told that I’d be reading some different roles than the ones I thought I would be reading. They were minor parts, granted, but I hadn't prepared for them at all. Then I discovered that the screenwriter had incorrectly labeled some of the lines in the script. There were 2 Peters in the script. He called them Peter One and Peter Two. I was reading Peter Two (the biggest of my roles). An hour and a half before we went on I learned that through the 20 or so last pages of the script, everything labeled Peter One was really Peter Two and everything labeled Peter Two was really Peter One. Thus I would not be reading some of the lines I had prepared for and would be reading others I hadn't. So, for the most part, I went out on stage to do my first reading of a lot of my part of the script. Nevertheless, I think I did quite well with it.
I wasn’t the only one. The man who was supposed to be Peter One was sick, so another of the actors had all his roles changed so he could play that role. Then he also had to change all the labels for his lines in the last 20 pages of the script like I did.
One thing I learned is that I prefer more organization, clarity, and preparation if I'm going to be in a production. On the other hand, I learned that sometimes things happen, and I have to be flexible. I demonstrated that I can do that. After all, I have done lots of improvisational theater in the past. This was a lot like improvisation in some ways.
I found myself annoyed and hurt (we actors can be so fragile) by one comment I overheard after the show, though. Someone said that Patrick, the screenwriter, who read one of the lead roles, was the only professional actor in the group. Patrick was the only one who was really familiar with the script! And he’s not an actor at all, let alone a professional one. (Though, he was really good in his role.) I could have done much better if I’d had some rehearsal time and some time on my own to work on the correct lines.
I’d say that only about 30 people showed up to see us. I was disappointed about that. Patrick had predicted a full house (100 seats and another 20 folding chairs). The result was that after expenses were taken out of the contributions, each of us made a whopping $3 for our participation. The good side of that is that I did make something. Lots of acting is just for the fun and the glory (whatever of that there may be).
Antoinette (my girlfriend) came and saw me act (sort of) for the first time. That made a big difference to me. I really wanted her there. She said she liked my performance.
None of the other people I invited came. Another disappointment. Does anyone care? I’ve realized for a long time that one of the signs I look for that people care about me is that they show up for my performances (of whatever kind).
Then yesterday I found myself feeling the familiar let-down that I’ve noticed myself feeling after nearly every kind of performance I’ve ever done – not just acting, but teaching, speaking, singing, and everything else, too. I’ve explored what that’s about. I feel let down because I didn’t receive enough attention, praise, and accolades (imitation love, in other words) to fill me up. I hoped for the high of feeling loved and felt depressed about not getting enough of whatever I thought I wanted. Could there ever be enough? That may be my own personal “Impossible Dream.”
Refocusing … I do think I gave my best performance under the circumstances and that I contributed something to the audience. I learned some things. I got some experience. I met some people. Some of them may be important to my career in the future. I got 2 cookies and a brownie free. Antoinette saw me and supported me. Several people said they liked my performance. I had fun. And I earned $3 more than I would have if I hadn't participated. It was a good evening.
Michael
It was a challenge because of how last minute everything was. We only had one rehearsal, and that was 3 nights before the performance. During the rehearsal I read roles that I didn’t read in the show and didn’t read roles that I did read in the show. When I arrived at the theater, I was told that I’d be reading some different roles than the ones I thought I would be reading. They were minor parts, granted, but I hadn't prepared for them at all. Then I discovered that the screenwriter had incorrectly labeled some of the lines in the script. There were 2 Peters in the script. He called them Peter One and Peter Two. I was reading Peter Two (the biggest of my roles). An hour and a half before we went on I learned that through the 20 or so last pages of the script, everything labeled Peter One was really Peter Two and everything labeled Peter Two was really Peter One. Thus I would not be reading some of the lines I had prepared for and would be reading others I hadn't. So, for the most part, I went out on stage to do my first reading of a lot of my part of the script. Nevertheless, I think I did quite well with it.
I wasn’t the only one. The man who was supposed to be Peter One was sick, so another of the actors had all his roles changed so he could play that role. Then he also had to change all the labels for his lines in the last 20 pages of the script like I did.
One thing I learned is that I prefer more organization, clarity, and preparation if I'm going to be in a production. On the other hand, I learned that sometimes things happen, and I have to be flexible. I demonstrated that I can do that. After all, I have done lots of improvisational theater in the past. This was a lot like improvisation in some ways.
I found myself annoyed and hurt (we actors can be so fragile) by one comment I overheard after the show, though. Someone said that Patrick, the screenwriter, who read one of the lead roles, was the only professional actor in the group. Patrick was the only one who was really familiar with the script! And he’s not an actor at all, let alone a professional one. (Though, he was really good in his role.) I could have done much better if I’d had some rehearsal time and some time on my own to work on the correct lines.
I’d say that only about 30 people showed up to see us. I was disappointed about that. Patrick had predicted a full house (100 seats and another 20 folding chairs). The result was that after expenses were taken out of the contributions, each of us made a whopping $3 for our participation. The good side of that is that I did make something. Lots of acting is just for the fun and the glory (whatever of that there may be).
Antoinette (my girlfriend) came and saw me act (sort of) for the first time. That made a big difference to me. I really wanted her there. She said she liked my performance.
None of the other people I invited came. Another disappointment. Does anyone care? I’ve realized for a long time that one of the signs I look for that people care about me is that they show up for my performances (of whatever kind).
Then yesterday I found myself feeling the familiar let-down that I’ve noticed myself feeling after nearly every kind of performance I’ve ever done – not just acting, but teaching, speaking, singing, and everything else, too. I’ve explored what that’s about. I feel let down because I didn’t receive enough attention, praise, and accolades (imitation love, in other words) to fill me up. I hoped for the high of feeling loved and felt depressed about not getting enough of whatever I thought I wanted. Could there ever be enough? That may be my own personal “Impossible Dream.”
Refocusing … I do think I gave my best performance under the circumstances and that I contributed something to the audience. I learned some things. I got some experience. I met some people. Some of them may be important to my career in the future. I got 2 cookies and a brownie free. Antoinette saw me and supported me. Several people said they liked my performance. I had fun. And I earned $3 more than I would have if I hadn't participated. It was a good evening.
Michael
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Staged Reading 6/12/05
I'll be reading several of the roles in this staged reading. If you're in the Santa Fe area, please come and enjoy some laughs.
Michael
------------
Two Men, One Mind, One Way Out.
Please Attend a Staged Reading of "Blah Blah Blah"a Screenplay Comedy About What Really Matters Most in Life,(And What Doesn't.)
"Funny, Poignant, Witty and Long-Winded, Blah Blah Blah is a Masterwork. I Ought to Know- I Wrote It"- Charlie Poe
See It On the Stage Before You See It On the Screen
7:00
Sunday, June 12
Santa Fe Playhouse
142 E. DeVargas988-4262
Pay What You Wish
Michael
------------
Two Men, One Mind, One Way Out.
Please Attend a Staged Reading of "Blah Blah Blah"a Screenplay Comedy About What Really Matters Most in Life,(And What Doesn't.)
"Funny, Poignant, Witty and Long-Winded, Blah Blah Blah is a Masterwork. I Ought to Know- I Wrote It"- Charlie Poe
See It On the Stage Before You See It On the Screen
7:00
Sunday, June 12
Santa Fe Playhouse
142 E. DeVargas988-4262
Pay What You Wish
See me in Into the West
I'm in the movie Into the West, a 6-week mini-series produced by TNT. (Steven Spielberg is Executive Producer.) Here’s some information about it and about how to find me. (Note that any or all of my scenes could end up being cut out of the movie by the editor.)
Is this Spiritual Cinema? You decide for yourself. I think it is for a variety of reasons. We can talk about it after it’s been shown, if you’d like.
Let me know if you watch it. I think it’s going to be great (and not just because I'm in it).
If you know of anyone else who might like to have this information, feel free to pass it along to them.
Warmly,
Michael John Gabriel
Into the West takes place throughout the 1800s and is the story of the movement of white settlers from the east into the west and the clash of cultures that occurs between the white folks and the Indians. It is told from the points of view of one white family and one Lakota Sioux family. As they interact, the 2 families intermarry. This is supposed to be the most accurate portrayal of what really happened that has ever been filmed. It isn’t like any Western you’ve ever seen, and I don’t even call it a Western.
To learn a lot about Into the West, see the web site: http://intothewest.com
Into the West Schedule:
The movie will be shown on TNT (whatever channel that is on your system in your area; in Santa Fe on cable, it’s channel 28).
Apparently every episode will be shown 5 times in a weekend. Check your TV schedule to confirm the information below.
Episode 1: Wheel to the Stars (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 10 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 11 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 12 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 2: Manifest Destiny (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 17 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 18 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 19 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 3: Dreams & Schemes (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 24 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 25 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 26 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 4: Hell on Wheels (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 8 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 9 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 10 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
In this episode, look for me as:
1. One of the Irish railroad workers. There may be close-ups of me, especially during the scene when Chinese railroad workers are setting dynamite on the mountainside. A close-up of me was shot during that scene anyway. One of the photos I’ve attached is of that scene. The other was also while I was playing this character.
2. A townsperson in North Platte. I'll be in the background a lot. You may see me greeting people as they get off the train, walking around town, standing and watching Custer’s cavalry riding up to the saloon, etc.
3. A drunk in the saloon. I get dragged off the stage by the ear by a woman who is playing my wife. That will probably be in the background.
4. A railroad dignitary at the Promontory Point ceremonies when the eastern and western railroads meet and the golden spike is driven. I'm just off to the right (their right) of the principals (described in the next sentence) during the spike driving ceremony. When the photo is taken of the 2 trains with all the people in front of them, I am directly behind Glen Powell Jr. (Jackson Wheeler), a blond young man who plays one of the Wheeler family (the white settlers), and to the left of Lance Henrikson who plays Glen’s father and who is one of the main characters at that point in the film.
Episode 5: Casualties of War (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 15 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 16 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 17 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 6: Ghost Dance (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 22 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 23 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 24 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
In this episode, look for me as:
1. A foot soldier approaching and entering the Pine Ridge Reservation.
2. A soldier at the Pine Ridge Reservation. Especially look for me guarding the Indians who are being returned to the reservation by the Buffalo soldiers and again guarding the Indians who are concerned when they hear the sounds of the shooting going on at Wounded Knee.
3. A freighter (someone who carries dead bodies) all through the “clean-up” of the Wounded Knee massacre. In the scene when Margaret Light Shines (I think that’s who it is) is walking the field looking at all the bodies at Wounded Knee, look for me crossing the screen carrying a body with another of the freighters. During the scene when all the bodies are being buried in a big hole, look for me digging in the big pile of dirt to the right of the hole. I'll also be in the background carrying bodies a lot.
Is this Spiritual Cinema? You decide for yourself. I think it is for a variety of reasons. We can talk about it after it’s been shown, if you’d like.
Let me know if you watch it. I think it’s going to be great (and not just because I'm in it).
If you know of anyone else who might like to have this information, feel free to pass it along to them.
Warmly,
Michael John Gabriel
Into the West takes place throughout the 1800s and is the story of the movement of white settlers from the east into the west and the clash of cultures that occurs between the white folks and the Indians. It is told from the points of view of one white family and one Lakota Sioux family. As they interact, the 2 families intermarry. This is supposed to be the most accurate portrayal of what really happened that has ever been filmed. It isn’t like any Western you’ve ever seen, and I don’t even call it a Western.
To learn a lot about Into the West, see the web site: http://intothewest.com
Into the West Schedule:
The movie will be shown on TNT (whatever channel that is on your system in your area; in Santa Fe on cable, it’s channel 28).
Apparently every episode will be shown 5 times in a weekend. Check your TV schedule to confirm the information below.
Episode 1: Wheel to the Stars (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 10 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 11 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 12 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 2: Manifest Destiny (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 17 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 18 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 19 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 3: Dreams & Schemes (filmed in Alberta, Canada):
Friday, June 24 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, June 25 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, June 26 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 4: Hell on Wheels (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 8 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 9 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 10 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
In this episode, look for me as:
1. One of the Irish railroad workers. There may be close-ups of me, especially during the scene when Chinese railroad workers are setting dynamite on the mountainside. A close-up of me was shot during that scene anyway. One of the photos I’ve attached is of that scene. The other was also while I was playing this character.
2. A townsperson in North Platte. I'll be in the background a lot. You may see me greeting people as they get off the train, walking around town, standing and watching Custer’s cavalry riding up to the saloon, etc.
3. A drunk in the saloon. I get dragged off the stage by the ear by a woman who is playing my wife. That will probably be in the background.
4. A railroad dignitary at the Promontory Point ceremonies when the eastern and western railroads meet and the golden spike is driven. I'm just off to the right (their right) of the principals (described in the next sentence) during the spike driving ceremony. When the photo is taken of the 2 trains with all the people in front of them, I am directly behind Glen Powell Jr. (Jackson Wheeler), a blond young man who plays one of the Wheeler family (the white settlers), and to the left of Lance Henrikson who plays Glen’s father and who is one of the main characters at that point in the film.
Episode 5: Casualties of War (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 15 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 16 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 17 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
I am NOT in this episode.
Episode 6: Ghost Dance (filmed in New Mexico):
Friday, July 22 – 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
Saturday, July 23 – 8 e/7 c
Sunday, July 24 – 6 e/5 c; 8 e/7 c; 10 e/9 c
In this episode, look for me as:
1. A foot soldier approaching and entering the Pine Ridge Reservation.
2. A soldier at the Pine Ridge Reservation. Especially look for me guarding the Indians who are being returned to the reservation by the Buffalo soldiers and again guarding the Indians who are concerned when they hear the sounds of the shooting going on at Wounded Knee.
3. A freighter (someone who carries dead bodies) all through the “clean-up” of the Wounded Knee massacre. In the scene when Margaret Light Shines (I think that’s who it is) is walking the field looking at all the bodies at Wounded Knee, look for me crossing the screen carrying a body with another of the freighters. During the scene when all the bodies are being buried in a big hole, look for me digging in the big pile of dirt to the right of the hole. I'll also be in the background carrying bodies a lot.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
