It’s Time

I hope you have had the opportunity to view my facebook. The trailer to DEADLIFT is amazing

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/link.ruiz?ref=profile

Well, i’ve gone out to quite a few castings, but no cigar. This last week has been quite. I have been praying to land something but I have not. I have thought about heading to LA. I thought of how I was going to do it. I thought of when. I prayed for the opportunity. I wondered when and how. The opportunity has presented itself. I will be in LA soon. Now let’s see what I can do. I watched the Princess Diaries with my kid and there was something that was said the resonated andwill forever stick with me. It went something like, “People who have courage don’t live forever but people who live cautiously never lives at all”. I don’t know if that was quoted from somwhere else but that is true. My desire to be creative, seek out my dreams made me realize I am a dreamer. See, my opinion is that if you want to be a cop, fireman, doctor, lawyer, Engineer, etc… they are not dreams. They are goals that can be attained. You want to be something that seems far fetched but attainable, if you are “lucky”, that’s a dream. Don’t believe me, tell someone you want to be an engineer and watch their response. Then tell another you want to be an actor and watch their response. Tell them you want to be an Archaeologist then tell another you want to be President. You feel me.

It’s time.

Look or Talent?

Happy New Year!
Everything has been quite. My day job has me hourly so it will be extremely difficult getting away from work without loosing money. I’ve only received one call from my agents. Emerge called me on the 13th of January for a casting that I was selected for. It was a Volkswagon commercial in Spanish. They sent me the sides which I mastered that night because my Spanish is good but my accent is not neutral. The 14th roles around and I’m sitting at Universal waiting to be called. When I walk in, they give me a totally different role and new sides. I’m dreading this audition now. I tanked! It was a terrible audition. I drove back to my day job pissed off. I told myself I will no longer do Spanish auditions. I called my agent as usual and let them know I was done with audition.

Today I get a phone call for that audition. I know I tanked at that Audition. I would bet my left arm I tanked that’s how sure am I. It must be the look. I think sometimes, your looks will override the talent so never wonder why you didn’t get that call back because you may never know.

Opportunity Knocks

Ok. So it’s been several days. What could I say? I love my new place!
I’ve been out to several auditions for Spanish Commercials but I haven’t booked any yet. I also haven’t called my agent as I have been dealing with a lot day work issues like my boss is now my former boss and 2 new people started which I was training and oh! Look, here comes one more. Smells fishy!
About a week and a half ago a fellow actor/writer asked me if I was interested in a role for a trailor for a tv pilot? Yeah! This is a wonderful opportunity. We shot this past thursday . Could you imagine? The show is called DEADLIFT. This could turn into something positive.
The next day I had an audition in Spanish plus improv for the Florida lottery. I believe I did very good and so did the director and casting director. I felt happy because the casting director requested me through my agent.

Later

Rest

It’s been quite. Not that I haven’t phone calls. It’s just that my wife and I have been in hot pursuit of an apartment closer to civiliation. I overbooked myself For some auditions the very next day we were moving in. I packed the uhaul up by myself. Something I shouldn’t have done but I really don’t have “friends” that are in Miami that are willing to not work and spend the day with me moving. I finished the next morning at 5am. I had to be at 2 auditions. One in 4 hours and the other 2 hours later. I attempted to but I never made it to them. I should have used my judgement.

We love the new place. It’s in a great neighborhood and I can actually rest! Everyone is happy now.

Mike Stevens, the lead in Tony and tina’s wedding called me up just now to offer me a role on a pilot that he is shooting! I’m honored!

I get to rest and work. I love this. Let’s back to acting!

Still Grindin’

My agent Peggi calls me Tuesday to audition for A commercial for Pearl Vision at Universal in Spanish on Wednesday. I took it. I remember what Raquel told me which was to read pronounce every word it worked! Even the casting director commented in my performance. And I thought he didn’t like me!

Agent A calls me on Wednesday afternoon. Wow! I haven’t heard from them in ions. The conversation went like this;
Me- “hi–
Agent a- are you available for an audition at Lori Wyman tomorrow?
Me- what’s it for?
Agent a- for a company called XYZ. They need a Latin male and female and it’s at 11:50am, can you make it?
Me- yeah but ca–
Agent a- do you have a girl you usually go out with?
Me- No. Um, are there–
Agent a- gotta go. I have to find a female.
Me- wait! Are there sides? What’s the attire? (pause) hello?
Dial tone

This the very reason I don’t like dealing with agent a.

I head to the audition the next day and see a paragraph in Spanish and no female to do it with. It pissed me off and walked out.

This was not the best thing to do but I’m tired of this agent behaving like this. I guess I short changed myself.

On a brighter side, we finished On a Cold Day Sunday and it was great. I can’t wait to see it. Here is a note to everyone trying to build a reel. I won’t see the final product till May 2010. I thought by February I would have enough material for my reel but I guess I was wrong. Till next time.

Don’t Wait, Move Forward

I went to the call back for the print job Sunday in between shooting. I never told them I left for a call back. I went to the call back and found out they were pairing everyone together to create families. We did some improv and I went back to the shoot. I felt really bad because they were waiting on me to get the last shot but they we extremely nice about it. Monday came and my agent called me to tell me I have a first refusal for the print job. She said she should know by the end of the day. I found myself waiting by the phone for a call that didn’t happen. I was breaking a rule for actors which is don’t wait for the call. I will move forward to get the next job.

Life of an Actor

It is HOT… I’m sweating. My agent called me on Friday to ask me if I would like to be an Extra for telemundo for $200 on Sunday. I have to pass because we are filming On a Cold Day from 3 to 10pm. Then she calls to tell me a I have a call back for the Census commercial print on Sunday. Damn! Yes I’ll do it. I immediately called one of the Producers for O.C.D. And asked if I could be excused for 1 hour. A few phone calls later and I’m cleared. YES!

Sleepless Conflict

Yesterday was the rehearsal for On a Cold Day. It was very cool except I have to jump thru wholes and do summersaults to meet this shoot schedule. Tomorrow we shoot at 5am to 9am. I will head back to work then head to shoot again at 3pm to 10. That part is ok but I need to sleep. I’ve been up since 3am and rehearsal finished around 11pm, I got home at 12, o’ you get the picture. Oh! I received a call back for the census audition. It for Sunday but it conflicts with On a Cold Day shoot. I asked if I can leave for an hour but I am still waiting for a reply. I will call Peggi tomorrow to see if they will reschedule for Saturday because I have open availablility. Wish me luck.

At the audition

I’m writing from the audition. I’m looking at the breakdown and I’m auditioning for the dad, age 36 to 43. Has my agent even looked at my photo? I am 34 but I look like I’m in my late 20s. WTF! All these guys look older than me. Oh well. Let me do
My best.
Later…
The casting went well. I was paired with a woman that wanted to rehearse with the kids we had a great time. We went did our thing. Cross your fingers.

Another Audition in Spanish plus

Well it’s early,about 5am. I just dropped off my wife at work and I’m with the kids in the car ready to take a nap. I guess I don’t know anyone that does what we do for the past 5 1/2 years. We live about 40 miles away from my wife’s job and well, about 30 miles away from my daughter’s school, 45 miles from my son’s school and 47 miles from my day job. Thank god my oldest hops on the train near my wife’s job but could you imagine having just one car? Yeah, I know. Well today I have an audition at Universal Casting for an Olive Garden commercial in Spanish. My 3rd agent, agent c, Emerge Talent sent me on this audition. They sent me the sides on Friday so I have enough time to rehearse. Let’s hope the Puerto Rican doesn’t come out. I wish they were more diverse. I met this older lady last week and she told me to take some Spanish speaking acting classes at the local college because they can help me learn to neutralize my Spanish. I hate feeling like I’m “selling out”. But I’m thinking about it. I don’t want to short change myself in a “Latino” market. I also have rehearsals for “On a Cold Day” tonight. Finally, I complete the application for the apartment which my household really wants including myself. It will be 3 miles from my wife’s job, etc… Everyone will be so much comfortable. Last Friday my boss from my day job put in his 2 weeks. Now I’m not sure if he was pushed or he jumped. It’s a bit sad because he is a nice guy and if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to go out on so many auditions like I have. I’m wondering if they are going to offer me his job. I am the likely candidate for the job. If offered I am going to take the extra money and apply it to my plan. Well good morning or night.