Motivation...you find it in the strangest places. Whether its a saying some tagger put up on a wall, a lyric to a song or even a line from a movie, you find it. Every now and then, however, you get motivation from a simple "good job" from a friend or work colleague. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you said to me tonight. You have no idea what it meant to me to hear you tell me I was good at what I do. It's always nice to hear that, but coming from you it meant even more. Just myself, or any of us, that know your personality...you tell it how it is. You're the most honest person I've ever met and you are a straight shooter. So again, coming from you, it meant the world. I will continue to strive at my career. Thank you for the motivation to continue and strive to do great things. And I don't know if you'll ever come across this blog, or will ever read this, but if you do...I thank you.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Professionalism
I don't have much to say about this weekend which ended up being a bust. I had an audition Tuesday and got the part, but then this weekend we ended up only shooting one scene from the script and the the director canceled the shoot because his 3rd lead actress pulled out for the day of shooting. (just as the other 2 before her did as well). She was, however, available the rest of the weekend. Instead of continuing the shoot and continuing to shoot the film he scratched the whole thing wasting my time and money (I requested off the whole week), my friends time and money (who was the producer of the short and put everything together) and everyone else who was apart of this project. It was the kids first time at it and he didn't know what he was doing. He didn't know how to direct actors, he didn't know how to get a set quiet, he didn't even know how to slate a scene. It was a waste of time. To try and salvage the day my friend and I decided to use the equipment and shoot a hilariously, retarded short film. It's funny and was fun, but still didn't make up for the overall disappointment we all felt. The director said he was going to reshoot in about a month and i told him I wasn't going to play the role anymore because of my upcoming feature. That is partly true, the other reason is because I can't work with him again. I wish him all the best of luck in his future but he needs to learn how to direct actors and on set etiquette before he tries to shoot anything else. My friend, the producer, pulled out as well. Professionalism is the name of the game and a lot of people will not work with you if you're not. Doesn't matter whether it's a professional set, a Gorilla set, or an indie set...you need to be professional.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Director vs. A Dictator
A Director: "Cut! Hey Jonathan..." the director takes a minute to think, "Your mom just died in this scene and you're getting the news from her husband. This man you don't like, or maybe you flat out hate him. I need more sorrow. I need to feel your pain more through the connection you had with your mom. And Russell (the step father) I need you to basically not care. Zero emotion. Like it's no sweat off your back." Myself and Russell respond positively, "Sounds good." "Action! and Cut! That was great. Lets do it again." They always want another take just in case.
A Dictator: "Cut! Hey Jonathan...I need you to say the line like this 'blah blah blah' and then when Russell says 'blah' you need to scream back at him like you've never screamed before. Sound good?" I respond negatively, "Sounds good." "Action! and Cut! Ok lets move on. Now in this scene say it more like this..."
There is a fine line between being a director and being a dictator. I've also had directors go the "Method Acting" route where they pull you aside and try and get you to connect with the material through a personal event in your own life. Telling an actor exactly what to do turns us into a puppet. Don't get me wrong, Puppet shows are great, but when it comes to acting the last thing a director should ever do is try and puppeteer his actors. Trying to be a Puppeteer is an issue with trust, or maybe the guy just doesn't know how to direct. Everyone that directs or writes scripts knows what he hears in his head for the scene. Maybe someone does it spot on like you imagined, maybe someone doesn't, but in either case if an actor is hired and brings his own flare to the table you must work with him instead of work against him. The fastest way to turn an actor off is to tell him what to do and how to do it. He's an artist and progressing the scene by directing him is a plus. You neglect the scene and the performance if you try to dictate.
I personally dealt with only one dictator in my career. He was a first time "director" and didn't understand how actors are or work. He tried to tell me how every line should be said instead of letting me do my thing. After a little while I shut down and didn't even want to be on set anymore. I pulled the director aside and told him that I liked some of his ideas on how to say the lines but the way this character is and who he is, how he feels, what he is thinking, how he views his scene partner and all of that. I go deep into characters and dissect them from the ground up. Sometimes I bring something to the table that the director may not particularly like and throws out suggestions but they aren't orders or "you must say it like this." It's more like a "How does this work for you?" The best direction I ever got was actually from a teacher of mine and she said to me, "with this line, try it multiple ways. Screaming, whispering, monotone, holding back, freaking out, etc. and if any of the other ways work for you in the scene, lets give it a try." So I did and she was right. The line worked in multiple ways and in the end I changed it and the piece was better.
All I'm saying is if you want to be a dictator, go become a Nazi or something. It has no business being on set. I hope I never work with another dictator.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
A Dictator: "Cut! Hey Jonathan...I need you to say the line like this 'blah blah blah' and then when Russell says 'blah' you need to scream back at him like you've never screamed before. Sound good?" I respond negatively, "Sounds good." "Action! and Cut! Ok lets move on. Now in this scene say it more like this..."
There is a fine line between being a director and being a dictator. I've also had directors go the "Method Acting" route where they pull you aside and try and get you to connect with the material through a personal event in your own life. Telling an actor exactly what to do turns us into a puppet. Don't get me wrong, Puppet shows are great, but when it comes to acting the last thing a director should ever do is try and puppeteer his actors. Trying to be a Puppeteer is an issue with trust, or maybe the guy just doesn't know how to direct. Everyone that directs or writes scripts knows what he hears in his head for the scene. Maybe someone does it spot on like you imagined, maybe someone doesn't, but in either case if an actor is hired and brings his own flare to the table you must work with him instead of work against him. The fastest way to turn an actor off is to tell him what to do and how to do it. He's an artist and progressing the scene by directing him is a plus. You neglect the scene and the performance if you try to dictate.
I personally dealt with only one dictator in my career. He was a first time "director" and didn't understand how actors are or work. He tried to tell me how every line should be said instead of letting me do my thing. After a little while I shut down and didn't even want to be on set anymore. I pulled the director aside and told him that I liked some of his ideas on how to say the lines but the way this character is and who he is, how he feels, what he is thinking, how he views his scene partner and all of that. I go deep into characters and dissect them from the ground up. Sometimes I bring something to the table that the director may not particularly like and throws out suggestions but they aren't orders or "you must say it like this." It's more like a "How does this work for you?" The best direction I ever got was actually from a teacher of mine and she said to me, "with this line, try it multiple ways. Screaming, whispering, monotone, holding back, freaking out, etc. and if any of the other ways work for you in the scene, lets give it a try." So I did and she was right. The line worked in multiple ways and in the end I changed it and the piece was better.
All I'm saying is if you want to be a dictator, go become a Nazi or something. It has no business being on set. I hope I never work with another dictator.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Flip of a Coin
Today I had another audition. I auditioned for a short film that will be produced by my friends GuD Films. It was interesting to audition in front of my good friend who I've worked with many of times before, but I understood. I'm out learning more about the business, so he should be doing the same. In the end, however, I did end up getting the part. The shoot is this weekend.
After I got cast I was thinking about what if I didn't get the part. When you think about it, it's really a 50/50 chance. They either say yes or no. It's like flipping a coin. Heads or tails. Either you get the part, or you don't. And I started thinking about life as well and how most decisions are a flip of a coin. Either you run the red light, or you don't. Every decision throughout life comes with the after effects. For instance the red light situation. If you run the red light you could get a ticket or end up hitting someone crossing the street, killing them and spending the rest of your life behind bars. OR If you don't run the red light it could cause a chain of red lights to follow making you late to work and in turn getting you fired because your boss is in a bad mood that day and you walking in 4 minutes late was the icing on the cake. For me, however, all auditions are a coin flip. Either I get the part and better my acting experience; which could lead to a phenomenal film; which could lead to exposure; which could lead to my ultimate goal in life...to live my dream and support myself doing so. OR I could not get the part; which makes me work this weekend; which gives me money that I really need; which gets me caught up on bills and debts. So here it was a win, win. Or maybe I'm just a positive person.
And also if you get called in for an audition always remember the casting director is ready to give you the part. He starts in his head with "Yes, you have the part" and then whatever you do in the actual audition either keeps his mind that way, or changes it. They want to say Yes. They want to see you succeed.
Either way with all these auditions it comes down to a flip of a coin. You either get the part, or you don't.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
After I got cast I was thinking about what if I didn't get the part. When you think about it, it's really a 50/50 chance. They either say yes or no. It's like flipping a coin. Heads or tails. Either you get the part, or you don't. And I started thinking about life as well and how most decisions are a flip of a coin. Either you run the red light, or you don't. Every decision throughout life comes with the after effects. For instance the red light situation. If you run the red light you could get a ticket or end up hitting someone crossing the street, killing them and spending the rest of your life behind bars. OR If you don't run the red light it could cause a chain of red lights to follow making you late to work and in turn getting you fired because your boss is in a bad mood that day and you walking in 4 minutes late was the icing on the cake. For me, however, all auditions are a coin flip. Either I get the part and better my acting experience; which could lead to a phenomenal film; which could lead to exposure; which could lead to my ultimate goal in life...to live my dream and support myself doing so. OR I could not get the part; which makes me work this weekend; which gives me money that I really need; which gets me caught up on bills and debts. So here it was a win, win. Or maybe I'm just a positive person.
And also if you get called in for an audition always remember the casting director is ready to give you the part. He starts in his head with "Yes, you have the part" and then whatever you do in the actual audition either keeps his mind that way, or changes it. They want to say Yes. They want to see you succeed.
Either way with all these auditions it comes down to a flip of a coin. You either get the part, or you don't.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Popping my Kissing on Film Cherry
As you all know I was back in Austin this past weekend working with my future crew for the upcoming film "Snatch N Grab." Well, the film we worked on this weekend was a short entitled, "Freaky Friday the 13th." It's a funny, horror film. I was only needed on set for Sunday so I had the whole weekend to get down and party with one of my best friends from Chicago, another great friend of mine from San Diego and all my peeps in Austin. By the time Sunday rolled around I was well rested (since I didn't go out Saturday...I was responsible). I showed up on set at the scheduled time, 10am. I get there and notice the minutes ticking away but no other actors were showing up. I was thinking to myself, "shit." The the director for Snatch N Grab was like, "Oh Jon...next time check your email before you roll into set. We pushed the call time back." Again I was like, "shit." But hey, first impression is a good one, I showed up early! Anyway, the other actors started piling in and then, there she was. The actress that would be popping my "on film cherry." She was really nice and cool. They decided to shoot other scenes before they got to our makeout scene, so we got to chill, watch TV and talk. Normally I would want to rehearse but I thought it wasn't a good idea to say, "So...you wanna practice making out?" And we only had 2 lines each, so it's not like I would forget my lines.
It was finally our time to shine, but they called lunch before hand. "Oh shit." I thought, "Did I bring gum?!" I checked my pockets...no gum. But the leading lady had covered me and handed me some altoids for after lunch. We were eating spaghetti and it was tasty! I was starving too! I had only had one small breakfast. As I was getting my plate the director, jokingly, said, "For someone that hasn't acted yet you sure do eat a lot." I was like, "OH CRAP." not knowing he was joking because we don't really know each other yet. I stopped grabbing food and he started laughing and said, "Don't worry. I was just kidding." So I finished eating quickly but was still hungry, so I got up and had a second plate.
After lunch I popped the altoids and was ready to go. We were in position, camera was set, lights were on. Director shouts, "ok...roll cameras" Cameras are rolling. "FF 13 scene 14A take 1" CLAP on the marker. "Action." and then next thing I know we're making out. Now mind you this isn't normal making out, or porno making out...It's movie making out. So 12 year old kissing style without much touching at all. When we watched the playback however...it looks like we're going at it! That's just good acting. ;) After the first couple takes she starts putting chap stick on. We're all talking and then the other girl in the scene, the killer, asks her a question. "So what are you doing after this?" "I'm going home and hanging with my husband." My mouth dropped open! "Your husband?!" I said. She looked at me and shook her head. Jokingly I said, "That's fucking awesome!" Everyone on set just started cracking up. She looked really confused and then the director told her, "This is Jon's first make out scene on film. So a married woman just popped his cherry." She joined in on the laughter.
We finished the scene about 2 hours later getting all the different angles. I had such a great time with this crew and I'm definitely looking forward to working with them again and next time I see them...I will be ready for anything.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
It was finally our time to shine, but they called lunch before hand. "Oh shit." I thought, "Did I bring gum?!" I checked my pockets...no gum. But the leading lady had covered me and handed me some altoids for after lunch. We were eating spaghetti and it was tasty! I was starving too! I had only had one small breakfast. As I was getting my plate the director, jokingly, said, "For someone that hasn't acted yet you sure do eat a lot." I was like, "OH CRAP." not knowing he was joking because we don't really know each other yet. I stopped grabbing food and he started laughing and said, "Don't worry. I was just kidding." So I finished eating quickly but was still hungry, so I got up and had a second plate.
After lunch I popped the altoids and was ready to go. We were in position, camera was set, lights were on. Director shouts, "ok...roll cameras" Cameras are rolling. "FF 13 scene 14A take 1" CLAP on the marker. "Action." and then next thing I know we're making out. Now mind you this isn't normal making out, or porno making out...It's movie making out. So 12 year old kissing style without much touching at all. When we watched the playback however...it looks like we're going at it! That's just good acting. ;) After the first couple takes she starts putting chap stick on. We're all talking and then the other girl in the scene, the killer, asks her a question. "So what are you doing after this?" "I'm going home and hanging with my husband." My mouth dropped open! "Your husband?!" I said. She looked at me and shook her head. Jokingly I said, "That's fucking awesome!" Everyone on set just started cracking up. She looked really confused and then the director told her, "This is Jon's first make out scene on film. So a married woman just popped his cherry." She joined in on the laughter.
We finished the scene about 2 hours later getting all the different angles. I had such a great time with this crew and I'm definitely looking forward to working with them again and next time I see them...I will be ready for anything.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Thursday, September 3, 2009
First Feature Length Film
I got the call on Monday while I was at work. Then I got off work and went home to my computer, checked my email and there was 1 new message. I opened the message and it was from the director from the audition I had a few weeks back. He offered a supporting role in the feature length film "Snatch n Grab." My mouth dropped! My first role in a feature length film! Couldn't be happier. Things have really been on the up since I started this whole blog thing. I honestly was ready to just talk about my past stories until anything came around that I could put up and write about. Past stories like my first day in acting class. My first audition (which I got the part). My first extra work (Spider-Man 3). The day I spent on the set of Star Trek. The conversation I had with director Frank Darabont. So many old stories I could write about, and I was ready to write about them all...still want to because they are very interesting. But I've just been getting auditions, gigs and great stories to write about. I'm very happy and can't wait to see what happens with the film. I'm shooting a short film with the same production company this weekend. A last minute offer for a smaller role but it's my first kiss on screen...well make out session on screen. Have NO IDEA what to expect, but I bet it will make for a great story.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Spanish, Espanol, Castellano
hola readers!
So everyday I get casting calls. Some in Dallas, some in Austin, some in Houston and some in surrounding cities/states. But lately I've been getting a lot of good paying casting calls for actors who are FLUENT IN SPANISH. I am not. Yes I am from Spanish heritage and yes all of my family speaks Spanish, but I do not. Apparently when I was younger my mom spoke Spanish to me and I would reply to her, "mom...I'm not going to speak to you unless you speak English." And being a good mother she didn't force it on me and she stopped. Boy was I a stupid kid!! My great uncle Alex, or Alejandro, always says to me, "Juanito, you speak Spanish yet?" and I say, regretfully, "No Alex." and he says, "Boy! You must be proud of where you come from!" He's right. Now I'm dying to learn Spanish. My friend, however, that I work with got Rosetta Stone - Spanish a couple months ago and he already has conversations with our employees who are Mexican. I'm shocked! I asked him if it really does work and he told me "YES!!" So he's gonna let me use it. My goal is within 2010 to become fluent or close to fluent in Spanish. Shit, if I have to I'll move to Barcelona so I learn proper Spanish and not Mexican. Yes, there is a difference or so I'm told. This will be good for me on a personal and professional level. Than I won't have to by pass, "PAID ROLE: CASTING JAVIER: 17-26. $2000 + % OF SALES. MUST BE FLUENT IN SPANISH" ever again.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
So everyday I get casting calls. Some in Dallas, some in Austin, some in Houston and some in surrounding cities/states. But lately I've been getting a lot of good paying casting calls for actors who are FLUENT IN SPANISH. I am not. Yes I am from Spanish heritage and yes all of my family speaks Spanish, but I do not. Apparently when I was younger my mom spoke Spanish to me and I would reply to her, "mom...I'm not going to speak to you unless you speak English." And being a good mother she didn't force it on me and she stopped. Boy was I a stupid kid!! My great uncle Alex, or Alejandro, always says to me, "Juanito, you speak Spanish yet?" and I say, regretfully, "No Alex." and he says, "Boy! You must be proud of where you come from!" He's right. Now I'm dying to learn Spanish. My friend, however, that I work with got Rosetta Stone - Spanish a couple months ago and he already has conversations with our employees who are Mexican. I'm shocked! I asked him if it really does work and he told me "YES!!" So he's gonna let me use it. My goal is within 2010 to become fluent or close to fluent in Spanish. Shit, if I have to I'll move to Barcelona so I learn proper Spanish and not Mexican. Yes, there is a difference or so I'm told. This will be good for me on a personal and professional level. Than I won't have to by pass, "PAID ROLE: CASTING JAVIER: 17-26. $2000 + % OF SALES. MUST BE FLUENT IN SPANISH" ever again.
Cheers,
Jonathan Baca
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