I realize that I am just not the frequent-updater-type-guy. I’m not going to become that guy and I have decided to embrace it. There was one driving reason I started this thing in the first place: Self Promotion. I started this blog so folks visiting my acting site would see some new information of how industrious and committed I am to my acting career. The latest update would appear in a window on the front page and impress the hell out of you. I am still driving forward on my career, training and networking and working, but I’m not going to share the minutiae and details with the public-at-large. When I have something I want everyone to know I will share it, until then I will spare you the little stuff.

Thanks!

Steve

I’ve learned that having a static blog for too long makes visitors wonder if the site is still maintained, if the actor is still working. One option some fellow web site owners suggested is taking down the blog if it’s not updated frequently enough. I’ve decided to try a different tactic, and that is to update weekly even if there isn’t BIG NEWS to share.

Last night I was invited to a New Year’s party that was “Off The F’ing Hook” but only knew a couple of people there and was afraid I would be out of place. Sure enough everyone seemed to know everyone while I clung to my small party, but as the night went on I met several people in the exact same boat as me. By the start of 2010 I had some new friends and had a great time! It’s not the first time I’ve gone to a networking event or party and learned that I was far from the only person in the room that was feeling like an outsider.

It was also nice to finally meet David Kroll, a fellow actor who I’ve been cast with several times but just never got to share the set with. In “Memory“  we never met even though we are in the same film. In the set of a commercial we shot together we were in different spots and had no time to be social in the studio. Funny how that works sometimes.

I needed to update my resume, and when uploading it to my web site I decided to do some updating. Fresh photos are next, then a “reel” section later this summer!

I’ve been spending my Saturday mornings over at Brock-Allen casting taking a series of acting classes. They really bring home the differences of film vs. television acting and how to prepare for them. Sally is a wonderful teacher and I’m looking forward to next week when Toni Cobb Brock will take over for the day and help me learn how to prepare for TV auditions.

Work in Ben Taylor’s class is (as it always has been) very challenging and very rewarding. It’s getting where I look forward more to my Tuesday nights than I do my weekends.
With the the new Tax Incentives (pending budget approval) are available I believe every actor needs to be prepared and ready to go. Some work is coming our way!

I’m happy to say I’ll be preforming the role of Chuck Barton in director Rey Garza’s film “Anywhere Texas” shooting this summer. Met some of the cast and crew this weekend and I’m really looking forward to the project. Chuck is the kind of character I’ll have a really good time with.

Spent yesterday shooting a commercial for the Austin American Statesman directed by Scott Rice. Afterward rolled over for a still photo session that will compose the print ads accompanying the campaign. Had a great time with my scene partner Luther who trucked in from San Antonio for the job.

I suffer from horrible allergies (like many people in Austin) and for the past few weeks have hit the really rough spot for whatever spore is bringing me down. This weekend has been particularly bad. As I sat in the parking lot before a Monday afternoon audition I was suffering; coughing, drainage, burning eyes. Allergy Hell. But soon after I sign in, meet my partner and start rehearsing I go to 100%! While in the room I have this miracle recovery. No symptoms at all. Now, a few hours after the audition my sinuses are starting to itch, the eyes are starting to sting, it’s all coming back.

My first thought: They must have heap-filters at the casting office. But this also happens to me when I get to my acting class. Allergy misery vanishes for a few hours while working. An audition last Sunday, ditto.

So my question is this: What the hell is that about?

Is there some enzyme created by the brain that stifles Allergies? Adrenaline from performing that overpowers the symptoms? Is it mind-over-matter, where one is so distracted they forget to be sick? Until this is available in a gel-cap form my only respite from the Hill Country Curse is to preform in some way.

Just booked a role in the feature “Pastor Shepherd” shooting in March!

I am happy to announce that I am now represented by Cynthia Robbins at BLVD Talent! After meeting with her and learning more about each other I believe we will be a great fit together. I am really excited to be there!

This week kicked off the abbreviated fall Ben Taylor Intensive Workshop. I love the energy and inspiration that comes from training with such a group of talented and motivated people.

Since my last post I wrapped my small but pivotal scene in “More Moments on the Go”.

Crazy work hours at Disney kept me from the Mixers for a couple of months but things are settled enough now that I can rejoin the party, get a Spaten and enjoy the cool breeze.

Things here at Disney are moving a mile-a-minute. The “wrap” date is fast approaching and there is still so much to do. If you haven’t seen much of me lately this is why, but the end is in sight…

I start shooting my part on Wednesday!

The Brite Lites showcase is finally here! I’ll be doing a pair of scenes tonight for a group of Austin’s best talent agencies. The wardrobe is done, props collected, rehearsals complete, press kits compiled. Now it’s time to perform. I’m so ready to go…

I’m learning a lesson about pacing myself. This weekend I shot a UT RTF short “Night at Mr. Ife’s” on Saturday and did a scene in the featurette “Falling to Pieces” on Sunday. Afterward Some friends and I went to the Alamo to see a screening of “Streets of Fire” with the cast on hand to do Q&A. Watching the movie again sent chills through me and the burn to tell story through film got even stronger with the star standing there talking about the experience. Later in the week my sister-in-law Misty Poe and I got the call to do some work on Mia’s Father with C. Thomas Howell. Amid all this there are scenes to memorize for class while preparing for an October 7th showcase. And, on top of all that, I’m coaching the company softball team this season. Rather than adding too much though I think the playtime out on the field is giving me some perspective on acting. It’s easy to get consumed by the work (and the pursuit of it) and forget to live the other facets of life. So Monday night I’ll be out on the softball field yelling some banter and running out a fly ball. Stuff I can put in my bag and use later in some baseball film…

Went to an audition this afternoon right after work, then rolled over to the Network Austin Mixer to hear Bonnie Orr speak. Got some face time with some acting friends and on my way back to the car I got a call from the earlier audition that I booked the role! (Comedy! After a string of dark and dramatic roles I’m looking forward to funny again) Just as I got off the phone with my new director I got a call from a marketing research company that is going to pay me for my opinions on some technology stuff. Another load off my mind because that’s paying for my new headshots! Now I’m at home with Holly having homemade chicken pot pie. Overall I give today an A+.

Just made a Youtube page with a collection of the projects that I have acted in or contributed to in some meaningful way. Now to comb Youtube and see how many of the projects I’ve worked on are out there. I won’t upload anything that I don’t have full rights to out of respect for the directors and producers that have trusted me with copies of the work. It’s right here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stevepowers1964

Over the next month I’ll be on the set for three different projects. An industrial shooting at the end of this month, a short in early September and and a featurette next weekend. It makes me happy to have something to shoot on the schedule. Like looking forward to Christmas, but it comes many times a year.

I just got the part of Stanley in “Falling to Pieces”!  The callback was on Friday. The table read is next Friday and my scenes shoot near the end of the month.

Saturday morning was my table read as Biff in “Memory” by Gino Montoya. I was delighted to see Heath Allyn when I walked into the room. We have been in similar orbits this year and keep ending up on the same sets (Arron Albiet, Born in Sin…) We’ll be shooting “Memory” in two weeks.

I am also rehearsing a pair of scenes for Mona Lee’s final class of the session with respective scene partners Derek and Linda.

Tonight I got to shoot my scenes as a complete sociopath in “The Outsider”. Playing bad is fun. Playing downright pure evil is MORE fun, but it can also be a little unsettling. Bringing up such weird energy over and over can be a little distressing. Like Van Brooks talked about one class, when we play despicable characters we may start to recognize some of them in ourselves, our dark side at the bottom of the well slithers when some light hits it. After we got the take on the script our director (Steven Spencer) was kind enough to let us do it with some ad-lib and exploration. Kristin, my partner in the scene, is awesome. She really works hard and is inspiring to interact with. I love working with people that have that kind of power and professionalism.

This film was also my first time to work with a cannine actor. Zoe was so sweet and disciplined and I was amazed at how she would wait so patiently for multiple takes then go reset with me after each one. And all she worked for was a bit of Milkbone. After she wrapped Zoe got to jump in the pool. Why didn’t I think of doing that?

Twice today I got a call on my cell from “Unknown Caller”. Both times I happened to be driving and both times it was someone calling to offer me a part! I love those calls! I’ll be shooting this weekend as a cold blooded killer (God that sounds fun) and in August I’ll be playing the only decent guy in a small community of jerks. A lesson that is being reaffirmed to me today is to “keep moving forward”. I learned of an audition on Saturday afternoon a couple of hours before it started. It was hot outside, I had chores to do, gas is expensive, there were a million reasons not to go. But I went anyway and today I got the call. Go Forward all the time. Procrastination is a killer.
Today I went to an audtion with my Sister-In-Law and fellow thespian Misty Poe (she is here http://www.mistypoe.com/ ) And we are currently in the process of self producing some scenes together. Just to get our feet wet with the writing and shooting aspects of perhaps making a short. We’re starting small and have some fantastic people on our team.

I am a constituent of The Honorable Steve Ogden, District 5 State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. I rarely contact my legislators but I’ve been moved to reach out to him on behalf of Williamson County filmmakers and our need for an increase of the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. As the head of the Finance Committee he is pivotal in greater success for our efforts in 2009. If you live in Williamson County you can contact the Senator here: http://www.ogden.senate.state.tx.us/