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Cole Coleman



Last Updated: 12/23/2009

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Status: Single
City: LOS ANGELES
State: California
Country: US
Signup Date: 12/1/2005

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009 

Current mood:  relaxed
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
The Space Between
Feature Film
Drama
Starring:
Melissa Leo 
Release Date: 2011


Leaving On A Jet Plane:
This is my second feature film and I'm cast as a passenger for the second time -- consecutively after my bit as a passenger on Monk. Hhhmmm, I think the universe thinks I need some travel time! This time I'll be an airline passenger.

A Serious Film:
I looked up the film and was a little surprised to see that it's a drama apparently about a young boy (10-ish) who is trying to make his way back to New York on Sep 11, 2001 -- and the Flight Attendant (Melissa Leo) who helps him.

Tricksters!:
The initial caller about my schedule had asked if I could be in West Covina at 8:15am the following day for the shoot. That's about 1-hours' drive from me and it's in the heart of Los Angeles morning traffic -- but, of course "I'll be there" is my answer. But, once there and checked-in it's made clear to us all that we're then boarding vans that will take us to the set located at Ontario Airport! Sacrebleu! Tricksters! Haha!! No matter really - after all, they're springing for the drive there and it's only about 15 or 20-minutes further.

All Aboard:
Once at the set, we jumped right into the scene. For me, they want me to stand in line to board the plane and when I get to the Boarding Checker pause there a little and then walk down the ramp to board. First rehearsal is called and when I get to the Checker I see the familiar face of Alexandra Holtzman who I've now run into on 3 shoots (The Mentalist, Monk, The Space Between)! So, that's a comfort. I decide that my character has momentarily misplaced his ticket - and that's going to give me reason to pause a moment while I look around for it; in my coat; in my bag. 

Lots Of Crossing:
There's not a whole lot more to tell about this shoot. They shot several scenes right there at the boarding gate with the principal actors. While that's going on they need people to cross the scene to make the place look busy and full of people. So, much of the rest of the day for me was crossing to and fro -- there and back again. In the afternoon they asked those of us with a change of clothing to go ahead and change and then come back for more crossing.

A Sombre But Beautiful Sunset:
Since this story is taking place with the Sep 11 Attacks as the backdrop, I noticed a certain sense of sadness and reflection all day. Being a drama the scenes with the principals were on the serious side ranging from farewell scenes as the father said goodbye to his boy to scenes where the flight attendant was trying to comfort him. While waiting in between shots many of us Backgrounders sat or stood near windows and looked out at the tarmac; the planes coming and going. 

As I was driving home near sunset the Los Angeles traffic got too thick to bear. So, I pulled off the road and grabbed a coffee and a slice of pumpkin bread at a Starbucks in Pico Rivera. I sipped and munched as I sat outside at a table and admired the beautiful October sunset; with it's intense deep orange afterglow. I wasn't too far from the Borders Books location there where I played many times with my friend Lynn Davison in my duo Davison/Coleman; so, good memories too.


It sure felt good to be in an airline terminal again. The last time I flew was about 1-year ago now and that was just a hop over to Las Vegas. I'm aching to really fly off to New York; or Europe! Well, maybe next year.

My next booking is this Friday for a show called "Gigantic." I get to put on a suite and be an attendee at a high-toned affair. 


-- Cole --
9:00 AM 
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 

Current mood:  rockin
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Monk
TV Show
Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Crime
Season: 8
Episode: I didn't catch the name and number of this episode -- but it is rumoured to be the series finale! I'll update this info when I can but it will air right around December 18.


A Traveller To Nowhere:
On the afternoon of Thursday October 8th my messaging goes off on my phone and I see the wonderfully cryptic message "Booking, Monk, Passenger." How interesting sounding! So, I'm going to be on the show "Monk" and playing a passenger -- on what type of transport I wonder. Will it be a small scene with the star Tony Shalhoub in a Taxi; a plane; a bus; I wonder? As always, more info becomes available after 8pm on an info line set up for the people being booked on the show. After 8pm I find out the scene is to be on location in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station and my part is to be a passenger on his way to well... wherever. Being at the cavernous Union Station this has to be a big call.

One Of The Many:
Once finding the holding area for the shoot, I see that yes indeed there are many, many people called for this shoot. And, I see several people I've met on previous shows and that's quite nice - a bit of camaraderie. I had barely arrived at my 9:30am Call Time when two of the Assistant Directors (AD's) came in and described the overview of the day's scenes to be shot. Apparently, this day of shooting is all about a big chase scene that goes through the Station. As such, there would be a lot of different scenes and shots to show the chase going through the various areas; so, they started in right away.

That's My Luggage:
First shot for me was at the luggage carousal. Here, they had me and a couple others begin to approach the carousal to pick up our bags when suddenly this guy (the suspect) comes running full-throttle right by us and leaps up onto the carousal and off in the blink of an eye followed by "Captain Leland Stotllemeyer" (Ted Lavine). I haven't seen guys run this hard and fast since High School!

Cut To The Chase:
I was surprised that there were so many little scenes. We did about 1-scene an hour plus time for lunch and some set up time. All in all, there were about 10-scenes shot over 13-hours and I'm in about six of them.

Everybody Run!
The biggest scene of the day was one using all 126 Backgrounders. I won't detail the scene but the director had us all assemble in the large waiting room of Union Station. Then, on cue he had us all panic and run for the doors! He called this the "Pandemonium" scene. We shot this scene a few times again and again as needed while everyone had a ball "panicking" and running!

Spotting Me:
I was pretty clearly visible in a lot of shots but that also depends on how they edit it all; and what camera angles they use. Be on the lookout for the guy wearing a wine coloured shirt with a grey vest and blue jeans carrying a wine coloured bag, black overcoat over the arm, and holding a wrapped-up umbrella. 

A Sweet And Poignant Moment:
One big highlight of the day was when one of the AD's rounded us all up and told us that today 10.09 was Tony Shalhoub's birthday (the star of the show) and then asked if anyone would like to volunteer to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. Of course -- we all volunteered. She then told us that he was filming an outdoor scene in the courtyard at the moment and that she was going to have us sneak down the shaded sides of the set inside the corridors.  Then, during a take a women was going to suddenly wheel in a table with a big birthday cake on it and as that happens we would all walk out onto the set singing "Happy Birthday" --- and that's exactly what happened.

Tony seemed genuinely surprised and touched by it. When asked to make a birthday wish, he said in a slow and sober tone, "I'd like to work with you all again." Which was a very nice and poignant thing to say especially since we were shooting what appears to be - the series finale.


-- Cole --
1:00 AM 
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Friday, October 02, 2009 

Current mood:  amused
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
The Mentalist
TV Show
Crime Drama
Season: 2
Episode: 7, "Throwing Fire"
Air Date: 11.5.09


1980's & Big Hair:
Last week on the 23rd of September I got a call to work on "The Mentalist." The details (as usual) would be revealed after 8pm the night before on the info line for the call. What's revealed is that the scene is to be on location outdoors at a carnival; the time period is set in the 1980's; and please "come hair and makeup ready." Hmmmm... a carnival set in the 1980's. What should I do? Well, I can't do much about the clothing but a couple things I have were around then too - black zipper pants and blue jeans. So, I figure it's going to be down to hair style. 

Looking up photos on the Web you can see there are several distinct styles for back then: there were punky spikey kind of styles; there were blow-dried poofy big-hair styles; there were the short "Miami Vice" styles; and there were the long haired styles. Considering my hair length, I decided to go for a mix of the first two styles I mentioned and go for a big poofy spikey textured thing ala Billy Idol!

So I get up at 5:45am, shower off, and get ready to style. I towel dry, lean over and blow dry it upside down to get the volume. I scrunch it, shake it, run my fingers through it until it's just barely damp. I stand up and look in the mirror and voila! I swear it looked like Edward Scissorshands! It was just a little shorter... but in the same area. I loved it! I'd gotten some super-strength hairspray the night before and started spraying. It calmed down a little and so ultimately it looked liked something in-between a Billy Idol thing and an "English-Wave" thing. I loved it - and am thinking of wearing it that way! 

So to picture me that morning - I drove off wearing my black zipper pants (long zippers up and down and across my legs); a black sleeveless t-shirt; rings all over my fingers; a dangly earing in my right ear; and one fingerless glove on my left hand.

A Different 1980's!:
I get to the set and check in at wardrobe where the lady in charge says, "Oh, no, no, no! That's way too stylish. That's Los Angeles 80's this is Midwest 80's. (enter the sound of a stylus scratching vinyl). She added, "You nailed it but we gotta fix you up with something else." She disappeared for a couple minutes and came back with blue jeans and a bright turquoise bowling shirt with a brown and blue stripe around the collar and it's short sleeves. 

Hair:
After changing my clothes, I visited the "Hair" van where the stylist loved my 80's hair style. She sat me down in her chair with a smile and tugged on the arm of the stylist next to her so he could have a look. He turned and in an English accent (which he was) exclaimed "Brilliant!. Wow, you nailed it mate!" To which my stylist sadly replied "Yeah, but we gotta do Midwest 80's hair." So, with a little sadness she sprayed me down with water and combed it all out. What she gave me was sort of parted down the middle and combed back on the sides. It looked like a John Denver-ish cut circa 1978...

All The Rest:
There's not too much else to say about this shoot except that this one was mainly a lot of walking from booth to booth and crossing side to side to make it look busy. Here and there we did feature spots where the camera was closeup on some of us playing the various games. I did a closeup scene with a girl where we were throwing darts. 

Which Episode? A Flashback?:
I didn't catch the number and name of this episode but about 8-minutes of it is this flashback scene where the leading character (Patrick) is remembering a day at the carnival with his Father. 

A Lot Of Care:
This shoot worked September 24th and 25th! Alot of detail, craft, and effort went into shooting this 8-minute scene. They shot at all times of the day utilizing the natural light: morning shots; day shots; late afternoon shots; night shots with all the carnival lights going. 

It'll be interesting to see how they use it all -- or not!

-- Cole --
8:00 AM 
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009 

Current mood:  luminous
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Priest
Action/Thriller
Starring:
Paul Bettany (A Knight's Tale, A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code)
Karl Urban (Lord Of The Rings, Chronicles Of Riddick, Star Trek)
Release Date: 10.1.2010


The Cathedral Scene:
While I'm told that shooting for "Priest" will continue through December 09, the scenes with background are now all finished with this last scene that they're calling "The Cathedral Scene." In fact, it's the finale of the movie.

I was imagining it being shot inside a soundstage with a set that would be burnt and bombed-out looking; or perhaps, a surreal look to it. But, checking the info line the night before the shoot (they don't update the line until the night before) I hear it's going to be on location in downtown Los Angeles and my call time is 7:30am.

Downtown Los Angeles:
5:50am my alarm goes off. It's a little unsettling to me to wake up while it's still dark out. But, I'm in good company and I've got to get ahead of the wave of commuters to be on time. With a few splashes of water on my face and a meal bar in hand I'm off. Remarkably, my timing worked! I'm cruising effortlessly though L.A.. Sure there's plenty of cars on the road but no bumper to bumper --- until I hit the 110! It took about 15-minutes to get 60% the way there but it would be another 45-minutes to finish the 15 mile commute. But, I was indeed on time.

Base Camp:
In a parking lot at 4th and Spring Street, Screen Gems had set up our base camp. With it's tents and trailers to accommodate around 150 of us background and with the dark grey rags everyone's wearing as costumes, it looked like some sort of refugee camp. In the makeup chair all of us got properly smudged and smeared. Many got prosthetic wounds put on; cuts and burn marks. I primarily got dark powder brushed on and grease and dust in my hair. I looked like photos I've seen of coal minors. 

The Set:
I never did find out what our set location was. It was a building halfway between 4th and 5th street on the west side of Spring. It looked like an old 10-story 1930's-1940's bank building walking in. Our set was on the second level and as I walked in - things got echoey as footsteps bounced off marble floors, Greek columns, backless benches that looked like chiselled stone. 

In Holding:
While waiting to be called to the set, we waited in a large room on the first floor. While cruising around down there I came across an actor I've seen on the History Channel -- Mr. Bill Oberst Jr.. I've seen him in a movie on the History Channel called "Sherman's March" and thoroughly enjoyed him in his role as General William Sherman. He's a busy man; be on the lookout for his future movies. He seems to get cast alot as a villain and I wonder if some iconic role may be in his future... some as yet unimagined demon along the lines of Freddy Krueger.

Finale Scene With A Film Icon:
After we all got settled onto the set one of the PA's addressed everyone and told us all about what was happening in this scene and what kinds of reactions we were to come up with. Then, she announced that an additional celebrity actor had accepted the role of Monsignor for this scene - Christopher Plummer!  You'll all know him from various roles in movies over the past 60 years including: "The Sound Of Music;" "The Fall Of The Roman Empire;" "Hamlet;" "Star Trek VI;" "Somewhere In Time," "A Beautiful Mind;" "National Treasure;" currently "9;" and next year "Priest!"

Now, I'm not only pleased to be doing this scene but thrilled! I don't want to give the scene away -- so you can all enjoy it when you see it. But, I can say that for this scene all of us there are not just filling space - we're reacting to the actions of Paul Bettany (the Priest) and Christopher Plummer. At one point Christopher Plummer's character walks right by me and I'm angrily scowling at him. 

They shuffled some of us around for this shot. At one point they had me sit on the main aisle on the very last row closest to the big doors. You might spot me when - the Priest - first enters the church. I'm one of the first to turn in surprise at seeing him. But, it all depends on which camera angle and which take they choose.

I sure loved being a part of it. I love these bigger than life graphic novel stories!


-- Cole --
2:00 AM 
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Friday, September 18, 2009 

Current mood:  chill
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Castle
TV Show
Season: 2
Episode: 6, "Vampire Weekend"
Air Date: 10.26.09


The Scene:
Hey - I actually got cast into a show by being myself!  There was a call to send photos in wearing your Goth/Vampire stuff - so I landed a little part on the show "Castle." This scene is to be at a Vampire Club. We (the vampires) are to be surprised to see two mortals (characters Richard Castle and Kate Beckett) walk in; and we approach them like the fresh blood they are! 

Call Time:
My call time was 9:30am on location in downtown Los Angeles. The studio apparently has purchased some old warehouses and has converted them to sets. The traffic was a nightmare at that time of day. It took 1-1/2 hours to travel the 15 miles there.

Makeup:
This was the first time I actually was put into the makeup chair at a production. The guy who worked on me had been part of the makeup team for "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" so I enjoyed that thought. We chatted briefly as he shadowed my eyes and darkened my chin whiskers. On the wall were photos of Goths and Vampires that the makeup people would use as reference. While chatting, we found out the makeup man to my left was also part of the team working on "Priest." Wow -- such a small world! He was one of the guys running about on set making sure we all looked dirty!

On Set:
We all got settled into the holding area by noon; had a break for lunch; and resumed waiting. Right around 4pm we were led to the set. Ah... my eyes beheld the kind of bar I would enjoy - but have never found: dark wood panelling on the walls; wood floors; where there was paint - it was a nice burgundy colour; a few beautiful landscape paintings on the walls; nice furnishings including a couple coffee tables and candle-lamps; and, all bathed in red light accented here and there by candlelight.

The Assistant Director immediately chose me to be one of those who cross the scene - which is good. He had me start at one end of the bar and while crossing - notice Kate Beckett (actress Stana Katic) and approach her - reaching out for her arm. She of course wants nothing to do with this vampire scene and quickly turns from me and into yet another guy hitting on her. 

In-between a couple takes, Stana introduced herself to me and we chatted briefly. I have to say - she's quite charming in person.

More Shots:
There were three more shots to do and so we worked well into the evening. I was in two of the four shots done that day with background. And so, the day finished up at 10pm. Quite a full-day.

Fangs:
All the things you think to do -- after the shooting stops!  It occurred to me on the drive home that when Kate turns from me - I should have flashed my fangs at her sarcastically! Darn... well, I must think quicker on the set about how my character would react.


Next call is this Monday Sep 21st for another day of shooting on "Priest" in what they're calling "The Cathedral Scene." Call time: 7:30am.


-- Cole --
11:35 PM 
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Sunday, September 06, 2009 

Current mood:  pleased
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Priest
Action/Thriller
Starring:
Paul Bettany (A Knight's Tale, The Da Vinci Code)
Karl Urban (Lord Of The Rings, Star Trek)
Release Date: 10.1.2010


First Day Of Shooting:
I was really thrilled to see how this day would go. It's my first feature motion picture experience. Calling the info line about the day's shoot, I found out that it's at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank. This day being a Friday and the beginning of Labour Day Weekend - I knew I'd have to hit the road very early to get there in time. 

My 5pm Call Time rolls around and I've made it to the studio, and boarded a van that will take me to the Holding Area. Once there I see the hundreds of people (about 300) that will make the scenes come to life. In groups of about seventy-five we were led to the wardrobe area. Now, this day in L.A. is about 95f outdoors and high humidity. I'm in short sleeves and jeans and I'm already too hot for my pleasure. I'm remembering my costume and dreading to put on the layers of clothing, cap, and gloves. I dutifully put it on and did my best not to move around too much. 

A Burned Out City:
Once we had our costumes on, we began a short walk to the outdoor set and the little building where we would get our props. What appeared to be a burned out downtown area loomed up in my site. Down the middle of the street of this semi-destroyed city a marketplace had been set up. But, before we were let onto that area we formed a line to get our props. 

Standing in line outdoors in the heat of the late Summer afternoon and in full Winter wardrobe I began to remember the many stories I've heard of people passing out while doing films due to heat --- and now I have first-hand experience of why those stories are true! After a while though, we had our props and were now waiting to get into the marketplace set.

Getting Rowdy:
Once on set and well after the sun went down, everyone's spirits picked up. Some people had been cast as street vendors and they began to get into character pitching their wares. We're left on our own to figure out what our characters are doing there but slowly each of us figures out our own blocking and mini-scenes. I was cast and costumed as a Factory Worker; so, I figure I'm just off work and in a hurry to get through this place and pick up a couple needed items.

After a few rehearsals things got more serious as the Stand In for Paul Bettany (The Priest) joins in. His part is to walk slowly and authoritatively through this busy place. All who encounter The Priest is supposed to react with a slight look of awe but also fear. 

Marketplace Scene:
"Picture up" is called. Paul himself joins in -- and filming begins. Now, even though people have figured out routines for themselves to do - randomness is still a factor and from take to take things shift and change. Timing is a factor. They try the scene with people moving faster or slower; they added people in to thicken it up or take people away to thin it out. So, sometimes my Factory Worker character would hustle his way through the crowd and encounter - The Priest!  Other times - not. So, I may or may not end up in this scene in a visible way - but I'm always in there somewhere. We filmed this scene over and over again and from many angles. One time, they went through the crowd and only filmed our legs moving about and getting out of the way of -- The Priest! Things that might identify me are: I had one glove off so that I could touch and pick up a can; often I had the can in hand while walking; my props included an oval metal box that I carried - dangling on a handle. Even in the legs scene you might see the oval box dangling.

At one point and as the end of this scene, they had me buying a bird cage (from a lovely but smudged vendor played by Kelly Devoto) with four doves inside. Right at the end of the shot - they had me turn with the birds and walk right in front of the camera. It's very quick - but I might be on camera there for about 1-second! 

Factory Scene:
After a break for food at midnight we went to the set of the factory. Other scenes are going on and being filmed simultaneously around us but this was my next scene of the night. This is an exiting scene. They want to film the workers exiting the factory and for some reason - The Priest is there amongst us. The set looks somewhat like an ally-way with an arch over us and the name of the factory. In the first shot of this scene the camera is high above us looking down. They just want to see the tops of our heads jostling around as we make our way past - The Priest. 

The next shot they had just the people who were right around and in front of The Priest and the camera was in front of us this time and at about knee height. For this shot they want to see our faces! Now, we're supposed to be tired and spirit-broken so we're all walking with our heads downward and sullen expression - if any. For this scene - I'm on camera for 2 or 3 seconds as I walk by and I'm right in front of Paul. I've got my factory goggles off and resting on my chest and my one glove off and sort of wrenching it subtly as I walk along in my disgust and inner-pain. 

Listening To The Sunrise In Eastwick:
We finished up that scene right around 3:30am and eventually were led back to a Holding Area on set. The place they led us to is a firehouse on a city-set. As I lounged in the driveway in front of the open red doors of the firehouse, I chatted with a couple people. One lady recognized where we were -- the little town of Eastwick. Evidently, there's a TV show based on the movie "The Witches Of Eastwick" and this was their set. Some of the faux-stores even had signs on them like: "Eastwick Inn," "Eastwick City Bakery," etc. The marketplace set for "Priest" was in our site as well and as the first light of dawn crept into the sky -- from the set, a rooster began to crow.

Right about 6am it was a wrap for the day and we walked back to props and wardrobe. An hour later we were all checked out and headed off the lot.



-- Cole --

12:00 AM 
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Thursday, September 03, 2009 

Current mood:  adventurous
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Medium
TV Show
Season: 6
Episode: 5, "Baby Fever"
Air Date: 10.23.09


While I was writing my blog about "Priest" on Monday a call came in about two parts for the show "Medium;" first, a cameraman; and later a music store patron. Apparently, scruffy faced people make good cameramen and music store patrons because the Casting Director said I got the parts specifically because of my non-shaved face; which I've been non-shaving for my part in the movie "Priest."

Daybreak:
Call Time: 7am

Wow - I haven't been up this early in a long time. My buzzer went off at 6am and the first thing I noticed - it was still dark out. The best thing about Los Angeles that early in the morning is that there's not too much traffic. But, you have to hurry coz by 6:30am it's a different story. As I got ready and drove to Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach - it got lighter and lighter out (Raleigh Studios). I found parking on the 5th level which is the roof of this structure just in time to see the clouds getting hit with sunlight and the day begin. 

Once again the check in point was the wardrobe truck. It was parked in front of a soundstage this time. Various people were walking up to the open back and stating what part they were to play and then displaying their chosen outfits. For my cameraman part I had Levi jeans and a dark grey t-shirt; for my music store patron part I had the same jeans, a dark grey t-shirt with poker symbols all over it, and a black vest.

Skip The Muffin:
By 7:30am I was all checked-in and ready to begin my tour of "waiting for the scene." I was also a bit hungry. So, I searched for the Craft Service cart. I was surprised when I couldn't find it! A Production Assistant explained that they were still serving breakfast and would send the cart later. Now, I haven't had a breakfast in a long time; I usually just have coffee, a muffin, and a piece of fruit; so that sounded pretty good to me. And, what a spread they had! I won't detail it all but my breakfast was eggs benedict, hash browns, melon and pineapple, and coffee. 

A Busy Scene:
I no sooner finished and it was time to head to the set! Wow, no waiting this time. We were led into Stage 20 where we walked by an outdoor set. It was a 1-story 3-bedroom house with a nice driveway, lawn, and sidewalk - all fake. Even what looked like a sidewalk felt and sounded like some sort of flooring material. There was a huge panoramic photo-real neighbourhood scene that wrapped around the house-set. I'm sure on camera it looks quite real but in reality -- I had to chuckle. Then we walked into a set that looked like a press conference room. All that was in it was a podium and flags on either side; and, all the lighting and gear. By 8:00am we were all on set and in position for the principal actors. I was led to one of 3 tripods where they had mounted cameras. These are mobile-type cameras and quite real. They all had battery packs and were on. This scene had a lot of people in it and there was a lot of commotion and people practising. The gist of the scene is that a District Attorney makes a statement; to his right is a couple and their baby; to their right is a lawyer; and all around are photographers and newspaper people. My part is to man that camera and look serious with it.

A Visitor:
After a couple rehearsals I heard some people coming into the set from behind me. Through the little crowd emerged Patricia Arquette - the star of Medium. It was about 8:15am, she was dressed all in black, hair done, and looking bright and sparkly. As she walked in she gave me a little nod and a silent "Hello." I gave her a smile and a nod back. Evidently, she wanted to observe this scene and introduce herself to the actress who was playing the wife and holding a baby. 

A Little Upgrade:
After a couple of takes I hear a discussion about "going mobile." A moment later the director stands beside me and yells out "This guy, get him a mobile unit." Next thing I know I've got a camera just like the one on the tripod on my shoulder and the director is explaining what movement he wants from me. "Cross this way while keeping the lawyer in frame; pan over to the couple; cross back over and get a position closer to the lawyer." This was great fun coz it puts me much more into the scene. We tried that a few times and then they had me start with the camera on the tripod, pop it off, put it on my shoulder and walk into the scene from there.

After that scene was done, there was some waiting and a break for lunch. What a lunch spread they offered! Barbecued salmon and chicken; and, all the sides!

Next Scene:
The next scene was on location. So, into the vans we went and off to Marshall Music in Torrance. http://www.marshallmusiconline.com/

Once on set, they decided they wanted me to play the clerk behind the counter. They gave me a little name tag to make it look all the more realistic and while the main action was going on -- my little background scene was to be looking up a product for a girl. 

This scene finished up right at 7pm. Now, that's a good full day!


If you see this episode look for the mobile cameraman at the press conference scene. The camera will be blocking my face alot though. And, look for the counter clerk way in the blurry background of the music store scene.



-- Cole --

p.s.
Next booking is the film "Priest" which starts shooting Fri Sep 4th.
7:25 AM 
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Thursday, September 03, 2009 

Current mood:  rockin
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Private Practice
TV Show
Season: 3
Episode: 4, "Pushing The Limits"
Air Date: 10.22.09


After being cast for the movie "Priest" and for that part having to not shave, it later sank in that this might keep me from getting other parts in the meantime. But, 6 days later a call came in for the part of "a young single dad down on his luck." I called the casting director and told them I had 1-week of stubble on my face -- and that got me the part! How's that for catching a little break!

This scene was an on-location shoot in downtown Los Angeles at a homeless shelter. The check-in wardrobe trailer was at a parking lot perhaps 3/4-mile away. Those of us checking in at 2pm had to wait until a scene was completed and a van could be sent to pick us up. So, about an hour later we arrived on the location and began our task of waiting. 

After a while one of the Production Assistants came in and began to assign parts to people. "You three, grab a deck of cards and pretend to be playing poker; you two; grab magazines and find a place on the couch to read them; we need a couple patients to be examined, howabout you guys." Etc.

Suddenly Dad:
When they got around to me, they looked at their clipboards and looked up with a little grin, "Cole, we're pairing you up with Matthew. Matt..." they yelled toward the back of the room, "here's your onscreen dad."  Now, me being a single man and not having any kids at all, suddenly felt a bit awkward. I've not been around children much. But, to my little relief, Matthew was about 9-years old -- and had his Mum with him. He was a cute kid with bushy blondish hair. 

Some time went by and it became apparent that our scene was not to come up for another hour or so. I couldn't sit any longer so I very carefully began my search for the Craft Services cart. Walking around a corner I see the crew setting up our scene; moving furniture around, setting up lights. I turned toward the shelter's kitchen and just outside the door I spy three "directors" chairs set up. Just like you see in TV shows and movies -- these chairs had the names of the principal actors on them. I had to chuckle coz it was so stereotypical. As I walked by them I see the one labelled "Kate Walsh" - the star of the show. After munching on some pineapple, melon, and an oatmeal cookie I cruised back through the door of the kitchen to see Kate herself sitting exactly where she should be. She was busy having her hair done and lipstick was being carefully put on her. 

Not long afterward it was time for our scene. A Directors Assistant (I think) was busy placing everybody in the scene precisely where she wanted them. She led Matthew and me over to the door of the kitchen and told us to "walk from this point to the left over to where the games are and pick one out as though you two are going to play. But, Matthew, before you guys pick one - tug on Dad's shirt and motion you want to go over to where the other kids are who are colouring." 

A Voice From The Dark:
What was new for me about this shoot is - they weren't recording audio this time and so while we were in action the director (or at least some voice out of the dark) was shouting directions at us all. "Hey you guys playing cards laugh a little bit; you in the sweatshirt cross the room; you in the red shirt (Matthew) go over to the clothes bin and get a shirt out." Etc.

In between a couple takes I chatted with Matthew and found that he has been doing background work for 2-years of his short life. He's been doing a lot of body doubling and you can see his body at least in the upcoming Feb 2010 movie "Valentine's Day." 

After about seven takes the scene was done and it was a wrap on the whole show. It was about 7:30pm and suddenly there was an explosion of activity as the crew tore all the equipment down. 

Sidewalk Party:
Outside was another party; a pizza party! For dinner they had stacks and stacks of pizzas on tables and the cast and crew were hanging out on the sidewalk in chairs munching away. Of course I grabbed a couple slices too. The block we were on was sealed off by police and it was an odd feeling to be munching on pizza while a little crowd watched from behind the tape they'd put across the road and sidewalk.

If you see this episode just look for the kid with the red shirt on -- I'll be right by him! There's a moment where we're getting a shirt out of the bin and I think that's a clear shot; you'll see my unshaven face.


Update Sep 2nd:
It's now been 8-days since then and the unshaven face is really more like a beard now. Shooting for Priest starts day after tomorrow Fri Sep 4th.



-- Cole --
4:00 AM 
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009 

Current mood:  adventurous
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Priest
Action/Thriller
Starring:
Paul Bettany (A Knight's Tale, The Da Vinci Code)
Karl Urban (Lord Of The Rings, Star Trek)
Release Date: 10.1.2010


On August 18th while driving in downtown L.A. on some music related business the texter on my cellphone goes off at around 1pm. Checking it, I see only the words "Booking, Film, Priest, Jerusalem Background" and they left a number to call after 8pm for additional details. 

Now, I'm thinking "Kewl, a movie! Let's see, a priest, I'm doing Jerusalem background. Wow, this must be a biblical tale about Jesus. I guess I'll be in robes walking around. Hang on; wait a minute; that's crazy, I'm a white guy; I won't look right for the part. Well, I'll be in robes and they have makeup etc.. They know what they're doing."  And so, my mind was left to wonder for the next 7 hours.

A few hours later I got back home and remembered IMDB and figured they might have info on this movie. Looking it up, I see there's not much but it does say it's "a post-apocalyptic action, thriller. Aha... that sounds more likely. 

8pm rolls around; I dial the number; and, all the answers are laid out for me. "Priest" is a post-apocalyptic action thriller where there is no more sunlight reaching the Earth and apparently vampires have partly taken over. The hero (a priest) must violate church law in order to rescue his niece who has been kidnapped by vampires! My part is to be a worker/slave for the vampires. In fact they say my scene is in a factory setting. Fittings are the very next day.

August 19 -- I head over to Sony Studios in Culver City to be fitted for my costume. It was a thrill to be on that lot. The night before I looked it up online and saw that this is the location where "Gone With The Wind" and "The Wizard Of Oz" were filmed (amongst many others). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_Studios  http://www.sonypicturesstudios.com/

As I'm walking through the lot on my way to the check-in point it was a kick to walk by soundstages. All around is the sound of saws and hammering as they put together and take down sets. Looking through the open doors of one stage - I see great big cut-outs of Dorothy, The Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow, ......and Toto too!

The Fitting:
I get to the Poitier building (the buildings are named after star-actors) and after giving my sizes my fitter Brian, starts grabbing stuff for me to try on. There were other guys around me being fitted too. I noticed they were being dressed for chilly weather - vests, coats, scarfs, caps.... Hang On...Are we doing Oliver!?  The guys very much had a Post-Apocalyptic-Victorian look going on! But, that's not what I got...

My Outfit:
Brian really wanted to make me look ragged. He fetched for me some faded pants worn-out and tattered at the bottom, leather work shoes caked with mud and dust, an old grey "I Love NY" T-Shirt, and this thing to wrap around me that is not a coat or sweater though it has a little collar. I best describe it as a glorified burlap sack worn like a tunic; with a way too big belt that wraps around me and hangs. I also have worn work-gloves and some sort of grey/brown cap. Brian flipped the little bill of the cap up. It looks like an outfit from "Mad Max" or maybe "The Postman."

Special Instructions:
Besides the outfit - to complete the ensemble they've instructed us to not shave at all for the duration, don't cut your fingernails, and don't get any sunlight. 

Update: August 30th:
At this point it's now been two weeks since then and the beard is growing in pretty well. The past week has been pretty rough with whiskers irritating my neck. But when I woke up today - it was amazingly irritation free. I guess it reached some threshold point. The moustache and goatee are clearly there but the beard is not dense. All in all - it's a swashbuckler look goin' on right now. I'm ready for "Pirates Of The Caribbean," a western, or some war movie!

The first day of filming is set for Sep 4th and additional dates on the 8th, 9th, 10th, and possibly the 21st.

-- Cole --
p.s.
While writing this a call came in -- and I'm booked for the TV show Medium tomorrow morning Sep 1st! I'll be playing a camera man; and then a grungy rocker type in a music store. 


2:05 AM 
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Saturday, August 29, 2009 

Current mood:  accomplished
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Hello Guys,

So, my first booking as background was for the show "Grey's Anatomy." It's kind of a thrill to put that as my very first item on my resume. My little part is to be a Bar Patron.

Grey's Anatomy
TV Show
Season: 6
Episode 2, "Goodbye"
Air Date: 9.24.09


I arrived at ABC Prospect Studios in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles at around 3:30pm on August 7th. The Call Time is for 4pm. The check in point is the wardrobe trailer which is right next to the parking lot. 

Promptly at 4pm the Wrangler (if I'm using the right term - seems right) appeared and the doors to the wardrobe trailer opened. They had us line up and meet the head of wardrobe one at a time to have what we're wearing approved. As background you have to supply your own wardrobe. The wardrobe person had quite the personality and it was a kick to hear her assess everyone's outfits. She read stories into everyone's look. For one girl a few people in front of me she said "Let's unbutton that a top a little more; you're on a break from your boyfriend tonight and looking to flirt a bit." When I got up there I was wearing a wine-coloured shirt with a tie and dark grey slacks. Looking at me she says "Lose the tie, role up those sleeves, unbutton the collar; you came for a job interview today at the hospital -- and didn't get it." So, now I have my motivation for the bar scene! 

We walked to the set - Stage 9; and there we were seated in the "holding area" which also happened to be on the set's reception area for the hospital. There we began what you do most on a set -- wait. 

Came time for the scene I was in - they walked us over to another set area deep inside the soundstage that was set up like a bar. Which, if you watch the show regularly, is the bar that's supposed to be across the street from the hospital. There we all grabbed fake drinks and were led to specific spots they had picked out for each of us. My place on the set was at a table right behind the principal actors. They had me sit with my back to the camera but looking to my right a little. They actually had planned a little action for me. Once they started rolling they had a girl walk over to me and join my table on the right as if she was meeting me at the bar; so, I turned a little more to her and we pretended to be chatting like friends. A moment later they had a guy come up on my left and stick out his hand in greeting. So, I shook his hand as though we were meeting up.

What's a little odd and amusing the first time you do this is that -- all the background is still while the camera is getting ready; the director yells "rolling," there's a pause, then they yell "background," and suddenly the room comes alive with movement. And, since for this scene they were recording audio as well, the background must not make noise or talk. So, they yell "background" and suddenly there's all this whispering. It's kind of eery. 

So, in about three takes spanning 15 minutes the scene was done! Total time on the set: 6-hours.

Since the camera was directly behind me - I'm pretty sure I'm on camera. Look for the wine-coloured shirt. I'll be turning my head once or twice to chat with people at the table - so you might even see my face now and then.


-- Cole --
11:05 PM 
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