Monday, May 19, 2008
You're Invited! Tell everyone!
Email hello@lesblanks.com to jump on the $5 guest list.
Email hello@lesblanks.com to jump on the $5 guest list.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Read
(this shot courtesy of Josh)
We got lucky on Saturday night. A solid, flab-free crowd came out for the reading (April and her posse get big points for driving up from the OC), and seemed engaged, which is the best kind of response. There were a decent amount of laughs. Not too much shifting in the chairs. These things never totally go the way you think they will, though. Lines that get laughs in rehearsal sometimes die on stage, and vice versa. But that's kind of why they're great. It's also re-assuring to know that as long as my actor friends stay talented and funny, I'll come out looking alright. (The second their talents start to wane, though, they're bumped to JV).
Now onto a couple more re-writes and the mix I made for the show. I wanted a blend of '80s hair metal and punk, but somewhere Blondie and Devo crept in there too. I never really noticed just how bloated and unnecessarily long a lot of those cheesy metal songs are ("Once Bitten, Twice Shy" is over 5 minutes! That's at least 4 minutes too long).
(this shot courtesy of Josh)We got lucky on Saturday night. A solid, flab-free crowd came out for the reading (April and her posse get big points for driving up from the OC), and seemed engaged, which is the best kind of response. There were a decent amount of laughs. Not too much shifting in the chairs. These things never totally go the way you think they will, though. Lines that get laughs in rehearsal sometimes die on stage, and vice versa. But that's kind of why they're great. It's also re-assuring to know that as long as my actor friends stay talented and funny, I'll come out looking alright. (The second their talents start to wane, though, they're bumped to JV).
Now onto a couple more re-writes and the mix I made for the show. I wanted a blend of '80s hair metal and punk, but somewhere Blondie and Devo crept in there too. I never really noticed just how bloated and unnecessarily long a lot of those cheesy metal songs are ("Once Bitten, Twice Shy" is over 5 minutes! That's at least 4 minutes too long).
Monday, January 28, 2008
New Play Reading
So.
I've been working on a play off and on for about a year. And after finally completing a draft, I'm happy to report it's everything you want (love, sex, friendships, guitar solos), and nothing you don't (bills, bad news, tornadoes).
At this point, I usually like to do a reading to see how the script feels on stage. We called some friends who also happen to be really talented, funny actors, and presto! A reading we shall have!
It's free, and there will be beverages. How can you go wrong?
Bobby Bendon Gets By
Directed by Marah Morris
Starring Erin Anderson, Nick Clark, Evan Gaustad, Pete Monro, and Amy Cale Peterson
Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
8pm
@ the Diavolo space - the Brewery Arts Complex - Downtown
616 Moulton Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
map http://tinyurl.com/2ns2yr
***If you're coming, please RSVP at
bbreading@gmail.com
If you haven't been to Diavolo or The Brewery, the location alone might be worth the trip. It's a very cool space.
We hope to see you there!
So.
I've been working on a play off and on for about a year. And after finally completing a draft, I'm happy to report it's everything you want (love, sex, friendships, guitar solos), and nothing you don't (bills, bad news, tornadoes).
At this point, I usually like to do a reading to see how the script feels on stage. We called some friends who also happen to be really talented, funny actors, and presto! A reading we shall have!
It's free, and there will be beverages. How can you go wrong?
Bobby Bendon Gets By
Directed by Marah Morris
Starring Erin Anderson, Nick Clark, Evan Gaustad, Pete Monro, and Amy Cale Peterson
Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
8pm
@ the Diavolo space - the Brewery Arts Complex - Downtown
616 Moulton Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
map http://tinyurl.com/2ns2yr
***If you're coming, please RSVP at
bbreading@gmail.com
If you haven't been to Diavolo or The Brewery, the location alone might be worth the trip. It's a very cool space.
We hope to see you there!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Merry Christmas, everyone!
In lieu of a Christmas card, I'm giving you this, which should sum up my life as one on the prowl for some freelance work.
From Craig's List
JUGGLER NEEDS COMEDY WRITER
I am 32 year old 15yr pro cruiseship juggler. Body not holding up and want more years in the biz. Need material to start weeding out juggling (and the hack!!). Basically, more patter between bits, then eventually less and less juggling until none. Have great stage presence and already big success in cruise ship market (tho wanting to venture into real world). Venues to perform bits are plentiful, fortunately
In lieu of a Christmas card, I'm giving you this, which should sum up my life as one on the prowl for some freelance work.
From Craig's List
JUGGLER NEEDS COMEDY WRITER
I am 32 year old 15yr pro cruiseship juggler. Body not holding up and want more years in the biz. Need material to start weeding out juggling (and the hack!!). Basically, more patter between bits, then eventually less and less juggling until none. Have great stage presence and already big success in cruise ship market (tho wanting to venture into real world). Venues to perform bits are plentiful, fortunately
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sick Day
I was too sick to go to work today, which I think might be karmic retribution for entertaining the possibility of taking a day off "just because I can" to Leigh and Marah last week. They have real jobs, and no such whimsical options. On the bright side, it's raining, which is good Sick Day weather. It's like the world outside feels just as achey and couch-bound as I do. Sunny weather's the worst when you're sick. It just taunts you with its warmth and freewheelin' good times. But the timing for a day like this is pretty good. Tomorrow I leave for Austin, and have the requisite laundry and packing to do.
And the TV! I guess it's been a while since I experienced daytime TV. Soaps, talk shows (Springer's still on?), and incredible commercials aimed at homemakers, the injured, and women who are as old as the hills. Betty White is doing spots for pet medicine now, DeVry is hyping their degree in Video Games, and Larry H Parker still wants to represent you. (A disappointing lack of Court Shows, however).
Right now I'm catching up on DVR'd episodes of Subterranean, which is a little dangerous. I've already itunes-ified a few songs, which is something I don't do often, actually (buying songs vs. albums). I guess Sick Day has taught me to be a good consumer. Hurray! Cough.
I was too sick to go to work today, which I think might be karmic retribution for entertaining the possibility of taking a day off "just because I can" to Leigh and Marah last week. They have real jobs, and no such whimsical options. On the bright side, it's raining, which is good Sick Day weather. It's like the world outside feels just as achey and couch-bound as I do. Sunny weather's the worst when you're sick. It just taunts you with its warmth and freewheelin' good times. But the timing for a day like this is pretty good. Tomorrow I leave for Austin, and have the requisite laundry and packing to do. And the TV! I guess it's been a while since I experienced daytime TV. Soaps, talk shows (Springer's still on?), and incredible commercials aimed at homemakers, the injured, and women who are as old as the hills. Betty White is doing spots for pet medicine now, DeVry is hyping their degree in Video Games, and Larry H Parker still wants to represent you. (A disappointing lack of Court Shows, however).
Right now I'm catching up on DVR'd episodes of Subterranean, which is a little dangerous. I've already itunes-ified a few songs, which is something I don't do often, actually (buying songs vs. albums). I guess Sick Day has taught me to be a good consumer. Hurray! Cough.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
RIP Ike, Viva la Tina
I may have mentioned my co-worker before. To recap, he's 57, is stoned frequently, holds a Purple Heart from Vietnam, recently stole our paper cutter, is sometimes hilarious, and grew up in Waco, Texas. Also, he's black, which is only important for the following. When he was 15, he snuck into a bar to see Ike and Tina. Few bands came to Waco then, which apparently had a large black population, but was run by racist good ol boys. So when two black performers blew through, it was a big deal.
During the show, a fight broke out between two drunk guys in the audience. Apparently, it was more than just a scuffle, because Tina stopped the show and asked the audience, "Do y'all want to watch them, or us??"
People cheered.
"Get rid of those mothafuckas!"
The entire crowd turned on the brawlers and booted them out, and Tina picked up the song right where she left off.
I may have mentioned my co-worker before. To recap, he's 57, is stoned frequently, holds a Purple Heart from Vietnam, recently stole our paper cutter, is sometimes hilarious, and grew up in Waco, Texas. Also, he's black, which is only important for the following. When he was 15, he snuck into a bar to see Ike and Tina. Few bands came to Waco then, which apparently had a large black population, but was run by racist good ol boys. So when two black performers blew through, it was a big deal. During the show, a fight broke out between two drunk guys in the audience. Apparently, it was more than just a scuffle, because Tina stopped the show and asked the audience, "Do y'all want to watch them, or us??"
People cheered.
"Get rid of those mothafuckas!"
The entire crowd turned on the brawlers and booted them out, and Tina picked up the song right where she left off.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
902-wonder
There was a Steve Sanders sighting this morning in my building. The guy who delivers our paper walked in and asked me if I remember Steve from that "9021" show. I like this guy more and more. He works with his dad and brother, and they get up at 5 every morning to deliver paper to all of West LA. And apparently, he's a 90210 fan to boot.
So naturally when he asked me, I said, "obviously." He just rode up in the elevator with Steve. Apparently Steve's got a cast encasing his broken foot. (Does anyone know -- was this a result of his dancing with the stars?). He asked him if he's got any projects coming up, and Steve replied, "not with this thing!"
There was a Steve Sanders sighting this morning in my building. The guy who delivers our paper walked in and asked me if I remember Steve from that "9021" show. I like this guy more and more. He works with his dad and brother, and they get up at 5 every morning to deliver paper to all of West LA. And apparently, he's a 90210 fan to boot. So naturally when he asked me, I said, "obviously." He just rode up in the elevator with Steve. Apparently Steve's got a cast encasing his broken foot. (Does anyone know -- was this a result of his dancing with the stars?). He asked him if he's got any projects coming up, and Steve replied, "not with this thing!"
