Thank you Pudge.

IMPORT/EXPORT-

I do import a lot of sports, much more these days than I export. I really miss playing baseball, and softball a bit. But the great thing is that you can kind of live through what you can't do anymore with your favorite teams and players. I grew up a Tigers fan, and wanting to wear the number 3 of Alan Trammell. ( who I would love to run into here in Chi being he's the Cubbies bench coach) They won the World Series when I was five, which made me too young to be aware of, but I watched the old Beta tapes of the games growing up. I was old enough to see them lose to the Twins in '87,and was allowed to stay up late to watch games when Gibby, and then Cecil were hitting homers. Then came the late 90's and one of the worst teams in baseball. After many years management decided to spend some money and were looking for someone to help turn around the franchise. That player was Ivan Rodriguez, he was no longer the Pudge of the Texas days, but he brought credibility, some wins, and more free agents to help restore the roar. So I thank thee Pudge. You have had your up's and down's in D town, but you left us better than we were when we came in.

Mad Men, and Men Acting Mad aka HOWIE!

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I've caught up on some tv lately with MY BOYS, and FACTORY. Still so so with MY BOYS, and enjoying FACTORY, but it needs some through story soon. They are using the young girl staying with Smity a bit which is great cuz it just means more Dave Pasquesi. Who is really showing how good improvising can work with acting. It is a tough thing to do in film, you must know your character, know where u can fit improv in, and always keep in mind the story/structure comes first.

Also have finally finished disc 2 of season one of MAD MEN. One more disc to go and then I can get caught up with season two premiere that was on this sunday. I really enjoy the rapid watching of tv that dvd offers, but i also enjoy keeping up with the tv jones'.

I'm dying to see STEP BROTHERS while on the topic of keeping up with the jones'. I think it will have to wait till this weekend though.

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Been keeping it easy,and resting up mostly the last couple days. Taking notes on all the short ideas I have so I can start writing those. Getting word on the pilot from Charley, who says it's looking good, and he's still laughing at bits of it. I'm trying to think of what is going to get cut already cuz I know some of it's going to have to go. I think it will be okay cuz the story and funny will have to stay, and if some bits dont work out it's for the better.

Also had two HOWIE! shows on Monday night. First off was 8pm, and it was a good ole two man show with Adam Schwartz and I. First time we have done a two man together, and remaining on my hit list for two man shows are Howie, and Neal. Everyone else in the group I've done one with. It was a blast, we played real fast and fun, and the audience enjoyed it, and we ran off the stage smiling. I really like two or three person shows cuz it doesnt give me time to think off to the sides. I have to always be active and go with what pops in my head. And that's what I need. The we had a 10pm show with the only person missing was Sweats Leveski. Another good show, this one went real 'blue', but once it did we really went for it. Canadian buttholes,multi racial breats, and doritos in females. Which I'm sure it makes you feel like you missed out, but you can come next Monday at 10pm at the Playground and see us in the RAD FEST YES 2!

Forever and One Day

the dark knight

'lost and find'
July 28th 2008

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Well I'm stretching the limits of my memory for this now, but I do remember watching the DARK KNIGHT which was awesome. This movie I really want to see again, I thought it was so much more complex and interesting that BATMAN BEGINS, which I also thought was great. It stretched a bit near the end as it kept unraveling, but with a great movie can you really complain that it's too long when you are enjoying it. My opionion is no. I think I watched some more of MAD MEN since the last post, and kept up with FACTORY which my fondness of its oddity is growing stronger. Hmm, what else...I've also been catching Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly on the late night shows. And I feel fine about Jay Leno leaving. I just hope Conan doesnt have to change too much with the new time slot, and I think Jimmy Fallon may be best suited for a chat show. Dave is going no where, and thats good because he really is the only who can do a interesting interview. I really think thats it over the last week or so since I've posted.

EXPORT

This past week has been the heaviest export in a while. Started with two HOWIE shows last monday at THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE. Both of them were three man shows, and we're super fun. Thursday we had our first HANDS sketch show, for which we had no sketches for. So we decided to improvise, and it went rather well considering.

And the entire weeks free time was spent getting props and costumes for the LOST AND FIND pilot we shot this weekend. Which brings me to friday which was the first day of shooting. Met our AD and DP, Chad and Ryan who were great professional, friendly, and supportive guys. Two long days followed of shooting, trying to fit people in with schedules,make sure we had things covered, and ensure that we did a sound job. Many thanks go out to Pam, Michael, and Daniel for them sacrificing their places for us to shoot in. Charley has looked at some of the footage and says it looks good, and all the cast seemed to enjoy themselves and certainly brought more than was just on the page. I look forward to seeing some footage in the coming weeks, and down the road having some showings for it. And if we are graced by the sitcom gods maybe something happens from this. It was mornings waking up at 430 am, but I'd much rather wake up for that than wake up for my day job. Outzies.

Factory, Mad Men, Hands =Testosterone

The cast of FACTORY and Jimmy Carane

HANDS=steven,derrick,neal,I,howie taking pic

July 14, 2008

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Caught up with FACTORY from spike tv on the ole dvr. I really hope this show gets picked up. I like it, the more and more I watch it the more and more I like it. It's funny, every character in it has something, and they are all Chicago guys. So I root for it, I hope Spike keeps it going, but I have really no idea how the ratings are. Mitch Rouse is a name not to commonly thrown around in the talks of Chicago improvisors who are out there doing it. But if you do a bit of background on him he has really does some amazing work, and has had his hands in the creation of a lot of it. Dave Pasquesi as well is someone on this show and on stage who is fun too watch. And last nights episode had some found pot on the work floor so some investigators/counseluers were brought in to find out whose it was. During a speech there was a sign in the background reading 'dont do drugs' and on it a large picture of Del Close.

The show MAD MEN is one that I heard of for quite a while. I held of watching it because I wanted to watch it from the beginning. So i got the blu ray disc, thats right blu ray, and watched the first episode last night. The style is great, the 60's era gives a unique spin on the ad men, and especially that they are trying to get people to buy cigarettes. The time period is something that almost feels like it was on another planet, doctors smoking, male/female relationships, drinking on the job, and more! Where is my time machine? I'm still not sure if I'm going to get the rest of the discs, but I have a feeling after I finish the episodes I have I'll want to. Definetely worth checking out to absorb it, and it is good writing.

EXPORT

Spent time with the LOST AND FIND script last night, and I think I unlocked a couple more moments for me to use. Next step is memorizing fully as we are headed into the home stretch before filming begins.

HANDS had a late night rehearsal tonight as well. And after this two more rehearsals before our first show. Thankfully we made some strides forward to what and how we may do things for the show. May have a potential opening, some transition ideas, and really got a good grasp on one scene last night. I'll keep the details fuzzy in case u wanna come see a show. We may have also set a goal in sight as well. Setting this run and future mini runs and rehearsals as experimental ground to develop material for next years sketch fest. Which would be great to be a part of that, and something to look forward to. HANDS!

In Addition...

July 13, 2008
I left out our HOWIE rehearsal which I had last night. It's been a couple few weeks since out last, and we had a guest coach last night. Alex Fendrich sat in last night as Jet is out of town. Was very interesting to get his notes on our form and make us think a bit differently and notice comfort zones we fall into. For instance me and characters. For some reason I find things better when im doing voices or something a bit physical. My mother drank when she was pregnant with me. That probably is a good explanation.

Family Guy, Reahersal, and busy Sunday

JULY 13, 2008

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I really got no chance to important anything today. Getting home at 11:30pm I started to watch a dvr'd FAMILY GUY, but it bored me so I deleted it and went to bed. I've given it multiple chances, and remember enjoying it before, but I can take all the references. For those ardent fans out there, has it slipped in recent years?

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My entire day was spent on export which is great, but also tiring. 10am started rehearsal for LOST AND FIND our tv pilot with Howie, Charlie, and at 12:30 our female lead TRACY joined us. Got to dig into as actors for the first time, and find intention, and interaction between the characters. Then at about 3:30 we went out and about in Chicago to look for locations. We need two good exteriors, and two apartments. Luckily, and gratefully to the location gods we found the places and are ready to go in that aspect. And Thanks to those whose apartments we are using. With the locations nailed down, and money seeming to be there, it's only getting the actors together for rehearsals being the big thing left. Yesterday seemed vital to rehearse because it will save us immense amounts of time on the days we film.

Hightailing it home I got a change of shirt, and a couple pieces of food before going to the ANNOYNANCE for rehearsal on the period piece im working on. At that point I was rather spent and had a hard time coming up with the Oscar Wilde like wit. And I was stepping into a group that had one rehearsal without me which I was worried about trying to fit in rather than disrupt what they had established. The good thing was that I felt moments here in there that I know where to leap from. And after a bit more of reasearch and practicing my dialect I should feel a bit more confident. It's been two years since I last had to use that dialect. And it's much different improvising it versus learning how to say the words on the page.

Return of Big Red, Wanted, and Unbridled Tv Pilot

July 12, 2008

I love going to the movies. It has been a slow summer for me going lately, the last movie I have seen was the hulk and that was four weeks ago. This is hard because one year, years ago I saw 60 movies in one year. That is more than one a week. Like I said I love going to the movies. So today I was bulling down(a expression I just made up, feel free to use it) to see two back to back. And most definetely pay for both of them, because I would never just pay for one and when that one was over just walk into the next one. Movie number one was HELLBOY II THE GOLDEN ARMY. I was excited to see this because it has been getting great reviews, and most movies like this are usually a opporunity for reviews to say bad things and use big words they look up. But this movies pays off and in doing so trumping the first and not making the same mistakes again. They had one clear villian, brought out great complexity with the characters, and summarized the story brilliantly laying out the pieces of what was to come. It also may contain the funniest scene I've seen all year which included Hellboy, Abe, some Tecate (a mexican beer that I once got the shits from, but no offense Mexico brew masters it may have been out of date), and a love songs cd. The second movie I saw was WANTED which sadly came out weeks ago and I'm only seeing it now. This movie was a summer popcorn movie all the way. The ability to hold your disbelief is essential, but visually it was spectacular, and full of action, and kudos for getting someone like James Mcavoy rather than a Paul Walker. This is the point where someone would type, no offense to Paul Walker. But I rather give 75% offense to Paul Walker and the rest to producers. Dear Paul, I don't know you as a person, but you should go do a Nivea for men face cream ad, or just crawl back to sequels you prior didnt want to do cuz u thought your shit doesnt stink. (fast and furious) Paul your shit does stink, like shit in fact like the rest of us.

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Did some script and character work on the pilot LOST AND FIND Howie Kremer and I wrote in which we are filming later this month under the estute direction of non blog reader Charley Rivkin.

Also took in a tv show pilot I acted in called UNBRIDLED ENTHUSIASM by Second City Training Center Directing student Jeff Poole. It was very fun to see, and it had a lot of funnies in it, and I'm excited to see it after he edits it some more. I think with some good cuts it can sharpen up and be a nice tight show. If you want to check it out, it plays every Saturday at 9pm thu August 5th at Donny's Skybox at Second City.

And as always if you want to talk movies or tv shows reply or email me. And/or if you want to check out a show I'm in please contact me as well cuz I've got loads of shows in July and August! Oh, me, me, me, I'm sorry, how are you? have a good day?

My Boys, Chaplin,and Reinissance clothing

July 11, 2008

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MY BOYS, I'm developing a like, hate relationship with this show. I've have clammored to people prior of how much I hate this show, but still watching it to study like a hawk does its prey I've been finding things I like. I'm not really a hawk however in any aspect I just wanted some cool way to say I was studying it and not just being a lazy ass watching TV. Hate side-not fooling us Chicagoians with its fake Chicago, I still don't really like half the cast, a girl who likes sports is not a groundbreaking premise, and most of if is just sitting around talking. LIKES-Jim Gaffigan, the bald friend, and the guy who did the Matthew Mcgonaghey(i have no idea how to spell his name and I'm proud of that). Some of the recent story lines have been funny and even their attempts at banter have been punchy and fun. But really they should keep it to those three characters and the girl I guess. I don't know when LA will realize that they're are funny guys who are cute, so you don't have to find cute guys and try to make them be funny. If you've seen the show you probably know who I'm talking about. Cuz these dudes Just tend to overact. I'm getting down from my tower now.

Watched some Charlie Chaplin tonight as well courtesy of compadre Adam Schwartz for some study work. Plus its good to watch anyways. Watched a DOGS LIFE, and SHOULDER ARMS and I must say the guy was very brilliant. He wrote, directed,produced,scored, and acted in all of his own stuff. The physical humor and how to tell a story visually are good to watch for anyone trying to get tips on comedy or film. These films were done in 1915, and 1918, which makes you think what people will be watching 90 years from now that we are seeing today. Think about that shit folks. Oh, and Charlie Chaplin and I share the same birthday.

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Not to much on this end today sad to say. Had a costume fitting for a turn of the century English play through improvasation that I'm doing under the direction of priorly mentioned Adam Schwartz. It is being shown at the ANNOYANCE THEATER at the end of August. I'm very excited to start rehearsal for it, as it's something a bit different to do in a very repetitive Chicago scene. More details on this in future posts. I'll leave you thirsty for more.

Paul Newman, Big Red, and a depressed Batman.

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I watched HUDSUCKER PROXY tonight. '94 Coen bro's movie with Tim Robbins, and Mr. Paul Newman. Mainly it was a Paul Newman movie I haven't seen yet rather than my adoring view of the Coen bro's. It was good. Very stylized, and visually interesting which saves the otherwise shabby story, especially the second act. They do write dialouge well, very snappy and fun to listen to and some great monolougues which are not seen to much in movies especially ones where the scene pace is so quick. Credit to the fast talking actors like John Mahoney,Jennifer Jason Leigh,and Bruce Campbell. Tim Robbins was also admirable in the major role. I think for me the Coen's may never top the BIG LEBOWSKI, not even with NO COUNTRY. And it goes without saying I enjoyed Paul Newman. But then I just said it. I enjoy Paul Newman.

I also caught up with Hellboy on cable. I hate watching movies on cable with the whole editing for time, and especially editing for content. Leave my content alone FCC! I still don't understand the whole story besides the Nazi's are evil and they want hell on earth, but boy is Ron Pearlman fun as Hellboy. I plan on seeing Hellboy 2 tomorrow. And this one is getting better reviews than the first.

EXPORT

Our 'HANDS' sketch group rehearsal was cancelled tonight because a couple of us dudes were out of town. Two weeks until the show opens, and we don't really have a show yet. I have bitten off one full finger nail already. Other than that I took some notes for the Batman satire/spoof I'm working on called THE DARK DOMESTICATION. And also worked on a Sasquatch Short where we beat up a baby for flirting. More details later about these and what Sasquatch shorts is. But if u can't wait go to funnyordie.com and search Sasquatch shorts. Titles are EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES,THREE WISE MEN,ALTERNATIVE SEX, OH SHELLY, MAX FIT GYM, AND PERFECT DATE FINDER.

Mission Statement of Import/Export

July 11, 2008

First off I am fully aware how stupid ridiculous it is to declare a mission statement for a blog, and possibly a mission statement for anything. I think Jerry Maguire may have ruined that for all of us. Anywho blog's are a bit self centered, bloated, and serve a 'look what I can do' attitude. Secondly I know I am not that exciting, and I may be the only person who looks at this. But a part of me really likes me, and is interested in what I'm doing. If nothing else it gives me something else to write, and entertain that side of my brain. So here it goes...

I guess the point of this is to somewhat chronicle for family and friends what I am up to. I don't like talking about myself to people cuz I don't really see why most would care. So maybe throwing this to the internet tubing abyss can satisfy Honduras' great need for what I am up to (I almost typed Dan Aho instead of I, which is typing about myself in the third person. very scary).

So nonsense typing about my acting, auditioning, training, shows, and writing projects that I am working on. Which brings in the Import/Export of it all. Ideally as a struggling actor you want to quit your day job, which requires you to export your ideas and talents rather than import others as much. So I will also b.s. about things I import like tv shows, movies, plays, improv, and whatever else I view. And hopefully soon down the road my Export grows further and I can be a well balanced creative person.

And also in this maybe can create a bit of dicsussion on my views on recently viewed movies and such, and take the subject matter totally of me.

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO MOM! IT'S A BLOG!