my acting debut...

This is a billboard I spotted the other day in Beverly Hills advertising the new George Clooney movie "Up in the Air." They filmed alot of the movie in St. Louis. Back in March I was an extra in a scene. It was a really cool experience to see how everything worked "behind the scenes" and to see George up close. I signed some agreement promising not to reveal any details of the movie or the filming...but suffice it to say that there is probably about a 25% chance that my face (or the back of my head) will flash by briefly in the background of one scene. Pretty sweet, huh?

I'm very excited because this represents the start of my acting career. One thing I've noticed is that every other person you meet out here is in "the business"...(the entertainment business). For example, on my first day out here I met an animator/puppeteer on a Cartoon Network show. On the first day of work I discovered that my co-worker's cousin is a famous movie star whose husband is in a sitcom. Last summer when I was out here I met an actor who appeared in several episodes of "Dallas," "Charlie's Angels" and the "A-Team," and voiced one of the dinosaurs in "The Land Before Time." I haven't spotted any celebrities around town yet...

I don't actually want to be an actor of course. The closest I've gotten to starring in a show was when I operated the curtain at my 8th grade talent show. I don't think I would mind being a model...but I wouldn't want to know when people were taking pictures of me. It always seems like my pictures turn out better when I don't know they're being taken. Another requirement would be that I would already be in the physical condition required for the modeling job...no extreme fitness plans, no drastic wardrobe changes, no posing. I guess all I really want is to get money for people taking pictures of me as I go about my business in my natural habitat--like a zoo animal but with better legal representation.

(Yes Thomas, I know that zoos are unnatural, unhealthy habitats in which animals are held captive, enslaved for human enjoyment and curiousity. If I could personalize this blog, I would substitute the word "safari" in place of the word "zoo" in your edition.)

Even though I don't want to be actor, I'm sure my role in the Clooney movie will pay off in other ways. Of course it will make for interesting bar conversation, improve my street cred and impress chicks...but I really want to appear in the movie so I can put it on my resume. Ideally I'd able to provide the exact time of my appearance or even attach some still shots of the scene. I could put a photo of my performance on the reverse side of my resume. Or better yet, I could just print my resumes directly on the back side of a photo of me and George Clooney.

The movie should be released in late November or early December...I'll be sure to let everyone know if I'm in it!