Giddy Moment

Two things: One I realized that I forgot to give a heartfelt thanks to my bosses, Greg and Sandi, at Eden Alley for allowing me to take 3 weeks off to do this movie. You guys really are some of the best people I've ever had the pleasure to work for!

Secondly: I discovered today that I have an IMDB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How phenomenally amazing is that! I know, I know, it's not that big of a deal, everyone has one, but it's a milestone for me! Check it out, Davis Michels on IMDB.

When Dreams Come True

It's an amazing thing when you realize that your Dreams are beginning to come true. This month has brought it's own wonderful surprise. I am currently working on a film Cull, not only as an actor, but as the Assistant Director! No, I'm not starring in this one, but I do have a couple scenes and a few lines, and I'm AD! I never realized quite how awesome that could be! Thanks once again to Don Baldwin, Director of Master's Class, for giving me the opportunity to move forward with my life dream and goal!

The Movie is a dark comedy about 2 female serial killers, Victoria and Claudette. I play Jack, one of Victoria's coworkers at the post office. This has been quite a process. I've taken 3 weeks off work from Eden Alley to completely dedicate my time to the Movie. We have completed one week of filming, and have two more to go. The fun really is just starting. We have a wonderful cast and crew who work really well together, and we have incredible talent! Susan Traylor is playing Victoria, and Alex Farnham is playing Dell, Claudette's Love interest.

I'm so happy right now because this is happening. Even with all the stress and last minute changes, I'm doing whtat I love, and that is all that matters. I will keep everyone updated on the process, but no promises as to when because I am strapped for time!

Restless

Once again things have gone quiet...
While my personal life is having a roller coaster of ups and downs: my ambitions are sitting dormant. I've realized that I was taking a break of sorts. There's been a lot of hope on my behalf that my agent would pull something for me while I adjust to the responsibilities of my new roommate as well as the other changes happening around me. I watch as my Jo becomes a woman of the world and chases her happiness, and I realize that somehow I've taken a back seat on my own chase.
It's been a little over a year since I started this path, and I've done a movie, a cable pilot, and a commercial. It's not a bad start! I truely belive that, but it's time for it to progress to the next level. It's time I pull on the few connections I have made, and start making my own path again! I'll move Heaven and Earth to help those I love,and now I just need to learn how to move them for myself!

Goals: Name on the silver screen

First off I would like to say thank you to everyone who came out to support us on Thursday at the premier of Paragon! It was an awesome night, and I felt that it was also a mile stone in my pursuit. Not only did I make it up on that big silver screen, but I got to see my name "Davis Michels" roll through the credits (talk about exhilarating!). Though it wasn't the highest quality film; for a zero budget independent film, it was great!
Second; for those who could not make it there will be a second screening. We're not sure when, but I will keep everyone posted as to when that will be.

Back in the Gym

I've finally made a point to start making it back into the gym! Sad news, I was back up to 160lbs. Good news, just a couple weeks of being good and it is dropping back off (158lbs as of an hour ago)! I've also decided that it is now time to start working on building muscle! The goal is to do this without adding too much weight, and with a little research I think I've developed a workout that will do that. Only time will tell!

As for everything else, I have a meeting tomorrow for the cable pilot to finalize contracts and meet everybody. Also, I did not end up auditioning for "Mercy House Split". The reason is that it does not start filming till November, and here I've been talking about moving out west before that. It may not be set in stone, but I don't need to make excuses to stay.The good part is that I am still involved with the film. I'm helping Scott find locations for all the scenes, so if you get an email asking if I can use your apartment/house, that's why! Just kidding...or am I?

One last note: The premier of Paragon will be sometime late September/ October, as soon as I know I'll invite everyone!

Getting off Track

Well as you can obviously tell by the lack of posts, I've been busy. I wish I could say that it was all with acting, but the opposite is the truth. I lost my role in "The Truth About Why", which made me very sad, but I've moved on and managed to maintain the friendships I started with that project. I'm still working 2 jobs, and I'm going to be getting a couple serving shifts at Eden Alley, which is great because I could use the money, but sad because it's not acting.

Lately I feel like I have to spend so much time just making sure I can afford to live day to day, that I don't have any left for my dream. The Acting front has gone quieter than a winter's night in the middle of Kansas, and I haven't heard of any auditions from my Agent since the Lee Jeans gig (which I also haven't heard from). People keep telling me about theater auditions, but I don't want to do theater! It is so different from film, and takes up so much time that I'm afraid I'd miss an opportunity, or already have a commitment and miss out.

I just have to keep reminding myself that everything I'm doing right now I'm doing as a means. I have this grand goal, my target. It's the size of a pea sitting miles away, and to hit it I have to remain focused. 

Acting Needs: An Agent

Though I have not been posting much on my acting career, I am slowly but surely working towards my goal. On Thursday I had an interview with The Agency to be considered for representation! The interview ended with me being told they would love to represent me, and I have a contract in my hand waiting for my signature. One signing of my name is all it will take...my hesitation, this changes everything. Really it kind of scares me, and I'm a little intimidated by the thought.

I've been thinking a lot about it, and I didn't quite realize the things I might have to give up to pursue this dream of mine. Thinking ahead, can I justify auditioning for things like Renaissance Festival and community theatre when it would limit my availability for paying gigs (which will be my primary source of income)? If this is the career I want to follow, then it will be a part of my job to make myself ready for an audition at the drop of a hat. I see now the separation this will put between my acting friends and I. While they are all getting ready for a number of auditions (Renaissance Festival, musicals, plays), I stand by kind of saddened by the fact that I'm not going to be joining some of my best friends

At the start of this blog my main concern had been in having a corporate job and the strictures of that lifestyle as well as leaving it behind with the benefits it offered. Being laid-off made that decision for me, and I am a little thankful for that. However, this time the decision to change another part of my life for this dream is completely in my hands.

Once again I find myself standing on the precipice of an infinite plane of possibilities. All I need to do is to pick a direction and take a step. All things are possible from here.

Gonna Be a Good Year!

Third day of the year, 2nd post, I think it's going to be a good year. I just had to get on and update everyone. Back on December 5th, 2009, I auditioned for a short film and after not hearing from anyone for the whole month I was convinced that I just wasn't what they were looking for. Then on New Year's Eve I get a text message from the director asking if I could do a call back reading. Of course I was stoked! We met at the West Port Coffee House yesterday, and I read for the Lead Male role "Derrick" with Mandy who is the Lead Female "Eiley". The call back lasted for 2 and a half hours (most of this was us just talking and laughing our butts off) and at the end I was told that I would be getting a phone call to let me know what they decide.

The news...

I got the Part!!!!!

I've already read the entire script, and I love it. The movie is titled "The Truth about Why" and it is kind of a self growth, self disscovery type film.

Also, I am calling The Agency on the 5th to set up an interview because they are possibly interested in representing me! So I might have an Agent soon! I'll keep everyone updated! This is looking like a great year!

*Also, I'd still like to know what everyone's New Year's Resolutions are, or why you didn't make one!!*

Acting Needs: Head Shots

(The One that gets Sent Out)

Thanks to the amazingly talented Adam, I now have some head shots to share! If you will glance over to the right side of your screen, you should see a sideshow of some of the best pictures. Also, a new addition over to your right and down a little, you will see a teaser for the The Beast Who Cried "I", a short animated film done by non other than the same amazingly talented Adam, with voice over work by Yours Truly, and music by the lovely Nolan! (Warning to Marmee: don't view the full screen version)

So now that these steps are completed my next step is to get some of these wonderful head shots printed off with a copy of my Resume on the back and start mailing myself out! Hopefully, now that I have all the necessary ingredients, I might be able to attract an Agent (insert dramatic dahnt dahnt daaaaa music here)! I wonder, do they make a pheromone that will help with that...? Anyway, I'm just happy that I am making progress, here's to the hope of continuing to do so!

One last thing, and this is just a shameless self promotion, don't forget to purchase your tickets to this years Phantom's Feaste: Frankenstein's Creation, where I'm performing as Igor, the doctors Lab Assistant. So get your seats reserved now by clicking HERE!

Fitness Update: The End Date!

Well today was the last day of my 40 day challenge to lose 20lbs by September. I weighed in after my workout today at 12:30pm, and the results are:

Pounds Lost: 18

Well I fell 2lbs short of my 20lb goal, in my opinion, not bad at all! I started at 178lbs and I weighed in at 160lbs today. I feel very good about this, and don’t worry, I’m not going to just go off my new routine. I’m still going to keep up with my running, I really do like it, and it has had the largest effect on my health and overall wellness. This little challenge was just the jump start, I still plan on losing that last 2lbs, if not a little more, not to mention that I’m still only able to do 53 pushups without fail, and my goal for that is 100!

And as a side note, I’ll be getting some good headshots posted on here pretty soon. Adam Burisch came by yesterday, and did a short shoot with me at the Liberty Memorial, and he wants to do more (You’re the best Adam!).

I slacked off...

This week was not so great on the Fitness side, I really slacked off. Eating a combination of Indian Cuisine, Mexican (twice!), Bar-b-que, French fries, cornbread, brownies, Murray’s Ice cream, and bagels does not follow my diet. Luckily I didn’t gain any weight, but I didn’t lose any either. I’d try to justify by saying I wasn’t feeling well, which I wasn’t, but that really isn’t an excuse. I did run every day, but I only worked out twice.

But let us not despair! I have faith that I will be able to burn these last 6 pounds in the last 10 days of August. It just means that I really have to focus (say that with a Germanic accent, it’s fun!), stick to my diet and exercise plan, and just believe that I can do it!

Oh, and stay tuned this weekend, I’ll update you on all the movies I’ve been seeing lately (some really good ones!), and I’m sure I’ll have some fun things to share after my trip to Lawrence this weekend!

Fitness Update!

So on the 20^th of July, my goal was to lose 20 lbs by September 1^st, I weighed 178 lbs at that time.

Today, Friday the 14^th of August, just 25 days on my diet, I weighed in at 164 lbs! That means I have 15 days to lose another 6 lbs, I don’t think it will be easy, but I’ll do it!

Also, my goal to be able to do 100 pushups without fail has improved as well. Last night I was able to do 2 sets of 50 pushups, I could have done a third set, but was too ecstatic over doing 100 pushups in just 2 sets!

As a side note, I have also opened up the comment section to everyone, so please feel free to leave a comment, or ask questions.

Next Steps

Well now that I’ve got this going, and finding things to post about on a regular basis, I also see that I’m going to need to use this as a reminder to myself of the things I need to be doing.

To actually become a professional actor I really need to make myself known to the acting world. From what I can tell I need the following things:

-Well rounded Resume detailing experience and skills

-Awesome Head Shots

-Really well connected Agent

-Training/ Experience

-A little bit of Luck (a whole lot wouldn’t hurt either)

I’m sure there are about a hundred other things that I’m not thinking of, but these seem to be the major ones. So let’s go through these.

First off: A well rounded resume. Well I have a resume, I’m not sure if it is well rounded, but it does detail all the work I’ve been doing, and the things that go along with it. I list the work I’ve done on stage, at festival, and on film. I need to add the details for the commercials and the voice over work that I have done as well.

Second: Awesome head shots. I don’t have these. I haven’t been able to pay for them (they’re expensive). However, a friend did offer to do some for me, I just need to be able to meet up with her. There are other photographers I like as well. Cody had his done by an artist who was simply amazing, he really captured Cody’s best sides. I’ve been using pictures that people have managed to get of me, and most of those involve my mouth hanging open due to the fact that I never shut-up. This is unprofessional, and probably weighs heavily against me.

Third: A really well connected Agent. This has been one of my biggest dilemmas. I don’t know how to get an Agent, or even how to contact one. I’ve always just dreamt that one day after a performance some person would walk up to me and say “Mike Davis, I want to sign you on with my Agency!”, but I don’t think this happens anymore. I know it used to, but now actors are a dime a dozen, and agents don’t have to go hunting for talent.

Forth: Training and Experience. I do not have any formal training. I never took acting/ vocal/ dance classes, I never really knew I wanted to be an actor until after I dropped out of college! All I have is experience. While my friends say this is the best kind of training, it’s also the hardest and slowest. And the real trouble is that most directors don’t have the time to give an untrained actor the instruction they need. Luckily I’ve managed to land some Lead roles, and a couple of my directors have taken the time to coach me and help me along.

Fifth: A little bit of Luck. Well there is just no way to control this one. I carry around a Four Leaf Clover, that has been laminated, with me in my wallet. It’s with me everywhere I go. Aside from wearing horseshoes and de-footing rabbits, I don’t know how to attract the luck I’m needing (maybe I need to attach the horseshoes to the detached rabbit feet…). Some would say you create your own luck, and that is kind of what I’m hoping having this blog will do.

So there you have it. My next two steps to actually move forward with my own self growth are to get some really great Head Shots, and start contacting Agents. Wish me luck!

Welcome to my Journey

Well it is the 8th of August, 2009, and this is the beginning of my blog. If you can't tell by the title, I am attempting to become a professional Actor. I want to be on that big silver screen, rubbing elbows with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, and Nicole Kidman (Just a few professionals I enjoy).

To accomplish this one very lofty goal, there are many smaller things that must be achieved first. Really these smaller goals will be tracked the most. Aside from building a name for myself, I also need to improve my physical appearnces, develop unique skills to set me apart from the crowd, enjoy everyday of my life, and keep a healthy realtionship with my wonderful girlfriend of two years. I know, that last one doesn't seem like it has a lot to do with acting, but it is a goal, and I will not sacrifice my fantastic relationship. I truly believe that buy making that a goal I will be able to attain my dream while not only maintaing my relationship, but improving it as well.

Now let it be said, that I completly understand that this will by no means be easy, especially since I have no formal training. I also know that very few people ever accomplish this dream while a whole lot of people share it. My hope is that by including the world in my journey then I will come just a little closer to seeing my dream come true. With that all being said, I ask that you please hang in there with me while I get this blog established.

Oh, and dont' forget to sign up to "Follow" me!