Writer and Director James L Brooks Untitled Film starring Jack Nicholson (Charles), Reese Witherspoon (Lisa), Paul Rudd (George), and Owen Wilson (Manny) recently wrapped. It is a comedy/drama about the love lives of sports stars. Lisa, a professional softball player, is in a love triangle with George, a white collar executive, and Manny, a professional baseball pitcher. George is also pursuing Terry, a physics professor, played by Shelley Conn. I played Alex Truong – a computer technician at the university. My scene is with Paul Rudd and Shelley Conn. We shot the scene at the University of Pennsylvania in Summer of 2009. The original film title was “How Do You Know”.
Reese Witherspoon
Jack Nicholson
Paul Rudd
Owen Wilson
Shelley Conn
James L Brooks
TRUE STORY
I was in Toronto, Canada visiting friends and family on the weekend I got the call to be in the film. I “smoked” for the first time thinking that it would make me a better actor by expanding my creative muscles. While we were watching I Love You Man starring Paul Rudd, I get a call from the casting director that James L Brooks wants me to be in his new film starring, ironically, with Paul Rudd as well. I thought to myself, this must be some really good weed. Maybe I should try crack next?!?! My call time was the upcoming Monday at 7:15 am. My flight back was at 9:45pm on Sunday anyway so it would have worked out perfectly. When I got to the airport at Sunday 7:40pm, the receptionist told me I almost missed final check in by 5 minutes! I would have had to rent a car and drive down 8 hours from Toronto to Philadelphia just in time to be on set Monday.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
I almost missed my first big gig by 5 minutes by being away on vacation. It is a very difficult lifestyle having to choose between spending time with family and friends over acting. Fortunately for me, I have been very lucky so far. Mostly because I choose projects and time commitments very carefully. I always put family and (close) friends first. You have to prioritize people who prioritize you. It is difficult never the less.
The release date for the James L Brooks film is set for December 17, 2010
This film looks pretty good. We shot on a very cold day in January at City Hall in Philadelphia. Law Abiding Citizen, written by Kurt Wimmer, is about a brilliant sociopath (Gerard Butler) who orchestrates a series of high-profile murders that grip the city of Philadelphia – all from inside his jail cell – and the prosecutor (Jamie Foxx) assigned to his case who realizes he is the only one who can end the reign of terror.
Paramount Pictures released the first photos from M Night Shyamalan’s new film The Last Airbender. The Last Airbender is based on the hugely popular and successful Nickelodeon animated TV series. The live-action feature film is set in a world where human civilization is divided into four nations: Water, Earth, Air and Fire. I played an Earth bender prisoner with long light brown hair. I wasn’t allowed to blog about it because of the non-disclosure agreement with actors but these images are now authorized to be made public. The Last Airbender is expected to be a trilogy. The first episode is not expected to be released until June 2010. You can see the first trailer of The Last Airbender in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen opening.
Noah Ringer As Aang, The Last Airbender
Noah Ringer plays the lead character Aang, the “Last Airbender.” Working with him was great. He is a very mature 12-year-old regional karate star was who discovered in a Texas when his instructor sent in a video tape audition. Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire plays Prince Zuko, leader of the Fire Nation.
Aang - The Last Airbender
The Fire Nation is an oppressive race with powers to control flame. They are waging a war against the other three nations. The film’s hero, the reluctant young Aang, is the “Last Airbender”. Aang is the Avatar who, according to prophecy, has the ability to manipulate all of the elements and bring all the nations together. Aided by a protective teenage Waterbender named Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her bull-headed brother Sokka, Aang proceeds on a perilous journey to restore balance to their war-torn world.
Dev Patel of The Fire Nation
Here are a couple of interesting facts about the film’s two main stars:
Noah Ringer’s nickname at school was “Avatar” because many people thought he looked like the character that he now plays in the movie. Life is very funny in that way isn’t it?
Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, who plays Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation; earned his black belt in tae kwon do before getting into acting, and started watching the animated television series while filming Slumdog.
Dev Patel As Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation
I wish I could write more about behind the scenes but I just can’t because of the non-disclosure agreement. I can say that it was a joy waking up at 3am to catch a 5am tour bus for an hour long drive to the elaborate custom made set for the Earth Benders. All the actors and crew were great to work with. It has been several weeks since I wrapped up shooting my scenes and still have these funny tan lines on my feet due to the costume.
I don’t consider myself to be a violent guy. The last time I got into a fist fight I can remember was probably in 8th grade. Not to say I didn’t have my share of bad burns by people I thought were friends in my later years. However, I always try to be passive and not acknowledge that person’s existence until my grudge is gone.
However, I’m not sure how I would react to someone cutting my face open though. Well, that’s exactly what happened in the film Daniel written and directed by Manuel Neves that I composed for staring Robert Seelinger. It is a story about a man named Daniel who is seeking revenge on the guys that severely hurt him and left him a massive scar on his face. Daniel is confronted with the emotional burden, which tests his relationships with his girlfriend and close friends Bray, Steven, and Rafi.
Hollywood’s latest couple Jamie Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy Experiment) and Jennifer Love Hewitt (The Ghost Whisperer) star in the independent film called Cafe which is about the interesting people and their lives in a coffee shop. Marc Erlbaum who is local to the area wrote the screenplay at West Philly’s Green Line Cafe (which is used for external shots). Daniel Eric Gold (Matt in Ugly Betty) and Alexa Vega (Carmen Cortez in Spy Kids) are also casts in the film. Sean Covel and Doc Wyatt, producers of Napoleon Dynamite, are producing with J. Andrew Greenblatt.
I played an Asian business man in the scene. Yeah I know. What a stretch right? I had to mimic the words “peas and carrots” but not actually say it otherwise it would bleed into the main dialogue. Afterwards, during lunch break, we had the choice of egg salad or tuna wrap. I chose the tuna wrap.
Playstation Killed the Puppet is a new hilarious comedy film (and potential series) I am involved in. It was written by Charles Mosley and Marc Holley and directed by Charles Mosley. It is filmed in a documentary style about a world with living puppets and humans. I play one of the lead puppet character Lil’Ronnie’s friend by the name of Raj.
SYNOPOSIS
The puppet Lil Ronnie has to find another job because kids are not going to puppet shows. Ronnie has to reinvent himself though he faces discrimination because he is not human and because of his disability. This production is a spoof on American life if you have yet to get the picture.
The trailer for the comedy Saddle Up with Dick Wrangler & Injun Joe is now available. I have a part as a business man and you can see me at the beginning of the trailer. The story is about a has been Cowboy and Indian television duo struggle to make ends meet.
I appear at 0:14 lower right
It was directed by Todd Wolfe starring Tony Devon as Dick Wrangler, Peter Defeo as Injun Joe, with cameo appearance by Mickey Rooney.
