I was sitting there thinking that I don't keep a journal. Of all the stuff that I've done in my life...my excursions, adventures and countless,"Did you see that !???" incidences, I thought this would be a great way to get started. Plus I seem to lose all of the paper that I write stuff down on. Let me bring you up to speed. I've titled my blog "Second Time Around..." because I'm now on my second trek in the entertainment industry. With many credits already to my career in print and commercials, I didn't think it would be that tough to get back in my groove....boy was I wrong!!!!
The way that I got started was a total fluke. I have a really good friend of mine(Denny-D) who knew a man(Omar Alberto) that owned his own modeling agency. I was single and Denny-D said,"They've got open-call on Tuesdays.....let's go look at some six-footers!" I was game! So here I am in heaven...just heaven. Six-footers all over the place. I had never been around so many fine women in my life in one room....a gang of sistas too! Growing up in Orange County, this was a treat...that's another story. Anyway, we're kickin' it and Denny-D, and Omar are talking business. Omar goes on to ask me something. I thought he asked me if I wanted a job. I said,"No I don't want to be behind a desk!" LOL Omar goes on to say,"No, do you want to be one of my guys on the wall??(model) I said, "Well, yeah!!" What Omar and Denny-D didn't know is that I had ALWAYS wanted to be an actor, ever since I saw Rodney Allen Rippy on those Jack-n-the box commercials. I saw my opportunity and I grabbed it!
So Omar sets up a test shoot with Jim Malucci and Michael Walls(photographer & Stylist). Denny-D came with me to the shoot to make sure I wasn't nervous. Malucci and Walls were the BOMB!! They made me comfortable and the shoot went great.
So I get the proofs(that's what they called them back in the day) over to Omar and he's diggin' em. He decides that he wants to represent me. So now I officially have an agent!!!! I'm represented by Omar's Men....Here's a trippy thing that I have to share with you. About two weeks prior to meeting Omar I saw an article in the LA Times magazine and they featured a model...Ronny Marquette(RIP) who was represented by Omar's Men. I was trippin' out when I walked in the agency for the first time. Destiny is a trip.
After picking some shots to put together a Zed Card, I'm introduced to my booker...Maria Minelli....she's the bomb!!! She still is..check her out at her own agency(M Management). Within 30 days I was put on hold by Peggy Sirota for two big Campaigns(Coca-Cola, and Esprit). I booked the Coke campaign and made more money in a day than I had made in a month.....no job for me, I'm in the ENTERTAINMENT BIZNESS!!!!
I did tons of catalog and print work for a lot of the young lady magazines...YM, SEVENTEEN etc.., but two months after working with Peggy Sirota, I booked the biggest modeling job of my life and I didn't even know it.
I booked a Ralph Lauren Polo Sport campaign with Bruce Weber!!! I received a call from my agent and I said,"Who's Bruce Weber?" Can you imagine that??? Talk about ignoratnt. I was still in my Football/Track world and I could care or less. But what an experience working with Bruce Weber...an awesome photographer and even nicer man. While on the POLO SPORT shoot, I found out that I booked my first commercial...a three commercial deal for DENNY'S. I was able to join SAG(Screen Actors Guild) immediately. Things were happening fast. I'm leaving a lot out, but I'm getting the main points.
So, I got sidetracked like some people do and lost momentum...very bad mistake. I forgot what I wanted out of life. It took me some time to realize that I was only going to be happy if I was pursuing my dreams. I'm hard-headed and it cost me dearly. Luckily, I was raised right and when it was time to get back at the grind of castings, I didn't burn any bridges. Omar was my first call...he's my boy and I truly respect everything that he has done in his career to further other peoples careers. I love him like a big brother. I'm also not naive to think that this is business too. I have been dropped from an agency, so it's not like it was smooth sailing from the jump. Omar's track record speaks for itself. Omar makes a call and places me at a commercial agency(Industry Talent). Just like that. Do you understand how hard it is to get an agent in this town??? So here I am...back on the grind. I am in my last week of a commercial workshop(Killian McHugh...the man knows his STUFF), and I'm getting back in my groove. Next is a Theatrical agent and doing some Student films at AFI....I've left so much stuff out, but it's the past and who cares anyway. I'm not sure how often I'll be leaving posts...we'll see how it goes. Oh yeah, I almost forgot....I've gotta lose about 20 lbs....brotha has been grubbin!!!! LOL
With my sports background I'm gonna give P90X a shot....I'll post the changes in my body too...don't laugh!
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