(SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't watched the episode and want to be surprised, I encourage you to go watch before reading this post. It's available on Hulu (Season 3, episode 3).)
In what is becoming a bit of a habit, I was recently a contestant on a TV game show, this time one called The Chase. The show is in its 3rd season on ABC primetime (after a 4 season run on Game Show Network). Following the model of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (which, of course, I was also on), the original version was British and there have been over a dozen international versions. If you haven't seen the show, it is worth checking out (and not only because yours truly makes more than a brief appearance.) But I digress... We taped the show in LA in March. They flew me down, put me up (in a nice hotel!), and facilitated all transportation while I was there (I was even picked up by a fancy chauffeur complete with sign and everything!) Taping was a veritable rollercoaster, with excitement, doubt, frustration, amazement, nervousness, and more...and that was even before I got on set! While my contract precludes me from saying too much about taping, I can say that it was 1) really impressive (such an amazing set, so much going on, and very professional environment) 2) really fun (I had a super supportive and fun team, the host was amazing*, and it really felt like a success just being there), and 3) crazy nerve-racking (if you've watched, you know the half of it. I'll have to tell you the other half in person.) Overall, it was a super fun experience. The other really fun part, of course, was when the episode aired. We had a nice little watch party at my house where I got to tell behind the scenes stuff, answer questions, and relive the excitement. And since I was seeing it for the first time along with everyone else, there was all sorts of fun in that. There were parts I barely remembered from the taping, since I was so nervous. And I'm extremely pleased with how the editors made me look somewhat normal and fun. I was really worried that I might come across either crazy or overly-nervous. Yes, there was a cringe-worthy moment or two and definitely some questions that I probably should have gotten right, but again, overall, I'm really pleased with how the edit turned out. How the ending turned out, well that's a different story. Besides watching the episode with friends, it was really neat to hear about others watching it. I loved how people sent pictures and tagged me on instagram to include me in their experiences. Then there were strangers commenting on twitter (for the most part, surprisingly positive!) I'm realizing that this element of the experience was equally enjoyable as the taping—something about connecting with my larger community and feeling support from them as they cheer me on. A few random things:
This being my third TV game show appearance, it was interesting to have the points of comparison. While all three experiences were fun, I would perhaps place this the most fun, which is odd being that it was the least lucrative. Maybe it was because I was more relaxed or because I had managed my expectations better. Maybe the perspective of the previous two helped. Who knows? And while of course I wanted to win, I'm surprisingly okay with the somewhat devastating ending. I got another entry in my TV/Film resume, a really fun experience, and another great story to tell. Thank you to The Chase for allowing me to be a part, Scott and Jill for being awesome teammates, and you, dear readers. Now for a few more screenshots! |
Friday May 20 2022 | File under: |
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Being an extra in TVs and movies has been a goal of mine for some time now (previously covered on BdW here, here, and here). I dream about it, I tell everyone I know about it (in hopes they've got an inside connection), and I meticulously capture each appearance. While progress toward my ultimate goal is moving at a pace slower than I'd originally hoped, I'm at least making some headway.
Of the dozen or so times I've gotten the opportunity to be a part of various commercials, shows, and movies, my time on Three Busy Debras is easily the most fun I've had! Some sets are a lot of waiting, less-than-ideal conditions, and , in the end, very little (if any*) screen time*. This time around, it was different: Della got to be there for 2 of the 4 days of filming, we got to do cartwheels(!), all the other extras were super fun, and the show is a genuine hoot! Top that off with lots of great screen time in the finished product, it feels like a total win. Often, when the show finally comes out, I meticulously watch for myself only to catch a far away glimpse in the far background (or even less). It's a weird kind of craps shoot—putting in long, inconvenient days with a chance that all of your footage might end up on the cutting room floor. So when you see yourself not just in the far off background, but in the mid-background, and *gasp* foreground, it is really really fun. Top that off with the fact that the show itself is super entertaining and it feels like a perfect combo. I plan to continue working towards my goal*. I've got a clip or two still in the pipeline. And my agent is still working hard on my behalf*. But after 4+ years in the biz, I realize that waiting around probably isn't going to make me a background star. I need to get out there and work for it! But whatever happens, of course you'll hear all about it here. |
Monday April 27 2020 | File under: extra, video |
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If you haven't seen the episode and don't want any spoilers, I suggest you skip to the end of this post and give it a watch before continuing. I can wait...
Nearly 4 years to the day after I taped my Wheel of Fortune episode, I found myself back in a TV studio, this time in Las Vegas, nervously waiting to appear on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. The process with Millionaire wasn't too dissimilar to Wheel, if you replace face-to-face testing and auditions with Skype calls*. There were a few more logisitics around bringing your "plus 1" and my producer was a bit more specific about wardrobe*, but overall the process was something like: apply online -> [get lucky to be picked to move on] -> take a test -> [be smart] -> have audition -> [get lucky your attempt at jokes go over well] -> wait hopefully (and a bit nervously) -> [receive "You're in!" letter] -> do a jig -> anxious wait to hear about taping date -> binge watch the show for studying purposes -> keep waiting* -> fly to Las Vegas to tape the episode -> exhale Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I got to meet some really great people, added another cool adventure to my life resume, and ended up with a little bit of change in my pocket*. While the result of this pass at TV game show-dom didn't quite support the this-is-a-big-part-of-my-how-I-make-my-living plan, I'm not going to let that stop me from continuing to try! Oh, and if you never saw my Wheel episode, check it out here |
Thursday May 2 2019 | File under: video, pictures |
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Progress on the old be-an-extra-in-a-movie life goal proceeds at a slower than hoped for pace, but that doesn't mean it isn't progressing. I've posted here before about various extra/background stuff I've done, but I've finally gotten it together to put it all together in one place. I introduce to you my TV/Film Resume! It has screen shots, links, dates, and more!
Despite the slowness of progress on said goal, it is nice to see the resume start to build up. In just about all cases, you can barely see me for a split second here and there (hence the screenshots), but some respectable names are represented (SyFy Networks, Adult Swim, MTV, Netflix) which has gotta mean something. It will also be a place where I post future film related appearances, so feel free to check back on it every now and again. I even added it to the header!! Chances are I've already mentioned it to you in person, but in case I haven't, I'm serious about pursuing this dream. If you have connections or hear about anything that might get little old me on TV or in a movie, please let me know! I'll fly to Spain* if I have to. Otherwise, it's a neat little list* that you might enjoy taking a peek at. I'm not saying I'm famous, but... |
Thursday December 6 2018 | File under: extra, video |
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For the past 2 or so years, I've been directing much of my manifesting energy* at trying to achieve a life goal of being an extra in a big budget movie. While that hasn't happened yet, I'm slowly building a resume and having some neat experiences along the way.
This spring, I was able to be an extra on the Netflix show American Vandal (a pretty neat show if you're looking for something to add to your queue). The taping day was 14+ hours long, I had to take an uber to location (since public transit didn't run that early), and I only ended up with about 3-4 seconds of screen time. But even so, I'm pretty stoked on the experience. Seeing how TV is made is very interesting; you meet some fun people, get a free lunch, and even get paid! Here are the screenshots (with episode and timestamp in case you want to see me in all my glory!). Hover on images to highlight me in the background. Season 2 * Episode 2 * 19:04-ish Season 2 * Episode 3 * 00:49-ish Here are a few other clips of other projects I've been involved in
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Sunday September 30 2018 | File under: extra, video |
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In what has become a lovely yearly habit for me, I recently attended the 2017 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament out in Stamford, CT. With it being my 4th year, I now know my way around the tournament and hotel, have met some great people that I always look forward to seeing year after year, and have some helpful data to see the progress my solving skills are making. But overall, I just have a lot of fun.
First, the progress: This year, I finished 336th out of 619, putting me in the 54th percentile, my second best showing. Besides one stupid error (which cost me about 20 places in the rankings), I don't feel bad. The puzzles were decidedly harder this year. As usual, puzzle 5 destroyed me with a super complicated double theme. Puzzle 3, supposedly an easier one, left me somewhat flummoxed with names of elements I've never heard of. Puzzles 1, 4, and 6 I aced and had just 1 square wrong on each of 2 and 7. So, overall, I'm not displeased—room to improve but still a strong enough showing. But the real fun of the tournament, for me at least, was the talent show. Since my first trip to the ACPT, I've been brewing this act combining my love of juggling and love of crosswords. This year, after poking at it here and there over the years, it all came together and I had a chance to present it. It was a hit, with people really appreciating the nerdiness as much as the talent. I'm excited to work out the kinks and get a few more run throughs to really solidify it. Then the hope is to add it to our upcoming summer shows. I'm sure the reception won't be nearly as great as it was with a room full of hardcore crossworders, but hopefully it will stand on its own. See for yourself! Thanks to all who made the ACPT such a fun and successful event! Hope to see you all again next year! |
Thursday March 30 2017 | File under: crosswords, video, juggling |
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Back in September, I posted about my initial foray into the world of being a film extra. For two days, I went in, sat through an hour of make up, sat around for hours doing nothing but observing what there was to see, and then did my thing. You can read all about the experience here. Well, in a film-to-screen time that beats out my Wheel experience, my episode aired in December.
I knew from the filming that my screen time was going to be very limited and chances were you wouldn't be able to see my face. I was right on both accounts. Below, you can see the clip. I've stretched the clip to include a bit of context. Keep an eye on the roadside zombie. That's me! Okay, not so impressive for a first go. There are continuity issues and my acting could use a bit of improvement. But it's a start, a start that hopefully turns into something more. As I mentioned before, being an extra in a movie (where you can see my face and in a movie that people would actually have heard of) is a my current life goal. While waiting around to film scene, I was also able to impromptu provide hands for another scene from another episode. Even going frame by frame, it was hard to identify me. I did, however, manage this screen shot. If a hand on screen for .35 seconds ever screamed destined for greatness, it's here. As my resume grows (as I truly hope it will), I'll keep posting about it here, so stay tuned! In the meantime, feel free to watch this clip over and over and over again. Or, heck, go check out Z-Nation and watch from the beginning! |
Saturday January 7 2017 | File under: extra, video |
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Who doesn't love a good parade? To promote their upcoming run at the ACT theater in Seattle*, the Flying Karamazov Brothers organized a parade through downtown last weekend. It was great fun! The highlight, some might say, was when we ended in the Convention Center on the escalators, in a perpetual marching machine! With as much fun as we were having, it could have gone on for a long time. The security staff at the convention center, however, didn't quite agree. I guess that answers the age old question of who doesn't love a parade. Anyway, if you are looking for a good time, check out the FKB show at ACT Theater. Oh, and you can see me juggling in the parade dressed in an orange petticoat and wig, headed up the up near the beginning. |
Tuesday January 31 2012 | File under: video, circus |
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Thanks to Luke for filming and putting this together! |
Tuesday September 13 2011 | File under: quarry, video |
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Sunday October 3 2010 | File under: video, juggling |
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