July 28, 2012

Hey ya'll ! Check out my new reel !! CLICK HERE
Got to include a few things I should have included some time ago.
Thanks Donna Mathewson for the brilliant editing job (as usual)

Had a blast shooting a motion-capture TOYOTA spot for the UK.
It's fun being covered in dots and moving around like you know what you are doing.
The spot will be online at some point in the future, but I think it was shot to air during the Olympic (airing in the UK only)
It's an animated me playing a guy who runs an underground contraband warehouse. For a price I'll get you something "real" in this animated world. Needless to say, the "real" thing I sell to the hero of the piece is a snazzy new Toyota.
It was shot by award-winning director Adam Berg, and should be playing across the pond, right about now. Check out Mr. Berg's info: Click Here

The most difficult thing about the shoot was trying to eat a HUGE hamburger (which would be "real" in the shot) while wearing a football helmet contraption that featured a kind of retainer gizmo holding four teeny cameras pointing at my face. Trying to shove a sloppy burger into my gaping maw while avoiding the camera/retainer device was challenging.

Also was lucky enough to work with the wonderful director Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl) on a Halloween-themed commercial for SNICKERS. Check out Mr. Gillespie's Wiki page here: Click Here

I can't say much about it yet, but it looks hilarious and involves some green screen captures of my heavily made-up face. (Props to Scott Stoddard and all at Legacy EFX!) Dunno if you'll recognize me or not, but you sure won't miss me.

Have a great summer, everybody!

I'm going to Mexico.

February 26, 2012

Congratulations to THE ARTIST !!!!

I am so very happy that The Artist won Best Picture and Michel won Best Director and Jean won Best Actor.

It is a great film and they are great people. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with them, and so excited to have had a part in an Oscar winning movie.

Thank you to Heidi Levitt for casting me in it.

It also won Best Music and Best Costumes.

Tonight is a great night.

January 31, 2012

Thrilled and excited to report that the brilliant team at FX's hit series 
"Justified" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/) saw fit to create a 
recurring role for me.

Harvey Jones is the County Clerk in Harlan, Tennessee and he's on the take, 
baby. I shot two episodes this month and there's hope he'll return for next 
season. Cross your fingers, your toes, your eyes and heart that ol' Harvey will 
return.

In fact, why not start a letter-writing campaign? Yeah. Do that.

Send it to:

Producers
"Justified"
Woodridge Productions, Inc.
25135 Anza Drive
Stage 6
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Don't tell them I sent you.
And wait till after my episode has aired!
Seem kinda obvious if dozens of fan letters arrived before I premiered.

The shoot was a dream. It's definitely an actor's set. Probably helps
that Timothy Olyphant is one of the Producers. Sometimes people listen to 
actors on the set and other times they only listen to the stars. It was 
clear from the outset that this group of people not only listen to the 
actors, but actually allow their input. The script changes a lot during 
filming. Or, at least, ours did. It's like they know and respect the 
actors' process and realize that we can shed light on things previously 
unconsidered.

Both of my directors (Tony Goldwin - 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001282/ and Gwyneth Horder-Payton - 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394586/) were ready, willing and able to go 
whichever direction I chose for Harvey.

I'd love to spill the beans about the scenes themselves and what happens, 
but, obviously, I can't do that. So watch all of "Justified" (Tuesdays at 
10pm on FX) to catch me. (But be sure especially NOT to miss the episodes 
called "Loose Ends" - episode #309 and "Guy Walks Into A Bar" - 
episode #310)!

And remember, write the producers after the first one airs!
Maybe, I'll become a regular!

In other news, "The Artist" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/) is 
continuing to kick the awards-season's ass!

Michel Hazanavicius (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371890/),
Berenice Bejo (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067367/) and
Jean Dujardin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067367/) 
are cleaning up! It's so great, too, when you consider that absolutely 
nobody thought this film would go the distance like this. Anyone other 
than, perhaps, the genius that is Harvey Weinstein (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005544/). Man, that guy knows what 
the holy crap he's doing!

Here's hoping The Artist goes all the way!
It's looking really, really good.

Again, keep your fingers, toes, eyes and heart crossed for all this 
potentially good news!

Thanks for reading.
Now, go back to watching my movies!

January 2, 2012

Really happy to see THE ARTIST getting so much positive attention. I've 
done over 40 films now and this is the first one that's engendered so many 
comments. I've gotten dozens of emails and Facebook postings saying 
A) how much they loved the film and B) how much they enjoyed my performance
in it. 

The premiere was a blast. I took my good buddy Lisa Hamil to what I thought 
was just a general cast/crew screening but it turned out to be the actual 
premiere. Harvey Weinstein was there and he told a funny story about how 
when he first bought the film after a private viewing for "X million 
dollars" his brother Bob was, to say the least, a bit reticent.

"You paid how much for it?"
"X million."
"And it's in black and white?"
"Yes."
"And it's a silent film?"
"Yes..."
"I don't know, Harvey. I think we have to pass this by the Board."
"I didn't even know we HAD a Board of Directors!"

Needless to say, Harvey's instincts did not let him down. Again.
Very lucky to be attached to such a brilliant piece. And nobody knew 
(other than Harvey Weinstein, perhaps) that this little film would do so 
well.

Shooting it was a dream. Hardly anybody in charge spoke any English and 
Berenice and I played out our scene improvising in two different languages. 
She told me at the premiere that our scene was actually the first scene with 
dialogue that she shot and she wanted me to know that I'd made it so much 
fun for her and that she was grateful. Sure, Ms. Bejo. YOU'RE grateful. 
I'm the one that got to sit there and play off your beautiful face for two 
hours! With James Conroy and Jean Dujardin behind you. And you're 
grateful.
Really hope it takes the Oscar.

Since I clearly won't be winning anything for my disappearance in "J. 
Edgar".

December 2011

This happened. :)

For "Breath of Hate"

November 27, 2011

The day after Thanksgiving and "The Artist" is open.

I have a small but memorable part that has generated more emails from my friends than any other part I've ever had.

So far the film has gotten good reviews and even some whispers of Oscar nominations.

Go see it. Enjoy.