FADE IN: L.A.

You Have To Go To Los Angeles To Get To New York

Jason — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:46:22 +0000

For film & television, you go to Los Angeles. For theatre, you go to New York. That’s always been the perception for actors.

But in a post in today’s Backstage Blogs, there is an interesting quote from actor Jordan Lage, a 25-year veteran of New York theatre:

You cannot open a straight play on Broadway without some kind of a name attached…You gotta go out to L.A. and become a TV or movie star to have a career in the theatre.

Ironic, since many actors believe it best to train in New York before embarking on a career in Los Angeles.

Why You Shouldn’t Use A Logo On Twitter

Jason — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:38:37 +0000

If you’re Twittering, and you’re a person, use a picture of yourself as your icon.

Talking to @ginayates yesterday, I realized something about my Twitter habits. The more people I follow, the more I tend to skip over updates by logos. Over time, those logos get unfollowed. It’s nothing personal. But, that’s exactly the problem. A logo is NOT A PERSON.

Maybe it’s psychological. If I see a logo, I think you’re a business, and you’re trying to sell me something, like concert tickets or shoes. Right now, I cannot afford to buy concert tickets. Or shoes.

If see a picture, I see a person. I want to see people.

Examples:

Twitter icon with a logo: Dumbells. We get it, @pumpingiron. You’re a muscle head. Very impressive. Next month, you should change it out to an icon of a rippling bicep, or a syringe. I still won’t follow you.

Twitter icon with default logo: This is what your icon looks like when you first sign up. @trace13 has only posted 1 update. When she gets to five, she’d better have a picture. I have no desire to see what a mentally challenged brown robot is “doing.”

Twitter icon with a picture: Not sure why @SteveRouss is making that face. Perhaps Hollywood has gone to his head. Or, he just ate a pineapple. Nevertheless, I’m more inclined to read what he said, because he at least looks like a human.

Hope I didn’t offend any logo friends. Chances are, I’ll skim right past your anger in my Twitter stream anyway.

Casting: Man Or Woman With Mustache

Jason — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:24:15 +0000

Perhaps I shaved too soon. This Craigslist ad is a dream gig waiting to happen. And to get paid in sushi or beer? That is one big, hairy win, my friends.

Wanted: Males With Mustaches For Shoot

Reply to: gigs-1049629913@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}
Date: 2009-02-25, 2:12AM PST

Needed:
Males with mustaches for video shoot
or
Females willing to wear fake mustaches for video shoot

its a promo/art piece – a series of “long portraits”it will take 3 minutes to shoot. you in?

Time is flexible

it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: in sushi or beer

PostingID: 1049629913

BREAKING NEWS: The Joaquin Has Fallen

Jason — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:06:14 +0000

After four days of growing the Joaquin, I have decided to shave.

This is not because I’m a quitter. This is because facial hair is itchy. I don’t like itchy. Not to mention that all of my head shots are Joaquin-less. As a result, I will have to find some other way of expressing my creativity as I embark upon a career in hip-hop.

Are gold teeth still in?

The Joaquin

Jason — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:43:50 +0000

I haven’t shaved in 3 days. Initially, this was a result of hot water issues in the new house. It continued on account of laziness.

Now, I am considering growing my own Joaquin. As in, beard. Not so much in support of Joaquin Phoenix. But, in support of the Joaquin movement itself. It’s a whole lifestyle that says, “I’m going do whatever I want to do, and I’m going to chew gum.”

I also plan to follow myself with a camera, filming my every move for an upcoming documentary. It will be a behind-the-scenes look at my life as I venture forth in my career.

Highlights will include:

Going to work
Sitting at a desk
Twittering
Eating lunch
Twittering some more
Driving
Auditioning
Changing diapers
Watching Lost
Eating dinner
Writing lyrics for my new hip-hop album
Drinking a beer
Scratching myself