Love's Leap(Day 31)

Happy Leap Day fellow travelers, hope you enjoy it as it will be our last...  >:P
 I'm really stoked!  I just got offered the part of 'Jacques' in a short silent film called "Pocket Hat".  It's a homage to Tati and Chaplin (I'll be the Tati-esque character), and it's going to be a lot of fun and an even bigger challenge!

Now on a different note, I feel compelled to share this experience with you-  last saturday, Cory and I went on a ski trip up to Stowe, we happened to go up there during a major snowstorm (the first of the season and it's already the end of feb...anyway...), and we were skiing in up to 3 feet of powder in the glades.  While taking an expedition into a gladed area, Cory and I found this cool powder-filled gully maybe 6 feet across and were swishing down it blissfully.  I was in the lead, looking for hazards and bail outs and such.  I picked up too much speed and ended up wiping out on top of the left side of the gully, so I was actually sorta upside down facing the bottom of the gully.  No problem, tons of snow so it was actually fun!  Cory was coming down a chute on the right side of the gully and had stopped just before it, in a little copse of trees to prepare her descent, out of my sightline.  Just as she dropped in, another skier came whizzing down the gully and they collided!  Well almost, they just missed a direct hit by a millisecond.  The other skier ran over the back of Cory's skis and Cory went down with a yelp in a heap, as I lay there lazily in the snow watching helplessly as the whole thing transpired.  Before I could even react, Cory was yelling, "Sorry! Are you okay?" to the other skier.  The crazy girl didn't even know her own status yet, if she was dead or severely injured or unharmed- and she was apologizing to the other skier, worried about their well-being, despite her own.  I mean who does that?!  Cory does, that's who- and even though it must be a little nuts to be that selfless, I love her all the more for it...

Here it is our moment of zen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE9t98Gox60

A night at the Theater (Day 30)

I just saw an amazing show last night called "Blood Rose Rising".  It's a live action serial, with a supernatural element, both eerie and compelling- also pretty damn good acting!  Here's more info, definitely check this out...http://www.bloodroserising.com/
My acting buddy, Andrew Cromartie is starring in it, and it was inspiring to watch him nail it!

Also, I just got done shooting a spot for NEW TV- playing 'Viator' in "The Folklorist".  I'm told that it's premiering on March 24th- stay tuned for more details

Here it is, our moment of Zen (the irony is not lost on me that I'm using a clip from the Daily Show as the MoZ):
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-february-27-2012-neil-degrasse-tyson?userClipStartTime=311.82&userClipEndTime=414.37&startIndex=0

A moment in time saves Nein (day 25)

So it's been a busy week, I've been cast in 3 upcoming films (all shorts)- YAY! but enough about me, I'd like to share with you, fellow traveler, an experience that I had during my training session on Tues night...
Scott (my coach) had us all sit in chairs, and we went through a number of centering exercises designed to bring our individual focus completely inward.  He then told us to feel our asses glued to the seat, and the legs nailed into the floor.  As we sat with that uncomfortable, claustrophobic feeling, he then told us to feel an immediate and urgent need to get out of the chair- as this feeling grew, he told us that whatever reason we had, was right outside the door of the room we were in.  I struggled initially with genuinely feeling that urgency.  I could feel my ass glued to the chair, but no real reason to need to leave it.  Then I began to hear my nephew (ungh!) crying, this transformed to Cory screaming due to something of a sinister nature.  I felt myself on the edge of completely losing it, but held back for concern of distracting some of the newer members of the group, as well as the possibility that Scott would direct my 'coming out' as it may and that would be devastating to my development- I think? (I know wrong)  I was also worried about what I might do to the chair should I totally 'let go'.  Lastly, I was scared to let go, I mean I was on the verge, the very edge- but I just didn't trust myself to go over it (there ain't no coming back...;).  And I cursed myself for not having the balls to do it, to not make the more difficult choice.
Then, a strange thing happened... as I felt the frustration and disappointment in myself grow- I also began to feel a genuine feeling of hopelessness- like it was 'too late' I had missed it.  In reality, I did 'miss' that choice to really lose it, but then that feeling of hopeless, of loss, brought about a new awareness to my situation.  I  felt that whatever was outside that door, my chance to do something (the duality of heroically saving Cory/making a choice to 'go there') was gone, and nothing I could do could bring it back.  As I felt this helplessness, I just sat in the chair and quietly sobbed, not dramatically, there were no tears-  There was no Danny Glover moment from Lethal Weapon, there were no threats, no purple-faced vein-engorged soul edifying screams- just me in a chair feeling utterly defeated.  It wasn't until afterward, after much discussion with colleagues, that I realized that this experience was just as valuable.  Acting is never defined by just one moment in time, it's defined by the infinite moments and the choices we make (inaction is a choice as well) in each of those moments.  Argh! it's terrifying and exhilarating just to think how difficult and amazing this process really is.  And I feel like I'm just seeing the tip of it all...

Here it is, your/my moment of zen (sorry Jon Stewart):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTqbdxL_gmU

"The quickest way to a woman's heart is through her clit."(Day 24)

-Wanda Sykes-
(Hilarious, must-read link below)
Now that i've got your attention, I've got some awesome news, I'm LEGIT! Check me out on IMDB!!!
 Link to Matt's IMDB page

I've also just been cast as the lead in a to be named later production filming in March- I play a thrill-kill type serial killer... Gonna be a major challenge for me!
 

http://www.esquire.com/women/10-things-you-dont-know-about-women/relationship-advice-for-men?link=rel&dom=yah_shop&src=syn&con=art&mag=esq#slide-2

Babies and Barf-o-rama! (Day 22)

I have exciting news (for those of you whom are not of the faint-of-heart)!  Check out the brand new trailer for 'Moonsmilers' I play Pell Grant, a burnt-out ne'er do well who tries to escape the coming zombie invasion.  It was a lot of fun to shoot, and looks like it's going to be one hell of a movie!
I'm also going to audition for Bye Bye Liver tonight at the American Repertory Theater- looking forward to it!
Here's the trailer, WARNING: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH, really this isn't a ploy to get you to watch it, it's really gross, especially the last 6 seconds...
Moonsmilers Trailer

So close.... (day 19)

Today was an exciting day- i've been notified that I'll be getting my hands on 2, TWO films that i've worked on!  'Moonsmilers' and 'You're It'!  I've seen one version of YI and it wasn't half bad- definitely some usable stuff for my reel!  So today is a good day, and now I'm off to an audition...
I'll leave you with this, toddlers are so stupid :P

http://screen.yahoo.com/toddler-rescued-from-toy-machine-in-lexington-28323501.html

Starbucks IS the future

At what price will coffee become so expensive, people will stop buying it?  I know that as a self-employed individual with the least amount of disposable income I've ever had, the amount I've spent at Starbucks is obscene ~$425/year...
I challenge YOU dear Fellow Traveler to disclose your shameful spending habits at this notorious establishment...

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/most-expensive-starbucks-drink-ever-23-60-plus-214200067.html

Panda Sex and You! (Day 17)

So after a wonderful Valentine's Day evening with Cory (although officially we both couldn't care less as it's the most stupid of all holidays), i've been a bit out of it today.  No headway yet on IMDB, and I have a monologue that needs to be mastered for next tuesday's intensive.  So what better way then to catch up on the Daily Show...
Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart talk interspecies coupling

PS- it was worth it!

 Also, now that i've shared this with  the woman I love, I'll share it with you, my Fellow Travelers!
One of the most beautiful songs ever...

Happy day-after >:)

To IMDB or not to IMDB (Day 15)

I had the pleasure of finding out that one of the films I have worked on in the past year is finally up on IMDB!  Unfortunately, they added me as "Matt Matt Rouillard"...  So now, another film that I am to be credited in has linked me with this moniker.  I've contacted the unseen faces at IMDB to address this problem, but they are notoriously slow, especially for little fishies like me.  I guess from now on you'll see two people with the same credits.  Hey at least somebody now is up there with my name- even if he doesn't exist :P

Here I am:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4890035/

This is NEWS?! (Day 12)

First of all, happy palindrome day!  I spent it with James, my "personal" photographer fooling around with headshots, came up with a new one here it is... thoughts?  I dunno, the more I look at it, the less I like it- but then again, that could just be because of my ugly mug....  It's a work in progress (the mug and the headshot).  But a shout out to James for helping me out- you can find his website here:
http://jameswangphoto.com/

I had another couple of auditions tonight- the first was a great script, but they got the production dates wrong on the casting call info- so I found out when I went to audition I had a fatal conflict, if that's not what they call it in this business (like in computer language) they should start calling it that :P
The second audition went pretty damn well, cross your fingers!!!
Oh yeah, here's something that I really don't get...  WTF?
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/sydney-spies-third-yearbook-photo-rejected-seeks-redress-190100571--abc-news.html
Beauty apparently is the most important thing in the world when it comes to 15 minutes...  I really hope this isn't true, or I'm SCREWED :)

The benefits of following something... (day 10)

Two auditions today, one was blown from the start as I have a conflict with the shoot dates (stupid Ryan and his wedding)- they had me improv a little scene that they may hire someone for on 2/24, but this was more out of an annoyed professional courtesy on their part...  worse yet, one of the main casting directors at Boston Casting was there and watched me crash and burn- awesome first impression! I then went to CP for an audition- Alexander Hamilton. I actually think I did a good job at this one, but my friend Adam showed up- who coincidentally, when reading the script, I thought would make a great AH (at least he looks a lot like him).  In the audition they had us turn a 180 shadow profile- I look nothing like AH, even in shadow...
World 2, Matt 0

But all's not drowned kittens and chopped-off puppy dog tails  :)

I've added "Matt's cooking corner" it's a link to recipes  that I've found yummy, or I think sound yummy- would love to hear your thoughts...
Enjoy!

The 'rage' in tragedy- thank God for closed captioning(day 9)

So what if the Pat's lost for the second time to those godamned NY bluemen, I don't care!  Okay...I do, I really do, and that's what makes it so hard.  Especially when (again) at the gym today, all that was on the multiple TV's were reports of the aftermath of the SB and images of the Giants drive and Welker missing the catch that would've won it for the Pats!  Except...
Apparently Giselle (Tom Brady's supermodel wife extraordinaire) came to his defense when a heckler told her that her husband sucked- good for her!  What made this even better was that the CC on ESPN kept referring to Giselle as "He" instead of "She"- so that it read something like this,
"I don't blame him at all, I mean he's the wife of a superbowl champion and one of the best players of our time, good for him for sticking up for his husband, I'd do the same thing.  He's hot, makes more money in one year than most entire NFL team rosters, what has he got to lose..." 

That almost made it all worthwhile... almost...

2012, get it in gear already! (Day 5)

So apparently I've hit a 'slump'... as last year at this time I was just getting back involved in the industry- and had one project after another (~ 20 all together in 2011), I've seemed to hit a wall.  I went on 5 auditions in the past week and didn't get nothin'!  I know I have to keep up a cat-like memory (meaning whatever happened 5 minutes ago is now non-existent and had nothing to do with my shortcomings anyway ;)  but with all the training I've been doing, along with consistent auditioning (especially for non-paying gigs) I figured I'd have a little better track record than this!
Argh, glad I'm going away this weekend- I need a break...
Oh and by the way, 'Thinking with Richard'... I was fucking in that!  So credit me on IMDB godamnit! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2137406/
I'm done whining now >:P

An ominous sign...(Day 2 or is it 3?)

So I was good, and in keeping with my "new" exercise regimen (to get that Donnie Wahlberg physique- a casting director recently said that I reminded them of him?- I'll take that as a compliment ;) , I went to the gym on my birthday.  I usually chat up the people working there when I come in, and this day was no different.  We got into a conversation about the quality of this particular gym, and one of the staff pointed to an award hung on the wall and said, in a self-mocking way, "Best Gym in Brookline, 2006".  I immediately thought, that was 6 years ago- what's wrong with them, why haven't they been voted 'Best Gym' since- which I think was the staff's point as well...
So this got me thinking...  why is it that we often devalue past accomplishments and place judgement on the present based on these accomplishments.  Is it that we are so focused on the pinnacle of accomplishment, whether it be the recognition from our peers in terms of an award, or an attained goal that only we, ourselves know about- that we lose sight of the process, the journey?  There are countless reasons why this gym hasn't been voted "Best in Brookline" since 2006.  Maybe the truth is that it 'has' gone downhill and no longer can compete for that moniker, maybe it's a bullshit award handed out to new businesses to attract customers, or maybe, they just pissed off someone on the Committee that hands out the award.

So what's my point?  I guess it's that you can't look back on past accomplishments, and assume that that's the best you will ever do. Or, rest on your laurels basking in your greatness.  The same goes for your failures. You can't allow yourself to be knocked down by those individuals, the nay-sayers, who assume the worst.  All you can do is focus on the here and now, and continue to strive to achieve a new level of greatness.  Take stock of your accomplishments, then forget them!  Now's the time to shine...

And if you haven't yet tired of my pretentiousness, here's a little bonus for you from my old friend, RWE:
  
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within"