Cinequest is back (2009)!

Weird. I thought I blogged about my Cinequest experiences from last year but I realized I actually wrote it in a journal and NOT online! Well, this year, it's going to this blog. For those that are unfamiliar with it, Cinequest is a widely known Film Festival based in the Silicon Valley. The organization utilize The California Theatre, Camera 12 and San Jose Repertory Theatre to host the films and local establishments for various uses.

Last year I spent most of it wandering around, watching films and just talking to some filmmakers. I was mostly a passive observer. At the closing night gala I told myself, "next year, I'm going to be involved in Cinequest somehow", lo and behold, I'm fulfilling that by being part of a media team that's diving into the festival with a show called "Inside Cinequest", appropriate, no? I mentioned in the previous entry that I was fortunate enough to participate in Adobe Youth Voices and here is a wonderful clip from that event (can you spot me in it?):



Inside Cinequest has a host of exceptionally talented people behind it. Among them are Sinohui Hinojosa, Thomas Koch and Amy Puzia from Emerging Artist. A fellow 48hr filmmaker (and San Jose coordinator), Vincent Lowe and a slew of other great folks. As an aside, there's a terrific web series you have to check out, especially if you love theatre! It's called EXIT STAGE LEFT created by Sinohui. I highly recommend it. In fact, keep an eye out for future bloggage. Following is the latest episode of Inside Cinequest:



At any rate, I asked myself recently, "What am I looking forward to to this year's Cinequest (19)?". My head flooded with answers, each one of them valid and worthy of my best efforts. Here are some of them:

• Meet new people and reinforce friendships from prior networking
• Watch at least 10 films
• Work work work work work (yes, work)
• Fulfilling my commitments with Inside Cinequest
• Earn some exposure with filmmakers, local and out of towners alike

I'd like to toss a shout out to my friend and Cinequest alum, Alejandro Adams. His film, "CANARY" is featured this year (some of you may remember "Around the Bay" from Cinequest 18). Some of you may also remember him from previous entries regarding BABNIK. Show dates will be March 1st 6:30p and March 7th 4p. Both shows will be hosted in San Jose Repertory Theatre. You can purchase your tickets HERE.

Don't forget to bookmark or RSS for updates on the Cinequest romp.

Ideas

It's probably safe to assume that every one of you have had ideas come to you in the least opportune time. It sucks, right? Especially when there's no paper to write that on or no one is answering your phone calls. Anyway, I haven't been in a very creative mood lately but the other day as I was brushing my teeth this superb idea flaunted into my brain.

It lingered long enough that it tricked me into thinking I would remember the exact details. Then it turned around and stabbed me in the back! All I know now is that I had a great idea when I was brushing my teeth. BLARGH! Anyway, there hasn't been a lot going on in my life. San Jose couldn't be more boring. Well, maybe it could, when the power goes out. Which it did the other week. Two hours it was out, I sat with one candle lit and listened. I mean, REALLY listened. My ears picked up all sorts of rickety outdoorsy sounds.

I couldn't complain actually, it was quite soothing.

The Foreigner opened at San Jose Repertory Theatre and I had the pleasure of experiencing it last saturday. I have NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING bad to say about it...or anything critical. The show was amazing. I highly recommend it if you're in the Bay Area. The actors were superb and had memorable performances. The Tech was fantastic and exuded experience and creativity. I'm likely to see it again. Furthermore, prior to the show I had a terrific conversation with Ken Ruta, a local Bay Area actor who is full of epic stories. I look forward to meeting him again in the future.

Finally, I've managed to get my hands on Adobe Premiere Pro and I have to say, it's quite addicted to work on. It's affecting me the way Photoshop does sometimes, i.e. sleepless nights, nagging ideas, and hunger to improve. The only disappointment I'm feeling is the fact that I haven't auditioned for Live Theatre in such a long time (a couple months at least) because of this awful double edge schedule I'm maintaining with my brother.

Alas, I'll have more chances in the future. In the meantime, I have film, adobe, work and ideas that escape me to keep me looking forward to the next day.

Don't mess with the bus driver...

On the way home the other night a random thing happened. It was roughly 11pm and there weren't a lot of passengers. At some point during the trip this couple with cases of what looked to be, instruments, walked in and had a seat. They were careful to make sure their equipment wasn't blocking the way.

A few stops later, a woman who looked to be in her 30's hops in after placing her bike on the rack. I was too far back to really hear anything, but I did see the bus driver instructing her about something, to which she smiled and agreed.

Now, I'm about 10 stops from home when this elderly woman hobbles into the bus. On her way to her seat, the couple in front CLEARLY pulled their equipment aside to let the elderly pass. As soon as the bus gets rolling, the 30yr old woman starts to spout off! She goes bonanza on the couple! She really tears into them, saying things like "Your parents should have taught you some respect" and "Why didn't you guys give your seats?".

The couple actually didn't want it getting to them so they proceeded to just ignore her. THEN the 30yr old woman starts using Jesus Christ as a reference! And that the "savior" should teach them some manners. Hooooo man. Anyway, it was ironical that this lady was being such a trouble maker when it was clear the couple really wanted nothing to do with it. Luckily it was the couple's stop so they collected their things and scampered off the bus. BUT, get this...as it turns out (as I got a bit of exposition from some other passengers behind me) this lady ALWAYS causes trouble!

Guess who gets thrown out? The 30yr old lady! YEAH! Someone out there is listening.

What I don't get it...why throw her out at the same stop as the couple she was blasting? Gee, I hope she didn't gut them or anything. Heavens, that would be horrible.

Addition of Auditions

I'm usually a happy camper when I don't have to stay at home and count the amount of times I've counted the times I've counted in my head. Lately, I've been discovering a delicious amount of auditions coming my way. By delicious, I mean, they leave me hungry for more. And before you can point at me and call me a glutton for punishment, pain, and rejection I have to admit I do rather enjoy the whole auditioning process. It's the part after that's usually crummy.

You know, the whole waiting by the phone and hitting refreshing on the web browser part. Hahaha, I only kid. Partially. I enjoy meeting new people, especially individuals who enjoy similar things I do. And although auditions can be a high stress environment, it's always nice to know that you aren't alone in your high stress, haha.

Let me share with you a couple of my 2008 auditions. If you rummage through some of my older posts you'll discover I auditioned for San Jose Repertory Theatre. Now, this would count for my second time with my initial auditioning ending on a high note. However, the second time wasn't too great. In fact, I wasn't scheduled that day...I was influenced by someone (by the wonderful nature of her personality) to go ahead and audition the day before. And even though I had already memorized a couple of monologues, my mental preparation was no where near it's presentation level. What a doozy that audition turned out to be. Luckily I was in good company and the casting director, Bruce Elsperger, was quite to put me to ease. Thanks Bruce, you rock!



Finally, I'd like to note that although it feels like the whole Acting career choice/passion can be overwhelming and that there are countless people who want to take this up, it's great to finally start seeing familiar faces in crowd. Here's to more productive Auditions and less of the sour ones.

Playing Actor

Tabard Theatre Company's "Pandemonium" by Susannah Greenwood, is in the final stretch! Friday & Saturday will be closing weekend and I can't help but label the feeling as bitter sweet (cliché, I know!). I'm satisfied with how the show turned out, I'm happy with the character I've created and most importantly, I'm grateful for all the new friends I made. I especially enjoyed watching my cast mates imbue their characters with life--man...what talent!

*Tasi Alabastro as El Chulla Chaqui

*Calm before the storm

So what's next? Well, Brent (one of my cast mates in Pandemonium) and I attended an audition for some classical plays which will be produced by Deep Impact Theatre and we've just been offered roles. I'm still uncertain if I will be able to lock any of them down as I may have a developing conflict of schedule which requires me to be out of state during the show dates! In case you're curious, I may be flying out to Nashville in late August. I won't go into detail as to why I'll be flying out, but I am looking forward to it.

Other than that I'm planning on just putting in more hours at The Rep. Speaking of which, if you're in the area, be sure to catch our upcoming show, A Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde. It will be amazing! The cast is fantastic, the story is griping and the artistic direction will be unique and mind-blowing! Trust me. Here's a link to the current write up in the local newspaper:

San Jose Mercury News - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde




This play / production is going to be HOT HOT HOT!