An extension of self

When inspiration hits, you just have to go with the flow. In this case, I started a photo blog/journal as I was inspired by a blog that was introduced to me by a friend. The URL to the blog in question is:

HTTP://TOTHETIP.WORDPRESS.COM

There's no real need for an introduction to it, just jump in and experience everything it has to offer.

And for those curious enough, here's the URL to the photo blog/journal I started. I'm looking to add a couple of authors as time goes by. So stay tuned.

http://gottabeb.wordpress.com

Bakitwhy.com

As some of you may know, I'm not exclusive to my own blog but I do write entries in several other *blogs. Recently I wrote an entry regarding Barkada Inc's documentation of Bakitwhy's Mixer in San Francisco.

For the uninitiated, Bakitwhy(.com) is an organization that promotes, cultivates and but certainly not limited to, discovering talented Filipino Americans while promoting the Filipino American lifestyle. As I mentioned, it's not limited to just Filipino Americans, it extends to Filipinos in general.

Our film team, Barkada Inc., was fortunately enough to attend the Mixer and we had a great time. If you're interested in viewing the vlog, it's available on Youtube & Vimeo. In any event, we were excited to find out that Bakitwhy has decided to post our video and give us a quick shout out on their website! I, for one, am stoked. Here's a screenshot of their front page with our video hosted.

If you're a Filipino please take the time to visit their site. Actually, even if you're non-Filipinos but find interest in learning more about the culture, then by all means, visit them at: HTTP://WWW.BAKITWHY.COM

*http://www.barkadainc.com/blog
*http://babnikmovie.com/blog

Food and Passion

Original post found here: "Babnik"

Some people have passion in food. Others feel that passion is food for the soul. Regardless of how you look at it, working on an indie film is very much the combination of food and passion.

When Alejandro invited me to join them on the set of Babnik, I was more than delighted. But at the same time I couldn't help feel like that neighbor you bring along to a picnic. If you think about it, an indie film can easily take on a very family-like atmosphere. There are rules, there's work and there's play.

The location for the shoot was remote so a carpooling system was put in place. Due to the nature of indie films, it's easy to see how close the cast and crew can be. I carpooled in Alejandro's vehicle and it took on a very comfortable picnic-like appeal, complete with bottled water and tasty snacks. Fast forward 2hrs and I've met the bulk of the cast and crew and immediately I feel at ease as they're incredibly cordial and generous. Food arrives just as shooting starts and there's an energy that reminded me of family gatherings: plates passed around, laughter smothers the air, and stories start being shared. Regardless of where everyone came from, they all share a common destination: The realization of the project in the highest quality.

Filming started as the last paper plate was crumpled and trashed. Perhaps the greatest angle about being active in your passion is how it doesn't feel like work. Maybe it's different for others, but that's how I look at it. When I'm acting, or participating in performance art, I've never been weighed down by the fact that it's still work. There are certain rules that each person is responsible to abide by: being on time, listening to directions, completing a task to the highest degree possible. Sure, after a 12hr day my feet are sore but I'd be more than willing to throw down another few hours if needed. Watching everyone contribute to the project reminded me that the set of a movie (or stage production) is probably one of the most organic work places.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all work in rustic Calistoga, there were enough shenanigans taking place to make any High Schooler jealous (in a good way). There was dancing, running, walnut cracking, gun trotting, food gobbling, and all around goofiness shared by the cast and crew.

All in all a fantastic experience!

My deepest thanks to Alejandro for having me along to share the magic of filmmaking, to meeting new friends and to spark in me the belief that family extends beyond blood relation and that maybe all we need in life is food and passion.

For more information please visit: http://babnikmovie.com/about

The San Francisco 48hr Film Festival 2008

A few weeks ago a small cast and crew consisting of the founding members of BARKADA INC. and friends set out to compete in the 48hr San Francisco Film Festival. There was a total of 57 teams, of which was then divided into 4 screening groups. Each team pulls a genre out of a hat and BARKADA INC. lands "Musical or Western".

We spent the entire evening brainstorming and laying down the lyrics to the musical. In the early morning we put down the audio for the music and during the many hours that followed, we shot all the sequences. It was INTENSE. Props to everyone for holding out and staying up as late as they did. And especially thanks for the wonderful parents who supported us with words and FOOD.

I am proud to announce that "A Keesh for Hershel" won the Audience Favorite Award for our screening group (D) AND Best Musical Score! So what's next? Well, the 48hr San Jose Film Festival of course!




Here are some shots from behind the scenes:

Visual innuendo?

Director, Editor & Cinematographer: Uly MostralesNothing like a 4am chess game...You dig?

In addition:

Feel free to visit: http://www.48hourfilm.com/sanfrancisco/

The Grass is Greener...

...when you're busy watering them.

Right?

Acting is easy. Acting believable is a challenge. I realize I spend a lot of energy every day just scrutinizing how I approach different aspects of acting. Sometimes I think I think too much, which can be a hazard to believable acting. But I'll spare you the boring "la la" of my deep internal struggle to find the next level of creativity.

The grass is greener when you're busy watering them. To say it's greener on the other side is a cliché and rightly so. But, if you think about it, your grass CAN be green too! It just takes work and effort, right? Right! Anyway, although my financial situation as an actor isn't impressive (in the positive way), I'll have to say, being busy with work, auditions, gigs and learning makes for a wonderful way to live life. At least that's the case in my life.

I am currently working on a commercial for a product called Sling Box. It's an interesting device that transmits what you're watching on television to a mobile device. That's the bare bones of it but I know it's a little more complicated than that. At any rate, the production team consists of talented individuals from San Jose State University's RTVF (Radio Television Film) department. It's been a wonderful experience so far. Here are some photos. I'm in the first one, on the bleachers with the fancy hat.






I'll keep you posted as to when or if this ever goes on television or on the internet. Oh and in case you were wondering, it wasn't a paid gig. But it was totally worth being a part of.

This weekend is audition weekend. I wrapped up an interview and an audition today. The interview was with a crew of talented local film makers. I won't go too much into detail about it, but they're a great bunch of folks! Here's a short film of theirs they wrapped up for a 48hr film festival. You're welcome to navigate to their YouTube account page as they have a variety of humorous shorts.



And finally, City Light's Theater Company held their general auditions today and I attended it and with me, a new monologue that I'm happy to have found. It's from a play called Gagarin Way by Gregory Burke, and the character whose monologue is from basically is one of two employees that kidnap and accidentally kill their boss. It's a fun little bit that has such a wonderful range of emotions and possibilities in terms of acting choices.

It was great, I ran into an old cast mate from Pandemonium and Susannah, who was the director for Pandemonium! Overall, it was a fun experience. I actually left the audition without feeling like I could've done better, or nitpicking at how I presented the monologue. That feeling alone is priceless.

Good weekend, and it's not over yet! I have one more tomorrow with Tabard Theatre Company. That's it for now. It sucks not to have (a lot) money, but I feel I would be more miserable if I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But hey, that's just me.