It's been a while...
So I got this nudge from racing_girl and it was cause I hadn't posted in a while. I appreciate that she did, since I have things to share and say, but first I wanted to be done shooting "Scourge". Well we wrapped my last shot tonight, and let me tell you it is a dozy!
This shoot has been one hell of a ride for me. It has almost been a rebirth of sorts. No wait, check that... it has been a rebirth for me. In 20 years of acting professionally I can honestly say this was the best and most fulfilling job I have ever done.
Being appreciated by the crew, the other actors and the producer is one thing, but feeling like people were happy to see you? Knowing that they liked you for who you are? Knowing that your work was enjoyed? These are rare things in the fake world of the film industry.
I made honest to goodness friends on this shoot. I met people who have in their own ways changed my life. We lived together for weeks in Nanaimo and then came back to Vancouver to finish up and it was like doing a play. If you have ever done a long production in theatre, you know what I am talking about.
I also enjoyed it because in Nanaimo... I'm Batman!
The real turning point for me was this. We were shooting on Friday and I had to do a scene where I go from being flat on my back to up and out a door. Well with my bum knees and my weight I was worried as hell it would look like crap. Rehearsal and first take were ugly. I was less than coordinated and frankly it just looked bad. Then the second take came and my body just remembered how to do it. Third take was even better. Lightning shot through me. A feeling i haven't had in years came back to me. I rushed to the stunt coordinator jazzed with energy and said "John it was amazing! My body just remembered what to do!" and he looked at me with a smile as said "I was just saying to the director... See that... that's an old stunt man." I was floored and so stoked.
So we got to talking and he has offered to help me get back into shape in whatever way he can, and wants me to talk to his wife who is a fitness expert. Wow! How awesome is that? He said it point blank "You're 36 you are at a good time to turn it around and when you loose the weight there is no other actor like you in Vancouver." Oh hell yeah!
Then the sound guy, who is a pretty fun guy and a nutritionist agreed to sit down with me and help me work out a selection of foods and supplements to further work the process and help me with the weight loss! How frellin' cool is that?!
It seems I have found my drive. Being a physical actor doing fight scenes and other stunt related stuff (nothing too crazy) is something I used to be proud of... but with the weight and the knees it has been a long time. I miss that feeling. I miss that feeling of doing something that only a select number of people can do!
Women haven't been enough of a drive for me (let's face it, I haven't had the best run with the most inspirational of relationships) and the whole "live longer" thing doesn't wash when you are borderline depressive... so what really can drive you to be better and improve? Being special. Being not one in a million but one of a select few... elitist? Maybe... but whatever gets you to the dance.
So here I am... feeling reborn. My buddy Steve is designing a tattoo for me and I will get it to symbolize this rite of passage and the beginning of the rest of my life.
Stay tuned... it promises to never be boring. ;)
This shoot has been one hell of a ride for me. It has almost been a rebirth of sorts. No wait, check that... it has been a rebirth for me. In 20 years of acting professionally I can honestly say this was the best and most fulfilling job I have ever done.
Being appreciated by the crew, the other actors and the producer is one thing, but feeling like people were happy to see you? Knowing that they liked you for who you are? Knowing that your work was enjoyed? These are rare things in the fake world of the film industry.
I made honest to goodness friends on this shoot. I met people who have in their own ways changed my life. We lived together for weeks in Nanaimo and then came back to Vancouver to finish up and it was like doing a play. If you have ever done a long production in theatre, you know what I am talking about.
I also enjoyed it because in Nanaimo... I'm Batman!
The real turning point for me was this. We were shooting on Friday and I had to do a scene where I go from being flat on my back to up and out a door. Well with my bum knees and my weight I was worried as hell it would look like crap. Rehearsal and first take were ugly. I was less than coordinated and frankly it just looked bad. Then the second take came and my body just remembered how to do it. Third take was even better. Lightning shot through me. A feeling i haven't had in years came back to me. I rushed to the stunt coordinator jazzed with energy and said "John it was amazing! My body just remembered what to do!" and he looked at me with a smile as said "I was just saying to the director... See that... that's an old stunt man." I was floored and so stoked.
So we got to talking and he has offered to help me get back into shape in whatever way he can, and wants me to talk to his wife who is a fitness expert. Wow! How awesome is that? He said it point blank "You're 36 you are at a good time to turn it around and when you loose the weight there is no other actor like you in Vancouver." Oh hell yeah!
Then the sound guy, who is a pretty fun guy and a nutritionist agreed to sit down with me and help me work out a selection of foods and supplements to further work the process and help me with the weight loss! How frellin' cool is that?!
It seems I have found my drive. Being a physical actor doing fight scenes and other stunt related stuff (nothing too crazy) is something I used to be proud of... but with the weight and the knees it has been a long time. I miss that feeling. I miss that feeling of doing something that only a select number of people can do!
Women haven't been enough of a drive for me (let's face it, I haven't had the best run with the most inspirational of relationships) and the whole "live longer" thing doesn't wash when you are borderline depressive... so what really can drive you to be better and improve? Being special. Being not one in a million but one of a select few... elitist? Maybe... but whatever gets you to the dance.
So here I am... feeling reborn. My buddy Steve is designing a tattoo for me and I will get it to symbolize this rite of passage and the beginning of the rest of my life.
Stay tuned... it promises to never be boring. ;)