Blogfest

Alrighty patighty.

It’s taken me long enough to let you know how my recent LA trip went for the FOURPLAY: Tampa North American premiere.

A couple of questions first:

1. I will post my blogs from the week I shot Tampa. I blogged each day after shooting. I had to wait though, because my director was understandably afraid of spoilers. I tend to find long blogs intimidating to read and, for whatever reason, I tend to think long=boring. So would you rather I put each individual day’s blog as it’s own blog, or just put them all in as one blog entry? Pics will accompany.

2. I recently bought myself a HD camcorder to film myself for any auditions I need to submit over the interwebs. I am toying w/the idea of doing a vlog. Would any of you watch that, or are you content to read my ramblings and shenanigans?

Back to business.

The trip.

I HAD SO MUCH FUN.

My first day in, the director and his partner/our screenwriter picked me up at the airport, having themselves only been in LA for about an hour. You would think two gay men would have more luggage than me, the straight guy. But no sir, I had more luggage than both of them combined. One big suitcase and my carryon (mostly for the laptop) versus their two satchels. We checked into the Outfest program at the Director’s Guild Theater and then checked into our rooms at Stay Hotel, which was a pretty nice place. I guess you could call it an upscale hostel.

That night, we went to the Outfest opening night at the Oprheum Theater! I didn’t know Outfest was such a big deal! There was a preparty which we found out was only for directors and big money sponsors, so the screenwriter and I were booted. We went to a bar next to the Oprhum and were later joined by the director.

The festival started with some speeches by important peeps and Rupaul presenting the 15th Annual Outfest Achievement Award. The film screened as the opener to the festival was Gun Hill Road, a really good film. After that, we went to the opening night party. I saw Neil Patrick Harris, who I made eye contact with, but I could tell he just wanted to be with friends, so I let him be. I also saw Rex Lee, who plays one of my favorite characters on Entourage, which is on HBO, a big sponsor of Outfest. We made eye contact and he gave me the “Do I know you? You look really familiar” look, but I do tend to remind people of someone else, and we were amidst a large crowd; so granted he was only two people away from me, I was swept by the people current going the direction of free food. We didn’t stick around for long, since the three of us had been up since maybe dawn and had spent most of the day walking around on top of feeling a little jet lag. We stopped at a 24 hour cafe, grabbed some grub, and turned in for the night.

The next day, I met up w/some old friends, Mary and Tara for lunch. It was awesome to catch up and laugh laugh laugh over old times.

I honestly thought they were going to be the only friends I saw on this trip. No offense to my other friends, but they’re actors. We’re wishy washy people. At our premiere that night though, not only was I proven wrong, I was met by people I didn’t even tell I was going to LA. My friend Vivian showed up w/her husband and another old friend from colllege, Tiffanie. Arlene, who I “forgot” to message, showed up with Kinzy, who was on a road trip from Austin, who told her about the premiere after seeing my FB updates that same day. I say forgot with quotes, for Arlene, because I honestly thought she wouldn’t have cared to go or see me. All this after my “date” bailed on me. It was quite a boost to find out I had more friends than previously thought. I was more nervous to see them than about the premiere. I talked with them briefly at the preparty. Vivian and Tiffanie were able to (barely) stick around after the Q&A. We chatted, caught up, and reminisced for about 15 minutes before they had to jet. Kinzy and Arlene had to go pick up another old friend, Jojanie, and continue their night elsewhere.

As for the film itself, it was the last of five shorts in the “Shots in the Dark” series. Ours was the last one shown and I think the second best of the night; it was very well received. Kyle, the director, thinks ours was the best though. The Q&A was for the filmakers at the conclusion of the night, but for whatever reason, Kyle brought me and Carlos, the screenwriter, up.

After that, we celebrated our premiere at Edendale where I saw Adam Goldberg and later Kyle Bornheimer who gave me a “Do I know you?” double take. I have found that the more drunk someone is, the more they think they might know me. For those who don’t know me too well, one of my (many) traditions is to get a drink (yep, a real alchohol type beverage) and make a toast to the cast/crew at a cast party, usually opening night or closing night. My director found this out about me, and asked if I would do this for our film and when during filming in Tampa. Since our premiere was technically opening night,and we were out celebrating, I did it then and there. Granted only the director, the screenwriter, the cinematographer, myself, and one of the extras were there, I felt it was good enough a time for it. It was a nice quick toast and we each downed our tequila shots. Mine was a double shot, of course. The extra didn’t partake; mostly because I bought the shots and I barely knew him. I didn’t even meet him during the shoot! Sorry. No offense, extra guy.

On Saturday, I met up with my bud, Sesar, and his fiance, Stephanie. Watch out for Sesar! He’s making a name for himself out there! We spent the day at Universal Studios; I got in free thanks to the aforementioned friend Mary, who is a tour guide there.

It was a GREAT day indeed. We got some grub at Fred 62, which Sesar considers the LA equivalent of Magnolia Cafe. I agree with him on that. After that, we had desert at House of Pie and then met up w/Kinzy, Arlene, and Jojanie back at Edendale!

Sunday morn, I met up with galpal, Laura, who was a bit hungover. I honestly think she met up w/me out of obligation rather than want, but I appreciated her effort w/the hangover and gladly paid for her breakfast. She dropped me off at the airport and I came back refreshed and tired at the same time.

Oof. Methinks this was a long blog. I hope you made it through!

Shout out to Alina Vega! GET WELL SOON!

Bully!