April 15, 2005

• So Close…

  
  

  Long drives have become a staple in my life.  I log in over 20,000 miles/year.  It’s something I’ve come to accept over the years being able to live in an area surrounded by the grass, mountains and away from ”Hollywood”.

  
  

  It takes me a good 45 to 60 minutes to drive into Los Angeles for auditions/shoots.  A few years back when I used to work and live at a boarding H.S.- it would take me 1 1/2 hours – each way.

  
  

  So when I saw production trailers set up camp at the park across the street from me, I was very excited to say the very least.

  
  

  I discovered the comedy being shot was called “BenchWarmers” starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Lovitz, Craig Kilborn and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite).  With the synopsis being: A trio of guys make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard little league squads.

  
  

  I immediately got in touch with my agents to see if casting had been completed.  As I awaited their answer, I dreamt of the possibility of being able to roll out of bed and walk to the set in 1 minute (20 seconds if I ran).  Being able to tell the onset 2nd Assistant Director, “If you need me, I’ll be in my house”.  And getting paid to play baseball!     

  
  

  But to my dismay, I was informed that casting had been completed and the only roles yet to be filled were the little leaguers to which my agent said, “If I submitted you to play these 14 year-olds, both you and I would no longer be taken seriously in this town.” 

  
  

  Aw man… whatever!    

  
  

  I’m tempted to show up on set and be an extra, just for the principle of being able to say I did a gig so close to home.  Even though it would be a huge demotion, I’d look at it as getting paid $115 a day for hanging out in my backyard.

  • 9:53 pm
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