It’s always hard to believe at the end of a year, that yet another one has gone by. While I don’t think we should need a specific day to reflect on what has passed, or to set new goals, it’s kind of a good excuse to do so!

Let’s begin with the end. While I like to take the opportunity to go back home for the holidays, this year I had to postpone it by a few days…for a good reason. I landed a job that involved some “wire work”. What I mean by that is I had to be suspended in the air! It was shot at Fast Motion Studios where Plato Fountidakis and his team set up and managed the rig, working with the camera crew to put this thing together. It was shot on a blue screen (same idea a green screen) and the concept involves us flying in the air. I can’t go into details until it’s released, but I can tell you it was a great experience being there working with everyone involved!

Not only did my year end well, but I had a lot of great gigs throughout. Being a lead on a feature film, shooting for two and a half weeks and making great friends in the process was definitely a highlight. Also, I landed a lead role on a TV show episode (that “killer” role on Cold Blood I recently wrote about). Not to mention that this year, I did more Harlequin covers than any other. It’s also the first time I openly talked about my diet choice to avoid meat and meat by-products, why those choices were made and how I’ve still been able to put on some muscle weight without any problems. Another memorable experience is the TV pilot that we shot in China! Traveling, seeing a country for the first time and getting to do what I love, being a lead in a show, working with some great people? Pretty awesome! Even the commercial and corporate work have been great! Not to mention, the awesome audition opportunities (even if I don’t always get the part), multiple callbacks, getting my motorcycle license with a friend (who I’ve met being in this industry and has directed a few projects I’ve been involved in) and so many other great experiences this year.

What about 2012? Well, I’ve been working on this comedic skit that I should be shooting at the end of the first week of the New Year! It’s going to be my third production where I’ll once again be wearing the hats of director, producer, writer, editor, etc. I’m thankful to have a really solid team on board; I’m really excited about it! Other than some other plans and goals, the great part of doing what I do is that I don’t know what opportunities will present themselves (or ones that I’ll find/create/collaborate on), but I’m really excited about the possibilities! Life is beautiful…and for me, part of that beauty is the unknown. Wish you all the best holidays and may this new year bring you lots of love, health and happiness!

I just finished being on set of Cold Blood (a docudrama reenacting real crimes) yesterday! I played the killer of an episode and actually…it was pretty fun having one of the larger roles on a show. Over four days, I got to do so much and meet a lot of great people!

So a lot of dialogue on this show is improvised. We’re mostly given scenarios, sometimes a bit of dialogue (except for one scene where we had almost had a page’s worth), some directions and it’s up to the actors do make something out of it. Actually there was a scene where toward the end, another actor asked me a question that they told him to ask. The thing is, I had no idea this was coming, so I just went with it and replied appropriately. It was fun not knowing that someone was going to say something, instead of pretending not to know. Although I don’t mind either way!

The reason is, this show is a docudrama. Since it’s based on a real events and they often have people talking over the action, sometimes including interviews of people that were involved in those events, it’s more about the visuals of the action than the actual words we’re using. Although, sometimes they have us saying specific things that they might highlight.

Anyway, as I said I got to do a lot of things over the past few days…without going into details, they recorded me doing simple things like taking out trash, riding a bike to less ordinary things like shooting a rifle, getting escorted to a police car and getting in a fight! Plus, one of our locations was a bar with a mechanical bull so at the end of the day I jumped on it! Had nothing to do with the actual shoot, but I did get someone to shoot it with my cell phone! Was a first for me…and another first was the fact that I recorded a few videos of my experience having this role on the show. It’s the one embedded above to check it out and subscribe to the channel if you’d like to see more! Feel free to like, favorite, rate, share, comment, etc. as I’m going to try to get a bit more exposure through those!

It’s been about a week since I got back from Beijing, China where we shot the pilot “Lost and Found in Beijing” and it’s about time I share part of this adventure with you!

Traveling to China, despite taking quite a long time between the flights and layovers, went well and was problem free. Daniel and I made our journey together, while Kevin was already in China getting ready for the shoot. Once we got in, Kevin along with a couple of friends (who’d help us with the shoot and our stay in China) were there to pick us up. We got settled in and took the next day getting a little tour of our neighborhood and discussing the next two weeks. Walking distance from where we stayed were these outdoor body weight workout machines and this indoor ping-pong area! Watching people play, I got invited to a few games and…well let’s just say in China they don’t mess with their ping-pong; best players I’ve ever seen in person. On a few occasions, Daniel and I took advantage of the machines as well.

Shooting was pretty relaxed for the most part. We had more than enough time to get everything in, reschedule a few days due to weather or other factors and do some tourist stuff! Not only was it a great experience shooting in a different country, but on top of that, I had scenes where I spoke broken Chinese (Mandarin to be specific, and yes, my character is a fast learner) to local Chinese people. Acting in a completely different language with someone who barely spoke English was fun! Another interesting thing is that Kevin would hire some actors just before the shoot. It happened at this film academy where actors would just hang out in an area, and wait for someone who needed people as extras or for small roles. The ones that ended up working with us were not only surprised, but pleased that they were acting for a foreign production with foreign actors!

So not only did we have a great time when we worked, shooting scenes all over Beijing thus exploring the city in the process, but Kevin also took us to places (just to visit) like Summer Palace and parts of the Great Wall! I think most of us have a general idea of what the Wall is about, but to be there, to see it, was completely different. Kind of like when I went to Egypt, seeing the temples and the Pyramids in person; looking at pictures and reading about them don’t do these justice. The same can be said about the Great Wall. You realize how difficult it must have been to build this when you’re standing on it, in the mountains. Some sections were so steep you felt like you were climbing, not just going up a flight of stairs. Then you think, people built that over thousands of kilometers, on uneven terrain, in the mountains (at least the parts I visited)… What an incredible feat. Oh and we filmed this one shot “fight scene” between Daniel and I, just for fun…which I hope to share with you once I get the footage.

Going back to the actual show, again, we shot parts of “Lost and Found in Beijing” in many different locations. From a beautiful park walking distance away (well, to Kevin everything under 5 kilometers was walking distance…okay…that might be a slight exaggeration), to an art district, small streets, types of alleyways, the exterior of a train station and a noodle shop; it was a great way to visit Beijing. We didn’t really have any problems with shooting anywhere (except a few hiccups at the park). Sometimes people gathered to watch, some asked questions, this one girl got really excited and wanted our pictures, and some…I asked to be in the shoot! There was a guy at one point who was watching us, curious about what we were doing… He proceeded to asking us few questions. Well, after giving him the answers he wanted, I asked HIM a question…if he wanted to be in the show! He responded very enthusiastically, so we got him riding his bike in the background going down the alley we were shooting in. Another instance a young girl was doing the same thing, being curious about what a bunch of foreigners were filming. So, as I knew we’d have to shoot this other scene eventually (which we didn’t have actors for yet), I asked if she’d be into playing a small speaking role after we finished with what we were shooting. Very happy to be a part of our project, she even helped us get another girl to play her friend, and after discussing what we needed from them, we had ourselves a scene! Kevin was pleased with this as it meant one less scene to worry about and no actors to hire.

Speaking of walking, we did a lot of it. So much so that Kevin took us to a foot massage place…then a few days later to another one where they worked on our backs, legs and feet. However, the second place was done by people who were blind, or were visually impaired to a certain degree. It’s a very interesting choice of profession for them, and I’m under the impression that it’s encouraged in China. This kind of work really allowed them to use their heightened sense of touch which most of them have developed to a higher degree over the average person.

Another highlight of the trip was this restaurant which had a stage and an evening show. After going through most of our meal, the show began and it comprised of a hostess/signer, four dancers, a mask changing magician, a one woman contortionist/Cirque du Soleil style of show and a tea guy! The signer had a great voice, signing famous Chinese songs. The magician just did one thing; change his mask. But the way he did it, the speed of which he did it, was very impressive. It was almost like it changed on it’s own…has to be seen. The “bendy” girl moved in ways most people can’t even begin to attempt, balanced in ways you can see in troupes such as the one I mentioned previously; we were in awe. As for the tea guy, he had this teapot with an extra long spout that he spun around like it was a weapon in a martial arts film. He then went around a few tables and poured people tea. As I tried to figure out if you had to request this, or pay or whatever, he shows up at our table, performs us a short set of moves right in front of us, then pours me a cup! If that didn’t make me feel special enough, the dancing girls came into the crowd and one of them asked me to come dance with them on stage where I tried to keep up with their footwork. All and all a very fun and memorable evening!

Well, I tried to keep it short but there was so much to say and obviously so much was also left out. Overall, other than that getting some great footage, it was an awesome experience and opportunity to work in a foreign country like China. Flight back was long but problem free…and we even shot a scene in the plane (the script called for it, and we were able to pull it off)! Thanks to Kevin for flying us out and taking us on this adventure, his friend in China for accommodating us, and his other friend who came to help out!

It’s finally time! Tomorrow morning, we’re taking our first plane towards Beijing, China to shoot the rest of the two pilot episodes of the show “Lost in Beijing”! Check out a cropped still from a scene we’ve already covered… Although we could potentially be re-shooting it in China so it might not make the final cut.

I’m not sure what kind of access I will have to the Internet, and how much free time I will actually want to spend in front of a computer, being in a country that I’ve never visited before, but I will try to at write an update while I’m there. Regardless, be sure that I will write about the shoot when I get back!

A few days ago I wrote about getting a role in a US/Canada National commercial… Well I ended up playing the father, who’s part of a family of four, in an Aquafresh ad. Actually, I think this is the furthest I’ve pushed my age range, having had teenage kids. This all happened on Friday…and I had a great time on set working the other cast and crew! Plus I got to play some foosball and ping-pong in between scenes! Below is a shot with my “wife” and I.

If I understood correctly, they will first air it in the US. Then, it will most likely make an appearance on Canadian television stations and finally, there’s a chance it goes worldwide! Personally, I’m hoping it makes it across the globe!

Also, they shot a ton of difference scenes. The ones involving me were the morning bathroom with the wife, at the office with a co-worker, at a photo-booth with the family and finally, lying outside on the grass, again with the wife and kids. I don’t know which scenes will make the final cut, and if they will be airing more than one version of their upcoming commercial… However, I was told come around mid September, it should air in the US (at least). I’ll try and get my hands on a copy and/or an online link to share here!

What a awesome summer it’s been so far! Had great weather here in Toronto, great opportunities despite some slower than usual weeks…but don’t get me wrong, lots has happened since I last wrote! Here’s a short summary of what’s been going on in my career in the last couple of months.

In June, I did mostly corporate work, a bit of catalogue stuff AND a motorcycle course! That course ended with a test which I passed and now have an upgraded driver’s license to include motorcycles! Looking forward to using this new skill in some sort of acting work!

During the month of July, I had some great opportunities and came very close to getting a US/Canada national TV commercial. It’s okay though, because I had an audition for another big national, potentially worldwide commercial which I ended up getting! Will write about it once it’s been shot. I also just shot a corporate, short film style training video which went great. Got to work with a great team which I shot with about a year ago. Not to mention Jon Welch, an actor/friend who I’ve worked with a few times back when I lived in the Ottawa/Gatineau area, had some scenes with me as we played co-workers!

Finally, there are some more scenes to be shot for the TV Pilot “Lost in Beijing” starring myself and Daniel Lavigne, another fellow actor/friend from Ottawa. The exciting part is that we’ll be going to China to do it! More to come on all this, but for now…a couple of Harlequin books!

Above are the covers for Protecting the Pregnant Witness by Julie Miller and Marriage at the Cowboy’s Command by Ann Major. Click them to see a larger image!

Let’s start with a video! I had posted about this two months ago; my role in a promo video for a new show. Well, the promo has been released, the show has premiered and started it’s first season. I’m not in the show (but you never know, maybe one day), however, you can catch me a few times in the video. Check it out, see how many times you can spot me!

How many times did you see me? Well, you can go straight to the YouTube video page‘s description and actually have clickable time references to every part. The most obvious one is when he starts saying “crime of passion, boyfriend…” at around 0:18 seconds. I think it’s the angriest I’ve ever appeared on TV!

Also, not completely related to acting, but somehow it turned out that way… My friend needed some help setting up and working his booth at the 2nd Toronto Comic Con Wizard World Convention. Never been to anything like it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Turns out, it was a really great time! All sorts of people showed up; fans from different comic books, movies, TV shows, video games, etc. For some, it was like Halloween (being all dressed up). Some were more into it than others, actually looking like they came off the set of a movie.

I ended up meeting a few actors and other people involved in the industry somehow. One I will mention, as I actually have a picture of him with me, is Robert Maillet. He plays Dredger, the really big and tall (close to 7 feet) guy who fights Robert Downey Jr. in the 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes. Big Robert (I’m sure he won’t mind that) came to our booth and as soon as he mentioned that movie title (by the way, he also played in 300), I remembered him in the film! Then, I had this photo idea, so I shared it with him, and he was all for it! I tried to have him back out, but he kept saying we can take it, so we did it. The result is what you see here.

Obviously, he did a tiny bit of knee bending to appear shorter that me…which was really awesome of him to do. Really nice guy too, even ended up buying something from us. Then I found out we had a mutual friend in the industry as well. Small world! Okay fine, you wanna see how tall he REALLY is? Well check out this picture, which is a bit closer to reality (although I might have also bent my knees to exaggerate the difference…maybe not as much as he did).

UPDATE: Check out this YouTube video, capturing part of that moment on video (from approximately the 0:50 mark and lasts about 5 seconds)!

UPDATE: Check out the interview/behind the scenes web video with the Executive Producer on Assault and Rescue’s video page, which also includes footage from the show. You’ll see clips of me when they talk about the actors.

Back in May, I was involved in the pilot episode of a new show that was going to be called Assault and Rescue POV (which you can read about here). What I liked about the idea is all the reenactments parts in this docudrama are all from a 1st person perspective. As in, every shot is really from the eyes of one of the characters. The best part of this is during the action sequences, where you’ll see everything including guns being fired from the point of view of these different people, almost a 1st person shooter video game.

Well, I’m not sure if it’ll be a whole series anymore, but they are airing the episode we shot! In it I play Amnon Pelled, and actually take down a few people with an AK-47. Now, will you see it from “my” perspective, or from the point of view of another commando on my team, I don’t know, but I certainly look forward to seeing it! Discovery Channel is airing it on Sunday January 30th, at 8:00pm Eastern. Check out the press release and/or Frantic Film’s Assault and Rescue page for more info! You’ll notice on the 2nd link, they used a picture of me on their page (which I in turn used here)!

Operation Thunderball is also referred to as Operation Thunderbolt and Operation Entebbe. Feel free to read about it on the Wikipedia page!

Last weekend, I had my first acting job of the year, which I had booked from my first audition of the year. Not a bad start I would say! And what was this job? Well a TV commercial/promo for a new show called “Endgame”! I’m not sure when they will be airing the promo, but the show itself will air in Spring 2011, and will be featured on Showcase. It’s about a master chess player who uses his skills to solve crimes; all from the inside of his hotel room.

I had to play a few roles in this video, while you’d probably only recognize me in one of them. You’ll clearly see my face in the part where I walk aggressively towards a girl, yelling (although you won’t hear it) dressed in the business suit seen in the picture. In another shot, you’ll see me from the back, dressed all in black, about to steal a painting off the wall. And finally, my feet make an appearance, next to a dead body and a gun. That’s right, now you have the inside info that my feet were in those pair of shoes! But in all seriousness, I had a great time with great people! I love “working”!

Already? Another year over…and what a great one! Highlights include appearing in episodes of Flashpoint and Mayday, a role in the opening of a movie of the week called The Last Jinn, cool commercial projects such as the one we did for Carnival Cruise (getting paid to go on a Cruise, nice!) and a funny Dentyne Internet video skit, lead roles in multiple TV pilots, directing my first short film which I titled Forsaken, a supporting lead role in an Ottawa feature, few Harlequin cover appearances (those are always fun) and much more, in and outside of the film/TV/modeling world! I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to, but at the same time, enjoying the day to day journey.

Now to talk about a few things I haven’t even mentioned yet! Check out this picture, it’s a still from William Barber’s latest reel.
One of the projects showcased is his BMW Soul Spec ad. Once post production on the commercial is completed, I’ll be happy to put it up here. It’s a pretty cool concept and I look forward to sharing it!

Since coming back from the cruise, I was involved in a web ad for Contiki where I worked with Trevor Francis again, for the third time. He actually brought up the fact that every time I auditioned for one of his project, I was offered a job! Speaking of commercials, I volunteered in a 3D PSA (public service announcement) for WildAid which was a blast to shoot and the first 3D project I’ve been involved in. I also made an appearance in a few corporate videos, did some voiceover work and had modeling jobs here and there. Got some new shots as well (I’ve put three new photos in the Pictures section)!

Unfortunately, without going into details, something happened in the end of November which prevented me from doing on camera work and auditions. Thankfully, all is well now and I will make up for lost work in the new year! Speaking of, in January or February, we plan to shoot the first episode of a web show in which I would play the main character. I don’t want to give away too much right now, but I’ve been working on the creative end (co-creating the show, writing the first episode, etc.) which has been very exciting. On that note, I wish you all the best in the new year! Happy 2011!