The Principles Office

Last week, I took advantage of a terrific class offered by SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

Karen Huie

KAREN HUIE'S THE PRINCIPLES OF GROUP ADR.

"The acronym ADR stands for "Automatic or Automated Dialogue Replacement." It is also referred to as "Looping." This post-production process can be performed by actors individually, or by actors within a group. In the workshop, ADR veteran Karen Huie focuses on Group ADR, which is the art of providing voices for everyone other than the principal actors in films and television shows. The evening is a foundation of the craft and practical application of it to picture. Actors start by listening to the ambient sounds of film and television and then learn and practice the way it's done." - SAG-AFTRA Foundation

Karen was truly terrific! Between teaching us little nuggets, she sprinkled in anecdotes about her experiences in ADR. She told us that speaking more than one language is a serious attribute. And, no, I don't think that includes profanity! Haaaa!

All-in-all, I'd recommend that SAG actors interested in ADR work attend this class. The work isn't as easy as folks might think.

Heck, it isn't easy at all! :)

Drinks On Me

Last Friday I walked over to my favorite watering hole, plopped down at the bar and ordered my favorite adult beverage.

As always, I chatted up the bartender and everybody sitting on either side of me.

I noticed a young couple on my left, and saw the fella pay for their round of drinks with cash. I could tell he probably didn't have much more than the cost of those two drinks, because 99.9% of the customers hand over a credit card to start a tab.

So...

I whispered to the young fella that I was gonna have the bartender pour them another round. I told him he didn't need to tell his young ladyfriend.

Well, I also WHISPERED to the bartender to send over the other round.

When the bartender served the drinks, the young fella was away, getting chips and salsa. The bartender TOLD the young lady the drinks were from ME!!!

The FOOL! :) :) :) :)

Anyway, I also bought a drink for a different young fella who was sitting on the right of me.

This time, I told that fella I was doing it BEFORE the bartender could! Haaaa!

I'm not rich.

I'm not even well-off.

I'm just a dude who is happy to make someone else happy whenever I can.

Simple as that!

THIS IS US, Season 3

Last night, I attended the Season 3 Premiere screening of NBC's THIS IS US.

What a BLAST!

I wound up hangin' out with a former coworker from my catering days, Rick, who is now writing books and films.

And ran into one of America's Next Top Models, Ben.

The food and drinks at the reception were delicious. Especially the chocolate chip cookies! Yum!!!

And the first episode of the new season was simply SENSATIONAL!

As always, the episode hit you in the feels! Particularly what Kate's going through. I tell ya, the actress who portrays that role must have some serious talks with herself since so much of what her character experiences, in regard to weight, is the actress's real struggle.

The entire cast (minus Randall's wife, Beth) was in attendance, and participated in a Q&A with a moderator. It was great hearing them discuss their characters, and their work in general.

The show is a colossal hit for NBC. And for my two cents, family dramas have always been faves of mine. NBC's defunct PARENTHOOD was also one of my favorites.

I look forward to seeing where the characters' story lines go this season. As long as they remain rooted in reality, I'm along for the ride. If they jump the shark like Brothers And Sisters did, I'm OUT!

I'm a SOUL MAN

Since August, I've been driving a Kia Soul.

Fire engine red!

Prior to renting this vehicle, I never really noticed them on the road, but since getting it, I see them every dang where I go.

In every imaginable color!

A Facebook friend even posted about liking the car so much, she's thinking about buying one.

Well, I like the Buick Lacrosse better, but for now, this tomato on four wheels will do just fine! 😋

Gratitude! Gratitude! Gratitude!

Every day I sign onto Facebook, I read about someone dying.

A college student's suicide.

A mother and her three children in a car accident.

A man without life insurance.

Every day, it's somebody.

Despite whatever setbacks, heartaches and missteps I have encountered,

I'm STILL HERE!

RIGHT HERE!

Still BREATHING!

Still able to turn sh*t AROUND!

And for that, I'm IMMEASURABLY and ETERNALLY GRATEFUL!

I'M HERE!

I'M HERE!

Isn't It Ironic?

i·ro·ny ˈīrənē/ :a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

I tell ya, life sure has a way of tossing us some unsuspecting curve balls.

I walked onto the studio lot today to see guests I had invited to a live taping of the show.

An eviction.

Before I left the studio lot, it was I who was evicted.

From the lot.

And from my position on the show.

Isn't that ironic?

And it's even more ironic that the reason for my dismissal was/is this blog.

Yep! A couple of the posts on this blog were deemed untenable by my former boss, thus, she felt compelled to part ways.

You know what? Initially, I was incredibly stunned to hear her words, but, as is always the case with me, I placed myself in the other person's shoes, then ruefully accepted her decision and left her with a hug.

I do truly believe my life's path is preordained, so this temporary reversal was inevitable.

And, in my mind, hella SURMOUNTABLE!

So, I wish everybody I've ever met during the production of Big Brother the very best life has to offer.

Now, it's on to my next BLESSINGS.

I deserve 'em!

And so do YOU! 

NEXT

Darn, the semifinalists have been named for the Screen Craft Short Screenplay Contest and just guess who WASN'T listed?

Yep!

ME!

My beloved 1st Grade Picture didn't make the cut for these folks.

But you know what I'm gonna do about it?

Submit again NEXT YEAR!

If at first you don't succeed... ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

Dear Evan Hansen...

Two days ago, a Wabash College senior decided he had had his fill of this sometimes cold, hard world.

From the outside looking in, it appeared he had it all.

Athletic.

Attractive.

Well-liked.

Everybody who thought they knew him, knew nothing of his innermost despair.

People rarely do.

Ironically, his name was Evan Hansen; just like the smash Broadway musical character.

And just like that character, suicide changed his life.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Adios, Les

Les Moonves

Les Moonves, one of the most professionally powerful people in Hollywood has lost his "power."

Just like that.

Journalist Ronan Farrow's New Yorker exposé about Les's alleged sexual misconduct over the years put the Chairman and CEO of CBS in the hot seat.

And today, it was announced that Les has stepped down from his lofty position, effective immediately.

Just like that.

Of course, like all the other Hollywood power players accused of similar misdeeds, Les denies ever having used his position to coerce and/or intimidate women into sexual situations.

Of course.

Well, other than the parties involved, none of the rest of us could ever know the unabashed truth.

But...we can all imagine a man with his professional influence, using that influence to get any and everybody everything he wants.

My heart goes out to his wife, Julie Chen, and his young son, Charlie. Neither of those innocent folks should be punished or taunted for the alleged misdeeds of their loved one.

What I take away from his "retirement" is that NO ONE is immune to the outrage of the many.

UPDATE on 12/17/2018: after a thorough investigation, CBS has decided NOT to pay Les a severance package because his termination was deemed for cause. Read about it HERE!

Absolutely NO ONE.

If we treat people the way we want to be treated, Les's fate won't be our own.