Happy Halloween!
Speaking of scary… this is the last weekend of Father of the Bride, meaning in just a few days I’ll be rehearsing for the Tuna Christmas tour. Whoo boy. This is barely a post, but I needed to get a “blip” out there saying I’m still alive =). Longer post coming as soon as I get a chance.
-Jef
Pooh Update:
Okay, what a week! Morning shows for Pooh are still going on, two shows a day. Tomorrow we have two
morning shows (as usual) and our evening Public performance. But enough schedule stuff…
Character troubles:
I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this “Joe” character; it’s honestly not a large part, but it helps move things along and he has a pretty clear purpose. I’m trying lots of different things right now– it feels a little like throwing spaghetti on a wall, hoping something will stick. The most successful thing so far seems to be engaging the character’s need to explore the room. I’m coming off a more “outward in” experience with Pooh, and I don’t think that’s the way to go this time. This, of course, brings to mind ideas and opinions of “method”…
Some thoughts on “method”:
I’m of the opinion that an actor should learn -everything- and from as many different teachers as possible. This keeps an actor open and flexible. Actors should always be learning and challenging thier own concepts of “how it’s done.” Then…? I think an actor kind has to of forget everything. Okay, everything that doesn’t actually produce results. In the end, a process just isn’t worth it if it can’t produce real results within the pressure and time constraints of a rehearsal/performance. I believe in “lab time” to getter better at things and taking time to invest different techniques, but if they aren’t producing any work in rehearsal the don’t be afriad to drop it for what does work! You can always go back and try other techniques you may have forgotten about as you get older. Use what works (until it doesn’t– then be ready to try something new!). Just my two cents.
And Finally:
So, therein lies my challenge; my system is a little broken, so it’s time to dust off some ideas I haven’t tried for a while. Maybe go back to my favorite idea… keeping it simple.
-Jef
Ok, not really but I thought it would be fun, considering how much I am reminded of Nite Owl while working on this show… man, I can’t wait to either to open!!! I have a photo of Nite Owl from a recent issue if Wizard posted backstage on my dressing room
mirror for inspiration, lol. The Watchmen flick looks great… but I am disappointed at how many of my fellow geeks haven’t read the original comics… well, maybe the movie will turn that around.
In other news, let the games begin! Time to start the 9AM shows in the Hundred-acre wood… don’t forget to look at the -hilarious- Pooh trailer done by
Adam Archer (Tigger) and I… and I’m
sure we have something else in the works, too; You can view the
video at www.jefholbrook.com, or by visiting my YouTube page at YouTube.com/actorjeff (yeah, two “f”s… what’s the big f’n deal?!?);
Here we go!
- Jef Holbrook | actor
So, not even remotley related to this acting thing…
I really like the sculptures cropping up in Downtown (uptown? whatever) Columbus. I’ve always enjoyed the art downtown… but then I saw this one ad was pretty floored; this is beautiful.
Just some more rehearsal shots. I’m wearing the Batman cape to get used to the idea of the “wings” on my costume.
During rehearsal break, I interviewed Pooh fan (and Springer Box Office Manager) Danielle Patterson about what makes her love Winnie the Pooh so much, and why this show and these characters are so special to her. Here’s what she had to say:
J: Okay, why do you like “Pooh” so much?
D: I like Pooh so much because I grew up with him as a child… and when I was a little girl, my mother used to sing “House on Pooh Corner” to me.
J: How little?
D: I was about two. From two to four.
J: So have you read the book, or do you like the movies?
D:I have all the movies and all the books, even the Christmas ones. I even decorate one room in my house with all Pooh Christmas. So, when I got into high school I started liking it again even more and I started shopping at the Disney store, and all of my Pooh stuff [in her office] is from there.
J: What do you like about the characters?
D: I love that pooh is so friendly and giving and he just looks like a person you want to hug and be around; Piglet is needy and their friendship is so sweet because he feels security with Pooh; Tigger is flamboyant and bouncy and all over the place and it’s fun to see that kind of character in with the others; and Owl is so knowledgeable and wise and smart and gives all the advice. Rabbit is always tense and like “stay out of my garden!”
J: What about Eeyore?
D: Eeyore makes me sad because he depressed… I just want to give him a hug. He’s so loveable, you’ve got to love him.
Thanks, Danielle! We’ll do our best not to let you down =)
-Jef
Owl!
Here’s a sneak peek at the costumes for Owl (me) and Piglet (pictured is Theresa Garcia, one of our two Piglets. The other actor playing Piggy-poo is Izzy Brown).
It looks like Owl will having a skeletal structure in the fingers/feathers to allow me to “point” like it’s an actual wing. How cool!
Ok, first off: Adam (Tigger) says hey. He lays down a phat beat on the Tigger song… you’ll see.
Second day has been red team mostly (meaning we have Nikki as Roo and Theresa as Piglet). I say mostly because Izzy (Piglet of the Blue Team) is filling in for Theresa this evening.
We’ve just about blocked the show and will probably get through it all tonight!
Anthony Jackson (Eeyore) arrived today from DC, so the gang’s all here.
Theresa (Piglet Red Team) has a blog, for those who don’t know… Check it out at tngarcia.blogspot.com. She’ll probably be updating about the show, soon… and she’s surely more interesting than me, lol. So, go! Read!
Hey, this is our set for Winnie the Pooh! Just thought people might like to see it!
Well, we’re filming the last parking lot scene with Ray now. Time to reflect on what we’ve learned..
This has been such a revealing shoot; I’m impressed with the work ethic here at FullSail. It’s amazing when talented people come together with a singularity of purpose… in this case, to make “Nocturnal” the best short feature possible.
After finishing the set list of shots, we’ve moved on to the “wish list” at around 4am– basically getting any extra shots we may need given our extra time (we pretty much stayed ahead of schedule). So, one of these shots harkened back to a favorite scene of mine– the bedroom scene (ha!).
Whereas at the end of the movie, Adolfo (my character) has had his luck turn around, things don’t start out that way. While I get the girl at the end, I start out… well, not alone, but not happy. To focus on this sense of aloneness in Adolfo’s world, we added a wish list shot in the bedroom that mirrors the final shot of the film. It’s a beautiful crane shot gliding up from beneath the bed, over and up to reveal me asleep… and alone. My eyes dart open and my day begins. It is the first shot we see in the movie and a real pleasure to do as my final shot. Went out feeling good!
To the pros and bros over at Full Sail, thank you. Let’s do it again, sometime.
See you on set,
–Jef
