Looking for art in all the wrong places...

It's a funny thing when business and pleasure merge into a throbbing mess of complication. When personal relationships are the foundation of work, how do you keep it separate? It seems like a no-win. How do you "not take it personal"? And, it seems ultimately ironic that becoming friends with someone you want to work with can make things worse. If I made a film, the first thing I'm thinking is: "How do I involve my people with pertinent skills?" It's the same for most. Which is why this concept is even more confusing, because it seems that my recent attempts to collaborate with my "friends" has back-fired. Several times. In this week alone.

Now, I understand some things are not meant to be, and it doesn't discourage me at all from wanting to make art. It's just frustrating when people around you that you REALLY like working with, get absorbed into a "troop" that wants no part of you. I guess it's life's way of reminding me the only person you can really count on is yourself. I try not to take anything personally, but it gets difficult when you seem to be the odd man out.

With that said, all of this makes me extremely thankful for the people I can be creative with. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when you're in a shit-storm, but when the chips are down, the whack people reveal themselves, as well as the amazing ones. Even though I've felt so insulted by the actions of some, the truly great ones have shone through the b.s. and reminded me how important they are (you know who you are). And, maybe sifting through the idiots and malcontents is what makes these sacred people so important.

Thanks for reading me vent...

Love,

-R*

Like a Phoenix

The title pretty much says it all. I've been in a bit of a funk lately, hence my complete lack of interesting or insightful ramblings on this particular forum, but I'm back ;) I'm happy to report I've had a complete and utter turn around, which has led to many rewards from the universe. Now, I stress the order of events. I found my happy, THEN, and only then, did good things start happening. Once again, I've been reminded of one of life's basic principals: you get what you give. It's not as though some magical event transpired that gave me the strength to endure. It was my own decision to change my perspective, that allowed me to be open to the wonders being offered.
The point is, nothing will make you happy but yourself. The good things come to people who are in tune with themselves and their surroundings. So, there is hope for all of us, you just have to decide to love life, and it will love you back ;)

Until next time true believers...

"Life's a game but it's not fair, I break the rules so I don't care..."




Love
-R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

Booyakasha...

I'm another year older (as of 1/18, thanks you very much), and life is not without it's infinite barage of lessons and mishaps. Now, not trying to throw myself a pity party, but I have a penchant for the pessimistic. Knowing this, I've worked very hard to remind myself of the infinite wonder and mystery of things, and how futile negativity is. All that being said, I forget, and need to be reminded, and the crazy thing is that when you need it most is when you're the most blind to the fact. Sometimes it takes something drastic to bring you back to center, or a culmination of smaller things that finally add up, little droplets of rain eventually making a river that breaks a dam. Either way, I'm thankful for those reminders, in whatever incarnation. Recenty I've had a string of whack events happen to me (I'll spare the details), which didn't help the deep funk I've been in over the last months. But, ironically, it was these things that snapped me back to appreciate the important stuff, and it wasn't until I thought I would crack that it happened. Although, I'd like to think meditating and self-reflection have helped me to harness these moments is depairity and turn them into something positive. Because ultimately, positive begets positive, negative begets negative, and no one or no thing can break that cycle (either way) but you. I'm just happy to be on this side of the fence again, and I'm ready for MY new year. Stay posted...

Ps- LA, please stop raining...pretty please.


Love,
Rocco


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

DTLA art walk and The Vault

I had my first Downtown LA art walk excursion...and it was really dope. Amidst the homeless and hipster, the vibe was intense, a mix of disgust and awe. It's a crazy dynamic, there's a bit of tension admittedly, between the people who literally live in the street and the galleries patrons, but in my opinion it added to my expierience. There's something about watching someone with nothing left to lose and has several fresh wounds to his face, barter with a 20-something in tight jeans and an ironic t-shirt for a cigarette and a sip of their beer. My real reason for going was to see my homie Stephen Buchanan (aka Cesl Rock) in a sketch comedy performance called "The Vault" @ the LAPT (Los Angeles Public Theater). The piece was written in one week, and it was a collaborative effort between all of the actors involved, and ran about 35 minutes. The house was packed, and some were turned away, but when the admission is a suggested donation of $3, how could you refuse? Anyway, it was hillarious. From "Avatar" addicts, to the Governator's strong-arm solutions for the budget crisis, I laughed my ass off. The best part, it's now going to happen every third Thursday, 10pm @ the LAPT 514 Spring St between 5th & 6th downtown. If you don't know, act like you know...

Love,
-R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

To boldly go where no one has gone before...

I just saw the new Stark Trek (J.J. did his thing), and it rocked the casbah. I was super entertained, I'm sad I missed the IMAX. Ce la vie. It's new comic-book day (normally it's Wednesday, but Memorial day threw it off, and I find myself giddy with anticipation for the new Deadpool (which, since the new X-Men movie have been selling like hotcakes), but also pensive. I've been here now for about 1 & 1/2 years, and I felt it was time to check in with myself.

I've finished my script, and now, I have to get it made. Honestly, writing the script is most of the work. If your movie is good, you have a easier time getting it made, it's not rocket science. Not always, but most times (btw, any rich people interested in making a dark, beautiful, gritty drug-laced love story, or any movies for that matter, shoot me an email). I feel I've been productive, I've directed, edited, and produced two music videos (Nathan Nice: Perfect Somedays, and ceslrock: Buggo), plus the one short I wrote (BLU_SCRN). I've been trying to live up to my own expectations, and since the only acting work I've had access to has been commercially, I have quite a ways to go. I just got some new head shots (by Kendra Smith, excellent work) and cut a new theatrical demo reel together, so, I'm trying to get aggressive with sending my stuff out to managers and the like. Although, I know the only sure bet I have is my own script. My advice to people in this industry is: Sure, we all hope to be instantly discovered, but you can't sit around and wait for it to happen, you have to try to make it happen. In this case, I'm taking my own advice, and trying to bring to life my 98 page ticket. Take some responsibility for my career. At least I have to convince myself that I have some control, otherwise, you might as well play the lottery. I mean, if you resolve to make a professional living from acting, or writing, or any art, even if you are gambling, you should find a way to stack the deck ;)

ps - see Star Trek. And, if any casting peeps find this, please, cast me in the sequel. And, the Deadpool movie. ;P

'til next time kiddies.

love,

-R*

... on SAG and New Media.

Today is a double-whammy, because I've got some shit on mind I've gotta share, and I can't hold back until tomorrow...

SAG. The Screen Actor's Guild. If you live in LA (unless you live in a cave), or are in the industry else where, you're aware that SAG has been on the verge of a potential strike for some time, a few month's to be more specific. There are quite a few issues on the table, such as force majeure (uncontrollable acts of nature/life that complicate or ruin a shoot), number of required SAG background per shoot, but the MOST IMPORTANT of all, is the NEW MEDIA (internet, webisodes, streaming video, video games, etc.). Not only the one area the AMPTP (alliance of motion picture and tv producers) is unwilling to bend which shows it's importance, it also will be the direction ALL future media will be going in. Long gone are the days of DVD rentals and purchases. Between internet piracy, hulu.com (which has been bought out, so someone's making money), and Netflix instant streaming, there won't even be a point to getting a cut of DVD usage/sales. If it wasn't for Criterion Collection, I wouldn't buy DVD's at all, and I'm nostalgic (in that I still like to shoot 35mm, and read actual magazines instead of e-zines), in other words, I'm the exception. People have switched over to digital (aka new media) means for everything. Music first, now film and TV are following the same path, and if we don't get our cut now, we never will, because it will only become more valuable, and harder to fight for.

I have to say, I'm very disappointed in my fellow SAG members for allowing petty scare tactics to make them forget what's important. I've heard things like: "We can afford to strike in this economy...". There are several things wrong with that.

1.) Oldest trick in the book. We're being tempted to take something in a moment of desperation, because we're not thinking clearly. People are afraid they're going to be broke, somehow they've been convinced that the idea of striking and losing money in these "dark" times is scarier than being fucked over for the rest of your career. Taking a shitty deal now, just so we don't strike, will negate any possibility of us getting our piece or New Media.

2.) We're actors, when are we ever stable? You may not book something for months at a time. We are supposed to prepare for this eventuality, with or without a strike, soooo, what really is the difference? None as far as I can see.

3.) I am an actor, professionally. This means, I rely on it to pay my bills and feed me (and my family someday), so the idea that because of these short-sighted deals our "leaders" are taking from the AMPTP will make that future bleak if not impossible, due to the horrible distribution of wealth being generated from the new, but soon to be predominant form of media. If we can't get a living wage, this already next-to-impossible dream, will become a nightmare.

4.) The only time New Media is confusing to the AMPTP is when is involves paying us. When it comes to copyright infringement on them, they seem to have a very clear idea of what's owed to them. I have seen several interviews on MSNBC, Bloomberg, and C-SPAN with producers, and they all seem very confident that they will make a ton of money from the transition to New Media, although it seems they don't plan on sharing with the talent. hmmm...

So, to conclude... New Media is of the UTMOST importance in these upcoming negotiations. DVD's are going the way of the dodo, and so will our pay check if we don't get informed, and start trying to figure out how not to get screwed. And, we can't be short-sighted, we have to keep the big picture in focus, and think about ten years down the line, not just a fix for right now (the AMPTP counts on us sacrificing our greater good for instant gratification).

In solidarity...

Love,

-R*

... on paying it forward.

I'm not sure if it's going to get as deep as the title may imply, but I feel it necessary to prepare anyone reading this for where ever my mind may wander. I do have a point to starting this, but I'm feeling a serious bout of digression coming on. On that note...

I just wrapped on an XBOX commercial (the details of which I can't say due to confidentiality, corny, but real), and it was quite amazing, to say the least. Not only was I very grateful for the opportunity to work in these crazy ass times, but the crew was amazing. In fact, so were the clients and the agency (which, trust me, is not always the case). I'm excited because apparently this is playing all over the world. This is a first for me. The funny part, the events preceding and following the actual shoot were like life was torturing me. My car broke down, my face broke out, my internet and cable went down, I was one broken shoelace from insanity. But I kept reminding myself of the fact I was shooting an international commercial, and that this was all just life testing me to see if I could practice what I preach. Now, this wasn't just an opportunity for me to brag, but I did want to say that I owe it all to my new-found positivity. I was in the middle of a torrential shit-storm a few months ago. And, at one point I said to myself, I'm not going to give up, and let this superfluous b.s. get to me. I realized that as hard as I've worked, and as good as I do my thing, NOTHING is promised, and I am not entitled to anything I haven't manifested on my own. This is also coming off of the heels of me finishing a script, starring in two short films, and directing a music video (all of which I produced or made moves to be involved with on my own tenacity). I'm not saying gifts from the universe aren't welcome and amazing, but that if you expect to write your ticket on that, you're in for constant disappointment. None of this good stuff started to happen until I took full responsibility for my situation and took steps to change it. If you can be truly happy and motivated in the face of adversity, you will succeed. When the chips are down, will you let things throw you off balance, or will you maintain clarity and maneuver like a champion. For me, I feel like my time in LA was to help me cultivate this. New York is one of the hardest places to live in the world, but I feel much more in my element, so it kind of evens it out. Here, it's a different kind of difficult, it's like working out using muscles you didn't even know you had. I feel like figuring this out was a gift, which is what prompted me to share this with the world. Enjoy, and remember: Breathe, and have fun...

Love,

-R*