I've just spent the better part of the day in a small, hot room (thanks to studio lights) getting kicked, punched and tossed onto a hard floor.
Today I played an evil henchmen to the main villain in a short, student directed action film that was very violent and bloody. Testosterone was the name of the game and being macho was not a choice but a requirement. This was the first real action film I have done and I liked it but it hurt! It really hurt.
No, the blood you see on my hand is not real but stage makeup. Instead my body is not bloody but bruised as I had a fight scene with the films lead who also happens to know martial arts.
As the takes rolled on, everyone in the scene got more and more into it so play jabs became a bit mote stiff and getting thrown to the ground became a little more forceful. By the end of the day we were all helping each other up. And when we wrapped, we all gave each other high fives and man hugs. You know, not real hugs because that's not macho and this was a macho tough guy film. My acting teacher at Stella Adler was right when he said that I should not be shocked if I find myself in these roles. At some points, after flying into a few walls and radiators, I wondered if I should set my sites on chick flicks.
So while I fictionally got my arm broken and neck snapped, I did get a few good spots to use on my reel. This is key as I try to secure an agent. I'm writing this over my new phone while sitting on the steps of Grand Central. There is a very smelly bum talking to himself, so I best move on out before I gag.
