Hey, check it out! I found a tube that goes right into the studio, so I can ride the Internets while I’m between scenes!
Today is the day I’ve been waiting for since I booked this job. Today is the day that I get to really tear into this character, and mainline the good stuff that keeps actors coming back for more, chasing the dramatic dragon until we die. I was so excited to work today, I hardly slept at all last night, and woke up this morning before my alarm went off. I haven’t felt like this since I was a little kid at Christmas.
God, I miss this. I didn’t know how much I missed it until last week, but holy shit do I miss this. This cast, this crew, these writers, this director, this whole show is just incredible. I’m truly lucky to be here, and I’m so grateful that I can appreciate it, and not take it for granted like I would have ten years ago.
I wish I could say more about today’s work. I wish I could identify and compliment the incredible actors I’m working with. I wish I could go into great detail about why I’m so excited to do what I’m doing today, but it’ll have to wait until this episode airs in October.
I’ll never stop writing, but I can’t deny that there’s a part of me who will always be an actor, and I owe it all to the people I’ve worked with on this show.
I thought I was out, but they pulled me back in!
Woo hoo! It’s awesome that you’re enjoying yourself so much. Can’t wait to see the final product in October. Setting TiVo now… 😉
Clay
Everything I’ve read on this blog in the last six months has convinced me that your greatest professional challenge over the next year will be in learning how to reconcile and ultimately balance your actor self and your writer self together, nurturing both and, hey, admitting that both are there to stay.
I wouldn’t say that’s a bad challenge to have. Not bad at all.
First-time comment’er, here. Wil, this is why we all do whatever-it-is-we-do, and sometimes we are lucky enough to be reminded so as not to become complacent. It’s especially rewarding to me to read when this happens for someone else, because it reminds me that I’m not the only one, and that others ride the same roller coaster from time to time as well.
I haven’t watched CM, but I will for your episode. From what you’ve written, I have a feeling we will all see that little twinkle in your eye – the one that comes back to each of us now and then when we are lucky enough – the one that reminds us not to forget what we came for – that one thing that makes each of us a kid at Christmas.
All the best,
~LV
There is a special stress that comes with realizing that you’ve got two passions you want to explore to their logical conclusion, but that you also know that there are going to be some choices in acting jobs that cut off some writing paths, and vice versa.
Of course, you could always take Felicia Day’s lead, and just write a bunch of stuff for you to cast yourself in, although I do wonder if it ever gets weird trying to channel your own voice.
Well, lets just hope you do such a great job that your character end up being a regular.
I’ve been noticing a lot of Child Actors making their way back to the TV Shows, and they’re getting on the good ones too.
Still can’t wait to see you in Heroes. 😛
I don’t think I’ll ever be on Heroes, MacBros. I’ve had two auditions for two different characters, and I sucked both times.
I was so excited, I totally blew it. I felt like Lenny with the rabbit: I loved it so much I pet it to death.
Sounds a lot like my sentiments at a cast party for Richard III last weekend. It’s a sickness, bro. But I don’t think we actually want the cure.
Falstaff
Congrats on Wil’s Awesome Day of Awesomeness – and MB is right – you’d be awesome on Heroes and it obviously isn’t a question of whether you can still act or not, you’re still booking gigs, so the chops are still there, it’s just a matter of rolling the hard six…
also, the Venture Bros.
Can you tell us if this role is with beard or without?
Yay Wil
So glad you’re having a great time on set at Criminal Minds. I hear from people in the know that your episode will be a good one and that your other guest stars are quite good too (although their identity has not yet been revealed to me).
Any chance we could lure you out to New York to do Law & Order: Criminal Intent (or one of the other 2 L&O shows)?
Or are you hopelessly bound to CA?
Awesome, a Who and Godfather reference in one post.
Will definitely check out Criminal Minds this Fall.
Hey Wil… I’m new here. I just needed to tell you that your joy is contagious, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing you on Criminal Minds.
I’m so happy for you, mate.
Remind of you a simple thing: the Aristotellian definition of Happiness.
“The exercise of vital powers, along lines of excellence, in a life affording them scope”.
You’re not just an author, you’re not just an actor. You’re a fully-realised human being, in a first-world country. You’re a father, a husband, a gamer, a writer, an actor, an enthusiast, an activist and a dreamer.
Bloody well rocks, doesn’t it? Because when we, as people, get to flex our muscles we’re not “just” anything. As Spider Robinson would write, take on your Aspect and raise up your Attribute. You’re good at lots of things, and you’re smart enough to love them all, without loving any of them the less.
I have full confidence that you can overcome the XP penalty for multi-classing. Level up, sir!
Hey, it’s VDO Vault! RPOD here. Funny meeting you here, of all places…
Reminds me of something Jack Davenport said, forgive me if I misquote – “I think for being able to do what we do for a living… I think any reaction other than profoundly grateful is inappropriate.” That really stuck with me. Most of us dabble with acting in some form in high school, or college, but those of you that have the ability and confidence to see it through to a career still brings a smile to those of us who walked off of the stage and into a day job.
Though my day job geek self would caution you not to lose sight of the geek within! Bring a DS to the set or something.
Glad to hear the acting bug has envemonated you again, Wil.
I had a feeling that after your recent appearance in “Numb3ers” that further opportunities might come-o-callin’.
As a Who fan, I jumped when I saw the title for this post.
Then I wondered if you were referencing something else?
Tiebreaker: does “cello cello cello cello” mean anything to you?
Also, congrats on Criminal Minds.
😀
First Numb3rs, now Criminal Minds! Love it! Two of my very favorite shows and you have been/will be on both.
So happy to hear that the shoot is going so well and I will look forward to watching the show in the fall.
It seems that defining ourselves as one thing or another is what is expected as adults, yet it is the hardest thing ever for many. After all, we grow up constantly hearing, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And yet, how many of us really know the answer to that question, even when we are finally in the midst of being grown up? I say don’t get hung up on defining yourself as writer or actor and instead enjoy yourself in the moment and in the experience you are currently in.
Now, any chance you could leak who was in the car that blew up on CM? 😉 Worth a shot to ask, anyway.
I had only half an eye to read the blog lately, so acting and Who references combined I thought you were on CSI.
A Who reference will never escaped me. From early age, I was raised on that music. While other parents were divided between the Beatles and the Stones, we were a Who household. Tommy, despite its theme, brings back warm fuzzy memories of early childhood, because that’s what my dad used to play on a sunday (or any other day). We even went to see The Kids Are Allright in the cinema with the whole family (my mother isn’t a fan but she came along anyway).
Your post reminds me of how paradoxical one can be about oneself.
It can be confusing at times. You think you’re something but maybe you’re something else.
You wonder too where fate will take you and whether there is purpose to it.
One can hope so.
Nice use of the black wrap on the light. Careful though you can cut the hell out of yourself on that stuff.
Glad to hear you are having fun.
I thought I was out, but they pulled me back in!
We have cookies.
And the book says, “We may be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with us.”
so you’re writing up why you’re excited now so you can share it (or not) later, right? You don’t want to lose all that “great detail” while it’s fresh…
Been stalking your blog for awhile… I really enjoy your writing, even though I don’t always understand what you are talking about… Um, manga? I’m still fuzzy on that one. (My fault, not yours.) Anyhoo, congrats on the acting gig… it’s so cool when pieces fall into place.
I hope this isn’t a dick move, but here goes:
Speaking of acting, I wrote a feature script and sort of wrote a role for you in it. I’ve been advised by the local film commissioner that I should try to get the script into the hands of my ideal actors as it would look better to the investors if I did this legwork on my own. It would also show that I was passionate enough to take chances, yadda, yadda.
Anyway, I just wanted to know if I have a snowballs chance of getting this thing to you either directly or through your agent.
Either way, please let me know, as I hate holding my breath, it tends to make me go all bluish and dead. Even if the answer is a resounding “NOT A CHANCE IN HELL” no worries, I’ll keep reading.
RPOD! Hiya bud! Now stop stalking me online [grinning] kidding!
Have missed you in Rumpus Room chats lately…I have been getting there late but I still go there (in fact will be there this afternoon)
Catch you somewhere online later.