It’s so windy here in Pasadena today, it’s snowing leaves. There is this large area of a hillside in Burbank where there was a massive fire a few months ago, and a huge cloud of dust hovers over it, like a sandstorm.
The Santa Ana Winds are in full effect, and my dry skin, nose and throat are a small price to pay for clear blue skies and warm temperatures in November.
So here’s something unexpected: I did a voice today on this new show for the Kids WB! The call came on Friday, and here’s the cool thing: the director, a wonderful woman named Andrea Romano, who has won seven emmy’s called my agent and requested me, based on my work with her last year on “The Zeta Project.”
I can’t say what voice I did, but I was told when I left today that they were so happy, I would probably be asked back to do the role again in the next thirteen episodes.
The episode I did was written by this really nice guy named Marv Wolfman, who co-created and wrote “Teen Titans” for sixteen years, created “Blade,” and was just an all-around cool guy. We spent some time geeking out about comic books today…it just killed me that he was referring to Alan Moore as “Alan.”
Animation is really fun, because it’s really quick work (usually less than 4 hours for an episode), and the people who do it are all really cool…but it’s also very hard to break into the animation world, because the community is extremely small, and very protective. Being asked by a very respected director to come back, based on her previous experience with me, is just HUGE, and it makes me feel really good, and it may signal my entry into the world of animation.
A few months ago, I made this major decision in my life: I would stop applying a singular focus to getting work as an actor. I would continue to accept auditions as they came along, but I wasn’t going to break my back, or sacrifice time with my friends and family to play Hollywood’s game.
Since I made that choice, stopped caring so much about acting, and started focusing on writing, and being a husband and father, I’ve gotten two jobs almost immediately.
So I guess I’m going to have to start calling myself “Writer-Slash-Actor.”
You’ll note that I did not say “Actor-Slash-Writer.” This is a very important distinction.
81 thoughts on “Last Place You Look”
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First comment?
Woo hoo, Wil! I love the Teen Titans/Titans comics and was quite excited to hear about the TV show. Congrats on getting this offer!
Woot! Marv Wolfman era Teen Titans?! That’s HUGE! Along with the awesome George Perez on pencils this was one of the comics that first got me hooked.
…God, not only am I a geek, I’m old.
*sigh
There really is something to be said for just living life HERE & NOW. Sometimes, it’s in those moments when we stop chasing life that we begin to realize not only what is most important, but we find that opportunity magically comes knocking. Kudos, Wil…may this be only the beginning.
Congrats Wil!
It seems that good things come to those
who wait and wait and wait.
I loved Teen Titans as a kid and now
have hopelessly dated myself.
Yikes!
Wow, it never rains but it…well thats a lie it does rain.
But this is good rain full of stuff that you love and now you can be a Nerd-at-work and actually *be* a nerd at work.
Too cool.
Think how stoked your kids will be.
…and re-defining your own boundaries. Very Modern
The universe is a funny place at times…
Cool! You seem to be doing better than any of your co-stars – working & enjoying life instead of desperately trying out for acting jobs.
Wil,
Very cool.
Congratulations
it’s funny… I was never very into comics, partly because I couldn’t afford them when I was growing up, partly because I just didn’t make the effort to learn all the writer/artist names. but I actually recognized the name “marv wolfman”. never read the teen titans, but I know I remember seeing his name a lot in marvel comics (and not just when blade showed up in spiderman or doctor strange…)
oh, and yeah, “actor-slash-writer” is not recommended, because what if someone makes a mistake and writes it as “actor/slash-writer”?
Very cool.
Can you teach me how to make that kind of decision? I’m having a very hard time remembering to live in the “here and now” as opposed to the “how am I gonna pay for gas next week”.
Glad life is going well for you!
You know if I ever run into Michael Dorn I wouldn’t ask him to say anything Star Trek related I would die to hear him say. “I AM WEASEL!”
Here is hoping your the next Mark Hamill
Congrats wil! thats so cool!!! it all seems to happen when you stop focussing…like when you lose things, and then give up…they just appear!
Well done!
love Rach
xxx
Keep it up with Ms. Romano and you’ll be in good 🙂
Congratulations on getting in good with her, and let us know if you ever meet Rob Paulson (Wakko Warner/Pinky/etc) 😉
This is great! Good luck–
Eva
Wil:
Please let us know when the episode will air. I’d love to be able to identify it to my family and friends as the “really cool nerdy guy I admire and read every day from”.
Ana Marylee
It’s funny how it works out that when we settle down and do what it is that is in front of us to do – not only to we find amazing rewards and treasures in that — we find that **and more**. Congratulations on the two jobs… and in the kudos that you received from the folks you are working for. Nothing better than that, than to enjoy your life and your work to the fullest.
Awesome, Wil! Tell us when it airs, totally. I would love to watch it.
Now, about the switch to writer/actor…Kudos (my most favorite math teacher ever hated that word, so now I have to use it at least twice a day to make fun of him and think of him) to you for constantly coming up with new ways to inspire me! Your site made me realize that the web is a great place to publish my writing/musings on life. I’ve been writing stuff since I was 5, and I’ve always wanted to do something with it but never knew how. So I’ve started myself on Blogger and just recently (by recently I mean several minutes prior to writing this) figured out how to manipulate my template and make my blog work properly. And I love having my thoughts on my own website. People probably don’t read them, but it doesn’t matter to me, so long as I know they’re there.
And now, I can ponder over your new philosophy for life and hopefully apply it to my own. I need all the help I can get running my life…ha ha, that sounded…rather odd…
In the 6 days I’ve been a follower of wilwheaton.net, you’ve done heaps for me! Thank you so much! Hmm, this sounds like one of those late-night infomercials…”I lost 798 pounds in 3 months and the weight is still off! Thanks, Metabolife!”
you’re quote: “You’ll note that I did not say “Actor-Slash-Writer.” This is a very important distinction.”
*nice.*
Congrats, Wil!
The creators of The Simpsons will come calling soon.
“Hi, I’m TV’s Wil Wheaton. Some of you might recognize me from such projects as…”
sorry – i have to do this – (obsessive compulsive): i noticed that i put “you’re quote” instead of “your quote.” in my comment above this one. this is just to prove to you that i’m not ignorant. anyway, i wrote that because i too, am a “writer-slash-actor/tress (whatever doesn’t bother me)” and i too, put writing as my first priority. rock on, wil.
I have found many things in life just come to you when you stop TRYING for them. I’m not talking about about the new car type of thing, but happiness , a good relationship, a job you enjoy doing, etc.
As to the writer-slash-actor title, are you sure you want to use the phrase “slash” at all considering the fan fic bagage some of your previous roles have?
I’ve met Marv Wolfman at a few conventions and I think he is a really cool guy.
i don’t know who half those people are–
**runs to duck and cover**
either way wooo hoo!!! happy for ya dude!!!
very good choice- writer/actor– and We love you for it!!!!
Can’t wait for the book!!!
That’s awesome, Wil!
Now if you could just get on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, my life would be complete. 😛
Ah, Wil, but the subtle nuiances of a writer would have left it to OUR own devices to catch the important writer/actor line.
Careful how much you feel you NEED to point out to your readership or risk turning into a late Mel Brooks (pre-Broadway “Producers” of course)
1.That’s great!!!! I can’t believe after all these years they’re finaly making a show out of it.
2.Yes,you are very cool,I didn’t expect this site (or you) to be this cool.
3.I was in a writing class with a guy named Don McGregor,who also wrote the “Blade” character years ago-he was funny as hell-liek a real life version of the Sam kinison character in “Back to School”-great guy,but a MANIAC.He used to bitch at every opportunity about how the “Blade” movie sucked because he wasn’t involved.He was probrably right.
4.i’m new here-why did you get cut out of “Nemesis??”
Way to go, Wil!
I always wondered why I never heard you on Gargoyles.
I want a slash of my very own…
since you’re now officially part of the animation world, how long will it be until that little wil cartoon on the mugs and shirts will gets his own show…
“the wil wheaton show”
nice ring, huh?
good for you!
“Writer- slash – Actor”… is that kinda like Spalding Gray?
Wow. If this show takes off, wonder what my New Teen Titans #1 will be worth?
Heheh.
Go, Wil! Make the show a hit! I’ve got comics to eBay, dammit!
Just remember: we’re all counting on you.
duly-slash-noted 😉
congrats wil…thats pretty damn cool to hear..
it’s like with girls..
when you try to hard, you smell of desperation, you have that, I NEED SOMETHING NOW, kinda vibe, that lets all the available girls in the vicinity know that you, indeed, are hard up, and looking for anything, anything ANYBODY WITH A PULSE!
but when you throw caution to the wind, and say, forget it…
it’s not worth it..
i’m not going to debase myself like that…
whatever, man…
suddenly ..
all the girls see you in a whole new light..
it’s all, ‘hey…whos the young cat with the devil may care attitude..’
in other words…
it’s heavy duty funkyass Mojo..
and you are working it.
cheers wil
Tyson
Writer-slash-actor, huh? Hehehe, that’s kinda how I think of myself, except I use both Actor-slash-writer and Writer-slash-actor. Then of course, there’s those random times when I feel like being cocky and I call myself an Actor-slash-writer-slash-singer, but’s those are rare moments. =)
~Micah
…dork!
=p
heh
I always thought the Sub-Mariner could kick Aquaman’s ass,
Congrats on your re birth as a working writer/actor. Just promise us one thing. Do not write any star trek novels, don’t become another William Fawken Shatner. Just wait, you will be in so many things, that those people at Star Trek will kick themselves in the butt, for cutting you out of the upcoming picture. Thank GOD you did not take that imfomercial.
WOOOOHOOO!!!
That is too freakin’ cool! I loved the New Teen Titans back in my collecting days. All my X-Men drone friends looked down on me for it too. 8P (I’m not saying that X-men wasn’t/isn’t a fine mag, but snobbery doesn’t have much place in comic book collecting IMHO) I look forward to checking out the new series. Having you as one of the voices Wil, is just gonna make it that much cooler. 8)
I would also like to hear when this will air, It sounds like it will be really cool. And any excuse to see/hear/read something you’ve done is GREATNESS.
You may be happy about the wind, Wil, but it’s driving my allergies nuts. I’ll take rain and cold as long as I can breathe again.
Congratulations on the animation job !!!
Sounds like you should make that title more …
Husband-Slash-Step Dad-Slash-Writer-Slash-The Voice-Slash-Writer-Slash-Wannabe Geocacher” :EVIL SARCASTIC GRIN:
Congratulations on the animation job !!!
Sounds like you should make that title more …
Husband-Slash-Step Dad-Slash-Writer-Slash-The Voice-Slash-Writer-Slash-Wannabe Geocacher” :EVIL SARCASTIC GRIN:
Congratulations on the animation job !!!
Sounds like you should make that title more …
Husband-Slash-Step Dad-Slash-Writer-Slash-The Voice-Slash-Writer-Slash-Wannabe Geocacher” :EVIL SARCASTIC GRIN:
My Bad! I put “Writer” twice on that title above … Change that second “Writer” to “Actor” … Ooopsey! :]
My Bad! I put “Writer” twice on that title above … Change that second “Writer” to “Actor” … Ooopsey! :]
My Bad! I put “Writer” twice on that title above … Change that second “Writer” to “Actor” … Ooopsey! :]
ROFL Go take a look a Fark. What a little cutie.
😉
Wil,
I would not even mention a film or tv job until I saw the final product. What if they cut your character again? Yes, you will be paid. It is so out of your hands but you still put yourself in the position that TNG, STAND BY ME and your INDEPEDENT FILMS put you in. I would not even tell anyone until I saw the final cut. You are a very trusting person. Pause, wow.
FG
Way to go, Will (woot woot woot)! Just one thing to point out though. Anyone who’s ever played a role as a Star Trek character should avoid using the word “slash” to describe themself in any fashion (wink wink).
Before the phanboyz throw a fit at me, I already know I typoed one too many “l”‘s in his name accidently. Bite me.
Dude! Justice League! Aqualad may be kind of goofy, but hell, I would take the role of a damn Wonder Twin to be on that show! Cool as hell! I can’t wait!
Holy shit, you did a voice on The Zeta Project? Who? I didn’t realize that. Where have I been?
A buddy of mine worked with you on Prince Valient years ago and always commented on your work. By the way, the director on that show won 9 emmy’s for prior work in children’s programming.
How cool is that?
Yay!!
*happy monkey-dance of joy*
‘You’ll note that I did not say “Actor-Slash-Writer.” This is a very important distinction.’
Definitely. Thanks for clearing that up.
Oh, and that’s nothing, btw. I have *5* different jobs. 😛
Filling in the tax form is a nightmare, but it makes life so much more fun.