i slow my steps and start to blur

What an amazing day!
Working on CSI is as cool as we all think it is. In fact, it’s cooler. The cast, the crew, the director, the writers, the producers . . . everyone is incredibly cool! I know that I’m only on the show for a few days, but I left the set tonight feeling like I belonged there. Wow. It’s the way people told me we made them feel when they worked on TNG, and that’s pretty cool.
Turning into Walter was really fun, other than the extreme pain that came with my wig. Because I did a stunt tonight (I have to be very careful, and not give any of the plot away, so bear with me) my wig needed to be “anchored” to my own hair. To do that, they hair department put this stuff called hair glue on me, and twisted my real hair into little bundles that they secured with rubber bands. Holy shit did that hurt. Then they put the wig on me, and used pins to “anchor” the wig to those little hair glue balls that happen to be attached to my scalp. Believe it or not, it’s actually as fun as it sounds!
The director (who fucking rocks!) and I decided that Walter has this dangerous volatility to him, that is a result of the voices in his head. Walter uses drugs and alcohol to quiet those voices in his head . . . but it’s not working as well as he hoped it would. In fact, it’s kinda making it worse. Okay, it’s really making it worse, and playing that was just too much fun. Of course, because I’m in a serious makeup and costume thing, it’s that much easier to totally become this guy.
We shot out in Northridge tonight, in this über suburban area, and I *really* wanted to wander around the streets in my Walter clothes and makeup, shouting at people that only I could see. I was going to take bets on how long I could get away with that before someone called the police . . . but it turned out that I had real work to do, so that will sadly remain just an idea. Maybe next time.
This neat thing happened tonight. One of the crew came over to me and said, “It’s like you’re getting paid to play.”
“Yeah, I didn’t work all last year, so I could save up for this part,” I said, only half-joking.
But it’s true. I’m having so much fun, and I had this great Moment of Clarity™ tonight after a particularly good take: “This is why I wanted to be an actor”, I thought, “I can’t believe how lucky I am!”
I’ve made some notes, and I’ll do my best to write a cool blog about the day, but it’s past midnight, and I have to be back on the set tomorrow morning, so I’m going to sleep now . . . right after I wash all this hair glue off my head.
\m/

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110 thoughts on “i slow my steps and start to blur”

  1. how fucking exciting! that is awesome! i cant WAIT to see that episode… you will have to remind me when it airs; I, unlike the rest of the world, do not watch CSI, or any other tv so i am kind of out of it.
    dude, you should totally walk the streets in costume. or better yet, come in to Borders in costume and make a scene and get thrown out by mall security. that would seriously like, make my year. 🙂

  2. Dude! That Walter game (freaking people out) is so totally what I would have done! You rock. I can’t wait to see that episode.
    Congrats, I can only imagine how cool this must be. You deserve every bit of it!!
    😀

  3. That was what I always loved about acting when I was doing college theatre, submerging yourself long enough to let this other persona out…some roles it was easy, some roles it was very, very uncomfortable (like the directing scene I did that was an excerpt from Patrick Marber’s “Closer”).
    The payoff (or, a payoff, I should say, one of many besides the endorphin rush) is walking out after the show and people saying how much you’re unlike your character…then you know that you’ve done some good acting. If your recounting of the day’s work and that awesome photo of your wardrobe and makeup are any indication, you’ve given your acting chops one hell of a workout with this role, Wil…you deserve a double goat, because this is too much metal for one hand, baby!\mm/

  8. **jumps around like a fangirl**
    ooo I wasn’t expecting an update, since you’re so busy! Great picture by the way, completely awesome.
    I’m so glad you’re having fun on CSI, I was so scared they’d all be jerks!

  9. Dude, that is so awesome! Personally, I would have paid to see you walking around an uber-suburban area as a bum.
    Please definitely blog about when the show will air. It’d be really cool to watch and know who you’re going to be, what you’re going to be doing, and you know the rest.
    Thanks for letting us know, Wil!

  13. [drooling fangoddess] Dude. Even as a homeless guy you’re hot.[/drooling fangoddess]
    *ahem* Sorry. I don’t know where that came from. Really. I’m not 16 anymore. And I’m married. Very, very happily married.
    I find it interesting that the day I find out you’ve booked CSI, Hubby (the community theater whore) asks me if I would take a tiny role in his play (that opens tonight!).
    “No lines,” he reassured me as I balked at the idea of doing anything for the public with only a mere 24 hours’ notice. “Just walk on, sit down, and flirt with me. Then I’ll come sit next to you, and we’ll pantomime.”
    Okay. I hate miming. I hate being on stage. I haven’t “acted” since high school. But it’s Hubby asking for The Director, and it’s at the last second, and they need someone, and…and…okay. I agreed. One quick rehearsal and an impromptu costuming session and we’re ready to open. Tonight.
    So while you’re having fun on the set of CSI, I’ll be on stage here in my little town, listening for my cues to flirt with my husband. Like I don’t do that all the time. Just never on cue.
    Break a leg,
    The Goddess of Justice and Vengeance

  14. Cool, looks like ur really enjoying yourself! about time you got a break too!
    I started up my own blog yesterday thanks to wendy may.Click here to check it out.
    Just to say thanks to you for opening the world of blogging to me.
    I even started learning HTML now, how cool is that?! (see my feeble attempt for the link above!)

  15. Hi Wil,
    So glad you enjoyed your day. 🙂 I can totally relate to the excitement of when you get to do something you love. When I get to create I am happiest, and when I used to act and bring a character to life, I was never happier.
    How many more days are you on set? Enjoy the rest of your time exploring and discovering Walter. CONGRADS on your first day wrapped. 🙂

  16. way to go,wil!!!thank you for sharing your thoughts with such honesty.glad to see you are having such a good time.
    can’t wait to watch your episode of CSI.*squeal!

  17. “The payoff (or, a payoff, I should say, one of many besides the endorphin rush) is walking out after the show and people saying how much you’re unlike your character…then you know that you’ve done some good acting.” -Chris the Tiki Guy
    Makes me wonder how Kevin Costner kept getting acting jobs…

  20. Experiences like this is what makes all the crap that goes with the business worth it.
    Suck the marrow out this one, Wil. You’ve wholly earned the right to enjoy it.
    D.

  21. I saw the picture of Walter. Holy SHIT! I’ve seen that guy, before! I swear!
    Back when I worked in a grocery store (about 20 some-odd years ago… really odd years)I was accused of short-changing this hot-wired punk. Five friggin’ bucks! We even closed my line and counted out my drawer to prove to him that I didn’t have his five dollars. The bum threatened to come back when we closed and kill me in the parking lot. We had to call the cops on him and they convinced him to move on. They also came back a bit before we closed and flashed their spotlight around the lot. My coworkers, half -jokingly, surrounded me as they walked me out to my car.
    Man… I swear… he looked just like your fuckin’ Walter!

  22. Hey Wil,
    How many days do they take to shoot one episode of CSI? 5? 8? If you’re shooting for a few days that means you’ve got a lot of screen time, right? cool.
    Glad you’re having fun.
    😉

  24. Man, I wish LiveJournal could do TrackBack. I’ve been piquing my friends’ curiosity about the CSI gig since you announced it. Now that they’ve got a photo for reference, they’re starting to clear their schedules for CSI ’cause…
    …well, I hate to say it, but most of them want to see someone they know as Wesley Crusher turned into hobo-freek-murder-suspect. I think we’re all going to watch this at my house with beer and Cheetos.
    Pax,
    Matthew

  25. Awesome man! This sounds liek the shot of medication you really needed. I almost blew coffee on my monitor whe i read th ebit about your desire to wander the streets shouting at people only you could see 😀
    Bravo! Can’t wait to check it out!

  26. Wil,
    OMG dude. I don’t watch CSI, but you have to keep us informed when this episode is about to hit TV. I took a peek at your moblog and shit man, even I was scared to toss you change. If you can pull that off in a photo, I am dieing to see how you pull it off on screen.
    This is so NOT Wesley Crusher.
    Bum Story Alert!!!
    I was in Philadelphia for a national chess tournament when I was in high school. We had stopped off at a red light and I was looking out the van window. I saw this person toss their McDonald’s cup into the trash. Not more than a few second later this homeless guy walks buy, picks up that same cups and sips whatever he can out of the straw that the previous person just used.
    We nicknamed him “Chef Jeff”.

  28. I had a friend who drove home in stage makeup (after playing a dead guy) He was pulled over and the cop was about ready to call an ambulance before my friend remembered that he still had make-up on and explained why he was so pale. 🙂
    My family thanks you… after living with somewhat crappy cable reception for a year, your upcoming roll has pushed me to finally call the cable company and get our cable fixed so we can have a crystal clear picture of CSI.

  32. “Walter” looks like he’s totally going to rock! Can’t wait to see this episode…
    Glad to see you working and happy again, Wil. It’s been far too long, and you most assuredly deserve it.
    Checked out the photo blog, and the great pic of Sketch in it. Mojo continues to flow, you know? Man, did that rhyme attempt blow…

  33. Well color me green! Man that is so cool. Have to admit, living through you on this dream. Sounds great, cant wait for more updates. Hope the glue didnt do too much damage! Can not wait to see the episode.

  34. Wow, Wil, you’ve got me all excited for you, and I don’t usually do that with people I don’t really know. I guess since your writing is so personal and conversational I feel like I kinda do know you. Anyway, thanks for giving us a peek behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to see the episode. Have fun!
    Continued Kitty Mojo

  35. Wil, you wrote that everyone on CSI is incredibly cool, and that you felt you belonged there. Well of course you do, because *you* are incredibly cool. Besides your brilliant audition, no doubt it was your coolness that helped get you the job.
    Getting the chance to play a role that is miles away from who you are every day is one of the most challenging and most enjoyable things an actor can do. No wonder you are having such a good time. Savor every minute of it, sir. You have earned it.
    I’m glad to hear you washed out the hair glue. (I’m sure Anne is glad too.) Some actors go a little too far in staying in character; Walter sounds like one you want to leave on the set when you go home.
    Looking forward to the next report!

  36. It sounds like you’re having a great time. Nothing like playing a crazy guy. It would have been hard to recognize you in all that hair…
    So, when is the episode going to air?

  37. Dude! I hardly recognized you in that picture. You really look like a crazy homeless guy. Cool.
    I’m sorry Sketch isn’t doing as well as you’d hoped. In some ways the illness of a pet is worse than a human companion’s, because they are so helpless and dependent on you, and because they can’t understand what’s happening to them, how the painful invasive procedures are meant to heal them. You just feel so helpless.
    But he may improve yet. Try to enjoy the time you have, and don’t dwell on the end too much. Don’t let fear of the end rob you of the comfort you can feel now.

  38. Lord, that’s amusing, because I live about three blocks from where you’re filming, and driving to work yesterday, I saw the crew and thought “Hmm, now what’s filming there?” Driving home, I saw the CSI sign, and thought “Gracious, I wonder if Wil Wheaton’s episode is right there?” And lo and behold, you confirm my suspicions. How awesome!
    Continue having fun – despite the rain. 🙂

  39. the look of “walter” is reminiscent of MOTLEY CRUE…you could have a whole new career as a VINCE NEIL lookalike…seriously…i can’t wait to see what you did with this character…i think it’s gonna blow away any typecasting that may have existed for you before.

  41. Wil, I’m so happy for you! Congrats on the role. What a great feeling to get paid for something you enjoy. Almost didn’t recognize you in the pic. Can’t wait to see the episode!
    BTW, your blog is awesome. I’ve been kinda hooked since I read about it on MacCentral re: your MacWorld appearance. You seem like a cool down to earth guy, don’t change.

  42. Congratulations, Mr Wheaton, on your CSI spot. And thanks for reminding us that a childhood fame doesn’t have to result always in adulthood idiocy, larceny or tragedt.
    And continued good luck and patience with Sketch.

  44. This is amazing for you! I liked you on TNG and now its great that you are on another fabulous show. Please let us know when the episode will be aired.

  45. Yeah, if you’re not used to getting your hair pulled and messed with like that, it fucking HURTS. I recently got into dreads and extensions, and I was a huge pussy throughout the whole ordeal.
    And have you ever thought about sporting a goatee or something? I think it’d look sexy on ya 😉
    (Assuming you even READ comments down this far, ahem.)

  46. Walter looks like he needs a shower… 😉
    Man, if I didn’t owe Uncle Sam and need to buy a car, I’d be getting TiVo to make sure I get to see it when it’s on…

  47. Reading this entry makes me want to get back onstage. Way to go, Wil!
    BTW, you shouldn’t have mentioned Northridge. Because when I watch the show I’m going to spend too much time trying to figure out the neighborhood. I used to live and work in Northridge many moons ago and went to high school nearby.
    I’ll keep an eye for your performance, though. 😉

  48. That’s all cool and froody Wil. I can’t wait to see it. I love that you’re going to guest on one of the best shows out there.

  49. The further we goAnd older we growThe more we know …The less we show …Be sure and steal as many props as you possibly can from the set man. You could make a mint selling those on e-bay. 😉

  50. Hi Wil,
    Congratulations on CSI!! The picture you posted as “Walter” is scary! I’m really excited for you. I can’t wait to see it. Do you know when it will be aired?
    Lefty

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