Last night, I tried to convince my brain that it should shut the hell up and let me go to sleep early, because I had to wake up at 5am no matter what.
It didn't cooperate. It sang songs to me, wrote little stories, and told me jokes until almost midnight. Yes, I am my brain's bitch. (Don't worry, I plan to get all burning bed on it with some local craft beers before the week is over. HA! WHO'S LAUGHING NOW, BRAIN?!)
I'm on my lunch break right now, marveling at how weird it is to live in the future, where I can post to my blog from my dressing room. I suppose this isn't that strange, really, but I've been doing this since the days when we had to call Buster Keaton "Mister Keaton" and Mary Pickford wouldn't let you look her in the eye unless you were Douglas Fairbanks.
Yeah, those were crazy days, and even though I tried my best, I never got Louise Brooks to come home with me. I still don't think talking pictures will ever really catch on.
…did I mention I got about 5 hours of sleep and I've been working in a hot van while wearing a hoodie since 8 this morning? Everything is incredibly funny to me right now.
Anyway, about my day so far: Most scripts have a scene that makes an actor go, "WOW, I really want to play this character so I can do that scene." This morning, I got to do that scene, and it was as challenging, fun, and ultimately rewarding as I thought it would be. I can't wait to see it in the final cut of the show.
Before we did that scene, I had a brief meeting with the director, because I wanted to make sure that my take on this character and his vision for the character had more in common than not. I performed some of the more important lines, talked about the arc I'd created in my mind, and made sure that we were on the same page.
He nodded while I did my thing, and when I was done, there was a long pause. I started to get a little nervous, and wondered if I was about to be sent home with a set of steak knives.
"You own this guy," he said.
So, I got that going for me, which is nice.
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Wooo! Man, you are living the dream. Seriously, this sounds like so much fun. I would have probably lost it 3-4 times by this point. It’s a great show, can’t wait for the season premiere this July.
What a cool comment on your take. Take a bow Wil.
Break a leg, Wil, and have fun! I always enjoy your posts on your acting jobs.
Sounds like a great start Wil, break a leg!
Right on
That’s great news.
I was just looking over your IMDB entry and saw that you did voice work for Avatar: The Last Airbender (which is one of my favorite shows).
Your roles might not be the most prestigious in the world, but you’ve done a lot of work on some very cool projects and you should be justifiably proud of that.
Not sure whereabouts you are in town, but there are several great options I can name off the top of my head:
Bailey’s Taproom – 213 SW Broadway
The Green Dragon – 928 SE 9th Ave
Deschutes Brewpub – 210 NW 11th Ave
The Horse Brass – 4534 SE Belmont
Laurelwood Brewery – 5115 NE Sandy
New Old Lompoc – 1616 NW 23rd Ave
Roots Organic Brewery – 1520 SE 7th Ave
I think Bailey’s, Green Dragon, and Deschutes may all be new in town since you last rolled through (though as a brewery, Deschutes has been around for awhile). They all have great beer selections and friendly staff, and I know a few local beer geeks that would be happy to see you out and about in town. If a meet & greet forms up somewhere, please post it!
Just to add onto what Chad suggested, I suggest hitting up my favorite brewpub downtown, Tugboat – 711 SW Ankeny St, just south of Burnside off of Broadway. It’s a small dark place, and the bartenders are the nicest in town. Fantastic beer and a great atmosphere. ^_^
Wil, you are hysterical, those first 2 paragraphs had me laughing out loud. Best of luck in your new role and can’t wait to see your episode of Leverage.
This has made my day sir!
“Gunga galunga.”
Mucho kudos to you, Wil! I look forward to your Leverage role, ‘specially since it’s non-animated! I much enjoyed you in Numb3rs a while back (mentioned in my blog on you at http://milkywayfarer.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/wil-wheaton/). This is the 1st time I’ve posted here but I’ve followed you ever since you wrote about the late Jon Brandis, when I first discovered your blog. In fact, your entertaining, well-written site got me interested in blogging. It’s much like freelance mag & Webzine writing but gives the author creative control. Anyhoo – you’re doing a fantastic job & I hope this means you’ll appear in many more shows soon. Any chance you might do The Mentalist (my 2nd fave show)? Here’s hoping!
—————–
http://milkywayfarer.wordpress.com
“You should go!”
Seconding the call for a meet & greet — if you feel like meeting us locals, we’d be happy to buy you a beer or two!
Try the Old Market Pub… their URL says it all (http://www.drinkbeerhere.com)! If you are feeling tough try the Hot Tamale brew…
Congrats on the gig Wil, was excited for you when the possibility was mentioned last season. Did you see Christian Kane break his head open with his stuntwork as noted on Rogers’ blog yesterday afternoon? Just wondering… break a leg (not a head) and can’t wait to see your appearance.
Aaahhhh, Wil … Leverage. Very cool. One of my favorites from the get-go. Have a great time, enjoy the scenery, soak up the ambiance …. and don’t forget to tell us all about it! Just kidding. Best of luck to you on this new adventure, and here’s to “owning” the character. 🙂
Ang
Congrats on the gig… and now they have another viewer, just watched the pilot and it is awesome. Never thought I’d be complaining that there’s too many good shows on TV to keep up with. Burn Notice may have a contender for my affection.
PWNED! So sayeth the Wil.
Well done, sir. Well done.
Oh! Very nice! “own” … break a leg Wil! I second the thought, will you get a gig in “The Mentalist” show? Meeting of the minds? Future travel would be great about now, waiting is so hard to do with regards to a show to watch!
Break a leg, Wil.
Oh, Man! Episode 7??? It’s gonna feel like an eternity until we get to see the final product. I love the show and it’s good to see you got a part in it. I can’t wait!!
Wil,,,
Again wow..I am so excited for you. It has been a long road and I know you are grateful, but we are too! You are a fantastic actor and it’s great we get to see you act. Way cool to also yak with ya here!
Tk
I really want to find a way to watch this show now. I always feel this way after reading an acting post. It sounds like it’s a good show and that you’re having fun. Also, I’m sure you totally own this character.
And you worked a Mary Pickford reference in. Finally. I love that. True story: I have a plywood cow in my house that I took from a stage production of “Wizard of Oz” I was in a decade ago. His name is Buster for Buster Keaton. Heh. (See it’s relevant because you made a Buster Keaton joke and… I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. This comment is totally relevant in my mind.)
Hope you continue having fun and enjoy Portland! I’m jealous. I haven’t been back there in a while.
Cheers!
Hells yes, Wil. You playing a character opposite Jane on “The Mentalist” would be the best thing ever. Seriously. (Not like you control what shows you get on but still.) Then can you be on NCIS so that you’ll have been on all the investigative drama shows I watch?
You owned the Ted Kord Blue Beetle, so you’re on a roll!
I love leverage. The cast is fantastic, and between the regulars and guests, it bridges the gap between several shows that I love. First, there’s the obvious Whedon connection through Christian Kane. But also through Mark Sheppard (who played Badger), who has also appeared in Burn Notice, Doll House and even did a guest spot on Voyager. Speaking of Star Trek, Jonathan Frakes directed a couple of episodes, one of which included Brent Spiner. Aldis Hodge has a list of guest spots on a number of geek-friendly shows (from the more mainstream Bones and Numb3rs appearances through Supernatural, Buffy and Charmed). Finally, Alex Carter is one of those actors that shows up all over the place in shows that I really enjoy: from appearances on Due South, one of my favorite shows from my teen years, a spot on The Pretender, Bones, Castle, and as Sterling’s henchman on Leverage.
And now, HWhil HWheaton. If they get Bruce Campbell, Nathan Fillion, and David Boreanaz on as guests sometime, Leverage will have had the vast majority of my favorite tv actors on at one time or another.
Holy crap, I love Leverage and can’t wait to see you on it!!!
I was watching a Stand By Me marathon on TV the other day and was thinking that I couldn’t wait to see you in something again (its been too long since Criminal Minds)… and how much I wanted to pinch those cheeks!
Ah, the old homunculus in the brain bit. I never get tired of that one. But, the question you have to ask yourself is, if your brain is the little man pulling levers behind the curtain, then who the hell is the great and powerful Oz? I mean, Wil?
I haven’t watched Leverage. Taking on the responsibility of another tv show is… … unappealing. I didn’t watch Arrested Development at your recommendation until long after it was cancelled. Maybe if I had acted sooner it would have given it just enough ratings to hold on and I wouldn’t have this terrible, unfillable hole in my heart today. Do I ever learn from my mistakes? Sometimes. Will I begin watching Leverage? Maybe. Is this all a plot by alien time travels to distract me from building the robot army that foils their invasion in the future? I’ll let the reader decide.
Dude. Your brain, like, needs to be sent to meditation classes or something so it can learn to chill. 🙂
Congrats on the work on Leverage. Too bad the format probably won’t leave you the chance to meet Tim Hutton. That’s one hoopy frood.
A-B-C Wil.
You’re doing it right.
And if I may suggest a beer since my buddy brought some to Minnesota from Cali.
Pliny the Elder was mighty tasty. http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/web/brews/plinytheelder.htm
– Drizz
Will, you are not alone. Over the years, there have been many of us who have tried to lure Louise Brooks back home with us.
thomas gladysz
Director, Louise Brooks Society
http://www.pandorasbox.com
Your takes on characters always seem right Wil. Thats just how talented you are! I love it because I’m an aspiring actress and reading what you write helps me to know how I need to do things in order to prepare. Glad your still goin strong!
I must mention something of which I’m sure you’re aware, but as an Oregonian, I have to brag that Portland is the Microbrewery Capitol OF THE WORLD!!! So drink as many craft brews as you can… and welcome to the Pacific Northwest! (again! : )
Owning it! Woo hoo! Has to feel g-r-r-r-eat!