the road 'here' and what 'here' is actually like

so, on this last blog, I have a couple things to address and share.....

training

http://youtu.be/VtIxrveoDXc

moving to nyc

http://youtu.be/bH69Dc00OIQ

lastly, I have a sound file of my work in COOKIES - the workshop of a new musical in NYC....it is a rehearsal file but should give a pretty good idea of whats going on there, haha....I put some photos of my exploits on the video file as well....

http://youtu.be/XRHSUyxytAg

(rehearsal clip. left the rehearsal talking around it so you could get an idea of the ambiance.)


so, it has definitely been a very long and informative fall. I hope this blog helps and of course, I am always available for help - gilpajr@gmail.com or look me up on facebook! next, I have my workshop of PYRE CANTATA in NYC on Dec. 17, and shooting American Youth in the Spring.

callbacks, bookings, and everything else.....in NEW YORK CITY

so, first things first on this one...I have a video detailing resume prep, headshots, what you need for submissions, networking, and the different websites.

http://youtu.be/FWFLUqYEgBM

second, I have a video talking about HUGE theatre/musical callbacks/bookings

http://youtu.be/ODXIjirZj_8

THINGS I DIDN'T BOOK

http://youtu.be/9pUgH_d6tas

HUGE TV/Commercial callbacks/bookings

http://youtu.be/SadgHwjOfwE

and finally, a blog about my feature film I am producing, directing, and co-starring in

http://youtu.be/Arzryssok3g

for the next blog post....living in NYC!

onwards and upwards

so, onwards and upwards.

in this blog post, I'll talk about each audition, why I made it, when it happened, the process, and the outcome. under each link that I've made, I also have a description (here in the blog).....so lets get started!

http://youtu.be/nVEUKHhMF4o (Sketch Comedy Clip) - NOVEMBER

so this clip is about a character I have been working on for a long time. one of my interests in entertainment is sketch comedy and I would LOVE/I DREAM about being on a show like Parks and Rec, Office, etc. personally, I feel that my skills are best suited for comedy, so I like making characters. this character, named DJ NEXT, is a guy who thinks he is good at everything. I used this for a callback for one of the Upright Citizens Brigade (an improv/stand-up school in NYC that Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and many others started. it is like Second City, where I studied improv/sketch comedy). I didn't book, BUT I did hook up with some one of the producers who liked my idea and am now developing a web-series about DJ NEXT, which is slated to be in production in March! a big lesson here that I learned; sometimes it isn't about what you are auditioning for, it is about who is watching. 

http://youtu.be/j4k-PNk_InA (Chicago PD Callback) - NOVEMBER

this was a callback I had through a Casting Director in Chicago, for Chicago PD. I have been getting on tape for PD and FIRE a ton because the casting director there has been sending me things that I fit. I connected with her on a talent-seeking trip that my agents took me on where I auditioned, and different CD's/agents see you and if they like you, they call you back and get you auditions, etc. I wasn't cast here but I was close, which is all that matters. it isn't about getting cast, it is about doing the best work you can to tell the best story you can and KEEP GETTING CALLED IN, so eventually you'll be cast. this was one of FOUR videos I made. the first three were my initial callbacks and I was given notes, re-adjusted, and sent it again - this was the final one. 

http://youtu.be/QDIYbRTlJSE (Chicago Fire Final Callback) - NOVEMBER

this was a callback I had for Chicago Fire, again through the same casting agency. similar to PD, it was one of a couple videos - this being the last one I sent in. this one was tough; I took it really personally because I thought that I really identified with the role and had done a great job with only two lines. the problem was, I THOUGHT I had done a great job - another lesson learned for me to not take things personally because ultimately, it is just a job and there are thousands of jobs for actors, all the time, and that won't ever stop. taking it personally doesn't help at all. 

http://youtu.be/XF_FJHluiL4 (Buddy Holly Story, Swing Rehearsal) - AUGUST

this was a rehearsal for BUDDY HOLLY at the New Theatre, where I played Ritchie Valens. I thought it would be interesting to post a video showing an actual SWING rehearsal. for this production, I understudied/was a swing (an actor who performs when the other can't) for the role of Ritchie. the other guy who played it was from the broadway cast of Jersey Boys, and is incredible - it was an honor to work with such an amazing cast. I booked this one through a fellow KU alum, actually. he was familiar for my work and called me in - subsequently casting me after a couple callbacks. this was a good, lucrative, fun contract. in the room I was asked to sing la bamba and do a monologue, which I did. after this I was given sides and music which I memorized, and took with me to the final callback - where I was cast. ALWAYS MEMORIZE SIDES. EVERY DIRECTOR ESPECIALLY TV/FILM WILL EXPECT SPOT ON MEMORIZATION. NO ROOM FOR LAZINESS HERE. 

http://youtu.be/uXkLdRxTAG4 (Tapping for Drowsy Chaperone FINAL Callback) - OCTOBER

this is the second part of a two part final callback I did for the Drowsy Chaperone playing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I had to tap in the room after singing the song, which was interesting because I had to make my own combination. Of course, it sounded better in the room - my wood floors at home are very slippery. 

http://youtu.be/x8H-2Qt5Tzg (Cold Feets, Drowsy Chaperone FINAL Callback) - OCTOBER

for this callback, I initially came and sang 16 bars/did a monologue. I have already played Robert, the leading ingénue role of the show, once before, so I sang from the show, tapped, and did a monologue from a similar show. I was called back, where I than performed the song (as chronicled above) and tapped my own combination. I wasn't cast, BUT I was cast in another show they are doing, A Chorus Line. so, once again, it wasn't about what I was auditioning for BUT WHO I was auditioning for. 

http://youtu.be/juRgJzpmFAE (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK) - SEPTEMBER

this one was very hard for me. I know Pippin very well, and took it very personally that I wasn't cast. This Pippin was at the Phoenix Theatre, a GREAT regional contract. They were considering me for the Leading Player in Pippin. Initially, I went in and sang from the show - again, I have been in the show twice and am very familiar with it, so it seemed right - and did a monologue. they called me back for Leading Player (I was expecting to go in for Lewis or Pippin) - so they had me prepare these sides, and these songs. NOW, DISCLAIMER - I made these videos BEFORE I memorized the sides. of course when I went in, I was memorized. in the room the room they gave me a couple adjustments, and I made it to final callbacks - where it was between me and a couple very well known broadway stars for the role. I lost out; they said I was too young; BUT they are considering me for a different show in the Fall. 

http://youtu.be/jgR6v0HK0pM (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)

http://youtu.be/90qZbliymQk (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)

http://youtu.be/FVuIRJFUmtU (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)

http://youtu.be/v2MsSreNWas (Spring Awakening, I used this video once in the Spring and once in the Fall, both for SEMI FINAL CALLBACKS of the show)

I have been considered and made final callbacks for Moritz in Spring Awakening twice - once at the Coterie in Kansas City, once for a HUGE regional contract in Washington State. I didn't book either but I still have the video I used for my initial audition for both - this video is a video I use for many "video submissions". 

KANSAS CITY REP, PIPPIN CLIPS

here are some clips from my first HUGE regional contract starring Mary Testa, Wallace Smith, John Hickock produced my the Kansas City Rep - Eric Rosen, Chase Brock, and Curtis Moore. these are very famous people who were incredible to work with - here are some clips! I was bald back than so.....hahahahaha!

http://youtu.be/t_fXZf8TgOA (behind the scenes with Eric and the cast)

http://youtu.be/XkiocaNfEm4 (Sneak Peek)

http://youtu.be/XkiocaNfEm4 (Sneak Peek)

in my next post, I'll talk about my main HUGE callbacks, two bookings, and moving to NYC.....I hope you enjoyed this post, it is a pretty comprehensive explanation of the audition process for TV, Theatre, and Musical Theatre.

much love,

still,

gil

the beginning

okay, so....I made a deal with my mentor, one of the opinions I respect most in the world. this blog is dedicated to my come-up in Kansas, my move to Chicago, than my move to New York City. In this blog I detail my audition experiences, earning/CLAIMING my AEA/SAG-AFTRA, and chronicle the hustle that is NEW YORK CITY. and believe me everybody, it is nothing short of a hustle. the posts will cover this and even include youtube videos! which, I wish were interactive or something but they aren't. under each video, I have an explanation of the whole process - so happy reading colleagues!

firstly, here is my website and demo reel....this whole blog, is indeed, dedicated to everything that came up to this point, so I think this reel will be of compelling use in giving a "for now" ending point - since it was one of my huge goals the last four years.

www.about.me/gilperezabraham (reel is on first page of website)

so, second things second, lets talk about ages 17 - 21 in.....four minutes or less.

http://youtu.be/Zmdiadxw0Nw

now, equity and sag-aftra explanations

http://youtu.be/aOcN8OHYx2s

so, now we are caught up - we know what I look like, what I sound like, AEA/SAG-AFTRA, and all the other little details I thought would be important to introducing the blog. so, I hope you enjoy this blog. it has taken a considerable amount of effort to put it all together but I think it is actually quite helpful...ESPECIALLY to anybody considering pursuing acting full-time after college. it is hard, it is honest, and it is invigorating...not a pursuit to be taken lightly.

much love

still,

gil

si se puede

so, it has been a minute. obviously a hot minute. as in; where do I start? I lived in Chicago, New York City, Kansas City, and everywhere in between. Now nearing my sixth month of nomadic style, I am returning to Chicago? Until January? ......

YEAH, I'm a bit surprised as well.

see, the issue is, we all think we have some sort of semblance of control over what our future holds. the reality is, however, the absolute opposite. sometimes the 'STARS' or 'COSMOS' (whatever, you get the idea) all align in a way that we can't control. what I did come to terms with, however, was that I would be a fool to ignore certain doors opening while others close. *philosophy time over*

but really though. you never know when you are going to fall madly in love with somebody with nothing but a look, we never know when our dreams our going to come true, and we never really know what the avenue to any of these things are. we think we do, but why would we? things are so unexpected and the interconnectivity we inhabit as humans is amazing. I can attest that the happenings of the last couple weeks alone have changed my life drastically--making me the happiest man I have ever been.

what fun would life be if everything was prescribed?

so yeah, I think I am done making 'concrete' plans for a while. for now, I'm just going to sit on the side of this little rowboat I'm floating on and make sure to take the best instagrams I can.

because after all, what are we other than the choices we make and the instagrams we take?

amor to anybody who reads this, aka, all 3 of my friends I somehow got to subscribe. I'll be writing a lot more from now on. maybe.

love love

Senior-itis (not quite)

So, I'm entering into an interesting period of college. The last two weeks of school before my senior year of college. Senior year. What does this bring up? Dreams of police raided parties, running through trenches (ruining white shoes) escaping drug dogs, and...homework. Lots and lots of homework. Because of course, that is what happens when you are taking 20 - 24 hours (possible because of online coursework) a semester. Oh, the joys of higher education.

I ask myself, where will my degree take me? It is no small fact about my life that I used to attend the University of Kansas's younger brother, (technically, not true, but by academic and extracurricular standards absolutely true), Kansas State. Although my time there was quite illustrious and filled with incredible times, it was also filled with some of the worst times of my life. Never have I encountered so much bullying of my personality and self as I did there in both academic settings and social. I found myself, with a 3.7 GPA and plenty of involvement on campus, isolated. I hated who I was and the people around me reminded me of this every day. I lost the essence of self worth and began to perform in social settings just to fit in! How sad. At the urging of my wonderful girlfriend, who single-handedly changed my life for the better, I began to look at other theatre programs. I looked at Minnesota, UMKC, etc., etc. Never did I think to look at KU. Some of the students I had known at KSU promised me that I was "not good enough" to compete at KU, that I wasn't good enough to leave KSU. Although I had some wonderful friends in the program there, it seemed that the negative influences outweighed the positive, which unwittingly played on every fray of every nerve I had. Although I had worked professionally and was well on my way to my Actor's Equity Membership, I was stricken by those words and doubted myself. I asked myself over and over, why am I doing this? Against my better thoughts, I came to visit the University of Kansas.

How amazing that day was. My dad, my best friend, and I were wandering around this gorgeous campus with John Staniunas, the Chair of the Kansas Theatre Department. He was telling us all about he illustrious alumnus from KU Theatre, the boards, scholarship opportunities, KC connections, NYC/LA showcase, and the list goes on. We were floored (My dad and I). I met some of the students and I knew I needed to come here. I immediately, for the first time in college, felt like I wholeheartedly fit in somewhere.

So, I came. After spending the summer in beautiful Macon, MO working as an actor for Maples Repertory Theatre, I came to Kansas with one of my best friends, Caiel Noble (also a transfer from KSU). We immediately fell in love. We were accepted by the theatre department and auditions went well; I was cast as Noah in Noah's Art (an original musical) and Caiel was cast as three roles in Shakespeare in Hollywood. Right off the bat, we were in. Just like that we were part of the family.

This year has been nothing short of incredible. A wonderful (almost) Championship run, fulfilling professional acting training from a FAR-ABOVE average faculty, and meeting some of the best friends I have had since starting college. So, how do I feel? I feel sorry I wasn't here since the beginning. I am thankful for KSU because of the lessons I learned but I will always wonder how much different (maybe better?) my undergrad would have been having been at KU all four years instead of just a quick two.

Heres to junior year and my Friday nights with my home away from home; my family here at the University of Kansas.

No pare, sigue, sigue!

Don't stop, always look forward. No pare, sigue, sigue! A beautiful saying I've heard my grandmother sing, Lin Manuel-Miranda rap, and always hear ringing in my head. Sometimes, you sit back and think about the things that inspire you in life and you realize; you don't choose your inspirations. I didn't choose any of my mentors, they each came to me out of need and "right place at the right time" type situation. So what if its cheesy? What is the point of living if you aren't looking towards something? I want to act. I love entertainment. There is nothing I love more in the world than the work that I do. The filming, the rehearsals, the memorizing, the dissection, the dream, all of it. It is a beautiful thing to have purpose, to have love, and to dedicate oneself so entirely to something that you know nothing else could substitute. So, no pare, sigue, sigue! I would challenge all of us to always strive towards something greater than ourselves; to never let our heads be put down by reality, jealous/angry people, and our own minds. They say that our mind is our greatest enemy; nothing could me more true in a profession where we are constantly looking in the mirror.

So, this weekend I shot my first series pilot. Talk about amazing. A fresh cast (possibly the most talented I've worked with to date), a director from Los Angeles, and two days to shoot something that could turn into something huge. So many dreams on set and they all come together for the perfect conglomeration shot on a RED.    

Its a wonderful life that we have and we only live once. The doors are all open to us; lets not close them. I would have never thought I would be cast as a lead in a comedy series. I would have never imagined half of the things I am up to constantly but they happened all the same.

Luck favors the prepared mind.

No pare, sigue, sigue! Que todos encontremos bellesa en nuestras vidas.

So, I suppose I should do some quick updates...

I was recently cast in a Show Pilot as a principle role (Michael). It is being produced by humoresque productions (check them out these guys are awesome!). It is a comedy show and will be my first chance to apply improv and (attempts) at comedy.

I am shooting a movie next week. I'm playing "the driver", a criminal who takes part in a robbery.

I just wrapped a feature short called "Spark", produced by Alan Ginsberg Productions. Amazing experience as it was my first principle role in a film. You can watch it here....

http://www.aginsberg.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=11&p=-1&a=0&at=0

It is a great story with great cinematography and (hopefully) acting worthy to watch!

My two man show, "A Steady Rain" by Keith Huff has secured a producer and rehearsals are in full swing.

I'll be spending the summer in between the prestigious William Esper Studio studying Meisner and the Second City furthering my study in writing and improv.

Doing a professional show in Kansas City (my KC Debut) directed by one of my great friends and mentors Alex Espy in May.

Other than that just ready to finish off the semester. I am more than ready to be done with Undergrad; nothing is more frustrating and rewarding at the same time.

I named this "Friday Nights with Stuffed Animals" because not too long ago, in pursuit of a role, I became homeless for two days. I didn't go home, I didn't use my phone, I merely took $5 with me and begged for the rest. Needless to say, that emancipation left me needing a shower and some 'alone time'. Anyway, I spent Friday and Saturday night with a guy who called himself "Teddy", ala, stuffed animals. 


So, in lieu of having a counselor, I try to let out my musings on non English/Spanish speakers and stuffed animals. Goes to show, huh?


A little "about me". I am a professional actor. I trained at the University of Kansas (2011 - 2013), the Second City Conservatory (2012), and The William Esper Studio (2012). I briefly was in a 'Fraternity' but after one too many "eiffel towers" I had my fill of the Stepford Husbands and stepped out. I enjoy music, writing, fitness, and charitable work (cheesy, I know. Hell of a pick up line though when I try to say I want to be a re-constructive surgeon in Nigeria). I love reading and am definitely a "driven little runt" (little, because I am 5'6, 155. Welterweight?). I am always looking towards tomorrow; the next opportunity, the next job, the next skill I can learn, the next person I can meet. Sometimes I revel in today but I've found that, at least for me, too much reveling leads to forgetting what lies ahead. We have dreams for a reason and I certainly keep mine in mind.


Need to know anything else? I think you can contact me through here. I love e-mail. It is gilpajr@gmail.com. I'll post updates of my life, work updates, photos, and attempts at jokes. I'll probably say inflammatory things and I'm bound to crack some dieeeeck jokes, Latino/Italian jokes (since I am, for all you player haters out there), and theatre-major jokes. It is my nature to be cynical; I don't take things at face value. Never have, never will.