A new day has been born!!!

      '98 Forest Green Honda Accord Coupe EX
                   Code name: "Cash Money"
                                  aka
                      "The Green Hornet"

                        March 16th, 2004

MARCH 19th '04*Drop-offs, drop-offs & more drop-offs. I have yet to mail a single photo; I have decided to just drive them all around town. I did a bunch in Beverly Hills today. Parking anywhere in LA is difficult, but in Beverly Hills it's a complete nightmare. I was so glad when that part was over. It's so much work, but it makes me feel as though I am doing something for my career. It is so so much easier in my new car, I'm really happy with it.

Audition: Pilot Presentation "The Rev" @ Henderson/Zuckerman Casting. This is the project I was a reader for last week. It went really well, I felt. It would be nice to book something, ya know!! I also had a commercial audition for "McDonald's @ Steven Erdek Casting. I auditioned with two small children. One five and the other six, they were complete stars. I had trouble keeping up with these kids, they were great.

MARCH 21st '04*I wonder how long it will take until I am used to walking to the driver side of the car.  After 7 1/2 months of going to the passenger side it will take a little time to get back to normal.

MARCH 22nd '04*I gave blood today at the SAG office. I really wish I hadn't seen the size of the needle that they use. I know, I shouldn't have looked!!

I attend a "SAG Conversations" and the guest were the cast of "The Shield". This show keeps it real. They sound like they have a great time working together. Afterwards I spoke to lead actress CCH Pounder and told her I live in a building that she did many years ago.  She got a laugh out of that.  I really look forward to working on another hour drama show. Great stories from the whole cast.

MARCH 23rd '04*Audition "Their Eyes Were Watching God" @ Robi Reed Casting. It's an ABC Movie of the Week starring Halle Berry. It is very, very rare that I audition for any of the African-American casting directors in town. So I was really looking forward to reading for Robi. It was 12 pages of sides, 5 different scenes, but it was only one line in each scene. I rehearsed it and went over it with my buddy Jon. I felt I found a beginning, middle and end in each scene while rehearsing, but when I got in the room it was over before I even got started. I'm like flipping pages and all I remember hearing was "great". Yeah right, I blew it. Oh well, next!

MARCH 24th '04*More and more drop-offs!!

MARCH 25th '04*THREE YEARS!!!  Today marks 3 years since I left my job as a waiter/valet at The Hollywood Standard on Sunset Strip.  It's sometimes still hard to believe I have been able to make a living at this for this long.  I'm not really surprised, but the reality of it is still kinda surreal.  Here's to 3 more years and beyond!!

Audition "Buick" @ Cathi Carlton Casting.  The audition goes well.  I see Cathi & Terry Berland on the way out and they both like my new look and photos.  Cool, those are great CD radar's to be on.  I've booked through Cathi's office twice and would like to again and SOON!!  I tip my friend Jon off to this audition because he doesn't get nearly as many appointment as I's like to see him get.  Anyway, he goes to the office and they agree to see him and he gets a callback.  No callback for me though.

MARCH 29th '04*Audition "Charmed" @ Leslee Dennis Casting.  The audition goes really, really well.  It was a pre-read so I can only hope for a callback at this point.  This is about the fourth time I have been in for this show.  I'm glad they continue to call me in and I really would like to book it one of these days. 

I rarely get sick, but I feel something coming on.  NOOOO!!!!!  I have no time to get sick or be under the weather even for a day.

MARCH 30th '04*More drop-offs.  Cool!!  The film that I auditioned and had a callback for about a 6 weeks, "Three Wise Women" booked me.  I didn't get the role I auditioned for, but I got something.  It's a SAG Experimental contract film.  Yeah!!

The wardrobe department from "Ocean's Twelve" called today to get my sizes.  That is a good sign, only 4 more months to go!! 

MARCH 31st '04*Audition "IBM" @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting.  This is a Joe Pytka directed spot.  The audition goes really, really well.  I could see myself in this spot.  I don't think they usually have callbacks so I have my fingers crossed.  I worked for this lengendary commercial director about 2 years ago.  I would really like to get back on board for another one. 

APRIL 1st '04*Commercial audition: "Rite-Aid" @ Divisek Casting.  This one goes really well, CALL ME BACK, I'm available!!!

Pilot audition: "Entourage" @ Walken/Jaffe Casting.  It's a 1/2 hour episodic for HBO.  This one goes pretty good, although I felt a little stiff for no good reason.

Callback for "The Rev" @ Henderson/Zuckerman Casting.  It's a pilot presentation shooting in Vancouver.  For this callback they added another scene, but we didn't read the initial scene from the first call.  I liked the inital scene better.  It would be nice to get on board for this one.

APRIL 5th '04*On Friday my friend Jonathan gave me a tip on a commercial audition for "Buick" @ Lien/Cowan Casting.  I dropped a photo at 8am this morning on my way to the gym and was prepared to wait and see.  Then Jon called again after his audition to tell me that I really should be seen for it.  For some reason I wasn't feeling the notion to go to the casting office and "stake out the joint".  So I elected to call my agents at KSA and asked them about it, 10 minutes later I had an appointment.  I went in and the audition went great.  A callback would be nice.

APRIL 6th '04*Audition "SBC Global @ Cathi Carlton Casting.  This one goes really well.  I had four kids to work with in the audition.  With kids, I find, you have to kinda go full force and break the ice with them.  Otherwise they can be tenative, sorta surprised that an adult is even talking to them.  I had a great time with these kids. 

I went to see commercial CD Jeff Rosenman speak at the SAG Conservatory tonight and he was great.  He relayed lots of insight into the casting process and the use of LA Casting Network.  

APRIL 7th '04*Audition: "New York Stock Exchange" @ Terry Berland Casting.  Goes well.

Audition: "Hood Dairy" @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  My last commercial booking, the "Michelob Ultra" (which NEEDS to start running) was through this office.  Anyway, the audition goes well.  Maybe lightning will strike again.

I did a bunch of drop-offs today.  Anything to keep busy, ya know.  I'm telling ya, what I do with all of these drop-offs everyday is SOoooo "not" normal.  I mean it's crazy.  I find myself talking to myself trying to find parking going "WHYYYYYY".   I know why, but sometimes it catches me off guard and I react like a normal person. 

When I walked in Chelsea Studios for drop offs this morning I saw a gentleman putting 3 of each of his headshots in each box.  I REALLY wanted to say something to him.  I refrained, thinking there had to be something going on that I didn't understand.  I didn't want to come off as a "know-it-all" so I stayed silent.  Plus he was much bigger than me!!  It bugged me all day though.  I figured many people don't understand how and/or why I do what I do the way I do it.  Maybe he had the same mojo going on.    

This was a bright spot for me.  Also while at Chelsea Studios I witnessed one of the employees for Craig Colvin Casting actually check the box while I stood there.  WHAT!!!  "They DO check those boxes?!!  Yup! I saw it!"  I mean there was only like 5 photos in it so he must check on a regular basis.  Then I saw him glance at it again before he went back behind the counter.  That gave me a lot of energy to keep on keepin' on.  I really needed it today, because I ran into several parking problems, address problems and a PO Box place that wouldn't take a drop-off for Jeff Hardwick Casting.  I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

APRIL 8th '04*Audition: "Tufts Medical Institute" @ Sheila Manning Casting.  Quick-fast and it was over in a flash.

APRIL 13th '04*Not a whole lot going these 'cept for mny drop-off routine.  I'm just going through my database scouring for any opportunity that might be out there for me.  Since I got another car it could prevent me from going home for my usual month this Summer.  I may need to stay in LA and keep trying to make things happen.  That is not a pleasant thought, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  

APRIL 14th '04*Audition: "Verizon" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This one shoots in New York.  Do you have any idea how much I would love to go to NY right now!!  First things first.  The audition went really, really well.  Maybe a callback is in order for me.  They've been kinda scarce lately.  

More drop-offs today.  Beverly Hills has got to be the worst place to do drop-offs, there is never any where to park.  It's like I need a partner so one of us could just stay in the car whikle the other ran inside to do the drop.  I know that wouldn't work for me, I am much to weird in my approach and I would drive someone crazy.  Or be driven crazy. 
 
APRIL 15th '04*Audition: "AT&T" @ ASG Casting.  This audition goes really well.  I usually leave my cell phone in my car when I go into audition just to keep the distractions to a minimum.  Of course in this audition I needed a cellphone.  My partner that I was auditioning with didn't have his either.  Note to self:  If it's a cellphone commercial audition bring your cell phone. 

After the audition I stopped by to see my commercial agents to say hello.  I was wearing a suit and I like for them to see me in different looks.  I told them I was wearing a suit as a "diversionary tactic" so that they would forget that I haven't booked anything in a while and callbacks have been few.  Ironically, they laughed and said "you do have a callback tomorrow we just hadn't called you yet".  Cool!!  It's for Sheila Manning too for the "Tufts Medical Institute" in went in on last week. 

While at the office I ran into a guy named Biff who I used to wait tables with in New York at The Harley-Davidson Cafe.  It was great to see him and good to see us still in the game making it happen. 

Afterwards I went to see my theatrical agents with the same scheme.  Kelley quickly reminded me that I had just booked "Ocean's Twelve" and I said "Yes!!, but there is a lot more to come".  She assured me that things are well and I was one my way.  I feel so fortunate to be with the agents I am with.  It's been almost six years.

Tonight while watching "The Apprentice" I saw a promo for "The Terminal".  I even saw myself, well the back of me.  Actually, I didn't recognize myself at first because I forgot that i had dreadlocks when I shot.  I hope my scene with the incredible Mr. Hanks makes the final cut.

APRIL 16th '04*Callback: "Tufts Medical Institute" @ Sheila Manning Casting.  The director is George Hickenlooper and he does films.  So I did some research on him and found that he's directing an upcoming Jennifer Aniston film.  I searched for a photo of him so I would know exactly what he looked like when I walked in the room.  When I walked in he was the first person I saw.  The audition went well I thought.  It was me and a young lady auditioning together.  There were no lines so he just had us improv a scenerio he gave us.   He cut us off abruptly during both improvs.  Either he hated us or loved us we thought.  I guess we'll find out.........or not.

Audition: "IDT" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This one goes really well and I think I am really right for it.

DING DING DING!!!  Two hours after the callback I get the word that I am booked for the "Tufts Medical Institute" commercial.  It's a Boston regional spot, so it won't run here.  I'm just glad to be working.

APRIL 17th '04*This morning my brother sent me this photo of my niece & nephew with Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes/N.E.R.D. fame.  He was visiting our family deli to get a bite to eat.  For some reason that I can't really explain there are a lot of really successful musicians from my hometown.  In addition to Pharrell there is Missy Elliott & Timbaland and others.  It's funny to go home and work at the deli and make a sandwich for him.  What's REALLY funny is that he always congratulates me on what I'm doing.  He'll go like "yo man, you really doing your thing.  keep it up!!"  That's cool and all, but this cat is setting it on fire.  And he's a great guy too. 
 
APRIL 19th '04*I had my fitting today for the "Tufts Medical Institute" commercial.  That was a great thing since I didn't have any auditions scheduled, at least I got paid to be fitted.  At the callback I saw Franklin Cover, he played "Tom" on "The Jefferson's" years ago.  I got a chance to talk him a little, he's a really nice man.  I also will be working with Marianne Muellerleile.  I worked with her on the pilot of "Life With Bonnie".  She is a series regular on the show and plays "Gloria" the housekeeper.  This woman works constantly and is still so greatful to still be working.  She is a really good spirit.

I have always considered myself to be a self-described nerd, geek or what have you, today it was confirmed.  While being fitted I was wearing a dress shirt that had a size 14 1/2 neck.  After I got my tie on Matt, the stylist, said I needed to go down to a size 14!!  I guess that makes me a "pencil necked geek".  Oh well.

APRIL 20th '04*Audition: "Safeway" @ Beth Holmes Casting.  Just yesterday I was talking to my friend Marvin about how I rarely get appointments at that casting office.  The last time I talked to Marv about a specific something I hadn't gotten in on I booked it and it was "Friends", maybe this is a good sign.  Anyway, the audition went really well.  

APRIL 22nd '04*Call time-6am.  Shooting "Tufts Medical Institute" @ LA Center Studios.  The shoot goes well, I did a full day of sitting around before I actually got to work.  That's the way it goes sometimes, it was just great to be on set again.  The spot starts running in the Boston area on May 10th.

APRIL 26th '04*Audition: "Monk" @ CFB Casting.  This is my second time to producers for the show.  It went really well again, hopefully eventually I'll go the distance and book.  

Afterwards I had to catch up on my drop-offs and it was hot, hot hot!!!  I am so glad that I got another car to tackle this part of my job, it makes such a difference.  A/C is good!!  For the car and the apartment!!!

APRIL 29th '04*Audition: "Holiday Inn Express" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  I had to take my shirt off.  WHAT!!!  I'm no Calvin Klein model and my body is far from that, but I went for it.  Maybe they are looking for a thin black guy.  Anyway, it goes well.  One of these days I am going to book for Ross again, it's been like 4 years.  

MAY 1st '04*I am SOOO excited about my life.  They are so many things I want to do in this world.  I really have a vision of working in the business that my family has had for 24 years.  I've had this vision since before I left Virginia Beach to begin my acting career almost a decade ago.  I feel that if my father wasn't running the business my brothers and I could be wildly successful.  My father lacks the vision that my brothers and I have.

It's just one of the many things I think we can do.  A friend recently asked if I was thinking of leaving the acting world to pursue other interest.  No!! I just plan to add many other things to my life.  For instance I would love to be a talent agent or manager, a Honda salesman, an auto mechanic, a photographer, etc.  I can't forget that I also plan to be one heck of a father, husband and continue to be a supportive brother.  In due time, in due time my son.  

May 4th '04*I have an ADR session for the "Tufts Health Plan" commercial today.  This is good news because it indicates that the spot is going to run and I didn't get edited out.  I had one line to due and I was in/out in a flash. 

More drop-offs are the order for the day.  I am really trying to get an audition for "XXX2".  I did another drop-off at that office today.  Maybe they'll write a scene with me and Ice Cube chasing the bad guys.  Or maybe not.

After a long, hot day behind the wheel I received a call from Brooke, one of my commercial agents @ KSA.  She just wanted to let me know that they are really happy to have me as a client.  They check in on this Long Assssss story from time to time and get a kick out of it.  They are wonderful agents and wonderful people; the type of people that I like to be associated with.  I plan to booked many more jobs, travel to more places and cash more checks with them in the future.  Go KSA!!

MAY 5th '04*Today I dropped off a "thank you" card to Sheila Manning @ Sheila Manning Casting.  That is who cast the commercial I recently shot.  I wanted to get in and out quickly and not get in the way.  She was at her desk when I walked in and didn't expect her to know who I was; and she didn't.  She said "can I help you?"  I told her I came to bring her a thank you card and she perked up.  I was trying to leave right away, but she started talking and was racing to open the card so she would know who I was.  She saw my name and the name of the spot I did and was very thankful for the gesture.  We chatted for a bit and she told me what the original concept for the spot was.  I told what a great time I had working with Franklin Cover from "The Jefferson" fame.  I also gave her some other info that she didn't already know and she was delighted.  This is the second booking I've had through her office and I think she might remember me from now on.  At any rate she keeps bring me in.  Thanks Sheila!!

MAY 8th '04*YES!!! Today I went to see a motocross race out at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino.  I love this sport, I just wish I got to ride more often.  It feels good to be really impressed by the talent of others.  I feel like such a fan when I attend the races.  I've been fortunate to work with some really big names in the TV/Film business, but when I see these MX riders I am just as impressed with their talent if not more.  It was a good day that totally made me forget about a lot of things. 

MAY 10th '04*Wow!  It was 9 years ago today that I moved to New York from Virginia Beach, VA.  What a ride it's been.  I can't believe some of the experiences that I've had along the way.  It boggles my mind that I've traveled to Japan, Spain, Washington DC & Miami all for acting work. 

I remember arriving at Port Authority NYC @ 6:30am like it was yesterday.  The first thing I noticed was that the weather was much cooler than what I was used to in the month of May and course how filthy 42nd Street was.  The next thing that woke me up was how much cash I "didn't" have. 

My buddy, Greg and I, had a ton of stuff with us so we needed a taxi to get to our destination on 46th & 10th.  By this time I was wide awake to the fact that my life-savings of $200 wasn't going to take me very far.  WHAT!!! 

Arriving on 46th St. in Hell's Kitchen was a "you are no longer in Kansas" message to say the least.  I had visited NYC many times before, but now I was going to be living here.  Let the games begin, and they did...........

..........9 years later I find myself in Los Angeles feeling pretty good about things.  It's definitely a roller-coaster ride, but I am extremely fortunate.

I must say as time goes by I find myself really wanting to do other things.  I don't know, I miss working with my hands.   Not that I ever did too much manual labor, but things like changing the oil in my car and cutting the grass.

I am trying to figure out a way to divide myself into about five different people so I can do all of what I want to do.  One can be a motivational speaker on a book tour, another playing stick-ball with his kids, still another cooking with the "wifey", another waxing my 2 little brothers asses on the motocross track with my sisters laughing and lastly getting to work with Denzel Washington in a film.  Wait!!  Maybe I just need to plan better and get my priorities straightened out.  Perhaps?  Probably.  Oh well.   

MAY 12th '04*Audition: "FannieMae Foundation" @ Pamela Starks Casting.  It goes well.

MAY 17th '04*Cricket sounds.  Can you hear them?  I think it's time to leave town.

MAY 18th '04*Today I received a call about the indie film I booked a couple of months ago.  It's called "Three Wise Women" and it's being produced by my friend Jennifer Fontaine.  I shoot on June 2nd.  It's great to see actors getting their own projects up and running.  Many people talk the talk, Jennifer is walking the walk.  Go girl!! 

MAY 19th '04*Audition: "Lowes" @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  This audition goes really well.  It felt great all the way around; from the drive there to finding parking, reading with two fabulous actors and not getting a parking ticket.  A couple of years ago I did get a parking ticket while at a callback at this same casting facility.  Hmmmmm........

MAY 24th '04*I became a godfather this afternoon.  WHAT!!!  Yeah, my friend of about 20 years Jonathan Julian became a first time dad and blessed with me with being the godfather of his daughter.  Hazel Bashir was born @ 3:54 this afternoon.  Incredible!

MAY 25th '04*What is going on with my life?  Sometimes I feel I really know and other times I have no clue.  It's not that I'm unhappy or disenchanted about the way things are working.  Actually, things are quite well.  It's just that there is so much more I want to do.  I am really feeling the itch to go back to Virginia Beach and work in the family business or start up a new one with my two brothers.

This is not a new thought for me.  I have always planned to make this happen in some form or fashion, but lately the urge has been quite strong.  I actually thought about the notion of really doing it.  The problem is that I really like what I do here in Los Angeles.  I guess that's not a problem really. 

I have a connection with my little brother Todd like no one else on this planet and I look forward to working together with him.  I don't see myself severely cutting back my time in LA, but I am thinking about.  Everything starts with an idea. 

It was scary to even think about the reality of doing it.  I know I was really serious because tears came to my eyes just pondering the notion.

I usually get kinda weird about things in May/June & December before I go home for vacation.  I think I'm just a little rundown and need a break.  

With all of this being said I don't see myself walking in my agents' offices and saying "Thanks for everything, I'm leaving" anytime soon.  I still have a lot of work to do in this business, more countries to visit, more characters to explore, more legends to work with, bigger checks to deposit, etc.  My agents have worked hard, they believe in me and I have put in a lot of time and dedication to get where I am.  I can't just walk away from what momentum I have...........at least not now.   

I'm sure this anxiety will subside a bit once I get back to Virginia in the middle of June, but I definitely have an itch that may need scratching.

MAY 26th '04*I called the ad agency for the "Tufts Health Plan" commercial to see if I could find out what the projected run is.  I left a message, they returned my call with the information and offered to send me a copy.......I didn't even have to ask.  Cool!

I so often think about how fortunate I am.  It was just about a year ago that I saw the casting notice for "The Terminal" on the Actorsite website and dropped off my photo.   Here it is a year later and that drop-off has lead to some pretty cool things:

Both are big budget studio films
Both were cast by the same casting office (Debra Zane Casting)
Both were from dropping off my own photos
Both directors first and last names start with the letter "S"  (Steven Spielberg & Steven Soderbergh)
Both directors are Oscar winners
One of my characters works in an airport, the other is a flight attendant
Both films star Catherine Zeta-Jones

How do these amazing things continue to materialize for me?  I can't really answer that, but I'll stay faithful to the plan I hatch 10+ years ago.  Often time I simply "wow".

MAY 27th '04*YES!!!  I have a callback for the "Lowe's" @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  While I am signing in at the callback is see that the production company is "Schofield Films/NY".  Hmmmm.........  That is the same production company that produced the "Ford Expedition" spot I did in Brooklyn, NY back in July '98.  When I went in the room the first person I see is Stan Schofield, the director of that spot.  I said "hello".  I'm not sure if he knew who I was, but it was good to see him.  He was really a pleasure to work with back then.  At any rate the audition went well and we'll if I fit in the spot anywhere.

MAY 29th '04*"Shrek 2".  Funny, really funny.

JUNE 2nd '04*Okay today I am shooting a role in the indie feature "Three Wise Women".  Again this is the project that my friend Jennifer Fontaine is producing.  She is living proof that it can be done.  A lot of people talk, but few walk it.  She and her team are walking it.  I am so proud of her.  The biggest surprise was I showed and found out that I was getting paid!!!  I just hadn't really thought about that.  I knew it was a SAG contract, but I thought it was deffered pay.  As they say "you go girl!!" 

JUNE 4th '04*I had a meeting with my tax preparer today and I was looking at my earnings over the last 7 years.  It was quite interesting to look at the flucuations over the years.  When I look at the raw numbers it seems that best thing I ever did was to resign from waiting tables.  When I stopped waiting tables my earnings more than doubled the next year.  Go figure.  I hope I didn't just jinx myself!!

Film: "The Notebook" @ the DGA.  I really, really enjoyed this film.  Parts of it reminded me of my mother which made tears flow.  Parts of it reminded me of my father which made me think of how tragic the lack of a relationship between us is.  The rest of it made me look forward to being in love with someone and having a family.  

JUNE 5th '04*Film: "Dear Frankie" @ the DGA.  I enjoyed this film.

JUNE 6th '04*I WANNA GO HOME!!!!!!!!!  I cannot wait to get to Virginia, I just need a break to do something else for minute.  I am in shut down mode, I stopped doing drop-offs about 10 days ago.  Honestly, I don't want to have any auditions before I leave to town.  I'll print postcards before I leave and send them from Virginia before I come back so I can hit the ground running.  I'll be fresh and ready to rock n roll.

JUNE 8th '04*NOOOOOO!  I get a call for an audition.  It's cool though, it auditions and shoots this week.  Also this director 
doesn't usually have callbacks.  

Audition: "Sony" @ Loree Booth/TLC Casting.  I think there is something that I am right for in this spot.  The legend Joe Pytka is the director and I have worked for him before.  Maybe that will work in my favor.

JUNE 11th '04*Still just counting the days until I go to LAX for my flight home. To pass the time I've been spending an insane amount of time at the gym and riding my mountain bike.

I'm in training for the "Fuller Motocross Challenge". My two younger brothers are talking a lot of smack so I really need to go home and represent on the dirt bike. I am the reigning champ, but this time it's a much longer track. I'm not too concerned about my skills but my fitness hasn't been tested. They ride pretty often, but I haven't ridden since December.

JUNE 13th '04*Mentoring session @ Actorsite.

JUNE 14th '04*LA actor orientation for a group of actors from the Actor's Connection in New York visiting the LA market.

JUNE 15th '04*   INT. Stephon's Apt 6:29pm.

SFX: (Phone ringing/Caller ID-Private Caller) Usually that's my agency. 

Stephon: Hello.

Brittany(agency assistant): Hey Stephon?  It's Brittany.

Stephon: Hey, how are you?

Brittany: Great and you?

Stephon: Fantastic.

Brittany: Debra Zane called.  She was asking if you are attending "The Terminal" screening tomorrow night.

Stephon:  Oh yeah, I'll be there.

Brittany:  She's a big fan of yours.  You've been in the office twice and booked twice.

Stephon: I'm a bigger fan of hers!!

Brittany: Anyway, she called to inform us that your role in "Ocean's Twelve" had been cut.

Stephon: Aww really?  Oh well, it happens like that sometimes.

Brittany: Yeah, she said they were doing a lot of rewrites and it was cut.  She wanted to give you a "heads up" so you wouldn't find out at the screening.

Stephon: Well, who knows maybe they'll write it back in.

Brittany: Maybe.

Stephon: I hope I actually made the final cut in "The Terminal".

Brittany: Huh?

Stephon:  Yeah, you never know until you know.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow night.  Thanks.

Brittany: Sorry, see ya.

Stephon: Bye.....

JUNE 16th '04*Tonight is the cast & crew screening for "The Terminal".  I can't believe I made the final cut of the film.  Just about everything I shot was there.  It was a first for me to see myself in a studio film.  I hope for many more to come.

JUNE 17th '04*I didn't get a chance to see and thank "The Terminal" casting director & associate Debra Zane & Tannis Vallely at the screening so I stopped by the office today.  They are just the nicest people and were very sorry that my scene in "Ocean's Twelve" was cut, but I am more thankful to be in a position were that could happen.  It happens all the time and it's nobody's fault.  I'll get 'em next time.  Deb & Tannis gave me the heads up on another project they are doing this Fall.  I always feel great when I talk to them.

On my way out of the office I ran into Lee Thompson Young of "The Famous Jett Jackson" fame.  I chatted with him for a moment and told him that I did a voiceover for his character several years ago.  We got a laugh out of it.  Nice guy.

Tonight I am going home on the red-eye flight to Virginia Beach, VA.  I am SO looking to this.  LAX here I come!!

JUNE 18th '04*HUMIDITY!!!  And it feels good.  I am so glad to not be in LA right now.  I just really needed a break and here it is.  When I get back to LA I will be ready to make it happen, but right now I want to spend time with family, cut grass, motocross ride, go to the beach among many other things. 

Tonight I get a call from casting director Ricki Maslar to participate in a script reading for a director next week.  Obviously I can't do it since I'm on vacation, but hopefully she'll call me again soon.  She cast me in an independent film several years ago and I hope to get in her office more often. 

JUNE 20th '04*Budd's Creek Maryland here we come.  Today I along with my family are attending the US National Motocross Series stop in Maryland.  We spent a long hot day in the sun and had a blast.  There was a lot of great racing and a lot of great laughs to be had.

JUNE 21st '04*Today I get a call from Henderson/Zuckerman Casting to work as a reader this week.  Can't do it.

My theatrical agency calls with an appointment for NBC's "Las Vegas".  Can't go.  I didn't even know they were back in production already.  That's 3 calls in 2 days, hopefully it's a sign of things to come when I return to Los Angeles.

JUNE 27th '04*Today was the big motocross day for my family.  My nephew and two brothers Jeff & Todd have their own bikes.  Since we are one bike short we trade off when we ride/race each other.  While we were packing up to go to the track my brother Jeff surprised me with another bike for me to ride.  He spent $3600 bucks so I wouldn't have wait around to ride.  WHAT!!!  Yeah it's a very slightly used 2004 Yamaha YZ125, it's beautiful.  So now we have a 2003 Honda CR125, a 2001 Suzuki RM125, a 2001 JR50 and the YZ.  We are set.  Eventually my sister-in-law and niece will get bikes too.

Okay the race, it was a mudfest and not much fun.  We considered it wash.  Honestly my brother Jeff had the best day.  He's a little slower, but doesn't make that many mistakes.  I can't tell you how many times I fell.  There was a point where I was officially "not having fun".

We will try to get back out there next week, but it's supposed to rain most of the week.  We'll see. 

JUNE 28th '04*MY BIRTHDAY!!  I am so SORE!!  My body is aching and it will get worse before it gets better.  Oh well, it's the price we pay for our fun.

JUNE 29th '04*Ahh man!!!  I missed another audition.  CFB casting associate Corbin Bronson called me directly with an appointment for tomorrow for "Monk".  Obviously I can't make it, but he said he'll call me again.  I really want to work on the show, hopefully it'll happen this season.

JULY 1st '04*I've been here in Virginia Beach for 2 weeks and I feel like I have a new routine.  Actually, I am thinking about staying for another week.  I have to see if I can justify it.  I like it here, I want to go motocross riding more and I like spending time with my family, but I need to make a living too.   Maybe I should carry my tail back to LA on schedule to make some money. 

JULY 7th '04*Yeah!!  Back out on the MX track and it's on!!  My goal was to stay up and finish the races.  I feel that I'm faster than both of my brother's, but I have a habit of crashing.  So, I need to "slow down to move forward". 

In the first moto against my brother Jeff he beat me to the first turn.  He went through some mud and it got all over my goggles.  I could only barely see out of one eye.  I did the best I could for a lap trying to wipe my goggles as I was riding, but I was only smearing it and making it worse.  Finally I slid out in a turn and stopped and cleaned my goggles.  Now with clear vision I was moving and making up time on Jeff.  Then, a little while later I went over a turn and had trouble getting the bike going again.  I got beat.

The next moto was Jeff against my brother Todd.  Jeff got a strong start and led for 3 laps of the 4 lap race, but Todd passed him and won the moto.

Next up, me against Todd.  I won the race to the first turn, but Todd passed me half way through the first lap.  I stayed on his wheel for two laps ready to make my move.  At the begining of the last lap I went for it.  I was all set up and dove deep inside to put pressure on him to take the inside line, but I slid out.  I couldn't get the bike back up and started in time.  I got beat again!!  Todd is the champ.

I'll be back in December.  Of course I won't get to ride again until then while Jeff and Todd will ride at least a couple times a month.  I'm still confident that I can take those guys.

JULY 8th '04*Back in LA.  That's good right?  Yeah, that's good. (note to self) "This is where I work and make a living".  I can't complain, I just had a wonderful 3 week vacation.  It was all possible because I live and work in LA.

So let's try this again.  "Back in LA".  Yeah!!!!  It's time to make it happen.  I'm looking for a really strong end of the year.  There are some things I want to accomplish.  Some are acting related, some are not.

JULY 13th '04*IT'S ON!!  Audition:  "Sara Lee" @ Lisa Fields Casting.  Yeah, this was a nice way to ease back in to auditioning.  I had a really good time with a super hot "wife" in the audition.  I don't think I was all that right for the spot, but I'll let "them" make that decision.  I always feel kinda funny about the "husband" auditions.  One day though......in real life too.....I hope....I better.

JULY 14th '04*Audition "Crest Vanilla" @ Pamela Starks Casting.  Another husband dealio, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

JULY 15th '04*Audition: "IKEA" @ Joe Blake Casting.  Another husband thing and it goes well.  Hopefully I'll get a callback.

JULY 16th '04*Ha!!  Bright and early this morning I get a call from the casting office for a callback for the "Crest Vanilla" spot.  The callback goes okay, not great.  I felt stiff and not in the moment. 

JULY 17th '04*Today I attend the Network Preview at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.  Some of it was really entertaining; some not so.  At any rate hopefully it'll be a great season for a lot actors.  

JULY 18th '04*Today I'm scheduled to do a mentoring session at The Actorsite in North Hollywood.  I'll just be sharing strategies with actors.  It's still funny to me that anyone wants to hear what I have to say.

JULY 19th '04*Drop-offs are the order of the day.  I couldn't imagine riding around in Burbank without A/C like I did in my old car. 

JULY 20th '04*More drops.  It's encouraging to see the shows are definitely back in production, hopefully I'll start getting some theatrical appointments soon.

JULY 21st '04*Yeah!!  Another callback.  This time for the "IKEA" spot I went in on last week.  I would be nice to get back on the commercial map.  I have two spots out there, but they aren't running much or not at all.  The callback goes really well. We'll see.

Also, I get a same day call for a commercial audition @ Craig Colvin Casting for "Best Buy".  I have yet to book for Craig, but I have come close many times.  The audition goes really well. 

JULY 22nd '04*Audition: "Honda" @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Another husband dealio with an absolutely stunning wife to audition with.  It goes really well.

Audition: "7-Up" @ Toni Cervantes Casting.  This one goes really well.  CALL ME BACK!!  ooops.

JULY 23rd '04*Audition: "Fun With Dick and Jane" @ Debra Zane Casting.  YES!!  This is the project Deb said she would bring me in for when I spoke with her last month.

JULY 24th '04*I get another bright and early start this morning to attend the Cable Preview at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.  It was kind of a blur, but it seemed like of a lot of reality and documentary type stuff.

JULY 25th '04*Today I had a meeting with Ben Guillory at the Robey Theatre.  I will admit that I didn't want to go at first because I thought they would ask for a monologue.  I hate doing monologues.  I met with Ben him several years ago and ironically he brought me back "because" of the monologue I did for him then.  Go figure.  I complained about it then too.  Anyway, we had a great conversation and with no monolougue this time.....thankfully.  He is getting ready to go into production on a play and asked if I would be interested in understudying.  I told him yes, so we'll see.

JULY 26th '04*Audition: "yes, dear" @ Dava Waite Casting.  Kari Kurto calls me straight to producers.  It goes alright, I guess.

JULY 27th '04*Audition: "T-Mobile" @ Lisa Fields Casting.  This one went great.

JULY 28th '04*Today is my 6 year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles.  I almost feel like I really live here and not just here for my career.  I've definitely found out that I'm an "East Coast Guy"  whatever that really means.  LA has treated me well though.  Oh yeah, David thanks for lunch to help me celebrate my 6 years.

JULY 30th '04*Drops-offs, drop-offs & more drops-offs!!  A never ending thing...... 

AUGUST 2nd '04*Today is the first day for my commercial agency, Kazarian-Spencer & Associates(KSA) in the their new location.  I wanted to stop by and check it out.  The place looks great and I got a chance to chat with my agents, Alicia & Brooke, for a bit.  We talked about stocks, buying property, girls, girlfriends, old girlfriends, new girlfriends; everything but acting.  While we were talking Alicia was quietly submitting me for a project.  Seconds later, while we were still talking, I got the audition!  YES!!  I guess that's LA Casting at work.  Things really move fast these days in the business.   Back to the drops.

AUGUST 3rd '04*Audition: "NEXTEL" @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  This audition goes really well.  Of course I'd love to get a callback.  The last time I was at this office I got a callback and the time before that I booked the "Michelob Ultra" spot.  Hopefully this is a good thing because this spot shoots in NYC and I would LOVE to go to NYC next week.  Back to the postcards!

AUGUST 5th '04*Finally!!  The postcards are gone.  It took longer than usual because I'm using old postcards and I had to get a little creative to make it work.  Hopefully, my theatrical appointments will spike next week.

Later I dropped by my theatrical agency; it's always great to see my agents they are wonderful ladies.  One of the agents informed me that she's leaving the business.  This news totally caught me by surprise, I was speechless.  She became a first-time mother late last year and wants to be with her daughter. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm only about 10% upset.  I think it's an absolutely beautiful thing that she is doing.  Her daughter is sooooooo cute and sweet.  Everytime I go to the office she is so happy and playful.  I don't know how they're going to keep her out of show business, she seems like she should be doing commercials already.  Makes me want to have a family of my own.......soon.......well maybe not that soon.

So what does this all mean for me?  I'm not sure really.  At this point things are still being worked out.  I've been told the options are:

Hiring a new agent.
Bringing in a partner.
Merging with another entity or vice-versa, etc. 

You never know how these things will play out.  I don't have any reason to believe I would be dropped from or leave the agency.  I'm very happy there and have been for 6 years and I have reason to believe that they are happy having me as a client as well.  BUT!!  Sometimes new energy comes in and they tighten up the client list.  You never "really" know where you stand until you really know where you stand.  So with that being said I have to be prepared for the phone call or letter saying that I've been dropped from the list.  I've put my game face on for a potential agent search just in case.  I believe things will work out just fine though.
 
AUGUST 8th '04*Today is the table read and first rehearsal for the play that I guess I am understudying in.  I say "I guess" because I haven't really been told for sure.  The name of the production is:  "For the Love Of Freedom, Part III: Christophe (The Spirit) Passion and Glory".  This is a powerful piece to say the least.  It is a story about the Haitian slave revolt. 

After the table read I still had no idea what role(s) I was understudying and did not get a script.  I was a little confused and had to leave a tad bit early.  I figured, they have my number they'll call when they need me.  In truth, I was overwhelmed with not knowing what was being asked of me.  I avoid giving my word to something I cannot do.  At the same time I feel that there is some magic happening with this show.  So I'm down for the cause.   

AUGUST 10th '04*Drops, drops and more drops!!  It's amazing how I drive around this town on a regular basis.  Between the driver seat in my car and the chair at my desk my ass is sore!!!!!!  That is all going to change because I have committed myself to going out more often.  I even got a library card a couple of weeks ago.  So more time on my mountain bike, more time just doing different things is in store for me.  I wish I had a dirt bike out here.......one day.

During the drops today I stopped by Henderson/Zuckerman Casting and I happened to see Dori Zuckerman.  She informed me of a project they had coming up and said she would bring me in for it.  I hope to score again at this office.  I booked a job early in the year for them, but the project lost its funding.

AUGUST 12th '04*Yes!!  Audition:  "SBC Global" @ Francene Selkirk Casting.   This audition went really well and of course I hope to get a callback.  My first audition in LA was @ this office on July 29th, 1998 and I got a callback.

Also my agent calls to say that I've been offered a small role on CBS's "yes, dear".  It's just a day of work and of course I wish it was more, but I feel that's it's good to be working.  The role doesn't help my quote, but that isn't everything.  I'm just glad to be back on a set.  You never know what these things can lead to.   I auditioned for a different episode a couple of weeks ago and didn't booked and now they are using me for a different role in a different episode.  That's cool that someone remembered me.

AUGUST 13th '04*Drops usually work pretty smooth for me, but today I ran into a situation where I have never been so unhappy to get on a studio lot.  I was doing a drop at Culver Studios for an "Untitled Albert Brooks Project".  I approached the guard at the gate just to explain that I wanted to just leave in the drop box/mailroom whatever.  You would think that they get that a lot right?  Anyway, to my horror he calls the casting office to get me a walk-on.  NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  I don't want or need a walk-on.  He was just being nice, but it screwed up my approach.  I didn't want to draw focus in this situation, just get my photo in the pile.  So he gives me directions to the bungalow and I don't even go inside.  I just left it at the door and bounced out of the there.   

On the way out I walked past the stage where I worked on the pilot of "Life With Bonnie".  That brought back pleasant memories of being a working actor.  Ha!  Imagine that?   A working actor.............

AUGUST 14th '04*What!!!  After a week of hearing nothing I get a call from the stage manager of "For the Love Of Freedom" asking if I can be at rehearsal in an hour.  Huh?  Yeah, I can make it in an hour and a half.  

So 90 minutes later I'm at rehearsal with no script and no idea what roles I am understudying.  Then, the director, Ben Guillory approaches me, thanks me for coming on such short notice and explains everything to me.  He then informs that I am covering 3 different roles.  WHAT!!!  I've never covered a role in a play before much less 3 roles.  I am completely freaked out.  Yes, completely.

BUT!!!  This is something that I need to do.....something that I want to do......something that I will do.

The rehearsal was a lot of fun and one of the actor I'm covering wasn't there so I was able to actually rehearse.  I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty special experience for me.

AUGUST 16th '04*Audition: "That 70's Show" @ G. Charles Wright Casting.

Audition: "CitiBank" @ Beth Holmes Casting.  I just dropped of there the other day.