If we're being all the way real, equal parts vainglory and a desire for easy money. It was barely on my radar until my first gig as an extra on a movie set. I was invited after the local extras company owner saw me in a show. He got to pad his roster with a fresh face and I got to "act" for 5 out of the 13 hours I spend on set. I hated the waiting and obvious schmoozing that I eventually learned came with the territory. But I loved energy of the set and how quick the money came. After hearing some of the old heads talk about how much they made per year on commercials alone I made It my personal goal to get an agent ASAP. After locking down more extras work, taking some acting for camera classes, and learning my own particular nuance of schmooze, I began beating down the door of every agency I could find. I quickly learned the difference between legit agencies and the pay-to-play dream catchers and narrowed my search to two agencies.

After working my way Into at least one recommendation from talent for each agency I submitted my headshot and resume'. I was promptly turned down by both. I don't know which was worse: My poorly formatted fake-It-till-you-make-It resume that was padded with extras work and every play I had done since middle school.. Or...my gawd, my headshots. Promo shots from a Tyler Perry-ish Church play I had done recently printed on glossy paper from the 1 hr photo at Walgreens (I thought they were so fly). I had been rejected but I wasn't going to stop. I called and called trying to figure what I could do. After getting some feedback about my headshot and resume from an agent I resubmitted. After a few test auditions at both agencies I signed with the agency that actually gave me feedback.

I'll leave the rest for the memoirs; but what was once a selfish pursuit of an easy life through stardom has morphed Into a journey of self discovery, compassion, and art. Do I still wanna fuck up some commas and hit that IMDb top 100 list?

Hell yeah, It'd be nice

it's just not the goal.