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Alias - Dec 1st, 2002
Introduction - The Casting Call
The casting call for this part was the traditional cattle call, consisting of nearly 20-30 actors, most of whom are friends.Imagine the dynamic of being in the same room as a bunch of your buddies - each of you wishing you get the part, but also not trying to bring your fellow brother down.
It is very difficult to have a low key, casual conversation with someone when every few minutes, sounds of laughter or general approval explode from a suddenly open door as the previous actor finishes and walks out. You just can't help but feel the tension rise as you wonder what got that response, how to duplicate or surpass it...and how to do it while still staying friends with the people around you.
All of us read for 4 roles each. That's very unusual. This episode had several different Indian characters so we had to have a different personality and delivery for every one.
The first session was low stress - basically a screening before you go to the Producers. The second call was at the studio lot, in the same office space as where the writers and directors work. It is a bit nerve wracking when people responsible for the creative direction of the show walk in and notice you as they work. There are basically two kinds of looks you may get:
- The "that's not at all what I had imagined" double take
- The "oh my God, that's exactly how I pictured him" stare.
Act I – The Agent Call
There is a particular, unique, gut-wrenching feeling you get when your agent calls about a role. It’s like getting a call from the woman of your dreams, your boss giving you a big promotion, and a doctor going over the results of a serious exam – all combined in one short phone call.Why did I get this role? Who knows… I felt really good about my reading when I left the studio lot, but I’m sure everyone else’s was acceptable as well. Maybe some combination of my specific look, delivery, resume, rapport, etc. helped me land this role. Whatever the reason was, in a few days, I would be in front of the camera, shooting at Jennifer Garner. I love this industry!
Act II - The Shoot
This was an outdoor shot, mostly at night. That meant we had to start at sundown in a remote location and shoot until sunrise if necessary. An army of trailers, generators, and vehicles started to prepare in the base camp as the last rays of light faded.By the time the stars came out, a giant 50' high light array had been raised and was ready to simulate bright moonlight and that familiar bluish "night-tint" that you see on any night scene on TV.
I followed the stream of stuntmen in fatigues to the wardrobe trailer to get my outfit. I ended up wielding a plastic AK-47 and foam grenades, all of which looked very real.
Jack gets Interrogated
I realized something during the course of the evening. It was much easier to deliver lines with a *fake* gun in my hand. When they switched it out for a real one, things got a bit serious. The heavy weight of a real firearm in your hand suddenly changes perspective quite a bit. At all times, there were at least two people waiting to take the gun immediately after each take. The same people would verify that there was nothing that would cause a real bullet to fire before placing it back in my hands for the next shot. One of these professionals had worked on the three Rambo movies, so he knew a lot about guns and Mujahideen - two things that were key plot points in this episode.
The standoff begins
There were a few scenes where I had to fire at people. It was very unnerving to pull the trigger and see bits of cloth and fake blood come flying out of someone. The stuntmen were very good at their jobs and it was all looking very intense and realistic.
The Firefight
The "money shot" was an explosion in which a jeep was thrown into the air and nearly flipped. We couldn't start that shot until a large fire truck was on hand - just in case. When the director yelled action, several warning cries ensued over the walkies before the set was illuminated with a giant fireball and we all went "oooooh". Just like kids on the 4th of July!
No More Jeep!
Immediately afterwards, there was a shot where the heroes of the story (Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, and Lena Olin) recover their guns and go M16-happy on myself and remaining bad guys. I might have felt strange pulling the trigger before, it was my turn to bleed now.
I was wired with several exploding squibs and charged the camera on cue. Within
seconds, my wardrobe was peppered with bullet holes and red splotches. I had to
assume a "natural" death position on the ground so the leads could finish their
final speech.
All in all, it was two weeks of casting, several hours of driving, and two full
nights of shooting until dawn. If I'm lucky, you'll get to see me for maybe a
few minutes of on screen time. Or in other words:
- Screen Actors Guild membership: $1,500
- Headshot: $250
- Gas to drive to the set: $15
- Two and a half minutes of prime time: Priceless
Act III – The BBQ
My little adventure on “Alias” ended like many things in L.A. I was at a party at a friend’s house after the show aired when she introduced me to an acquaintance of hers.A friend, who as it turns out, was a writer for a certain ABC show called “Alias”. In fact, she not only helped write the episode that I was in, but was responsible for my character’s creation as well.
It’s not every day you get to “meet your maker”. Sipping on wine, I chatted casually with the woman who, for a brief period of time, commanded my speech, action, and even death.
As I mentioned before, I love this industry!
Fade to black.