Rasslin (Wrestling), Movies, and Acting: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, took a little nap, and I met my friend Mario Lindsey downtown. Mario works for Autozone and got me a ticket for their suite to see the Legends of Wrestling show at the Fed Ex Forum. Some of the wrestlers were older and slower, but I saw a lot of guys that I liked in my childhood in person for the first time, such as Abdullah the Butcher, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and Brutus Beefcake. The main event was also awesome. Hulk Hogan fough Paul Wight, the wrestler formerly known as Big Show in WWE. Hogan is older and slower, but when it comes to Hulk Hogan, I drink the Kool-Aid, Jim Jones style. I have been a Hulkamaniac since the age of nine, back when he had a cartoon called Hulk Hogan's Rock'N Wrestling. I love his whole routine of getting beat up, put into a submission hold, holding up his finger, "Hulking up" (getting energy from the fans and shaking off punches), and the point where he's fully pumped, points at his opponent, and yells "YOU!!!!" The whole arena yelled it, it was beautiful. Also, I love the post-match flexing and posing. I felt like I was 10 again. Shout out to Mario for making one of my childhood dreams come true. I had not seen Hogan live in 10 years, and I don't think he wrestled the last time I saw him. Back then, he was a villain named "Hollywood" Hogan. I also bought a DVD of a lot of the older guys wrestling. It was awesome!!

Saturday:

I got off work, picked up my good buddy Bryan Newcomb (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us), and we saw The Comdemned. Former WWE wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was the star. The plot revolves around convicted murderers being released and forced into a fight to the death. The winner goes free. The whole thing was broadcast over the internet. It reminded me a little of Running Man. The dialogue was a little cheesy, but the fight scenes and special effects were cool. The movie theater, however, was not. Bryan convicned me to end my personal boycott of The Palace on Old Summer Road and see the movie for $3.00. Once again, the people were loud and obnoxious, there were projector issues, and these bad-assed kids kept running in and out of the movie. At one point, this adult woman and some kids ran into the theater, apparently theater hopping. Way to set an example for the kids, lady. Do you also time them when they pick pockets at the mall? I am done with the Palace, hopefully forever.

After that, I went to Jordan's for karaoke. I chatted with Forrest Pruett and the Mayor of Frayser (www.mayoroffrayser.com). The Mayor may be inviting me to the Frayser Mansion for a get-together next week. I have to go because Frayser, after all, is God's Country (inside joke). Forrest also gave me a little bit of advice about my acting career. He said "Be the freezer, don't be the ice tray". I believe this means take risks. I appreciated the advice. I probably sang too much because my voice was trashed. I had to call it a night.

Sunday:

I had to be in LaGrange, Tennessee in the morning. LaGrange is deep in the country, past Moscow. I worked on Rommel's Crossroad. The movie is about a German soldier who falls in love with an African-American woman in Tupelo in 1939. Of course, their love was considered taboo. It took me a while to get there. I passed the site a few times but I finally figured it out. My shoots were relatively easy, I just had to wait on people to arrive. It was mentally taxing because my character was discriminated against and was called "boy". I was angered, but it was how African-Americans were treated back then. I had a little trouble watching some scenes because of one character's "hateful" language. Again, I had to remind myself that this is a gritty subject matter, and this is what went on during that time. Shout out to the people that helped us organze and the people who loaned us their house. Also, a shout out to the cast member that paid for the food. As soon as I arrived on the site, I got a little bad news. My brother called and told me that our Uncle Gus had a heart attack. He survived, but he is in the hospital. I was a little messed up, but I didn't know what hospital he was in, and I was already on set. I had to suck it up and do my role. Please pray and send positive energy towards my uncle Gus.
After that, I made it back to Memphis and watched a WWE pay-per-view over my buddy Shomari's house.

I had a lot of fun this weekend, maybe too much. I am looking forward to the future. I may be done with Rommel's Crossroad, it depends on whether or not he can pull this last scene together. I am also hoping that someone will find a use for me in a short for next month's Lil' Film Fest. Remember, it pays to be "Down with the King". King Indie, that is. Be easy, readers!!!

Dear Indie Film Directors in Memphis

Most of you know me, Markus Seaberry, King Indie, the hardest-working film actor in Memphis , the heart and soul of independent cinema in the Mid-South area. I talk to you at Lil' Film Fest, give you my card, and say that I want to work with you. Some of you respond, some of you don't, but that's cool. I am writing to you know because another Lil' Film Fest is upon us, and the topic is "Freedom of Speech". So far, no filmmakers have approached me. Don't think that I'm too busy. I'm only working on one movie right now. I have free time. I do have boundaries, however. I have no problem cursing like a sailor (sadly). I do have reservations, physical and moral, about being nude. I'd rather not wear a dress (I had a bad experience), and I'd prefer not to play a devil worshipper or a voodoo priest (my pastor would kill me). Also, I am really NOT trying to be in a skit where someone says that Imus is cool and calls someone a "nappy-headed hoe". Anybody thinking about trying some crap like that, please don't. Just don't. Trust me on this. If there is anyone who can accept my spiritual and moral reservations, and has a cool idea for the next Lil' Film Fest, please contact me. No one has asked me to "play" with them, and the deadline is nearing. I fear that I shall be shut out. Therefore, I am not above making like a telethon and beg...persuading somene to let me "play movie". I am a hard worker, I have a proven track record (ask John Beiffus), and I am definitely willing to play different characters (ask Rod Pitts and Jon Sparks). In closing, you need Markus "King Indie" Seaberry in your short for the next Lil' Film Fest. Your short will be better beause of it. Remember, if you want to take your short to the next level, you need to be "down with the King". King Indie, that is. I am Markus Seaberry, and I approve this message.

Meetings, Festivals, and Movies: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work and met with Jessica Powers of Slacker Central Productions (www.scpflicks.com). We spoke about future projects that I may be involved in. Before long, I will have worked with every production house in this city, which I feel is a good thing. After that, I ran some errands, and I attended the annual Memphis Gridiron Show. The Gridiron Show is a political satire that raises money for journalism scholarships. I acted in it last year, but my work schedule interfered this year. Everybody from last year gave me a hard time and told me that they wanted me back in it. I am going to try. It was extremely hard just watching the show this year. I found myself performing dance moves and singing songs at my seat. I was happy, because the show was very funny. Kudos to the actors playing Willie Herenton, and the actors that played the Fords. God bless them, but the Fords are such easy targets!!

Saturday:

I got off work, dropped off a birthday gift for "Uncle" Marvin Skinner at his apartment building, and then I went to Perkins on Poplar to eat. A fly landed on my breadbowl salad, and the manager did nothing. He said, "I can't give you a refund or anything, because we have to keep the doors open." That's lame, Perkins on Poplar, very lame. I'm not saying I will never eat in there again, but I think that we need some time apart. Gutless flunkies!!! My buddy Bryan Newcomb (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us) called, he said that he was back in town. He and I checked out the Highland/Walker Spring Fest. It was okay. I saw one of the guys from the group Bowling For Soup. I told him that I loved their song, "1985". I also saw Kennedy from radio station Q107.5. She was wearing a hat and shades, but she was still easy on the eyes. After that, I went to The Vault on Highland. They were supposed to be showing past films from Lil' Film Fests, but by the time I came, they were showing footage from Gonerfest, a rock-and-roll festival sponsored by the Goner Records store. Shout out to Location Scout David Merrill and the Live from Memphis crew. After that, I ran into Patrick Henry (What Goes Around) and his brother at the Lenny's on Highland. Another good buddy of mine, Steve Fox, was working inside the Lenny's. We chilled and talked about rap and other things. Patrick said that he was the trailer Rod and Naseera did for the Black Snake Moan contest, and he was shocked to see my face at the end.
After that, I made it downtown to check out Africa in April. I walked through the maze of vendors with superproducer Paul "P-Dub" West, his girlfriend Denna Greer (What Goes Around), Donovan, his girlfriend, and Terrence and his girlfriend Jill. I get more and more disgusted with Africa in April. It seems like there are less vendors every year. Also, everything is so congested and packed in. And, for the second year in a row, some of my good friends (like poet/rapper Queen Nilaja) were bumped or cut from the show for the more commercial rappers. I loathe Three Six Mafia, but Nakia Shine is cool. I just think that for an Africa in April festival that is honoring Liberia, that we could have some more positive rappers up there. Also, answer me this: You might have a hypeman, the main rapper, and two or three guest stars on the track, that's about five people on stage. I accept that. However, I see no reason at all for 100 of your "closest friends" to be on the stage when you perform. I could barely even see the rapper. Okay, the beat was cool, and I did break out a few moves, but the lyrics were garbage.
After that, I stopped by the booth where the son of one of my former coworkers was working at. I decided to buy a shirt from him, I bough a Marvin Gaye t-shirt. Luckily, it came in 3X...I've gotten big.

After all that excitement, I went to my side of town and watched a movie. It was a chick flick, In the Land of Women. In my defense, Adam Brody was in it. He's like the new millenium geek. He's geeky, but girls dig him. That's the kind of image I aspire to. Of course, somebody had cancer (Meg Ryan's character), and there was talk about seizing the day and enjoying the moment and all that "girl power" stuff, but it had some pretty snappy dialogue. Olympia Dukakis was Adam Brody's grandmother, and her character was a little bit off and had some of the best dialogue. I liked it. After that, I called it a night.

Sunday:

I stayed in the house for a loong time; eventually, I visited Keenon Nikita (Poor and Hungry, Just the Two of Us). I watched a commercial for his new acting school, The Academy. I also watched some music videos that he directed, and I heard his daughter Ashley's new song. The Nikitas are a talented family. We also watched Blood Diamond. We were talking through most of it, though. I eventually left, went to Borders, bought a graphic novel, went to Picadilly's, and headed back home.

Tonight, I am supposed to record some interludes for my good buddy Ennis' mixtape. He's a local rapper/producer named Fathom 9 (www.myspace.com/fathom9thebrotherhoodofdoom). I'm always ready to support artists who have something meaningful to say. Believe it or not, those artists exist in this town. Be easy, readers!!!

Grim Sweeper: The Part That I saw

I got off work at 10 PM last night, dropped my buddy "Uncle" Marvin Skinner off, and made it to Studio on the Square to catch the end of the 9:35 PM showing of Grim Sweeper. I am an extra in this film, but I missed that part. Grim Sweeper is about a crew that cleans up after incidents: suicides, homicides, accidents, etc. The main character (played by director Edward Phillips) becomes attracted to the sister of a suicide victim, and things get complicated. Shout out to Edward Phillips, Benjamin Rednour, and the rest of the Courdoroy Wednesday crew. Extra-special shout out to Jon "Sparky" Sparks (www.jonwsparks.blogspot.com), who played the role of a priest. Sparky wasn't at the screening I was at, but I have to say this about him:
Sparky is a phenomenal actor and a thoughtful director, and I love to see him and his wife. They give a cynic like me hope. The Courdory Wednesday crew also let me know that their trailer for the Grindhouse contest was a hit on aintitcool.com and youtube. I had a small scene in that, too. I still haven't watched it because it is not work safe. I'm glad to be a part of works that are being seen. Hopefully, I can work with them in the future, like on a short this summer or a short for the next Lil' Film Fest (hint, hint). I wish them the best of luck. You can check them out at www.cwfilms.net. Be easy, readers!!

Road Trips, Hip-hop, and Plays: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, ran a few errands, and I ran into my buddy Aaron Jones(Curbside Confessions). I saw him at the Thearte building when I bought my ticket for the U of M Theatre perfomance of Shakespeare's As You Like It. He's doing okay, just getting ready to graduate from the Theatre Department. We chit-chatted for a second. After that, I got a haircut, went to the comic book store, and hung out at the U of M Law Building until the play started. It was very funny and interesting play. They used modern costuming, which was different. My favorite was the wrestler. He came out at first wearing a replica of the spinner belt worn by WWE champion John Cena. Later, his wrestling attire resembled Jerry Lawler's, complete with crown. He also used one of John Cena's signature moves, the FU. I loved that!!! Shout out to Lavita Brooks (Just the Two of Us, Katrina's Wake), a good friend of mine who was also in the play. Her character was hilarious!!! I was extremely proud of my friend!! After that, I went to Perkins and ate a salad and called it a night.

Saturday:

I got off work and I drove to Brighton, Tennessee to work on John Fuess' film Rommel's Crossroad. It is set in Tupelo in the late 1930s. I play Willie, the town's jack-of-all trades. Shout out to Alisa Nave (Blue Tail Fly), who plays the female lead, and also Arnita Williams (What Goes Around, In an Instant) , who played a role on Saturday. I also spoke with a man named Jesse and an older fellow who had done a lot of stage work. It was cool trading "war stories" about being extras and being in plays. I basically was there for the barbecue scene. It was supposed to be summertime, and John's sweater was too small for me, so I had to brave the April winds in my white T-shirt. Oh, what fun!!! After that, I went home and took a nap. After I woke up, I went over my girl Tamara's house and chilled out for a few hours. Shout out to Tamara, Rafael, Rudechild, Dorian, Julian, Tam's baby girl Lex, and everybody else over there. After that, I went to a hip-hop show that was appropriately entitled "Ya'll Forgot About Hip-Hop"? My buddy DJ Capital A was spinning old-school R&B and hip-hop, and several groups performed: Iron Mic Coalition (www.myspace.com/ironmiccoalition), Poisonous Dialects (www.myspace.com/poisondie), Infinito (www.myspace.com/infinito2017), and Queen Nilaja (www.myspace.com/blaquediamond2). They rocked it. I also got some new CDs: Headchange EP by King Otis (hip-hop/rock group), Infinito's latest, Unenthusiastic Ebony Brown Soul, and the new Iron Mic Coalition mixtape hosted by DJ Right Now. After the show, I ran into a guy that went to my high school, Quon. He said that he is trying to get his life together, and he plans on singing on some songs with Prediction the MC, another cat that was in attendance. I look forward to that. Afterwards, a lot of us went to Perkins. I ran into two of my karaoke buddies, David H and Joe. I also ran into Will, a guy who I met that was acting a few years back. He got tired of it, and I lost touch. It was good to see him. We were also joined by Sperichal (www.myspace.com/Sperichal), another local rapper. I bought his mixtape, The Good, The Bad, and the Sinista. We talked music and other things. After that, I had to call it a night. I think I made it home by 4 AM. I gotta quit that!! I'm getting too old to hang out like that!!

Sunday:

I was tired, I left home around 3:30, ran some errands, and watched a wrestling pay-per-view over my budy Shomari Gant's house. Shout out to superproducer Paul "P-Dub" West, Denna Greer (What Goes Around), and "Angry" Nick Jones.

It was a fun weekend, but I know that weekends like this will probably be few and far between once it gets warmer. I have to get back on my acting hustle and keep this dream alive. Be easy, readers!!!

RIP Roscoe Lee Browne

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Roscoe Lee Browne, whose rich voice and dignified bearing brought him an Emmy Award and a Tony nomination, has died. He was 81.
Browne died early Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following a long battle with cancer, said Alan Nierob, a spokesman for the family.
Browne had a decades-long career that ranged from classic theater to TV cartoons. He also was a poet and a former world-class athlete.
His deep, cultured voice was heard narrating the 1995 hit movie Babe. On screen, his character often was smart, cynical and well-educated, whether a congressman, a judge or a butler.
Born May 2, 1925, to a Baptist minister in Woodbury, N.J., Browne graduated from historically black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he later returned to teach comparative literature and French.
He also was a track star, winning a 1951 world championship in the 800-yard dash.
He was selling wine for an import company when he decided to become a full-time actor in 1956 and had roles that year in the inaugural season of the New York Shakespeare Festival in a production of Julius Caesar.
In 1961, he starred in an English-language version of Jean Genet's play The Blacks. Two years later, he was The Narrator in a Broadway production of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, a play by Edward Albee from a novella by Carson McCullers. In a front page article on the advances made by blacks in the theater, the New York Times noted that Browne's understudy was white.
He won an Obie Award in 1965 for his role as a rebellious slave in the off-Broadway Benito Cereno.
In movies, he was a spy in the 1969 Alfred Hitchcock feature Topaz and a camp cook in 1972's The Cowboys, which starred John Wayne.
"Some critics complained that I spoke too well to be believable" in the cook's role, Browne told The Washington Post in 1972. "When a critic makes that remark, I think, if I had said, 'Yassuh, boss' to John Wayne, then the critic would have taken a shine to me."
He also said he liked Wayne, "a genuine wit, capable of a splendid bon mot," despite having little use for his conservative politics.
On television, he had several memorable guest roles. He was a snobbish black lawyer trapped in an elevator with bigot Archie Bunker in an episode of the 1970s TV comedy All in the Family and the butler Saunders in the comedy Soap. He won an Emmy in 1986 for a guest role as Professor Foster on The Cosby Show.
In 1992, Browne returned to Broadway in Two Trains Running, one of August Wilson's acclaimed series of plays on the black experience. It won the Tony for best play and brought Browne a Tony nomination for best featured (supporting) actor.
Browne "brings an infectious good humor to the role of Holloway, the resident philosopher who dispenses most of Wilson's common sense," wrote Michael Kuchwara, The Associated Press drama critic.
The New York Times said he portrayed "the wry perspective of one who believes that human folly knows few bounds and certainly no racial bounds. The performance is wise and slyly life-affirming."
Browne also wrote poetry and included some of it along with works by masters such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti and William Butler Yeats in Behind the Broken Words, a poetry anthology stage piece that he and Anthony Zerbe performed annually for three decades.

Acting, Movies, and Relaxation: My Extra-Long Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I worked until 6 because I was off on Saturday, actually, my job was closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I got off and I went to the comic book store, ate at Applebees, and went to a Stevie Wonder tribute show at the Complex. Shout out to Thomas Spurlock (www.myspace.com/spurlockboy), Phat Dude, and the other performers. I also stayed for a Mint Condition show. They are an R&B band that came out in the early 90s. They rocked, but I started getting tired, so I left around the time that the lead singer, Stokely, started playing on the drums.

Side note: As I was leaving downtown Memphis and passing Midtown, I heard Champagne Supernova, a favorite song of my coworker/buddy/Midtown resident "Uncle" Marvin Skinner. Shout out to Uncle Marvin!!! Blue Steel, Marv!!! (That's a reference to the movie Zoolander).

Saturday:

I chilled out until about 3 PM, then I got up and got some food (O'Charley's, baby!!). Next, I saw Grindhouse. The first film was directed by Robert Rodriguez (Planet Terror). It was a well-written, extremely gross zombie film. The second film, Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof was a fun, crazy movie full of classic Tarantino dialogue. After that, I went to the karaoke bar for a spell.

Sunday:

I left the house around 3 PM to work on a project for Keenon Nikita (director, Just the Two of Us). Rod Pitts (www.pittstoproductions.com), Travis Stone (Ray, Arrogant Dead People), and Kim Skipper (Imagine, What Goes Around) also participated. It was cool working with all of those people again. Stone threw a punch and I had to move my head and make it look like I really took the punch. That was a little nerve-wracking, but I pulled it off. I always learn when I talk to Stone. After that, it was back to the karaoke bar (Jordan's) yet again.

Monday:

I was off (WOOOOHOOOO!!), and I slept off and on until about 3:30. I saw Pride. Terrence Howard played in a true story about a guy who taught some inner city youth to swim competitively in Philadelphia in the 70s. Howard was solid, as were Bernie Mac (Kings of Comedy) and Kimberly Elise (John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman), but the story was typical. I am still a sucker for a good inspirational speech, though. They are the highlight of most sports stories for me. After that, I went home, chilled out, and watched Monday Night Raw. Days off are awesome!!!! Be easy, readers!!!!

The Minstrel Show Goes Primetime: Three Six Mafia on MTV

Okay, I have to speak on this crap. I have tried to hold my peace, but the ignorance about to be unleashed upon the world by Memphis rappers is making me nauseous. Three Six Mafia has a new reality show premiering tonight on MTV called "Adventures in Hollyhood". From what little I have seen of the show, it looks stupid. I beg people, especially Memphians, to not support this garbage.
First of all, has everybody forgotten that these guys used to call themselves Triple Six Mafia? That's demonic, hello!!! I may not be a perfect Christian, but I definitely take issue with people who identify themselves with demonic symbols. That's just creepy. Secondly, as a Memphian and a fan of intelligent hip-hop, I find these fools disgusting, deplorable, and sickening. It was bad enough when these clowns were nominated for an Oscar for that great (I'm being sarcastic) song "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp". There is already a preconceived notion to the outside world that Memphis is full of country bumpkins and unintelligent hicks. There is already a perception that Memphis hip-hop consists of songs about chains, "sizzurp", "gettin' crunk", and other materialistic, misogynistic foolishness. For those of you who may be reading this blog that have never been to Memphis, no, we don't all ride around on rims and sip "sizzurp" and wear ignorant metal mouthpieces, or "grills". Also, there are actually hip-hop groups in Memphis with something to say, like the Iron Mic Coaliton (www.myspace.com/ironmiccoalition), Ptah Maximus (www.myspace.com/ptahmaximus), Cosmo(www.myspace.com/cosmomusic), Tunnel Clones (www.myspace.com/tunnelclones), Poisonous Dialect (www.myspace.com/poisondie). Memphis also still has some very soulful singers as well, like Men-Nefer (www.myspace.com/mennefer) and up-and-coming male vocalist Thomas Spurlock (www.myspace.com/spurlockboy). However, the real artistry and creativity in Memphis is confined to word-of-mouth and small venues, while these "coons" get on MTV. It is a travesty of justice of the highest order.

I know many may feel that it is just entertainment, but I disagree. These Three Six gentlement promote negative images and morals. Do you really want the little kids out there seeing these "gentlemen" (I use the term very loosely) parade around Hollywood with their Oscar like it is a member of their entourage? Oh, wait a minut, I almost forgot: You can also see their assistant urinate on Jennifer Love Hewitt's lawn. That's great television!!! I thought that the Viacom networks couldn't sink any lower with their jigaboo dating shows "Flavor of Love" and "I Love New York" on VH1, now here comes "Adventures in Hollyhood" on MTV. To make matters even worse, the Commercial Appeal and local news outlets are doing stories on this mindless showcase of bufoonery.

I know many people will take my views as "hating", and will probably watch the show in record numbers. I felt compelled to say something, if only in support of the true artists and musicians in Memphis. While it may be "Hard Out Here For a Pimp", it seems to be even harder for a recording artist from Memphis that actually has something meaningful to contribute to find an audience, both in this city and across this nation. Of course, if our "favorite sons" Three Six Mafia have their way, the whole world will be gettin' crunk and keeping it "Dough Boy Fresh". Heaven help us all. Be easy, readers...and remember, whether it's in blackface or brown skin, it's still easy to spot a minstrel show. Wait, what's that sound I hear? It's the spirits of my ancestors weeping for our future generations.

In Remembrance: April 4

Today is the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis 39
years ago. His voice may have been silenced, but his dream lives on.
Let us celebrate his life and remember his quote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".

Be easy, readers.

Theaters, Filming, and Hanging Out:The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I finally got my car's front windshield replaced (It's been cracking for 6 years now). Other than that, I chilled out.

Saturday:

I was going to try to shoot a scene after I got off work for Rommel's Crossroad, but it rained. A lot. So, I went to the comic book store, then back home for a nap. I also saw TMNT. That's right, I watched the film about the Ninja Turtles. I liked it!!! I still have a kid in me, and he helps me to unwind from all the grown-up bullcrap that I encounter. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) was the voice of April O'Neil, a female that helped the Turtles. Laurence Fishburne was the narrator, and Patrick Stewart was the voice of the main bad guy. Cool action, nice fight scenes. I was happy.

Sunday:

I had to shoot a scene at the Hunt-Phelan home, which is a historical southern home on Beale Street that has been turned into a bed and breakfast. A Civil War battle was fought there, and there used to be a tunnel under the house that went to the river. One of the valets told me that there is an underground city under Memphis. I thought that was cool. It was very informative. Rommel's Crossroad is set in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1939. Some German soldiers take visit the area and one gets involved with an African-American woman. As you can imagine, this type of behavior is controversial in a small town back then. I play Willie, the town's jack of all trades. I shot a brief scene. I was trying to speak with a Southern drawl that was slightly deeper than my normal speech. It was cool. Shout out to Alisa Nave (Curbside Confessions), who is playing the young version of the main female character, Earnestine. It was good to see my fellow former Red West class member....ah, I miss those days. I am so glad to see her in a lead role. I also talked to one of the guys playing the Germans. He's a private investigator. I asked him had he ever been shot at, and he just made a face. I then asked him how does it feel when you're dodging bullets. He said it's something that you never get used to. He also told me that it's not always dangerous and he doesn't drive a red sportscar or wear hawaiian shirts like Magnum PI. I was a little disappointed. Magnum was way cool. Eventually, we wrapped. I then went over my homeboy Shomari's house and watched Wrestlemania 23 on Pay-Per-View. Wrestling rules!!!

It was good to film again. I thought that the Willie character was limited, but I see that John is fleshing him out. It's always good to have more screen time and have a character that actually has a few scenes. Be easy, readers!!