FEATURED AS WELL AS IN THE BACKGROUND, SOMEHOW I STICK OUT IN A CROWD, AND HOPEFULLY NOT LIKE A SORE THUMB

Sometimes, seeing myself on screen be it speaking words, or simply being the white speck in the background can still make me smile. Especially when the project turns out so great. Here are two of the projects I've worked recently, which both turned out as good if not better then I could ever hope for. Both are now finished and some of one, and all of the other is now available for others to see online. The first was a film I acted in last year, entitled Killing the Fiddler, and the second is a television series pitch called West of the City. Here's a bit about both projects, with a few screen caps and a link for each for those who wish to see more.

KILLING THE FIDDLER which was written and directed by Barak Barken, is a very funny short film that I have a feeling you will be hearing about shortly. Last year I was very happy to audition for and land a small but fun speaking role as Paul Bomba, a relative of the groom whose having seconds thoughts about marrying a woman who isn't Jewish like he is. 

Without giving too much away, as you can tell by the showcased screen caps, I'm one of several family members and friends who come to life (sort of like the photos do in the great harry Potter movies), to argue the virtues of staying within ones religion when seeking a mate. 

All I can say is the day we shot my scenes, it was so much fun watching and then performing in front of a black screen (for the first time), not actually knowing how the final film would showcase us, and listening to all the members of the cast give their best Jewishness to the great lines that Barak had written for us to say.

While I’ve been asked not to showcase the film If you’d like to see a small snippet from it, please check out my ‘revised’ actor’s reel, which can be found on my YouTube channel, and discover why I think I was lucky to have met our director now, I think this talented fellow, will be someone to pay attention to. Here’s the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfW0VAZJFWY

WEST OF THE CITY is a project that some of my friends have been working on for several years. Last year I was lucky enough to be asked by Liche Ariza, one of the talented people behind it and in it, to work in the background of the ‘Proof of concept’ pitch for the series. Basically its a little over 14 minutes long and hooks you in the very first sequence, and I for one am looking forward to seeing how the lives of these characters are developed if the series becomes a reality.

The series which is based in New Jersey, where I spent two very long days working in the background. We shot most of it inside a beautiful church in Jersey and it was a blast getting to see friends of mine including Liche Ariza, Ivan Goris, Craig "muMs" Grant, and AB Lugo doing what they do best, perform.
  

One of the other things that was so cool was getting to meet Emilio Delgado, who played 'Luis' for 44 years on Sesame Street and watch him perform on set. And yes the man is as nice in person as he appears to be on camera. Its always cool to discover that your heroes, turn out to be just as great in person as we hoped they would be.

While I was just one of several faces in the background in this television pitch, its was great seeing my friends and helping them make their dreams come to life. So if you're at all interested, please go to the link below. Its currently streaming on Amazon and you too can discover whats going on West of the City…

Please check it out, the more people who see it, the better the series has a chance to be picked up by Amazon. https://studios.amazon.com/projects/127515

Until next time, 

Neil