Emerging Star20_Wise Man and Fool

The only way to see him play Sergestus was to take the 12:10 train from Marylebone. It was not convenient but it was the only ticket I could afford.

As I made myself sandwiches for the journey I thought that if I had the money to pick the train that I wanted I probably wouldn't have had the freedom to leave London on a Wednesday afternoon, but couldn't really figure out whether I should be grateful or disgusted about this.

I felt relieved at my arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon when I saw this written on a wall:

"The fool doth think he is wise.
But the wise man knows himself to be a fool"
William Shakespeare

Emerging Star19_The Seventies

In an attempt of expanding my casting bracket and meeting the requirements of genres such as fantasy or period drama I have been growing my hair for the last year, but so far I haven't been able to go past the seventies.

It's my third seventies film in the last two months, and let me tell you bell bottoms and psychedelia might be the next ‘swag’, but it is definitely not mine. Everyone is thin and long like a Giacometti figure, clothes are brown and beige like regional ponchos and trousers are so flat that there is no way of fitting my bum in them without feeling like a Kardashian.

But I don't really care this time because they are treating me really well. You can always tell that a production is good when you can have avocados with your breakfast, and the hair and make-up department is divided in two. The other day I sat for half an hour listening to Kate Bush while Giulliano dried and styled my hair.

And there were period hats, glasses, fake facial hair and prosthetics, wigs, coloured handkerchiefs, suitcases, cars and we just loved it when they props team gave us cameras and were told we could pop the flashes during the scene: pop! Pop!

Emerging Star18_The Writer

I’s Friday and for dinner I am treating myself with a large portion of chips and ¼ watermelon that I bought on the <Green&Healty>Turkish Off-licence on my way home, before it closed.

Turning down the plans for tonight was justified by the desire of sitting down and finally articulating the first line of this amazing ‘play’ I am writing. Or, not yet writing, I’d better say.

During the last weeks writing has been put off by the imminent need of researching George Perec's spaces, Francis Bacon's studio in Reece Mews, Foucault´s intro on Las Meninas, Ruby Keeler’s tap-dancing and other backstage musicals, Virginia Woolf’s room of hers, Edward Albee`s Zoo, Neil Bartlett’s queer voice and Balzac’s masterpiece.

I now only wish I started writing a month ago, before I had come across any of this.

Emerging Star17_Apparitions

There is always a last minute 'return ticket' to a sold out show when you are persistent enough. That's how I got to see Angels in America at the National Theatre last week.

I was struck by how current that dramaturgy still is and really enjoyed the actor playing Louis who had made bold and unpredictable choices that I would have never thought of.

This morning, when the doors of my train opened at Liverpool Street, Louis- or the actor playing Louis, was on the platform wearing jeans and a red shirt, standing still like an apparition in Kushner's play.

I almost jumped off the train to approach him, but not only I was running late to my casting, but it was too early for it all not to be scary. So I stood still and became another apparition of the Gay Fantasia as the doors of the train slowly closed between us.

Emerging Star16_The Canteen

After eight weeks at the Royal Opera House I can now say that my favourite part of this experience has been spending time at the canteen.

You may picture hanging velvet drapes, wooden floors and walls covered with framed posters of past productions and memorabilia carefully set in glass vitrines, but no. It's a plain rectangular white tiled box organised with 30 long tables rhythmically placed along the space and a huge buffet at the end. There is a fourth wall made of glass which outlooks to Covent Garden and through which one can see an unusually beautiful skyline with

-two neogothic towers with a clock each
-the London Eye
-a group of tall buildings that makes me think of Chicago, although I've never been to Chicago.
-three British flags waving
-the turning Coliseum sign on top of the ENO
-fourteen cranes among dozens of black slate roof with smoke coming out of a few chimneys

Until around eleven most technicians have a full English breakfast broken down into elements to facilitate the payment and lunch starts from noon. You can sometimes see the main singers from the current productions eating between rehearsals and sometimes even a visiting star. (I had the chance to see  Anne Marie von Otter eating spaghetti Bolognese as she discussed with Sir John Thomlinson, who was having kidney pie with mash and peas, about the duet they were singing together in The Exterminating Angel).

 It is unusual to see the Royal Ballet dancers before three coming in their ragged clothes and tight buns to have their half banana and bottle of Lucozade for lunch. And if Oliver Mears -the new ROH director has any at all, it is always between four and five when there’s nobody there except the kitchen staff in their break, and right before the covers come in to celebrate with a full meal, that they are not performing again that night.

The canteen definitely has felt like the most democratic space in Covent Garden while I was there.

Emerging Star15_Sheep

It is the small details that make ordinary art sublime, and that is precisely how three live sheep arrived to the Opera House. They obviously don’t sing but they appear more than I do.

At the beginning, we had Rosemary, Thyme and Mint -the leading sheep, who at an early stage of rehearsals got sick and was replaced by Sheila -the understudy.

They had been doing really well until the fire alarm came off last week during a dress rehearsal. Not only they were confused, but many of us disagreed in whether the sheep had or not priority to evacuate the building. By the time we all managed to get out to Covent Garden the scene looked like the ‘Adoration of the Magi’.

It’s has been funny for some of us but not for Rosemary, Thyme and Sheila who since then haven’t been able to be onstage without shitting compulsively and blocking the scene changes.

For the Opening Night the chorus has been advised to sing very quietly, the orchestra to play subtly and the soprano encouraged to sing with her chest voice during this bit in order to avoid stressing the sheep.

Emerging Star14_Fan

Lately I had been moaning about not getting any screen work for a long time, but finally, today, I got to work again. I didn't do much but I guess I can call it acting for the screen because I was on TV -the BBC- and will get paid for it. They call it royalties. A series that was shot and broadcasted more than a year ago, which happens to be running for second time around.

I guess I can say I’ve been on TV twice then, and change the date of my Spotlight credit to make it rise to the top of the list. But the most exciting part is that I now have a fan. A real fan.

I knew immediately that the series was back when I read his message in my twitter account: “Hi sir. Great salsa dancing on TV today. I lived in Sevilla for 4 months and wish I’d been taught to dance like that.”

Emerging Star13_Opera House

As a teenager I had two big dreams: learning french and moving to Paris -after reading Julio Cortázar’s ‘Hopscotch’, and working at the Royal Opera House.

The first one didn’t develop any further than ‘Nicolas Le Grand conduire sa voiture dans l’avenue des Champs-Élysées’, but the other one...well I happened to move to London and somehow, last summer, ended up applying for a Front of the House position there. After my second Usher Assessment Morning I got an email from the recruitment department saying ‘Unfortunately you were not successful this time’.

Months later, dressed up as victorian-man-in-a-crowd, freezing, in an outdoor execution scene at night, I overheard a conversation between two victorian vendors where one of them explained the advantages of being an extra in the Opera. Opera. Opera. Opera House. Royal Opera House.

Let me tell you I haven’t had a minute of rest since, but I finally found my way in. The right contact, the right email, the right timing and (((zas))) I was invited to audition today for the role of servant/nurse/dead body/ in their next production. I had number 29. 
Let’s see what the recruitment department has to say this time.

Emerging Star12_Pedicura

Hoy, algunos de nosotros nos vestimos de etiqueta para caminar sobre la alfombra roja. Unos en la entrega de los Oscars. Otros para escanear escarapelas en “Belleza Profesional”, la feria de estética y bienestar más importante de Londres.

Siento que hoy, aquí más que en Hollywood, estuvo representada la diversidad. Se vieron manicuristas orientales con el pelo teñido de los colores primarios, masajistas eslavos perfectamente bronceados y depilados, y peluqueras del sudeste asiático con los brazos tatuados con pájaros y calaveras. Representando a Colombia: Jairo Vergara, un visitante de Guacarí, y servidor, ambos provenientes del Valle del Cauca.

A la hora del almuerzo me compré por tres libras un alicate para cortarme las uñas de los pies. Y aquí estoy, empiyamado delante de la tele haciéndome la pedicura mientras espero a que los otros, los que hoy tambièn se visten de etiqueta para pisar la alfombra roja, empiecen a trabajar.

Emerging Star11_Salsa

Dear Alejandro
Are you available to be a featured dancer in a music video?

You must be a SALSA dancer. If you are receiving this message it is because you have listed salsa as a SKILL on your profile. Please only put yourself forward if you have salsa DANCING ability.

The RATE is £200 for the day and you should be prepared to be semi-NUDE/dancing in underwear. The production may require you to wear FLESH coloured underwear to create the ILLUSION of nudity.

Best, Ralph 

Emerging Star10_Super Fast

As I walk into the room they explain that the product we are advertising is an ultra fast wifi experience.
-"Imagine you are in front of your computer and suddenly you're free falling or riding a roller coaster."

The next thing is they are blowing air in my face with a vaccum cleaner.

<<<re<<<membe<<<<r<<<<to<ke<<<<ep<<your<<<<e<<<<yes<ope<<<<<<n<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< I<<<<<<can’t<<<<<<he< <<ar<< <<you<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<re<<<membe<<<<<<

During 20 seconds

Thank you, next...

EmergingStar9_Doctor, doctor

En Londres, cuando no sabes cómo vas a pagar el alquiler del mes entrante, siempre suena el teléfono. 

-David Pérez, camarero español, treinta y dos años, casado con un hijo. Ciento veinte libras. ¿Te interesa?
-Sí. ¿Es para una peli?
-Es para un juego de rol. (Dungeons and Dragons fue lo primero que se me vino a la cabeza)
-¿Me van a pagar por jugar?
-No, te van a pagar para que los estudiantes de medicina aprendan a pasar consulta.

* * *

sala1:cáncer de próstata > sala2:mutilación genital > sala3:fibromalgia > sala 4:migraña > sala5:TDH > sala6:ludopatía

* * *

(pag1)Llegaste a Londres hace un año buscando trabajo y ahora eres el encargado de un restaurante Italiano en Marylebone. Disfrutas del aspecto social del trabajo pero tu jefe…en general nunca terminas antes de media noche. (pag2)Bebes de 10-12 tazas de café, y dieta irregular: comes lo que pillas, y cuando llegar a casa, Lucía…tu hijo sabe que trabajas.... no puedes evitar... fumas 20-25 cigarrillos al día.(pag3)Dolor palpitante en la zona posterior... asustado por un posible... tu jefe... empeora y tomas parecetamol para aliviarlo. (pag4)Desde hace tres... aumentan considerablemente sobretodo...

* * *

-Mr. David Pérez? I am Doctor Fresnel, please come in, how can I help you today?
-Good afternoon, doctor. Doctor I have been having constant headaches lately and…..

Emerging Star8_Purple Shirt

It's a hot sunny day and I am sitting outside, in the shade, with my wife and son having lunch in the terrace of a restaurant in a Mediterranean country. It's the film I am working on today. As an extra.

I say: 
-Now the guy in black will threaten the guy in purple shirt with a gun and force him to jump in a car and take him to his boss' home.

One of the extras on the table next to us asks:
-And how do you know that?
-Because I was seen for the role of the guy in the purple shirt, and this is the scene I had to do in the casting.
-Did you get the part? -he asked

Emerging Star7_Post-audition Trauma

An actor must always treat himself after an audition. I like to buy myself a large cup of Taro bubble tea or go for Japanese lunch, but this morning I decided to go shopping, and this is what I bought:

1x black yoga brick 22x15x7´5
2x metal pencil sharpeners (green and yellow)
1x pack of 8 cartridges for a silicone gun
1x four leaf clover embedded in resin
1x aluminium ruler 15cm
1x pair of 100% black leather gloves
1x pack of super long lasting 10xAAA batteries

The total expenditure was £22’50

Emerging Star6_Cuestión de Suerte

Hay rodajes en los que nadie te vé, y a nadie le importas. “Necesitamos a diez: tú, tú, y yo nada”. “Otros diez” y nada de nada. Y así se puede pasar uno el día entero en la carpa de ‘las multitudes’ comiendo galletas y hablando con otros bomberos, jugadores de criquet o guerreros medievales. Y ojo, no es nada personal, no hay matemática ninguna en esto; es una pura cuestión de suerte.

Otros días ocurren cosas inesperadas como la de hoy en el set de “Ready Player Juan”, la última película de Esteban Espelbar en la que soy ser-humano#190-en-la-escalera-del-fondo más fondo. Mientras espero el “background action” se acerca el 1erAyudanteDirección para saludarme, un poco avergonzado de no acordarse bien de qué nos conocemos. No nos conocemos de nada pero le sigo la corriente y me pregunta mi nombre y le hago el chiste de LeidiGaga, y veo en su escarapela Alan y cuando me empieza a contar sobre sus vacaciones en Mallorca lo llaman por el radioteléfono.

Desde lejos Alan me indica que lo acompañe. En literalmente 1minuto he pasado de ser-humano#190-en-la-escalera-del-fondo a genio-informático#2-en-un-computador junto a los protagonistas. Muy cerquita de Esteban Espelbar. Desde ahí lo oigo todo, lo veo todo, me asignan una tarea, me maquillan entre tomas y y Alan viene de vez en cuando a contarme sobre Mallorca. Yo, eso sí, todo el tiempo en personaje para no perder la compostura mientras mis compañeros de la escalera del fondo me preguntan por señas que de qué conozco a Alan.

Al final del día me llevan a un cuarto para hacerme un escáner por si me tienen que mapear. Yo encantado. Me pagan £50,50 de más por acción especial en la escena y busco a Alan para darle las gracias y un abrazo. 1hora de tren más tarde floto desde la estación de Waterloo hasta mi lugar favorito en Firth Street donde celebro todo esto con noodles y una cerveza, porque hoy, hoy es lo más cerca que he estado de ser una estrella.

Emerging Star5_No Foreplay

Yeah! Got a casting after 5 weeks.

-(him) Hello Alasandro, thanks for coming. Sit on the chair and let's take it from where your character says:"Dunno". 
Try to deliver the lines with a clear Latin American accent from NY.
-(me, sitting on the chair) Dunno what you're talking about. Please stop doing this to me. 
-(him) You know where the damn thing is. Tell me, just tell me.
-(me, sitting on the chair) Stop please. Yes, I have it. Follow me. 


 We do the thing once again.
-(him) Thank you very much Alassandro.

 
And that was a casting.

Emerging Star4_It's In Your Eyes

Hi. Name, agent, profiles.
No hands today.


Did you know that a standard person blinks 16 times per minute?
Okay, so you will now stare at the camera while I play "Eye of the Tiger". When you blink I'll turn the music off and your casting will be over.


Thank you.

Emerging Star3_Models

After many weeks of silence I was happy to hear from my agent again . She had a casting for me -stills for a new product for the treatment of psoriasis.

When I arrived everyone was handing in their composites. But wait, composite…. isn´t that something models are supposed to have?

I positioned myself strategically next to the casting director assistant to see how the guy before me executed the task. I could see him balancing on a stool making funny faces, ‘show me your smile’, click-click, ‘lift your chin’, click-click, ‘add some mystery’, waving his arms and legs in the air.

I am sure I know that face. Of course, it’s the guy in the Uniqlo ad I pass by everyday outside Mile End station.

Right before my turn the assistant to the casting director turned to me and said “It’s not easy to look great in such an absurd situation. That’s why we called professional models for this casting”

Emerging Star2_An Extra

Almost everyone -except my agent- knows that I work as an extra every now and then. It is not the greatest thing for an actor to do, but hey, it pays the bills.

As an extra you can be asked to play different situations like the bar of a casino or a dancing guest at a ball, but considering my ethnic niche in the British industry the situations I fit in are more like plebe crowds standing on the street, airports or Mexican mental health hospitals.

Today we are shooting a working class riot in a Mediterranean city and apparently it will be a long day. As an extra however, extra is all you wish for: no lunch break +£20, haircut +£15, extra hour +£16, and of course being featured will not only double your pay but rise your status to 'featured working class protestor' and appear in the credits next to Russell, Brad, or Hugh.

At times you are not even used and you spend the entire day sitting down feeling miserable. But wait, they are calling me now and I can't find my hat...oh, here it is, inside the pocket of my grey protestor coat.

Emerging Star1_Gnome

I ironed my shirt and travelled an hour to find myself inside a room full of "handsome looking men around the 40 mark with great acting skills and a naturally elegant behaviour".


They call me inside and after the usual things -name, agent, profiles, hands, availability- make me walk across the space, meet a gnome, say hello and walk away. 
Twice.


Thank you very much.