THE LATEST FILM JOB

update on                             CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER


Well to bring you up to speed. 
did not book the shameless Tv Job. Thats ok it was a one line role and really did not want to shoot my wad for the show on that role but hope to be on the show i love it. 
 How do i feel This Week Frustrated with allot of things. in my life. but i guess thats life. ive learned not to dwell on stuff just try to stay on an even keel and most times it all plays out.

 Finley made it over to my dentist to get the Enamel tooth put back on. mine broke about 2 mos ago and i had a temp on it was all yellow and gross the last couple of months. it was only to be there a couple of weeks. however it did play into all the roles ive played in the last couple of months lol got there and the  new Enamel was not done correctly and the dentist had to take another mold and send it back to be  re done. another 2 weeks with a temp on. then he tried to hustle me out of some money. Set his ass straight real Fast. lol

 One of our dogs Leigh was used in the film WKB for one scene. there was a parrot on set and it flew right next to her and she tried to eat it lol. lmfao. it would have been bad but was funny at the time

Finished the Film When KINGS BATTLE last week. 
was done on Labor day weekend. 
We shot in the whole weekend. 

 It was ok The wardrobe they chose was not what i thought it was going to be i was under the impression it was a STEAM PUNK style thing but when i got to set it was more like robin hood. lol Hollywood. 

here are some picts from the set.  all in all it was a good experience hope it turns out well. 
the night before the shoot the director doubled my diolouge and took all the lines from the guy that was my co attorney and gave all his lines to me.  We were Advisers to the King and Court. man that has to suck looking at the final Script and seeing all your diolouge gone to another actor. :(  he was a very good actor to boot. i guess thats just the way it goes sometimes. 
 the Lead And King was played by James Kyson you would know him from the tv show  Hero's
here is his site. http://www.jameskyson.com/ and some picts form the shoot.

so

so that was the my memorial day weekend. I had Submitted to a theater project "THE PRODUCERS. got a call to audition for it tomorrow. However they want me to do 16 bars of a Broadway song of my choice and well i dont have one worked up. so i have to pass on the aud. i did buy a Song book For bass baritone's  auditions. but i have to take the time to work up the rite song. hate to miss an opportunity but would rather not show up than do a less than great job.   thats whats poppin this last week while im a CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOOOOD LADDER. 

Hope your week was good?. man ya know sometimes it feels like in just not getting anywhere. stuck at the same level. i really need to get a better Agent one that has a little juice or a Good manager. and make that next step Up the Ladder. 
i feel like im not even getting submitted to the vast majority of tv and Film projects. there are allot i am rite for im just not in the proper circles. time to get it moving and take that next step

Frankie Ray on                            CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER


ALLOT has been going on. 
did the shameless Audition the one liner.have not heard anything don't think i booked that. but im ok with it did not really want to shoot my wad on the show with a one liner.
getting ready to shoot the WHEN KING BATTLE Film this week. its a very cool project a STEAM PUNK stylized film, im playing Hez adviser to the king and Prosecution to the court Tree is shooting the behind the scene shots so there should be plenty of very cool pict's.
 auditioning for 2 Theater projects this week also.

 Need to get back onstage i miss it.
will be sooooo glad to shave this dam beard off. had it for way to long but every time i get ready to do so i book something else with it on. the Theater projects will want the beard im sure. just tired of looking like Billy bob Thornton lol

Should have a few projects completing post any day the Wizard project, the Film i did With Vilmos the biker one. and the Project i did with my Buddy Asante Jones the Post Civil war Short 
so ill put them up as they roll out. soooo tired of doing shorts and one day roles but i guess that's part of the game. trying to stay busy. really want to be on a film for a couple of months with a strong character arch so i can just concentrate on developing a character and working but have been doing favors for others and staying bizzy  had to turn down a film... Horror  4 days work with full moon ent. Scheduling conflicts with the When Kings battle Film... thats how it goes.

The Kings film in much more Creative but less money. good trade off i think.
shot the Pretenders Film last weekend. was different here is a pic and  a very creative shot the still photographer got on set. i saw this tree with a picture Frame hanging about 20 feet high on a very dangerous down slope and this image popped in my head so i jumped up and this is the resulting shot as well.

.tree took this shot of the guy that took the other shot.  In the Film i play Steve Job's creator of Apple compurters, father  its a strange Film but  hay why not here is a couple of shots from the set.

no one noticed, not part of the Film im looking at my pie but look at the napkin i n my lap???
just wrong an accident but  "i LOVE MY JOB lol"
Looking forward to the WHEN KING"S BATTLE  going to be some really cool STEAM PUNK shots stay tuned

SO THAT WAS MY WEEK. SOME OF THE THING I JUST MUST DO WHILE


CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER. 

BOOKED 2 FILMS And Auditioning for Shameless Tv show next week

 CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER 

By Frankie Ray 

Well. sorry to just get back to you. Internet was down at the house for about 4 days.

Im Auditioning for The Tv Show Shameless on Thursday. its one of my favorite show's not really happy about it. its a one scene one line type of thing. basically a throw away. am trying to find a way to make it interesting and memorable. but there is not much there. The trouble with this kind of Part is well its not large enough to get there attention and ma by bring you back on the show again.  once you have done a "BIT" as we call it your basically screwed from doing the show again its in an AA meeting.
 just introducing myself thats it.

 but ill go meet the casting and Its direct to producers. an under 5 part. meaning under 5 lines so they don't have to pay you much at all.
 ill do the aud. meet everyone and probably turn it down. there is value in that. not much money and really no way to make the character memorable its the kind of under 5 one line that generally gets cut out when there pressed to bring the show in on time in editing.  so well see.  Glad for the Aud and chance to meet producers. Hate that with my Resume i have to read for a one liner that is not story pertinent.But ive learned that ya never know. so ill show up and do what i do.

I did'nt have anything going on the last couple of weeks. picked up some Hollywood Wardrobe at an auction. a bunch of stuff from the WB Studio. Civil war jackets. some cowboy stuff.  The collection of wardrobe gets bigger lol

What has been going on. well had a few auditions. 2 to be exact both were Films.
 I booked them both.
1. When Kings battle.
is a very cool project im looking forward to shooting we shoot First week of Sep. 2012.
Its set in about the  12th century with a Steam punk theme and look. Steam punk is the style that if your familiar  with the latest  Sherlock Holmes Film. the wardrobe style is Steam punk.

I play Hez  Adviser to the King and Attorney to the Court. here is a pic of what i chose for the audition.

 so looking forward to that. there are some more picts of the entire outfit on my Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/FRANKIERAYACTOR


2. The Second Film is Interesting as well.
it is called             "Pretender" the role Of  "THE FARMER - FATHER"
 its about Steve Jobs  one of the Apple Computer Guy.
 here is the breakdown of the character.

Synopsis: We're shooting a retelling of the Steve Jobs narrative. In our film, he is found by a farming couple as a feral child and quickly becomes a cooking prodigy. But when destiny calls, monsters begin to torment Steve in an effort to turn him to computing. You will be playing the farming parents who find the 12 year old Steve in their outdoor shed and decide to adopt him. 

For this scene, you're sitting on your front porch on a quiet night when, in the distance, you notice a wild fox out on the street before you. This is an odd occurrence as you don't see many wild animals in such an urban area, so at first it's tough to believe what you're seeing. The fox comes closer and you are able to get a better view. It's hurt, so you decide to see if you can get it to come to you so that you can help it. Coax the fox toward you and end the scene with the fox running off into the distance. Keep dialogue to a minimum. We're really looking for the sense of discovery in your face here.  I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR INTERESTED IN THIS TYPE OF STUFF BUT I THOUGHT ID THROUGH IT UP JUST IN CASE.

We shoot this this weekend.
 so that is whats going on. With all the vast amount of Wardrobe i have am thinking about shooting a Short film myself Utilizing all the wardrobe maby something like Time travel. lol i have wardrobe from caveman to current. and a shit load of skill's to bring to bear. Ill have to think about it. any Ideas??? chime on in. im open to any suggestions.

Im still Pluging away and constantly reaching up For the next rung on


                                           CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.

my own HOCKEY STYLE LOL

well Today was a nice day     CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER 




TODAY was nice because i was able to Audition for a commercial and did not have to leave the house. lol


One of the casting directors that i read for allot and have booked with many times KATHY KNOWLES casting. emailed me to tape and submit a 2 minn vid of me as a crazy hockey fan.  it was taken on a phone so ya know. I always try to create what they are looking for but with something a little different my choice is the hockey pad shorts with a cod piece with Tabi Ie Ninja boots lol .


soooooo I did. lol here it is i know now its well ya know a little different and don't really know where the concept came from just what i had on hand at home  but looked online at picts of crazy hockey fans and went with that style with my spin.

So that was today climbing the hollywood ladder while Never Leaving the house.


Frankie Ray  Just a      CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER Hockey style

Frankie Ray Actor And Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond

Yesterday on         CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER 




Was Shooting with Vilmos Zsigmond and Fred Goodich. Yesterday downtown LA.

well it was an interesting day to say the least. First day I Shot With Vilmos.
wow what a pleasure to work with a Legend Cinematographer. we got along great talked allot we are both Gemini's and had allot in common we have fun.
 I am not venting or Ranting just recounting the Day LOL.

First shot of the day was at City Hall downtown La.
OK i wish this was not the case but im just going to say it like it was. "as i said i would "
ok now i have the opportunity to work and be filmed by a World famous very accomplished DP. so of course i jump on it he is 82 and i may never get the opportunity to be captured in his lens again.

This is For The camera company that owns and rents the camera's They Have Money, Im not going to name the company at this time because of NDA and all.

This Legend Vilmos Zsigmond who has won the Oscar for Close Encounters of the third kind. and has worked on  allot of great films with the best Directors in the world. enough said.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005936/

This is a no pay, no budget ,no origination, just  a fucked up shoot LOL  now ive done student Films that were more organized. Should have seen the writing on the wall when i showed up and parking was not taken care of.  Downtown in a big van i have no cash the parking attendant guy wont take a CC  there is no one from production around the lady who is supposed be running stuff is no where to be found. Ahhhh Deep breath Day One. Have a Shit load of my wardrobe in the van and have to park 4 city blocks away. who ever the Producer, First Ad, Line Producer's are not doing there job.  OH yea They were not on set. and were not present. Now i get that they have no money and have to do other things. However there are things that just must happen on a set. there must be a First Ad. Assistant Director to run the set so Dir And DP are free to do there jobs. Motorcycle wont start battery low, Keeps dying, Motorcycle is smoking like a mother.
 another Deeeeep Breath :)

Im able to get it going and the shot is me coming up and stealing the bike. keeps dying. battery getting low. wont start. the bike wrangler is nowhere to be found.

have to take off fast down the sidewalk and "We don't own the The sidewalk" meaning we don't have permits to block foot traffic and or the people on hand to lock it up and control when and where people go. so naturally there are lookie lue's were downtown LA. at City Hall there are people everywhere. and i have to charge down the sidewalk on a motorcycle i have never ridden and we don't own the side walk..... Ok i can do that. we get that shot and move to the reverse from the guy's pov whose bike im stealing.  "Bike wont start" out of gas. never got topped off before it came to set. bike wrangler do's not have a gas can  we cant get the other shot and time is short. i have to go 5 CITY blocks to my van and get a gas can.  long story short we don't get that shot the other side of me stealing the bike.our permit runs out in 4 min.

im Feeling very bad for this 82 year old Legend standing in the sun. with all this unprofessional bs going on. around him.  were in the sun No water and well just about nothing is going as Planned. but we get the shots we can get and that's all ya can do. I did my best to joke and make things as light as i could under the circumstances. Fred "the Co Director co Cinematographer" and i Kept passing back and forth an imaginary bottle of water. I do love Me some Fred.:)

 so we Wrap that location. move over to 7th and Hill.
ya gotta remember were Downtown on a Thursday. its packed with people, homeless, Office Police, tourists  every walk of life.  people see a Movie camera and naturally want to look or get there mug on camera We don't have security and are understaffed. All in all the second location went ok we got what we needed.  we get the shots we needed there i was not in them but an Afro american man dressed as a really dirty batman comes by and Fred Dir, asks him to be in the shot. loved it we were laughing our asses off , at least i was that was cool and funny, he got five bucks and was on camera, cool for him. dam The extra got paid good hustle my Brother. wondered if Robin was around and will he be Jealous ?

Now there is No Food. anywhere. its now about 5pm i got to set at 10am for a 11:00 call time and have not eaten anything. Tree is starving. Little Luke skywalker The new puppy is Kind of tripping. Oh Tree agreed to shoot behind the Scene  Still's.  Love to have my Tree onset shooting stills i get good coverage and we get to spend the day together.
We have a company move over to 9th and Center. Finally lunch 7 hrs of work no food. ok stand in parking lot eat subway. no problem. im easy. we Have gas for the bike. were getting ready to car pool to drive to the 2nd st Tunnel and park . i get in the back of  the Motorcycle Wangler's suv a very nice one i mite add. and there is difficulty getting everyone going. im in the back behind the back seat where you store stuff. people are jumping in. and this 82 year old cinematographer Legend climb's up with me in the back and jockeys himself to get seated????? i look up and there are 25 year old's sitting comfortably in the seat. WTF???? i say ok he is a grown man he can make his own choices. and we get to spend more one on one time together. we have great conversation and get to know each other time on the ride.

Get to new location bike is good. Have to do a get away continuation shot on the Motorcycle up Hill st stop at the light,Take a left cutting in front of the General traffic once the light turns green and speed past camera down the 2nd st tunnel. No problem. We Do not own the street so its regular traffic. can not use a helmet was not established they had me in a fedora, cops are everywhere headed to police station there is a very heavy police presence and i have to Drive a motorcycle in a fedora with no helmet,No Problem. get to there they want me to start about a block south of the light and someone had lost all there break,transmission fluid or gas is all over the street, and my back tire is not getting Grip and sliding all over the place. Ok i got this. lol it was an interesting day . Iv'e learned that the best thing to do in these situations is remain calm, stop and get very present in my body with a still mind. And not get frustrated. so that was my day. Love Vilmos what a great old guy who has "been There and Done allll that in Hollywood for over 60 years. I really hope to get a chance to work with him in the future on a Proper Shoot. all in all it was great to watch a master Camera man do his thing. and an Honer to be captured by his Len's  back at it on sat and Sunday. were shooting in the La River and that is just well a huge Cement  Thing that the River runs down. you have seen them in hundreds of movies.

The camera. Does not see Stress, Dis organization or Frustration unless it is Present in you. Yesterday i was able to do my job and make sure it was not there in my feelings. I used the emotion as my own in my efforts to get away on a Motorcycle i just stole .  so lets see what the rest of the shoot brings. We should get it all dialed in. first couple of days are always rough on a shoot.
No one went to the hospital today.

That is all i could figure to do. at Work. On my Journey  While               
                   Climbing The Hollywood Ladder

FR. :)              Blessed.

This week On            CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.


 well been kind of slow but that is normal during summer. 
got a call from the Director/ Cinematographer Fredrick Goodich  He cast me in the ICAS project a couple of months ago the job for Revelations Entertainment that's Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary's company.  They screened it but have not released it for public viewing yet. its a director/ producers guild thing.


Any whoo he is doing an in house Promo for a camera company and asked me to play a Thief. "You Got it " a Homeless thief lol its the year of homeless guys  for me. wow im not even going to comment on how much i wanna shave this beard off. hate it. very itchy and i look homeless lol.


 Funny thing is once you work for someone in a specific role that is how you are imprinted in there memory. It is really difficult to get them to see you another way. Ive found if they know you as a person. outside of the Biz then they get to see you in a variety of settings and a wider view of who you are and or what roles you are able to portray. 


Its amazing to me that despite all your picts and what may be on your resume. the job you did with them gets stuck in your head. 


here is a pic of a little thing i shot last week. 
wonder how that director is gonna think of me for future roles? LOL

That's just Human Nature. First impressions and all.


We shoot Tomorrow Thursday and Saturday. all day 12 hrs No pay. 
all in the vane of working with people you have not worked with and create a broader network of people that can hire you. 
that's about $120.00 of expenses trying to get more work and expand your business. 
For me its an investment in my business and part of the job.


Auditioning for some other commercials and such its an endless process of submitting for work going on 1st audition that's about $30 in gas and 4 hrs of your day. 
Going to the callbacks another $30 for gas and 4 hrs. 
To put yourself in the running for a job. Next day your unemployed again and the process starts again.  Its just my Job that's what we do until we get up higher to the next level in 

Me im excited its only a matter of time. 
i only have one more Rung to get up and then i Break out. 
and start the next level but it should be much easier.




      Im Frankie Ray   im an Actor in La and im


Climbing the Hollywood ladder.

The New McKee Barracks Alumni For Grown Up's on Face book.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/newmckeealumni/  For Grown ups.
we started a new mckee group for those that want a more Adult mature experience.

Wednesday   On                   Climbing the Hollywood Ladder


Today was well interesting. 


I got a notice My Agency that i had an audition  for a commercial that could turn into a Spokesman job. Kind of like the "Most interesting man in the world"  type of spokesman. 
A role that i was up for But didn't get. that's ok i think  the guy that does the commercial is just great at it. 


Anyhow it was for the role of Bacchus God of Wine. 
and was supposed dress in Toga attire with a ring of Leaves on your head. i look at the Script and well its about 3 solid minn. of monologue  that is well kind of confusing.
and they want a Greek or Italian accent. ok  so i go to a costume shop spend about $75.00 on the costume and make a wreath form some vines in the yard. 

and go online to familiarize  myself with the Italian accent. this was very tricky diolouge  and while i am normally good at large amounts of it. this one gave me some problems.


they wanted this character to be fun. god like but ya know funny kind of. 
so i spend most the evening last night working on the diolouge and trying to get it down.


get all dressed up in my Toga God of wine look. drive the 45 minn to the audition in santa monica. and when i get there casting says there is no board. Normally there is a big poster board with the diolouge on it for the actors to look at to pick up the diouloug during the read. 
 but there was just so much to read he figured that it was just better to let us work without it. Lol the one time i really needed the board and well he just said to do it like a film or tv audition and have the script in hand. 


and the director is here and wants you to do it just like you would. dosent really know how he wants it just make it fun. 


thats hard. commercials and spokesman are very spacific with the style they want but not this one

Hay Today On     CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.

One of my latest commercials For Houston Baptist University Entitled "Change The World" Just came out. it is another homeless guy.  i really dont feel one way or another about it. it was more an artistic choice to do. had not worked with the director. And well a good opportunity to do so.

Im In no way ungrateful for the work. im very grateful im well to be honest . and i said i would here. I am just tired of looking like this for jobs tired of playing the homeless guy ive done 5 projects in a row this way. And honestly im just over that character. For a film with some content and character Arc? sure but commercially im just over the ugly looking character.
However it is a feel good help out the less fortunate spot. that's why i took it.

Frankie Ray. Just a climbing the hollywood ladder one homeless guy at a time lol .

whats happening on    CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER?


 well things got slow then things got busy. thats how it is .
doing some stunts on a film and well my old ass is tired lol 
on Avail  Thats a hold for a Video game a Wizard Character .
and just got a call from the agent. "MY PIMP" 
that a casting Dir Alison Horn casting. has asked me if im available to shoot a commercial for Australia  on the 15th of july. now i haven't auditioned for it they just recommended me to the client. based of past work they have booked me for. its a Homeless guy role for a beer company. the jobs i did with them were the HUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY  homeless guy lol just shot that a couple of weeks ago. and The BOOST MOBILE  "Bill From Hell" commercial. 
so that's cool when they take you directly to the client. that's where an actor wants to be in there Carrier.
 have 3 auditions staring Monday. 
For a New Karaoke Reality show. lol 
a short film.
and a Feature film. 
so hopefully ill be busier this month. Thats what going on. i did that Facebook thing. what celeb do you look like? 

here's what they came up with. i really got to get more famous so i can look like myself lol or get some red lipstick


Frankie Ray   Just a CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER

Today on     CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER


My Agent called at 3:00 pm saying i have a short notice call For USAA its a Military Company that I think Has insurance or something. but the wanted some Vets.
Now i Have a Jaw line beard and a pony tail. but Agent said to be in uniform??
Ok well there are allot of diffrent kinds of Uniforms. Od green. the old style that we were in.

The camouflage  Fatigues that we switched to 1 year before i got out. then there are the ones that look like computer Dots and the desert ones . so i made my choice was the computer ones with Jump boots Spit shined and tucked in.

On the Way to the Short notice audition that i had to be to in 2 hrs and its a 1 hr drive the Jag Over heated blew the Head gasket . so i limped into the audition on time. but my best friend of 20 years was there He threw me away 4 years ago for cocaine. wont talk to me. ignored me. Ok i get it.

now im in the waiting room with all solders and vets. i have a beard and pony tail. and am feeling very uncomfortable. being in uniform with a pony tail. and a beard.

was just one of those ask you questions about your service and why you joined. so on and so forth.
had to sit at the park for a couple of hrs while the traffic cleared. car was not liking sitting in traffic with a blown head gasket. was very uncomfortable being in uniform with a pony tail lol

So that was the day. sometimes Auditions come up fast. and you have to drop what your doing and drive 40 miles in bumper to bumper traffic for a job you probably will not book. but thsts what we do when we choose to

CLIME THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER     A TENNNNNNNN HUTTT LOL  Pony tail  :)

Monday Morning on                         CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER

Smooth weekend  went down to Redondo  Beach yesterday spent the day with My girl our dogs and my good Friend Mark Hodley at the Street Fair. some great music were discussing doing  a Film Project together. great day

No Auditions or shoots scheduled today. im not an actor today just another guy Looking for his next Role. it is endless at my level. if you go through the entire process of beating everyone else out for a Job the next day your Unemployed again and starting the process all over again.

That's just the job at this level. man i wish i could get that Break out Role. and move up the ladder.
sometimes you work so hard developing your skills trying to put yourself in  good positioning  to be noticed for your work and or skills and give yourself the best shot at someone saying " hay this person is a Marketable talent. and giving you a shot.

sometimes it happens fast for people and sometimes you have to work hard and scratch and claw for 20 years like i have. but i locked, set, committed and will continue reaching upwards and developing looks and skills to break out.

moving towards producing some stuff myself. gotta make that transition to the other side of the camera , More control over content and give myself a Job lol.  all in all im blessed to have the opportunity's that i do. you know me just a skinny white boy doing my push ups staying ready for my continued

   "CLIMB UP            THIS HOLLYWOOD LADDER

Frankie Ray

Today Tuesday on     CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER
 Kind of a slow day have a 5pm meet and greet with director and producers. for a Sag Feature. The Role is for a Stunt Guy  Scary guy plays the killer in a Film Breakdown says Heavy Prosthetic so ya know cant see your face but its a paying job and another chance to work with people i haven't worked with before. so off i go.

other than that not much else going on today. but ya never know it all changes with a phone call when your


                         CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.
i will let ya know how it went and my thoughts on it.
Frankie Ray Your    hollywoodbadguy1

Today on 

                        CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.

The homeless one

Happy fathers day. 

well on the evening of  June 12 we shot the Houston baptist University  commercial with director James Gartner. highly decorated commercial dir that has shot spots for most of the largest company out there. was surprised i had not worked with him before after 21 years of commercials  ya work your way through most of the people in the commercial world, Very nice man, great crew very professional. 

 we shot down town Los Angeles on the corner of Santa Fe and 7th a very busy intersection.

was a quick shoot for me about 4 hrs. these shots are through the lense of the camera while we were shooting

the bit was a  College guy at the bus stop sees a homeless man "Me" across the street. freezing in the cold.

 he goes over thinks about giving him some money but puts it away and gives him his coat instead.

the tag at the end of the commercial is something about ' at Houston Baptist University we Instill not just education  by morality" or something to that effect. here are a couple of picts 

Its not a big national for use in Texas only and there web site and internet,youtube etc. 

was great to get a chance to work with Jim Gatner and his Production company. 

hope i get the opportunity to work with them in the future.  

For me i took the Job because this Spot was socially  conscious and Mr Gatner is known for his Socially conscious  Work. nothing lined up in the near future for me but have auditioned for a couple of spots.  it was strange to be sitting there taking myself to that desperate unloved worthless place you feel when your homeless. in the past i took a couple of Films that payed very little so i could build my resume knowing that when i got back i would not be able to pay my rent so i put everything in storage and figured i would deal with it when i returned. the films were "Devils Playground" and the film directly following it "Kiss the Girls Goodbye" both Starring roles. i needed the credit and tape in order to grow my resume and get move up The Hollywood ladder. i paid for it though they both were very depressing roles and i felt like shit for mounts to follow as i lived in my van. 

But sometimes you have to sacrifice when you have a goal. mine is to create a body of diverse work to make myself more rounded as an artist  and hopefully more attractive to those that may hire me as i take my journey  

 CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER

 always your Hollywoodbadguy1

frankie Ray

well back in the Swing of it TUESDAY on


                          CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER
  Today was a  First  50 year old lol Audition for a Fed Ex commercial with one of my Favorite casting Directors.
  Kathy Knowles Casting in Santa Monica.

it was a Slip Knot type Heavy Metal rocker type. so here is my look.

it was good casting loved my choice and gave me big prop's  it's always funny to me when a breakdown.

 "that is the instructions from casting to the agent and actor as to what the spot is and what the character should look like.etc. "
 Says very specifically to dress a cert in way and people come in dressed very different. CD. "Casting Dir"  Assistant saw me and said Frankie Come here.

Took me back to the office. so CD could take a look at me. and she says From across the room  DAMMM  Yes that's what we wanted  that's perfect thats what we described. so that's nice. lets ya know your rite in the pocket with your choice. and then we get in the room the 3 actors that are taken in for the audition 3 at a time. and the camera man "who is great a consummate veteran. Says This Director want's it very real and small.
and the guy on the right goes over the top. and is told 4 times lets do it again "DOOD i told you keep it small stop mugging and he just keeps on a going.  I love them over at Kathy Knowles Casting the bring me in allot and ive booked many times with them. we did the  Sprint Nextel  Superbowl spot 'what if roadies ran the world"

All in all i think it went very well should get a callback they will probably use 4 actors for the rock band.
 but it may be a tough one to book. they will choose a mix. BIG GUY, sexy guy, Ugly guy, skinny guy,  lol Hay i got a good shot at the ugly skinny guy. lol

was a good day  getting complimented by Veterans in the casting biz. is always a nice thing and the reward is getting called in allot.  happy boy.

that was today me im just a CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.
one Psycho looking dood at a time.

Happy Monday  my 50th year ---Today on    CLIMBING THE  "smelly" HOLLYWOOD LADDER.


Well Just got back From Phoenix Az. went there for the weekend for my big 50th Birthday. my Sister lives there and we like to go to the salt river and float down for 5 hrs on Inner tube's it was mellow did not do much. just very Reflective.

Have wardrobe fitting Today for Houston Baptist College. 

With Director James Gartner. a world class director and from what ive researched a consummate human being.   the commercial is a homeless guy spot for a college to be aired in Texas only and on youtube and the college website. but its a great opportunity to work with Jim

 The producer  call's me this morning and asks if i would not take a shower for the next couple of days??????

WTF.... now im a method actor and i really do get into my characters but this is another First For me. there seems to be allot of thoes on this job. 

Now the camera does not smell. and skin will not get well ashy for a couple of weeks. and they will use makeup so im curious why they want me to not shower? does the other actor need to smell me funky to feel sorry for me?    ive done allot of homeless type characters crack heads bad guys end of the world type people. i would think they would say DOOOD TAKE A SHOWER the camera does not smell ya. but we have to?????  so its very strange to me. ill ask them today at the wardrobe fitting and let ya know what they say. 

so im 50 years old.  man i really have to quit smoking my lungs are not happy with me and well im getting a little older. so off i go to be a smelly bad guy while 

CLIMBING THE        ----     SMELLY HOLLYOOD LADDER LOL

Frankie Ray "Climbing the Hollywood Ladder": Today Monday on CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER...

Frankie Ray "Climbing the Hollywood Ladder": Today Monday on      CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER...: Today Monday on      CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER Hay there. the weekend was interesting. had a short notice booking on a short film as ...

Today Monday on      CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER


Hay there. the weekend was interesting. had a short notice booking on a short film as a GURU in a cave.  was out in Thousand oaks ca. At 3pm. shot until  around. 5:30
was an interesting shoot quick just how we like em. 


There was a latin man that came to the cave to get wisdom and he washed my feet. 
now its always strange when you say hello to someone that you do not know and then 10 minn. later there washing your feet .


there is a pic of the character on the rite in the LOOK OF THE DAY PICTURE . 


 so i just sat there in my wisdom told him a little story and got a foot massage. nice day.


then met up with a Musician friend Very old buddy   well not old but long time Friend Scott Moyer.  at Warner Park Sunday was the start of the  VALLEY CULTURAL CENTER"S  Concerts in the park. was a nice evening with Scott, my Girl Tree Her dog Well its not a dog yet only 8 weeks old so her puppy Miniature YORKE  "so Dam Cute" and my dog Polie.


watched the bands hung out ate some kettle corn with good friends and good doggies.
Thats a good GURU sunday. today is monday nothing on the schedule. 


Only 4 Days left in my 40's i turn 50 years old on June 7th. :) wow  cant believe i made it this far. defiantly unexpected.  had to go to Glendale to pick up some wardrobe i purchased at Auction. allot of Renaissance type stuff. man i have allot of wardrobe probably 30 racks. im not kidding.


Im one of those actors that when an audition says a specific type of Era and or character i come in Dressed in  the authentic stuff. for me i think its the best way to give myself a better shot at the role. cost allot of $$ over the years but i feel a Just part of my job. to give myself the best chance to book a role. 


I think its one of the best things a new actor can do is start to accumulate wardrobe in the type's Genre they thing there going to work. Me I have all Genre's just in case. 


LUCK MY ASS lol  hay if you have not gotten the chance check out my youtube page for some funny shit. let me know what you think. Fr 


FRANKIE RAY YOU TUBE PAGE


Thats the day  on Climbing the Hollywood Ladder 


Frankie Ray Style lol. 50   WOW  

Today on                                  CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.


Its Sunday went to the car Show At Warner center canoga park it was nice.
 shooting a student film Tomorrow. as a Guru  in a cave?????  its a UCLA student project.
i like to do them. get some interesting stuff and help out someone comeig up the ladder. they don't get a chance to work with veteran actors often.

got a call from Alison Horn Casting. the Casting dir for the  Homeless guy callback from Friday.
 Im Put on First Avail   That;s your there first choice and want to make sure your avaliable for the shoot days. she said the director  was blow away with my  look and read.

Ive been on proudly 400 callbacks to producers and clients in my years of being an actor but this one was the strangest.
 i go in and they want me to read with 3 different actors because they were short on homeless guys that they called back. im always cool with that your in the room much longer and ya get a chance to give them  more looks and or different type reads.  ok as you can see from the pic. " I LOOK LIKE SHIT.' But thats the point. they wanted a fine line " not scare but not comic" so that was my choice for looks.

i walk in with the first actor and the dir looks at me and says so Frankie What do you do for a Living??

i was a little taken aback no one has asked me that at a call back. im thinking well  for fucks sake im an ACTOR  but thought better of it.
 so im thinking ok relax just be cool.

 frankie  -- 'WELL SIR IM AN ACTOR.

Director   Really  but what do you do for Money. because you come in here and you well you look like your homeless.
 i glance at the camera guy. like what the fuuuuck 

im thinking OOOOKAAAAAA  this guy must be from some place other than LA and not very experienced as a Dir.

i thought about saying
Frankie----- well sir i pan handle and sometimes Suck dicks.
there was a lady in the room and it is a baptist commercial
so i though better of it.

Frankie-- well im blessed " it is a Baptist college  commercial lol:   To work Allot.

DIR----- really  Really.. you make a living looking like that.?

INTERNAL DIALOGUE.  im thinking

So dood what do you do for a living. its obviously not Directing.
 what i said was

Frankie .. well ive found that People really don't want to be seen looking like this so there are fewer good actors willing to play such extreme characters. so i chose to play them and have done well.
but imagine . you all get all gussied up to go to work i work hard to make myself look this way.

Dir.... REALLY????? people  really try to make that look a carrier?  what is the breakdown like.

The breakdown is what the casting director puts out for the agents to understand what the role is about and pass it on to the actors they submit.

 FRANKIE... well sir once i got a breakdown that said " 45 year old male looks like homeless shit get's ass wooped by girl and cant get laid.


Dir. Really.....???  no way
Franklie..... Really they are very descriptive and to the point sir. its not about feelings its about getting across what they need in looks and demeanor.

DIR.    REALLY ? and you make a living doing this.
 now the casting dir Alison Horn. is a vet i booked The Boost mobile bill from hell commercial with her and i know she is a pro. but im thinking

Alison really needs to have a talk with this guy.

"Sometimes Directors will just ask you random questions to find out who you are as a person. and get a better read on you.  after all they do have to spend 12 hrs and sometimes many days with ya so i stayed COOL.

15 years ago it would have been " ya know what Dood FUCK YOU  Really.... i don't need this shit.

but im older now and don't have that ego anymore. lol
 so i say.

FRANKIE..... well sir i also taught Pro ballroom and Latin Dancing for 20 years. imaging your dance teacher looking like this.
 i also own a DJ/Karaoke company. Imagine Your Wedding DJ looking like me?

Director....  "Go ahead and guess what he said"    REALLY????

Frankie ... Yes sir.
I look over at the camera man and he is staying very busy and you can see his face is all contorted trying not to laugh.

anyway we did the 3 reads each different actor that i read with i changed my hat my hair or my intention to give them 3 different looks.
 they said thank you and i left.

Come to find out the Director James Gartner is one of the most talented award winning Commercial Directors around. did his First Film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer . Won the DGA award for best commercial director 3 times and is a veteran Director.

Casting Dir said he was Blown away by my look.  The kinds of commercial's he has done have always been nice people pritty people and he had never done anything so character extreme.

and did not realize character actors come in so convincingly dressed for the role.  that he Said that dood is amazing what commitment.

LOL  So you know on set im just gonna have to Fuck with him the whole day.
Hay   Dood I took you character Cherry..
 So im Jazzed to work with him. of course ill show up to the wardrobe fitting in a Suit and tie lol
Gotta show em allot of looks.

For me its a Huge compliment that when you walk in a room and are dressed for the part and a seasoned director. does not believe you are a professional because you look to much the part.
 so to the New guys. dont be so fast to get your panties in a bunch just be cool and answer the question. rarely is someone an asshole just to be an ass hole. but it does happen lol
that's another story

Well My job is Done  Give me a Fucking Raise lol

so that's cool we will do the wardrobe fitting on the 11th and shoot on June 12th.
 its nice when you get surprised after 22 years in a business. when you think you have seen it all.

LOL not when your    CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER .  Really?????????????



Frankie Ray

Tomorrow  Friday on                 CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.

 Have a call back  at 3:00 pm in Santa Monica for The  Homeless guy thing. How do i feel about it. well i was homeless a couple of times and well that desperate, hopeless, unloved emotion is easy to access and hard to put down. But that is what I do. it scares me sometimes how fast i can think a couple of thoughts and the emotion is rite there as if it is really happening

It still confirms to me if you don't like how you feel Change your thoughts and your emotions will follow.
"All emotion's are created by a thought" or group of thoughts. Think About it.

 It is  always strange to me to walk in a room with 5 or 7 Ad executives, some writers, the clients of the product, and a director a camera man and the casting dir some times there are 10 people in the room. ya walk in looking like complete Shit.  say Hello trying to let them know that your reasonably intelligent. and not really homeless. .and put them at ease that they will not be off put having to spend the day with someone that looks like you do at the moment.
 ya ask a couple of questions to try and dial in what the Writer and director are after ya know whats between the words on the script.

 Most times there not looking at you there on there lap tops then everyone looks up from there laptops looking at your resume. Hopefully everything was spelled ok Lol Sean. and your pictures and the director says ok Frankie...... action.
 in THAT MOMENT you have to change,  very specific and very toxic thoughts start rushing through your head you drop the  person you are. and take yourself to a very dark, depressing, worthless place. and as your doing this your hyper conscious of the camera that is so close up on you. and that all eyes are absorbing every small thing you do. judging  feeling what your feeling. seeing you in one of the worst places a person can be in. Your worthlessness, despair,fear,pain. your Humanity raw and naked.  the part of us most hide. seeing you as a person. as you would be at your very bottom.

however you have to control your emotions you cant let a tear drop. or that lets em off the hook. so the emotional edge is very fine and controlled. to far you cry. not enough your not emotionally honest and engaging

When the scene is over. there is always this heaviness in the air.  I usually crack a Joke or something to let them off the hook. its always so heavy. it lets them off and me as well just in case i have to do it again with adjustments. most directors or i think good ones will give ya a change to see if you can take direction and make little tweaks in your performance.. They ask you to do it again or just say thank you. and ya leave the room most don't look at ya. as you leave there usually back to there computers  or trying to take a break from the emotion's you just forced them to experience.

 For me it just dose not turn off fast. Some actors just turn it off and walk out the door. as i leave i always see the look on the other actors faces as i go buy. they look like every kid does as someone leaves the principals office  that is emotionally wrecked.

 For me it's hard to drop it stays rite under the surface. i remember  on Set after the first take on the boost mobile bill from hell job when i first started beating the door. when  Simon The Director said. cut I was shaking and the tears began to fall. i was so dam angry and furious that he would not open the door. The crew looked at me funny. like why is he crying???  the human mind is soooo powerful i often wonder if as people, human's emotional creatures. if its healthy to keep ourselves in a state of mind like that for 12 hrs at a time.? but i guess we as people Do that sometimes for days or months even years. depression must be horrible

 Me i just have to be silly. Its the only way i  can counter balance I guess. i always wonder what they say to each other when i walk out of the room after the emotional bomb ill drop on them tomorrow?  im sure its something like Dam or Ok or well that's interesting i sometimes stop and think of all the emotional resonance, little pieces of my heart my life  i have left in rooms all over Hollywood lol. ok  thats a little dramatic  but i said i would be honest in regards to my thoughts and feelings here. as actors we dont pretend we live a moment and experience it as if it is real. ok i wont speak for all but i do. its the only honest way i know .

Get the job or not. ill do what i do and leave them with my pain my rawness my agony.
after all they asked me to. ive found most that watch something like that are very disturbed and want to look away the same as people do when we pass it on the street. lol  but in Hollywood  at my  job they have to look to see to feel. sometimes at callbacks with clients and  producers there is a big glass window with a curtain and they are behind it with the curtain drawn and they watch it on a monitor. I asked  a casting Director years ago why?

she told me that some don't really understand actors and it makes them uncomfortable starring.

Lol What do you do for a Living Frankie" ?

Im a character Actor

 Im  professional at making people Really Uncomfortable

 Then i go out to Glendale and pick up some wardrobe i purchased at an auction. and my fog machine i left on the set on the ICAS job the Morgan Freeman's company thing i did a couple of months ago.

That;s going to be my day. Singing  Thank god its FRIIIIIDAYYYYY. the weekend off.

then on Monday a callback for another commercial where a couple of Wise guys are pointing guns at my head and i have to beg for my life

lol  what happened to my plan?   I was supposed be a ROCK STAR???????.
 but that's another story

Always your Hollywood bad guy      Frankie Ray

Climbing the Hollywood Ladder.

One emotional rung at a time.

Today Thursday on CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER.

OUR BUSINESS . is one that is driven by relationships. undiscovered talent is a proverb. just because your talented does not mean you will succeed it is a BUSINESS.
 Driven by circles of creative people. if one can manage to get a break out role." a role that the industry sees and Breaks you out of the Pack of thousands of actors that are trying to get noticed and you move out of the pack and up The Ladder"

When Someone takes the time and the Risk to Recommend you to .anyone in our business. For me its the most high compliment and trust placed in you.

You have to understand we are only as good as the person we recommended. go ahead and recommend someone and if they cannot deliver, are an ass hole ,flake or do not understand the biz,unprofessional. It is very hard for you to ever recommend someone to that person again. that's just how it is. Your Judgment in people and or talent is suspect.

I have been screwed by more than a couple of people by referring them in the past and well it makes you very hesitant to do so. most don't understand this business. and well there expectations are just to high. If someone up the ladder is willing to take a look at you and your work. believe me. they will remember a talented person they see. they may not be able to use you on the current project,or maby not in the years to follow but sooner or later they will go Hay i know a guy that may be rite for this role. that's all we can ask for and or expect. or maby they may suggest you to someone else.
 its a very small business Hollywood is. everyone knows everyone and hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world come here to try to get in.

 Morgan Freeman did not break out and become successful until his 50's after a lifetime of acting???
 Be a good Person, a professional, not an ass kisser. continue to develop your craft. get over yourself and realize your odds are very small. and when ever you can help others down the ladder if you are able. Do so and things will happen for you.

 I have had the good fortune to be recommended by a few people and moved up the ladder and gotten booked on jobs site unseen. that is huge. and soooo appreciated and an incredible opportunity to make your friend look good. the one that recommended you . That's how i booked the Sarah Silverman show. The Role of Andra  in the scene with Andy Samberg and Sarah. had worked with Tim And Eric on there show "Awesome adventure great Job". a couple of times. i did 3 shows with them for Free. and when a fellow director ROB who directs Sarah's show was talking to Eric he described a character he was looking for and Eric recommended me. Rob hired me for the role having never met me and did not even audition me for the role. That is Powerful and  a huge endorsement from one Director to another.

An old Army buddy Sean  offered to refer me to a family member in the biz that a Producer.
New actors  need to understand. that these are the opportunities that we work so hard  and sacrifice for.. now you can not expect anything to come of it. however when someone recommends you to another professional you better mind you P's and Q's  Word gets around fast in our biz and if you dont have a Reputation. your gonna get one soon. stick around.   so to my Friend that is willing to stick his neck out a little.

Thank you  ill not expect anything to come of it. and will do my best to Respect and honor your relationship  with the person you refer me to.

YESTERDAY AT THE AUDITION FOR THE LOW LEVEL MOB GUY COMMERCIAL.
the camera guy started talking to me after the audition about my rep. he was giving me the biggest compliment you can give to me an Actor. he said Frankie you book so many things and Dood you always commit so heavy to your reads. that's why we call you in. we know your gonna bring it.
You always make us look good.as we continued to talk about the biz and trends and what not

he asked me why i haven't broken out yet? why i think. we talked about the long hair thing and he said dood it gives you so many things you can do with it. for me it always is and always will be . a relationship driven Industry. and once you get inside a talented circle of people. and have something of worth to bring to there projects. then you have a family that will use you protect you and provide you with an opportunity. ya better not fuck it up. cuz ill be standing rite behind you. skilled, open and prepared to take advantage of the opportunity placed before me. and behind me thousands of others.ready for
  a hand up to the next rung
 Im Frankie Ray

Im a person. that has developed skills over 20 years.
An Actor, Musician Pro ballroom and latin dance Instructor, stunt man, rescue scuba diver. my list goes on and on and i continue  add more skills
 i don't want anyone to give me my success i will earn it.

All i ask is you take a look, Consider, and or let me in the room, a shot in the game. In the ARMY i qualified as an Expert marksman every year i was there. Go on Give me a shot i will hit the mark again and again and again.
my arms are steady and strong. i believe ive developed myself and given myself the best odds to Break out and continue my Climb. What do you Think.

      THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER. she is a TALLLLLL bitch but i love her just the same

Tomorrow's audition and my Fucken mullet on

 CLIMBING THE HOLLYWOOD LADDER 

Commercial Aud for

Israel satellite Provider as a low level Italian mob guy getting his ass kicked lol

 Here is a problem i run into allot

today The homeless guy has a beard and allot of face hair growth hes homeless and does not shave. 

so its a first audition ill most likely get a call back so i shouldn't shave. 

Tomorrow's First aud is for a guy that does not have face hair or thats the pic my commercial agent sent in. so i have to go in with a jawline beard and say yada yadda yadda about the beard. 

I turn 50 in about 10 days  DAAAAAM.

lol im cool with it its unexpected but what ever. 

i work allot as you know with stringy hair and face hair looking like shit. 

Now work is work and the money is great. who wants the world to see you looking your worst? would you.??? allot of money or not ?  and who wants to walk around looking like old shit between jobs ?

ive had my hair long for sooooo many years and well there is not much left on top its more of a mullet now. i would love to cut my hair and go for more distinctive roles middle age lawyer, maby psychologists,  crooked senitor, cop etc   roles more for tv and or film. i like to work but well i have many other skills and feel i can work just as much with short hair and ya know. its hard for me to play such ugly people Im actually well a sensitive person. not a huge ego but i think we all would like to look our best as we walk through this life. my agents don't me to cut my hair because i work allot with this look.  and i understand that ill just be another short haired middle age balding guy. and the hair makes me versatile. 

but DAM im really Tired of the Fucken Mullet. and or pony tail.

It's my life and I have to live it and should do what i want.but dont want to shoot myself in the foot. 

I think I cut myself off from doing other roles because of my hair but get roles because of my hair.

 I really dint want to play the OLD Homeless run down shitty looking guy the rest of my life. 

Change is the most constant thing in the universe. and well I think its getting time to reinvent myself . and move to a more mature look. Hollywood can always mess me up if needed. 

What do you think? would love some impute..

Today To follow up the commercial aud for the Homeless guy.
its always funny ya get an audition rite after you shave and ya need a beard. it went very well i think.i always like to go very early at the Top of the Sesson if i can. i like to be first to set the tone and tempo for other actors to match. it was a homeless guy panhandling. and no one giving him anything until a young college boy gives him his coat instead of money . it was a cold day. The Directions of the casting Dir. "The same casting Dir Alison Horn who i just love. she was the one i got the BOOST MOBILE "Bill from Hell Job with'  her direction  was  to not  make it comic or  scary but real. I chose my homeless guy to be emotionally destitute having reached the end of his resolve and rope. almost to the point of tears. at his lack of promise iin life and the state of his existence As the scene started. i remembered thinking " No one Loves me, No one cares, no one will help me" im alone in the world.. the emotions washed over me and well it was intense.

The hard part is not letting a tear fall. once the emotion is released it is very hard to get back there for a second take.  we did 3 takes. i dont think the casting director expected my choice of emotion. the room got very still and ya can feel the energy and focus drop to another level.

the other actor after just looked at me and said "Dam dood"
casting Dir and camera man said shit Frankie You almost made me cry also.

I dont know if that is the choice they wanted. it was a serious commercial for a college that is selling themselves as one that wants To instill morality/ compassion in there students as well as  Information.
so that was my choice.

 I felt it, they felt it , so i did my job.  . . those feelings are always hard to turn off. That was my day. Climbing the HOLLYWOOD LADDER