Life in HD

I got a new monitor lately, and finally I can see some shows in full HD. I have noticed that alot of people on the shows don't look as good as they used to. Kind of like that Family Guy episode with the hot news anchor. But on the other hand most of the guests don't look too bad. HD is basically better than I see without my glasses, so its like I am seeing better when I watch HD tv. I like it because it is harder to hide flaws and I think people on TV should be more realistic anyway.

The Philanthropist vs. the Actor

While I was doing my short stint as an actor in LA, and continuing now in Texas, I always wondered about the whole dream of acting and why people choose it. First of all, if you are thinking of acting, by all means there is no better time to do it than NOW. I would save up about 10k dollars before you leave because living in LA is expensive, and that will give you some time to get ready for the whole experience.
I saw a preview for the show "the Philanthropist" which of course is not a reality show. Its a show about some billionaire that has a change of direction and decides to start helping people in his life. The funny thing about it, is that while the show is entertaining, how is it actually helping people in the world? Well besides keeping them at home for an hour at a time while they could be volunteering at their local shelter. Please let me know if they are part of some kind of program where 50% of their advertisement proceeds go to charity or something.
Also, while some actors enjoy some of the highest pay rates of anyone in the world, how many of them give their money to good causes? It doesn't matter how much you give, like they say "it all adds up." Actors aren't the only ones living it up while their fellow man lives under a bridge. Look at your parking lot outside where you live, work, etc. How many SUV's are out there? How many of those people ever take those Range Rover/Land Rovers anywhere besides the local car wash to get detailed? People are selfish. Its just a fact. And while I believe whole heartedly that some people LIVE to act. There are others in it for the wrong reasons, and they would be much better suited doing something for the world rather than being set dressing for the rest of their lives. There are famous actors in this category as well.
I guess all I am trying to say is: Make sure you are doing something you like that is actually "rewarding" to you and not just a quick way to a buck. All that emotional baggage will catch up to you someday if you are in a crap job.
Even acting can be NON selfish if you are making a movie about a subject or cause that isn't well known, thereby bringing more public attention to this cause. Comedies bring people laughter in this time of people losing their jobs. I don't know where I stand on this issue anymore:)

Last day of the Analog TV Transmissions

Watch that old portable color TV while you still can. Tomorrow most of the stations it can get won't be using analog anymore. Goodbye to watching my judge shows on a 3.5" TV screen while I surf the internet.

SAG Politics

How long has it been since the contract for Film & Television has been up? Almost a year now. I agree that we need to get back to work, and get the hollywood economy back again. Lots of my friends aren't working right now because of how slow it is. What I do not like, is people like Alec Baldwin going against the main advocates for a new contract. This is old news, but I am just remembering it since I am now voting on the contract. He said that the Producer's last and best offer was good enough. New media is the big pull of the new contract, and the now SAG minority is complaining that we will get screwed over like we did when VHS tapes first came out. And after looking at the specs for new media, it does seem like very little income for actors, when advertisers are making LOADS. I watch HULU all the time, and guess who the spokesperson is? ALec Baldwin. Right after I heard that report on him supporting this final contract agreement, I saw his commercial for HULU. Wow of course you support that crappy contract, you are getting paid millions probably for the promotion of HULU. I feel like new media is going to effect NEW actors more than it is older ones. People trying to get ahead by doing webisodes and the like will get screwed over when it comes to revenues generated by said webisodes. For one episode of Always Sunny, you have to see 4 commercials, or one 2 minute commercial, which by television standards is nothing. But someone is paying for those ads to be on HULU, and I would wager many many more people are watching the same episode on hulu as they would on FX where Always Sunny plays. I feel something is just not right with this contract, they are using the economy as an excuse to settle for crap. I wish I knew what was really going on, I feel like we are just getting second hand knowledge from all ends. But hey I guess thats hollywood anyway.