The trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's latest endeavor, The Happening, starring Mark Wahlberg, Zoe Deschenel, and John Leguizamo, has finally been released. Here's the official URL for the film: http://www.thehappeningmovie.com. Click "Watch the trailer" to view it. I played one of seven train conductors who, about 1:15 minutes into the trailer, give Mark Wahlberg the bad news that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket. That's me in the back, giving Mark my best "Who the f**k are you?" stare. The film is scheduled for release on Friday the 13th of June, 2008. I'm psyched; can't wait to see it! Check it out!

In mid-January I worked as a museum patron in the feature film The International, starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts. We shot a full day in the Guggenheim Museum across from Central Park in New York City. Those 7AM call times are rough when you have to commute from South Jersey into NYC but, in typical style, I was early and raring to go. Throughout the day, the Assistant Director (who was German) repeatedly shouted at cast and crew in thick German accent, "Shud Up!" through a PA system. It was the funniest thing, as he sounded just like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop yelling at the five year olds in his thick German accent: "SHUD UP!" I actually expected the AD's head to explode at any minute but, alas, we wrapped before that happened. Probably happened when he got home that night! (I'd have paid money to see it!) Naomi was not on set that particular day, but I did crash right into Clive Owen in between takes. I love working in films.

January and February were incredibly slow months for my QVC appearances, but I finally booked again for two Dell Computer airings on Saturday, Feb 23 '08 at 4AM and 7AM. These shows are now "in the can" and it was great to get back in the live-TV saddle again. Many people don't realize QVC is neither scripted nor pre-recorded, so if I'm on-air at 4:00AM I really am there in the studio doing computer improv at 4AM. Can be a real challenge to be awake and alert at that time of day. Here's a shoutout to my buddy, QVC host Dave King, who makes it fun and easy. Hope you caught one of the shows.

After auditioning in December '07 in NYC, I was hired to play a National Football League executive in an episode of the Fox Sports Network's TV series called "Amazing Sports Stories". The episode details the true story of how the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers combined into one team in 1943 in an effort to keep their teams and the NFL afloat during WWII, as both teams lost many players to the war effort. The combo team was affectionately called the "Steagles". My scenes were shot in Brooklyn on February 6th, 2008, and the episode will air in Spring '08 on the Fox Sports Network. It's always exciting when I get a booking for a national television show or film.

Got another voice over gig through DDA this month. Actually it was an edit of the medical video I did last month. Thanks DDA. Glad to help. Love the voiceovers and am grateful I've been blessed with a decent voice.

Thanks to the upcoming holidays, I'm booked for several QVC appearances in December. Although they're great fun, the overnight shows completely wear me out. I've been at QVC for over a year and I still can't figure out when I'm supposed to sleep if I have a 3AM live TV appearance. If anyone has any suggestions - I'm all ears.

I've read some of the other actors' blog entries and it looks like Philip has figured out what we REAL POLICE OFFICERS already know - a snappy uniform (police, military or, yes, even Santa) commands instant respect. Just remember - people are always watching you.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, happy and safe holiday.

Yikes! Can't believe it's December already and I haven't blogged in over two months. Sometimes life comes at you with both barrels. So, to catch up...

October 2007 I had an audition in NYC for an Alicia Keyes video and one in Lancaster, PA, for a pole building company. Spent two days shooting a Maaco commercial, then filmed a Canadian TV show called The List at Ceasar's Casino in Atlantic City. Capped off the month with two live appearances on QVC. Numerous auto repairs kept me completely distracted (and broke)!

November 2007 booked my first DDA gig doing a voiceover for a medical video. The script was chock full of complex medical language, which is one of my specialties, as I am married to (and have been a study partner for) my Masters Degreed Registered Nurse wife. I have not seen the video yet but evidently the client is extremely pleased with the outcome. Thanks DDA! Keep the medical stuff coming, as this is one of my areas of expertise and training.

Also had five live appearances on QVC in November, plus spent two days shooting a New Jersey Tourism commercial at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City and Congress Hall in Cape May. Couldn't resist stopping at my favorite seafood restaurant on the drive home and eating a giant, 4 lb. live lobster drenched in butter. Yum! Oops, there go my profits!

Whew! This has been a very busy couple of weeks for me (thankfully). Did a total of 9 QVC shows this month. The staff there is very friendly and accommodating; they really make you feel like part of the team. And what a great professional experience too. Their studio is huge and state of the art all the way, with remotely operated high def cameras and numerous sets to suit just about every conceivable product category. Absolutely phenomenal. Look for me on QVC presenting computers; will be appearing 9/30/07 at 6:00AM and 10:00PM EST.

Also had a "humor consultant" role in a no budget short film for the Angry Video Game Nerd. Haven't heard of him? He's a 20-something guy who reviews some of the really awful video games that used to pass for entertainment in the early days of Nintendo and Atari. He posts his reviews at the gamer website ScrewAttack.com and is a god to the gamer crowd, getting almost 1 million hits per month. His reviews are always shot on tape, have lots of humor and tons of expletives. I got a chance to exercise my improv chops in what promises to be a hilarious send-up of the 1980's Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game. He says it will be posted to the web mid-October 2007. Can't wait to see it. Check it out. Warning - language may be offensive to some folks! Heck, some of it was even offensive to me, but hey - I'm an actor, right?

Also have a small extra gig coming up that'll be shot in a barroom in Doylestown PA on 9/29/07. Some of the other amazing DDA actors will be there too and I'm looking forward to seeing them again.

That's a wrap for September 2007. Hope everyone else is having as much fun as me. Adios!

I too attended the workshop by Producer/Media Manager Pete Safran of SAI Global at Mike Lemon Casting in Philly. Met 3 other amazing actors (Andrea, Catherine and Elizabeth) from the DDA talent pool. You guys rock! I am not worthy...I am not worthy!

Anyway it was a great experience and networking opportunity. Here's the abridged version of comments from Casting Director Sandy Stefanowicz - "Steve is such a nice person and really cares about doing a good job. Pleasing voice; is a retired cop; can play doctor, teacher, priest; ...has an honesty about him; overall nice audition."

Great to hear I'm moving in the right direction with this acting thing!

Let's start with August 2007, shall we? This was a VERY busy month for me.

Week 1: I did four live-TV shows for Dell Computer at QVC's amazing television studio in West Chester, PA. It's always an adventure there.

Week 2: I worked on a funeral scene in a Kevin Bacon film called "Taking Chance", shot in Glen Ridge, NJ. I have to admit I got a little choked up when director Ross Katz explained the sad but heroic true story during rehearsal. It really set the somber mood necessary for the funeral scene. The good news is I'm now officially within Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon!

Week 3: I worked 3 days on M. Night Shyamalan's next blockbuster called "The Happening", shot in Plymouth and Cheney, PA. It's scheduled for release in June 2008. Can't say too much about the film due to confidentiality issues, but look for me in a train conductor uniform. The third day was cut short due to a sudden thunder/hail storm. Very odd!

Week 4: I worked as a principal actor in a small, independent, low budget movie called "The Israelites", shot not too far from my home in South Jersey. I played a political science teacher. Had a monologue of about 5-6 minutes, then several pages of dialog. Thought my head would explode; didn't flub my lines (too much),and met some really nice people!

Week 5: I worked one day in Baltimore on the final episode of HBO's "The Wire", which stars Dominic West and a great ensemble cast. This was a great experience, and I wish all films were as well organized and professionally run as this one. Kudos to the cast and crew for their warmth and professionalism. Once again, I met some really fantastic people, and the catering was SUPERB! Our scene was shot in a smoky barroom in downtown Baltimore, and we sang an Irish drinking song by the Pogues. Should be a fitting end to a great series. By the way, if you've never been to Baltimore, go there sometime. It's a really nice city with a great inner harbor and lots to do and eat (sadly, a passion of mine). Don't miss the aquarium. Even if you hate fish, it's an amazing place.

That's a wrap for August 2007. Wheh!!