As is customary around this time of year, I feel like taking some time to reflect upon 2008. What's different about this post in comparison to other "year in review" posts? I waited until the year was completely over before even working on the thing!
This being the first full calendar year that April and I have been living in Las Vegas, I feel it deserves a bit more scrutiny than years past. We both got very complacent in the Chicago area after making it our home for so many years and i generally didn't look at my time there the same way i have looked upon every day I've lived here.
I wasn't scared out of my mind about what every day brought me in Chicago. Familiarity bred that sort of attitude I guess. Remembering how freaked out I was in general about the storm, the move, the desire to continue working as an entertainer I can see that life in Chicago was actually very good for me.
I didn't realize it at the time, but as it happened I was one of the busiest jugglers and comedians out there. All the time I spent fretting about "no work" cannot compare to time spent actually having NO WORK. Since moving out here I told myself that if I can get at least ONE gig a month for the first couple of years I'd save hope that I can get the full-time business back. ONE GIG! There were not many months in Chicago where I didn't have several gigs a month. Sometimes they showed up all too last minute for my tastes, but they were there. I've managed to get that one gig out here and in some months, as many as 4 or 5, so I cannot help but be hopeful for better things.
Among the noteworthy gigs I booked this year were...
The political TV Commercial for FDAConcerns.com.
Had that commercial opportunity not come along I wouldn't have been able to pay bills that month nor would I have ever been in...
The New York Times! (And Advertising Age, The Wilson Times, The News & Observer, and numerous blogs)
I also booked the preview showing of the Monster Circus. That is where I met Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame among many others. I have not blogged in full about this show as I've been waiting for a few photos to arrive from that event. You can read about it at Bruce Kulick's blog though.
I have begun work on that super-secret project that I cannot quite talk about yet. Technically I can talk about it since the guy I'm replacing now knows about my existence and my partner has begun telling agents about the new partnership. However, until the video, photos, and new website are up I shouldn't say much about it right now.
All that being said, nothing prohibits me from linking to a website and letting you know I may be taking on the role of one of the two people in this act [COUGH! COUGH! -Spike- COUGH!]. It is already a much funnier and more edgy act than in the video and that makes me very excited.
I also scored some bookings from new clients and agencies that I have been marketing to religiously since arriving here. I have been actively advertising and getting my name "out there". I was featured in an ad for Trade Show Lifestyles Magazine and placed ads in the Yellow Pages and other publications. If all goes well, work as a solo performer and as part of a team should be coming in in 2009 and that makes me very happy indeed.
Check out the current issue of the Marengo-Union View (page 29 of 44 if you read the pdf file online) and you'll see my press release featured inside. I would have liked to do an interview or something, but at least they printed most of the press release I sent them. Very nice.
Gotta go to a wedding. Won't be posting for awhile. Of course, I haven't been posting for awhile so you're more than used to that already.
Until then, I found another posting of my commercial on YouTube. This one features MUCH more lively discussion about the FDA, big tobacco, and plenty of useless political drivel. So read all the comments and enjoy.
The TV station that first aired the plate-spinning commercial (coincidentally, the same home town where my mother, brother, nieces, and some in-laws live) did a little news spot about the ad and the bill that Reynolds opposes. You can watch the story by clicking here.
Somehow I can't help but think the station is missing the local angle of the story. Seriously, what are the odds that a regional political commercial would start airing in the home town of half of my family? The fact that so many are watching the thing out there just to watch someone they personally know makes it a good local story in my humble opinion.
Of course, I can't imagine what counts for news anymore. I tried sending out some press releases to my past home town newspapers about the spot. Some of the places where I lived were more than "small" enough to find a regional/national commercial featuring one of their own somewhat newsworthy, right?
Take my last residence of Carol Stream, IL. Not a whole lot of national attention to any of the residents there, past or present . The micro burst got our town on CNN & The Weather Channel, but there's not a lot else bringing attention to the place. Since the micro burst is what brought me to Vegas and Vegas was where I filmed the commercial that is airing in places across the country, including Illinois...you get the picture.
Well, allow me to share an e-mail response to the press release from one of the papers. I'm certain I wasn't supposed to get this as it was forwarded to one editor (with the heading, "Do we give a damn?") and subsequently responded to WITHOUT realizing that if you hit "reply all" or anything like that, you send the e-mail to everyone (in this case...ME).
Re: Do we give a Damn? - PRESS RELEASE - Former Carol Stream Resident Featured in National TV Commercial
Randy:
In the famous words of Mr. Butler, "frankly, me dear, I do not give a damn".
Bruce I resisted the urge to point out to the guy that he mistakenly sent me his rather classy reply. It took even MORE restraint to not point out that he somehow misquoted the single most famous line in movie history.
I'll be kind and not mention exactly which Carol Stream paper had no need for a story about a former local who moved on to bigger things as a result of a tragedy in their town. Heck, it seems they can't even afford a fact-checker (how exactly do you get that quote wrong?). I ill mention that it is in the smallest and least-read of the papers serving the town and leave it at that. No wonder, huh?
In other news...
According to MICHAEL MANNING, the commercial was briefly discussed on NPR's "All Things Considered" the other day when mentioning the proposed and opposed bill. Very nice.
As for being roped into the awfulness of this gig, nobody was "roped" into doing anything. Everyone involved in the shoot, smoker or non-smoker, had a great time. We all got to do what we love in a tough business to make a living within. You can't always pick your clients when you are in entertainment. Sometimes you get the folks who ruffle feathers, sometimes you get the fuzzy puppy people. If the non-smoking folks wanted to do a similar advertisement with me where I eat fire to simulate the effects of smoking on the lungs or make other gross comparisons (thanks, Golfwidow for the idea) I'd have taken that job as well. However, those folks weren't hiring me and probably would have asked I do it for free.
Other noteworthy news sources featuring articles and screen captures of the ad are...
North Carolina's The News & Observer. DON'T ever try to call them and actually speak to someone who knows anything about the paper...like whether or not they actually ran the story and photo in the print version of the paper. It is much faster to just buy a back issue and hope for the best.
The Wilson Times.DO call them if you'd like to speak to someone who knows anything about the paper...like whether or not they actually ran the story and photo in the print version of the paper. I e-mailed the author of the piece, Matt Shaw, and he was not only able to confirm it was in the paper, but he sent me a tear sheet of the article free of charge, along with information that the ad is still running in his neck of the woods. THANKS, Matt!
Thanks to all for the links and the re posting of the commercial. More importantly, thanks much for not taking out your aggressions on the performer in the spot, namely...ME. I've got no problems with you hating the message. Just don't hate the messenger. A gig is a gig and one's personal politics rarely factor into the decisions made to further one's career. Besides, even though there are a few ads running now with plate-spinners in them it is not like there are LOADS of commercial opportunities like this one.
Spinning Plates, Spinning Tales, Spinning Wheel Keeps On Turning
More and more folks are taking notice of the FDAConcerns.org commercial. As always, I'll keep my own politics and opinions regarding the content (other than my own performance) to myself. Maybe when this is all over I'll add my two cents. For now, I am enjoying the exposure and hope for more work. I sent some e-mails to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report last night. Maybe you should do the same (Click the links). Lots of comedy potential with this story.
Among the blogger friends of mine who have made mention of the commercial, specifically to too a horn on my behalf and not to spout too much "big tobacco sucks" rhetoric are...
In fact, Golfwidow made two posts in her blog about the advertisement, the more amazing of which was made on Thursday. Check it out and see for yourself.
MANY THANKS to those who've been doin' some big pimpin' on my behalf. It is appreciated.
Some time today, the commercial was uploaded to YouTube. I did not do this myself. I was planning on putting it on my main page when I had a better, clearer copy to share. Nonetheless, it is there for you to see in a somewhat larger form. As with all things online such as blogs and YouTube videos, I enjoy reading the comments.
I Also found out that the commercial was mentioned at some length on Air America Radio on April 2nd's Rachael Maddow Show. I like Rachael and I like Air America a lot. Most of you know I'm primarily one of those damned liberal types that wants to save the world by not blowing it up every time somebody threatens our dad. That being said, I'm all but certain the ad was not spoken of in a positive light. I mean, if RJR paid for it, it must be somehow evil, right? All I hope is that people trash the cause or the message and not the performer or the messenger (namely - ME!).
I'd play the segment for you and go out of my way to urge you to subscribe to Air America Radio, get their podcasts and programs, and do the right thing by them...but I can't get their website to accept my ordering information and allow my order for a two-week free trial, even though all the credit card info I have provided is 100% accurate. So if any of you are currently subscribers, or have better luck navigating their website, feel free to download the show and send me the clip where she talks about the commercial. I'd even settle for a transcript. Even though I'm certain she had nothing but bad things to say about the proposed bill, I'd like to hear what was said about the spot. Any publicity is good publicity, right?
Since the ad has been uploaded to YouTube, more bloggers and websites have posted the spot and added their thoughts. Without any preference nor any consideration to their opinions on the subject matter, here are some links for you to check out.
The Lay Scientist chimes in with "Big Tobacco's Propoganda Enterprise...Still Kicking". Another good commentary, though he missed the boat by not saying "Still Spinning". Political spin...spinning plates...seems logical to me.
Feel free to read, comment, and discuss as it is your Constitutional right to do so. If you agree with any of the bloggers...that's great! If you disagree...equally great! Just be civil and polite and not the average, under-informed trash-talker that is far too prevalent online. Moreover, please don't go to their houses and pee in their pools...unless they say that I suck. ;)
Andy Martello In the New York Times! (PSST! Letterman! Over Here!)
(Click Images to Enlarge)
When I said yesterday I was in the New York Times I had no idea I was in THENew York Times!
When I stumbled upon the internet publication from the Times yesterday, they had not yet uploaded a screen capture from the commercial. Well, folks as it happens...
There's a picture of me in the
online version of the New York Times!
That got me thinking. They wouldn't just publish something on their Internet only, would they? Probably not. It would follow that at least the story would be in the actual paper. So I went out and found a copy of the paper at a local store here in Vegas and sure enough, on the front page of the business section...
The same story they have online. Nice!
If you notice, the story is continued on page seven. A quick flip or two over to page seven and you'll find...
I'M IN THE FREAKING NEW YORK TIMES!
I know that the politics of it all can come back to haunt me, but this is pretty damn cool, right? Seriously, now! I can't believe this.
In the long run I believe this ad will do me and my performing career more good than harm. Most people know that actors and performers take the work that is offered to them and one's personal politics or beliefs don't usually come into play when doing these sorts of things. At least that's my hope.
At the absolute least it may generate some additional (positive) press for me. Really, the folks at the Late Show with David Letterman might see the spot and decide, "Hey...that guy looks pretty good on TV. I wonder if he'd be willing to teach Stallone how to spin plates."
To watch the commercial (assuming you don't live in a town currently running it) just visit FDAConcerns.org. Keep your politics out of my blog, but feel free to act upon the plea and contact your Congressman if you agree with the ad's message.
At 9:49PM one year ago, my apartment was blown all to hell by a microburst. In case you've forgotten all about that little bit of history, click the tags at the bottom of this post and get caught up (Or click here to watch a little video I made right afterwards.
That devastation, which would have been a major disaster to some, looks more and more like the BEST thing that ever could have happened to us. Had that not happened, April and I wouldn't be living in Las Vegas now. I wouldn't be meeting new people in the industry, getting exposure in broader markets...
And I certainly wouldn't have gotten to film that political commercial I mentioned. See the previous post for more info.
Did Somebody Say...Andy Martello's in a Commercial???
Indeed I am, folks!
Last week some time (or maybe the week before...I can't quite remember the days anymore) I got a last minute booking. I received a phone call that went something like this...
"Andy this is [a producer] from L.A.. I need to speak to you immediately. Please call me at..."
I figured this was probably a TV or theatre spot for THAT NIGHT (while I was already at work at Houdini's), likely in L.A. or some place I couldn't get two immediately. I called back and instead it was a call for a plate-spinner...in Las Vegas...on Wednesday (my day off).
Seemed like a good day's work! After all, I am...The Last GREAT Plate-Spinner!
The spot was for a regional television commercial. Some sort of anti-bureaucracy spot paid for by a tobacco company wanting to stop some sort of freedom-hating legislation no doubt. The bad part - I had to be at the Planet Hollywood at 5 AM on Wednesday. The good part(s) - the cash was great, I'd get said cash that day, and I'd be done by 1 PM. Better still, I'd get a copy of the thing eventually for my files.
The shoot was fantastic, loads of fun, and we got a lot of great footage. Everyone, whether they were from L.A. or locals from Vegas, were great to work with and all had similar senses of humor and fun about them. The director and producer were happy with my performance and all the footage and we were all confident we'd get a good finished product.
At the time we didn't know where or when the thing was to air. We just knew the end client wanted a plate-spinner for the spot and I was the right guy for the job. I was hopeful it would air somewhere I had friends or family, if not somewhere full of people who might see the thing and get me more work. As it happened, the commercial was finished quickly and it started airing on March 26th. Where? On stations in Michigan's First Congressional District. Who lives there? My mother, my older brother, his wife, his ex-wife, his kids, his wife's kids, my nieces - a whole lot of family! My mom was the first to see the spot and just happened upon it while watching the evening news.
The spot is running during all of the best-watched shows (Oprah, Letterman, Today, etc.) and my family is getting to see it. Very cool!
I was worried it would run at midnight somewhere nobody lives and about 8 people would see the thing. Instead lots of people in my family are seeing it and that makes me even happier.
When I get a copy I'll be sure to share with the rest of the class.
I also booked the preview showing of the Monster Circus. That is where I met Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame among many others. I have not blogged in full about this show as I've been waiting for a few photos to arrive from that event. You can read about it at Bruce Kulick's blog though.
