In Reflection

In March two of my films screened at The Strand Theatre.

On the eve of a new year it’s a moment of reflection on the past one. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over these last twelve months it’s what IMDb has been running as a series. Titled No Small Parts, each video looks at the career of a well-known actor and often reflects on a smaller part they once played in a film or TV series.

Some of the cast and crew from Serpentine and Justice Is Mind on March 6, 2017 at The Strand Theatre.

When I was asked to participate on ESPN’s The Price of Gold in 2014, I had no idea that three years later that documentary would continue to air on numerous networks and streaming services. Just the other day a friend saw me in a promotion for it!

On ESPN’s The Price of Gold.

New for me this year was doing some background work on a few major films. Over the years background work never particularly interested me. But when a casting director personally reached out for one project, I’m glad I accepted. I hit it off with an actress I met on set that day and brought her into the Naval Justice School mock trial program. Will that scene make the final cut? It would be nice, but it really is all about networking.

At the Naval Justice School with fellow actors

With some of the latest class of actors.

There’s another part I played this past summer that if it makes the final cut I’m hoping to leverage it for additional opportunities next year.  I’ve always enjoyed documentaries that focus on World War II reenactments so we will see what happens there.

My point to all of this is that there are truly no small parts in this industry. Oh sure some parts are larger than others, but it really is about the cumulative effect of on screen and behind the scenes contacts that builds a career. One part here, another there, and after a while a body of work starts to develop.

With Monty Lyons.

After a toast to Tommy. With Lois Elfman in New York City on Wednesday.

At “Mr. Burns” at The Wilbury Theatre in Providence.

One project I’m excited for in the new year is the First World prequel I’m writing. As I’m just starting to work on the third act, I have a goal for this project over the next several months. My inspiration to write it came from working with one of the actresses at the Naval Justice School. As I’ve learned over the years, inspiration can come from anywhere.

But while 2017 has had many great moments, I’m not reflecting totally through rose colored glasses. There was the sad passing of my former business partner this summer. But he would have loved the celebration of his life in November at the Skating Club of Boston.

The stars sign for the star.

With Tenley Albright and Allyson Brooks Carling.

Sadly the political landscape has caused such a polarization on both sides of the aisle I wonder when it will subside to some sense of normalcy. There are two types of people in this new world, those that face reality head on and get on with it and those that lose their entire identity in it. The latter has ruined some good people that I know. As for the former, it’s called constructive conversation and just dealing with it at the voting booth. In short you’re either on the train going forward or alone in the caboose waiting for an engine.

My second Pontiac Solstice with “New York State” tags.

With Lindy Nettleton and Kevin Nowak one of the actors from the Naval Justice School.

With Lois Elfman at Dos Caminos in New York City.

While I’m never one to make resolutions in any given year (you can’t predict the future), I always aim to complete some interesting projects. I think 2017 saw that happen. In closing I leave you with a variety of photos from the year.

Thanks Kim and Brian for throwing a great party yesterday!

As always, thank you to my readers around the world!

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2017 readers of The Ashton Times came from over the world.