I lived on three continents by the time I was 20 and thus travel is super important. I haven't had the opportunity to do it enough in the last several years, and I have made a commitment to myself that I'll change...even if that means I have to explore California...I mean, there's a lot to do in Cali...I want to hike, camp, and enjoy...someone help me! I've got a great 8 person tent, but no cooking gear :(
Ok, if you guys know me at all, then you know my main passion is acting: I love live theatre, film and television. I not only love performing but also writing and potentially producing and directing too.
Below, I'm including some websites that are acting resources in general, some that are specific to L.A., and some are websites for actors who are friends of mine who deserve a lil' show of support.
FIRST OFF, here are some of the most important to me at the moment:
www.cricketfeetshowcase.com (this is a showcase that I'll be performing in for industry guests 4/23, 4/24, and 4/26. I'll be working with my buddy, Michael Proctor, and our scene is really funny...I'm not just saying that. It's seriously funny).
www.straitjacketsociety.com (the sketch company I helped to get off the ground, with 100+ performances and counting)
www.alexbcollins.com (my new and improved website will be debuting in early 2007)
www.christaballen.com (she's my little sister and I'm not afraid to say that she kicks ass!)
www.courtneyhalverson.com (one of the busiest and most professional people I've encountered in this business so far...she's going places)
Acting resources in general:
www.channel101.com
www.darejunkies.com (watch rental car of death)
www.heyisawyourcommercial.com
www.imdb.com
www.script-o-rama.com
www.whysanity.net
www.proactorsstudio.com (the best acting studio in Atlanta)
L.A. resources:
www.actorsaccess.com
www.afi.com
www.sag.com
www.sagfoundation.org
www.backstagewest.com
www.lacasting.com
www.nowcasting.com
www.showfax.com (***EVERY*** Monday you should be on here reading Bonnie Gillespie's invaluable article. Bonnie is an absolute gem and a champion of actors everywhere. She wants you to do your best...and make her look good too)
www.hollywoodhappyhour.com (a great networking tool)
www.kelseyedwardsphoto.com
Actors I know:
www.cherichristian.com
www.desilydic.com
www.laurazoequist.com
www.rachelreenstra.com
www.jimmyjeanlouis.com (he's the bad boy in Heroes)
www.tiffanydupont.com
www.jeanineharrington.com
www.sweetfrenchtoast.com (the online home of a great pal, Sabrina)
Hey, this is only a partial list. If you want me to add your information, just email me.
Music
My music tastes are incredibly diverse but please take some time and check out the official sites or at least the myspace sites for:
OK GO (Andy and the guys kick ass)
Red Letter Agent (A great Atlanta band)
Movies
That's right kiddies, check out my short film, "Spaceman" from Milkman films. Check 'em out at www.milkmanfilms.com .."425" height="350">
And don't forget to check out the trailer for a film I did a couple of years ago, Behind The Nine. Support the Atlanta Screenwriters Group (ASG) and the quality filmmaking in Atlanta and the Southeast by renting Behind The Nine from Netflix, or go to www.behindthenine.com.
Television
Here's a poster from another movie I did in Atlanta, back in 2002, with a great group of people to work with from ASG. I miss working with you guys, and it's good to see some of you out here in LA.
Books
There's a lot of amazing books out there that my brain has long since forgotten, but staples in my library include:
The complete works of William Shakespeare.
The complete works of Jack London
The Warrior Elite-Dick Couch
Anna Karenina-Leo Tolstoy
Story-Robert McKee
Fast Food Nation----you'll swear off fast food for quite a while, believe me....you thought Super Size Me was bad.
Oh the places you'll go-Dr. Seuss.
Literally, there are hundreds more books I should mention but for the sake of your boredom and mine...
Heroes
I think Family Guy is one of the best shows on tv. Exhibit A, your honor:
and one of my other favorite shows:
and for those of you who have read this far down into my profile, an homage to the Old School days...
University Of Richmond
Richmond, VIRGINIA
Graduated: 1998
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Business Administration-Finance and marketing
About me: South Detroit is officially in the books. If you missed it, you missed an awesome show.
Here's a little shout out to a Straitjacket Society alumnus and good friend to everyone in SJS, Max Crumm:
I'm 31. I'm not afraid to admit it. I've come to grips with the fact that I'll never play a high-schooler again and now that the gray is starting to show, I'll have a hard time playing a college kid too. My first agent said, "Alex, you won't make it as an actor until your mid-30's." I hated her for that at the time but she was so right. This is going to be an awesome decade beginning with an awesome 2007.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I work hard, and I play hard. I'm complicated, goofy, fun and funny (there's a difference!), and I'd just like to find some great people to add to my circle of friends.
Oh, and I don't know if you heard me counting, but I did over a thousand.
Who I'd like to meet: I'm looking for like-minded people. People who believe that passion, drive and integrity will make you successful. People who've chosen to pursue interests that make them happy, rather than what they were 'supposed to do' with their lives.
I'm interested in making friends with diverse interests and interesting friends of their own. LA is a tough place to survive as a loner, so come on in and join the party.
I'm interested in meeting other actors who give actors and the profession a GOOD name: Meaning, they don't just say they are actors, they are actually pursuing a profession by studying, working, honing their craft. I want to meet actors who truly believe that acting is a life-long pursuit, a constant education, much like the study of medicine. Yet, I want to meet actors who realize it's not rocket-science, and it's not changing the world.
I want people in my life who have something important to say, who maybe are still struggling to find out those last few details of who they are and aren't ashamed that they are ___ years old!
LA is full of smoke and mirrors, and people of substance and depth are hard to come by. I like to keep those friends close.
If you're addicted to Myspace or Craigslist, that's ok....I am too.
Alright, so most of you know I'm pretty big into soccer, but this has to be one of the best commercials of all time.
No.... YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!! Hahaha. I am a both I guess...anything that I can hide behind....computer....phone...a bar haha. Talk to you soon ;) And I want to go to one of your sketch comedy shows by the way!
Alex! We had a blast at your birthday crawl, BBQ and game day! Thanks so much for the invite. Great to catch-up w/ so many Georgia folks, friends and fans! Let's blow it out again soon! ... so that's 4 "!"'s but no effing smilies
hmmm not much not much, was supposed to be leaving last week to go start shooting! but that's been delayed so....just chilling and going to school =] how was your birthday?
Happy early Birthday, Alex! Have a great one! Fun, fun, fun... til yer daddy takes the... Well, maybe your birthday will just be more fun in general if yer daddy isn't there bossing you around... taking yer fancy car...
I "moved" here 3 weeks ago. I am just working part time at a gallery on sunset plaza while I find something full time. I am also staying at a friends place in Studio City.
So far, everything is good. Not a big deal. I will let my girls know about your show this friday.