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SURRENDER MY SECOND LEAD IN A FEATURE FILM
For this film I really need to give props to Michael Joiner. I had just finished Ashes of Eden. Michael called me up and told me he has a role he thinks I would be perfect for. He told me it was a lead role and made sure to tell me not to get too excited because I still had to audition.
Michael Joiner helped me with my audition. We communicated through Skype and I auditioned using my Ipod to film it. We did a few takes of each side they sent. Michael and I went through and figured out which were the best. We even had a prayer session before we started. God is good because I got the call from Sarah Kessinger (an amazing producer and friend) offering me the lead role. A couple weeks later I was on an airplane on my way to Missouri to begin my journey with a great lead role surrounded by another group of amazing people.
When I got to the airport Ross Buzzell was there to pick me up. Which is where I met Robert Leeshock.
ROBERT LEESHOCK:
When you talk about cool dudes he should come to mind. Robert is a very down to earth actor form New York with a lot of experience. It was cool to talk to someone about the industry with someone who had already done so much in their career. Robert talked a lot about his experiences as an actor and I learned a lot from him. He played the hostage negotiator. Very interesting how we filmed out scenes together. All of our dialog was exchanged though a walkie talkie. Robert and i actually NEVER communicated dialog with each other on set. he is an extraordinary actor and I'm extremely excited to have worked with someone who's already got everything together!
ROSS BUZZELL:
Ross was my Starbucks buddy and my driver! he is an awesome guy. He's a very down to earth person that's relatable to talk to. He and I had a lot of good conversations on the way to and from set. Ross always made sure to ask if anyone needed anything on set going above and beyond what he needed to to make sure we were comfortable. Ross was interning on set to get some on set experience. He is actually an actor that has done a lot of theater work and is in pursuit to breaking into film. This is a guy that is humble and down to earth!
MY FIRST DAY ON SET:
Michael and I drove to set together the first day. He got us lost. HE GOT US LOST! I think it was because we were telling jokes and laughing the whole time. Okay okay.. we weren't completely lost. We just missed a road and had to turn around. When we got there there was an upside down car in the road (I would later be in this car crawling out of it) and people were again moving around equipment and running around like crazy to make sure everything was set.
SARAH KESSINGER:
Sarah impresses me. She is an extremely hard working person. One of the best producers I've met. scratch that. She's one of the best people I've ever met. She's also got a very impressive resume. She has worked on such projects such as Winters Bone, Trick My Truck, MTV's MADE... and more! She is the person I talked to on the phone before I even got the role. Sarah also took time out of her day to drive me to the airport on my last day. I cannot stress enough how much this girl means to me! She ROCKS! I cannot wait to work with her again in the future! (already have a few things planned, but not set in stone, so PRAY PEOPLE)
DANNY ROGERS:
Our fearless director. Danny swears he's not an actors director. I beg to differ. he did an amazing job helping me to find my emotions. He was awesome at pushing me to get the shots he wanted! Danny and I did a great job feeding off of each other to lay out a scene and make sure he got the shots he wanted! He was very persistent and motivated. Danny is a very calm person and someone that is relatable. Plus the guy can shred on the guitar! If you would like to see some of his work make sure you check out BROKEN FAITH when it comes out! Also starring Michael Joiner! I cannot wait to work with Danny again! I know its just a matter of time!
RYAN PIOTROWSKI:
I talked with Ryan a lot before I even flew to MO. He was my wardrobe dude. Also worked on Winters Bone. Ryan was an awesome guy! He made sure everything we wore on set was good. He have me a few battle holes in my jeans and sweater! He is a very relatable dude! Ryan is a very helpful guy who also happens to be helping me out a lot with a few things in my career right now! THANKS RYAN!
MICHAEL JOINER:
To say the least I'm super happy I got to work with Michael on another project. he is one of my inspirations in this industry. As I've said in my Ashes Of Eden blog he is one of the many that helps to keep me grounded. Michael is a fantastic comedian. Although i tell him all the time he's not funny at all, that's a lie. His comedy gets me laughing pretty hard! I cannot wait to see what he has in store for the future. Michael played the Sheriff in SURRENDER. The father of Tiffany. Played by amazing actress Rachael Edlow.
RACHAEL EDLOW:
Rachael Edlow.. She's amazing! She's a great actress with a very promising future! She played the part of Tiffany captain Joiner pants' daughter aka the Sheriff. Also my love interest. Rachael and I eased in to a very good connection on screen. Although we didn't get to spend much time together outside of set the moments we did have were a lot of fun! She really rocked out her character on screen. She is very real and intriguing on and off screen. Rachael and I continue to talk everyday. We're actually becoming good friends! I hope to work with her again someday SOON!
DALTON BRIGGS:
DALTON BRIGGS!!! He's awesome! We share the same comedic humor. He and I are collaborating on a few scripts together. Dalton played one of my enemies in SURRENDER. Not a serious enemy. His character just didn't like mine very much! Dalton and I hit it off right away! Not only is he a great actor he is also serving our country. I give a great amount of respect to this guy! He and I also talk a lot. We are becoming good friends!
RODNEY WISEMAN:
I cannot tell you enough how awesome this guy is as an actor. He played opposite me as Cole one of the police officers. He awesome in BROKEN FAITH! Rodney is a very very very down to earth guy with a crazy amount of talent. He is very soft spoken and a good follower in Christ! Rodney has a very positive outlook on life! He has been through a lot of life experiences that have made him the great person he is today. Rodney and I have each others back watching for projects we think may fit each other! He and i are friends today and i really hope we get to work together again soon!
GEORGE CRON:
George!!!! He played The pasture... Jim. He was an amazing actor. A real tear jerker! I respect George with all of my respects! if that makes sense! George teaches acting in Missouri. he was also in BROKEN FAITH. George and I hit it off REALLY fast! Considering we had a crazy powerful scene our first day. I respect Georges dedication to his craft. I hope to work with his again soon! He is a pro!
ANDREW SCHLACK:
I really didn't get to converse with Andrew and the other kids too much due to the character I was playing. he played Corbin. He was very cool when I did talk to him! They picked a good Corbin for SURRENDER! He played his role REALLY good! I'm happy they chose this guy! he was very easy to talk to and had a good sense of humor on set! He was serious when need be too!
LIZZY CLEMENTS:
Lizzy played one of the kids in the church that I kidnapped. Sorry Lizzy haha! She is another person that I was able to connect with on set. She had her moments on set where she was just IN-THE-ZONE. She also likes my music which makes her legally insane! Lizzy rocks! We had a lot of good talks about music and life!
DAKOTA T. JONES:
Dakota was awesome! Let me tell you the guy can tell a joke mess it up and It's still funny as hell! He is a very down to earth guy and I know he has a good future in this crazy industry! I'm happy he got to be apart of this project! Perhaps one day he and I will cross paths again with our careers.
TYLER BUENO:
Tyler and I had no scenes together. He played the pizza delivery dude! Tyler and I talked during lunch a few times and talk more on facebook now! He is an aspiring actor who holds a true gift as a singer! His music is very good the guys voice is a mixture of Fergie and Jesus. (I had to say that) No, but... He is really a great singer! Check out some of his stuff here!!
TYLER'S MUSIC
KALEB RYLEY WILSON:
Our production manager! Kaleb is awesome!! He and I have a lot in common. He and I had a lot of opportunities to talk. before/after work. Kaleb He is a very persistent person. Kaleb is actually starting up a business in this industry and I know he is going to go far! he also just landed a very good gig out in LA. I'm super proud of this dude! I hope he and I can work together again soon! Kaleb and I are also friends now!
JOANNA KESSINGER:
Another trooper on set! Joanna did the tutoring for the kids and also helped drive me back and forth to set when Ross was busy being a trooper helping on set! Joanna was awesome! She helped out a lot on set! Plus she's going to help me set all the animals at the zoo free! lol.. She is cool, we're friends now as well!
DAVID VERCRUYSSE:
David is awesome! he's a bit intimating until you get to know him. He is the CEO is A102Studios. He is a very successful business man who has a very good understanding of the entertainment business. I really hope I can work with him again. The days he was on set we had a lot of good conversation! He's a very relatable dude! I say that a lot about everyone on this set but It's so true! I can't wait to work with David again!
MISSY THOMAS:
I have to give props to Missy for watching all of my youtube videos and thinking they're good. She's crazy! Missy is a very sweet girl who is pursuing a career in this industry any way she can. She did a little bit of everything on set. She even made my battle scars on set. Her and i are also friends too! She is awesome and a very easy person to talk to!
DRAKE STEPHENS:
I didn't really actually get to talk to Drake at all on set. He was the youngest. They wanted to keep the fear in him. BECAUSE I'm such a nice guy I had to stay away from him as much as possible! lol. I can however tell you he can deliver a performance without question! I got to witness a young kid on set with an amazing skill to deliver true emotion! He is awesome! I can't wait for you all do see what he can do!
MY OVERALL EXPERIENCE:
Surrender was an amazing experience. A102Studios really knows how to take care of people. They did everything to make sure I was comfortable and happy. Extremely professional cast/crew. I am extremely happy to have been apart of this family. Again Its bittersweet to finish a project. It's actually quite depressing! We made a lot of memories! I know I'll be working them again in the future! THERE IS TALK OF IT! :-)
For this film I really need to give props to Michael Joiner. I had just finished Ashes of Eden. Michael called me up and told me he has a role he thinks I would be perfect for. He told me it was a lead role and made sure to tell me not to get too excited because I still had to audition.
Michael Joiner helped me with my audition. We communicated through Skype and I auditioned using my Ipod to film it. We did a few takes of each side they sent. Michael and I went through and figured out which were the best. We even had a prayer session before we started. God is good because I got the call from Sarah Kessinger (an amazing producer and friend) offering me the lead role. A couple weeks later I was on an airplane on my way to Missouri to begin my journey with a great lead role surrounded by another group of amazing people.
When I got to the airport Ross Buzzell was there to pick me up. Which is where I met Robert Leeshock.
ROBERT LEESHOCK:
When you talk about cool dudes he should come to mind. Robert is a very down to earth actor form New York with a lot of experience. It was cool to talk to someone about the industry with someone who had already done so much in their career. Robert talked a lot about his experiences as an actor and I learned a lot from him. He played the hostage negotiator. Very interesting how we filmed out scenes together. All of our dialog was exchanged though a walkie talkie. Robert and i actually NEVER communicated dialog with each other on set. he is an extraordinary actor and I'm extremely excited to have worked with someone who's already got everything together!
ROSS BUZZELL:
Ross was my Starbucks buddy and my driver! he is an awesome guy. He's a very down to earth person that's relatable to talk to. He and I had a lot of good conversations on the way to and from set. Ross always made sure to ask if anyone needed anything on set going above and beyond what he needed to to make sure we were comfortable. Ross was interning on set to get some on set experience. He is actually an actor that has done a lot of theater work and is in pursuit to breaking into film. This is a guy that is humble and down to earth!
MY FIRST DAY ON SET:
Michael and I drove to set together the first day. He got us lost. HE GOT US LOST! I think it was because we were telling jokes and laughing the whole time. Okay okay.. we weren't completely lost. We just missed a road and had to turn around. When we got there there was an upside down car in the road (I would later be in this car crawling out of it) and people were again moving around equipment and running around like crazy to make sure everything was set.
SARAH KESSINGER:
Sarah impresses me. She is an extremely hard working person. One of the best producers I've met. scratch that. She's one of the best people I've ever met. She's also got a very impressive resume. She has worked on such projects such as Winters Bone, Trick My Truck, MTV's MADE... and more! She is the person I talked to on the phone before I even got the role. Sarah also took time out of her day to drive me to the airport on my last day. I cannot stress enough how much this girl means to me! She ROCKS! I cannot wait to work with her again in the future! (already have a few things planned, but not set in stone, so PRAY PEOPLE)
DANNY ROGERS:
Our fearless director. Danny swears he's not an actors director. I beg to differ. he did an amazing job helping me to find my emotions. He was awesome at pushing me to get the shots he wanted! Danny and I did a great job feeding off of each other to lay out a scene and make sure he got the shots he wanted! He was very persistent and motivated. Danny is a very calm person and someone that is relatable. Plus the guy can shred on the guitar! If you would like to see some of his work make sure you check out BROKEN FAITH when it comes out! Also starring Michael Joiner! I cannot wait to work with Danny again! I know its just a matter of time!
RYAN PIOTROWSKI:
I talked with Ryan a lot before I even flew to MO. He was my wardrobe dude. Also worked on Winters Bone. Ryan was an awesome guy! He made sure everything we wore on set was good. He have me a few battle holes in my jeans and sweater! He is a very relatable dude! Ryan is a very helpful guy who also happens to be helping me out a lot with a few things in my career right now! THANKS RYAN!
MICHAEL JOINER:
To say the least I'm super happy I got to work with Michael on another project. he is one of my inspirations in this industry. As I've said in my Ashes Of Eden blog he is one of the many that helps to keep me grounded. Michael is a fantastic comedian. Although i tell him all the time he's not funny at all, that's a lie. His comedy gets me laughing pretty hard! I cannot wait to see what he has in store for the future. Michael played the Sheriff in SURRENDER. The father of Tiffany. Played by amazing actress Rachael Edlow.
RACHAEL EDLOW:
Rachael Edlow.. She's amazing! She's a great actress with a very promising future! She played the part of Tiffany captain Joiner pants' daughter aka the Sheriff. Also my love interest. Rachael and I eased in to a very good connection on screen. Although we didn't get to spend much time together outside of set the moments we did have were a lot of fun! She really rocked out her character on screen. She is very real and intriguing on and off screen. Rachael and I continue to talk everyday. We're actually becoming good friends! I hope to work with her again someday SOON!
DALTON BRIGGS:
DALTON BRIGGS!!! He's awesome! We share the same comedic humor. He and I are collaborating on a few scripts together. Dalton played one of my enemies in SURRENDER. Not a serious enemy. His character just didn't like mine very much! Dalton and I hit it off right away! Not only is he a great actor he is also serving our country. I give a great amount of respect to this guy! He and I also talk a lot. We are becoming good friends!
RODNEY WISEMAN:
I cannot tell you enough how awesome this guy is as an actor. He played opposite me as Cole one of the police officers. He awesome in BROKEN FAITH! Rodney is a very very very down to earth guy with a crazy amount of talent. He is very soft spoken and a good follower in Christ! Rodney has a very positive outlook on life! He has been through a lot of life experiences that have made him the great person he is today. Rodney and I have each others back watching for projects we think may fit each other! He and i are friends today and i really hope we get to work together again soon!
GEORGE CRON:
George!!!! He played The pasture... Jim. He was an amazing actor. A real tear jerker! I respect George with all of my respects! if that makes sense! George teaches acting in Missouri. he was also in BROKEN FAITH. George and I hit it off REALLY fast! Considering we had a crazy powerful scene our first day. I respect Georges dedication to his craft. I hope to work with his again soon! He is a pro!
ANDREW SCHLACK:
I really didn't get to converse with Andrew and the other kids too much due to the character I was playing. he played Corbin. He was very cool when I did talk to him! They picked a good Corbin for SURRENDER! He played his role REALLY good! I'm happy they chose this guy! he was very easy to talk to and had a good sense of humor on set! He was serious when need be too!
LIZZY CLEMENTS:
Lizzy played one of the kids in the church that I kidnapped. Sorry Lizzy haha! She is another person that I was able to connect with on set. She had her moments on set where she was just IN-THE-ZONE. She also likes my music which makes her legally insane! Lizzy rocks! We had a lot of good talks about music and life!
DAKOTA T. JONES:
Dakota was awesome! Let me tell you the guy can tell a joke mess it up and It's still funny as hell! He is a very down to earth guy and I know he has a good future in this crazy industry! I'm happy he got to be apart of this project! Perhaps one day he and I will cross paths again with our careers.
TYLER BUENO:
Tyler and I had no scenes together. He played the pizza delivery dude! Tyler and I talked during lunch a few times and talk more on facebook now! He is an aspiring actor who holds a true gift as a singer! His music is very good the guys voice is a mixture of Fergie and Jesus. (I had to say that) No, but... He is really a great singer! Check out some of his stuff here!!
TYLER'S MUSIC
KALEB RYLEY WILSON:
Our production manager! Kaleb is awesome!! He and I have a lot in common. He and I had a lot of opportunities to talk. before/after work. Kaleb He is a very persistent person. Kaleb is actually starting up a business in this industry and I know he is going to go far! he also just landed a very good gig out in LA. I'm super proud of this dude! I hope he and I can work together again soon! Kaleb and I are also friends now!
JOANNA KESSINGER:
Another trooper on set! Joanna did the tutoring for the kids and also helped drive me back and forth to set when Ross was busy being a trooper helping on set! Joanna was awesome! She helped out a lot on set! Plus she's going to help me set all the animals at the zoo free! lol.. She is cool, we're friends now as well!
DAVID VERCRUYSSE:
David is awesome! he's a bit intimating until you get to know him. He is the CEO is A102Studios. He is a very successful business man who has a very good understanding of the entertainment business. I really hope I can work with him again. The days he was on set we had a lot of good conversation! He's a very relatable dude! I say that a lot about everyone on this set but It's so true! I can't wait to work with David again!
MISSY THOMAS:
I have to give props to Missy for watching all of my youtube videos and thinking they're good. She's crazy! Missy is a very sweet girl who is pursuing a career in this industry any way she can. She did a little bit of everything on set. She even made my battle scars on set. Her and i are also friends too! She is awesome and a very easy person to talk to!
DRAKE STEPHENS:
I didn't really actually get to talk to Drake at all on set. He was the youngest. They wanted to keep the fear in him. BECAUSE I'm such a nice guy I had to stay away from him as much as possible! lol. I can however tell you he can deliver a performance without question! I got to witness a young kid on set with an amazing skill to deliver true emotion! He is awesome! I can't wait for you all do see what he can do!
MY OVERALL EXPERIENCE:
Surrender was an amazing experience. A102Studios really knows how to take care of people. They did everything to make sure I was comfortable and happy. Extremely professional cast/crew. I am extremely happy to have been apart of this family. Again Its bittersweet to finish a project. It's actually quite depressing! We made a lot of memories! I know I'll be working them again in the future! THERE IS TALK OF IT! :-)
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