PX This - A Story Of Fate - Corporate Photography & Videographey

PX This - A Story Of Fate

7/5/2012

When I booked the commentator role for the World Salsa Championships on ESPN I knew I wanted to have a life in front of the camera. I was still teaching people all over the world how to dance salsa but It was clear I had the TV buzz. So, I went with my heart and I interviewed with Maggie Flanigan to train in her 2 year acting conservatory.

During that time I auditioned constantly. I booked independent films, original plays and a 12 part web series. I had a manager, business cards, headshots and a website with a pretty decent reel. But then life took over. Or shall I say my wife to be? The year was 2007 and I fell in love with the most beautiful woman in the world. Within 3 years we got married and had 2 wonderful kids but my pursuit of acting stopped cold.

My wife had a pretty good job and I was still training as a photographer/videographer so I became the stay at home dad for both of my kids. It was fun and I cherish all the moment but in order to keep my acting impulses in check I had to start filming and producing my own productions.

I wrote scripts, hired actors, filmed scenes and became a Youtube partner in the hopes of making some extra money on the side. I even put my kids in several pieces (Things you should never say to your kids). You see it was really easy. I never had to audition, I always hired myself and I never had to worry if the project was going to fall through because I was the one steering the wheel. I was happy and had the best of both worlds because I was doing what I loved by being an actor as well as being the best dad and husband I could be.

Then one day last week the phone rings and my good friend Adam tells me there is a good audition for a webseries that I would be perfect for. A great piece for any actor and the 2 people who are producing the series are friends of mine from my acting conservatory. I even photographed both of their headshots years ago. It sounded like a good idea all in all but I have a family, a blog, a headshot business, a logo designing business and several other things going on so I kindly got off the phone and went about my day.

NYC is a huge place. I sometimes do not see my next door neighbor for months. However, as I was walking down the street in my hood, I ran into my friend Brianna who is producing the same webseries that Adam called me about. She stopped me and after some small talk said, "I am so happy I ran into you. There is a part you would be perfect for in a new series I am producing called PX This". I didn't know what to say to her because I was thrown off guard. I replied by saying, "send me the info and I will see if I can swing it".

Now I am not going to lie. I was happy that someone was pursuing me even if fate brought the pursuit together. I mean let's be real, In every business in the world it's who you know and I felt that after Adam called me about the project as well as bumping into Brianna on the street... I had to go in for the audition. So, I dusted off my headshot, cleaned up my resume and went in for my first audition in years. Was I nervous? You bet but I did it anyway.

Well... That's my story. I hope you liked it.

Oh and in case you are wondering. Yes I booked the part. Check out the amazing trailer below.

:)

Until Tomorrow,

Jai