Protect Marriage, Ban Divorce - Eat your words!

Well I'm apologizing up front for not posting in A WHILE. What can I say - Nothing significant going on in my life. Oh yeah, there was that thing about the first Black President, and oh yeah that other story about Prop 8 getting passed. I guess I COULD have blogged about those.

Well not to diminish the astounding significance of Obama winning the election (I'm still shedding tears of joy over that - I'm so loving it - it's so right!!!

But then I came across this video about 'protecting marriage'. If you know me, and even if you don't - I strongly opposed Prop 8. It's insane that it was even on the ballot since the Supreme Court had already once declared it unconstitutional - but I digress. So now that it's regrettably passed, we must move on to the next phase and to begin I think every Prop 8 supporter (and us opposers too) should watch this video. It pretty much sums it up.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Run-away Photographer, er, I Mean Runway Photographer

Last weekend I got the opportunity to shoot photographs of many wonderful models at a fashion event put on by Kami Shade. It was called Shop Til You Drop and it was held at Basics in San Diego. I had a fantastic time taking photographs of all the the great models, making some new acquaintances and practicing my photography technique.

Every photoshoot is an experience and this was no different. I'm a little more used to shooting in studio settings and/or where I can control the subjects and hopefully the lighting a bit more, so this proved to be a challenge. The event started before I knew it and so several of my first shots were spent adjusting my camera for the light, and the environment. After a while I got things together and feel I got some nice shots. There's always more to learn about photography and that's why I enjoy doing it - so I can learn and adapt to each new situation. Overall, I like the shots I got - There are of course things I'd have changed in hindsight, but hey - that's life. For those of you models and other photographers checking out my site and these photos, feel free to comment or contact me about the photos.

I look forward to hopefully working with many of these wonderful models again in the future and wish everyone involved in the event MUCH SUCCESS with your career goals!

Can you picture this?

 
Today I'm happy to report that I recently got the opportunity to do a photo shoot for the movie I'm involved with Notes from the New World. The photo shoot was needed to replace one of the lead characters in the posters and advertising for the movie. Natasha Blasick has been cast in the role of "Sonia" replacing another actress. We needed a photo of Natasha which resembled the shot of the other actress and the picture is to be used in the movie poster! The Director Vitaly Sumin asked me to take the picture and I excitedly agreed! The photo shoot actually took place several weeks ago and I recently got a preliminary copy of the new poster with my picture of Natasha incorporated into the poster. Natasha is the actress on the left in Red - looking on at the other two Actors Brent and Amanda. Let me know what you think. I don't have a picture of the original poster shot I was trying to reproduce, but if I find one, I'll post it so you can make a comparison. I'm pleased by the photo and the opportunity to work on the movie, and it's really exciting to know that one of my photos will be used to promote the film. I'm grateful of the opportunity to be involved in this project, and as always, I'm grateful for all the opportunities which happen for me in this crazy/wonderful industry.

--Rex Hoss

The Killing of the Mocking Bird at CCPT

To my special Thespian Leon, and the rest of my readers and friends at CCPT and beyond, I'm finally posting a bunch of photos I took at the wonderful final performance of To Kill a Mockingbird". I really and truly enjoyed the show and I'm VERY impressed with the three young actors playing roles in it. Of course all the actors were really great and it was like visiting with my family because I knew several of the actors from my involvement last year. Special Kudos to Leon, Eric, Milton, Hilary and Dean! On an emotional level it's a hard play to watch because of some of the themes address in the story, but it was performed well by all and I am deeply moved. Enjoy my slideshow (yes Leon, even though I'm not Jewish, a little guilt can be effective). Great job by all and of course I wish everyone MUCH SUCCESS in their life journey's whereever that may take you!

--Rex Hoss

100 pushups in 6 weeks - Week 4

If you've been following my posts, several weeks ago I mentioned that I'd started a new exercise routine called 100 pushups in 6 weeks.  After two weeks you do a strength test and depending upon your results you proceed with the training. Well after the third week, I wasn't completing the necessary amount of reps so my instructions were to repeat that week's workout. Well it took me two additional repitions of week three's workout to build the strength to complete it. That being done I moved on to week "four" which was really my sixth week, but it's all good. After successfully completing the week four workout last week I was scheduled to perform another strength test which I just did, and completed 42 consecutive pushups! So that means I'll be starting my week five workout tomorrow. 

Up to this point the workouts have consisted of five sets of pushup with varying amounts of reps in each set for example first set with say 25 pushups, 2nd set with 20, 20 18 and then 25 reps for the last set. Those numbers are just examples but it gives you an idea of what I've been doing. Each day of the week gets progressively more reps in each set - thus making it harder.  Week five pushes it up another notch by adding three more sets so I'll be doing a total of 8 sets (whew!).  If' I can't make it through this week with the required number of sets and reps, it'll be repeat time again. We'll see how it goes. But I do feel stronger and seem to even be bulking up my chest and triceps a little too.  Wish me luck! I'll keep you informed on my progress toward the goal of performing 100 consecutive pushups!

--Rex Hoss

My Trip to Boston

OK, so the title's a bit of a tease, but, I'm excited because I got to work background on one of my favorite shows today!  Boston Legal. For those who don't know, James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen are the main stars, and the show is wonderful. Since this was a background roll, the majority of my time was spent waiting in the "holding area" talking with the other background artists. That in itself can be fun, but the real fun was when we were called to the set. The scene was inside a restaurant/bar where Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen's character) was having a business lunch with another of the shows characters (from another law firm) who's name unfortunately escapes me.  Both actors were amazing and professional. It's really fun for me to get to watch the "pros" work and also see some of the behind-the-scenes things that go on.

I don't do a lot of background work these days, but Boston Legal is one of my favorite shows and I've always wanted to be on it, so, today marked a milestone of sorts for me in that I got the chance to be on the show. Next time it would be nice to have a speaking role, but I'm so grateful and excited about just being around the wonderful people today, making some new friends and being involved in the amazing world of acting. 

--Rex Hoss

R.I.P. Bernie Mac

Wow, I as actually stunned and saddened to hear of Bernie Mac's passing today. I have this reaction because a few years ago when I was starting out in my acting career, I had the pleasure of being booked as a featured extra in the move "Guess Who" staring Bernie Mac and Aston Kucher. I was mostly seen in the marriage-re commitment ceremony scene near the end of the movie. I was struck by Bernie's professionalism and his concern for all the the people on the set. There was on night where all the actors were waiting for some technical things to be worked out. As the cast set ready to shoot in the cold night air of a backyard set, Bernie came out at about 1am to talk to the cast. It actually turned into an impromptu stand up routine for him and he had us all laughing and feeling better. I was so impressed that a star of his level would take the time to come out and entertain everyone for nearly an hour while we waited. This was above and beyond and cemented my opinion of him being a truly great person. On another day of the taping, I got positioned near Bernie for a scene and in between takes he struck up a conversation with me. It was simple talk, but it made me realize that this man was aware of, and grateful for, all the people who help him and work with him.

I later got to do some extra work on his TV show for an episode called "The Bah Mitzvah" where I played a Jewish parent in several scenes for the show. I feel a connection to him and am truly saddened that a great person, and wonderful entertainer has left us.

R.I.P. Bernie


--Rex Hoss