Monday, July 18, 2011

Musings From Hollywood


I’m sitting here at my desk looking out the window at The Hollywood Hills, wondering why I was crazy enough to agree to write this blog. I’m very boring and I doubt anyone really wants to hear about my life but here we go.
I have been living in Hollywood for almost three years and have been lucky enough to be working as an actor almost that whole time. I love my job and what I get to do for a living. I have wanted to be an actor since I was three years old and there are still times when I don’t believe I’m really here doing what I always wanted to do.
While acting can be very rewarding and a lot of fun it is a very hard life and a very unfair business. Hollywood is not for everyone and this town can, and does, destroy a lot of people if you let it and aren’t strong enough.
Acting is more than just fancy parties, glamorous premiers and being recognized by strangers. That’s just a small part.
There is a reason why it’s called show business. As actors we spend almost all of our time submitting to projects and sending headshots and resumes to casting directors, agents, managers and publicists. We go to thousands of auditions, dozens of callbacks; most of these roles we will never get and that constant rejection can eat at people and make them hate acting and grow bitter. We spend so little time actually acting.
When we are lucky enough to act we have to memorize lines, create a living, breathing, believable human and be able to turn our emotions on and off at the snap of a finger. We must also maintain those emotions for many takes or live performances. That can be draining, especially if you have an early morning call, a night shoot or an eighteen hour day.
It can be hard to have a relationship too. If you date someone in the business there is the risk of jealousy or resentment growing if one partner’s career takes off and the other’s doesn’t. Someone outside the business may not understand why you pursue the dream and it can be hard to watch the love of your life do a sex scene or make out with someone or be naked in a role.  
I would say that if you move to Hollywood because all you want is fame, lots of money and to be a “star”, save yourself the money and heartbreak and find another career. It takes years and lots of hard work to be a star and famous. No one is “discovered” and there are no “overnight successes.”
So why do I put myself through this? Because I don’t want to do anything else. I can’t do anything else. I love performing and I’m lucky to be able to work, literally, all the time. And not just in front of the camera. I also work behind the scenes when I feel like I have to recharge my sanity. That’s another piece of advice I can give; don’t limit yourself. Do everything. You never know who you’re going to meet or what opportunities you can get. I became eligible to join SAG by working as a PA on a webseries. I got a co-star role and Taft-Hartlied.
If you are willing o do the work, have a thick skin and are tenacious, you can succeed and have a long and fulfilling career in Hollywood.

Thanks for stopping by,

~Joe




Joe Filippone has been acting for almost twenty years, ever since he was a child. He has appeared on the TV shows 1000 Ways To Die, Childrens’ Hospital, Homicide Hunters and the webseries Shooting For The Scars, Fabulous High, Driving With Our Eyes Shut. Joe has appeared in countless indie films and stage productions. He has also worked as a stage manager, director, casting director, sound and light operator, house manager and teacher. Joe is also a dancer, singer and writer whose work has appeared in nearly thirty anthologies. www.joefilippone.webs.com or www.garlandserotictales.webs.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Older Men: Love them!

Jaxx Steele here to give you my take on older men. I wanted to take this moment to give props to sexy men over forty-five in the world. The men that are aging like fine wine and getting sexier as time passes, you know the ones I’m talking about: the Sean Connerys, Mark Harmons, Samuel Jacksons, Denzel Washingtons and Antonio Banderas’ of the world. I love then all!
I write romances and work really hard trying to bring out my characters inner as well as outer beauty. Although most of my characters are in their mid twenties to mid thirties, I personally adore older men. I have nothing against a young man, I just prefer an older man. If you will continue reading I will share a few reasons why. 
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of Jaxx Steele and not necessarily shared by the good people at All Male Romance.  
Now, that the legalities have been observed….
The physical beauty of a young man is one of his assets to be sure and surely one of his prize possessions. I mean, who doesn't walk along the beach just to see those lovely hard bodies, burned to a golden glow by the sun, glistening with a sheen of perspiration, flexing beautifully in the bright July heat? 0-0 *ahem* Sorry about that. I was lost in the visual of all that. 
Anyway, as I was saying, that's all good, but it takes more than a pretty face, doesn’t it? I am not trying to bash younger men, but if physical beauty fades with time and that’s all you have, well… An older man who is healthy in mind and conscience of his physical health can be just as beautiful! He appreciates the days he has and lives them to the fullest. His graying hair looks distinguished on him and ups his sexiness tenfold. 
As far as physical beauty goes, Father Time has been kind to his body because he remains active. He may not possess that six pack he used to at twenty five, but as he hovers around fifty he is in good shape and shows appreciation for your six pack! And Lordy! Let’s not forget there are still a few out there who do have the body they had at twenty five! 
There is also the matter of 'finding one’s self'. A young man is still searching, trying out new things, figuring what he wants in all levels of his life. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We all change as we grow into the people we are going to be. It's a fact of life. When dealing with a younger man you have to be prepared for that and be willing to be flexible enough to ride out the changes and deal with the ones that you may not like. But!...an older man has gone though most of the transformations. Therefore, he is less likely to change on you. They have already been educated so they are intelligent, worldly and confident in who he is as a man. He has no problem teaching you what he knows and welcomes the challenge of learning new things from you. 
I would love to read more gay romance with older men like that. I have been lucky enough to meet some outstanding men in their forties, fifties and even sixties. Men in the prime of who they are and looking fabulous. I wrote two books with this type of man. If you're interested in reading them they are:

Papa knows Best (available at Phaze) and one coming the holiday season, Hosting for the Holidays (coming this Christmas to Muse it Hot) Links to buy can be found on my website. Feel free to leave a comment on how you liked my blog or the books right here and until next time… 
Jaxx Steele, lover of older men, has left the building.