screenplay – Chasing The George

I am so proud to announce that a film I wrote, executive produced and co-starred in, “The Doppelganger”, is done with post production! My director and I have a solid game plan in place to submit this film to a specific list of film festivals over the course of one year. We just submitted the film to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Sundance on August 3rd! In addition to the film festival circuit, we will look at distribution platforms for the film.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There is nothing like creating your own evidence. It’s exciting and it truly takes a village of people to come together and bring your vision to life! I am truly grateful.

The idea for this story came to me while I was scanning shoes at a department store’s bi-annual inventory extravaganza. No joke. I saw the entire story play out in my mind while I scanned various pumps. I saw how the hero of the film travelled from the orphan phase to the wanderer phase to the warrior phase to the martyr phase (Please check out the amazing screenwriting book, “My Story Can Beat Up Your Story”, by Jeffrey Schechter.) I knew what compelling thing the hero wanted. I knew what compelling counter-argument the hero would receive. I knew that Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone would influence the style and context of my film. I knew who I wanted to cast and the people I wanted to work with behind the camera. I knew that I wanted to star in it.

The next day, I outlined the script in 30 minutes. Four days later, I sat down at my computer and completed the first draft in 1 hour. Shortly after, I presented the first draft of my script in class and it went great. My classmates had positive responses and reactions to my script. I made a couple of tweaks afterwards, but I kept everything else I had written intact.

We shot the film on December 10th, 2017 and wrapped post production on July 31st, 2018.

Going back to the script, it came to me so quickly because I was on go. I didn’t question my ideas. I didn’t question my impulses. I didn’t fall into any agreements that this story wouldn’t work or that it would be unbelievable. I allowed myself to be on go with the story that was unfolding in my mind.

Writing can be such a confronting process. I know. I totally understand. I’ve been there where I would rather paint my entire house than to write a script. Where I would rather find the cure for cancer than to write a script. However, I also know that when you have a compelling story burning inside of you, you have to write it. You HAVE to write it. It won’t leave you alone until you do. It will keep bothering you until you sit down in front of a computer and start typing.

THIS story was compelling. The story felt instinctual and visceral. I could not wait to stop scanning those shoes so that I could go home and start working on this story right away.

So if you have a compelling story or idea, make the time to write it. Sit down and write it. Whether it takes you one hour to complete it or one year to complete it, do yourself a favor and get that sucka done!

Thanks to all the people who helped bring my story and vision to life: Lindsay Hopper, Javier Lezama, Hitoshi Inoue, Beth Berlin, Sayaka Miyatani, Jessica Sade Ward, Lauren Elle Christie, Taylor Babb, Courtney Nichole, Craig Taggart, Richard Lawson Studios PDP 3.0 class (What! What!)

You can check out The Doppelganger and my other credits at:

https://www.imdb.me/jorgeortiz

Artistic Abundance

March 3, 2018 Chasing The George

Happy Oscars day! I want to say congratulations to all of the nominees. It was raining this weekend in LA and it inspired today’s blog entry! You’ve heard the expression, “When it rains, it pours”? Well, that’s what I feel like is happening at the moment for me in my artistic life.

Earlier this year, I laid out my 2018 goals and I’ve been going after them in a deliberate way. One of the goals was to put the actor back into Jorge Ortiz Actor (jorgeortizactor is my social media handle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…hint hint…follow me!) And since putting the focus back on acting, I’ve been up three times on stage in my scene study class (and in one of the scenes I did, Richard Lawson used me as an example of the teaching and how I effectively and clearly apply it) I also have a few more scenes scheduled to go up and I have other classmates who want to work with me as well.

My editor is doing the finishing touches on the first cut of a film that I not only executive produced and wrote, but that I also starred in. Actor.

A friend of mine highly-referred me to the playwright, the director and the executive producer of a play that they are launching in June. I met with them yesterday and the meeting went great. I got to select and pitch which role I would be interested in playing should I decide to come on board.

I did a table read last month for a feature film and my performance left a wonderful impression on the writer and producer of the film. This past week, I shared with him a self-tape audition I did and he really enjoyed my work. As a matter of fact, he enjoyed it so much that he is considering me for other parts in his feature film.

I have an audition for a feature film tomorrow (Monday) for a leading role in a feature film. I’ve been working on my sides all weekend and I also have to sing a song! My goal and intention is to book the audition room! I can’t wait to deliver my product.

I’ve also been researching commercial acting classes to take!

On the writing side, a friend of mine recently did research for me on various writing competitions because I am interested in getting my writing works out there!

I’ve been teaching four acting classes at the Richard Lawson Studios since January of this year and really being of service to the students and to their growth. I am maintaining my relationship map and keeping that alive and healthy.

And of course, celebrating along the way!

There are many more things happening this year and I can’t wait to continue sharing my journey with all of you!

Until next week!

Chasing The George!

Table Read Fun!

February 18, 2018February 18, 2018 Chasing The George

Hey artistic warriors! Hope you’re all having a great weekend!

I had an opportunity to act in a table read for an exciting and powerful feature film. I was asked to be in it by the writer of the film. He and I met at the Richard Lawson Studios two years ago and we kept in touch by sharing our artistic endeavors with each other. Plus, he had seen my work as an actor and liked it. He mentioned at the table read that he hand-selected each of us because he knew what we would bring to the characters.

And although I can’t talk about the storyline of the feature film, what I will talk about is the process I employed for the table read. First of all, the scripts would only be available at the table read, so none of us had the opportunity to read it and work on our characters beforehand. We were only emailed our character names and their breakdowns. So essentially, this was a cold reading! Which I thrive on!

Based on my character’s breakdown, I came dressed as the character. I decided to wear something “hip nerdy” and I wore non-prescription glasses. When I took my assigned seat at the table, I literally had five minutes to find my scenes and read through them. On the first read through of my scenes, I just read them in order to gather the facts that the writer was giving to me. What’s going on? What’s happening?

When I finished the first read through, I went back and created a quick history for my character. Then, I created a moment before and then I began reading through my scenes again. I allowed myself to be open and present so that my instincts and impulses could come through. As subtext and thoughts popped into my head, I wrote them down on the margins of the pages. I didn’t question myself, I didn’t flinch, I didn’t critique. I honored my impulses. When I finished the second read through of my scenes, I closed the script and let it go. I didn’t do any more read throughs.

A minute later, the table read began. I connected with my other scene partner and found moments where I was impinged by him and where I impinged him. I allowed myself to have a moment of real reflective delay when he delivered some bad news to me and I allowed myself to have an experience.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and the writer loved and appreciated what we all brought to the table read. We had a quick Q&A afterwards and he shared with us his upcoming plans for the film.

Until next time! Have a great artistic week!

My 2018 Goal

January 27, 2018January 27, 2018 Chasing The George

Hey kitty girls! I couldn’t resist. RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 premiered on January 25th and I am getting all my life right now!

We’re still in January and 2018 is still very much new and filled with wonderful possibilities. I wanted to share with you all what my goal is for 2018. I recently shared that my birthday wish was to continue honoring my imagination as an artist. Which I love! So, what is my goal for 2018? What am I focused on?

When I look over my DOIN’ (Declaration of Independence aka my personal business plan), one of my postulates is:

I am a household name infiltrating and conquering mainstream Hollywood through my film acting work and by creating TV and Film content that is just beyond the margin of comfortability (Daring and artistically free content that falls within the wheelhouse of HBO, Showtime, Netflix, A24 and powerful indie studio houses)

Which is great! I still love and believe in this postulate. However, as I looked at it, I realized that in order for me to fulfill that postulate, there was a prior step that I needed to accomplish. There’s a step that comes before becoming a household name and I need to achieve that first. And that is to become an industry name first. I want name recognition and name value with industry professionals (e.g., producers, writers, directors, casting) That fellow colleagues know my name and respect it because of my professionalism and hard work.

So the goal for 2018 is to close the deal on at least one writing and one acting project that puts my name in the entertainment trades (e.g., Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, IndieWire, etc.) I have created a DOIN’ specifically for this goal. My 2018 DOIN’ as I call it. I’m so excited to have a plan of attack to make this goal happen in 2018. Close the deal so that fellow colleagues in the industry take notice of my name.

What is your 2018 goal or goals? I’d love to read what they are in the comments section below!

An Arrogant Farewell To 2017!

December 16, 2017December 21, 2017 Chasing The George

My last blog entry for 2017! I will see you in the new year! But for now, I am here to give an arrogant goodbye to 2017. Arrogant as in “claiming for oneself” and “pride”. I have so much pride in the wins I’ve had in 2017 and I’m going to share just a sampling of them. I’m tooting my horn. As should you. What were your wins in 2017?

Cause at the end of the day, what’s a horn for but to toot it?

Here we go!

January 4th: Audited a scene study class at Jame Franco’s acting studio

January 13th: Celebrated my birthday with friends, drag queens, bottomless mimosas and twerking

February 5th: Celebrated one year anniversary with Chris

February 6th: Attended “Assassins” musical fundraiser at Rage to support my fellow Richard Lawson Studios members

February 9th: Imported the rest of my relationship map into Insightly

February 10th: Took a wonderful trip to Seattle with Chris

February 24th: Had a kick-ass audition playing a character like Huck from “Scandal” in the PDP 3.0 class

February 25th: Shot new headshots with Marisa Leigh

March 7th Made final payment to company and got rid of an outstanding debt

March 24th: Co-hosted the first of 13 viewing parties for Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race

March 27th: Took a picture with my favorite drag queen: Bianca Del Rio

April 13th My blog entry, “Sending The Elevator Down”, was accepted into the Huffington Post’s Thrive site

April 13th Had coffee with one of my favorite actors and people, Justin Huen

April 17th Signed with the Paradise Group for commercial representation

April 18th Participated in the LA Law charity event (our group raised the most money in the history of the event)

April 21st Did a kick-ass cold read audition as a doctor in the PDP 3.0 class

April 29th Attended the inaugural Wearable Art Gala wearing a custom-made metallic gold mask

April 30th Attended Drag Con and took pictures with Alyssa Edwards, Nina Bo’nina Banana Fofana Osama Bin Laden Brown and Karen From Finance; received video shout out from Shangela. Also attended a handful of wonderful panels.

May 6th Attended “Assassins” musical in Silverlake to support my fellow Richard Lawson Studios members

May 13th Attended The Bougee Party in Woodland Hills

May 13th Attended screening of Chinatown at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with Chris, Lindsay, Jordan, Sarah and Ryan

May 19th Did a kick-ass procedural audition as the CEO of Caster Industries in the PDP 3.0 class

June 1st Began Round 1 of social media campaign for my James Franco feature film project

June 2nd Had a meeting with Oakley Entertainment about my James Franco feature film project

June 3rd Wrote the first draft of my movie pitch

June 4th Posted my 100th blog entry

June 5th Was a reader for a feature film that Kim Hardin was casting

June 10th Attended screening of The Wizard of Oz at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with Lindsay

June 17th Attended Danielle Eskinazi’s workshop and did a kick-ass read during the workshop. I had a commercial copy from a Honda spot

June 20th Did a kick-ass cold read audition as a fashion consultant in the PDP 3.0 class

June 23rd Sasha Velour won Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and represented Vassar College beautifully (Sasha was class of 2009)

June 25th I attended first Richard Lawson Studios teachers meeting

June 26th Email sent by Oakley Entertainment to one of James Franco’s producing partners

June 30th Shot a computer hacker scene with Lindsay, Lauren and Kenny

July 2nd Final cut completed of Human Revolution short film (a film I executive produced, co-wrote and co-starred in)

July 3rd “Curtsy, Mister” became an HBO finalist at MVAAFF (in addition to 15 other film festivals it has already been accepted into. This is a feature documentary film I acted in and also was the first assistant director on)

July 5th Signed with the Paradise Group for theatrical representation

July 10th: My weekly blog, Chasing The George, turned two years old

July 18th: Shared the computer hacker scene I shot with Twinkie Byrd, Danielle Eskinazi, Monika Mikkelsen

July 19th: Lindsay shared computer hacker scene with various casting directors on Twitter

July 24th: Dropped off cream puffs and James Franco script with Reed to Rabbit Bandini Productions

July 25th: Did a successful on-camera audition from The Librarians TV series in the PDP 3.0 class

July 26th: Oakley Entertainment reached out to Laurie Holden’s people for the lead female role in my James Franco feature film script

July 26th: Successful production meeting for phase two of the Human Revolution movie

July 29th: Started window shopping for office furniture

July 30th: Did research on 10 film festivals Lauren gave to me and I reached out to them via email for premiere requirements

July 31st: Intention without hesitation. Back to back actions on:

- Emailed top CAA agent re: Human Revolution (HR) submission to Vassar Film Festival and drop off to James Franco’s production company
- Followed up with Jessica re: HR viewing
- FB message to Ryan and Sarah re: Princess Bride screening and mini-golfing
- Tweeted computer hacker scene link to various CD’s of Mr. Robot, Fear The Walking Dead, etc.
- Sent film festival update to HR producing team
- Tweeted Twinkie Byrd about collaborating
- Researched and sent literary inquiry letters to Heroes and Villains Entertainment, Rafterman Media, Original Artists & Society Entertainment

August 3rd: Chasing The George was included in Vassar’s “In The Media” July 2017 round up email which is sent to graduates all over the world

August 4th: Submitted Human Revolution to the Vassar Film Festival in D.C.

August 8th: Sent Julia (my agent) my DOIN’ (aka my business plan) and she loved it

August 8th: Human Revolution submitted to SXSW, Atlanta Film Festival, Slamdance

August 9th: Submitted Human Revolution to Taos Shortz Film Festival

August 10th: Followed up with the literary agents I submitted to on July 31st

August 15th: Emailed Julia and asked her to do an intro for me to the casting director of Gente-fied.

August 16th: Received another IMDB actor credit for a feature film called Zombie TV that comes out in 2018

August 16th: Sent Tady link to HR

August 17th: Sent FB message to the creators of Gente-fied

August 17th: Sent literary inquiry letter to The Mission Entertainment

August 18th: Sent email to Kelly Edwards re: HBOAccess program

August 19th: Sent Travis link to HR

August 20th: Participated in a career administration panel at the WACO Theater Center

August 23rd: Submitted Human Revolution film to Sundance, Sarasota Film Festival and the Utah Film and Awards Festival

August 26th: Celebrated 15 years of living in Los Angeles

August 28th: The Huffington Post’s Thrive section published a second blog entry of mine, “What Is A Win?”

August 31st: Worked with a private client who wanted to start learning an approach to acting

September 2nd: Submitted Human Revolution to the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival

September 4th: Posted my 10,000th tweet

September 5th: Submitted Human Revolution to the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival

September 5th: Emailed the casting director of Gente-fied and received her response on September 6th

September 9th: Did a self-tape audition for the feature film, French Fries

September 26th: Did cold stand up comedy in the PDP 3.0 class and rocked it

September 26th: Outlined a new short film script in 32 minutes

September 30th: Took above outline and wrote first draft of script in 1 hour and 25 minutes (which became The Doppleganger)

October 10th: Auditioned for Criminal Minds and received a callback 5 minutes later

October 15th: Did my second ever video blog and had a lot of fun

October 17th: Registered my script, The Doppleganger, with the WGA

November 7th: Co-taught the PDP open class with Kelly

November 10th: Co-taught the Audition open classes with Lindsay, Kelly and Beth

November 10th: Had first read through rehearsal for my film, The Doppleganger

November 12th: Posted third video blog

November 15th: Had second rehearsal for my film, The Doppleganger

November 17th: Had first rehearsal with Courtney for scene from The Out of Towners

November 22nd: Had third rehearsal for my film, The Doppleganger

November 23rd: Celebrated Thanksgiving with Chris and friends

November 26th: Shot a self-tape audition for the PDP 3.0 class

November 26th: Shot another self-tape audition for an exciting top-secret project

November 28th: Did cold stand up comedy in the PDP 3.0 class

November 28th: I was offered the role I auditioned for in the exciting top-secret project

December 3rd: Shot the role in the exciting top-secret project

December 3rd: Had a scouting and production meeting for my short film, The Doppleganger

December 7th: Had a final rehearsal for The Doppleganger

December 10th: Shot The Doppleganger (a film I wrote, executive produced and co-starred in)

December 11th: My feature film script was emailed to James Franco’s manager

December 15th: Had a great audition for an untitled Noah Baumbach feature film which stars Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern and Merritt Wever

Recurring wins:

I taught the PDP 3.0 class several times

I was a guest DJ several times for the Richard Lawson Studios scene study class

I posted a new blog entry every Sunday morning

Overall happiness and health

Constant give and help to others in my community

Back On Another Film Set!

December 10, 2017December 12, 2017 Chasing The George

I’m excited and thrilled to be back on another set! Last Sunday, December 3rd, I shot an exciting project and today, December 10th, I’m back on the set of The Doppleganger. I wrote this film and I am also executive producing and co-starring in it.

I’m proud of the script. I’m proud of the cast and crew I’ve assembled. I love that 96% of my crew is FEMALE! I handpicked each person to form a wonderful, exciting and positive set.

I want to thank my co-star, Javier Lezama.

I want to thank my director and fellow producer, Lindsay Hopper.

I want to thank the GIRL POWER crew:

Beth Pennington (1st AD), Taylor Babb (Key Production Assistant), Lauren Elle Christie (Script Supervisor and Continuity), Sayaka Miyatani (Sound), Jessica Sade Ward (Camera Assistant) and Courtney Nichole (Craft Services)

I want to thank our honorary GIRL POWER crew:

Hitoshi Inoue (Cinematography and Director of Photography), Craig Taggart (Associate Producer and Location Manager) and Jordan Bull (Production Assistant)

I want to thank Chris Beber for your love and support and for always running lines with me!

And lastly, I want to thank the Richard Lawson Studios for truly creating a space where art can occur. For creating causative and powerful artists. For being a place where I and many other artists can workshop our material and take it to the next level!

Here’s a picture of Lindsay, Javier and I at our last rehearsal this past week:

The Doppleganger

Here’s a picture of me on set. Picture taken by Lauren Elle Christie:

The Doppleganger

Hollywood 101 Recap Part 2!

November 4, 2017November 5, 2017 Chasing The George

Hey everyone! It’s that time of the year when I like to stop for a moment, recap and catch everyone up on the exciting blog entries I’ve posted over the last 4 months. Ranging from When To Get An Agent to When To Leave Your Agent to What Is A Win to me dropping off my feature film script to James Franco’s production company, let’s take a stroll down memory lane from oldest blog entry to the newest:

Happy Birthday! https://wp.me/p8uI5M-iN

Taking It To The Next Level: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-jx

A Big Win With James Franco: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-jR

What Is A Win? https://wp.me/p8uI5M-mS

The Revolution Begins: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-os

When To Get An Agent Or Manager: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-6T

Happy 15th Anniversary! https://wp.me/p8uI5M-qq

Happy Labor Day Weekend! https://wp.me/p8uI5M-rq

Self-Tape Audition Adventures: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-rA

The Showrunner In Me: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-sx

Do You Celebrate? https://wp.me/p8uI5M-uj

A New Journey Begins: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-wo

The Power Of The Human Spirit: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-x6

Quick Tip: Callbacks https://wp.me/p8uI5M-xn

Pre-Production Begins! https://wp.me/p8uI5M-xx

When To Leave Your Agent: https://wp.me/p8uI5M-y5

Pre-Production Begins!

October 21, 2017October 22, 2017 Chasing The George

Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce that pre-production has begun on a new film that I wrote and will star in. On September 30th, I posted a blog entry titled “A New Journey Begins” (http://wp.me/p8uI5M-wo) in which I wrote about outlining my new film in 32 minutes. Shortly after, I wrote the first draft of the script in 1 hour and 25 minutes. I was thrilled to see a finished product before my eyes. I was thrilled to see this outline transform into a script!

Now, the pre-production phase begins. The excitement and nervousness. Yes, nervousness. I still get nervous before embarking on a new project that I’ve originated and that I will be leading. But that nervousness is channelled into excitement and action. To be on go! I’m putting another product out into the world and I can’t wait!

I’ve created a pre-production plan. I’ve registered my script. I’ve reached out to an actor friend of mine to pitch my film and email the script. He loved the script and is in. I’ve reached out to a DP and cinematographer I’ve worked with before to shoot my film. I’ve begun identifying and writing down potential crew members I’d love to work with again. I’m looking at a shoot date and location. I’ve begun downloading pictures from Google Images to inform the art direction and the storyboards. I’ve created a list of production equipment we’ll need for the shoot. I’ve already come up with a concept for wardrobe and how I want my co-star to physically look. I’m excited to start rehearsing with my co-star and making any tweaks to the script during our rehearsal process.

Hiring a producing team to help me execute certain things like securing the perfect location to filling out SAG paperwork.

I already know how I want to edit the film. I see how the whole film plays out in my head.

And many other things that are involved in the pre-production process!

I’m excited to create another project and see how much further I can take this one in terms of the writing, the storytelling, the acting and the technical aspects. My aim is to always get better with each project. I can’t wait to bring this project out into the world as another example of my work and voice as an artist.

Stay tuned!

A New Journey Begins

September 30, 2017October 1, 2017 Chasing The George

As artists, we need to continually be in creative motion. We need to be involved in a handful of projects at any given moment so that we stay on path and remain artistically fulfilled. In other words, if one project doesn’t work out or doesn’t quite take off, then you have these other projects you’re working on. Conversely, if one project takes off and then that chapter finally comes to an end, then you have other projects to jump into. Let’s say you’re in a series and then it goes on hiatus for the summer. Cool. Now get back into class and put up some new scenes or shoot a short film over the summer based upon that script you wrote while you were shooting your series. Staying in creative motion is a cool, built-in defense mechanism. An artistic shield that keeps you moving forward from one project to the next.

I say all this because a few days ago, I outlined my next film script in 32 minutes! I am a huge fan of The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror and my script will pay homage to these great shows. I am so excited and proud of myself because as soon as the idea flashed across my mind, I jumped on it and didn’t question it. I didn’t throw away my idea because it was too big or too crazy or too this or too that. If you remember, my first blog entry of 2017 was a passage from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”:

To believe our own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense; for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost,–and our first thought, is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment. Familiar as the voice of the mind is to each, the highest merit we ascribe to Moses, Plato, and Milton is, that they set at naught books and traditions, and spoke not what men but what they thought. A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize majesty. Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility then most when the whole cry of voices is on the other side. Else, to-morrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another.

I detected that gleam of light that flashed across my mind and jumped on the opportunity to outline my script. In 32 minutes. That is the power of following your genius. I can’t wait to write the script and shoot it in the near future. I’m clear that I am the protagonist in this. The focus of the story. And I want to go the other way in the casting of my co-star. And my instinct is right about how I want to cast my co-star and present this casting as the paragon of what I’m looking at in my story.

Creation is definitely tied to the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary definition of “Imagination”:

We would define imagination to be the will working on the materials of memory; not satisfied with following the order prescribed by nature, or suggested by accident, it selects the parts of different conceptions, or objects of memory, to form a whole more pleasing, more terrible, or more awful, than has ever been presented in the ordinary course of nature.

And I’m excited to get to work!

Until next time, keep Chasing The George!

P.S. I outlined my script in 32 minutes and it took me 32 minutes to write this blog entry! How synchronistic is that?!