"Off the Map"

Tune in tonight to ABC's "Off the Map" and check out my guest star role! Here's a sneak peek!

With the clap that classic hollywood scene marker the director called "action," I could hardly believe it, I had to pinch myself! I was the one on-set, underneath the glowing lights, in front of an array of cameras and crew and and I was the one doing the acting! Here's how I got there. 

One amazing monday afternoon I got the call to come into the Honolulu film studio to audition for a speaking part on ABC's new drama, "Off the Map." It's the story of a crew of American doctors working in a remote south american clinic, saving lives and discovering themselves along the way. I was asked to read for the part of Ramirez, a young prison guard who accompanies his prisoners to the clinic after an outbreak ravages through their cells. 

Of course, I was elated at the opportunity, as they asked me to come in very next day. So, tuesday I auditioned, Wednesday they called and told me the wonderful news, I got the part, Thursday I was fitted with wardrobe and by Friday I was on set for my debut speaking role. It was epic!

Arriving at set early that morning was surreal. When the production assistant showed me to my very own trailer I was on top of the world, I couldn't believe my small role merited my very own trailer but after-all, there are no small parts only small actors as the old adage goes. As I met the other actors and crew I began to realize how cool it was that I landed this role. I found out that I was one of the few local talents they've cast for the show. One stand-in told me they have been flying in actors from LA just for one line, so the fact that I, being a local actors, landed a role was quite an accomplishment.

After I went though wardrobe and make-up, I was escorted to the set, a quaint clinic set amid the jungles of the amazon. I was led to the green room to await my big scene. This would be the scene where during surgery, doctor Clark and Keeton hit a bleeder in a patient. Clark passes out suddenly leaving Keeton stuck between a patient spewing blood and a doctor lying unconscious on the floor. It's a tense heart-pounding scene and ultimately Dr. Keeton succumbs to screaming for help and who answers his call? Yeah that's right - ME! The young guard rushes into the O.R. in a panicked confusion. Between the sight of the bloody body on the table and another on the floor, his apprehension magnifies until he is pressed into service by an agitated and anxious Dr. pleading for the young prison guard to put on some "guantes" or surgical gloves, and clasp the bleeder while he tends to his colleague on the floor. It was classic! There was suspense, action and tension and I got to save the day! I loved it. 

The startled guard rushes in to assist in surgery

A few seconds of television of course takes hours to film so, take after take, I came busting into the tense scene ensuing in the O.R. and take after take, I threw on some rubber gloves (much harder than you'd think) and, take after take, my hand was forced into the open cavity of a bleeding body! It was so much fun but a lot of work! Of course, you have to hit your mark every time, make sure you make your motions exact, find the light, and you've got to act on top of that! Playing the young guard was so much fun because there were so many emotions infused into the scene. I was confused, shocked, scared, apprehensive and humbled had all in one scene, but I nailed it! When the director called cut for my final take there was such a feeling of euphoria. My fellow costars congratulated me on my work and even expressed their joy in working with me those days on set. 

I can't help but to think, this is only the beginning! Check out my "Behind the Scenes" Clip below and you'll see what I'm talking about.