Feb. 19, 2007: Shortly after writing my Seamy LA post, I was picked up by Ben, a production assistant who comes to LA for a few months each year to make some quick cash, but spends most of his time in northern Idaho where he lives off of his earnings. LA is such a seductive place, you have to admire someone who can maintain a balance like that.

We arrived at the office around 11:30. After dealing with some paperwork and various introductions, I set up my theremin in a small office to test out the two Silvertone amps that Ben had found for me. David, the director (with whom I bonded after learning that his wife was in the awesome Fastbacks), and I quickly decided that the larger two-piece version had more “huevos” (one of David’s favorite words, as I soon learned). We also quickly attracted a small audience (as theremin sounds are wont to do), and David encouraged me to “warm up” by playing Video Killed the Radio Star (as heard in the youtube video that got me this gig) for the crowd. There was much laughter and applause.

Next, I met with Susan Barnard, head of wardrobe. David and Susan had encouraged me to bring the Silver Suit (as seen in the aforementioned youtube video) as well as lots of other fun clothes I’ve worn on stage. After trying on various combinations, they ended up choosing a pair of blue jeans and one of their own shirts. The only piece of my own clothing we ended up using were my two-tone red and purple/brown Hush Puppies. Ah well, at least they provided padding for the musical gear in my suitcase.

In the meantime, the folks from the ad agency, as well as Debbie, the representative from White Castle, had arrived. Which meant another performance of Video Killed the Radio Star! There was much laughter and applause.

I was pretty much done for the day, but I had no plans until the evening and was carless until then, so I killed the rest of the afternoon by practicing a bit on the theremin and chatting up the actors from the other spots (also there for wardrobe fittings). I would ask them if they’d been in other ads, and when they would ask me the same question, I’d tell them my story. There was much laughter but (thankfully, because that would have been weird) no applause.

Due to my carlessness, the production company kindly offered to drive me wherever I wanted to go. So at the end of the day, Hali, a production assistant originally from Iceland who was working on a screenplay (a trip to LA is not complete until you meet someone working on a screenplay), drove me all the way to Atwater Village where I hung out in a coffee shop until my friend Donna got out of work. We ate dinner at a place Donna calls “Hipster Pho” and then rushed to Spaceland where her band Bedroom Walls were playing. The band was good, but a trip to LA is also not complete without a celebrity sighting. Thankfully, Kiefer Sutherland was in the house. I was very tempted to approach him and say, “My wife is a huge fan… of your grandfather’s“, but I restrained myself.

A cab ride back to Santa Monica (where I somehow found myself explaining a theremin to the driver) concluded Day 1 of my adventures in LA. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion, coming soon….

Just a quick post before I get picked up by a PA (that’s Hollywoodese for “Production Assistant”) for meetings with the director and wardrobe.

I’m currently internetsing from my swank Santa Monica hotel room that sort of overlooks the ocean (“sort of” because there’s a major roadway between us that all but eliminates any tranquility the view might otherwise have had).

What is up with the seemyLA tourism ad campaign? Posters were plastered all around LAX. Surely, I can’t be the only person who reads that as seamy LA? Were they being ironic, or just clueless?

There’s a video of me on youtube playing “Video Killed The Radio Star” on the theremin that’s been up for nearly a year. Two weeks ago, all of a sudden, several people left me messages via youtube informing me that a casting agent in Los Angeles was looking for me! One of the message writers forwarded me the casting call from a popular LA casting website. It read as follows:

Theremin Musician - White Castle - Commercial - SAG Scale - SAG - 2/1/2007
/ Male or Female / All Ethnicities / 27 - 45 /
Must be an actual Theremin player, and be able to bring your instrument with you. Anyone who knows the guy, (and how to reach him) on YouTube playing Video Killed the Radio Star, please call us!

My jaw hit the floor! I got in touch with the casting agent who emailed me a 30 second script. I convinced Sue from UV Protection to come by the house to videotape me, and I FexExed them the tape. They loved it! Approvals from all the various parties finally came through yesterday (Thursday). On Sunday, I fly to LA, all expenses paid, for two days of planning and shooting. I return to Boston on Wednesday. It’s an SAG gig, so there’s some serious money involved, which is a nice bonus. :)

The content of the ad is simple: A guy says he likes White Castle so much, he wrote a song about it. He then plays theremin and sings a song about Slyders (White Castle’s tiny greasy burgers). For the audition tape, I went with a bluesy “I’m a Man” style call and response between my theremin and my voice. It’s unclear what I’ll be doing musically in the ad. They seem to want something melodic, but that also shows off the wackiness of the instrument. If I do end up contributing to the songwriting, yes, I’ll be certain to demand credit (i.e. royalties).

I’m very excited about the whole thing. I’ll be sure and report back with my experiences, if not during, then definitely after it’s all over.

Jonnie Spaceman will be making an appearance at Boston’s First Night celebrations. I’ll be playing a few songs between sets by UV Protection, as well as making a bit of noise with them and homemade-analog-synthist Dave Levin (aka The Juliet Kilo).

The Best Part: This happens on the steps of the Boston Public Library between 10pm & Midnight! If Channel 4’s Jack Williams doesn’t kick us off stage, we’ll do the countdown, and if you’re really lucky (?) you’ll hear Auld Lang Syne warbled on the theremin at midnight.

The Extra-Wacky Part: Over at the Boston Common, there will be another simultaneous countdown with another thereminist! Eric Ross will be performing with Donald Knaack (aka The Junkman). Let the Theremin Death Match begin!

I was poking around for reviews of this past weekend’s Bazaar Bizarre and discovered this podcast. Skip ahead to 18:18 and you can hear Jonnie Spaceman in the background warbling out “O Holy Night” and then the Pixies’ “Gigantic”. Thanks to misshawklet for the heads up.

Oh — and the Bostonist had a nice preview of the event, including a photo of yours truly.