My Most Tragic On-Set Movie Experience: And In Life
I posted in the Filmmaker's lounge that as of Friday, I was able to get a worldwide distribution deal for a friend's movie "Transient", from when I was in Cannes this past May. It got me thinking. I haven't been at this game for very long (only five years) and there have been a lot of "firsts" for me since the opening bell.
I want to share a recent experience from set that turned into a serious health scare—and one I didn’t see coming.
I'm currently working on a confidential Disney project (can’t say much yet!), and I’m booked for several days. As expected, my sleep and meal schedules shifted to match production's timeline. I eat when production eats, rest when they say rest. That’s just the nature of set life.
But here’s the problem: I'm prediabetic and on medication that must be taken with food—and on a schedule. I’d adjusted my routine to match production’s without fully thinking through the implications. By the second day, I was suddenly very ill and had to leave early. I couldn’t figure out what went wrong. I was eating well, taking my meds... everything should’ve been fine.
Turns out, the disruption to my schedule—especially meal timing—had thrown my system out of balance. I didn’t want to make a fuss, but production brought over the medics, and they found my blood pressure was through the roof.
Here’s what I learned: when I return to set this week, I’m bringing my own food, despite the amazing catering. I’ll quietly eat and take my medication according to my usual routine, even if that means sneaking in bites between takes. My health has to come first.
This is something we don’t talk about enough—how invisible health routines can clash with production life. If you're diabetic, prediabetic, or managing any condition that relies on strict timing, talk to your doctor about how to maintain your regimen on set. Don’t wait until your body tells you something’s wrong.
Your health matters—even when the cameras are rolling.
Three goodbyes
Hey everyone, recently I've been binge-watching 'Better Call Saul,' and I'm currently on Season 5 episode 3. Kim Wexler just had a really great monologue I wanted to share. I've been considering putting it in a demo at some point. Here's the script, feel free to take a look, and I definitely recommend watching Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad if you ever have some down time!
"Listen to me. You do not get to make up your own rules. Put on your big boy pants and face reality. No one is mistreating you here.
Hey everyone! I've been on quite the hot streak lately. Four bookings in the last month! Not too shabby!
When you’re not working, how do you stay connected to your craft without burning out?
In this Actors on Actors with Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldana, Zoe says she manifested working with Jacques Audiard. He was on her list of directors she wanted to work with. I would love to work with Clint Eastwood. He is an actors' director having been an actor himself. What about you? Who is on your dream list of directors?
Tomorrow. Be there or be square.
Should Actors Work With More Than 1 Agent?
Hi all! I wrote an article on what I’ve learned as an actor that works primarily on camera. I’m seeing many beginner actors make the same mistakes I did when I started.
Hi everyone,
I’m currently looking to connect with professionals in the film and television industry as I explore new job opportunities. With experience in scriptwriting, assistant directing, and script reading—as well as a background in filmmaking from the German University in Cairo—I’m passionate about storytelling and eager to bring my skills to new creative projects.
I would love to connect with industry professionals, recruiters, and fellow creatives who might offer advice, guidance, or point me toward opportunities in production, development, or writing roles.
If you have any leads, suggestions, or just want to connect and share experiences, I’d be grateful to hear from you!
Thank you in advance, and I look forward to connecting with more amazing people here on Stage 32.
What happens when you step into a character who isn’t the center of the story, but the spark that sets it ablaze?
Just read RB's Coffee & Content blog which contains a video essay about Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, spotlighting the massive effort to create a tactile, practical world on set. It talks about how they found a disused factory and turned it into a whole world with different sets and dug a massive water tank to film the water scenes. It made me think how cool and fun that would be to film in as an actor compared to a film set where most of it is added in using CGI afterwards.
Yeah, we've all heard it. "Can you work as a local?" In other words, we're not paying for any of your housing or gas etc. I am in the fortunate situation that I have family and friends I'm close enough to stay with, in every major market except, for some reason, Chicago.
I’ve recently been cast as a replacement in a play (I'm in 2 plays at the moment, one my own, and one... this). The rest of the cast and crew are Brazilian, and they’ve already been rehearsing for about two months. I don’t speak Portuguese, so I’m often in the dark when conversations switch away from English.
Tribute to a Grand Master in the Craft of Acting… Peter Frisch... TheFrischApproach.com... https://youtu.be/a2Dm2HdKASg
If so message me :)