The other day someone mentioned in an email that I was "an actor's writer." I thanked them for the compliment but asked for some elaboration, and this person - a "Candyland" reader all caught up through episode 8 - told me that not only was it obvious that actors inspire my work as a writer, but that I also write "cinematically"; that as they read each episode it comes to life in their mind's eye, like a film playing on a screen behind their eyes.
Profound? Garbage? Ahh, the hell with it; I still ran with what sound like a compliment.
I've expressed my love for actors here a few times. It's so strong, were I not a writer I think I'd make a kick-ass agent or manager (this is mostly likely the reason behind the backdrop of "Candyland"); little gets me more excited than coming across an actor who's made an impression on me, whom no one else has even heard of so that I can rant and rave about how awesome they are to anyone who will listen. Better still is when that same actor blows up on the screen at last, leaping from wannabe to A-lister (or thereabouts), and suddenly the whole world wants a piece of them. Makes ya kind of want to shout a collective "Duh!" because you knew that actor was that good all along.
From the most recent TV season alone, could you name any of these "handful" of stand-outs?
"The Mysteries of Laura" (ep18) - that hot sailor, all in white, who gave Laura Diamond her first lead in the case? HENRY ZAGA
"Elementary" (ep17) - the "Uniformed Cop" who spends all of a minute on-screen ... yet in that minutes carried enough screen presence and charisma to inspire the character of Dominic in "Candyland"? DAVID CARRANZA
"The Middle" (ep22) - the hunk-with-a-heart who asks to be Sue's prom date, forever cementing himself in the hearts of anyone watching? DAVID HULL
"Mike & Molly" (ep17) - the dead-pan hilarious waitress from Mudlick, nearly caught in the middle of a not-so-friendly sisterly reunion? MAILE FLANAGAN
"The Originals" (ep2) - the young Marcellus, emotionally shuttled between the Mikaelson brothers while seeking a mentor? MCCARRIE MCCAUSLAND
"The Mysteries of Laura" (ep19) - the macho hot-headed Russian basketball player Laura Diamond tricks into an interrogation? ANTON NARINSKIY
(Yeah, I like "Laura" - and Debra Messing.)
"Sirens" (ep1) - Johnny and Theresa's adorkable landlord, making an impression on not only Hank but viewers over a few-episodes arc? JESSE LUKEN
"2 Broke Girls" (ep3) - the most hilarious little gay kid in New York, with an obsession with the 1990's? J.J. TOTAH
"The Goldbergs" - Dave Kim should be a series regular. Period. KENNY RIDWAN
"Fresh Off the Boat" (ep8) - the short-term restaurant manager at Cattleman's Ranch, whose good looks and customer service gave Mitch a brief run for his money? PARKER YOUNG
"Bates Motel" (ep4) - the don't-bother-me guy in the internet cafe who Norma talks into trying to hack into her mysterious flash drive? MANNY JACINTO
"American Horror Story: Freaskshow" - JYOTI AMGE, MAT FRASER, ROSE SIGGINS, ERIKA ERVIN, CHRISTOPHER NEIMAN, ASHLYNN ROSS and the late BEN WOOLF made a main cast of virtual non-actors some of the most endearing - and heartbreaking -characters in primetime.
To name a few. I guess my only point is that "Candyland" - shit, a lot of my writing, over the years - would not exist were it not for the actors who inspired it ... and I hope that shows in every episode of those who read it.
So for every "star" you see on the big and small screen, front and center, do yourself a favor and also occasionally glance at the actors crisscrossing in the background, with no dialogue ... the day player with one line who gives it his or her all ... or even the occasional recurring character who takes up maybe two minutes of screen time total, but who makes the most of that time by making their presence felt while they have the chance.
Those are the real stars, to me. The ones behind the "A-listers" - and the ones who are really responsible for making whole the fictional worlds those "big stars" inhabit.
You are the ones who inspire me to create these worlds - these people - on paper; am so proud, if it really does show. And Bless ya for it.
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