..:: It's Business Time - [This Sunday 10:30pm HBO] ::..

Picture this if you will. It's March 2007. I haven't had any acting or background work in a while and you might say that I'm well, slightly discouraged. I know what you're thinking. "Discouraged? that's not possible Nic, you're a rock. Optimistic and ambitious with an iron will... and quite sexy too".

I know, I was just as surprised as you. Anyway, my phone finally rings. I was starting to think it was broken or I didn't pay the bill or something. You see, I have no friends, and hence no phone calls which leads to more rollover minutes than you can shake a stick at. I pick up the phone and it's a casting agency calling to ask if I was available the next day and if I had any idea who the Flight of the Conchords were. This woman, (we'll call her my "agent" for the purpose of this conversation, because it makes me sound important) seems genuinely surprised when I respond "Yes, of course I know who they are!". This is mostly because I'm a nerd with no life and I'm always watching Conan O'Brien. She tells me they need an office worker for the background of the third or fourth episode. She tells me to dress like an idiot, call time is early, and to show up tomorrow at Steiner Studios.

Pretty awesome, I'm thinking to myself. Then it hits me. Why the fuck did I ever start doing this? I'm a completely nervous wreck who has trouble even walking down the street because it's so "public" with the noise and the people and the walking and talking (note:read previous line in Jerry Lewis accent). Now I'm volunteering to stand in front of a camera for an HBO show? I must have done lost my mind. There's the initial crippling fear that overwhelms me when I first get a gig, which either goes away slowly, or gets immediately amplified once I arrive on the set. Usually it's the latter.


Business Time - Flight of the Conchords



Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros - Flight of the Conchords


So I get to Steiner at the Brooklyn Navy yards, which is the largest studio complex outside of Hollywood, and then the waiting begins. This was an AFTRA sanctioned job, which means now I'm in "must-join" status, and can't take another AFTRA job until I register with them for $2,000. So obviously I won't be taking AFTRA work for a while. I sit around and finally get brought onto the set, because they haven't been using me yet. These two guys are hilarious, and it was very difficult not to burst out laughing while they were doing the office scene. They were doing a lot of improvising during the takes, and it was ridiculously funny. The shot had something to do with a sandwich or something.

For those of you not familiar with the Flight of the Conchords, their show premiered last month on HBO. They are billed as "New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." They found a way to work their existing songs into the show here and there. Anyway, I'll be in an office scene. Look for my reaction as one half of the duo, Bret McKenzie storms out after an argument with the band's manager. Overall, it was a great experience, the two guys are nice, and easy to talk to, and I did try to chat up the episode's guest star (unsuccessfully) - this cutie pie Broadway actress who plays a character named "Coco". It's a play on Ms. Ono, and the name of the episode is "YOKO".

So don't forget to tune in to HBO and HBO HD THIS SUNDAY NIGHT (July 8, 2007) at 10:30 pm. Sadly, I won't be able to host my own viewing party at home, because I'll be in Vegas that night, living the life.

Keep an eye out for me, and enjoy. Remember I did this for you, my adoring public.