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Thursday, February 24, 2005
The sun has finally come out in Burbank and Mike and his mother are still on relatively dry land! Because of the rain, activity
has dropped off a bit which has allowed Mike to get completely caught up with his homework. He has even had the time to meet
a few new friends!
Anyway, please note that we have changed his web site by adding a new photo survey where you can give Mike your feedback
about his official photos. In addition, we have added a new message board for all of his friends to communicate with both
Mike and each other. Check it out! The links are to the left on the site menu. And thanks for supporting Michael in the pursuit
of his dream!
Tuesday, February 22. 2005
With all the rain that has beseiged LA in the past few days, it is a wonder that Mike and his mother have not floated away
out to sea! Actually, considering those who have lost their lives and property to flooding and landslides, it really puts
everything that has happened in Mike's life into perspective. Mike is just so blessed to have the opportunities he does as
are we all...
Our sincere condolences go out to all who have suffered in any way over the recent events in the Los Angeles area. May
they all find some hope and peace in the very near future...
Anyway, despite the rain, Mike has finally caught up with most of his homework! However, tomorrow, he has another audition
- this time a voiceover audition for a couple of roles in a new animated pilot series. Mike is genuinely excited at the opportunity.
So break a leg, Mike! And, of course, we will keep you informed of any further developments as they occur...
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Guess what? That's right! Mike got another callback! His 7th now in just over 4 months! This time for the feature film, "A
West Texas Children's Story." And Michael is REALLY stoked over this one! He seriously identifies with the part and absolutely
loves the idea of playing the role. His agent called him back and said the casting director, the famous "Golden Eye"
himself - Don Phillips, was very impressed with Mike's performance! However, Mike is going to have to suffer a little longer
as callbacks won't be happening for awhile. The movie is not scheduled to begin shooting until June so we don't know when
the callback auditions will be. Needless to say, Mike is going to be on pins and needles until he finds out when the callbacks
are being held. We all love you, Mike, whatever happens and when!
Anyway, we are also still awaiting word on whether or not Mike landed the role in the short film, "Emeka" he
tried out for last weekend. Mike is very excited about that role as well. The director seemed to really like Michael and it
sounded like Mike would get a callback. We'll see... I guess patience is a virtue, huh Mike?
Anyway, there is no moss growing under Michael's feet as today, he had a commercial audition for Nature Made Triple Flex
nutritional supplements where he is supposed to use his considerable basketball skills in the commercial. Technically, this
is Mike's 8th callback because he did not have to go to the original auditions... For whatever reason, Mike was invited directly
to the callback! And from what Mike said (after getting rid of some of the rust in the Burbank Rec Center earlier today),
they really enjoyed his street moves. But like all the others, he's just gonna have to wait to hear! So much of what you do
in Hollywood involves waiting and waiting and WAITING! Anyway, great job Mike!
Next up... a voiceover workshop this Friday afternoon. And LOTS of homework in between! We're all really proud of you,
Mike!
Monday, February 14, 2005
After leaving at around 5:45 am this morning, Michael is back in LA. Immediately upon getting back, he had to go over and
work with one of his acting coaches to prepare for a starring role in another feature film, "A West Texas Childrens'
Story" about two runaway 12 year old kids from a small town in west Texas who hitchhike across the country. Mike really
loves the part and is looking forward to auditioning for the role. Break a leg, Mike!
After the audition, Mike has to go over for another 3 hour session from 4-7pm with his primary acting coach, Chambers
Stevens, as he continues to work his magic in transforming Michael into a very talented and serious actor. All of us absolutely
LOVE Chambers and what he has been doing with Mike. And though Mike enjoys working with multiple acting coaches to broaden
his perspective, Chambers remains his principal coach...
After his session with Chambers, Michael and his mother are STILL not done for the day! They have to go over to his agent's
offices (yes, they are open later than 5pm!) and pick up the sides for a voiceover role he will be trying out for on Tuesday
afternoon for a project called, "Can You Dig It?" He really enjoys doing voiceover auditions because he does not
have to audition in front of a casting director but instead gets to ham it up in a recording studio over at his agent's offices.
They record Mike and send the tape in for the casting people to decided whether or not they like his voice characterization.
Since Mike has been in Hollywood, he has had a great deal of variety in his auditions from commercials to modeling work
for print ads to guest starring roles on television shows to starring roles in feature films. Despite the crazy and hectic
schedules as well as the extremely hard work, Michael absolutely LOVES what he is doing!
Still, Mike knows he has to get in his school work and puts in his time whenever he can get it. Even in the car in between
auditions! Yet he remains a straight "A" student! Mike will be the first to admit that it is a crazy schedule but
he wouldn't have it any other way! One way or the other, you still have to pay your dues out here on the way to finding your
dreams!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Congratulations! But this time not for Mike but for one of his best friends! Sammy Holyfield, pictured below with his mom,
Laura, and dad, Roy, led his team, Big Park School (Mike's former teammates at his last public school in Sedona) to the Arizona
State Basketball Championship just last night!!!
And Sammy was named MVP of the state tournament!!! Way to go Sammy! We are so proud of him as well as his teammates! Big
Park School is NUMBER 1!!! Woo Hooo!!!
Michael is home this weekend but was unable to get home in time to get up to watch the game. However, Sammy was nice enough
to come down and pay us a visit. Again, GREAT JOB Sammy!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Once again, Mike gets another callback! This time for the "That's So Raven!" television show! Great job, Mike. That
is his 6th callback now in 4 months in LA! And with very little experience to begin with! He is beginning to build up some
real momentum in his acting! If we hear anything further about the show, we will fill you in on all the details...
Anyway, today Michael had yet another audition. This time for a feature film starring none other than Oprah Winfrey. We
don't know the title yet but the part Mike will read for is supposed to be a special guest that Oprah interviews. Actually,
he does not have any sides (script) for this audition as they evidently want to see how he improvises an interview. Considering
all the clowning around he has done at home over the years, this should be one of his strengths!
Monday, February 7, 2005
After a great weekend of finally having Michael at home, he is off to LA with his mother once again! But before he even arrived
back in Burbank, he was invited to two more auditions! The first one is for a guest starring role on an upcoming episode of
the current Disney TV show, "That's So Raven" starring Raven Symone (who is represented by the same agent as Michael).
Details later if he gets the part! Suffice it to say, it is a major guest starring role on the show...
In addition, Michael has been invited to audition for a co-starring role in the upcoming independent film, "Emeka",
which is a dramatic story about an immigrant family's struggle from Nigeria to America and their plight against poverty, violence
and prejudice. Michael is very excited about the role! The audition is this upcoming Saturday.
Anyway, tomorrow morning, Michael has to meet with his primary acting coach, Chambers Stevens, in order to prepare for
the Raven Symone show audition. Best of luck, Mike, and break a leg!
"That's So Raven" Official Website
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Michael did very well in his callback for the pilot, "Fathom". We were just notified today that the part might be
changed to an older character but Michael is evidently still in the hunt. Let's hope so!
Mike had a great time with the voiceover recording session! They really wanted him to go over the top with his voice inflections
and enunciation. His agent really thinks he has great promise for doing voiceover roles in addition to his acting.
Finally, Mike has another audition tomorrow for a starring role in an upcoming major motion picture! More details later...
Of course, he now has to postpone attendance at the voiceover workshop in order to attend this audition. To prepare for the
audition, Mike will be meeting with at least one of his acting coaches tomorrow. Michael is very excited about this new role,
to say the least!
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