Dominical, Costa Rica. Finally, I am back where I belong. Back in a place where I feel normal. Back doing the one thing I do best in the world, simply living and breathing in tropical Latin America. Although California is a beautiful state, I have been sequestered there for over a year now and am going nuts. My life line, my aura, who I am inside, this is all connected to tropics and has nothing to do with where I reside now. To counteract the stress and worry I have experienced in recent months, I decided that today I was required to do nothing more than sit in a hammock and eat fruit. Despite this requirement, the boys and I managed adventure at our favorite rainforest swimming hole, paddle out for two killer sessions of really nice, double overhead waves and chase around local wildlife such as coati, toucans, ctenosaurs and, of course, beautiful ticas. We also did also manage to sit around in hammocks and eat fruit, a whole fruit est of pineapple, avocado, mamones chinos, sapotes and chirimoyas. Only the coatis seemed happier and the waves out front of Playa Dominical served up a mean soup of late afternoon wet erotica before we headed off for a guacamole and Cervaza Imperial laden dinner.
One great highlight of the day was donning a mask for the first time at the waterfall, our local swimming hole in the nearby rainforest. The water was reasonably clear and I was able to distinguish at least four species of fish, each unique and totally cool in its own way. This is exhilarating and resparked a long time interest in neotropical freshwater fishes. Maybe I should go back and get a Ph.D on the topic? Or an underwater documentary film may be more my style? Let´s wait and see...
28 September, 2008
09 September, 2008
Chasing Vouchers
Los Angeles, California. This has been another busy week in Hollywood with the highlight being this past Friday, when I had an exceptional time working as a Navy Seal on the show 24. Here I am pictured below along with buddy, Rick Schimmelpfenneg, who worked the show as a special ops guy. 
Rick and I have been a bit frustrated lately with the futility of aquiring our last remaining Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) vouchers. Unless you are able to land a speaking role on a SAG production, these vouchers are needed in order to join the union. Unfortunately, the system for acquiring them is less than equitable. No credit is given for putting in long hours, working hard on set or any other factor that might assess your responsibility, skill or professionalism as an actor. Instead, the process is geared towards special favors and personal favorites. It is commonplace for beautiful women to acquire their vouchers quickly, while it might take a year or longer for an average looking Joe like me. Rumors even hint at some unscrupulous PA's and AD's selling vouchers or using them for sexual favors. Regardless, this is the system in place and one has to just hold tight and wait for your break or get out of the game. Frustrated with all this, Rick and I produced the short video embedded below. The video has little to do with the actual voucher gaining process, but we put it in there as the theme for all this futile running around - enjoy!
Aside from this fooling around, I have also put in brief appearances this past week on Medium, Dexter, Bones, The Starter Wife, and The United States of Tara. Great shows.
Rick and I have been a bit frustrated lately with the futility of aquiring our last remaining Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) vouchers. Unless you are able to land a speaking role on a SAG production, these vouchers are needed in order to join the union. Unfortunately, the system for acquiring them is less than equitable. No credit is given for putting in long hours, working hard on set or any other factor that might assess your responsibility, skill or professionalism as an actor. Instead, the process is geared towards special favors and personal favorites. It is commonplace for beautiful women to acquire their vouchers quickly, while it might take a year or longer for an average looking Joe like me. Rumors even hint at some unscrupulous PA's and AD's selling vouchers or using them for sexual favors. Regardless, this is the system in place and one has to just hold tight and wait for your break or get out of the game. Frustrated with all this, Rick and I produced the short video embedded below. The video has little to do with the actual voucher gaining process, but we put it in there as the theme for all this futile running around - enjoy!Aside from this fooling around, I have also put in brief appearances this past week on Medium, Dexter, Bones, The Starter Wife, and The United States of Tara. Great shows.
31 August, 2008
Checkmate
Los Angeles, California. This past January, I reported to you from the Lincoln Heights Jail (see Jan 6 post Going to Jail), where I was
on location for the film An American Journalist. I returned to the historic jail this week, this time playing a lead role of a serial killer in a film called Checkmate. 
Directed by LMU film student, Sarah Parks, the film follows the emotional evolution of a killer obsessed with chess, his victims nothing more than captured pawns. While on set, I was able to learn a little more about the eerie building - including that many believe it is haunted and that the basement was the site of Freddy Krueger's boiler room in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Enjoy my video log from the set, as well as these production photos. The scene 
still above was taken by camera operator, Debbie Formoso. The three additional photos here include the crew preparing for a shot; a quick conference between first AD (left), Alana Katzner, and Director (right), Sarah Parks; and me after a brutal killing, at another shoot location.
on location for the film An American Journalist. I returned to the historic jail this week, this time playing a lead role of a serial killer in a film called Checkmate. 
Directed by LMU film student, Sarah Parks, the film follows the emotional evolution of a killer obsessed with chess, his victims nothing more than captured pawns. While on set, I was able to learn a little more about the eerie building - including that many believe it is haunted and that the basement was the site of Freddy Krueger's boiler room in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Enjoy my video log from the set, as well as these production photos. The scene 
still above was taken by camera operator, Debbie Formoso. The three additional photos here include the crew preparing for a shot; a quick conference between first AD (left), Alana Katzner, and Director (right), Sarah Parks; and me after a brutal killing, at another shoot location.
Other than this film, which is being shot over Labor Day weekend, this week found me working as NYPD on CSI NY, a military officer on a Laura Pausini music video (The World), and as a skycap on a commercial for Old Mutual (pictured below).
30 August, 2008
Check out John Needham's Tights!
Hollywood, California. Check out this clip from the History Channel's How Life Began featuring Arlo Hemphill as John Tuberville Needham. Read more on previous posts: Meet John Needham, Secret Agent and "How Life Began".
22 August, 2008
Megan and I are on TV
Los Angeles, California. You may have noticed that "Where is Arlo Now??" blog posts have been down lately and I am sorry to leave you waiting. I spent the
majority of July and most of August working on a major feature film that I was, and am, unable to tell you about. But watch out - its big!! I also took a brief trip to Washington, D.C. for some conservation business and had the pleasure of making it up to Baltimore to see my grandparents.
Now that the unmentionable feature film has slowed down, I have been back on the television circuit, with appearances on Entourage, Medium, Life, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, The Game and Boston Legal.
Yesterday, I worked with roommate, Megan, and buddy,
Richard "Rick" Schimmelpfenneg, on the set of The Closer. Kyra Sedgwick led the on location effort to, well, I won't spoil the plot... But Megan and I were there as LAPD and Rick was an ATF agent. And, we had the pleasure of Kyra's husband, Kevin Bacon, showing up on set. Watch for us all this Fall on Season 4, Episode 10.
Enjoy the picture and video of Megan and I in costume as well as another video from a month or two back of my buddy, actor Stefán Mávi, and I on the set of promo at the Home Depot Center.
Talk to you soon!
majority of July and most of August working on a major feature film that I was, and am, unable to tell you about. But watch out - its big!! I also took a brief trip to Washington, D.C. for some conservation business and had the pleasure of making it up to Baltimore to see my grandparents.Now that the unmentionable feature film has slowed down, I have been back on the television circuit, with appearances on Entourage, Medium, Life, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, The Game and Boston Legal.
Yesterday, I worked with roommate, Megan, and buddy,
Richard "Rick" Schimmelpfenneg, on the set of The Closer. Kyra Sedgwick led the on location effort to, well, I won't spoil the plot... But Megan and I were there as LAPD and Rick was an ATF agent. And, we had the pleasure of Kyra's husband, Kevin Bacon, showing up on set. Watch for us all this Fall on Season 4, Episode 10.
Enjoy the picture and video of Megan and I in costume as well as another video from a month or two back of my buddy, actor Stefán Mávi, and I on the set of promo at the Home Depot Center.
Talk to you soon!
16 August, 2008
Bottle Shock in Theatres Now!
Los Angeles, California. Yesterday, Randall Miller’s feature film Bottle Shock hit theatres across the country. This movie is based on the true story of the birth of the California wine industry and their surprising win against the French at the Judgment of Paris wine tasting. This movie was shot in Sonoma County last summer and was my first featured role. I play a French waiter at the Judgment of Paris event and can be seen at the far right hand side of the judges table throughout the scene.
To check for local listings, go to the Bottle Shock Website and click “cities”
Also check out my January 15th and October 4th (2007) posts on this topic.
Also, check out these upcoming television appearances:
Desperate Housewives. A repeat of the past season finale (“Free” Season 4, episode 17) will play on the Lifetime channel at 1am this Sunday August 16, 2008. I have seen this episode already so I know that you can see me – briefly. About halfway through the episode two of the main characters go to their daughter’s music recital. I am sitting right in front of them in the concert hall, talking to the person next to me.
Saving Grace. “Are you an Indian Princess?”. Season 2, episode 6. 10pm, Monday August 18th on TNT. I play an Oklahoma City cop. You may or may not see me walking around the station, getting some office work out of the way. (Also airs 1am and 11pm on Tuesday Aug 19th if you miss it the first time).
Mad Men. “The New Girl” Season 2, Episode 5. 10pm and 11pm, Sunday August 24th on AMC. The 1960’s ad execs go to Sardi’s for a bite to eat. I’m in there, eating as well (as usual…). This will be a fleeting shot at best. I actually worked as a stand in for the Tilden Katz character (Nick Toren) on this episode, so didn’t work in front of the camera too much.
House. “Dying Changes Everything” Season 5, Episode 1. 8pm/7c, Tuesday September 16th on FOX. House comes into the emergency room to check on a patient; I am there as a doctor, helping another patient with a head wound. Later, I am walking around in the halls outside a meeting room.
Lincoln Heights. Season 3, episode 2. 8pm/7c, Tuesday September 23rd on ABC Family. I’m the only white cop on the Lincoln Heights Police Dept. Look for me at the station.
Cold Case. Season 6, episode 1. 9pm, Sunday September 28th on CBS. Two of the main characters go bowling, I am bowling in the lane adjacent to them. Later (or before?) you might also see me wandering around a train station.
Dirty Sexy Money. "The Fantini Brothers" Season 2, episode 1. 10pm/9c, Wednesday October 1 on ABC. There has been a death in the Darling Family and Kenny G plays at the funeral. I show up as Paparazzi photographer to get some juicy photos. Also look for my roomie, Megan Berkle as a television reporter going after the same funeral story… Funny story here - silly Megan sat down in the principle actor make-up tent next to Kenny G without knowing who he was. He asked if she was one of the stars of the show and Megan in returned asked if he was a background performer. To save an awkward moment, Billy Baldwin walked in and introduced himself to them both. I don't think any of them realized until later that Megan herself was a background performer!
Grey’s Anatomy. Season 5, episode 3. 9pm/8c, Thursday October 9 on ABC. You’ll need to put your DVR player on slow motion and pull out a magnifying glass, but as a crisis ensues in the emergency room, Arlo the paramedic casually walks on through.
The Starter Wife. “The Diary of a Mad Ex-Housewife” Season 1, Episode 2. 10pm/9c, Wednesday October 17th on USA. The Starter Wife (Debra Messing) and her buds go out for lunch. I eat lunch at the same place, so you might see me sitting at a table or walking about, flirting with some of the other patrons.
Eli Stone. Season 2, episode 3. 10pm/9c, Tuesday October 28th (Tentative) on ABC. Eli and Taylor are walking along a San Francisco street at night and Eli hops on a trolley. Guess who the trolley operator is? You guessed it…
Thanks for watching! My IMDb “Starmeter” hit an all time record of #25,666 this week - thanks!
To check for local listings, go to the Bottle Shock Website and click “cities”Also check out my January 15th and October 4th (2007) posts on this topic.
Also, check out these upcoming television appearances:
Desperate Housewives. A repeat of the past season finale (“Free” Season 4, episode 17) will play on the Lifetime channel at 1am this Sunday August 16, 2008. I have seen this episode already so I know that you can see me – briefly. About halfway through the episode two of the main characters go to their daughter’s music recital. I am sitting right in front of them in the concert hall, talking to the person next to me.
Saving Grace. “Are you an Indian Princess?”. Season 2, episode 6. 10pm, Monday August 18th on TNT. I play an Oklahoma City cop. You may or may not see me walking around the station, getting some office work out of the way. (Also airs 1am and 11pm on Tuesday Aug 19th if you miss it the first time).
Mad Men. “The New Girl” Season 2, Episode 5. 10pm and 11pm, Sunday August 24th on AMC. The 1960’s ad execs go to Sardi’s for a bite to eat. I’m in there, eating as well (as usual…). This will be a fleeting shot at best. I actually worked as a stand in for the Tilden Katz character (Nick Toren) on this episode, so didn’t work in front of the camera too much.
House. “Dying Changes Everything” Season 5, Episode 1. 8pm/7c, Tuesday September 16th on FOX. House comes into the emergency room to check on a patient; I am there as a doctor, helping another patient with a head wound. Later, I am walking around in the halls outside a meeting room.
Lincoln Heights. Season 3, episode 2. 8pm/7c, Tuesday September 23rd on ABC Family. I’m the only white cop on the Lincoln Heights Police Dept. Look for me at the station.
Cold Case. Season 6, episode 1. 9pm, Sunday September 28th on CBS. Two of the main characters go bowling, I am bowling in the lane adjacent to them. Later (or before?) you might also see me wandering around a train station.
Dirty Sexy Money. "The Fantini Brothers" Season 2, episode 1. 10pm/9c, Wednesday October 1 on ABC. There has been a death in the Darling Family and Kenny G plays at the funeral. I show up as Paparazzi photographer to get some juicy photos. Also look for my roomie, Megan Berkle as a television reporter going after the same funeral story… Funny story here - silly Megan sat down in the principle actor make-up tent next to Kenny G without knowing who he was. He asked if she was one of the stars of the show and Megan in returned asked if he was a background performer. To save an awkward moment, Billy Baldwin walked in and introduced himself to them both. I don't think any of them realized until later that Megan herself was a background performer!
Grey’s Anatomy. Season 5, episode 3. 9pm/8c, Thursday October 9 on ABC. You’ll need to put your DVR player on slow motion and pull out a magnifying glass, but as a crisis ensues in the emergency room, Arlo the paramedic casually walks on through.
The Starter Wife. “The Diary of a Mad Ex-Housewife” Season 1, Episode 2. 10pm/9c, Wednesday October 17th on USA. The Starter Wife (Debra Messing) and her buds go out for lunch. I eat lunch at the same place, so you might see me sitting at a table or walking about, flirting with some of the other patrons.
Eli Stone. Season 2, episode 3. 10pm/9c, Tuesday October 28th (Tentative) on ABC. Eli and Taylor are walking along a San Francisco street at night and Eli hops on a trolley. Guess who the trolley operator is? You guessed it…
Thanks for watching! My IMDb “Starmeter” hit an all time record of #25,666 this week - thanks!
22 June, 2008
Summer Solstice
Venice, California. Angelenos enjoyed the longest day of the year and the first day of summer this past weekend in the midst of an intense heat wave. 
In addition to triple digit temperatures in the valley, the longest day (and in my opinion the best day...) of the year correlated with a full moon and grunion runs on the beaches. I hit the town with some of my Venice buddies and only realized later that all of the guys in the group had names starting in A - Aaron, Andrew, Adam and Arlo. The video clip below is from our solstice outing in the long twilight. Also included is a picture of buddies Aaron Miller and Jen Tharler at a recent showing of The Quick Six, the band continuing to provide the best of music to west side venues!
In addition to triple digit temperatures in the valley, the longest day (and in my opinion the best day...) of the year correlated with a full moon and grunion runs on the beaches. I hit the town with some of my Venice buddies and only realized later that all of the guys in the group had names starting in A - Aaron, Andrew, Adam and Arlo. The video clip below is from our solstice outing in the long twilight. Also included is a picture of buddies Aaron Miller and Jen Tharler at a recent showing of The Quick Six, the band continuing to provide the best of music to west side venues! On the work front, this has been another busy week. Earlier in the week, I worked two nights at the Rose Bowl for a promo that I'll leave nameless. Check out the picture here of the stadium with the mountains behind. With this kind of view at a football game, and not to mention the 
usual perfect weather, can you blame people for wanting to live in California? Anyway, the promo featured the lovely country singer, Faith Hill, who proved to be engaging and gracious. Unfortunately, this production decided to cut corners by not feeding the extras at all the first night, and only provided chips and water as craft services. This treatment came to Faith's attention and she responded by buying us all pizza. We thanked her profusely for her kind hearted act and I let her know that I knew "a Mississippi girl don't change her ways... "
usual perfect weather, can you blame people for wanting to live in California? Anyway, the promo featured the lovely country singer, Faith Hill, who proved to be engaging and gracious. Unfortunately, this production decided to cut corners by not feeding the extras at all the first night, and only provided chips and water as craft services. This treatment came to Faith's attention and she responded by buying us all pizza. We thanked her profusely for her kind hearted act and I let her know that I knew "a Mississippi girl don't change her ways... " Later in the week, I worked as an upscale Los Angeles diner on the second episode of the new series, The Starter Wife. The series stars Debra Messing of Will and Grace fame. Finally, this weekend in the midst of solstice madness, I worked as a New York library patron on a pilot called The Meant to Be's starring Amy Smart and Ioan Gruffudd (known best as Dr. Reed Richards a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic in the Fantastic Four films).
As this coming week begins, I have a couple of very exciting, but top secret feature film projects that I am getting started on. In one on these, I will be working for the first time as a photo double for a celebrity actor and I am looking forward to it!
On a wrap up note, it looks like my IMDb Starmeter hit an all time high this week - - 29,289! Cool beans...
07 June, 2008
The Secret Adventures of Mr. Grant
Los Angeles, California. Last month I reported on the release of the 3 minute version of Santiago Tapia's The Secret Adventures of Mr. Grant. At that time, I was unable to embed the video here. However, it now seems to work just fine. So, please enjoy the video along with a great frame grab of my fellow secret agents and me.
This and That
Los Angeles, California. I have been a little behind in getting postings up on this Blog, so I going to give you a really quick run through to catch up. 
Things have been busy and I have been working my butt off on sets here and there. We did another day of shooting on the Hitler documentary and I have posted a spoof Hitler PSA from that day here along with a few pictures of my fellow actors and I clowning around on set. While up in San Francisco for the shoot, I enjoyed attending the Bay to Breakers race and have included a picture of Laura Bauman, dressed for race day. 
On other fronts, I have recently been doing stand in work and have had a fun time standing in for William Baldwin, Lee Pace, Jimmy Kimbel, Jorge Garcia, Kevin Dunn and Luke MacFarlane. Last night, I worked on an all night shoot for one of my all time favorite television shows, Entourage. I played a Beverly Hills parent and the episode should air around October 23rd of this year (Season 5, Episode 03). Finally, today, I attended the first table read for the Star War's fan film, The Mandalorian Legacy. The production team has a great cast assembled and it will be exciting to watch this develop.
Things have been busy and I have been working my butt off on sets here and there. We did another day of shooting on the Hitler documentary and I have posted a spoof Hitler PSA from that day here along with a few pictures of my fellow actors and I clowning around on set. While up in San Francisco for the shoot, I enjoyed attending the Bay to Breakers race and have included a picture of Laura Bauman, dressed for race day. 
In addition to Hitler, I have been playing cop roles with increasing frequency and have included two shots here - one as a tactical weapons officer on the set of 24
and the other as a Pittsburgh police officer (carrying an automatic) on the set of Back to You. I have also landed a couple more larger roles in feature films, playing various agents of the law, and will keep you posted as these develop.
and the other as a Pittsburgh police officer (carrying an automatic) on the set of Back to You. I have also landed a couple more larger roles in feature films, playing various agents of the law, and will keep you posted as these develop. 
On other fronts, I have recently been doing stand in work and have had a fun time standing in for William Baldwin, Lee Pace, Jimmy Kimbel, Jorge Garcia, Kevin Dunn and Luke MacFarlane. Last night, I worked on an all night shoot for one of my all time favorite television shows, Entourage. I played a Beverly Hills parent and the episode should air around October 23rd of this year (Season 5, Episode 03). Finally, today, I attended the first table read for the Star War's fan film, The Mandalorian Legacy. The production team has a great cast assembled and it will be exciting to watch this develop.01 May, 2008
The Secret Adventures of Adolph Hitler
Berkeley, California. During his infamous political career, Adolph Hitler was the target of 42 distinct assassination attempts. 
All of these attempts failed and Hitler finally died at his own hand in 1945. I've been working in a yet to be named documentary covering these various attempts. The film is meant to coincide with next year's release of Valkyrie, a feature film following the story of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg and starring Tom Cruise.
I traveled to the Bay Area this past weekend to participate in the film in the role of Hitler. This was an extremely enjoyable shoot thanks to a great cast and crew. Enjoy the pics!
On another front, you may recall my participation in the Santiago Tapia film, The Secret Adventures of Mr. Grant (see posts: Meet John Needham, Secret Agent and Secret Adventures). A 3 minute version of the film is now available for viewing HERE on the Filmaka website and was a close finalist for the winner of this year's Filmaka award.
Finally, things have been busy on the work front. I have been on one set or another every day for the past several weeks and my Starmeter hit an all time high last week - 30,523. Disney really had me put the extra hours in on the Race to Witch Mountain with the Rock, Bob Balaban (as the Director of Swingtown) asked me to eat day old prop food and to 'get as intimate as I was willing to' with a female background artist, Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy) is a really nice guy, and Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) is the most gracious and welcoming principle actor I have yet had the privilege to work with. Check out the following clips from work days on Swingtown, Moonlight and Lincoln Heights.
All of these attempts failed and Hitler finally died at his own hand in 1945. I've been working in a yet to be named documentary covering these various attempts. The film is meant to coincide with next year's release of Valkyrie, a feature film following the story of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg and starring Tom Cruise.
I traveled to the Bay Area this past weekend to participate in the film in the role of Hitler. This was an extremely enjoyable shoot thanks to a great cast and crew. Enjoy the pics!On another front, you may recall my participation in the Santiago Tapia film, The Secret Adventures of Mr. Grant (see posts: Meet John Needham, Secret Agent and Secret Adventures). A 3 minute version of the film is now available for viewing HERE on the Filmaka website and was a close finalist for the winner of this year's Filmaka award.
Finally, things have been busy on the work front. I have been on one set or another every day for the past several weeks and my Starmeter hit an all time high last week - 30,523. Disney really had me put the extra hours in on the Race to Witch Mountain with the Rock, Bob Balaban (as the Director of Swingtown) asked me to eat day old prop food and to 'get as intimate as I was willing to' with a female background artist, Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy) is a really nice guy, and Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) is the most gracious and welcoming principle actor I have yet had the privilege to work with. Check out the following clips from work days on Swingtown, Moonlight and Lincoln Heights.
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