Spirit Lake: First Shoot

I will be participating as an actor in an upcomming feature film by Joe Shakula or BibSimmons called "Spirit Lake." I am just hoping that I don't freeze my bones, it's quite cold today. For more information on the production visit the official website at:http://spiritlakemovie.com/

Aono Trailer

I am in the new Matt Wichlacz short film [AONO] premiering this March 2009. I enjoyed the production and I was happy to get cast in a speaking role, and such an interesting film.

My First Impressions of AONO

Last year I performed a supporting role in the Matt Wichlacz short film Aono. When I previewed the rough cut at Ma Fischer's in Milwaukee, it was 7:40pm and I was interested to see what this movie might look like. I had my doubts, after all the director was still in highschool during production, he had very little film experience, and had just purchased the video equipment for the film. The filming was as professional as a film with a $2000 budget could be,including some catering; french fries and coffee. Well when I started watching the film I was impressed with the look and feel-the entire project is in black and white, a fitting color for a Milaukee short. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say, stay tuned for the movie premier which is set for sometime in March. Thanks to everyone who was involved,it's great to be part of a project that exhibits the importance of characters and story over stale drama and action sequences.

A look back at 2008

I started out last year with what would be my ONLY live performance. I appeared for close to 40 minutes as the featured performer at Poet's Monday. Poet's Monday for the uninitiated isn't just for poets, it's for all manner of vocal performers from story tellers, and improvisers to poets and singers. The show starts out with an open stage and ends with the feature performer. The show is often followed by a live music performance. Entrance to Poet's Monday is $3.

My performance went as intended, and I succeeded in entertaining and enlightened the crowd. I don't remember a single thing I did during the show, and the only record is from the memories of people in the audience. I regret only one thing about 2008, and that is that this was my only live performance. I am going to spend more time this year performing on stage, instead of only in film.

I traveled to Poland, my home-land, and stayed there for 7 months. I attended classes at the well-regarded Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and when the semester was finished I instructed students in the English language for over 100 hours as a native speaker. I returned for a semester at MIAD, and during that semester managed to appear in 4 short film projects, two of which are still in production.

I was glad to have participated in a number of video projects in 2008.I played a villain in Ashley Donaldson's untitled film, a young soldier in Johnathan J Bells drama about pre-war Wisconsin , an office employee in the 48-hour film festival submission "Magic Pen", a man attacked by an alien (cut from this role:voice over talent used instead)in Nathan Behmlander and Erik Holman's film Star Monger, and a philosopher/time traveler in Matt Wichlatz film Aono (set to premier in Spring 2008.

2008 was easily my most productive year in terms of acting work. It followed 2007's first appearance in a serious film "Autumn Lost", produced by a team from UW-Milwaukee. After the experience with the UW crew I decided to dive into local film, and began getting accepted for roles. I was to appear in a film for Meghan O'Connell but was recast do to schedule conflicts she ran into.

Looking ahead at 2009, I am glad to have been asked by Nathan Behmlander to voice one of his characters for his thesis animation, by Don Ford to star in my own internet series "5 minutes with [Rich]," an offer by Joe Shakula to appear in a short film project, and an invitation by Brian Janick to perform live in his "Twilight Zone" sketch series. I am happy that everything is falling into place this year. I hope you'll be one of the select few who appear at Poet's Monday, cause you never know when I'll stop by. Thanks to all of my collaborators, fans, and fellow-actors for a pleasant 2008.

Getting Shot with Arrows

I recently participated in a film for the National 48 hour film festival with one of the 5 teams from the 2008 regional 48 hour film festival in July. The film is called "Magic Pen" and I ended up getting a non-speaking role. When you watch the clip, you might notice that I am in the bottom of the screen (the office employee in grey reading a book) after some time I can be seen running from a bunch of arrows, and finally I appear as the man getting pumelled by dull arrows, and dying on the tabletop. This is the second scene where I die on a tabletop; the first one being for the internet sitcom "the Grabowskis". I had a great time filming, and hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.

My Comics

I have decided to experiment with single frame comics. I have posted my 4 most recent examples.

My Resume

Age: 27
Height: 6'
Weight: 153lbs.

Experience

Internet
Cat23.com (2005), Sketch comedy program
Role: George W. Bush

The Grabowskis (2007), Sit-com based in Milwaukee,WI
Role: Steve

Student Films
Banananine (2000), 24 hour film festival
Role: Man rolling down flight of stairs

Scare Me (2005), Mark Borchardt Horror Film currently in production
Role: Extra in Party Scene

Chaos (2007), UW-Milwaukee Collaborative Film Project
Role: B

Theatre
One Act Play Festival (2004), Walker's Point Center for the Arts

Animation
Killer Planet (2005), Milwaukee based 3D Animation currently in production
Role: Mark Klukowski

The Streeters (2004), Cartoon aired as part of locally produced "Making the Grade."
Roles: Cuddles the bear, Rabbi, Nerd at Coffeeshop, French Bear, FBI Agent

Training
Comedy Sports Levels I,II
Improv Olympic Level I

Special Skills
Foreign Languages: Polish
Experienced Moped Rider