Updated Demo Reel

Spent the last few nights updating my demo reel.. Below is the fruit of my labor..



Raj Suri Demo Reel on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nNYtQ57M43c

Sex, Drugs and Money Video Clip

Recently, a movie I did last year, "Sex, Drugs and Money", premiered down in Tucson. Here's a video clip with some of my scenes in it.



Sex, Drugs and Money Video Clip on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzDcNieHhg

Tip Jar Extended Cut

Hey Everyone,

I think most of you saw the 48 hour short, "Tip Jar" which I was in a while ago. Well the guys over at Synthetic Human made an extended cut that I wanted to share with you guys.. I hope you like it!



Tip Jar Extended Cut on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNWwe5LvQQ

Help Wanted

I recently participated in the A3F 72 hour film challenge! For this film challenge, 10 teams had to script, film, and edit a short movie in 72 hours. The theme of every movie was "an unexpected visitor." Every movie had to feature someone climbing up and down a ladder. Further, each film had to use the line of dialogue: "Why would he/she say that?

I was on a team with Big Shot Studios. These guys are top notch and when you watch the video, you'll see why. Movie took awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. It also took 2nd Place in the Audience Choice Award. I really thought it was going to take top place in the Audience Choice Award since I've been using The Secret. Damn you Oprah! I want my money back!

Here it is. Enjoy!



Direct Link To Help Wanted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPKrpGCjsGU

Myspace links to others involved in this project:
http://myspace.com/bigshotstudios
http:/myspace.com/rajsuri
http://www.myspace.com/davidjamestaylor
http://www.myspace.com/courtneylato
http://www.myspace.com/actor_joanna_spencer
http://www.myspace.com/nicotico1000
http://www.myspace.com/yamahar6chica

One thing led to another... and now a movie premiere

Here's a nice little article about Sex, Drugs and Money in AzBiz.com. Oh, and the little blurb about the terrorist who got upgraded.. that was me. :)

Article also has info on the Oct 23rd premiere. Enjoy!

One thing led to another... and now a movie premiere

Getting Jacked Up!

Remember how I said that I get jacked up in "Help Wanted." Check this out:

Dark Places at the International Horror Film Fest

So, it looks like a movie I did several years ago is screening at the International Horror Sci Fi Film Festival. I play a nice guy, crack head in this movie. I die violently in this movie as well. Fun, fun.. Check out the trailer:



This movie is by far the most demented, disturbing, and bizarre project that I've ever been a part of. If you are into that twisted stuff, you should check it out. Movie was made by Brain Damage Films. It's being viewed on October 20th at 11:15pm at the Harkin's Centerpoint Cinema. Afterwards, meet legendary local comedian, David Hayes.

For more info, check out www.HorrorScifi.com

"Sex, Drugs and Money" premiering in Tucson!

About a year ago in Tucson, I filmed a feature film called "Sex, Drugs and Money." To date, this was my most memorable film experience.. and, not because I ran over a family of javelinas on the drive home one day after filming. Yeah, that's right.. a family of javelinas ran out in front of my car while I was driving on the highway. I felt really bad afterwards.. those sons of bitches did $1200 worth of damage to my car. I hate stupid animals.. those Javelinas be dumb.

Anyhoo - SDM was an awesome experience for me. It is to date, the highest budget project that I have ever worked on. It was cast by Faith Hibbs Clark. The crew was large. Like really big. I still remember we were shooting outside for one scene and it was hot. In between shots, crew members held an umbrella over me to shade from the sun and I was just thinking, "Are you serious? I can get used to this" Way cool.. All I needed was my own personal trailer with a fridge of full of organic green tea to be considered big time.

SDM is a high school stoner comedy. It stars really great actors such as Matt Dearing, Byron Graham, Kasim Aslam, John Dobredenka, Laura Waters, and Cathy Rankin. Somehow I got cast as well. I try not to bring these other guys down. I play the lead bad guy in the movie. Check me out below!



Scary, I know!

Well, SDM is finally premiering October 23rd in Tucson! I'm not sure if it's open to the general public or not but if you are interested in checking it out, let me know. But, I think they'll have a Phoenix viewing at the IFP so stay tuned for details!

72 hour challenge

Hello friends, family, fans, pets, and other's who can't believe they are about to take the time to read this crap..

It's been some time since my last post and I'm just too needy to go a long time without getting some attention.. so without further ado, my latest blog entry..

first off, I was fortunate enough to just finish shooting with Big Shot Studios. What an awesome time! I was shooting as a part of a 72 hour All-Star film challenge being hosted by the A3F. Check out their last entry in the film challenge. Good stuff! Now realize, the "All-Star" part of the challenge refers to the production teams, not the actors that are participating in this event. Perhaps, one day they'll create the "1 Year Average Actor Film Challenge" for people like me.. Dare to dream!

The challenge was a great experience! I've been lucky to work with new people on my last several projects and it's been great to meet and associate with great talent on all these projects. There's a lot of people in this town that really know what they are doing.

This 72 hour challenge was physically demanding for me. I got my ass beat down in this short. Realize, I've gotten my ass kicked in several movies now. But, none like this. I am still sore from shooting take after take.. Pain is temporary, film is forever, right?? Mad respect to fake wrestling.. For those of you who would love to see me get the beat down, the A3F will be screening all the shorts on Oct 25th at 7:30pm at the AMC Arizona Center 24 Theatres. For tickets, clicky clicky.

Official Tip Jar Homepage

The official Tip Jar homepage is here! Check it out at http://synthetichuman.com/tipjar/ . You can check out stills from the shoot as well as track any film festivals selections and awards it may win.

48 hour film challenge experience!

Well, what can I say. What a night! I recently attended the Phoenix 48 hour film challenge viewing and man, was I blown away! I'd never been to an event like this so it was great to see so many actors that I had worked with and many other actors that I had heard great things about.

There were 33 short films, in all, screened that night. And, after watching all of them, I was blown away by the level of talent that exists in Phoenix - both on the talent side and production side. There were many in attendance on both sides who I think would have as good a chance as any over there in the Southern Cal market that we call Tinseltown. And honestly, I was really proud to be involved in this challenge and really proud to call myself an Arizona based actor after the event.

One of my favorites from the night was D.E.A.D - an old 60's style spoof on how to kill a zombie. Frickin' Hilarious. My favorite of the night was a flick called Luna. A story about a guy dating a girl made of cheese. Very nicely done and oh so funny. Plus, there were some great performances in a short called Like You Said. My wife kept commenting on it that night!

It was a good night for our short, Tip Jar.



It took home the award for Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast! I'm pretty sure that my 5 seconds on the screen sealed the deal for the award! ;) Seriously, it was a great effort by the cast and I'm really looking forward to the completion of the extended cut of the short. There was a lot of good stuff that got cut due to the 3 minute length restriction and I think the extended cut will highlight some nice work by other members of the cast that didn't make the final revision. Further, I think the extended cut will make the story a line a little clearer as well. For those of you who haven't had a chance, check it out below! Enjoy!




Tip Jar on YouTube

First (and Final) cut of Tip Jar

Hello childrens,

I just saw a first cut of Tip Jar and I really dug it. Man, it's tough getting in a ton of good footage in just 3 minutes. Personally, my scene, which I ad-libbed a great deal, was mostly cut. But, honestly, it had to be done. I can't think of another scene in the short that should have not been in there. But, my scene is at least still in the short and I've got a really good reaction shot which should get a good laugh during the viewing.

I'm really stoked about the short and can't wait to share it with you guys! I think we have a good shot in the comedy genre portion of the competition.

Game on, baby!

48 hour film challenge!

Just finished shooting a movie short for the 48 hour film challenge. For those of you who are not familiar, this is a local film competition and it goes like this. Yesterday at 5:30pm, 33 different teams were given a genre, a prop that must be used in the film and a line of dialogue. The film has to be written, filmed, edited and completed in 48 hours.

Filming got started earlier today. I'm on a team with Synthetic Human Pictures working with director Stephen Krystek. I had not met Stephen before filming today. I got his info from another actor, Patti Tindall, who I had worked with before. I sent him my demo and resume and he told me that he'd like me on his team. Networking pays off!

Call time for cast was 6AM!! Our short is called "Tip Jar" and it's a comedy. It's a story about two coffee shop waitresses who flirt with customers to get the most tips. I play an unsuspecting doctor in the coffee shop.. I felt good about my performance. In fact, if it comes off as well as I think it did, I think I'll be able to add a good comedic clip to my demo reel. Booyeah!

Filming got off to a rough start.. so, one of the lead actresses doesn't show up! I think she got hammered last night or got thrown in jail or something. I'm not really sure. Anyway, we all knew it was going to be hard to find a replacement on such short notice especially since most every other actress is working on other teams! So, I asked the director if I should call a friend of mine, Geeta, who was a drama major but hadn't acted since college! The director gave me the A-OK and I called my friend at 7AM (and she is not a morning person plus she went out the night before). She said she was free and came to the shoot! Long story short, she came to the shoot and knocked it out of the park! The directors loved her work.. Quite a fortuitous turn of events! Geeta really seemed to enjoy her time filming. In fact, she was still shooting when I wrapped as she had a lead role in the short! Crazy, huh!

Well, even though filming ended today, still need to do ADR tomorrow. I've never done ADR so I don't know what it's like. Seems like it would be a pain in the ass but I'm looking forward to the experience!

Anyone out there have ADR experience? How was it?