"That's the spirit Paul. You walk this path and you walk a fine line between sanity, safety and morality, but you're already halfway there with this show. So what's one more step down the path of life?"
-Jerry to Paul in Exposure-
Regular readers of FH know one of my favorite guys is actor Brandon Ruckdashel. Besides being one of the kindest guys, Brandon is one of the most talented. Brandon has achieved success and acclaim for his work as an actor and singer on stage, on television and on film. Brandon has also spent time the last couple of years honing hi skills as a photographer. Several times this past year when I was researching a model I was pleasantly surprised to see Brandon as the photographer.
Over the past year and half Brandon has been working on another project, a more personal one. Writing is not new to Brandon, he is a song writer and has written in the past, but his new play 'Exposure' is his first full play.
Exposure:
Exposure is a play about a young actor (Paul) who breaks up with his girlfriend (Tara) to pursue his dreams in Hollywood. Along the way he lives with a stripper (Tonya) and takes a boyfriend (Tim) all while under the guiding hand of his agent (Jerry). Exposure is both about the entertainment business and what an actor is willing to do as he lives his dreams.
Brandon says Exposure is the honest Hollywood story. "It's about all those things that happen that ENTOURAGE doesn't talk about. I decided to write this show because no one was writing anything like it and I'm fairly certain that my story is not unlike many other young actors who move to Hollywood. They dream big and try to survive any way they can." The events that happen within the play all happened within the first six months of Brandon's move to California. Exposure is a personal narrative, and although there are similarities between Brandon and Paul, it is not exactly biographical.
"I started writing EXPOSURE when I went on hiatus from Co-Ed Confidential season 3. Originally there were more characters, more scenes, more everything, but over the course of the writing process I've really spent the most time on focusing the story. A play can't be about everything and I think it's a trap many writers fall too easily into. They think "More More More" instead of "Less Less Less." My greatest influences on the structure were Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" and of course my favorite cult film "Fight Club." Over the course of three relationships Paul learns about himself and what he wants, needs, and is willing to do for success. Throughout this arc he is tormented, teased, and at times has very honest conversations with an agent character (JERRY) he's created in his head."
-Brandon Ruckdashel-
Having read 'Exposure' I can attest to Brandon's talent as a writer. Exposure is a character driven play which explores systemically not just the highs, but the lows of making it in show business. It's toll on relationships not to mention ones mental well being. Most of us watch from a distance the success stories, the actors working. Although there have been stories of 'making it' in the business (think Fame), rarely does Hollywood allow us to see the dark side, the pain, the broken relationships which occur on the journey to stardom.
Exposure is currently doing readings and I will be sure to update you on the plays journey from page to stage. Thanks Brandon!
Exposure: The Play by Brandon Ruckdashel
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