An Entomologist in Hollywood?

Yesterday I applied to be a host for a new television series being produced by Asylum Entertainment "and a major cable network." Wish me luck. I did share the link to my YouTube demo reel, but I fear they may think I'm not animated enough. I'm no Steve Irwin, but I am no stick in the mud, either. Maybe they will notice the stand-up performance in my YouTube account....

I have a gut-level feeling this is a more legitimate media venue than some of the other opportunities that have crossed my desk, so I really want to make it to the next level in the audition process. My style is to deliver accurate information, allay fears, refute urban legend and folklore, and do so with empathy to those not as sympathetic to the arthropod realm as I am. There have been far too many over-the top hosts already.

Stay tuned, and feel free to offer your support here, on Facebook, and any other public outlets you can think of. Thank you.

Wasp Wednesday: Audition Video

I had the privilege of auditioning for a pool of new talent with the BBC Natural History Unit back in December of 2008. They wanted a demo DVD, so I had to enlist some help. I decided I would use grass-carrier wasps of the genus Isodontia, family Sphecidae, as my subject. The result is shown below.

A huge amount of thanks goes to Kirk Sellinger of Kalypsis Productions. Kirk helped me out on a moment's notice, charged reasonable rates, and shared a few tricks of the production trade. When he isn't working with minor clients like me, Kirk joins National Geographic tours documenting both the natural history and the guests, making DVDs available to the guests at the end of the expedition.

Nothing became of this particular audition for the BBC, but they were most gracious. I would very much like to make a living interpreting insect and spider natural history through all types of media, regardless of whether I am in front of the camera or not. Watching myself in this video I might actually prefer to be behind the scenes. I welcome inquiries from those who produce nature documentaries, or referrals to production companies and others in that business.

I have appeared on television before, locally (at the "Bug Fest" at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, July, 2000) nationally (a guest on Donahue in February, 1989 for a discussion on children of divorce), and syndicated (Make Peace With Nature in the 1990s). I have also performed stand-up comedy for a live audience at the end of a comedy workshop.

Since I will be out of my current part-time job come May of this year, I figure I better get started on my next move. Creative enterprises really are "my thing," and I look forward to collaborating with like minds. Oh, and I’ll be back next week with a bit more on Isodontia. Thanks.