Celebrity Who?

I think for the great majority of people we dream of making it somewhere. Being big, being recognizable as a celebrity is the most common way of getting there. Having camera’s follow, waltzing down the red carpet amongst a countless number of adoring fans.  With the potential for this to happen, I would be lying if I wasn’t even a little bit excited. Of course at the same time I try and remain as humble and professional as I can. 

2 years ago, when I first departed overseas, one of my closest friends expressed her worry that I would change going into the industry (modelling/acting industry). A fear that over time vanity would take over, searching for that attention. I promised that I would not change, and I fully intend on keeping that promise.

Since I have started letting my face get out there, I have worked my way into some recognizable roles from the Sport Chek home page at Christmas, to ads for a steakhouse before your movie, a couple billboards in Bangkok and even 2 globally released TV commercials. For the progression of a career in the industry these are all fantastic moves on getting to a recognizable face.  Of course nothing will compare to the potential that Go Fish has for myself and other cast members. 

My first experiences with being “famous” happened in Singapore, when Chinese tourists there would be amazed by my white skin and height, requesting pictures. This however was purely due to what I just said and nothing to do with being recognizable.  It wasn’t until I arrived in Korea that I saw a greater awe factor. In South Korea, they are highly educated but also have a strong love for American culture and persona associated with the upper echelon of celebrity. A tall, handsome, Caucasian goes into a coffee shop; men and women both young and old stop and stare. The brave whip out their latest computer phone, while the shy try to hide their similar actions.  The gutsiest of all sum up the courage to ask to take a picture while you sip on your raspberry double espresso at the local Mango. As a modest individual I would happily oblige and get back to what I was doing. Some would take this opportunity to brag and make a big deal out of it. Upon my return to Bangkok this past year, I was recognized by several young girls from my wedding with Thai airways in Phuket. 

Back to what I originally came to post about: This past Friday, I was invited with a great number of those involved with the show to appear as celebrity guests at a charity event. This would be my first official red carpet event, and the first time I was called a celebrity. To all in attendance I am a nobody, someone with potential at best. I like that idea personally, for me it’s grounding. The experience of a limo picking us up, pulling up to a red carpet outside Cowboys Casino and of course an introduction to the attendees. 

It was a fun experience, one to learn from. Although I don’t want my brush with fame to overshadow the reason we were there. The event was held by YYCharity to help raise funds for Pulmonary Hypertension(http://www.phacanada.ca/en/), Calgary Health Trust (http://www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca/) and Leukemia/Lymphoma (http://www.llscanada.org/). If you have some spare funds, I highly encourage your to donate to these causes. Speaking of celebrity they kind of take a back seat to donations compared to Breast/Prostate cancer.

Speaking of that endless pursuit, many take the fake it til you make it approach. One of my best friends recently moved to LA. Whether it be culture shock or the true plasticity of people in LA, she is struggling with finding people who are truly genuine to themselves. I am sure this happens everywhere, but its especially pronounced in LA as I have heard. Personally I have never understood hiding who you really are, but as evidence from her experience many people will to earn their shot at being famous.

I am going to end with this great quote:
Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Being true to anyone else or anything else is not only impossible, but the mark of a fake messiah.
Richard Bach 
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fake.html#u8pM7HIaay8jG5qh.99 

That’s a wrap - Go fish filming is long done

I have been almost entirely MIA for the month of August. This is partially due to the fact of filming and also putting in extra hours at the bar.  After just under a month of work, all the filming has come to a rest. I would like to share a big thanks to all the crew and cast for the experience and adventure that is creating a television show.  

Behind the scenes teaser 

My previous experiences in television have all been in the commercial side of things. This was much more fun for me in a sense.  Although I didn’t get to drive a convertible through the Thai mountains or hang from the side of a building, I found the joy of taking on a character and developing my own background rather satisfying. While filming I was no longer Zach, but I was the handsome neighbour. With several character overlaps between myself and my character it made it that much easier to be him during shooting.

Other than the information I have already shared about the show Go Fish, there isn’t much more I can tell you without spoiling.  Although I can lock it down a little further as to when you can set those PVRs and grab the popcorn.  

First week of October Go Fish will be airing on ShawTV (that’s channel 10 in Calgary). When I find out the exact date and time I will be sure to update you further.  

With no current destination or plans to model overseas I have decided to adjust my gym goals. Rather than remaining lean and relatively small (current weight 167 lbs), I will continue to stay lean but try and bulk back up again. There isn’t a plan to be 220 lbs anytime soon, but I would like to crush some steal on the trip back up to 180-185. In the past I have hung out around that weight and been quite satisfied, which also holds a bonus of muscle memory. This of course is your body’s ability to adapt and return to a previous musculature. Other than doing my Superman Star complex, I will also be piling on the calories.  Jumping from about 3000 per day to 4500.  

This workout involves a principle of overload as well as the dynamics of plyometrics. Here is an exert taken from the chest portion; the full workout is here on TNation. 

	Exercises	Load Types	Reps
1	Top-half bench press	Overload	3 - 5
	This is a very effective activation movement for the rest of the complex, but it's also one of the most effective triceps exercises you can do!
2	Bench press	Strength	3 - 5
	Focus on keeping the traps shrugged up when doing this movement (for added safety, stability and raw performance).
3	Speed bench press, as fast as possible with 60% of max	Strength-Speed	5
	Focus on two things here: 1) move as fast as possible (accelerating throughout the movement) with 60% 1RM, and 2) perform a quick turnaround between the lowering and lifting phase.
4	Medicine ball chest throw	Speed-Strength	8 - 10
	You can either perform this one standing and throw it in front of you, or lying on your back and throw it straight up. If you do the latter, make sure to throw it straight up or have a partner catch it for you!
5	Plyo push-up	Explosive	5 - 10
	No need to drop your chest all the way down. Just as in jumping, we want a short and rapid dip and minimal transition time before the projection upward. Stop when you lose your "pop."

Go Fishing with a reel of course

Handsome Neighbour?

In spirit of doing some more acting, I thought I would share with you my reel I just put together. It contains clips from some of my commercials and a bit from a photoshoot as well. All to the tune of a song that will easily get stuck in your head.  Kick back and enjoy!

Fishing is exactly what I am doing on Go Fish. I am working my magic on the ladies of the show to try and get myself a date. Keep an eye out for when things get released.

Big Announcement! A game of cards – Go Fish (Guess who's gonna be on a National TV Series)

About 3 weeks ago I made an announcement on my Facebook. I have had these plans to write about it, but really wanted to tell you about the joys of my siblings wedding. 

So here it is, we have started production on a new TV series based and filmed here in Calgary.  A few weeks ago, I was chosen to be a supporting cast member on a comedy series called Go Fish. It’s a very fitting title especially with some of my Singapore friends whom I taught to play the game. Here is the synopsis taken from iperformarts (production company):

"This TV comedy series follows five roommates as they try to make their way through the world. Each of them is following a dream, however, in the pursuit of their goals they often find themselves in hilarious predicaments which sabotage any progress that they may be making.

Each of the roommates have different goals, one wants to be a Lawyer, one is trying to become a fitness instructor, another is a model, and one is an actress. The fifth roommate is the very rich owner of the house that they all live in, and wants to get married….

Each episode follows the girls through one day in a series of short chronological skits."

A lonely little goldfish is the physical manifestation of each roommates failures, this fish seems to suffer an untimely demise in each episode, and is promptly replaced by whoever caused the fishes end. No one seems to even notice that the fish is different each time.

So where do I come in? One of the lasts pieces to the puzzle, I ended up casting for the show a few short days after getting back from my last Asia trip. As I mentioned my role is as support so I won’t be appearing in every episode, but will be a reoccurring character, the handsome neighbour.  My character lives next door to the girls, and is constantly trying to get a date or phone number at least. Without giving too much away, let's just say that I am a bit of eye candy on screen with my wardrobe. 

My experiences overseas filming television commercials have led to an interest in acting. I constantly talk about challenges and adventure is this is exactly how I see it. Excited to work on this production would be an understatement.  

I would like to share more, and I may share bit by bit as production goes along, but for the most part you are just going to have to stay tuned for when the show airs here in Canada (and for those overseas I will be certain to share online links).

Come away with me – My brothers wedding (Part 2)

When I last left you Ben and Christina had said their I do’s. Ben gave Christina the wrong hand to put the ring on and also struck a fantastic chord in everyone’s hearts confirming his love for her. Following the reception we found a few locales for some wedding party shots, and then rolled into the reception. 

As we did the shots, I realized how automatic movement has become for me. The countless flashes of light I have seen has created an instinctive manipulation to create different pictures. Browsing through the wedding pictures it became obvious, as frequently I was the only one varying in pictures.  Time to get back on topic.

With the majority of guests arrived, our 2 SUVS pulled up to a beautiful golf course setting. With music starting to pump each party member began to dance in and then make our way to the head table. I briefly introduced the wedding party, and gave thanks to everyone for accompanying Ben and Christina through their joyous day. Of course now that Christina was in our family I had to immediately tease my little sister. During thanks, I asked her to come up and say a few words. Unprepared, her face turned red and she slowly moved towards me at the podium. As she got near me, I welcomed her to the family and gave a hug. 

Most of the way through dinner, we started with speeches. I lead the way with a toast to the groom. With plenty of ammunition and inside jokes, I decided to keep those for another time. I shared some fun experiences of Ben and I, reminisced of the first time he spoke of the new delight in his life, and continued into describing how his life had changed for the better with Christina there. Following myself, the Bride’s father delighted is with a heartfelt and deep dedication towards his daughter. My father, a man seldom of few words, kept short, meaningful and full of power. Lastly, the maid of honour came up to share a few words of thanks as well.  

As we wrapped up dinner and proceeded into the first dance, Ben and Christina took the dance floor to the tune of Louis Armstrong.  For that song, it was clear that nothing else existed in the world other than the two of them holding each other.  I think Adam captured it perfectly here.  Of course not long after that was the cutting of the cake with the two smearing cake over each other’s faces.

The music continued the rest of the evening having people up and down, shouting, and shaking all they had. A beautiful evening capped a gorgeous day, so many of us caught up and socialized on the deck outside the hall.

I was busy outside socializing as the bouquet toss and garter toss happened, but I have been assured it was equally entertaining. 

Finally as the take was so long and all of us were tired, I escorted the bride and groom off to their hotel for the night, with a honeymoon in Cape Breton to follow the next day.

Of course big thanks to Studio35 Photography for the pictures. If you like these, please be sure to check out them on facebook.