Last-Minute Casting, Beanie Included: Save The Storks Shoot

I was a last-minute addition to a comedic short for Save The Storks. Megan Elisabeth Kelly played the lead, and I was cast as her boyfriend — a “douchey” one, to be clear. They handed me a beanie and a V-neck and said, “You’re the guy.” That’s how quick it was.

I got to work with Dan Davidson and Stacy Pederson, and both were fantastic. Dan told me stories from his stand-up career and couldn’t have been more welcoming. Stacy was already doing stand-up and brought this polished ease to everything. They were pros. I relished the time between takes learning about their families and careers.

How I showed up

At the time, I was working a ton with Megan — At the time, I was working a ton with Megan — she's one of the best scene partners and co-producers I’ve ever had. Reliable, grounded, and always ready to bring something honest to a scene. Working with Megan was, and still is, a privilege. There are some actors who just give — in the scene and in the space around it. She’s one of those people. When you work with someone who treats every story with care, you feel safer to do the same.

Here I was as “douche boyfriend material” — especially after playing her kidnapper in another project — I knew we’d make it work.  On set, one of the crew members looked at me and said I didn’t really match their vision. Fair. But I also thought, You gave me the costume, I just showed up. I also thought my costume wasn't too far off from what I was wearing. I took a picture in the mirror and sent it to my girlfriend at the time. I got her approval at least. It was one of the first moments where I started to notice how much I was changing physically. I was getting bigger. I’d just been at a premiere where another actor said, “You keep getting bigger. You’re not going to get any more work.”

"I'm a Vegan"

But here’s the thing: I never felt funnier. The less I cared about the way I looked, the more I cared about other things. I think the irony of being an actor is you become better the less you care that you look good and more that you look honest. I think hot looking bullshit is still bullshit. I wasn’t worried about being sexy or camera-ready. I was just showing up as me — heavier, scruffier, more real. It wasn’t about being fatter. It was about not punishing myself anymore. I was still going to the gym, but I wasn’t living like an athlete. I wasn’t cutting weight or trying to impress anyone. I was drinking soda, smoking cigars — enjoying my life a little. And yeah, I was getting a little soft. Honestly, that was one of my first post-athlete goals: get a little fat.

This shoot was small and quick. We wrapped in an evening, and I had fun. I got to work with Dan Davidson and Stacy Pederson — both stand-ups, both great. Dan told me stories from his early comedy career, and Stacy was just effortlessly funny. It was a reminder that being on set, even on a one-off project, is a chance to learn from the people around you.

This wasn’t a breakout role. It wasn’t viral. But it helped me start letting go of what I thought I needed to look like to be useful, castable, or valuable.

My wardrobe change

You might not match the image in someone else’s head — but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the scene.

Also, it never hurts to just be available.