1st Yr. Anniversary - New Format - Can You Feel It? (Week 53)

Monday, September 19, 2011 marked exactly one year since I arrived in LA and with that accomplishment I'm celebrating the anniversary of my quest with a few changes. From this point on there will be no more extensive written posts (at least that's the plan). I have written my heart away for the last year to the point where writing hurts my brain. 

Introducing my new video blog format. The majority of my thoughts and experiences will now be expressed in my vlog edition. 

I have also upgraded the photo above with a more fierce and epic look. Special Thanks to Eric Erickson for the sponsored photo shoot. Lets say bye bye to this photo which has braced the front of my blog for my first year.

Motown Maurice's former graphic header of his blog.

Vlog Review: Sunday, September 18, 2011 - Saturday, September 24, 2011 

Important Message: This video was originally published on Youtube Monday, September 26, 2011 then removed from youtube 2 days later.






-----------------Quick Highlights--------------------




Sunday, September 18, 2011

* Last Saturday, my mom unexpectedly blessed me with a donation and I was able to scrape together enough to treat myself with a tablet. I've been wanting it for a while and I'm very happy that I have one. Its a well desired treat and celebration. 

Motown Maurice celebrates his first year in LA with a Toshiba Thrive. 

* I also made the decision to cut back on writing so much in my blog today.

Monday, September 19, 2011

* Happy Anniversary! I got myself an audition for James Carter/Chris Tucker parody part and it went well. They emailed me the next day to inform me that they want to work with me.

* Missed a Japaneses TV audition because a young lady distracted me but I'm cool with it.

Related Post: Secret Sleeping Quarters Unveiled


Tuesday, September 20, 2011


* As of today I started saying temporary staying with a friend from my acting class.  She made the offer months ago but it didn't work out. I contacted her yesterday and she came through. What a blessing. I was able to take a bath for the first time since last Wednesday (September 14th)  Related Post: Scroll to Monday, July 4, 2011

Motown Maurice's first bath in a week. This really felt good.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Met my new friends and roommates, Achillies & Hermes.

In celebration of my 1st year in LA I treated my acting class to Pizza.

I think they enjoyed the pizza.

The class liked the improv scene, but I wasn't too happy with it. I'm starting to focus on becoming a better actor now.

New Goals:

1. To book a national SAG commercial

2. To Feature in Theatrical Flim

3. Host a national game Show

In celebration of my 1st year in L.A., I would like to thank everyone that significantly contributed to my quest thus far. The list is below in no particular order.

Alice Beatty

Wilnar Paul

Marissa Hammonds

Crissy Raynor

Ike Parham

Solomon Oli

Pamela Y. Robinson

Laura Saint Fleur

Dr. Shelia O. Christy-Martin

"Joe" Rulx Beauchamp

Penny Cobb

Robinette Smith

Rodney Gibbs

Carmen Barton

Jermaine Smith

Aunty Mary, Asha, Johanna, & J-Phill

Reggie Smiley

Rosie Justilien

Interim guardian angel (Previous Roommate)

My Pa Pa

News Media

Eric Deggans

Eric Erickson

Tammy Taylor

Tangela Walker-Craft

Exclusively, I have to thank the following 3.

First Class Talent Agency.

My sponsor for life, Pamela Y. Robinson

Last but certainly not least. The most loving, caring and supportive mother in the world my mom. Ma you are the best.

Thank you very much everyone!

Thank you so much!

Final Thoughts 

In a few words. I am happy my first year accomplishments. There are way to may to list right now. I'm also now finally starting to take my opportunity to become an actor more seriously. Now that I'm not going to be spending so much time blogging as before I'm planning on devoting extra time to developing my craft.

There are definitely greater things ahead in the upcoming year of this quest. What I'm really trying to say is that, "I Can Feel It." Can You Feel It?!!



As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Improv Olympics

Post Represents: Thursday, September 15, 2011


No one can question the passion of my acting instructor Allen Levin. For a couple extended hours after today's class, a few of us stayed overtime for a powerhouse of improvisation sessions. I really enjoyed these. Most importantly I'm improving.

Its not what  you think. He was mad and I was trying to hold him down. lol

Final Thoughts

Early in the class I did an improv and although the class laughed I improv-ed a weak character. Within the next 3 improv's at the end of class, I focused on listening and not trying to be funny. It made a big difference. My classmate Adam even told me he noticed something different and that I was listening more.

In most cases when I'm funny I barely try. Acting class however it mostly about being real, believable and natural. I would guess that most students in class are seeking dramatic roles. From this point on, I'm going to make stronger effort to build my dramatic acting abilities. Then learn how to mix it with my other abilities.

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Bath Brooms

Post Represents: Tuesday, September 13, 2011

I made a cameo appearance on Tuesday's Lifebook Acting class to showcase a scene I've been rehearsing for with Dmitriy. This scene takes place the JFK Custom department.

Checking out his passport. 

What is this in your bag? 

Shrubs? What do you need shrubs for? Are you sure you're not going to smoke this? 

Smiling during my critic while reviving great feedback and new ideas.  

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Lifebook's Potluck X2

Post Represents: Sunday, September, 4, 2011

The last Potluck was Saturday, May 7, 2011. That was TSAG 1-4. Now the potluck is back with TSAG 1-8. TSAG stands for The Space Actors Group. Its basically a community service for actors by Allen Levin. One month of free classes. That's how I got involved on the 3rd of March.

I initially just asked the person next to me (Katherine K.) to take some photos of my improv scene but she went ahead and recorded it. How cool is that? As much work as I do on that stage, I really don't have much video footage there.

Awkwardly enough, this is the second tape of me acting as a gay type person. I play all kinds of characters on that stage but I have no footage of any of that.

Motown Maurice & TSAG 1-8

Motown Maurice & TSAG 1-8 is getting crazy. 

Related Post: Free Tag Throwback 


Final Thoughts

Don't worry my acting will get better.

Thank you Katherine K.!


As the quest continues..

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Showing out for the Newspaper

Post Represents: Thursday, August 4, 2011 

Today the reporter and photographer were present at my acting class to capture me in action. Read Breaking the Headlines one Documentary at a Time for more information. Not only was class today filled with multiple improvisation sessions I had to show out a little extra for my media visitors. 


An Improv with Motown and Eric 

Last week I did a scene called Sister/Brother. I requested my cast to do it again for the story that is being written about me.

Here is Sister/Brother part 2.

Who's Stalking Me?

I originally wrote a song in 1998 called Who's Stalking Me. In college, I turned it into a poem and it was a hit while I was apart of Black on Black Rhyme poetry Tallahassee chapter. Fast forward to March 3rd, I blew some dust off of the poem and used it as a audition piece to get into my Lifebook acting introductory class. Today, I decided to blow more dust off of it for more stage/photographer time for the news story.

Final Thoughts

This is history in the making.

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

My Father was White?!! -- Motown vs Allen Fight

Post Represent: Day 312 Thursday, July 28, 2011

I'm not an actor. I admit it often and correct those who refer to me as an actor. I feel much more comfortable referring to myself as an entertainer. I do desire to star in at least one or two theatrical feature films within my lifetime and I'm confident those offers will come in time. For now I'm blessed to be apart of The Lifebook Acting Academy. The experience and knowledge I'm exposed to makes me a better performer and a more powerful presents in general. 

I'm very devoted to my class and my leadership role (stage manager) however there are times I get agitated and restless. For the past few weeks I've been dissecting those signs as a soon to be paradigm shift in my life. I even told my instructor about my expected paradigm shift in an email when I missed class last Thursday. A week ago my chances for Craftsman Screw*d looked great and I sensed my time in Lifebook was drawing near the end. 

Most classes I observe and take photos for the Facebook page. Today I was in it to win it. I participated more today then any other class and it felt good. I produced some of my best work and afterward that restless and agitating feeling was no longer present. I performed several times in class today and it resulted in a rejuvenation of my enthusiasm. 

Sister/Brother

We started rehearsing for Sister/Brother a few weeks ago (From the Table to the Stage) and today we gave birth to this scene for the first time. It worked out pretty well. In the scene I found out I had white father and I met my white sister.

The feedback I received from the instructor was based on my evaluation and energy. I know the power of my energy but I thought if I gave anymore of it in the scene I would be perceived too sitcomy without any belief. Allen Levin continued to provide feedback and I understood. He also told me my energy needs to be higher every-time I speak. He mentioned that at times in the beginning of the class when we give announcements that my energy is high at times then its low sometimes. He also mocked the way I cleared my throat before I speak. He encouraged me to be enthusiastic every time I speak and less of that laid back Motown or it will affect my chances as a late night talk show host.

I agree and I know better. I will also make sure I do better. At the same time, I like laid back Motown. My energy is an on and off switch for me. I did learn a lot from what he said. I tend to personally dislike being taught a lesson I'm aware of but we have to refresh ourselves at times. Nonetheless, I needed to be told this so I can be more aware and conscience of my energy levels. Laid back Motown ain't going no where but I will monitor better now.

Check out photos for the Sister/Brother scene

Motown Maurice & Phoebe Spence

Raewyn Bailey, Phoebe Spence & Motown Maurice

But she's White!!!

I can't believe what I'm hearing!!!

Your my grandmother!!!

Motown Maurice, the Writer/Director Sharon Spence, Phoebe Spence & Raewyn Bailey

Related Post: From the Table to The Stage

Motown vs Allen Fight

We ended out class with several improv exercises. I think I did great in 2 out of 3. In the last session, I walked someone to their car and when I arrived my fellow classmates acknowledged that I was the only person that didn't do the last improv activity. Then Kelly shout out Motown and Allen. Allen as in our instructor. Little did I know it would be come Motown vs Allen. This improv was some of my best work yet in this class in my opinion.  We went from roommates arguing about the condition of the couch, to him furiously asking when I put his pills and finally I was fighting to prevent him from throwing his life away. This was a great improv and I even got a chance to beat Allen up a bit in the process. 

Motown Maurice & Allen Levin

Motown restrains Allen

Is this what you want? Is this what you been looking for?

Are you really going to throw your life away?

Look at yourself. You need help!

No. You can't have it.

I won't allow you to throw your life away.

More pictures are available here. 

Final Thoughts

In the last two pictures, Allen is scrabbling to get the capsule that I literally through across the room.  It became a really intense scene and it was a lot of fun. 

I don't know what type of magic took place today but it was necessary to ease my restlessness. I'm in no rush and I will continue to cherish this bless until I graduate to the next blessing. 

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Be Interested. Not Interesting.

Post Represents: Day 310 Tuesday, July 30, 2011

On the first day of my introduction into Lifebook Acting, I was engulfed with a myriad of acting tips (Acting and auditioning tips from Allen Levin). The tip that stood out the most on that day was "Be interested. Not Interesting. Its the first tip on the list and its the first tip that comes to mind when I think about that first class.

This is a very important tip most actors take for granted. Actors love to talk. Some honestly don't know when to stop when they get started. While in the mode of talking, automatically the take on the role of being interesting. I am confident that's probably a huge pet peeve of most producers and directors.

I strongly believe my natural effort to be "interested" and not over baring with previous productions such as Excused is the reason why I received a call back. At the same time I'm sure I was also "interesting." It helps to be both.

Not only is it important to be "interested" in the productions you are cast for but I think its just as important to be "interested" in the people you interact with. I've been attending Lifebook Acting Class for approximately 5 months now and the vast majority of the students in the class have no understanding of my ambitious past better yet what I'm capable of. Beside that, regardless of how well I promote myself, most of my classmates (among other people I meet) don't even know I have a blog or took a moment to visit it. I'm not saying they are suppose to but several conversations reflect the obvious. However, there are a few exceptions. In this case, the exception is my friend and one of my newest supporter Tamara. 


To my immediate knowledge Tamara is the only person in my class that has ever taken the time out to post on my blog. Once again, I'm not saying anyone is suppose to post on my blog but the fact that Tamara took the timeout, read it and made a comment means a lot to me. Just by her taking a moment to be "interested" and post a comment represents a gift to my quest.  


Comments on my quest are like fuel for my destiny. I like them. In the beginning stages of my quest I was getting 4 and 5 comments per post but now I'm lucky if I get one. I'm okay with that but when I do see a comment it makes me smile. Thanks Tamara. 


A couple months ago I was aware that she was apart of a theater play. The same theater where I performed as Dog Boy early this year. I remember when she announced her performance in class and mentioned that nobody from Lifebook attended, I felt bad. Note, this was way before she made a comment on my blog. Afterward, I promised myself to show support in the future. Today I did and I must admit. The fact that she has been "interested" in my quest, very much encouraged me to be more "interested" in her theater performance. 


As a result, of her support, I thought I would bless her with some photos. Tamara this is my gift to you for simply taking the time out to post a comment on my blog. I hope you like the photos. 

Check out Tamara below in "Happily Whatever After."

Tamara as The Queen

She up to no good.

Go Tamara! Go Tamara!

Motown Maurice & Tamara

See more photos here.

Also check out this scene we were apart of last May (F.R.I.E.N.D.S. I'll Be There For You...)

Final Thoughts

Be interested! Not interesting! 

As the quest continues...


The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice