J David Moeller's "The Moellerizer"

J David Moeller in "Detour Home"

"Detour Home"

a Columbia college

Practicum Film

Each year, Columbia College –the largest arts and communications school in the country and one of the finest- picks 5 of its top undergraduate film students to write, produce and direct a short film, a highly prestigious honor. These films then go on to film festivals around the world, even into competition for coveted Student Academy Awards (The Oscars!), as one of last years films has done.

I submitted my picture and resume for consideration as an actor and was brought in to audition for director Justin Stowell's “Detour Home” –screenplay by Charice N. Long.

The first audition was comfortably relaxed and pleasant. Many actors hate to audition; but, personally, I don’t mind at all. It gives me a chance to create a new character, meet new people in the business; and, ultimately, make an investment in being hired in the future.

Often we actors don’t get the parts we audition for. But, by auditioning, we’re imprinted in the minds of the casting directors and other professionals and just might come to mind for future projects they’ll be working on.


Once the audition was finished I wished all there good luck on the project, said I’d love to do the part and went away prepared to play “Hurry up and Wait!” –the bane of all auditioners.


Will I get a call-back? What did I do right? Wrong? Did I over/under play it? All these thoughts run through the mind, including -in some- the firm belief "I'll never work again". Fortunately, we do.


We’re admonished: Do the audition and forget about it. Yeah. Like we're going to forget.


I love the processes that go on. Hate them too, but from each audition I learn something.


Then, I got called back to read with another actor in the scene.


Amy J. Carle, a highly talented Chicago actress, was my scene partner.


We both were cast. Amy playing a woman on her way home from work who picks up a stranded motorist (played by another fine Chicago actress, Rebekah Ward-Hays).


Along the way they stop at a service station (mine) and I intuitively feel Amy's character needs support and try to provide it, subtly. It’s a short, but beautiful scene on many levels from an actor’s perspective.


My character went through three total changes, script wise. The finale re-write was “dead on” in my mind, and further indication of the level of talent behind-the-scenes on this production.


My part was shot the second night of a three night shoot.


When I arrived on the set at my 2am call time, it was evident the production team was tired…but I have never seen a more professionally oriented cast and crew on any shoot.


The enthusiasm, teamwork, energy and craft made for an electrically charged atmosphere any actor would be comfortable working in. I felt right at home.


Watch for “Detour Home” at a film festival near you…and at the Student Academy Awards!


And remember Justin Stowell’s name. He’s going to be a biggie. His ease of direction and comfort working with his actors is inspiring. He knows how to communicate his ideas and does so with facility.


His crew was dedicated and in total control of their areas of expertise. The atmosphere on the set was relaxed and friendly, everyone was focused on creating a work of craft and art. "Detour Home" will do well for all involved.

Amy J. Carle (L) as Diane, J David and Dir. Justin Stowell discuss script and action for the upcoming scene.
2 Photos: Amanda Bose w/permission of James Babiarz, Producer

"I've met a few (Doctors) in my day" J David, as Roscoe, tells Diane.

Director Justin Stowell (L) and J David Moeller

Kit does the coif!

That’s a wrap!

"Betty Anne Waters" -Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!

J David Moeller

"I lost 22 inches and was never hungry!"

A character actor goes through personality changes faster than the infamous "Sybil" ever did, in relation to his career. A lead actor can make an entire career out of playing "himself" but the character actor rarely gets to "be at home" in his own skin from one role to the next.

The sacrifices made can be quite extreem ranging from gaining and losing extraordinary amounts of weight, ala Robert DiNiro in "Raging Bull", to this writer's shedding of 22 inches of lovingly grown and maintained hair.


It wasn't the first time for a haircut for a role. That came in 1978 for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol".

Then, in 2008, Johnny Depp came through Chicago filming "Public Enemies". I audtioned for the role of the prison warden in a scene where Depp, playing John Dillinger, grabs and threatens him in an attempt to break out.


I was offered the role, contingent on my cutting my hair, now falling to the small of my back after 15 years growth. I was under contract to WildClaw Theatre to keep my hair and beard intact for the role I was playing in "The Great God Pan" where I played a hundred year old blind man being interrogated by a Nazi intelligence operative...and had to turn down the coveted role.

Now, two years later, Hillary Swank comes to the Midwest with her production of "Betty Anne Waters", the story of a young woman who enters law school later in life to get her degree and fight to get her brother released from prison for allegedly murdering a neighbor -a true story.

Again I was offered the role -as "Grandpa". I would be working in a flashback to when she was eight years old. As before, the producers wanted the hair cut. This time I was under no obligation to keep the length, and accepted the part.

However, I did feel that 15 years was worth something in terms of compensation and my agent -Gray Talent Group- successfully negotiated an equally amenable fee for the trimming.

The film was being shot in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and, at the end of February, I took the train to the set to get the haircut by their hairstylist. They needed me in town for a photo shoot for pictures to display around my casket in a funeral scene. The rest of my work takes place mid-May.

I traveled 500 miles round trip to get that haircut and got paid quite handsomely for it.

It doesn't take long to reverse Mother Nature