The Basement Yard Episode #476: Booking Our First Acting Gig

In episode #476 of The Basement Yard, hosts Joe Santagato and Frank Santagato explore their early artistic endeavors, the challenges of depicting skin tones, and their humorous journey toward booking their first acting gig. The conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, playful banter, and insightful reflections, making it engaging for both longtime listeners and newcomers.

Art Class Anecdotes and the Struggle with Skin Tones

The episode kicks off with Joe and Frank reminiscing about their school art classes, specifically the difficulty of accurately portraying skin tones in self-portraits. Frank shares his frustration:

Frank ([01:43]): "I never finished mine because I just couldn't get your skin tone. My skin tone. Right."

Joe recounts his own techniques, highlighting the subjective nature of colors like tan and beige:

Joe ([01:08]): "I would take the orange one, but then I would go very lightly... giving the white people a tan."

Frank elaborates on his approach, describing his skin tone as resembling a popular quarantine-era beverage:

Frank ([02:33]): "Like a whipped coffee drink during quarantine."

This discussion not only underscores the technical challenges they faced but also sets the stage for their camaraderie and mutual support.

Navigating Subjectivity in Color Descriptions

Joe and Frank delve deeper into the complexities of color terminology, particularly focusing on the word "beige." Frank expresses his frustration with its spelling and origin:

Frank ([00:34]): "It's French. They're so stupid out there. Is it."

Their playful exchange highlights the often-overlooked nuances in artistic terminology and the personal preferences that influence color choices.

Venturing into Acting: Improvisation and Practice

Transitioning from their art struggles, Joe and Frank discuss their foray into acting. They engage in spontaneous improvisational scenes to hone their skills, demonstrating their natural comedic chemistry. One notable attempt involves a dramatic betrayal scenario:

Frank ([10:38]): "Who’s the craps? Leonardo the Craps. Who is the craps?"
Joe ([10:46]): "Watch this. You ready? Actors and directors, you're watching."

Frank praises Joe's performance, likening it to an Academy Award-winning act:

Frank ([12:23]): "Goodness gracious. What needs to be done?"

These improvisations reflect their determination to break into the acting world despite lacking formal training, blending earnest effort with their signature humor.

Humorous Bucket List Dreams and Lighthearted Banter

The conversation takes a whimsical turn as Joe and Frank share their bucket list aspirations, including Frank's quirky wish to be sniffed by an elephant:

Frank ([23:10]): "I want to get sniffed by an elephant so bad, dude."

Their lighthearted exchanges about past antics, such as scamming vending machines and awkward high school memories, add depth to their friendship and provide listeners with relatable and entertaining content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Frank on self-portraits:
  "I never finished mine because I just couldn't get your skin tone. My skin tone. Right."
  ([01:43])

• Joe on his art method:
  "I would take the orange one, but then I would go very lightly... giving the white people a tan."
  ([01:08])

• Frank describing his skin tone:
  "Like a whipped coffee drink during quarantine."
  ([02:33])

• Frank commenting on acting practice:
  "That's showbiz right there."
  ([17:11])

Conclusion

Episode #476 of The Basement Yard offers a delightful blend of nostalgia, humor, and aspiration as Joe and Frank navigate their artistic roots and comedic talents. Their candid discussions about past challenges and future ambitions provide listeners with both entertainment and insight into their creative processes, setting the foundation for their first acting gig.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been intentionally excluded from this summary to focus solely on the core discussions and insights shared by Joe and Frank.