In January 2004, 12 year old Tony and his mother made their first venture to Los Angeles for pilot season where Tony auditioned for film and television shows.  Their intention was to stay for three months but they extended that stay to six months after Tony was cast in a FOX TV theatrical project from March to May.  He attended John Muir Middle School in Burbank and made many new friends.  He celebrated his 13th birthday in Los Angeles. 

Tony experienced many highs and lows during their stay.  Not seeing his dad and dogs for six months was only one hard part of the adventure, with another being when his beloved grandfather passed away while they were in California (on the same day Tony was treated for a concussion and possible broken neck from diving into a swimming pool) .  Tony worked very hard in L.A. with his acting/singing and in the public school he was enrolled in.  His dedication was recognized when he was signed with a talent management group who, in addition to his agents, helped him earn many audition opportunities.   

In L.A., he was a comedy improv student at The Groundlings (training ground for many of the Saturday Night Live comedians), a hip-hop dance student at The Millennium Dance Complex, and a student at various acting schools.  One of his fellow students in his Groundlings classes was then-unknown actress Ashley Tisdale (now on "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and "High School Musical").  Tony was the youngest in the class and happily reported that Ashley and her friend in class liked to flirt with him.  He secretly referred to them as "The Gucci Girls" for their chic style.  They would drive off in an open convertible while flirtingly waving at Tony after class.  

During his first pilot season, he auditioned for lead roles in many new and upcoming films including “Hostage”, “Christmas with the Kranks”, “Monster House” (8 rounds of auditions including mix-and-matches with Spencer Locke), “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Amityville Horror” and "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl".  He received callbacks with directors/producers on most auditions where he found himself in the company of other young actors including Jake Thomas (“Lizzie McGuire”), Daryl Sabara (“Spy Kids”), Jacob Smith (“Cheaper By The Dozen”), Jimmy Bennett (“Daddy Day Care”), and Mike Johnson (“Mike’s Super Short Show”). 

Tony auditioned for many pilot television shows (proposed new television shows) and made it to the final round of auditions (screen test”) with NBC Studio executives for “The Friendlys” where he was one of the final two boys considered.  At NBC, he was in the company of veteran actors including Dave Foley, Ian Gomez, and David Krumholz, who were auditioning for the same show.  

He went on many commercial auditions and was cast in a national Chevrolet commercial.

In March of that year, he was cast in a FOX TV theatrical project.  The Creative Development department at FOX devised a new way to introduce new comedy/drama writers by staging seven mini pilot shows in a theatrical format for the executives at FOX.  The shows were also attended by other industry professionals and the general public.  Named "Naked TV" because of the collaboration with Naked Angels Theater group of New York, these seven mini shows were produced on stage at The Edgemar Theater in Santa Monica for a four week run through May 9.  The audiences had fun watching potential new TV shows in this unique format.  FOX has since commissioned two of the writers (Matt Boren and Andy Bobrow) to develop their shows into televised pilots in 2005.  Tony worked with an amazing group of writers, crew and actors including Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina The Teenage Witch”) and Marc John Jefferies (“The Haunted Mansion”).   On April 23, the FOX executives attended one of the shows and hosted a FUNtastic party afterward.   The project was highlighted in several L.A. trade papers including Backstage West.  Other articles:

Click here: DailyCandy LA - Must-See TV

Click here: The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition 

In June, Tony was introduced to two wonderful music producers who loved his pop/rock sound and instrumentals.  They were eager to help him record a demo for record label companies.  He spent time in their recording studio to begin this process.  On another musical note, Tony met Benjy and Joel from the band “Good Charlotte” while he was in L.A.