Thursday, April 30, 2009

Workshopping

I am ready for great theatrical representation! Just putting it out there!

Had a fun workshop tonight!! Casting director was really nice and had a fantastic partner. Our scene was from a sitcom, so that was a lot of fun! It's always enjoyable to work the beats of a sitcom and just get up & play. :)

I have two more workshops scheduled over the next week. There are two more I'd like to sign up for--one within the next week, the other two weeks away. I'm waiting for my paycheck from the commercial to arrive before I commit to those two workshops, just to be on the safe side (as rent is also due). :) I'd love to say, "Screw it! Sign up! The money will come!" And I probably will say that...but I also want to respect what I have right now. :)

I've been watching Southland every Thursday, and I'm really becoming a big fan of the show. It's so well done. Regina King just had a scene that made me hope she'll get at least an Emmy nod, if not a win. She's always awesome, in everything I've ever seen her in.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Screening and LOST on the beach

Friday, we had a cast and crew screening for Permagrin (formerly The Known Devil), the indie film that my best friend's boyfriend wrote/directed/produced/starred-in. I had a part in the film, which he wrote for me, and did most of my work in February and March. It was a lot of fun to watch this cut of the film with everyone, but most of all, I just thought it was a great example of what can be done with great determination. Todd's budget was around $8,000. He really willed this project to life, assembling great actors, calling in favors, and just generally busting his ass to get what he needed to get to make it happen. It's really impressive to me, and I have a lot of respect for him. Our screening was in this awesome studio/screening room at the Sunset Marquis Hotel--which is gorgeous--and it was a great time!

Monday night, I went over to Dockweiler Beach to participate in a make up class for my studio. It was set up to be like an episode of LOST, in which we all came to the beach with characters in mind, having done some work on them, made choices about them, etc. Adam, our coach, then directed us into improvised scenes, filming as he went. It was a lot of fun! I was surprisingly tired afterward and most of today, but I really enjoyed the experience! I think Adam is going to cut the footage together so we can see some of it--that'll be neat! It was an interesting challenge--really learning how to make adjustments on the fly and stay focused in the moment, while things were changing around us or providing distraction (the big one for me was mastering how I dealt with the smoke/heat from the campfire). Overall, I felt like it was really valuable!

I've signed up for a couple more casting director workshops, including one for someone from a cd office that does a lot of big budget films and one for someone from the cd office that casts Mad Men. I've also put in for one that happens next week, with someone from the office that casts Southland (waiting to hear a confirmation). I specifically have been looking to do a mix of offices that I am unfamiliar with, as well as offices that cast shows/projects I love or projects that I think would suit me as an actress. It's exciting to keep lining things for my acting. I don't think I realized that I have been continually lining things up until today--but, wow, what a neat thing to realize. I am making an effort, and I have the evidence to prove it. :) I'm hoping for some more commercial auditions coming up--and I may be particpating in a short film shoot on Friday (helping out someone who once helped me with a short film shoot).

I want to refocus some energy on writing for the show--we've all been busy with other things lately, so things had been moving more slowly than before, but I'd like to make a push this weekend. :)

My scene for this week is from a movie I love--so I'm a wee bit nervous!--but I think it'll be a great exercise for me. :) I'm very happy with a lot of what I've been working on in class lately. I have scenes lined up for the next couple of weeks, then I'm not sure what I'll be working on--but I'm sure something great will come up!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Just putting it out there...

I am ready to be a SAG actress and work on a SAG project! I am ready to work on a SAG commercial!! I am ready to work on a SAG network national commercial!! I AM READY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cast and crew screening of The Known Devil tonight--the indie film that I performed in during February and March. :)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Set

The shoot was SO MUCH FUN!!!

I arrived at crew parking at quarter to 7am, where I met up with our director, my co-star and various crew members--was introduced to the 1st & 2nd ADs, the DP, etc. They had a lovely catering spread, complete with an omelet bar! Sets are always catered in some way, but I still thought it was so cool. My breakfast was an awesome scramble with turkey, cheese, zucchini and corn, some bacon (you know I love bacon!), raspberries...and a doughnut, for good measure. :) I made good use of the catering, obviously. ;-)

After being driven over to the location--which was a GORGEOUS Craftsmen-style home in South Pasadena, near the crew parking--my co-star and I hung out in the production trailer while we waited to go into hair and make-up. I went in first, put on my costume (which was comprised of my clothing and accessories from the wardrobe gal), then had my make-up done and my hair styled a little nicer than how I had it.

The production crew did a great job of being on top of everything and moving quickly. A lot of times, the general thing on set is "Hurry up and wait", which is in reference to how everyone always needs everything to be ready, even if the shot is an hour away. :) However, they called for me, and once I was done being styled, I was driven to set and my first shot came very shortly afterward! It was great!

Filming itself was so much fun. We worked straight through, with set-ups going very quickly, and I believe we had the majority of filming done in about four hours. The shots began in the house, following me as I went to answer the door, then moved on to do the medium and close ups for my co-star. The camera was then turned around to do my medium and close ups.

My co-star was so great--really funny and quick with his improvisation. After getting the lines that were down on paper, he was given the chance to run with his improvisation at the end of the scene, and it was very, very funny! My lines were a little trickier, as they were the "selling point" sort of lines, more about how great the product is, etc. It's interesting to find the balance between selling the product and being a normal person. :) However, I was told I did well, so that's great! I was able to improvise a little bit, but as my character was the straight man, it was more about my reactions. I got a couple of funny moments in there, but on the whole, it was more important for me to hit the scripted lines. They were rewriting some of my lines as I went along, so I had the challenge of learning them on the fly, which was great to experience, as I'm sure it won't be the last time that happens!

Overall, we received a lot of positive feedback from the director and crew, as well as the production/marketing company rep and the reps from Cox. I met a couple of them at the craft table, after my scenes were wrapped, and they were incredibly nice. Actually, everyone on set was amazing and kind, very friendly and professional. Our director was great--really hands on, very involved, creative, positive--it was fun to work with him. I feel very lucky to be involved in such a great production!!

I wasn't able to see any of the footage, but I saw a couple of black and white polaroid type shots, used by the script supervisor to track for continuity, and the shots looked nice. I'm really excited to see how it's all edited together--the director had us playing around, saying a lot of lines over and over again, just to give him options in editing. That's a learning experience for me, for sure--I've not had to repeat a lot of things like that, and I love the opportunity to learn how to do that well.

One of the things I realized was that I was feeling a little curious as to whether or not I was doing well, if they were happy with what they got, but then I realized that if they weren't happy, they would have kept me there until I got it right. :) Also, I believe that if there had been any serious issues, I would have been worked with so that I could make the necessary adjustments. I also really realized how true it is that everyone does want you to do well! :) The folks I spoke to seemed very happy with what I was doing and happy to have me there, and it really made an impact on me to see that sort of energy all around me, because lord knows I was thrilled to be there myself!!!!

Overall, I'm so very happy and excited to have had this opportunity!!!!!!!! I was nervous this morning, before I got there, but just found that my joy at being involved won out over anything else. I really loved being the "talent"--so much fun!!! :) I have already sent out thank you cards to my agents, the casting director, the production/marketing company rep and one of the Cox reps that I met on set--and I passed a thank you card to the director before I left. I've been told it's rare for people to send thank you cards out like that, but I guess I've just had great teachers in the past, who have given me the amazing advice to always show gratitude for those folks. I love being able to send thank you cards to people--I feel like it's an awesome way to send out gratitude and positive energy into the world.

I look forward to seeing a final cut of the commercial--the production/marketing company rep told me to make sure they had my contact info so they could mail me a copy for my reel (my info was on the contract/waiver I signed). If it's not put online by someone else or by Cox, I'll try to upload it once it arrives, so I can have it to send to people and put on my website. I was told we looked great, so it should be fun to see!

I'm looking forward to my next commercial audition!! I can't wait to ROCK it and enjoy it just like I enjoyed this whole experience!!! Next up, I am ready to book a SAG commercial and be Taft-Hartleyed!!!! Yay!!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Two Weeks

Two weeks ago, on April 7th, I posted the following blurb on Twitter (I can't bring myself to call it a tweet):

[I am] ready to be working in my field of choice...and being paid for it!

Today, April 21st, I am proud to say that I have made that a reality!!!!!!!

I BOOKED THE COX CABLE COMMERCIAL!!!! :) :)

One of my agents called this morning to tell me I was on Avail--meaning that the production company wanted to book my time, so that they could use me if they chose me out of the last round of actresses. A couple of hours later, the same agent called back to give me the good news.

It's a non-union spot, with a lump sum flat rate buy out. In my agency's eyes, it's not a lot of money--and, compared to the kind of money one can make on a union network national, it's not a lot of money--but it is a lot of money TO ME. :) More importantly, it's what I set out to do!!!

The shoot is on Thursday--I will have wardrobe fittings tomorrow, at some point. The wardrobe gal called me briefly today, to tell me the look they were leaning towards and ask me to bring some options to the fitting (common, from what I'm told, even though they're really not supposed to ask that of you). So, I went out and bought khakis, which was painful, because khakis are so unattractive. I was overdue to buy a pair anyway, since auditions sometimes ask you to wear them (I think I'll keep them in my car, along with a polo shirt that I bought, just as an emergency audition outfit).

I'm so excited!! I am excited to have great energy come back to me, I am excited to be hired, I am excited to have had a great experience at the callback, I am excited to get on set and work, I am excited to be a professional, I am excited to learn when I get to set, I am excited to make contacts...I'm SUPER excited!!!

I really think it's amazing what can be created so quickly by focusing the right kind of energy on that which I want for myself and my life!!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

And that's how it's done!

My callback today was FANTASTIC!!!!

Prior to the callback, my agency called me to tell me to be sure to be very prepared with the sides, which was a special request from the casting director. So, I headed over to the area early and sat in a blissfully airconditioned Starbucks to review both sets of dialogue.

After arriving to my callback, I was directed to rehearse with some of the guys who were waiting. I had the opportunity to rehearse with one guy in the waiting area before I was pulled into the room with a second actor.

The director of the commercial was in the room, as was a rep from the production company. It's standard to have folks like that in the room, but what was very cool was that the director took the time to come up to us and introduce himself, as well as the production company rep, shake hands, etc. He was very hands on in directing us. I had the opportunity to read with four different actors--I think they were calling back fewer women, so we all got the chance to read with more than one person. I've seen that happen before if the calltimes are spread out so that there's an uneven number of actors to actresses, but I've never before had the chance to do multiple reads. It was a lot of fun!!

Overall, I had a really great time in the room. I got to play with the script a little bit, which was great fun--and I actually got a laugh from the director and production company rep with an improvised line! :) Near the end of my time in the room, I chatted with the director a bit about positive energy, forward momentum and the like, including a little bit about Obama's election. On the way out, I rode down in the elevator with the production company rep, who told me that I had one of the best lines of the day and that I did a great job.

So...YAY!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I'm so very happy and excited that I had such an amazing experience this afternoon. I felt good about what I did in the room, I had fun, I handled myself well...and I believe that I made fans! Those are all amazing accomplishments and things that I can OWN. :)

Another writing meeting tomorrow, although I'm not sure what we'll be talking about...and I'm confirmed for another casting director workshop in about a week and a half!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Monday

I've got a callback, for Cox Cable, on Monday!! Yay! Haven't heard anything about Pizza Hut, but am not sure when the callbacks were supposed to be...so maybe they haven't happened yet, and I'll get a callback there as well! You never know--anything is possible! I'm excited to have the Cox callback and looking forward to it. Reminds me, I have to look up the scripts! :)

Put my name in for a casting director workshop at the end of the month. Considering doing some last minute sharking for a couple more--showing up the night of, seeing if there are spots open. I don't want to sign up ahead of time at the moment--I'd like to see how my finances are looking and make up my mind the day of the workshops. I did put myself on the wait list for two workshops in May, both of which I *really* want to attend! Putting out the energy that a spot will open up for me!

Meeting tomorrow with Sheryl, to finish watching a movie for research. Then, time to start the rough draft of episode 2!

Not sure what scene I'll be doing in class this week, but the following week, I start work on a vignette from Nine Lives, a film by Rodrigo Garcia. It's a beautiful, interesting film that I really love. It has nine vignettes, following nine women through a certain moment in their lives, and each vignette is done in one continuous take. Really awesome and interesting to watch from a filmmaking perspective...and I love the performances. I've loved this particular vignette since I first saw the film, a couple of years ago, and I've long thought about performing it in class. So, I set about transcribing it the other night. :) Yay for making good on that desire!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

"Let me get some action!"

Audition yesterday was for Cox Cable. It was interesting...the sides were different than the ones we were told to look at online, and the time in the room was a bit odd itself. Overall, it went decently. I was kicking myself a bit for botching a line, but considering that they'd changed them and neither of us had a good view of the cheat sheet board (owing to how we were told to stand), I had to let it go--I got the point of the line across, it's not the end of the world. :) The session runner wrote my name down (getting it wrong at first--called me Mary, no idea why), but I don't really know why she wrote down my name--I'm pretty sure she wrote down the name of my partner, too. Maybe just keeping track of who they'd seen. I wrote a thank you card to the CDs and mailed it off this morning--I always do that when I see new CDs or go in to an office that I haven't visited for a while.

The casting director workshop went well. Got a scene from something I wasn't familiar with, but it was a good scene...great practice at how to just be a normal person in a scene, if that makes sense. I'm really enjoying the experiences of these workshops, it's been a lot of fun!

Audition this morning was for Pizza Hut. I got a bonus, too! They were casting one spot, but last minute, they were told that a second spot had been added--so I got to audition for both! The first had me playing an assistant in a "Man on the Street" sort of spot; the second had me playing two different waitresses. I really like going into see this CD--his session runners are usually so nice and chill. I had a lot of fun in both reads, so we'll see! I really love getting to go in and play--it's so much fun.

Class tonight is going to be fun and a bit challenging--I have two scenes, which are pretty far apart on the spectrum (as far as content and tone go). I'm looking forward to all of it, particularly the comedy scene--I love, love, LOVE 30 Rock. After all, there is a reason I wrote a kick-ass spec script for that show!!! :)

Writing meeting tomorrow with Sheryl--I think we're doing research? I haven't had much time or focus to work too much on the rough draft of episode 2, but things clear up after tonight. I've been mulling over certain things that need to be brought up in the episode, and I'm sure I'll get into it more after our meeting.

OH! AND...this is awesome: Adam's put together an amazing opportunity to do a class make-up that is totally different than anything we've done before...he's having us all create characters as if we were on LOST and come down to the beach in a couple of weeks to spend the evening interacting with each other in character. And he'll be filming it! I'm SO EXCITED!!! Being on LOST is a dream of mine, so to get to go play like I'm on the show...HELL YES!!!!!! :) :) :)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Busy Tuesday

Had a fantastic writing/development meeting on Sunday. Met with Sheryl & Zach to discuss the outline for episode 2. We worked out a basic outline, spending some time to develop what looks to be a stylistic theme for the show (for lack of a better description). I'm fairly busy the next few days, so we'll see how much I can done writing-wise, but I hope to have a few pages hammered out soon. Sheryl and I are meeting again on Thursday. :)

I have two scenes this week in class, both of which I am excited about! Mad Men--continuing my arc of scenes with Ben--and 30 Rock. Two shows I love!! Should be really fun!

I have an audition tomorrow for a cable related company--I believe it's a regional spot, as I'm not very familiar with the company. Exciting! I love commercial auditions! I also have a casting director workshop, which I'm jazzed about--always fun to go in, meet someone new, learn and play!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Why another blog?

I chose to create this blog so that I would have a place--a public place--to catalogue my efforts related to my acting and writing careers. I believe that by putting out positive energy, with a focus on forward momentum, I will be helping myself to attract the right energy and opportunities for my artistic success & fulfillment.

Since the start of 2009, I have done the following:
~co-created a web series with friends (which came to me through previous efforts in the realm of writing and acting, specifically in my class...a classmate approached me to ask me to help her and her boyfriend develop the idea they had for a series)
~had hours and hours of development and writing meetings with my co-creators
~written a hilarious pilot for the web series, and by doing so, created a starring vehicle for myself, one of my co-creators and a number of our friends/fellow actors
~written three drafts of the pilot
~done two table reads of the pilot, at various stages of its development
~collaborated on the overall arc for the series, as well as individual character arcs (about to start writing episode 2)
~auditioned for, booked and shot a student film for LMU (for which I received great feedback, and for which I got to do some ADR--yay new experience!)
~filmed a part written expressly for me in an independent film
~auditioned for a talent manager
~auditioned for and was accepted to a local casting director workshop studio
~attended and done well at four casting director workshops in the last month (including receiving feedback such as, "You are a great actress" and comments on my realism, great emotion and ability to make great adjustments)
~attended a Women In Film workshop taught by a well-known sitcom director (later sent her a link to a short film that I both wrote and starred in, receiving positive feedback for my work)
~got new headshots, with specific looks in mind--and feel that I achieved exactly what I set out to do concerning the looks
~printed a new headshot from the set, as well as matching postcards for marketing; looking at printing another option as well
~updated & renewed my personal website, IMDb page/resume/pics, Actor's Access page and LA Casting page
~had a handful of commercial auditions through my great agents, with a callback for Altoids
~submitted myself for roles online, via Actor's Access
~wrote a scene for class, based on our web series (probably to be used in a later episode)
~signed up for one and researching additional casting director workshops
~done a GREAT job with my scenework in class!!!
...and more!

I list all of these accomplishments so that I don't lose sight of the victories I've had along the way. Ownership of what I've done is very, very important. My new mantra is "Own it! And get out of your own way!"