Hello everyone out there in cyberland! Today I have a mystery to solve...
The confusion all began last night when I received the dreaded text/email combo. I know that when the two occur simultaneously, it's what's called an "audition notice," from one of the three casting websites used for almost all acting jobs in LA. The websites are (for those of you curious about starting your own west coast career) actorsaccess.com, lacasting.com, and nowcasting.com. All actors are required by their agent to create, pay for, and maintain a profile on all three sites. Agents submit their actor's profile for the various breakdowns that only agents receive. When one receives the text/email combo, it means that the website is letting you know you have an audition. These notifications can happen at anytime, and usually have a way of turning my world upside down. If I lived in LA, I would simply acknowledge the audition notice, knowing that I would need to take an hour off work or that my shopping trip would have to be cut short. Since I live in San Diego, a notice like this means that whatever plans I had made for the rest of the day, or following day are out the window and the entire day will be spent in traffic. It can be a little traumatizing at times.
Most of my auditions come from lacasting, as they host most of the commercial breakdowns. Since I haven't heard from my theatrical agent since we agreed to work together (months and months ago), commercials are pretty much it for me. Last night, however, I received an audition notice for the music video of major recording artist. Now don't get too excited for me. Although music videos can mean a lot of exposure, they pay terribly!!!! Not to mention the fact that there's no way I'm right for this job. The role is that of "the other woman" in a sordid love triangle. Not to say I could never play "the other woman," but the pop star who's boyfriend I'd be trying to steal is like twelve. Maybe they're going with a cougar theme, if so, I'm totally in ;).
The mystery lies in the fact that I have no clue who submitted me for this job. I don't think my commercial agent would have, as it's clearly not a commercial, however, it does have the name of my agency in the audition notice. This leads me to believe that it might be possible that the theatrical agent/head of the agency submitted me. I don't know if you recall, but about a month ago, I met with said agent in an attempt to woo her and make her want to sign me. This, of course, did not happen, although the meeting did go well. Did it go so well that she decided to go ahead and toss my name in the hat? If so, this would be one of the biggest things to have happened for me since I moved to the west coast two and a half years ago. How to find out who submitted me in a causal, non desperate, non-actory kinda way? I'm sure I could shoot my commercial agent an email inquiring as to who, but I've been bugging her a lot lately, and one never wants to be too high maintenance. I guess I'll just let it float for now and continue to wonder. All of you out there, please think good thoughts for me. Maybe I could ask the product of the day for help.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Neuroses
I've been mulling over the subject of exposing my neuroses for the past couple of days. A sort of "coming out," if you will. There are many layers to this onion, and many triggers as to why it's been on my mind. The most obvious reason has been distinct differences I've noticed about actors in NYC and actors in LA. It's all to do with the willingness to expose neuroses.
-Before I continue, I must disclaim this post by acknowledging that I'm speaking in broad generalities.-
I spent eight tumultuous years in New York City struggling to make a name for myself. I was an actress/singer/dancer/quilter/knitter/crocheter/hostess/coat check girl/flier distributer/hair dyer for monier... yup, I actually dyed my hair for money once! I would have done it again, but they didn't ask me... Along my journey, I met many other gypsies living the same kind of piece meal existence as myself. I'd often go to an audition not knowing a sole in the holding room and by the end of the audition, I had made myself a handful of new friends. Granted, they probably weren't gonna be life long friends but once the ice was broken, these men and women were all to happy to swap stories of woe, laugh and ease the tension. "How was the ice broken?" you my ask. Usually, someone would confess how nervous they were or how they'd forgotten to put on deodorant or they weren't sure what to wear and now they realize they've made a mistake etc. Everyone else would chime in with their own crippling obsession, we would laugh and were all fast friends, comfortable with the knowledge that we were all in the same boat. Of course this didn't happen every time and of course not everyone was eager to share their own neurosis or admit weakness, but more often than not, there was a palpable feeling of comradery, at least for me.
In LA, however, I sense a strange fear as I look around a quiet holding room. It feels as though there's a pervasive worry of being found out. What must be going through their heads? Is it anything like what's going through mine?.. "Do they know how old I really am?.. Can they see the huge zit I spent all morning covering up?.. Do they think I'm fat or are these jeans more flattering than I thought?.. Do they know I have nothing on my resume - that I don't really know what I'm doing - that I feel like a fraud?".. Most likely, the answer is, yes. It is after all the human condition to doubt one's self. Why then are they so afraid to say it? Okay, so I'll be brave, I'll break the ice with some kind of confession. Instead of responding with that, "its okay, your not alone,"- kind of comment, I'm met with either an awkward stare or worse, a dissertation on how to properly audition. There's a compulsive need to "have it all together." Why? I don't think its an attractive quality and I can't imagine that a casting director would find it attractive either.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one should have verbal diarrhea, confessing every single passing worrying thought. I guess what I'm saying is there's a balance to be struck. There's nothing wrong with being confident. I do have a problem, however, with false confidence and withholding our powerful ability to relate with others. Its so simple and it takes away nothing from you, in fact it only makes you stronger. This is relevant not only in the acting world, but also in life. So, to my fellow actors and to my civilian friends out there (Morgan ;)), give it up! We're all in this together, so let's act like it!
Can someone give me a hand? It's really high up here on this soap box and I'd like to get down now please! Boy, ranting really did feel good though! My product of the day today is a mega phone. I figured if any of you had anything to rant about, this may help!!!
-Before I continue, I must disclaim this post by acknowledging that I'm speaking in broad generalities.-
I spent eight tumultuous years in New York City struggling to make a name for myself. I was an actress/singer/dancer/quilter/knitter/crocheter/hostess/coat check girl/flier distributer/hair dyer for monier... yup, I actually dyed my hair for money once! I would have done it again, but they didn't ask me... Along my journey, I met many other gypsies living the same kind of piece meal existence as myself. I'd often go to an audition not knowing a sole in the holding room and by the end of the audition, I had made myself a handful of new friends. Granted, they probably weren't gonna be life long friends but once the ice was broken, these men and women were all to happy to swap stories of woe, laugh and ease the tension. "How was the ice broken?" you my ask. Usually, someone would confess how nervous they were or how they'd forgotten to put on deodorant or they weren't sure what to wear and now they realize they've made a mistake etc. Everyone else would chime in with their own crippling obsession, we would laugh and were all fast friends, comfortable with the knowledge that we were all in the same boat. Of course this didn't happen every time and of course not everyone was eager to share their own neurosis or admit weakness, but more often than not, there was a palpable feeling of comradery, at least for me.
In LA, however, I sense a strange fear as I look around a quiet holding room. It feels as though there's a pervasive worry of being found out. What must be going through their heads? Is it anything like what's going through mine?.. "Do they know how old I really am?.. Can they see the huge zit I spent all morning covering up?.. Do they think I'm fat or are these jeans more flattering than I thought?.. Do they know I have nothing on my resume - that I don't really know what I'm doing - that I feel like a fraud?".. Most likely, the answer is, yes. It is after all the human condition to doubt one's self. Why then are they so afraid to say it? Okay, so I'll be brave, I'll break the ice with some kind of confession. Instead of responding with that, "its okay, your not alone,"- kind of comment, I'm met with either an awkward stare or worse, a dissertation on how to properly audition. There's a compulsive need to "have it all together." Why? I don't think its an attractive quality and I can't imagine that a casting director would find it attractive either.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one should have verbal diarrhea, confessing every single passing worrying thought. I guess what I'm saying is there's a balance to be struck. There's nothing wrong with being confident. I do have a problem, however, with false confidence and withholding our powerful ability to relate with others. Its so simple and it takes away nothing from you, in fact it only makes you stronger. This is relevant not only in the acting world, but also in life. So, to my fellow actors and to my civilian friends out there (Morgan ;)), give it up! We're all in this together, so let's act like it!
Can someone give me a hand? It's really high up here on this soap box and I'd like to get down now please! Boy, ranting really did feel good though! My product of the day today is a mega phone. I figured if any of you had anything to rant about, this may help!!!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Tomorrow's Another Day
Today is Sunday. I'm spending my day today relaxing as hard as possible in preparation for my inevitably non relaxing day tomorrow. I have an audition tomorrow for yet another cell phone company. They're predicting rain, and my audition is conveniently timed at 5:45pm= rush hour in the pouring rain... Don't feel too sorry for me. I just bought a new audio book! Okay, my mother just bought me a new audio book. I'm listening to, "Middlesex," by Jeffrey Eugenides. It's a fascinating memoire about a transgendered person born in the 50's. He/she's one of the most famous and studied transgendered people ever. So far, so good. The best part about this book on tape, is that it's 21hrs long!!!! Okay, I know that sounds boring, but when you spend as much time in the car as I do, you need the company. I have to say that audio books are my best friends when I'm on the road. Sometimes music is too much and all you really want is the sound of another person's voice. I always loved being read to when I was little, maybe this is just an extension of that. The last audio book I listened to was "Shutter Island," by Dennis Lehane. It was awesome, especially on rainy days. Here's hoping this new one is as good. My product of the day today is the audio book "Shutter Island," by Dennis Lehane. I didn't see the movie, but this book is as frightening as it is confusing. The narration is brilliant. Not only does this narrator play each male character with differentiating precision, but he narrates the female voices with subtlety and class. A spoon full of humor helps the crazy go down in this psychological thriller that totally keeps you guessing. I seriously hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday's Audition
Friday was crazy y'all! I went in to work early because I had an audition later that day and knew that my boss would appreciate any help I could give. Fridays are always the busiest days at the restaurant. I printed checks, returned phone calls, sent out confirmation forms etc. Everything was going well until I realized I needed a signature from my boss before I could leave for the day. My boss was running late and I wasn't able to leave til 11:30!!! My audition was at 1:42pm! Sometimes that's totally doable, but again, it was Friday. I don't know if you've ever experienced LA on a Friday but let's just say, every hour is rush hour. Needless to say I was late late late.
I finally rolled up at 2:30 and parked in the first spot I could find. I think I squished a recycling bin. I don't know about you but I absolutely hate being late. My unrelenting NYC training taught me, "if you're on time, you're late." I remember literally sprinting from the subway, leaping over puddles, and pushing over little old ladies, just to make it to class on time. As predicted, the teacher would be standing there holding the door knob intently counting down with the watch on his wrist. He was ready, even eager to slam that door shut, denying us access and as a result dropping our grade an entire letter. Them's the breaks people. You can imagine the difficulty I've had adjusting to this California lifestyle. Nobody even notices whether you're late or not. Of course, it was just my luck that, this one time, someone did. Unfortunately, the casting assistant had called my agent to find out where I was. Fortunately, I had called my agent to let them know I was running late, but still, not good!
I rushed in the door, quickly signed in only to be informed by the assistant that I was "on deck." I had just spent 3hrs in my car and was dying to pee!! What to do? To pee or not to pee, that was the question. I decided not. The casting folk were already pissed at me (pun intended) and I didn't want to risk making matters worse. Its amazing what you tell yourself when the stakes are high. "This will give my performance urgency!" I said to myself, halfheartedly. Fortunately, the audition did not last long. As with most commercial auditions, I was in and out within five minutes. I high-tailed it to the nearest bathroom, did my thing and I was back on my way. The drive home took me about 3 1/2hrs! Ooofff! I was very glad to get home. Some days I crack open my front door and literally feel like kissing my couch.
My product of the day is self explanatory. Nuff said.
I finally rolled up at 2:30 and parked in the first spot I could find. I think I squished a recycling bin. I don't know about you but I absolutely hate being late. My unrelenting NYC training taught me, "if you're on time, you're late." I remember literally sprinting from the subway, leaping over puddles, and pushing over little old ladies, just to make it to class on time. As predicted, the teacher would be standing there holding the door knob intently counting down with the watch on his wrist. He was ready, even eager to slam that door shut, denying us access and as a result dropping our grade an entire letter. Them's the breaks people. You can imagine the difficulty I've had adjusting to this California lifestyle. Nobody even notices whether you're late or not. Of course, it was just my luck that, this one time, someone did. Unfortunately, the casting assistant had called my agent to find out where I was. Fortunately, I had called my agent to let them know I was running late, but still, not good!
I rushed in the door, quickly signed in only to be informed by the assistant that I was "on deck." I had just spent 3hrs in my car and was dying to pee!! What to do? To pee or not to pee, that was the question. I decided not. The casting folk were already pissed at me (pun intended) and I didn't want to risk making matters worse. Its amazing what you tell yourself when the stakes are high. "This will give my performance urgency!" I said to myself, halfheartedly. Fortunately, the audition did not last long. As with most commercial auditions, I was in and out within five minutes. I high-tailed it to the nearest bathroom, did my thing and I was back on my way. The drive home took me about 3 1/2hrs! Ooofff! I was very glad to get home. Some days I crack open my front door and literally feel like kissing my couch.
My product of the day is self explanatory. Nuff said.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bliss Part Deux
Sorry to keep you all waiting so long. I think I've absorbed my experience on Sunday enough now to effectively blog about it.
In case you haven't yet read my previous post, on Sunday, I shot a short film called, "Bliss." The purpose of this short film was to have something for the creative team to pitch to potential investors. If investors are impressed, they will then fund a full feature length version (by feature length, I mean 90min-type movie). If there is funding for a feature length, it normally means there will be money to pay actors and so forth.
As I suspected it would be, the experience was wonderful. Much of the script was meant to be filled out and embellished by the actors. When a writer/director is willing to relinquish that much control, it displays a great deal of trust. As an actress, I have such gratitude for any writer who believes in me that much. It gives me the confidence to do my best work.
The majority of the shoot took place around a dinner table. It was an unscripted scene where all the actors ate, drank and chatted completely in character. This is what I live for!!!!! Remember when you were a kid and you could spend an entire afternoon pretending to be someone else. Remember how free you felt, well that's how this felt for me. It was so amazing to look around the table and know that we were all in on it. No matter what was coming out of our mouths, positive or negative, there was the underlying joy of playtime. I highly recommend it. My hubby and I have been struggling for so long, I almost forgot I knew how. After years of doing exactly what some employer, director, government told me to do, there I was creating, playing, improvising and breaking rules. Hallelujah!!!! It felt so good.
I know I said we were all in on it, that's not entirely true. There were some extras (friends of the director who wanted to be in the background of the film) who had no idea what we were doing. They were clearly so confused that, eventually, we had to break out of character and explain. It was kind of hilarious to see the looks on their faces... Mean but hilarious.
I'm back to the "real world" tomorrow. Heading back up to LA for an audition for a cell phone provider. Think good thoughts, pray, chant, what ever it is you do, do that for me tomorrow. I could really use a good pay check friends. Couldn't we all!
My product of the day today is my favorite game. Along the lines of playing, I thought it appropriate to recommend a way of doing just that. The rules of this game are simple yet, depending on who you play with, can be very complex!!!! Everyone I've ever met, who knows this game, loves it!!! Check it out.
In case you haven't yet read my previous post, on Sunday, I shot a short film called, "Bliss." The purpose of this short film was to have something for the creative team to pitch to potential investors. If investors are impressed, they will then fund a full feature length version (by feature length, I mean 90min-type movie). If there is funding for a feature length, it normally means there will be money to pay actors and so forth.
As I suspected it would be, the experience was wonderful. Much of the script was meant to be filled out and embellished by the actors. When a writer/director is willing to relinquish that much control, it displays a great deal of trust. As an actress, I have such gratitude for any writer who believes in me that much. It gives me the confidence to do my best work.
The majority of the shoot took place around a dinner table. It was an unscripted scene where all the actors ate, drank and chatted completely in character. This is what I live for!!!!! Remember when you were a kid and you could spend an entire afternoon pretending to be someone else. Remember how free you felt, well that's how this felt for me. It was so amazing to look around the table and know that we were all in on it. No matter what was coming out of our mouths, positive or negative, there was the underlying joy of playtime. I highly recommend it. My hubby and I have been struggling for so long, I almost forgot I knew how. After years of doing exactly what some employer, director, government told me to do, there I was creating, playing, improvising and breaking rules. Hallelujah!!!! It felt so good.
I know I said we were all in on it, that's not entirely true. There were some extras (friends of the director who wanted to be in the background of the film) who had no idea what we were doing. They were clearly so confused that, eventually, we had to break out of character and explain. It was kind of hilarious to see the looks on their faces... Mean but hilarious.
I'm back to the "real world" tomorrow. Heading back up to LA for an audition for a cell phone provider. Think good thoughts, pray, chant, what ever it is you do, do that for me tomorrow. I could really use a good pay check friends. Couldn't we all!
My product of the day today is my favorite game. Along the lines of playing, I thought it appropriate to recommend a way of doing just that. The rules of this game are simple yet, depending on who you play with, can be very complex!!!! Everyone I've ever met, who knows this game, loves it!!! Check it out.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Bliss
Ever notice how the minute you figure out exactly what you want, enough to be able to verbalize it, the universe provides?
I thought all I wanted was to work as much as possible as an actress. This could make me happy. To stay busy. Simple. However, I've been doing just that lately, staying busy. I've been shooting mainly commercials, and industrials, working all the time. Why is it then, that I've been completely depressed, unsatisfied, empty. I've given the topic a lot of thought in the past few weeks and I came to the conclusion that I must refine my specifications. No longer is it enough to just "work," I've been there and done that now. I sat down with my husband and hashed it out, out loud this time. I wrote it down to solidify my requirements.
-I, not only want to work, I want to create. I want to be a part of a collaboration of which I can be proud. I want to belong to a family of peers that I respect and that respect me. I want to feel comfortable when I go to work, and not like a piece of set dressing. I would like to actually get to know the crew with whom I'm working. I hate doing commercials! Hum, what else? I want to do work that I can actually put on my resume. So on and so forth...
Amazingly enough, the week after I made these realizations and put them out into the universe, I got cast in a short film that granted all my wishes. The title of the film is "Bliss." I had a rehearsal last night and the title of the film, coincidentally, describes the feeling I had. I'm so happy to report that although we only shoot for one day, this is exactly the kind of project I was hoping for and would like to spend the rest of my career doing. I'm shooting tonight, and then it will be over, for now anyway. I just think that the timing is incredible. Sometimes things just come to you when you need them. Thanks world, I really needed this.
Since I'm talking about the universe today, I figured I would help you all navigate it. I bought my gps about a year and a half ago and I highly recommend it to anyone out there looking to pursue a career in LA. I would be seriously lost without it. LA is a big scary place and sometimes mapquest just isn't enough. It's nice to be able to ask your gps for directions to the nearest coffee shop, parking garage, or gas station. I would not try to do the whole LA thing without it!
I thought all I wanted was to work as much as possible as an actress. This could make me happy. To stay busy. Simple. However, I've been doing just that lately, staying busy. I've been shooting mainly commercials, and industrials, working all the time. Why is it then, that I've been completely depressed, unsatisfied, empty. I've given the topic a lot of thought in the past few weeks and I came to the conclusion that I must refine my specifications. No longer is it enough to just "work," I've been there and done that now. I sat down with my husband and hashed it out, out loud this time. I wrote it down to solidify my requirements.
-I, not only want to work, I want to create. I want to be a part of a collaboration of which I can be proud. I want to belong to a family of peers that I respect and that respect me. I want to feel comfortable when I go to work, and not like a piece of set dressing. I would like to actually get to know the crew with whom I'm working. I hate doing commercials! Hum, what else? I want to do work that I can actually put on my resume. So on and so forth...
Amazingly enough, the week after I made these realizations and put them out into the universe, I got cast in a short film that granted all my wishes. The title of the film is "Bliss." I had a rehearsal last night and the title of the film, coincidentally, describes the feeling I had. I'm so happy to report that although we only shoot for one day, this is exactly the kind of project I was hoping for and would like to spend the rest of my career doing. I'm shooting tonight, and then it will be over, for now anyway. I just think that the timing is incredible. Sometimes things just come to you when you need them. Thanks world, I really needed this.
Since I'm talking about the universe today, I figured I would help you all navigate it. I bought my gps about a year and a half ago and I highly recommend it to anyone out there looking to pursue a career in LA. I would be seriously lost without it. LA is a big scary place and sometimes mapquest just isn't enough. It's nice to be able to ask your gps for directions to the nearest coffee shop, parking garage, or gas station. I would not try to do the whole LA thing without it!
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Meeting of the Minds
Yesterday's meeting went well... That's all I can really say about it. Nothing concrete. As I predicted yesterday, it fell slap bang in the middle (a position that's uncomfortably comfortable for me). I met with my commercial agent, as I knew I would and then, after much waiting around, the head honcho was ready to see me. She opened the meeting by pinching the bridge of her nose and sighing. She then peered over the top of her bifocal lenses and asked me, "do you ever have those days where absolutely everything and everyone irritates the hell out of you?" Not a good sign y'all! I nervously joked that I felt like that every other day, hormones ya know. She actually laughed and by a few mins in, I had her happily chatting away. Phew! It was clear to me, right away, that today was not the day to ask for anything. Instead, I decided, today I would make her love me. I think it worked. Time will tell. I keep trying to remember to just be myself and continue to put good vibes out there. Hopefully the good karma will come on back my way. Needless to say, there were no offers made on her part and no demands on mine. We just had a nice conversation. I hopped in my car and drove on home.
During my ride home, I thought about my product of the day. Although I do enjoy making silly jokes via awkward product placement, I do think I should be a responsible blogger. Its not just about making money. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be in it for the money, but so far, nahda, so I may as well pimp things I actually believe in. So I asked myself, what was the best book I ever read about acting/auditioning? That's not a difficult question to answer. By far and away, the best book I've ever read about acting is Audition by Michael Shurtleff. Even though its slightly dated, good advise is timeless. In fact, I should probably re-read it. To any young actor out there who needs to be brought back down to earth, this is the read for you.
So that's it for now my friends. I have a rehearsal and a shoot lined up for this weekend. The best part about that is, I'll be able to update my resume for the first time in about a year!!!! Oh happy day!
During my ride home, I thought about my product of the day. Although I do enjoy making silly jokes via awkward product placement, I do think I should be a responsible blogger. Its not just about making money. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be in it for the money, but so far, nahda, so I may as well pimp things I actually believe in. So I asked myself, what was the best book I ever read about acting/auditioning? That's not a difficult question to answer. By far and away, the best book I've ever read about acting is Audition by Michael Shurtleff. Even though its slightly dated, good advise is timeless. In fact, I should probably re-read it. To any young actor out there who needs to be brought back down to earth, this is the read for you.
So that's it for now my friends. I have a rehearsal and a shoot lined up for this weekend. The best part about that is, I'll be able to update my resume for the first time in about a year!!!! Oh happy day!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Live in Action
I'm blogging to you live from the Starbucks by the Target on the corner of Santa Monica and La Brea! I'm mid busy day and killing time between morning audition and afternoon meeting.
I spoke to my dad this morning and he expressed his distaste for my "depressing post" yesterday. I'd officially like to apologize for bumming anyone out either last night or this morning. If you haven't read it yet, maybe don't. I explained to him that its just the reality of what I've been trying to do. I guess I'd, subconsciously, committed to telling the truth in this here blog. Sometimes the truth is ugly, sorry everyone. I really do try to keep it light most of the time. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I knew I'd feel better tomorrow. Well its tomorrow and I do feel better. Not back flips down the street better, but better non the less.
I went to an audition for a print ad this morning. The holding room at auditions is usually super depressing, and a little stinky. Nervous sweat mixed with stress-induced irritable bowl kinda stinky (am trying to give you a vivid, accurate description so that you really feel like you're there with me. Did it work? LOL). Today, however, in walked a ray of sunshine named Daniel. I did't know this kid, nor did anyone else in the room. He was just one more actor livin' the dream. He immediately began speaking to everyone in the room. Not in the annoying, "look at me!" kind of way, but with a genuine interest in getting to know everyone there. He was trying to listen for people's names as the monitor called them out and then remember them afterwords. It was hilarious! I've never seen anything like it in an audition. By the end of the time I spent in the room with this quirky being, everyone, including myself had a smile on their face and a bounce in their step. Now that's powerful! Good for you Daniel, whoever you are! Keep on keepin' on!
At 2:30 today I have a meeting with my commercial agent. I'll also be meeting the head of the agency. Her name is Bonnie and she also represents talent for Film and TV. She's a great agent but til now wouldn't meet with me because I didn't have "strong enough credits." This is the opportunity I've been waiting for for the past almost 3 years now. Its taken me 3 years to merely meet the head of an agency with which I'm already signed... that's LA for ya. This meeting may be as insignificant as a poke of a head around a corner to say hello, or this woman could be inexplicably wowed by my very presence and demand to represent me on the spot... Perhaps it will fall somewhere in the middle. Fall where it may, it's a step in the right direction. Wish me luck!
I'm endorsing a "product of the day" from now on. I'm just as bad as your favorite TV show now :). Since I feel a little guilty for unloading on you all yesterday, here's a little something that might make you all feel better. Heehee.
I spoke to my dad this morning and he expressed his distaste for my "depressing post" yesterday. I'd officially like to apologize for bumming anyone out either last night or this morning. If you haven't read it yet, maybe don't. I explained to him that its just the reality of what I've been trying to do. I guess I'd, subconsciously, committed to telling the truth in this here blog. Sometimes the truth is ugly, sorry everyone. I really do try to keep it light most of the time. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I knew I'd feel better tomorrow. Well its tomorrow and I do feel better. Not back flips down the street better, but better non the less.
I went to an audition for a print ad this morning. The holding room at auditions is usually super depressing, and a little stinky. Nervous sweat mixed with stress-induced irritable bowl kinda stinky (am trying to give you a vivid, accurate description so that you really feel like you're there with me. Did it work? LOL). Today, however, in walked a ray of sunshine named Daniel. I did't know this kid, nor did anyone else in the room. He was just one more actor livin' the dream. He immediately began speaking to everyone in the room. Not in the annoying, "look at me!" kind of way, but with a genuine interest in getting to know everyone there. He was trying to listen for people's names as the monitor called them out and then remember them afterwords. It was hilarious! I've never seen anything like it in an audition. By the end of the time I spent in the room with this quirky being, everyone, including myself had a smile on their face and a bounce in their step. Now that's powerful! Good for you Daniel, whoever you are! Keep on keepin' on!
At 2:30 today I have a meeting with my commercial agent. I'll also be meeting the head of the agency. Her name is Bonnie and she also represents talent for Film and TV. She's a great agent but til now wouldn't meet with me because I didn't have "strong enough credits." This is the opportunity I've been waiting for for the past almost 3 years now. Its taken me 3 years to merely meet the head of an agency with which I'm already signed... that's LA for ya. This meeting may be as insignificant as a poke of a head around a corner to say hello, or this woman could be inexplicably wowed by my very presence and demand to represent me on the spot... Perhaps it will fall somewhere in the middle. Fall where it may, it's a step in the right direction. Wish me luck!
I'm endorsing a "product of the day" from now on. I'm just as bad as your favorite TV show now :). Since I feel a little guilty for unloading on you all yesterday, here's a little something that might make you all feel better. Heehee.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Support
Becoming successful requires motivation, persistence, skill, talent, luck, and it certainly helps to have reinforcement from your friends and family. Support comes in many forms. When you've been pursuing an elusive goal for as long as I have, if you're lucky, you've seen just about every form of support that exists. At some point one has to ask the question, how much longer can this go on? How much longer to I deserve support?
There's the support that comes in the form of a much needed pep talk.
There's tough love, i.e. "Get up off your lazy butt and do what you have to do! Stop feeling sorry for yourself! There are starving children in Africa! When I was your age I had to walk to school up hill both ways in the snow with no shoes!" etc.
There's monetary support.
There's the support of a good education.
There's support that comes in the form of a rambling, two hour conversation just to keep you company while your driving home.
Did I mention monetary support? I guess it's worth mentioning twice.
After a while, you can't help but feel as though the well might be getting dry. You can hear your would-be-supporter's voice, they're trying to be optimistic for you, but they've just stopped believing. Exasperation is a pretty hard emotion to mask.
When starting out in the business, you tell yourself it'll be worth it one day. I'll make it up to them. But with every year that goes by, you're still struggling, and this becomes harder and harder to believe. Everyone talks about how hard it is to become a successful actor. People think they know what they're talking about, and I thought I knew what they were talking about when I bucked their warnings. "I can handle it!" I insisted. However, with each day that passes I discover a new, more painful way that this proves to be difficult. The most painful thing I've discovered to date, is the slow-fading enthusiasm in the eyes of those who once burst with pride.
The thing is, I get it. I totally understand why one would have apprehensions about getting behind yet another scheme, another angle, another gamble. I'm starting to feel like the crazy uncle in the movie "Parenthood," who has a kid and names him Cool. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Netflix it. Its a great movie! I digress.
I've always been as practical as a dreamer could possibly be and this makes it even more unbearable. I know how I must appear. Almost 30, still struggling, still broke, still asking my parents for money, still not substantially closer to my goals... yuck. Don't worry, I will continue to plug away, but be warned everyone! All of you young or not so young folk who wonder what it might be like... This is what it's like!
I know this all sounds super dramatic, but that's me. Tomorrow I'll be singing show tunes and doing back flips down the street (figuratively, not literally. I've never been able to tumble).
To summarize, thank you to everyone who has ever supported me! One day people, one day!
There's the support that comes in the form of a much needed pep talk.
There's tough love, i.e. "Get up off your lazy butt and do what you have to do! Stop feeling sorry for yourself! There are starving children in Africa! When I was your age I had to walk to school up hill both ways in the snow with no shoes!" etc.
There's monetary support.
There's the support of a good education.
There's support that comes in the form of a rambling, two hour conversation just to keep you company while your driving home.
Did I mention monetary support? I guess it's worth mentioning twice.
After a while, you can't help but feel as though the well might be getting dry. You can hear your would-be-supporter's voice, they're trying to be optimistic for you, but they've just stopped believing. Exasperation is a pretty hard emotion to mask.
When starting out in the business, you tell yourself it'll be worth it one day. I'll make it up to them. But with every year that goes by, you're still struggling, and this becomes harder and harder to believe. Everyone talks about how hard it is to become a successful actor. People think they know what they're talking about, and I thought I knew what they were talking about when I bucked their warnings. "I can handle it!" I insisted. However, with each day that passes I discover a new, more painful way that this proves to be difficult. The most painful thing I've discovered to date, is the slow-fading enthusiasm in the eyes of those who once burst with pride.
The thing is, I get it. I totally understand why one would have apprehensions about getting behind yet another scheme, another angle, another gamble. I'm starting to feel like the crazy uncle in the movie "Parenthood," who has a kid and names him Cool. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Netflix it. Its a great movie! I digress.
I've always been as practical as a dreamer could possibly be and this makes it even more unbearable. I know how I must appear. Almost 30, still struggling, still broke, still asking my parents for money, still not substantially closer to my goals... yuck. Don't worry, I will continue to plug away, but be warned everyone! All of you young or not so young folk who wonder what it might be like... This is what it's like!
I know this all sounds super dramatic, but that's me. Tomorrow I'll be singing show tunes and doing back flips down the street (figuratively, not literally. I've never been able to tumble).
To summarize, thank you to everyone who has ever supported me! One day people, one day!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
2 Legit 2 Quit!
So I had an actual rehearsal for a short film last night! The script is amazing and doesn't involve me compromising myself in any way! HOLLA! I play the, recently, ex-girlfriend of a middle eastern college student. It's set in present day after a slew of 9/11-type terrorist attacks. The government has begun rounding up all people of middle eastern decent and putting them in internment camps. The film starts as the boyfriend and his cousin arrive at my character's house seeking refuge while they await a ride into Mexico. Very tense, very interesting!
This is not all my good news! I also booked another short film that shoots this weekend. Again, its a solid script that requires no angst on my part. YAY ME! Now, if I could only pay my bills :) That was for you Mom! LOL!
This is not all my good news! I also booked another short film that shoots this weekend. Again, its a solid script that requires no angst on my part. YAY ME! Now, if I could only pay my bills :) That was for you Mom! LOL!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
I’m Schmacting My Ass Off!
First of all, I'd like to credit my dad with the title of this post… If you know my dad, this totally makes sense ☺.
The title also makes sense because that is exactly what I’ve been doing. I have managed to book 4 schmacting jobs and 1 acting job in, like, three weeks. Just like the old adage says, “it never rains, but it leaves me in a soggy, muddy puddle in the middle of the 101 North.” On the one hand, I feel great about it all, on the other hand I feel really broke, and so does my bank account. (It called me the other day complaining about how all I do its take, take, take.) You may wonder, “how are you broke when you just booked so many jobs?” As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t get paid for non-union work for three months! Mid July is gonna be awesome people, that is, if I don’t get arrested for robbing a liquor store in the mean time. 24601! That’s a little Les Mis reference for all my theatre geek friends. I’m such a Jean Val Jean type ☺.
Now to tell you a little about said jobs. The first was a low budget regional commercial for a jewelry dealership. Hardly my big break, but the shoot was actually really fun and I made connections with at really great production company. I’m always happy to work for nice people.
The second job was a web video for an apartment complex. This company owns 90 properties around the Irvine/LA area and they were making introductory-type videos for all of them. Lots of work!!! The shoot was super fast, (my hair and make-up took longer than the shoot itself!) but it was painful, and here’s why. One of the cardinal rules for a director is never to give “line readings.” What this means is that you should never ask an actor to simply imitate the way you’re saying something. The reason being, is that the director is a director, not an actor. He or she may think that what they’re exemplifying is what they want, but because they’re not trained as actors, it may look very different from what they meant to communicate. It’s much more affective to explain the objective of the piece, what you would like to communicate, give “motivation,” as it were. I know this sounds high maintenance, but it’s really to only way to accomplish quality work. This being said, the director of this web video stopped me after the very first line and immediately gave me the strangest line reading I’d ever heard. I would never speak that way in a million years, nor have I ever seen anyone else speak that, way on purpose, unless they were trying to be bizarre. It was so weird. Before we began, he explained that the piece should feel conversational, as though I was speaking to a friend and not selling something. It sounds simple enough right? You can imagine my confusion when he said my lines at me in an odd slow motion that reminded me of a cross between Mr. Rogers and The Riddler, from Batman, creepy. It continued that way for the next hour or so. He stopped me every other line, with an equally maniacal reading. I got through it, but I’m a little worried about how it turned out. I would hate for there to be a video of me, floating around the internet, eerily beckoning strangers to rent Irvine apartments like Snow White’s wicked stepmother temping with her juicy red apple.
The third job was for a communications company. This one, you might actually see! I think might be a funny one, but I can’t tell you anything about the concept for confidentially reasons. Fingers crossed! The shoot was very strange because I spent the better part of 8hrs making the same facial expression (shocked, surprised, happy) over and over again. When shooting a commercial, many times, there’s a director who acts as a middle-man for the marketing agency. The people from the agency sit in a separate room and watch the shoot on a tv monitor. The director has a wire in his ear so that the agency can tell him what they want him to tell me… You can see how this could be a disaster. What’s the phrase? Too many cooks in the kitchen, um yeah. Anyway, throughout the shoot, everyone seemed unhappy with what I was doing. They wanted me to, "smile more and laugh a little, but not too much. Don't move your shoulders, now you look stiff, don't raise your eyebrows, be natural but don't move. Keep your eyes focused in one spot but look around!" A miserable 8hrs later, I was on the shuttle that takes everyone back to the parking lot. Sitting next to me, were the people from the ad agency… They were beaming at me! “Oh my gosh you were so great!!! So funny! We’re super happy with what you did!!” Huh? I’m thinking wha???? Whateves. I was just so happy it was over with, I jumped in my car and zoomed home!
The fourth was a print/video job that will be shown at a major convention in Vegas. It was for a very large company that owns a tv channel, theme park, and much, much more. Just wanted to give you a bit of a hint. In this one, I was a young mom. I’ll keep it short as I know this is a very long post. I’ll just sum it up by saying as soon as I got there I was taken to hair and make-up. No sooner did I sit down, but the make-up artist said to me, “oh my gosh you look like poo!” Um, excuse me? She cackled like a crazy person and said, “oh no, no, I mean like Pooh Bear, Winnie the Pooh!” Cuz that’s better, right? WTF? I look like a yellow, crop top wearing cartoon bear? What is going on? This pretty much summed up my day. There were crying babies with over attentive, yuppy parents, khaki capris, and sensible button down shirts… That was about it.
I have a rehearsal for an actual short film tomorrow. Excited about it. Nervous that it won’t, actually, get shot. Looking forward to doing some real scene work. Very glad it’s here in SD and doesn’t involve adding more miles to my already creaking vehicle. I love you my little Elantra, you make me proud. We’ll hang in there together!
The title also makes sense because that is exactly what I’ve been doing. I have managed to book 4 schmacting jobs and 1 acting job in, like, three weeks. Just like the old adage says, “it never rains, but it leaves me in a soggy, muddy puddle in the middle of the 101 North.” On the one hand, I feel great about it all, on the other hand I feel really broke, and so does my bank account. (It called me the other day complaining about how all I do its take, take, take.) You may wonder, “how are you broke when you just booked so many jobs?” As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t get paid for non-union work for three months! Mid July is gonna be awesome people, that is, if I don’t get arrested for robbing a liquor store in the mean time. 24601! That’s a little Les Mis reference for all my theatre geek friends. I’m such a Jean Val Jean type ☺.
Now to tell you a little about said jobs. The first was a low budget regional commercial for a jewelry dealership. Hardly my big break, but the shoot was actually really fun and I made connections with at really great production company. I’m always happy to work for nice people.
The second job was a web video for an apartment complex. This company owns 90 properties around the Irvine/LA area and they were making introductory-type videos for all of them. Lots of work!!! The shoot was super fast, (my hair and make-up took longer than the shoot itself!) but it was painful, and here’s why. One of the cardinal rules for a director is never to give “line readings.” What this means is that you should never ask an actor to simply imitate the way you’re saying something. The reason being, is that the director is a director, not an actor. He or she may think that what they’re exemplifying is what they want, but because they’re not trained as actors, it may look very different from what they meant to communicate. It’s much more affective to explain the objective of the piece, what you would like to communicate, give “motivation,” as it were. I know this sounds high maintenance, but it’s really to only way to accomplish quality work. This being said, the director of this web video stopped me after the very first line and immediately gave me the strangest line reading I’d ever heard. I would never speak that way in a million years, nor have I ever seen anyone else speak that, way on purpose, unless they were trying to be bizarre. It was so weird. Before we began, he explained that the piece should feel conversational, as though I was speaking to a friend and not selling something. It sounds simple enough right? You can imagine my confusion when he said my lines at me in an odd slow motion that reminded me of a cross between Mr. Rogers and The Riddler, from Batman, creepy. It continued that way for the next hour or so. He stopped me every other line, with an equally maniacal reading. I got through it, but I’m a little worried about how it turned out. I would hate for there to be a video of me, floating around the internet, eerily beckoning strangers to rent Irvine apartments like Snow White’s wicked stepmother temping with her juicy red apple.
The third job was for a communications company. This one, you might actually see! I think might be a funny one, but I can’t tell you anything about the concept for confidentially reasons. Fingers crossed! The shoot was very strange because I spent the better part of 8hrs making the same facial expression (shocked, surprised, happy) over and over again. When shooting a commercial, many times, there’s a director who acts as a middle-man for the marketing agency. The people from the agency sit in a separate room and watch the shoot on a tv monitor. The director has a wire in his ear so that the agency can tell him what they want him to tell me… You can see how this could be a disaster. What’s the phrase? Too many cooks in the kitchen, um yeah. Anyway, throughout the shoot, everyone seemed unhappy with what I was doing. They wanted me to, "smile more and laugh a little, but not too much. Don't move your shoulders, now you look stiff, don't raise your eyebrows, be natural but don't move. Keep your eyes focused in one spot but look around!" A miserable 8hrs later, I was on the shuttle that takes everyone back to the parking lot. Sitting next to me, were the people from the ad agency… They were beaming at me! “Oh my gosh you were so great!!! So funny! We’re super happy with what you did!!” Huh? I’m thinking wha???? Whateves. I was just so happy it was over with, I jumped in my car and zoomed home!
The fourth was a print/video job that will be shown at a major convention in Vegas. It was for a very large company that owns a tv channel, theme park, and much, much more. Just wanted to give you a bit of a hint. In this one, I was a young mom. I’ll keep it short as I know this is a very long post. I’ll just sum it up by saying as soon as I got there I was taken to hair and make-up. No sooner did I sit down, but the make-up artist said to me, “oh my gosh you look like poo!” Um, excuse me? She cackled like a crazy person and said, “oh no, no, I mean like Pooh Bear, Winnie the Pooh!” Cuz that’s better, right? WTF? I look like a yellow, crop top wearing cartoon bear? What is going on? This pretty much summed up my day. There were crying babies with over attentive, yuppy parents, khaki capris, and sensible button down shirts… That was about it.
I have a rehearsal for an actual short film tomorrow. Excited about it. Nervous that it won’t, actually, get shot. Looking forward to doing some real scene work. Very glad it’s here in SD and doesn’t involve adding more miles to my already creaking vehicle. I love you my little Elantra, you make me proud. We’ll hang in there together!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Actress/Wardrobe Supervisor?
Okay, so lately, I've had a pretty good streak. I booked two out of the three auditions I went on last Tues. which is great! Although, as I've said before, its never perfect. One of the jobs I booked is a non-union, jewelry store commercial. The budget is extremely low, so I don't get paid very much at all and I think its gonna be an embarrassing spot. However, I'm happy to book anything at all lately, as we're super broke.
I got a call from the make-up artist for the shoot letting me know that there is no wardrobe supervisor (which means there is no wardrobe at all) but that she had been asked to call all the actors and let them know what clothes to bring for the shoot. Although I think its weird, I have learned to expect that I'll be asked to bring some options for wardrobe. They don't usually end up using your clothes, but as a back up, they will ask you to bring whatever you have. On occasion, the production is so low budget, that they rely entirely on the actors to provide wardrobe. I think this is ridiculous! When I audition for a job, I'm looking to be hired for my talent not for my clothes. How do they know I have good taste? What if all my clothes were too small for me and my cellulite hung out the back of my shorts? What if all of my shirts were made of mesh? What if I only owned Hammer Pants? What if all my shoes were those clear, plastic, platform, stripper shoes? If you were producing a commercial, would you put the aesthetic appeal of the entire shoot in the hands of an actress? I would not!!!!
The make-up artist told me that I needed to bring "a variety of khaki shorts, baby tees, and sandals"... Um I don't have any khaki shorts, let alone a variety of them. Baby tees went out of style shortly after the release of the movie "Clueless" on VHS, and in terms of sandals, well I'm just not Payless. I don't have an inventory for you to sift through! When I told her I didn't have any khakis, she promptly told me I would need to run out and buy some!!!! Whhhhhhaaaaaa? Oh hell no! I let her know that I was not in the financial position to buy any clothes right now, to which she replied, "well you could buy them for the shoot and then just return them after." Maybe I'm a total square, but I think what she said was totally corrupt. Not only is it messed to abuse some random Target's return policy, but its even more messed up to pressure an employee to do this for the sake of your super budge commercial! How would you feel if you found out, that the shirt you'd just paid full price for, was actually worn by some nervous sweaty actress for eight hours (or more) then put back on the rack, unwashed for you to buy? Would that feel good? I'm telling you people, the film and tv industry thinks that that is what Target is for!!!! Anyway, I stood my ground and told her, I was happy to bring what I already own and hopefully that would be good enough. If khakis are that important, they can go out and buy them themselves. I wonder what would have happened if I'd said I would go out and buy the khakis and that I would bill them for my hours, mileage and reimbursement for the shorts... hum, must try that next time.
I've decided to become a crusader!!! Standing up for the rights of stupid actors everywhere! More to come!!!
I got a call from the make-up artist for the shoot letting me know that there is no wardrobe supervisor (which means there is no wardrobe at all) but that she had been asked to call all the actors and let them know what clothes to bring for the shoot. Although I think its weird, I have learned to expect that I'll be asked to bring some options for wardrobe. They don't usually end up using your clothes, but as a back up, they will ask you to bring whatever you have. On occasion, the production is so low budget, that they rely entirely on the actors to provide wardrobe. I think this is ridiculous! When I audition for a job, I'm looking to be hired for my talent not for my clothes. How do they know I have good taste? What if all my clothes were too small for me and my cellulite hung out the back of my shorts? What if all of my shirts were made of mesh? What if I only owned Hammer Pants? What if all my shoes were those clear, plastic, platform, stripper shoes? If you were producing a commercial, would you put the aesthetic appeal of the entire shoot in the hands of an actress? I would not!!!!
The make-up artist told me that I needed to bring "a variety of khaki shorts, baby tees, and sandals"... Um I don't have any khaki shorts, let alone a variety of them. Baby tees went out of style shortly after the release of the movie "Clueless" on VHS, and in terms of sandals, well I'm just not Payless. I don't have an inventory for you to sift through! When I told her I didn't have any khakis, she promptly told me I would need to run out and buy some!!!! Whhhhhhaaaaaa? Oh hell no! I let her know that I was not in the financial position to buy any clothes right now, to which she replied, "well you could buy them for the shoot and then just return them after." Maybe I'm a total square, but I think what she said was totally corrupt. Not only is it messed to abuse some random Target's return policy, but its even more messed up to pressure an employee to do this for the sake of your super budge commercial! How would you feel if you found out, that the shirt you'd just paid full price for, was actually worn by some nervous sweaty actress for eight hours (or more) then put back on the rack, unwashed for you to buy? Would that feel good? I'm telling you people, the film and tv industry thinks that that is what Target is for!!!! Anyway, I stood my ground and told her, I was happy to bring what I already own and hopefully that would be good enough. If khakis are that important, they can go out and buy them themselves. I wonder what would have happened if I'd said I would go out and buy the khakis and that I would bill them for my hours, mileage and reimbursement for the shorts... hum, must try that next time.
I've decided to become a crusader!!! Standing up for the rights of stupid actors everywhere! More to come!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Aw Shucks!
So I didn't get the gig...
I know I should never think this way, let alone blog it for all the world to see, but I'm the tiniest bit relieved. I have to preface this by saying, I'm grateful for all the opportunities that come my way. No matter how much I bitch and moan in these posts, I'm aware that no one is holding a gun to my head and making me do any of this. I have clearly made the choice to make my life more difficult than it has to be, and I know full well that I'm very lucky to have the freedom to pursue my dreams... Having said this... I'm so freakin happy I don't have to drive to freakin LA tomorrow!!!!!
There's another little factor that prevents me from truly relishing these particular opportunities. In a previous blog, after I booked the national beer commercial, I stated that I was officially a member of the Screen Actor's Guild. I may have jumped the gun on that one. At the time, I was under the impression that I had to join. I had already done a tv show where I was given a Taft Hartley (this is a fancy way of saying that I get one shot for free, one union job before I join the "Big Guns"). I thought that after getting the Taft Hartley I would have to join in order to do another union job. Turns out, they gave me a 30 day waiver! I didn't have to join at all. Now, however, if I book another SAG job, I have to join within 5 days of the shoot.
What does all this mumbojumbo mean?
Well, when you work a union job, they have to pay you within 10 business days of the shoot, and then again every time the commercial or tv show airs. When you work a non union job they have 90 days to pay you, and you only get paid once... um... yeah. Normally, I make three trips to LA for every job I book. The first trip for the initial audition, and the second for the callback and the third on the day of the shoot. When you factor in the money lost both in gas, and the days of work I missed, I'm out quite a bit of cash. If I don't get paid for 90 days, you can imagine how hard it is to pay the bills. It's particularly hard when, when you do get paid, it's only $500 before taxes and 10-20% for your agent.
Long story longer, the job I didn't get was non union. Although the pay was more than $500, it was still a little hard to get excited about. As actors we're trained to be ready, willing, and able for any opportunity that we're lucky enough to have. I know there are many people who would love to be able to do what I do. I feel guilty even thinking it... I'm just happy to be stationary for a minute.
Please, Gods of Schmacting, have mercy on me! Curse me not, for these are merely temporary thoughts and bare no reflection on my loyalty and dedication to yooooouuuuuu!
Sorry, I'm a little superstitious. The Gods of Schmacting can be spiteful indeed!
I know I should never think this way, let alone blog it for all the world to see, but I'm the tiniest bit relieved. I have to preface this by saying, I'm grateful for all the opportunities that come my way. No matter how much I bitch and moan in these posts, I'm aware that no one is holding a gun to my head and making me do any of this. I have clearly made the choice to make my life more difficult than it has to be, and I know full well that I'm very lucky to have the freedom to pursue my dreams... Having said this... I'm so freakin happy I don't have to drive to freakin LA tomorrow!!!!!
There's another little factor that prevents me from truly relishing these particular opportunities. In a previous blog, after I booked the national beer commercial, I stated that I was officially a member of the Screen Actor's Guild. I may have jumped the gun on that one. At the time, I was under the impression that I had to join. I had already done a tv show where I was given a Taft Hartley (this is a fancy way of saying that I get one shot for free, one union job before I join the "Big Guns"). I thought that after getting the Taft Hartley I would have to join in order to do another union job. Turns out, they gave me a 30 day waiver! I didn't have to join at all. Now, however, if I book another SAG job, I have to join within 5 days of the shoot.
What does all this mumbojumbo mean?
Well, when you work a union job, they have to pay you within 10 business days of the shoot, and then again every time the commercial or tv show airs. When you work a non union job they have 90 days to pay you, and you only get paid once... um... yeah. Normally, I make three trips to LA for every job I book. The first trip for the initial audition, and the second for the callback and the third on the day of the shoot. When you factor in the money lost both in gas, and the days of work I missed, I'm out quite a bit of cash. If I don't get paid for 90 days, you can imagine how hard it is to pay the bills. It's particularly hard when, when you do get paid, it's only $500 before taxes and 10-20% for your agent.
Long story longer, the job I didn't get was non union. Although the pay was more than $500, it was still a little hard to get excited about. As actors we're trained to be ready, willing, and able for any opportunity that we're lucky enough to have. I know there are many people who would love to be able to do what I do. I feel guilty even thinking it... I'm just happy to be stationary for a minute.
Please, Gods of Schmacting, have mercy on me! Curse me not, for these are merely temporary thoughts and bare no reflection on my loyalty and dedication to yooooouuuuuu!
Sorry, I'm a little superstitious. The Gods of Schmacting can be spiteful indeed!
On Avail...
Just an update on the status of my audition from the other day. I'm now on avail. What the heck is avail? Well, it basically means you're in a holding pattern. For example, this commercial shoots tomorrow. If I get a another job offer today that shoots tomorrow, I have to check with the company that has me on avail before I accept the other job. They have "first dibs on me." I used to get very excited about being put on avail because I thought I was that much closer to getting the job. In recent history, I've learned that most companies put everyone who got called back on avail. This way, if something goes wrong with their first casting choice, they have a back up plan. Dirty trick I say! Way to get my hopes up! Anyhoo, that's where I stand. If I do get the job, I hope they let me know in enough time to cancel my audition for tomorrow, cover myself for work, and find a place to crash in LA. Its always so complicated... but these are good problems to have.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Schmacting Review
That's right people, I've been a very busy bee. For any of you who are a little foggy on the concept of schmacting, I have two a perfect examples today!
This last Wednesday, I got a call from my local agent asking if I would be available to work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I said of course! For the past few months, I'd been put on hold for this same job and then released over and over again. Apparently, the client liked my look but kept changing their mind. Whatever!!! Turns out, at the last minute, one of the other girls got fired for missing the orientation, so they settled on me. The next day I reported for duty.
The gig was selling exercise equipment at a convention. May I remind you that my talent agency booked me for this. This type of job is called "promotional modeling." Its such a good example of schmacting because you basically spend all day standing around in a foolish outfit schmacting like you love the product on display. The idea is that a group of attractive girls standing around in tight clothing attracts people (men) to your booth. The fact that we're actresses is so funny to me, and the fact that people don't seem to put this together is even more funny. Men will approach me with these super specific questions regarding the mechanical workings of the equipment. I have to schmact my way out of revealing that I'm an actress being paid to be there and couldn't really give a crap.
The best part of the whole weekend was that this company was based in Sweden and they (at great expense) sent 15 sales reps to San Diego to sell the machines. The problem was that they didn't all speak English!!!! Hilarious! The poor guys just kept referring everyone to us schmactresses!! Needless to say, after spending three consecutive days demonstrating weight machines, I'm super sore. Its not acting, but I was getting paid to do what I should be doing for free. Life could be worse.
My second example, for those of you who are new to schmacting, comes to you by way of a callback I had today. At the original audition for this commercial, I had to pretend to eat chicken, enjoy it (but not too much), then look over as though I just saw someone enter the room. Apparently, I was freakin amazing at fake eating chicken, because I got a callback for today. They called at 11am to let me know I needed to be in Santa Monica at 2:30pm! Typical. I abandoned my job, jumped in the car, ran home to change into the outfit I'd worn yesterday (per their request), grabbed a Cliff Bar and zoomed up to Santa Monica. I got there about 20 mins early and proceeded to wait around for about 1 hour and 15 mins. I couldn't figure out what was taking so long. When it was finally my turn, I was taken to another holding area. The casting director came out of the room and explained to us in, great detail, that we would not only be pretending to eat chicken, but pizza as well!! Oh my! Pizza too!!! However would I communicate this emotional complexity? Seriously, this was what was taking so long! Take a moment for yourself right now and pantomime eating a chicken wing, now pantomime eating a slice of pizza. Am I being narrow-minded, or are these two actions pretty darn similar? Is this schmacting? I say aye!
Oh, and it took me 4 hours to get home today! That sucked! The end!
This last Wednesday, I got a call from my local agent asking if I would be available to work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I said of course! For the past few months, I'd been put on hold for this same job and then released over and over again. Apparently, the client liked my look but kept changing their mind. Whatever!!! Turns out, at the last minute, one of the other girls got fired for missing the orientation, so they settled on me. The next day I reported for duty.
The gig was selling exercise equipment at a convention. May I remind you that my talent agency booked me for this. This type of job is called "promotional modeling." Its such a good example of schmacting because you basically spend all day standing around in a foolish outfit schmacting like you love the product on display. The idea is that a group of attractive girls standing around in tight clothing attracts people (men) to your booth. The fact that we're actresses is so funny to me, and the fact that people don't seem to put this together is even more funny. Men will approach me with these super specific questions regarding the mechanical workings of the equipment. I have to schmact my way out of revealing that I'm an actress being paid to be there and couldn't really give a crap.
The best part of the whole weekend was that this company was based in Sweden and they (at great expense) sent 15 sales reps to San Diego to sell the machines. The problem was that they didn't all speak English!!!! Hilarious! The poor guys just kept referring everyone to us schmactresses!! Needless to say, after spending three consecutive days demonstrating weight machines, I'm super sore. Its not acting, but I was getting paid to do what I should be doing for free. Life could be worse.
My second example, for those of you who are new to schmacting, comes to you by way of a callback I had today. At the original audition for this commercial, I had to pretend to eat chicken, enjoy it (but not too much), then look over as though I just saw someone enter the room. Apparently, I was freakin amazing at fake eating chicken, because I got a callback for today. They called at 11am to let me know I needed to be in Santa Monica at 2:30pm! Typical. I abandoned my job, jumped in the car, ran home to change into the outfit I'd worn yesterday (per their request), grabbed a Cliff Bar and zoomed up to Santa Monica. I got there about 20 mins early and proceeded to wait around for about 1 hour and 15 mins. I couldn't figure out what was taking so long. When it was finally my turn, I was taken to another holding area. The casting director came out of the room and explained to us in, great detail, that we would not only be pretending to eat chicken, but pizza as well!! Oh my! Pizza too!!! However would I communicate this emotional complexity? Seriously, this was what was taking so long! Take a moment for yourself right now and pantomime eating a chicken wing, now pantomime eating a slice of pizza. Am I being narrow-minded, or are these two actions pretty darn similar? Is this schmacting? I say aye!
Oh, and it took me 4 hours to get home today! That sucked! The end!
Monday, March 8, 2010
I'd Like To Thank the Academy
I actually watched the Oscars yesterday for the first time in a couple of years. I know, you're probably thinking, "Aren't you an actress? Isn't it required viewing?" To be honest, I normally find them incredibly boring and a little awkward. There are inevitably, sweaty teleprompter malfunctions. The presenter stumbles over their lines and the audience politely chuckles at the actor or actress' attempt to joke their way out of the embarrassing snafu. I also get extremely uncomfortable on behalf of those who don't win. I can only imagine how it feels to be told that the most important thing to ever happen to your career has just happened to someone else's career instead. Then, to have a camera shoved in your face. You have to sit there listening to someone else's acceptance speech whilst smiling and trying not to cry. Its just too much and it ends up making my feet and palms sweat. I'd rather watch Pat Boone on PBS.
Yesterday, however, I was flipping through my five channels when I saw Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin standing side by side on a gorgeous, glowing, glamorous stage. The visual was stunning. Then, I stopped, I listened, and I actually laughed. The two of them were hilarious! They playfully made fun of everyone, including themselves and the crowd took it well. George Clooney and Morgan Freeman, however, did not look amused at all, ever... Who knows maybe they were having digestive issues. (I recommend Activia)
I have to say, I felt inspired by the speeches and the overall energy of the evening. The first woman ever, won an Oscar for best director! Austrian actor Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his first major American movie role at the age of 53. There's hope for me yet people!!! The films that won this year, were films in which people really believed. Avatar was in production for something like ten years!!! That takes dedication!
I think that the Academy Awards served their purpose this year. They created a platform where worthwhile movies of all budgets were showcased. Important messages where communicated, and the glamour of old world Hollywood was resurrected in a time when our country needs it most. Well, if nothing more, it put a smile on my face.
Yesterday, however, I was flipping through my five channels when I saw Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin standing side by side on a gorgeous, glowing, glamorous stage. The visual was stunning. Then, I stopped, I listened, and I actually laughed. The two of them were hilarious! They playfully made fun of everyone, including themselves and the crowd took it well. George Clooney and Morgan Freeman, however, did not look amused at all, ever... Who knows maybe they were having digestive issues. (I recommend Activia)
I have to say, I felt inspired by the speeches and the overall energy of the evening. The first woman ever, won an Oscar for best director! Austrian actor Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his first major American movie role at the age of 53. There's hope for me yet people!!! The films that won this year, were films in which people really believed. Avatar was in production for something like ten years!!! That takes dedication!
I think that the Academy Awards served their purpose this year. They created a platform where worthwhile movies of all budgets were showcased. Important messages where communicated, and the glamour of old world Hollywood was resurrected in a time when our country needs it most. Well, if nothing more, it put a smile on my face.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Down Days
Thinking, thinking, doing nothing, obsessing, blogging, watching tv, eating, obsessing, checking mail, hoping for random check that I have no reason to expect, getting disappointed by getting bill instead of check, more tv, checking casting websites, getting disillusioned, conserving money by not going out, eating, obsessing, blogging, tv, bed. The End. :) Could be worse, notice I didn't mention driving. (happy sigh)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
I Just Don't Listen
I realized something about myself yesterday, I just don't listen sometimes... I'm gonna back track a little to explain how this revelation came about.
First, a tangent. I was driving up to La La Land yesterday, when traffic came to a stop. I was right around the same place I got stuck the other day, so I'm thinking, what? another live grenade on the side of the road? seriously? As I inched forward, I saw tire marks and a black vehicle on the shoulder with its front, right fender caved in. Traffic started picking up again as I noticed a woman standing by the car with a little boy at her side, holding a baby. As I passed them, I realized its my friend, Katie, with her little boy, Jackson and baby girl, Ruby!!!! OMG!!!! By this time I was already past her and couldn't turn around. I didn't have her number or her husband's so I, frantically, started calling everyone I know who knows her. Finally, my husband got a hold of her husband to discover that he was already on his way up to get her and that no one was hurt. Phewwww! What an unexpected thing to see!
Tangent over. As I mentioned before, I went up to LA for an audition yesterday. It was for the morning after pill... A slew of beer commercial auditions, and now the morning after pill. Seriously people, what am I projecting???? Anyway, I got up there and checked in with the casting director. We all got brought into a room where they explained what they wanted us to do for this audition. We were paired up and instructed to sit on a couch next to our partner. We were then told to "act natural" and chat with each other about ourselves. They stressed that we should try not to look at each other and face the camera as much as possible. If we did look at each other, we were told to look at the tip of the other person's nose so as not upstage ourselves. Sounds natural, right? Oh, and we were told to talk about ourselves but not about acting in anyway... So I'm supposed to talk to a complete stranger about myself and the only thing we have in common is the very thing we're not supposed to talk about. We're not allowed to look at each other but still act "warm" and "natural." Hum...
I got paired up with a really nice girl. While we waited for our turn, we chatted about various things such as weddings, hair, clothes etc. However, when we were called into the room, all I could think about was what I wasn't supposed to do. As a result I wanted to talk about acting, be negative and turn completely towards my partner and away from the camera. Panic!!! Instead of listening to what this girl was saying to me and responding like a normal person, I completely blocked her out and just continued to chuckle unnaturally and say uh huh... She was sitting there searching for things to say and I was just laughing like a fool and going uh huh and oh yeah? Wow! I was such a bad audition partner!!!! All I had to do was listen and respond. It could have been so easy! I guess they'll be no emergency contraceptive commercial in my future.
At the end of the audition I felt kinda stupid, but my audition buddy was really nice. I thought, I may not have booked a job, but I did make a new friend, which is not easy to do. We exchanged information and went on our way. I felt happy driving home. I love meeting new and interesting people and I'm always happy to make a new friend in LA... Cut to later that evening, I received a text message from my new friend asking me if I would be interested in coming to learn about Buddhism... oh no... My new friend is an evangelistic Buddhist! I have no problem entertaining different ideas and philosophies, just seems a little soon in the friendship to be converting folks, ya know. Is she a crazy? Were there signs? I think there were but I just didn't listen...
First, a tangent. I was driving up to La La Land yesterday, when traffic came to a stop. I was right around the same place I got stuck the other day, so I'm thinking, what? another live grenade on the side of the road? seriously? As I inched forward, I saw tire marks and a black vehicle on the shoulder with its front, right fender caved in. Traffic started picking up again as I noticed a woman standing by the car with a little boy at her side, holding a baby. As I passed them, I realized its my friend, Katie, with her little boy, Jackson and baby girl, Ruby!!!! OMG!!!! By this time I was already past her and couldn't turn around. I didn't have her number or her husband's so I, frantically, started calling everyone I know who knows her. Finally, my husband got a hold of her husband to discover that he was already on his way up to get her and that no one was hurt. Phewwww! What an unexpected thing to see!
Tangent over. As I mentioned before, I went up to LA for an audition yesterday. It was for the morning after pill... A slew of beer commercial auditions, and now the morning after pill. Seriously people, what am I projecting???? Anyway, I got up there and checked in with the casting director. We all got brought into a room where they explained what they wanted us to do for this audition. We were paired up and instructed to sit on a couch next to our partner. We were then told to "act natural" and chat with each other about ourselves. They stressed that we should try not to look at each other and face the camera as much as possible. If we did look at each other, we were told to look at the tip of the other person's nose so as not upstage ourselves. Sounds natural, right? Oh, and we were told to talk about ourselves but not about acting in anyway... So I'm supposed to talk to a complete stranger about myself and the only thing we have in common is the very thing we're not supposed to talk about. We're not allowed to look at each other but still act "warm" and "natural." Hum...
I got paired up with a really nice girl. While we waited for our turn, we chatted about various things such as weddings, hair, clothes etc. However, when we were called into the room, all I could think about was what I wasn't supposed to do. As a result I wanted to talk about acting, be negative and turn completely towards my partner and away from the camera. Panic!!! Instead of listening to what this girl was saying to me and responding like a normal person, I completely blocked her out and just continued to chuckle unnaturally and say uh huh... She was sitting there searching for things to say and I was just laughing like a fool and going uh huh and oh yeah? Wow! I was such a bad audition partner!!!! All I had to do was listen and respond. It could have been so easy! I guess they'll be no emergency contraceptive commercial in my future.
At the end of the audition I felt kinda stupid, but my audition buddy was really nice. I thought, I may not have booked a job, but I did make a new friend, which is not easy to do. We exchanged information and went on our way. I felt happy driving home. I love meeting new and interesting people and I'm always happy to make a new friend in LA... Cut to later that evening, I received a text message from my new friend asking me if I would be interested in coming to learn about Buddhism... oh no... My new friend is an evangelistic Buddhist! I have no problem entertaining different ideas and philosophies, just seems a little soon in the friendship to be converting folks, ya know. Is she a crazy? Were there signs? I think there were but I just didn't listen...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friggin Blogtastic!!
I've done the impossible! I've signed with a theatrical agent!!!! I thought this day would never come. What does this mean? Well, I'm not exactly sure. I can tell you what it's supposed to mean. From now on, not only will I be auditioning for prune commercials etc, but I'll also be auditioning for legitimate tv shows, movies, webisodes etc.
What it actually means, remains to be seen.
The agency I signed with is small and not very well known, although, she is a really nice lady. I can't tell you how many agents (usually, fat, unhealthy looking old dudes) I've sat across from in meetings. They'll spend the entire time telling me how great they are and how long they've been in the business. Then, they'll cap things off by telling me to lower my expectations and get realistic, that I'm too old and that I need to lose weight... I'm a size 4... I must really wanna do this huh? Anyhoo, this lady is nice and basically said everything I wanted to hear. I will let you know how it all goes. Wish me luck peeps! I'm gonna need it!
What it actually means, remains to be seen.
The agency I signed with is small and not very well known, although, she is a really nice lady. I can't tell you how many agents (usually, fat, unhealthy looking old dudes) I've sat across from in meetings. They'll spend the entire time telling me how great they are and how long they've been in the business. Then, they'll cap things off by telling me to lower my expectations and get realistic, that I'm too old and that I need to lose weight... I'm a size 4... I must really wanna do this huh? Anyhoo, this lady is nice and basically said everything I wanted to hear. I will let you know how it all goes. Wish me luck peeps! I'm gonna need it!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Charactahs
My Sunday is boring!!!! Normally, I don't mind a slow day. My Saturday, however, also felt like a Sunday, and now Sunday feels like Sunday too. You catch my drift.
I decided to do some "work." In my field, work seems more like play. I've started to develope some of the characters I've had in my head for quite some time. There's Janelle James, the misunderstood stripper/"clothing removal artist" who doesn't understand why people don't appreciate her brand of striptease. Why wouldn't a group of men want to see a woman simultaneously stripping and interpretive-dancing the birthing process from start to finish? Or, perhaps a demonstration of the pain and frustration felt by the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia through dancing and disrobing. Then, there's Judy Bardwick, an elderly lady both terrified and riveted by modern technology. The mere act of leaving a voice mail can take an exhausting and exhilarating afternoon's work. She can't seem to leave that voicemail without meticulously spelling out her first and last name numerous times and then proceeding to talk to the end of the phone long after the machine has cut her off. More ideas anyone? My parents are so gonna regret giving me that video camera. YouTube, here I come!!!!! :)
I decided to do some "work." In my field, work seems more like play. I've started to develope some of the characters I've had in my head for quite some time. There's Janelle James, the misunderstood stripper/"clothing removal artist" who doesn't understand why people don't appreciate her brand of striptease. Why wouldn't a group of men want to see a woman simultaneously stripping and interpretive-dancing the birthing process from start to finish? Or, perhaps a demonstration of the pain and frustration felt by the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia through dancing and disrobing. Then, there's Judy Bardwick, an elderly lady both terrified and riveted by modern technology. The mere act of leaving a voice mail can take an exhausting and exhilarating afternoon's work. She can't seem to leave that voicemail without meticulously spelling out her first and last name numerous times and then proceeding to talk to the end of the phone long after the machine has cut her off. More ideas anyone? My parents are so gonna regret giving me that video camera. YouTube, here I come!!!!! :)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Back to Blogness
I know, I know, its been a while. Quite frankly, I haven't had much to write about til now. Its basically been the same old chase. Random commercial auditions here and there. Nothing to blog home about. Oh, I did have one funny audition where we were taken into a room two at a time, told to make a plate for ourselves out of three different types of bread. 1) a hamburger bun, meant to represent a sandwich 2) cubes of bread, meant to represent a salad 3) a tortilla filled with bread, meant to represent a taco... We were then instructed to eat said items one at a time, pretending to enjoy each bite. The casting director actually used the word "luxuriate!" Long story short, the guy I was auditioning with ate the bread taco with so much vigor, that he ended up choking and almost vomited!!!!!! I know its mean but I almost lost my shit. That was what I like to call an over-audition!!!!!
Things had dried up a little in the commercial world lately so I decided to restart my crusade for a theatrical agent. I've been sending out headshots and resumes to absolutely every agent with an address, possibly even a few real estate agents... I finally got a response the other day and scheduled an appointment for Thursday to meet with one of these much revered agent-type beings. I showed up armed with headshot, resume, reel, and monologue. Yes that's right, I said monologue. The monologue is something every actor dreads. The concept of a person speaking for such an extended period of time with absolutely no interruptions is a little far fetched as it is, not to mention the difficulty one has finding well written material that isn't overused or overly emotional. There are tons of monologues that require the detailed retelling of a molestation, contraction of an STD, a beating by a boyfriend, or the likes. Not such a good idea to get too issuey, you never know what repressed memories you could be dragging up for your audience... Anyway, I actually struck gold with a good one a little while back, and felt confident that it was appropriate without being dull. A good fit for me, ya know. I went in, performed my monologue and actually nailed it. I couldn't believe it!! The agent loved me and basically told me right there and then that she wanted to sign me and told me to expect a call the following day. I left on cloud nine!
On my way back to SD, a couple of hours later, I received an audition notice via the usual text and email. I have to say, I'm happy to get the opportunities but these ones are always hard to take. It was an audition for an amusement park that, if I booked it, would only make me around $1000. I know that sounds nice, but if I don't book it, I've lost $40 in gas and an entire days work. This particular audition was for the following day. I would have to get back in my car and drive another 2 1/2 hrs there and 2 1/2 hrs back. Ugh! I complain, but I gotta do what I gotta do, so, I got in the car the following day (this was yesterday). I was on my way up when all of a sudden the traffic came to a grinding halt. I was sitting there in front of the Dolly Parton Monument going zero miles an hour for about 30mins! WTF! I knew it was Friday, but this was ridiculous! Turns out, there was a freakin grenade on the south bound 5!!!!! Traffic in both directions was being diverted. I called my agent to let her know that there was no way I was going to make it in time, hoping she would tell me not to worry about it and go on home. She did not tell me what I wanted to hear. Instead, she told me to call her in an hour and let her know where I was. Um no. The rate I was going, I would end up arriving in LA just in time for rush hour. This means I would have been stuck in traffic coming home. Let me put this simply, I left SD at about 12pm, by 2:30pm I hadn't even reached San Clemente at that speed I would probably reach LA at about 5pm. I would be back on the road again by about 5:30 which means I would be lucky to get home by 8pm. This is at least 8hrs of driving for one 5min audition that may or may not make me $1000 before agent fee and taxes. SO NOT WORTH IT. I turned around and went home. What a wasted day. Although, as always, it made for a good story... Oh and on a good note, that agent did call me the next day! Yay! Have to call her back on Monday. I'll keep you posted!
Things had dried up a little in the commercial world lately so I decided to restart my crusade for a theatrical agent. I've been sending out headshots and resumes to absolutely every agent with an address, possibly even a few real estate agents... I finally got a response the other day and scheduled an appointment for Thursday to meet with one of these much revered agent-type beings. I showed up armed with headshot, resume, reel, and monologue. Yes that's right, I said monologue. The monologue is something every actor dreads. The concept of a person speaking for such an extended period of time with absolutely no interruptions is a little far fetched as it is, not to mention the difficulty one has finding well written material that isn't overused or overly emotional. There are tons of monologues that require the detailed retelling of a molestation, contraction of an STD, a beating by a boyfriend, or the likes. Not such a good idea to get too issuey, you never know what repressed memories you could be dragging up for your audience... Anyway, I actually struck gold with a good one a little while back, and felt confident that it was appropriate without being dull. A good fit for me, ya know. I went in, performed my monologue and actually nailed it. I couldn't believe it!! The agent loved me and basically told me right there and then that she wanted to sign me and told me to expect a call the following day. I left on cloud nine!
On my way back to SD, a couple of hours later, I received an audition notice via the usual text and email. I have to say, I'm happy to get the opportunities but these ones are always hard to take. It was an audition for an amusement park that, if I booked it, would only make me around $1000. I know that sounds nice, but if I don't book it, I've lost $40 in gas and an entire days work. This particular audition was for the following day. I would have to get back in my car and drive another 2 1/2 hrs there and 2 1/2 hrs back. Ugh! I complain, but I gotta do what I gotta do, so, I got in the car the following day (this was yesterday). I was on my way up when all of a sudden the traffic came to a grinding halt. I was sitting there in front of the Dolly Parton Monument going zero miles an hour for about 30mins! WTF! I knew it was Friday, but this was ridiculous! Turns out, there was a freakin grenade on the south bound 5!!!!! Traffic in both directions was being diverted. I called my agent to let her know that there was no way I was going to make it in time, hoping she would tell me not to worry about it and go on home. She did not tell me what I wanted to hear. Instead, she told me to call her in an hour and let her know where I was. Um no. The rate I was going, I would end up arriving in LA just in time for rush hour. This means I would have been stuck in traffic coming home. Let me put this simply, I left SD at about 12pm, by 2:30pm I hadn't even reached San Clemente at that speed I would probably reach LA at about 5pm. I would be back on the road again by about 5:30 which means I would be lucky to get home by 8pm. This is at least 8hrs of driving for one 5min audition that may or may not make me $1000 before agent fee and taxes. SO NOT WORTH IT. I turned around and went home. What a wasted day. Although, as always, it made for a good story... Oh and on a good note, that agent did call me the next day! Yay! Have to call her back on Monday. I'll keep you posted!
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