My first Acting Gig!

Last Thursday, I had my first acting gig! Now, when I announced on Facebook that I had a job, news spread like wildfire and everyone I knew was asking me about this "JOB". This left me to explain that YES I got a job, but it was only for a day, so my job search was not over. I think for an actor the job search is rarely, if ever, over.

But anyway, this was an exciting day! I was going to be filming a training video for a Danish pharmaceutical company. I had my costume pieces packed up in my rolly luggage and after wandering around Toronto, and then turning around and walking in the correct direction, I made it to the studio. I had no idea what to expect. But I was determined to give off the air of an acting veteran. Like Meryl Streep. I was greeted, "Meryl! You made it!" My air giving offing was good.

Inside the studio, the production people were all doing their production type duties and I was escorted past the equipment and the green screens to the back room. Again...cool as a cucumber. Next I was told that I could go upstairs to have some breakfast. (Second breakfast.) "Okay!" Upstairs there was a lovely living room type scenario, complete with a candle or two, and on the counter was water, juice, coffee, fruit, granola bars, bagels and  pastries, all lined up in little rows like craft services does. This is something I could get used to. (Since then I've made my mother line up all my food in little rows so that I can pretend I'm on a film set.) But again, I kept my Tee Hee's on the inside, because Meryl Streep would NOT Tee Hee.

Girl Talk: What I’ve Learned From My First Year As A Working Actress

This is my first web-published piece of writing! Please follow the link below on, TheFrisky.com, to take a look!

Thanks readers!

Girl Talk: What I’ve Learned From My First Year As A Working Actress

Would love your comments too!

Improv Level 2 Graduation!

What up, homies!? 

I graduated my Level 2 improv class last night. What! Victory.
But still, I'm a bit sad. I really liked our little group and our Monday afternoons of laughter. We had a fun show last night though, with some crazy shenanigans as usual.

I still get really nervous to perform improv, as I'm sure you would know if you've read some of my earlier blog posts...so I didn't want to invite many people. I basically only invited my "inner circle" of friends. I was torn because I wanted people to be at our show, of course, but I didn't want them to be people I knew. So whatev, I invited a few and then I tweeted about it...a couple hours before the show. I figured the rest of my classmates would bring loads of people.

Before our show we were all talking, and one by one people started confessing that they were either bringing one person, or that they didn't tell anyone about the show altogether. Its only Level 2, so we're all a snatch sheepish. I didn't know what was worse...having a nearly empty audience, or having an audience full of people I knew. But I still consider the former being the lesser of two evils. So, even if there were only six people in the crowd, it would still be a fun event.

Luckily, we did have quite a good turnout (most of which people I didn't know)! And it was a fun and ridiculous show. I think having FUN is most important. Viewers like to watch people on stage having a ball. (Unless they're in a holocaust epic.) Was it perfect? No! But it had its moments; one of my favorites being when a completely

Windows Phone spot - "Commit"

I saw this commercial while I was watching the Golden Globes and I thought it was pretty cool. To the Golden Globe winners of tomorrow! Come on!

Laura Eavesdrops at EPAs

Things I've learned since I wrote last:
GOOD IDEA: Win a Golden Globe.
BAD IDEA: Watch The Green Hornet.

Not too much to report since last post. Jealous to hear that my friend in Miami was walking around in shorts and flip flops while I was slipping around in sleet.
But on an acting note, I feel like I'm getting into a rhythm audition-wise.

1. Look for auditions everyday.

2. If there's an audition, go to it.

3. Rehearse monologues (should be everyday).

4. Read helpful books. (Right now I'm reading Audition by Michael Shurtleff)

And really, that sums it up. It is getting easier in a way, more of a habit, and sometimes I actually look forward to an audition. Sometimes not. It also helps a ton to either go with a friend, or to run into someone you know there by chance. It alleviates the wait and puts you at ease. I went to two EPAs on Monday and Tuesday and though non-equity was sent home on both occasions, they were still good experiences. It is so valuable to be in the presence of other actors and to eavesdrop on their conversations...and to chime in from time to time. Honestly, I hear about other auditions going on that week, about steps they took to get where they are, and helpful tips to move forward. 
I also finally got a response to an a submission for a play I emailed in. Even that is a...YES!!! First step: Casting person emailing you back. Check. The play is part of a winter play festival and I had my audition last night. Its nice to actually have an appointment where I am guaranteed to be seen! I did a contemporary monologue and then read from two sets of sides. It was my first time out with that monologue so it was still a bit rusty, but it was okay, and I think the sides went well. Overall I am happy with how it went and I feel as though I did what I could. So, success! I'm not going to hold my breath, but they said they would let us know by the weekend. Onwards and upwards!


Another thing I need to get back to is the CRAFT of acting. It is so easy to get caught up in the business of it and forget that its an art. We bring characters to life who have emotions, relationships and depth. Anyone can read a play at home, but people come to the theater to really feel the play. Experience it. As actors, we need to tell their story.

Does No One in Your Social Circle Have a Job?

An Excerpt from "THE FOOD CHAIN" A play by Nicky Silver 

(who I recently discovered is a man and not a woman. So much for girl power.):

Bea: Does no one in your social circle have a job?

Amanda: We have jobs!! We write!! We're artists! We make art. That's our job. People think if you don't make a shoe, or, a desk or something tangible that you're not worth anything. We make something for the soul, something, for the spirit. Is that not tangible enough for you? Your attitude is just symbolic of everything that's wrong with people today.

Bea: I asked a question.

Amanda: A question heavy with the Sisyphean burden of judgement.

Bea: Excuse me.

Amanda: Where was I?

Bea: In bed. 

A piece of my splatter paint cut and paste art. 

Its really cold in New York now. I got cocky. "My jacket is so warm that I keep waiting for it to get cold," I would say. To myself. In my inner monologue. There's really only a month or two on either end of the year that are comfortable in the city. (May, June, September, October) Even in winter, I go from freezing cold to sweating in my giant North Face jacket as I sit on the steamy subway. I'm happy to be inside at a comfortable temperature right now. This all really has nothing to do with anything, I just thought I would share. Its winter. Winter is actually really short here though and soon enough the crocuses will be blooming and the tourists flocking.


I had an audition for a classical theatre company on Wednesday. They perform outside in parks, so the monitor was telling us that we needed to be LOUD, as if we were performing for 2000 people. So mostly all I thought about while I was monologuing was, "BE LOUDER!" "SUPPORT YOUR VOICE!" and things like this. I feel as though I was able to be more grounded and able to use my voice better than the last audition. I just need to be able to do that without consciously thinking about it. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice practice practice!!
Thursday there was another audition, but they sent us Non-Equity folks home. This happens. But I was proud that I dragged myself out of bed in the wee hours of the morning and went even when I didn't feel like it. That too is an accomplishment.
Friday, nada. So I can finally do my laundry.


Its been a good week. Exhausting though. This lifestyle is certainly one that needs to be broken-in. Looking forward to hopefully a tad of relaxation this weekend, but also some much needed monologue practice to prepare for next week!


Happy Weekend!

Breaking the Ice

http://crimealwayspays.blogspot.com/2010/11/ever-failed-no-matter-try-again-fail.html

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Samuel Beckett

Part 1:

Day #1 back auditioning after a brief hiatus. A warm-up, if you will. 
Its for a Broadway show, to play a 16 year old girl...from Wiltshire, England. I didn't really come across the note that, "using a regional accent would be an advantage," until last night at about 12 midnight. And to clarify, "would be an advantage" means, do it. "That's okay," I thought to myself, "I'll just wing it." Because you know that we all try to sound like Harry Potter from time to time.
So I get there and wait in line for a while until I can sign my name up on the list. By the time I'm able to make my first of 12 bathroom trips that morning, I'm so flustered that I hit my head on the toilet paper dispenser (which is in front on the toilet). I half hope that I'm bleeding everywhere so then I'd ge- have to leave. But no. And they also announce that they will indeed have time to see Non-Equity performers today. Oh goodie. Time to put that English accent to use. Wingardium Leviosa! I might add, that some actresses beside me discuss their extensive research on the Wiltshire English dialect. Perfect.
Finally time to line up to go into the audition room. This audition used 'sides' (a dialogue from the script) so I would be reading with another person. Out in the hall I go over my lines and try to boost my confidence with positive thoughts. Time to go in the room...
Nice people, the casting person and the reader. We start the scene, and my first thoughts as this guy is speaking to me is, "Wow! His accent is good!" And I don't even know what a Wiltshire dialect should sound like. Maybe he was from England. I don't know, but it threw me off a bit. It was too good. I made it through the scene without doing anything terribly idiotic, but shaking like a leaf. That's the worst. And walked out consciously trying to hold my chin up.
People have said to me, every time an audition goes terribly, that its one step closer to being great. So, phew! One down. I'm just glad its over.


Part 2:
The evening holds another audition. Hamlet. Well a sort of adaptation of Hamlet, I later discover. Ophelia beckons so I trek out to Brooklyn with my friend, lets call her, Nell. Thank goodness she was there. This was an experience that needed to be shared.
It was surreal to say the least...as though I was in my show, "Laura in the City," with the viewers laughing with me. It was far too bizarre to be real life. (Hence the notion behind "Laura in the City.") The director kind of looked like Bob Ross (pictured left), but with a modern flair. Like if Bob Ross had spent some time with Jenny on the block. After some prep time, we perform our monologues in a kids classroom while Bob sits in a miniature chair eating hummus. I didn't do that great anyway, not that I was nervous at all. My biggest concern was, "Oh shoot. What will I say if he calls with an offer?!" Ha. Never know. He still might. That will be another tale...


I have a feeling there will be a few weeks of "warming up".

A New Year!

I think this is my first blog of 2011! A new year. A fresh start. Its great, but can be overwhelming also. I think I started the year with a tad of excitement, and then my anxiety kicked in and I started freaking out about the expectation of a new year. Time to make things happen!
Haha...and this was meant to be a blog focused on acting, but that seemed to fizzle out pretty quickly, to be replaced by pie making and roller skating. I came upon this woman's blog which is also acting focused (http://www.actressconfessions.com/), but the difference was that it is actually focused on acting. Her motto is to take a step each day toward her goals as an actress. I think thats great!
Well, this year I'm getting over my need to be perfect and being afraid to mess up and going forward one step at a time. Although I'm sure I'll still write about a variety of things, I hope to have a great deal more acting updates to share with you. 


So this week I've set goals and deadlines for myself. Today I need to have my contemporary monologues chosen. I have my dramatic, but still in search for a comedic. Its hard to find really funny writing!! But considering I've been looking for a great comedic monologue for about a year...its time to let go of perfection and just settle for something. This is not life or death. I had a voice and speech teacher who would say, "No one's going to die. This is only theater!" Takes the pressure off. It will be a good challenge as an actor to make any piece interesting and fresh! (See how positive I am!!!!) Yes, so I'm off to the performance library at Lincoln Center today to flip through some plays and see what I can find. Deadline 2: Monologues memorized by Wednesday. I've also sent out emails in response to a ton of postings today also. Its been a productive morning! Lots of auditions to prepare for this week too. I haven't uttered a phrase of Shakespeare in at least a month, so I have some rehearsing to do! (rhyme)
I am also back at the PIT (People's Improv Theater), interning and will be on to my Level 2 class soon. Yes, I know...back at improv. So we'll see how painfully fun that will be. : )


That's the update as of now. Maybe this is a bit boring, but I think its a time of gearing up for great things to come. Just one foot in front of the other.


Happy New Year!

Agh.

"So, what have you been up to?"

Much of the time since I've graduated school I've dreaded these words.
Are you kidding me? I can't even remember what I've done today, let alone the rest of the week.
Sure...some things have happened since the spring. Progress has been made (I like to call it "character building"). 
"How's auditioning going?" "Are you in any shows?"


(really big sigh here.)
 
I've begun to realize that my answer defers depending on who I'm speaking with. The answer could range from..."Its going great! I'm learning so much." to "SCREW YOU!". 
No, that's only my inner monologue. My answer is more classy, like: "Not good. It sucks." And I guess they can both be true at different times. But the truth is that no one really understands unless they're in the arts in some form.
I met up with my friend from school last week and we laughed as we rejoiced in each others' misery. It just feels good to have someone else know what you're going through!
I'm learning that a lot of the battle is just staying inspired. Continuing to move forward in this marathon. I've been reading, "Wake up, I'm Fat!" by Camryn Manheim, and its incredible to read about her life and what she went through to make it big. She works hard, stands up for what she believes in and confidently goes after what she wants in life. She doesn't give up or give in! She inspires me to go after my dreams (and its interesting how they've changed even since starting this blog) and to really fight for them.
There are so many options available for our generation. But that can be a challenge though, can't it? What do I really want? I can do ANYTHING I want to do! Sometimes that's too much to handle. Can't someone just tell me what to do?? But I guess as we continue to climb up to new plateaus in our lives, we can see more clearly what our goals are. Maybe our new goals. And often these desires can also be masked by our emotions - our fears, our desire to please, our pride. I've wanted to do comedy since high school, but I've never done anything about it!
Well, a new day is dawning...and the time is ticking so I better get myself a plan of action and go for it. Maybe Tiny Fey and I can discuss it over lunch. After her Mark Twain award stuff settles down of course.
I better go rehearse my conversations with family over the holidays. Its funny cause I really thought I'd have been in a show by now or at least have one in store for next year. HA! Oh well. 
2011 is going to be INCREDIBLE!! I can feel it!!!!! 

Things that have inspired me lately:

-"Whip It" the movie

-Late-Night television

-Learning how many amazing Canadians there really are (i'll make a list at a further date)

"Occasionally you really are at the crossroads. And when those two roads diverge, your creature of habit self starts to push you down the path most taken, but your gut tells you that maybe this is the defining moment when you have to take the road less traveled."      -Camryn Manheim, Wake up, I'm Fat!

Laura Does Improv

Two months ago I signed up for my first improv class. I hadn't done much improv, aside from my high school drama club, so I had mostly zero experience. But its been my aspiration to be funny, and I know funny people do improv.
There are three big improv studios in NYC: The People's Improv Theater, The Upright Citizens Brigade, and Magnet. I'm sure they're all great, but it was suggested to me that I start at the PIT, so that is what I did. Luckily I snagged an internship this summer, which works as a type of work-study. I felt pretty cool hangin' around the improv big shots, while secretly dreading the day when my class would actually start. I put it off for a while, until finally I made the commitment. I was going to start my Level 1 improv class.
With goal in mind (I'm going to be funny), I went confidently (i.e. trying to appear confident while inwardly being terrified) to my first class, which I actually loved! My favorite thing about class is laughing. I laugh really hard, for most of the class. Probably too much while I'm performing. But its good medicine for the soul!
So, I left that night feeling pretty good about myself. Pause. Then the next week came around. Every week before improv I would actually dread going to my next class. I would dread it the whole day, sometimes the day before, while on the subway, walking to the studio, right up until I walked into the class. Then, usually I would love it and once again have an outlook full of hope for my future improv career. I would be the next Tiny Fey. Until the next week of course, when I was brainstorming excuses or accidents that I might happen to fall into, which would render me unable to attend the class. Okay, I did miss a couple classes! But for the rest of them I popped some Pepto and dragged my butt there.
This is all to say that for two months I would ask myself why I was torturing myself in this way, and it was all leading up to our graduation show; Monday November 8th, 9:30pm. This was the moment when I would be a fool in front of, not only my class, but also a room full of audience. Civilians. But I was determined that I WAS indeed going to go. And I was going to be funny.
I did go, and ironically I was chosen by my teacher to perform in both 20 minute halves of the show rather than just one. Go figure, right? First, panic. Then logic. It would give me time to warm-up, get more practice, and hopefully have better luck if one of the suggestions from the audience was awful. (Our suggestions were "hot tub" and "potty", by the way.) And ya know what? I had a great time! I feel like I was finally able to let go and have fun with it. To just be silly and commit fully to what I was doing and what my partner brought to the table...even when we were running in a circle and talking about pooping in our pants when we exert ourselves too hard. There's definitely something about having an audience there too. I LOVE an audience! And I LOVE making people laugh. And I was reminded why I'm doing this. Why I'm going crazy day to day, working my butt off to be an actor. Because somewhere in there, I love it, and I thrive off of performing. So, I made a mental and written note that I want to perform once a week to keep this fire alight. And I figure the more I get out there, the less skittish I'll be too.
Agh. So the dichotomy of my life continues. Its a love/hate relationship.
I'll leave you with a saying that they use at the PIT:

"Follow the fear." -Del Close (Legendary Improv Teacher)

I think that's about right. This is how we grow.

Some Promising Projects.

Umm...
So...just the usual. Looking for projects to audition for.
Yeah, there's some great stuff...
It makes me feel really pumped to be in this profession.

No...no, not really.
Take a look at some of my findings. Hopefully they'll give you a laugh.

Barney Live
 "[ THE DINOSAURS ]
Riff, 4'3 – 4'9; and Baby Bop, 4'0 – 4'3 - male or female, over 18 years old; open ethnicity; require excellent movers, with the ability to be imaginative and expressive within a full-body costume; these are non-singing roles."

Justin Bieber Celebrity Encounter
"[ MOMS WITH "BIEBER FEVER" ]
(Female, Ages 30+) - We are looking for women to play moms who catch "Bieber Fever" at a book signing. ("Bieber Fever" has a lot of the same symptoms as a real fever...)"

Purina Cat Chow
"[ MEN AND WOMEN ]
25-35. People who are passionate and enthusiastic about cats. Must have knowledge of cats and some type of presence in the cat world - blog, articles, works in vet practice, etc. Can be an amateur expert - self taught. Specifically looking for cool, edgy, optimistic people who have an infectious energy." (Actors Access)
  
Rich Farm Girls, Reality Series
"Project description: "Do you come from a prominent farm family and live a lifestyle to be envied? Are you living on a farm by day, but enjoy the glitz of the city by night? Towers Productions is looking for girls who are living the good life, but in a farm town. If you have all the style, wealth and sass of a city girl, but grew up in a small town, we want to hear from you.""

Addicted to Tanning, Reality Series
"Project description: "Do you go to the tanning parlor several times a week? Are you rarely seen without a tan? Do you feel unattractive or uncomfortable if your skin is not tanned? Do your friends think you're a tanaholic?"" 
 (Backstage)

Well, things can hopefully only look up from here!
 

Audition Room Signs

MY MONOLOGUE JUST ISN'T THE SAME WITHOUT MY ROLLERBLADES.

Pilot

Our teachers always told us, "If you can see yourself doing anything other than acting, do it." I always took offense to this and thought to myself, "Of course I could do something else!" But now, while I've really only been seriously pursuing acting for a few months, I understand why they said this. Following your dreams is not as sparkly and fluffy as it may seem. Many people are too scared to do so, or not wanting to admit the fear, there are excuses, or just a willingness to settle for something a little less ambitious. There's a lot at stake when something means a lot to you. I don't wake up every morning with a smile on my face and say, "YES! I'm an actor!" I probably should. But the truth is, some days just suck. They don't really tell you all that much about what your day to day life is going to be like as an actor. They mainly just talk about how to act and react, how to listen and repeat...how to breathe. Good things...but what happens when you're not getting work?
Sometimes I wish I wanted to be an accountant, or even a lawyer, or sales person or teacher. Anything a little more straightforward. I think that some people can have an idea that acting is a bit of a joke...not a real job. But I believe that has a lot to do with a lack of understanding...and how can I blame them, when until recently I had no idea either!
For example: An audition takes approximately 90 seconds. How does that turn into an 8 hour day? Two words: NON-EQUITY. It means I'm not a part of the union, which means I'm the lowest of the low in the acting community. (In the Equity facility, we are not even allowed to use their toilets. Seriously. No really, I'm serious!)
So on an Equity Principal Audition day, I wake up early, get my name on the list, and wait for word on whether I will grace them with my presence or not. All the time union members casually strolling in for their appointments. Sometimes they announce that they won't be seeing us until after lunch. One thing I've learned: If I go home, there's no coming back. I don't have that kind of fortitude.
Okay, so back to the accountant. Imagine if there were accountant open calls. All the accountants from the city would come in with their head shots and resume, sign in and wait around to perform the best figure calculations...or whatever. No, if someone needs an accountant, they just go to one. People come to THEM! I wish I could just sit at home while people would call me in need of an actor. Well, I guess that does happen if you're Meryl Streep or someone. The waiting around is the hardest part. It takes strength of character; A refusal to give in to the torture of waiting.
Its not always so bad though. Sometimes you get seen quickly, or you find out right away you can just go home. Or you go see a morning movie or write your blog while you wait. You might even say I'm a "waiter" as well as an actor. Coincidence? I think not! 
The problem is there are too many actors! But what I can't understand is why?! You wait around, get rejected time and time again. Get a callback, then get rejected again. Get a job, then don't get paid. Then have to work some other crummy job to pay the bills. Not to mention that the whole time you're bearing your soul to complete strangers. We're on the front lines.
Why do we do it then? Because the reward is so great! Victory will be sweet. And because when art lives inside you, there's really nothing you can do to stop it. You ultimately can't see yourself doing anything else.  
I'll leave you with a quote from a great book I'm reading called "Got What It Takes?" By Bill Boggs. Its a very inspiring book about how successful people made it to the top in their various careers. Always be inspired!!!

"Any time you change your day-to-day, it's a risk. But you're taking it because the reward is great, if you succeed." -Bob Pittman