Teresapalooza!!

Money Monday: Making Money from Thin Air

2012-02-13T11:44:00.000-08:00

Artists know – every penny counts. So why not make sure your money is making you money?

Here’s how my money makes money every time I spend online or offline:

Credit Card Rewards - I prefer the cash back kind of credit card over those that offer mileage or reward points. With my Costco Credit Card, I earn 3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back on travel or restaurants, and 1% cash back on everything else. (The cash only pays out once a year, but there’s no annual fee.) Research the best incentive credit card for you at Bankrate.com.
Dining Rewards - I’m also signed up for MileagePlus Dining, which earns me United Airlines miles every time I use my Costco Credit Card at one of their participating restaurants. Yup, that’s double dipping rewards! The program is also available for other airlines, so check your favorite airline’s Web site for dining rewards.
Airline Shopping Malls - Any time I need to shop online, I click through one of the airline shopping malls first to earn miles. I usually check them all to see which airline mall will give me the most miles for my purchase at any given store. There are several to check –
Upromise by SallieMae – Earn dollars for a child’s college plan by registering your credit cards and grocery reward cards and then spending on particular brands. They also have a shopping mall that can earn you money when you clickthrough to shop online. (I’m saving for my goddaughter to go to MIT.)
GoodShop – If I can’t make money for me, I’ll make it for someone else. GoodShop gives money to the charity of your choice every time you clickthrough their site before shopping. They also offer exclusive coupons and offers! Plus they’re the only incentive program I can find that earns money from shopping at Amazon.com, so I clickthrough their site every time I need a book. Right now, I’m contributing to the East West Players every time I shop!

Any other incentive programs out there worth mentioning?

A Moment in Time for Whitney

2012-02-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

I heard the news of Whitney Houston's death the way I hear about most happenings in pop culture - over Twitter.

A few of my favorites:

@RonnieButler: There comes a point when we exhale. Rest in peace Whitney Houston. #whitneyhouston

@foodjunk: Somewhere Whitney Houston is playing baseball in a corn field with Shoeless Joe Jackson.

She was only forty-eight years old. Such a tragic end for one of the greatest talents of our time.

The tributes and retrospectives abound online, so I'll just add this - among all the amazing singles and videos and live performances, one that will always live in my memory is her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Super Bowl XXV.

It was 1991 and I was a metal-mouthed high schooler with a wealth of emotional hang-ups who sought solace in music. Whitney was my drug.

Her performance was exquisitely beautiful in every way. Seeing her sing the national anthem so effortlessly with her own Whitney-style brought me to my feet. Her version did what that song is meant to do - inspire pride and rally patriotic spirit. My band director pointed out later that she had changed the time signature from 3/4 time to 4/4 time, which was just further proof to me she was a musical genius.

No other pre-game national anthem performance will ever come close. Love you, Whitney. Rest in peace.

Stage Door Traditions

2012-02-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

The air was chilly and crisp, but the anticipation kept me warm. We were waiting outside the Artists' Entrance at the Pasadena Playhouse after a stellar production of Art starring Bradley Whitford, Roger Bart, and Michael O'Keefe.

I don't remember who taught me about waiting by the stage door to meet the performers. I certainly didn't do it all the times I went to Broadway shows as a youth. But once I learned how to do it, I was hooked.

Because theater actors will always come out the stage door and greet their fans. It's a tradition, even today on Broadway, where actors will autograph Playbills and pose for pictures while receiving accolades for the performance they just finished minutes ago.

I was eager to meet the actors in Art for a few reasons. One, the show was incredible - a brilliant play executed brilliantly by three skilled wordsmiths. I laughed, I gasped, it was better than CATS.

Two, I had a minor connections with two of the actors - I'd acted opposite Bradley Whitford for a day on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and had seen Roger Bart in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Broadway. Awkward hellos always feel less awkward when you have an "in" to start the conversation.

We waited for a while outside, managing doubt that they would come out at all. But true to theater form, they did. Michael emerged first - we told him his performance was wonderful. He smiled and walked away. (That's the other piece of stage door etiquette - the space around the stage door is where you say hello. After the performer exits that zone, you leave them alone.)

Bradley was lovely - when I mentioned we had worked together, he perked and asked, "Oh! How are you doing?" Like we were old friends - so sweet.

Roger Bart came out next, and I have to admit, I totally fell in fandom love. He was funny, down to earth, and seemed genuinely interested to meet us. When I mentioned seeing him play Snoopy on Broadway, he sighed, "Wow, back when I was a young man."

As the conversation continued, he learned I went to MIT and instantly started asking questions about how I went from an engineering school to becoming an actor and writer. I would have loved to take him out for a drink and tell him my life story, but out of respect, I kept it brief, congratulated him on the show again, and said farewell.

As we walked away, my friend realized we didn't ask for a picture, but that was okay. I look forward to working with these guys someday (especially Roger) and saying, "I met you at the stage door after Art." They may not remember me, but I'll remember them.

Hopping on the Blogger Challenge Bandwagon

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

I heard about this blogger challenge from my friend Lynn’s blog The Actor’s Diet, who heard about it from her friend Lauren.

The Rules:
1. List 11 random things about myself
2. Answer the 11 questions she asked
3. Come up with 11 questions to ask other bloggers
4. Tag 11 other bloggers to do this next

I want to play, but I don’t think I know 11 other bloggers. I know Lynn, Michelle, Junk Food Guy, and that's about it. And how exactly do I tag bloggers?

So I’ll do a half version, starting with 11 random things about me:

I’ve never been to Europe.
My high school band director told us he went to school with Jonathan Frakes, and I once wrote Jonathan a fan letter asking him to come play with our concert band. It never happened.
I had insomnia for almost two years while working at Disneyland. The happiest place on earth was stressful as hell! Listening to spa-type relaxation music finally helped me fall asleep consistently.
For my sweet sixteen birthday party, I asked my friends to make a donation to an environmental group instead of giving me a gift. (Yup, I was a charity nerd even back then.) My friends all made donations and brought gifts too. They were awesome.
I think Angelo should have won Top Chef Season 7 instead of Kevin. There, I said it.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a dancer and I still mourn the fact that I missed my window.
I had braces for four years of junior high & high school – head gear, rubber bands, the whole shebang. Five years ago, a fancy dentist in LA told me I should get braces and I wanted to slap him.
I was so scared by a kiddie roller coaster ride as a child, I didn’t ride another roller coaster until senior year of high school, and even then I did it under duress.
I had pictures of Barry Manilow and Bruce Boxleitner in my locker in high school. I know, total dork.
I actually like Circus Peanuts.
I got banned for life from Google Adsense for clicking on my own ads on this blog, which I honestly did not know was against the rules. At my last day job company, we were constantly told we should click on our own ads whenever possible by our VP of Biz Dev. Thanks for nothing, Richard.

And here are answers to the same 11 questions that Lynn answered:

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? In a magical version of LA with less traffic, cleaner air, and my family close by.
Beer or Wine? Both! In moderation, of course. I enjoy lagers, but also look forward to my first trip to Napa.
What is your favorite quote? “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi
One thing you always have in your purse? My Lactaid pills – so I can eat cheese!
The best concert you’ve ever been to? Barry Manilow at the Hollywood Bowl, baby!
What would be your last meal? This is a morbid question and I cancel/deflect any energy created by answering it, but I suppose it would be a lobster clambake from Legal Sea Foods.
What is one word that makes you cringe? The F word that refers to gay people in a derogatory manner.
If you could live one day as the opposite sex, what is the first thing you would do? Make a proper machine gun sound effect with my mouth – it’s the one thing I will admit ALL men do better than women.
Do you believe in soul mates? Sure, why not?
Gossip Girl or Glee? Glee! Because try as I might, I can’t relate to rich white society girls in NYC.
What would be your ideal job? I have it! Though it would be more ideal if I had more hours in the day. Still, I’m happy.

Phew, that was fun!

Do you have a blog? Share your URL below!

Passing the Blame

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, an Asian-American actor email list I’m on was abuzz over this ad, which ran locally in Michigan during the Super Bowl.

Attack-the-other-candidate commercials are common in an election year, but this ad seemed to have an additional “Let’s blame China!” message that felt inappropriate. Opinions were tossed back and forth – "That actress should have known better." "No, she was just someone taking an acting job." "Who’s this icky politician who approved this message?"

Upon further research, I realized it wasn’t just people in the Asian-American acting community who were talking about the ad, but the entire news media and blogosphere. Gawker, The Washington Post, and Politico, and more condemned the ad as racist and chastised the candidate for perpetuating stereotypes.

I prefer to focus on the poor actress in the middle of this bad publicity storm. I side with the people who support her, saying she’s not to blame for the ad. After all, she didn’t write it! She’s probably just a local non-union actress in Michigan who was excited about getting a paid commercial gig. It’s likely the job only made her a few hundred bucks.

I’ve blogged before about being willing to do stereotypical accents for a job and I still would. Because ultimately, I’m an actor and I work for hire.

Of course, there’s a line of appropriateness and taste that I won’t cross, but I’m guessing this actress didn’t think in a million years that those six lines would plaster her face would end up all over the Internet. I'm sure if she could go back in time, she'd refuse the job. But if she had done that, someone else would have done it instead. You can't blame actors for wanting to work.

Lawrence O’Donnell pretty much told the actress she should have been ashamed of herself, but I say back down off her. Don’t shoot the messenger.

AFI Audition Report

2012-02-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

With the sun shining brightly this morning, I drove across town to audition for an AFI film. Every year, I pay $25 to join the SAG Conservatory so I can be in the AFI casting database that film students use to cast their projects. I’ve only been called once or twice over the past eight years, but this was my second AFI audition since the new year. I’m on a roll!

Parking at AFI is tough – I drove all the way to the top of the hill before I found a spot. Then walked down the giant outdoor staircase to the middle of campus. Today’s audition was in the basement of the Warner Building, where I discovered something amazing.

Multiple bulletin boards featuring actor headshots! Probably from actors who came for an audition and decided to leave behind a souvenir in hopes a passing filmmaker will take interest.

Every student had a mailbox along the wall, and there were also boxes for specific projects. Several actors had distributed postcards or business cards to every box.

That kind of mass self-promotion can be a waste of money if you’re a specific type like me, but the bulletin board was intriguing. I even saw flyers and resumes from a few below-the-line talent like PAs and composers.

So even though it felt a little cheesy, I tacked one of my headshots up before leaving, along with some business cards for friends’ businesses I always try to promote, including Bubba’s Chop Shop and Castle’s Catering.

You never know, right?

Money Monday: Why I Love Suze Orman

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

There are a million self-proclaimed experts out there offering advice on personal finance. Suze Orman is one of the juggernauts for good reason. She’s whip smart, tells it like it is, and most importantly, she has street cred because she’s been at the bottom before – living paycheck to paycheck with big dreams and no financial security.

My favorite Suze story – early in life, she trusted a big name brokerage firm to handle her money and lost everything. Then she went to work for that big name brokerage firm – if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, she figured. While there, she realized that the agent who had lost all her money was a sketchy crook, so she sued the company she was working for! The company settled out of court, which is a win in my book.

If you’re a struggling artist who thinks Suze’s mainstream personal finance advice doesn’t apply to you, think again. She’s the perfect person to help you get your financial life into shape. She gets that people are emotional about money and that to achieve financial security and wealth, you need to look at your emotions first. And if there's anyone that understands the importance of being in touch with your emotions, it's actors.

Her biggest catchphrase – People first, then money, then things.

Notice how “things” is the lowest on the priority list? I discovered this first hand with my No Buy Resolution last year – I didn’t buy any things and life went on just fine. In my opinion, if you have financial security and feel you and your loved ones are well cared for, that’s wealth. Owning a big house, driving a fancy car, and dropping $590 on one sweater – that’s just stupid.

Bottom line, Suze Ormanis a smarty pants who can teach all of you a thing or two about handling your money. If you’re new to Suze, I suggest starting with the free weekly podcast of The Suze Orman Show. Start watching and you’ll not only learn something, you’ll be wildly entertained. (I love hearing her say, "DENIED!")

If you’re just starting out and looking for some nuts and bolts advice, I suggest reading her book The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke.Pick up a used paperback from Amazon for less than $5! Now that's smart...

Why No Follow Back Love?

2012-02-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

On this #FollowFriday, I have some ‘splaining to do about this –

I don’t follow people back on Twitter.

As of this writing, I have 246 followers on Twitter. I only follow 24. Mostly comedians, TV news feeds, and a handful of friends.

I’ve been called on this many times by other friends who I don’t follow or people who msg me specifically to ask for a follow back. I politely decline them all.

It’s not that I don’t love all of your or want to be involved in your virtual lives. The reason for my Twitter coldness traces back to my long-standing technophobia. (Or spendophobia, really.)

Despite the fact I went to a tech-focused university, I’ve always been a spendthrift when it comes to new technology. I never ride the wave – I wait for it to pass. When the world went crazy over palm pilots, I stuck with my imitation Franklin-Covey planner. When people were buying Gameboys and PSPs, I bought Sudoku books. It took me forever to finally give in and get a DVR. I was still using my VCR to record shows just three years ago.

And I don’t own a Smartphone. I’m still using the free phone I got when I switched to T-Mobile more than three years ago. Yes, I know I qualify for an upgrade and could probably get some sort of free Smartphone, but I’m not ready for the additional data cost yet and I don’t want to be locked into a 2-year contract. Plus I’m not ready to be one of those people whose faces are permanently planted in their phones.

So on my free phone, which doesn’t use apps, all Tweets come through as text messages. When I started on Twitter, I followed over 100 people. My phone buzzed non-stop all day. So I pared it down and started to be more selective in who I follow. I pare it down further all the time. Now my phone only buzzes every 10 minutes all day.

I’ll get a Smartphone someday and I’ll follow each and every one of you. But until then, this is how I manage my phone life. Please don’t hate me.

The Hump Day Update: A Fresh February Start

2012-02-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

Where did January go?

I shot something I wrote on Monday. Editing last night and this morning. Related to this blog post.

Watch for it next week!

Also working on a Web series for hire and my newest pilot idea. And my novel. And my graphic novel.

Uh oh, getting overwhelmed already. Time for a nap...

Acting Class: It’s Not Just for Beginners

2012-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

I went back to acting class last night. And boy, did I need it!

There is a popular industry opinion that actors should always be in class, no matter what level of success they’ve achieved. I’ve heard it from producers and casting directors alike – actors need to always be working on their craft and keeping their skills sharp.

I stopped taking acting class a few years ago – mostly for financial reasons, but also because I thought I didn’t need it. “I’m on a roll,” I thought. “I can fly on my own for a while.”

But now, after not having booked a role in months, I’m heading back into the classroom with the great Doug Warhit, an incredible teacher who helped transform my acting when I first arrived in LA. Back then, he helped me go from a Boston stage actor to booking TV roles in a matter of months.

My first impression being back in Doug’s acting class? I’m old! The class was mostly filled with 20-somethings who were all dressed like hipsters. Or maybe all 20-somethings are hipsters! Who knows…

Second impression? Super fun. Getting in front of the camera, working out a scene, finding my character’s inner life – the most enjoyable work I’ve ever had in my life.

Finally, I’ve missed acting. Most of my co-star TV auditions involve 3 or 4 lines at most. It’s been a while since I’ve tried breaking down a five-page scene. My technique was rusty, so I look forward to really transforming it over the next few weeks.

What do you love about acting class?

Money Monday: Watching the Flow

2012-01-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

Today, I let the flow charts do the talking.

Here are two videos with sound money advice. This one I happened to find on DailyCandy from Alexa von Tobel, founder of LearnVest.

Click to watch What Should You Do with an Extra $100?

I don't know anything about LearnVest, but her flow chart is pretty much in line with my favorite personal finance guru Suze Orman, so I like it.

The next flow chart comes from my second favorite finance guy, David Bach, author of The Automatic Millionaireand Smart Women Finish Rich. That's right, David, we do...

I agree with both videos - saving for the future comes BEFORE saving for that six-week acting intensive or new headshots or that trip to Bali. It's easy if you do it little by little, pay yourself first, and make it automatic.

Keep those money questions coming!

When the Lord Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window

2012-01-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

I had the Tweet all planned out too. A link to this video with a cryptic "This happened today."

Alas, not this time.

The call came yesterday – CBS has finished its pilot pickups for the year. My pilot was not picked up.

Not the outcome I was hoping for, but not completely unexpected. My show concept was pretty out of the box for CBS, which knows its niche better than any other network – crime procedurals. I had a solid chance if they decided to do something different, but if you look at the eight pilots CBS did pick up, they clearly went with shows that are in alignment with their brand.

And no, I can’t take my idea to another network of make it myself as a Web series. CBS owns it and will for a very long time. It’s over.

But really, it’s okay. This has been an amazing journey for me and I’m so, so grateful to have had an opportunity like this. I’ve learned so much about writing, about myself, and about collaborating with other people. I was wonderfully supported and guided through the entire process – I am so blessed. It was an experience I’ll always cherish and will always have in my history.

So now I look forward to what the next chapter holds in my artistic life. Staffing season, a new pilot script, a novel…perhaps a graphic novel as well? Who knows? The world is my oyster now.

Here I come.

And My SAG Award Vote Goes To...

2012-01-27T13:56:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot to vote for the SAG Awards. They used to send multi-page, hard-to-miss ballots in the mail, but now all I get to remind me of the deadline is this postcard.

And while I truly appreciate the eco-consciousness, it easily got lost in the shuffle of my desk. Thank goodness my SAG friends were tweeting about it this morning. The deadline was today at noon – I made it just under the wire!

I saw most of the nominated film performances thanks to screenings and screeners, but not having HBO or Showtime meant I was flying blind for most of the TV categories.

No matter – I felt more than confident in voting for my favorite cast ensembles. For film, my nod went to the cast of The Help.

Delicious performances that brought to life one of my favorite novels. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and authentic – and what a joy to see a female-dominant cast dominate at the box office! Plus any cast that includes Allison Janney is a winner to me.

For television, my favorite cast vote went to The Good Wife. I devour this show every week to see these skilled actors execute incredibly well-written material with style and sex appeal. Each episode is a study in power plays and subtext – I learn something as an actor every time I watch it.

But of course, voting for the SAG Awards is completely subjective because everyone’s voting for different reasons – popularity being a primary one, whether anyone wants to admit it. For example, I will be shocked if Betty White doesn’t win at least one of the awards she’s nominated for because people just love her. (I voted for Julie Bowen – sorry, Betty.)

Tune in to see who wins this Sunday night at 8pm ET/5 pm PT on TNT and TBS!

Tom McCarthy, Multi-Hyphenate Extraordinaire

2012-01-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

I absolutely loved Tom McCarthy's writing and directing debut The Station Agent, an indie film gem that caught me completely off guard and introduced me to the sexy, sensitive side of Peter Dinklage. (No, I’m not kidding – watch the movie.)

When I realized he was also an actor – known to me then as one of the teachers on Boston Public – my respect for him went up even further. Here was a guy who was booking series regular roles while making films that won awards at Sundance. Impressive.

So naturally I jumped at the chance to see Tom speak at a recent Writer’s Guild Foundation event, during which he discussed the evolution of his career as well as writing/directing his other award-nominated features The Visitor and Win Win. The evening was amazing! He exceeded my expectations ten fold, entertaining and educating with intelligence, class, and thoughtfulness.

When asked about juggling his multi-hyphenate status – actor/writer/director/producer – he deftly expressed how he didn’t see each title as a separate hat, but rather as parts of the overall creative process. While studying at Yale Drama, he was always involved in creating performance, whether it be rehearsing a play or writing sketch comedy or working backstage. He didn’t juggle his hats – he wore them all at the same time.

He encouraged us to do the same. "If you want to own a restaurant, you should try being a waiter for a while," he recommended. "If you’re a writer, try taking an acting class." Good thing I’m ahead of the curve there.

I loved what he said, especially given my recent observations about Sundance. It tells me I’m on the right track. I’m not writing and producing in addition to my acting to get ahead or exert more influence, I’m doing it because I’m expanding creatively. And learning more allows me to be more creative.

But you don’t have to take my word for it – check out the live recording of the entire evening with Tom McCarthy for just a $9.99 donation to the Writer’s Guild Foundation. Well worth it.

Actress, TV Writer...and Author?

2012-01-25T15:06:00.000-08:00

I’m writing a novel.

(I know, isn’t everybody?)

It emerged during my Relax & Write classes – a story about two generations of fiercely independent single mothers in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It has developed over the past two years in bits and pieces – a chapter here, a scene there – always in the background of my other writing.

But as I’m waiting to hear about my pilot, my mind drifts back to my two ladies in New England. On a recent trip to Costco, I wandered among the book aisles, picking up various debut novels and reading about their authors. Some were lifelong writers while others were former doctors or lawyers adding their first fiction novel to their long list of accomplishments.

And the romantic notion of seeing my name on the cover of a published book swept me back into my imagination. I went home and pulled out all my writing journals that contain all the bits and pieces of my novel and started typing them out. I’ve gotten through the first two journals and have over 25,600 words in my computer so far. Three more journals to go!

My goal is to get everything typed up and organized, then determine what else needs to be written to round out my first manuscript, if for no other reason than to say I finished it. Published authors like Marie Lu often complete several manuscripts before writing the one that gets sold. This could be my novel in the drawer before I write my bestseller! Then again, The Help was Kathryn Stockett’s first manuscript, so you never know.

As I’m typing, I’m simply enjoying living through these characters again – their strength, their pain, and their delicious quirks – all from my mind, and yet living on their own on the page. The most joyous typing exercise ever. I’m hoping to finish by Friday – after that, who knows?

What’s your favorite novel?

Payment ≠ Paycheck

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Guest Blog by Christopher Tillman

I found Teresa's recent blog post Five Things I'm Shocked Actor Still Do rather interesting. The day I read it, I realized I had just seen two actors doing number one (“Not Having Your Headshot Ready at an Audition”) the day before. And number four (“Refusing to Work for Free”) reminded me of some advice I received when I was just starting out -

You will never work a job without getting paid.

You will, however, on many occasions, work a job where you don't get paid money.

There are many ways to look at getting payment for an acting job. Contacts, experience, credit. Number three on Teresa's list reminds actors they must have a demo reel. How do you get one? Work jobs for free.

When I first got serious about acting. my first three steps were headshot, resume and demo reel. The first two were easy. The last one came from a year of auditioning for and working student films. Great experience and gave my some good film to put together a reel.

(Side note: USC and Chapman University have the best films schools for working on student projects in my opinion.)

The other advice I got – treat your payment like it is a paycheck. If you are doing a project in exchange for the footage, don't let six months go by before you start asking for the tape. If a paycheck was six months late, you wouldn't just let that go. Make sure you have an agreement in place as to when you will receive your tape before you leave set. If you are working for contacts, make sure you make a good impression and exchange contact info before you leave set. If you are working for experience, then put down your iPhone between shots and pay attention!

Perhaps you are beyond the “working for something other than a paycheck” part of your career. Time to put that advice in the closet, right? Wrong. This is advice you will always need to think about. Always think beyond the paycheck as to what you are getting paid. What else is a job getting you? Range, opportunity, contacts? If the only reason you are doing something is for the money, maybe you should rethink the project. Doing things just for the money is how movies like The Smurfs get made.

Fantastic advice! Thanks Christopher!
Christopher Tillman is an actor, writer, and producer. Follow him on Twitter at @christophertill

Money Monday: DIY Receipt File

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Last week, I mentioned that I’m meticulous in saving and organizing my acting & writing-related receipts for tax purposes. Forgot to mention that I’m also eco-conscious about it!

Here’s my step-by-step guide to how to make an upcycled receipt file:

1. Start with eight (8) reply envelopes saved from junk mail.

2.Lick and tuck the flap inside each envelope, making eight open pockets.

3.Take four (4) envelopes and line up the openings on the right side, staggering them evenly. Secure the stack with two staples as shown below. Repeat with the other four envelopes.

4.Write the categories on each envelope as shown below.

5. And you're done! I keep my receipt files along with any full page receipts in a large, clear plastic envelope.

Ta-da! Tidy and ready for tax time next year!

Next week on Money Monday, I'll go over allowable and non-allowable tax deductions for actors...

Remember When Mailing a Letter Cost a Quarter?

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

The US Postal Service is raising some of their First-Class rates today. Here’s what you’ll pay going forward:

Letters: 45 cents -- For thank you cards to casting directors and query letters to literary agents. If you invested in Forever stamps, you’re golden.
Postcards: 32 cents -- A 3-cent increase! For announcing TV/film appearances to casting directors or family members.
Headshots: $1.08 -- Rate unchanged. Those mailings to those agent or manager you want aren't getting more expensive. Phew!

Complain if you want, but I still think it's pretty amazing that you can put a little sticker on an envelope and someone will deliver it across town or across the country for you. Talk about letting my money work for me!

Read more about this latest postal increase here.

Super Audition Tips for the Super Prepared

2012-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

You got an audition! You’ve watched an episode of the show, you have your sides, and your drive-on to the lot is all set.

What else should you be doing between now and then? Here are just a few of the nerdy actor things I do to be super prepared for every audition:

Download All Available Sides – I only print out mine, but I’ll download and read everything I can. By reading sides for the other roles, I can piece together more of what the whole script is about, giving me added context for my audition.

Once when auditioning for a nail salon owner, reading the other sides helped me figure out that I was actually an accomplice to the killer! They told me this when I arrived at the audition, but knowing in advance helped me properly prepare the character’s duplicity.
Research the Casting Director – I check my casting directors binder first, which includes notes from CD workshops I’ve attended and interviews I found on Backstage or other publications. I also search Google for more interviews or videos in which they mention what they expect from actors, how they run their sessions, or pet peeves.

If nothing else, it helps to see what the casting director look like so you’re not thrown off your game when you see them. (Especially in those cases where the casting director is heart-stoppingly gorgeous – that has happened to me!)
Google Street View the Audition Location – I don’t have a GPS or a Smartphone, so I rock it old school with my Thomas Guide.Checking what the front of the building looks and noting neighboring landmarks helps ensure I won’t get lost and be late, especially when the entrance or building numbers are hidden from the street.

I also use the Aerial View to check out potential parking spots and places where I can run errands nearby.

Waiting Room Doppelgangers

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I walk into a casting office, I find a waiting room filled with actors of all shapes and sizes. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see rooms like that, because it tells me that the casting director isn’t locked into a specific idea for the role. Everyone has an equal shot. All I need to worry about is being my authentic, unique self and giving a good performance. My individuality as a naturally nerdy professional is on my side.

Then there are other times when I walk into a waiting room and find twenty women who look just like me. This happened at an audition this week. Not only were they all 30-something, Asian-American females, but they were exactly my type – professional, intelligent doctor-types. Several were wearing nearly the same business casual ensemble I was wearing. Yipes.

This always makes me more nervous, because my individuality feels smoothed over and smothered. The sight naturally begs the question, “How will I possibly stand out in this sea of smart-sounding Asian women?”

My old tendency was to panic – throw out all my preparation in favor of a rushed new attempt to be “different” from the crowd, which usually just resulted in a bad audition. Because I can’t be in the moment if I’m in my head.

So instead, I’ve learned to take a deep breath and un-see the room, block out all the mirror images of myself walking around, and concentrate on what I came there to do. I can’t control who will stick out in a casting director’s mind. All I can control is my performance.

Doppelgangers be damned!

My Fifth Finish Line

2012-01-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

It’s true what they say – having written feels so much better than writing.

After turning in the latest revision of my pilot yesterday, I spent a glorious day off running errands – oil change, post office, Costco run – all enjoyed with delicious ease and peace of mind as I reflected on my latest accomplishment – having written my fifth pilot script since starting my solo writing career. Five agonizing periods of beating out story, reworking characters, and rewriting, rewriting, rewriting that felt like hell while doing it but feel amazing now.

So many times I almost gave up – contemplated giving in to my left-brain, staying in Internet marketing, generally listening to my inner critic. But I didn’t give up. Writing can be difficult, uncomfortable work and even though I procrastinated plenty, I pushed through plenty of awful days and nights too.

And I’m so glad I did, because now I can say I have written five television pilots. And that feels pretty damned good.

(Of course, another writer I know told me he wrote nine TV scripts last year! Let’s see if I can even get close to that this year...)

The Art of Writing

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

In writing, there are painters and there are sculptors.

I’ve known many painters. They stare at the blank page while forming the perfect line in their mind’s eye. They take their time – painting is meticulous work. And when the line goes onto the page, the words are well-constructed and elegant. A finished product.

I am a writing sculptor. I start with a loose idea of what each line should look like, then slap down a lump of clay and just get started. I form one side loosely, moving on to other parts, knowing I’ll come back and refine what I just did. I allow for the finished product to reveal itself as I work from all angles, slowly but surely.

I’ve learned that writing painters don’t often understand my sculpting methods, so when I’m in a room brainstorming with them, I’ll often manage the their expectations by disclaiming my suggestions with statements like, “Bad version….” or “This isn’t the line, but something like this…” Otherwise I know they look at me and think, “That’s a terrible line – she must know that, right?”

And I’m learning to be patient when I’m working with writing painters, who stare into space while forming brush strokes in their mind, waving away my suggestions with a simple, “No, that’s not it.” They simply can’t start painting until they know the words – it’s just how they work.

So consider your own style before asking for feedback from or writing with another writer, who may have a completely different style of their own. Artistic collaboration is built on a mutual understanding of methods. Finding and understanding those methods now will likely save you heartache and hurt feelings later.

Are you a writing painter or a writing sculptor?

Money Monday: Taxes for the Artist, Part 1

2012-01-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Question from a reader!

When filing taxes, do you use an entertainment accountant? Also, any tips on taxes or saving money would be great. Love the blog, discovered it recently. – From an actor/ professional drink slinger

Thanks for your question, actor/drink slinger! I don’t use an entertainment accountant, though I know many actors in Los Angeles who swear by Chuck Sloan & Associates. I prepare my tax information meticulously in advance, so I feel comfortable going to H&R Block or any walk-in tax prep shop to do the actual filing.

As for tax tips, my biggest one is save those receipts! I deduct everything I can that’s related to my acting and writing career and I organize my receipts like an extreme couponer. Keeping track of my deductions throughout the year helps me maximize my refund.

I itemize my deductions using Form 1040 - Schedule C - Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship). Because yes, my expenses add up to more than the standard deduction, which for 2012 is $5,950 for single taxpayers and married taxpayers filing separately, $11,900 for married taxpayers filing jointly, and $8,700 for taxpayers filing as head of household.

If you’ve never done a Schedule C, don’t assume you don’t have enough expenses that add up to more than the standard deduction. Keep track of your receipts for a year and see for yourself!

Tune in next Money Monday, when I'll explain my absolutely no-cost receipt tracking system. And keep those Money Monday questions coming!

A Fortunate Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T18:59:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, the message from the universe is loud and clear:

Three in a row, thank you very much. (I know, my camera phone sucks.) Happy Friday!

Organizing a Thousand Story Ideas

2012-01-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

I already loved Orson Scott Card for writing Ender's Game,
a sci-fi novel that I absolutely adore. Then I found this quote from him:

“Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.”
-- Orson Scott Card

I find story ideas everywhere, most notably in my dreams. I keep several notepads in my nightstand for receiving my barely awake scribbles. Looking at them again once I’m lucid is always a trip. " 'Sharon Stone elephant angel race' - What could I have possibly meant by that?"

I’ll write notes on the back of receipts in my bag, scrawl thoughts in my day planner, or beat out ideas in the margins of the script I’m supposed to be working on. I considered hanging a bulletin board in my room and tacking up all these scraps, but they started to grow exponentially in numbers and I realized the sight of them on the board would overwhelm more than it would inspire.

So how do I organize them all?

I store them into my computer. I have different Word files for each writing medium – TV, film, short film, short story, etc. Each file starts with a one-column table. I type one idea into each row, often with additional thoughts that came out while typing.

I prefer writing by hand when it comes to the initial brainstorm phase, but there’s something about putting all my thoughts in the same font in one document that allows me to look at them all with fresh judgment the next time I go looking for an idea.

How do you organize your writing brainstorming?