(un)discovered alison

Rant

2011-11-29T11:06:00.000-06:00

I don't indulge in rants very often so I'm entitled to this one now.

Lately I've had a few newbie actors ask me for advice in getting started. Some have been wise and taken it (not that I know everything but, hey, I've been around the block) while others have chosen to ignore it. I've heard every excuse "I'm not interested in taking classes, I don't need to get a professional headshot, I can get auditions with no experience and no agent, I don't want to do theater, just film".

Well, good luck with all that. Yes, I am working now. NOW, after eight long years of paying my dues, of keeping my arse in class, taking workshops, working on my career on a daily basis, challenging myself in every possible way, taking care of the business side and busting my butt constantly. Riding the highs and lows and everything in between, I'm finally booking work, FINALLY.

But if you think you can take short cuts, don't need to work on your craft, are above theater and are going to be the next big thing, GOOD LUCK. Let me know how that works out because you will officially be the first to accomplish it.

For the rest of you, thanks for listening and appreciating that this is a damn hard thing to do. And the only way to do it is through hard work and putting in the time. Lots and lots of time.

End of rant.

Thanks for allowing me the indulgence and keep on keeping on.

Class is for Growth

2011-11-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

I started back to acting class last night and it's about high time. My goals this time around are to figure out what I'm doing wrong, what I can do better and learn from watching others. My first night was humbling but good. There are some great actors in there to learn from.

Even though I've been auditioning and getting call backs for more of the "good stuff" (i.e. NOT commercials), I haven't been booking yet. It's time to figure out what I need to be doing to stand out and add in those elements my acting that will set me apart and get me the part.

As I said, my first night was humbling. I did a scene that I had done previously for my demo reel. The director directed it "big" so that I could get some good emotional pops for my reel. Unfortunately, that didn't carry over well into class last night and I got some good feedback on it being too far over the top. With some tweaks and suggestions from my coach, the second performance was MUCH better. I walked away feeling a little defeated but thankful for the feedback. One of the things I've always struggled with is criticism, constructive or otherwise.

Then my coach said some magical words that made it all better...Class is for growth, not to perform.

Wow, so simple yet so profound. Class is a safe place to try things out, an opportunity to get feedback that you wouldn't otherwise get after an audition, a place to grow and learn and challenge yourself. But not a place to perform.

As actors, we feel like we always have to be on and can't make mistakes. Life is a performance. Acting for growth is a difficult concept to accept yet so magical when you do.

I wrote those words in big letters across the top of my notebook and will be referring back to them many, many times. Class is for growth and I'm ready to grow.

Keep on keeping on.

Faith and Adversity

2011-10-10T12:20:00.000-05:00

My faith journey and acting journey have been closely intertwined. My life hasn't always been easy and beautiful. Partly due to my upbringing and partly due to bad decisions, I had some pretty rough years. Healing and personal growth have been my focus for the past several years. Every aspect of my life has not only improved but has been better than anything I could've ever dreamed.

In yesterday's sermon, our pastor posed this question "If God asked you today if there was one thing He could change in your past or present circumstances, what would it be?". I thought about it for a few minutes but couldn't come up with one thing. Every single experience in my life has lead to where I am today. I wouldn't change any, good or bad.

It's much the same with acting. The bad auditions, being re-cast, feeling like I had no one on my side, seeing others get the job when I just knew I was better, the battle to feel like I was good enough when I had not one tangible sign of it, all of it lead me to where I am now - in a season of success and blessing. In a place where all of the hard work feels like it's finally paying off.

I wouldn't change any of the adversity in my life, it drew me closer to God and knowing His will for me. It gave me character and strength. Most importantly it strengthened my faith. I pray differently now, instead of asking God to deliver me from my circumstances, I ask to teach me the lessons I need the most. I ask for the experiences in my life that are not easy, but will help me grow.

Seasons of success are incredible. But seasons of adversity, in the long run, can lead to things that are even better.

Keep on keeping on.

WHAT A WEEK!

2011-09-30T13:27:00.000-05:00

Since last Friday I...

had a callback for a feature film,
had an audition for a recurring role on a network series,
worked a print job,
had an audition for another feature film,
had a callback for a national commercial,
and...booked my first national commercial!

Tomorrow I'm auditing a film acting workshop. Sunday I have a fitting for next week's commercial. Then on Tuesday, I'm shooting a scene for my reel and Wednesday is the commercial shoot.

Holy cow! I'm in acting heaven. :)

At the beginning of this year, I committed myself 100% to reaching some milestones this year - one of them to become SAG eligible by booking a national commercial. None of this happened by accident. I came up with a plan and worked my tail off. Of course, God brought me the opportunities and learning experiences but I had to have the game plan to be ready and make it happen.

Do the work, pray a lot, keep the faith and it WILL happen. This week, I'm proof.

It. Happened.

2011-09-28T12:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found out I was one of the first choices for a SAG national commercial and today...I booked it!

I'm so overwhelmed with emotion right now - from elation to disbelief to crying and back again. Maybe that sounds silly but I've waited SO long for this and have been second choice so many times, six this year already!

This one is mine. I'll finally be SAG eligible and in a big, fat, GREAT way.

To God be the glory. I'm beyond blessed and humbled.

Keep on keeping on.

Updates, Updates, Updates

2011-09-24T12:01:00.001-05:00

It was a weird week in the acting world. Although I don't know what would constitute a normal one. I had three SAG auditions in four days, followed by a non-union commercial audition. Four auditions in a week, not too shabby. Three went great, the other, not so much.

The first was for the out-of-state feature film that I blogged about earlier in the week. I was really curious all week about this one. Did the girl I carpooled with get it? Did another woman at our agency that books everything get it? Was it the other, younger girl? Well, we may not know who exactly got it for awhile but I do know it wasn't me or the other two women at my agency. Our agent e-mailed us yesterday to let us know that it had been cast and no one with our agency got any of the roles. Bummer. Oh well, it was nice that she gave us some closure, which is rare.

I had a SAG commercial audition last Saturday that shot on Thursday. I was asked to be an extra for that one but declined. The money would've been nice but I have to pick and choose my extra jobs due to taking time off from my pesky day job. It sort of pays the bills.

On Monday, I had a SAG national commercial audition. I have a callback for that one next Monday, yippee! That brings me to 27 auditions, 10 bookings and 10 callbacks for the year. I like watching those numbers grow every year that I'm at this. I'd really love to book this one and think I'm a great fit, just sayin'. My goal is to get SAG-e this year. The time is dwindling down but my auditions have been pretty consistent. One of these just HAS to be the one.

And now for the fourth audition, well I bombed that one. It was an open audition, meaning we had to audition in the front of the room while all of the other actresses (the competition) watched. I'm really comfortable auditioning in front of just about anyone...except my peers. It always rattles me a little more than I'd like. Not to mention that my scene partner and I had no chemistry whatsoever and it was all improvisation. Disaster. No need to worry about a callback on that one. Moving on.

So I'm hoping this consistent auditioning streak continues. If for no other reason, the law of odds in on my side.

Keep on keeping on!

Film Callback

2011-09-19T10:59:00.000-05:00

I had my first ever callback for a SAG feature film on Friday. It was out of state so I carpooled with another actress with my agency who was called back for the same role. Awkward? Sort of, but I viewed it as an opportunity to get to know an experienced actress a little better. Not to mention, we both saved some gas money. :)

She drove and we chatted on the three-hour drive and got to know each other a little better. We had met before in a casting director's workshop earlier this year. She was the reader in the workshop and I was a student. At the time, she was starring in a critically acclaimed stage production in L.A. that the workshop director had written and produced. I already admired her work.

Neither of us discussed the part we were auditioning for but we exchanged stories about our backgrounds, how we got started and I, of course, asked her many questions about her experiences in La-la land. Once we got there, we discovered only four women had been called back to read for the role. I felt super-honored to be included in that foursome.

I went in before her and read four scenes for the film's director and casting director from L.A.. They both gave me great feedback after each scene. I felt totally relaxed and comfortable for the first time in any audition. I was connected, in the moment and fully present. That alone was a major accomplishment. I walked out feeling pretty good.

My friend went in next. About mid-way through her reading, I heard applause. When she walked out she gave me a thumbs-up sign and we signed out and left. Once outside, she asked how I felt about it and I told her that it went as well as it could have. She asked if the director applauded when I was done. I told her no and she started laughing and told me that he did in hers. It was an off-hand remark, no harm intended, and we both started laughing. I congratulated her on an applause-worthy audition.

On the way back, we discussed our insecurities as actors. I was surprised to learn that she plays the same head games with herself that I struggle with on an almost daily basis. We agreed that the psychological game is sometimes the hardest thing to overcome. I told her that I honestly hoped that she would get the part if I didn't (which she probably will anyway). And I meant it.

Overall it was a great experience and I wouldn't have changed anything if I could have. It's another milestone for me. A feature film and only one of four called back. I'm ecstatic for that alone. But it was about more than that, I gained some valuable insights and learned that even though we compete for roles, it doesn't have to be ugly. Will I be disappointed that I didn't get it? Of course. But if it goes to a worthy opponent, then so be it.

I'm moving on up.

I'm Back...for Today

2011-09-15T15:14:00.001-05:00

It sounds so cliche but I'm gonna say it anyway...I haven't been posting because I've been just too darn busy! Aren't we all? Well I feel like I should get some kind of special busy-ness award for working my full-time job, being a mom to three crazy busy kids and still chasing my passion when I can. Can I, please?

So, what's been up? A lot and not much, really. As for the acting world, auditions slowed down the past few weeks. I was second choice again for yet another commercial. I would've posted about that but really, there's nothing more to say about it. It's progress, it happens and whatever. No need to be redundant.

Things were pretty quiet up until Tuesday when I got a call that I booked a print job for a client that I've worked with in the past. Yippee! I like repeat bookings, I know what to expect and the client is usually happy with what I've done for them before. I mean, why would they book me again if they weren't?

Then, out of the blue, God handed me another little gift to help me keep on keeping on - a callback for a feature film audition that I went to over a month ago! I had long ago ditched the script and given up any hope of getting a callback. It's a blessing and I'm honestly just really thrilled to be included in the callback with some amazingly talented actresses. The callback is out of state so I'll be taking tomorrow afternoon off to travel for it.

This weekend I'll be performing in a murder mystery. My daughters and husband are coming so I'm really excited about it. The girls have never gotten to participate in an actual show, only watch rehearsals, so it will be a special night!

That's all I got for now. And remember to keep on keeping on.

If You Don't Love It, Don't Do It.

2011-08-22T08:26:00.000-05:00

My 15 year-old son has some God-given gifts. He's very athletic, a fast runner and builds muscle easily. Gifts most teenage boys would embrace. Gifts that could open a lot of doors in life. Gifts that are perfect for football.

His dad went to a Division I college on a football scholarship. He was a stand-out running back through high school and set some college records that still stand today.

My son is back-up running back on the JV football team. Not the first JV team full of the best athletes, but the second JV team. He goes to a large 4A school in Texas. Competition is fierce for everything, but especially for football. He's faster than the starting running backs on all of the teams, he's bigger, he's stronger. He should be starting, but he's not.

Why? Because he doesn't like football.

I've been denying it for years but I always suspected it. My dreams for his future included a football scholarship. His dreams are to attend the Naval Academy and become a SEAL. He's never liked sports, even when he excelled at them at a younger age. It's never been more obvious than this year. When he's on the field, his apathy shows. His gifts go unused. The passion isn't there. Others want it more.

Slowly I'm coming to accept this but it's hard. I mean really, really hard. But, I would never push him to do something he doesn't love. You have to be "all in", especially for something requiring such a commitment. If your talents don't match your desire, then you need to channel them differently.

His athletic ability will serve him well in his chosen field, I don't doubt that. He will be unstoppable when he finds that one thing that he's passionate about. His talents will not be wasted.

Why am I writing this on my acting blog? Well, for one, because it's cathartic but it's not all for my own selfish reasons. If you're acting (or doing anything) and don't know why, then question it. Is it because someone told you that you had talent and you should be? Or is it because you truly love it and are passionate about it? Are you "all in"? Acting arguably requires as much (if not more) mental toughness, training and tenacity as any competitive sport. It's a tough go and if you aren't doing it for the right reasons, then maybe it's time to stop and re-evaluate.

Do it because you love it.

As for my son, I'm backing off and giving up on my dream so that he can live his.

The Little Things

2011-08-18T15:38:00.000-05:00

Last week my mother-in-law was in town. We took a trip downtown to do some sightseeing which coincided with an audition that I had that afternoon. She was much more excited to get to tag along to an audition than see any of the sights in downtown Dallas!

She sat outside and waited as I did a "couples" commercial audition for a restaurant chain. She was fascinated by all of the actors coming through and the process of it all. Living in rural Pennsylvania, she had never experienced anything quite like that and so enjoyed a glimpse into the day to day of being an actress.

Seeing the audition process anew through her eyes really makes me appreciate what I do all over again. It's so easy to get bogged down at times but as Steven Pressfield writes in "War of Art", it's better to be in the arena getting stomped by the bull than to be in the stands watching...or worse yet, in the parking lot. I love the arena, it's sights and sounds. Sometimes, when I'm in there with the bull, I get the horns. But once in a while, I hear an "ole" and know that I'm right where I've always wanted to be.

I have a callback from that audition this weekend - and I plan to take the bull by the horns and enjoy my time in the arena.

Keep on keeping on.

Progress

2011-08-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

Progress is nice, no matter what form it comes in. The past two days, I noticed a little something while waiting for auditions. I was surrounded by the in-crowd - my market's A-listers that are booking like crazy and are seriously incredible actors.

It feels good to be there. It's progress. Just like being second choice over and over again is. Maybe there aren't tangible benefits but the confidence boost is amazing. And that's part of what it takes to get to the next level.

It's been a nice couple of days. I hope the old adage is true - you're as good as those you're surrounded by.

Keep on keeping on.

And Then There Were Two

2011-08-03T13:08:00.000-05:00

Hi, my name is Alison and I am #2. Uh, wait, that doesn't sound good.

Hi, my name is Alison and I am second. Yes, that's better.

So I just got back from a three hour (!) callback. It was an elimination round, so to speak, with the last couple standing presumably booking the spot. We started out with 7 girls and 5 guys and ended up with two of each. Two couples, of which I was one half of one. After seeing so many others get cut, it was nice to be one of the last two standing. Yet nervewracking at the same time.

Three hours of auditioning, different direction each time, down to me and another woman. Polar opposites. She's shorter, I'm taller, she has light hair, I have dark hair, she's got a very comedic look, I have a very commercial look. Well, it's that last one that I think decided it for them.

My last time I auditioned, I was asked to make it as over-the-top comedic as possible. I was given one shot, I tried my best but I don't think it was enough. They called her back in for a third time, then released all four of us.

Final two. I am second. If you're not first, you're last.

But I least I got to be second once again and that felt pretty good for today. On to my next audition this afternoon and to prepare for a film audition tomorrow. Yes, a film audition, oh happy day!

Keep on keeping on.

Callback Rule #1

2011-08-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

Well, hello blog peeps! This Wednesday I have a commercial callback from an audition that I had before vacation. And I've been deliberating something since finding out. The casting specs asked for a perky, cute woman to play the part of the wife. I'm many things but perky ain't one of them. So, I was sort of surprised to get the callback.

They called back seven women, three from my agency - me and two VERY perky other women. Hmm. Immediately I started questioning everything about my audition from what I wore to how I came across. And yes, deliberating whether or not I should change everything about what I did the first time around.

NOOOOOOOOO!

Callback Rule #1 - Do what you did the first time. They liked it or they wouldn't be seeing you again. Fight the urge to be like the others getting called back. Be yourself. At the end of the day, you can only be you. Everyone else is taken.

Maybe they will change directions and go with something else, maybe that something else will be me. Or maybe they will stick with perky. Who knows. What I do know is that I'm not changing a thing. And if they really want perky from me, they might ask for that. I can fake it.

I am an actor after all. :)

Lazy

2011-07-28T08:47:00.000-05:00

OK, so I've been a lazy blogger of late. Summer will do that to you. First things first, vacation was so nice, being at the beach always brings clarity and perspective to my life and pursuits. It recharges me and gets me ready to dive back in.

So, I rocked an audition yesterday for a show host! The whole conversational spokes thing is always a challenge for me but I'm finally getting better at it. Keeping my fingers crossed for a callback.

Also, I got a callback for a commercial audition that I had before vacation. It will be held next week. They are casting a "couple", there are seven women and five men being called back. The client is going to pair us up and see what works. I hate these types of callbacks. If you get cut early, you know that you didn't get it. Although, it's nice to know how many people are going to be at a callback - and this is a relatively small number. It seems the past few years that callbacks have been getting bigger and bigger. They used to only be handful of people and you felt like you really had a chance.

I stopped by my agent's office yesterday and was told that they are having all talent sign a Social Agreement. Basically it's a confidentiality statement that we agree not to reveal any specifics of auditions, go-sees or anything that we may book on Facebook, Twitter, blogs (!), etc. I've been pretty good about keeping vague but I guess I need to be even more careful.

Well that's it for today from this lazy blogger. I'll be performing in a show tonight in downtown Dallas with my actors' company, so I'll be running lines the rest of the day, woo hoo! Hope you're having a stupendous week.

Keep on keeping on.

Today Was a Good Day

2011-07-14T16:44:00.000-05:00

As Ice Cube would say, it was a good day. OK, 90's rap song reference aside, it was a pretty decent day in the life of an actress.

This morning, I was booked for a half day spokes job for an industrial shoot. The script was all on teleprompter but we shot five very wordy videos. Somehow we knocked all of them out in ONE HOUR! The client told me that it normally takes at least four hours. He was very impressed and complimentary and told me that he wants to use me on an on-going basis. Woo hoo! Even though I hate to admit it, spokes work is my sweet spot. I need to quit fighting it and just embrace my strengths.

From there, I raced off to a commerical audition for a national pizza chain. It is a super fun spot and my audition partner and I worked great together. We got to pull out our improv skills and have a blast and I'm sure it showed. Fingers crossed for a callback on that one!

And now I'm ready for a much needed vacation starting tomorrow morning - eight glorious days on the beach. My beach read will be Michael Caine's "Acting in Film" and I'll share some of what I learn when I get back.

In the meantime...keep on keeping on.

Why I Love My Day Job

2011-07-14T07:26:00.001-05:00

For over 12 years I've felt like the square peg in the round hole of corporate America. My career in telecom has definitely had its ups and downs . The first few years, I tried my hardest to fit in and get ahead but something never felt quite right. When I started taking acting classes, I finally discovered why. I just didn't belong there.

From that moment on, my day job lost a part of me. The part that cared about fitting in and getting ahead. My emotional energy was invested somewhere else. Don't get me wrong, I've always done well in my corporate job, my pride won't allow me to be an underperformer. But now I'm satisfied to "blend in" a little more and just do what I need to do.

But, for what it's worth, I've learned and benefitted a lot from my job experience. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon, unless they ask me to or I book the most fabulous steady acting job that requires me to.

On the occasional days that I do get the day job blues, I remind myself of all that it's taught me and allows me to do.

1. I get to work from home. - This is quite possibly the BEST perk of all. After being with the company for 12 years, I have the flexibility and have earned the trust to work from my home office. This is an incredible privilege and for that fact, I respect it. Sure, I run out to auditions, but for the most part, they are easily accommodated by a flexible lunch hour. Because I'm not working in a traditional office, I have the advantage of working very early in the morning or late in the evening if I ever need to make up any time.

2. It pays well. - The square peg (creative type) has discovered a niche in the round hole (engineering) that satisfies the analytical side of my brain and pays the bills. Engineer and actress don't normally get mentioned in the same sentence, except when I'm meeting new people and telling them what I do!

3. I've learned what "healthy" work environments look like. - Let's face it, the entertainment industry isn't exactly the poster child for a healthy work environment. I've seen directors cuss out actors on set, agents send demeaning e-mails to their talent, casting directors treat us like dirt beneath their feet. I have no tolerance for any of that because it doesn't happen in my day job. I've never been treated with anything less than the utmost respect by my management and peers. And that's the way it should be. Period.

So while it would be nice to be living the life of a working actress and not worrying about where my next job is coming from, I'm perfectly satisfied to be living the life of a "working as an engineer" actress and knowing I have a paycheck every two weeks. I still get to scratch my itch as a performer and progress in my acting career. But there's a lot less risk involved.

Next time you start hating your day job, count your blessings for what it allows you to do. I do every day.

Moving On

2011-07-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

Last week was a rough week, I counted all of the things going wrong instead of all of the things going right. And that's always a dangerous game. It never leads anywhere good. No matter how much progress we've made, it's so easy to forget all about it as soon as we hit a rough spot.

Over the weekend, I pulled out my "progress sheet". It's a timeline that I've kept for the past five years highlighting all of my acting accomplishments. I'm a very visual person and having something like this in front of me to prove how far I've come is a very powerful tool to get out of the acting doldrums.

It chronicles everything from signing with my first agent to getting my first IMDB credit to getting my first network series audition. It's really cool to see a clear line of progress. Yes, there have been dry spells and steps backward but overall it's forward progress and that's a very good thing.

So what about you? What do you do when the acting doldrums strike? Why not start your own timeline now. Think back over your accomplishments, large and small or simply start where you are and jot them down.

And when in doubt, take the next logical step forward by faith. Ask yourself what is next, your inner guide will let you know. I'm ready for my next breakthrough, bring it on!

Ginormous Funk

2011-07-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

I'm in a ginormous funk this week and I'm not quite sure why. Well, I am kind of sure why, actually.

Maybe it's because three of my friends became SAG-e this week and I'm still waiting. Maybe it's because I never heard back from the agent I submitted with in another city that was supposed to be a "sure thing". Maybe it's because I didn't get selected to audition for the SAG feature this week that I was submitted on. Maybe it's because a lot of my friends got auditions for an upcoming network series and I didn't. Maybe it's because I was really on a roll this spring just to have everything come to a screeching halt.

I don't know what's going on right now but I feel like I'm swimming upstream every day. Things just aren't flowing. When this happens, I question my path. There's only so much you can put out without anything coming back in. I need a win. I don't ask for one often, but I really need one to keep going right now.

And I need to find a way to take my own advice and keep on keeping on.

Want More Fans and Followers? Check This Out!

2011-07-07T09:15:00.002-05:00

Do you have your own Facebook fan page? Would you like to reach more fans, network with others in the industry or just shamelessly promote yourself?

I've created a page called Actor Fan Page Likes on Facebook so we can like each other's pages and make new friends. It exists solely for the promotion of performers. I get nothing from it...except more work. Which I don't mind, because I love ya'll so much!

The rules are really, really simple.

1. Like Actor Fan Page Likes on FB.
2. Post a link on the wall to your Fan Page, Twitter account, web site, whatever you want to promote.
3. ALWAYS like back everyone who likes you.

That's it! Easy peasy.

Quitter

2011-07-05T15:51:00.000-05:00

Have you ever "quit" acting? I have. Many times, actually. The thing is, I'm usually the only one who knows that I quit.

To me, quitting is getting to the point where I've put so much out (and very little has come back in) that I have to pull all of my energy back. In my mind, I entertain the thought of not putting myself back out there again. Ever. In my heart, I know better.

Sometimes all I need is a break, some time to collect my thoughts and realize why I do this. Then I pick myself back up and take a few small steps to putting myself back out there again.

Acting is sort of like an abusive relationship, I just keep going back for more and more. I leave it for a short while, swearing to never go back, but somehow I get drawn back in. Except unlike an abusive relationship, I make progress each time I go back and have a breakthrough or two that pushes me forward in my craft and career.

Quitting is a good thing for me. Even if it's only for a week or so. Sometimes it's exactly what I need to realize how awful life would be if I ever really did give up.

Keep on keeping on.

Film "Learnings" from an Amateur

2011-06-29T14:16:00.001-05:00

Yes, I’m aware that “learnings” is not even a word. But if teachings can be, then why not learnings?

Anyway…even though I’ve done quite a few commercials and industrials, you won’t find many film credits on my resume yet. I’m working on that and actually just wrapped on my first real production of any note just two weeks ago.

Needless to say, although I’m going to say it, film is a completely different animal. Being on other sets prepares you a bit but there were quite a few surprises in store for me on my first real film shoot.

Here are a few of the “learnings” that I picked up:

You will get no rehearsal and even if you do, it’s for the camera people and director, not necessarily for your performance. - If you want a rehearsal beforehand, don’t be afraid to ask your cast mates. Most of them will be happy to run through it with you.

Your scenes may or may not be shot with a real live human. – In several scenes, the other actor wasn’t there. I had to really create in my mind what was going on in the scene, hear his voice, see his reactions and deliver my lines. This was probably my biggest struggle of the entire shoot.

What looks best on camera may not look or feel at all natural in real life. – At one point I had a choke hold on my co-star while my (clothed) boob was squished awkwardly by a chair for take after take of a close up shot. At first I was a little rattled by the discomfort but had to push it out of my mind in order to do exactly what the director wanted. I’m sure the shot will be beautiful, even if it did hurt and look weird at the time.

Be prepared for ANYTHING - The way you rehearsed it in your mind, and what the director asked for in your audition and callback, may end up being shot completely differently. I had an intense fight scene in this film, which I got cast mostly because I conjured the emotion for it. When it came time to shoot the actual scene, the director did a 180 and asked us to make it an intimate moment. Wow, that was a curve ball. I was able to adjust on the fly but it felt awkward.

Just because your call time is at a certain time doesn’t mean you’ll be acting anytime near it. – In commercials, I’m usually on set and ready to start within 1.5 to two hours of my call time. In film, it’s much different, there’s a lot of hurry up and wait. One of our cast members had a call time at 8:00 p.m., his scene didn’t start shooting until 3:00 a.m. Commercials and smaller productions work on tight schedules and budgets, the sooner they can get it in the can, the better. Films don’t operate this way. Be prepared to wait, a lot.

Now that I’ve got this one under my belt, I’ll definitely be more prepared next time around. Here’s to more film bookings!

Well, Hello Nerves!

2011-06-29T13:09:00.000-05:00

The curse has ended, I FINALLY had an audition today. It was my first in, uh, 47 days. Which is officially one of my longest dry spells ever.

Up to this point, I've been auditioning consistently around three times a week with very few breaks. Which naturally kept my bookings pretty consistent too. Thankfully the dry spell hasn't completely wrecked havoc on my bookings as I've gotten quite a few jobs on my own. But it has apparently rattled my auditioning skills a bit!

I started getting butterflies the minute I pulled into the parking lot. This is a casting director that I don't get in front of often and casts a lot of the bigger jobs in town. After signing in I found out that I would be reading with one of the girls from my agency. She is a very sweet girl and one that I count among my friends in this business. We often go up against each other for the same parts but have never actually read together for anything.

Many people would be comforted to work with someone they already know, but not me. I'd prefer to audition with a stranger any day over someone that I know. I'm not quite sure why but it's always made me a little self-conscious to audition with the other girls from my agency.

Well, long story short, the above factors, combined with the fact that the client was in the room, conspired against me and the butterflies carried over into the audition. I think I did a pretty good job of controlling it and managed to give a decent performance. Nothing spectacular. I forced myself to breathe deeply and slow down when we were in the scene and that helped a lot.

I wonder if I'll ever be immune to nerves. It seems like they've been sneaking up on me a lot the past six months. Just when I think I have them licked, BAM! There they are again. Well, hello nerves!

If you like my blog, then...

2011-06-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

You'll love these two that I just found. Both are written by very smart, funny and talented actresses!

The Struggling Actress

The Smiling Actress

Both are really darn good. Check them out.

Booking Work Without Even Trying

2011-06-27T11:29:00.000-05:00

Whine, whine, no auditions. Boo hoo. OK, so I've complained a lot lately about my lack of auditions. But you want to know what's better than auditioning? Booking two jobs without even trying.

My agent just called, I'm on hold for a job this Wednesday and for another one in two weeks. Woot!

Thanks for the encouraging words, lovely readers. I'll *try* to refrain from b!tching now.

The Dry Spell Goes On

2011-06-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

OK, it's been 40 days since my last audition, FORTY DAYS!!! WTH?

So, what's a girl to do? I can complain about it and get frustrated by it, but really none of that will do any good. For the most part, it's out of my control. I've been getting as much work on the side as I can and taking care of the business end of things. But ultimately most of my real auditions come through my agent and this is one of the longer dry spells I've had.

There are a few things I've learned that have helped me through dry spells in the past. It's time to pull them out again.

1. Realize that it happens. There are slow times of the year. There are also times when your "type" may not be in demand.

2. Call or e-mail your agent. Let them know you're still around and ready to work. Sometimes you just have to let them know that you're getting anxious and it will jar things loose a bit.

3. Dry spells are a great time to collect your thoughts, take a breather, read a book, update your expenses and do all of the things you don't have time for when you're auditioning regularly.

4. Make your own auditions. The last thing you want to happen during a dry spell is to lose your acting chops. Pull out old material that you've auditioned with in the past, learn a new monologue, turn on your video camera and give it your best. Watch your playback and learn.

5. Network with other actors. Set up some lunch dates. Maybe they are going through dry spells too. Networking is such an important thing that often gets overlooked in busy times.

Good luck with your dry spell. I'm hoping mine comes to an end VERY SOON.