I have some exciting news! I was selected to be in a commercial! I was individually selected off of my agency's website to be in a commercial that will be filmed next week! I am sooooo excited! I was really shocked when my agent called me, because I was like, "Really, someone wants ME, and they picked ME out of all these beautiful girls?" I still don't know why I was picked, but maybe it's better not to question too much. I think it's partly due to my awesome new headshot, expertly taken by Sarah Roshan of Trulife Photography, I might add.
It's a car wash commercial, and apparently I just have to act with my face, I don't have to say anything at all! This isn't the first time I've been asked to act with my face alone, but apparently I'm pretty good at it. My expressive face always gives me away! I can never play poker, or any card game for that matter, I can never hide it if I'm pissed off, or sad, or constipated!(wink wink) It sucks! But at least now I'm going to be paid for making faces, when all these years I have been punished by my mother for it. "Stop frowning," she would say, "Don't glare at your brother!" Well MOM, now it's paying off!
I can't wait to shoot the commercial! We were actually supposed to shoot it last week, but it was postponed due to some bad weather. Apparently 5+ inches of snowfall is not how they envisioned their car wash commercial. Well, I'm am just going to keep my fingers crossed that next week we have beautiful, sunny weather! March in Colorado- you never know, it could happen.
This is not my first experience being in a commercial, but it is my first lead in one. The other commercials I was in was just as an extra. I did a bank commercial where I just had to sit and listen to the CEO talk and nod my head in agreement. The camera was filming us extras from behind, so you could only see the back of our heads. But I was so excited when I saw my commercial on TV. I was like, "LOOK, that's me, that's my HAIR!" It was pretty cool. The other one I was in was for a sporting goods store, and I got to walk across the background many times, pretend to shop for clothes, and play with golf clubs. They shot it very late at night, so we were in this huge empty store playing with golf clubs at 3am. It was so much FUN!
With this commercial I'm really excited that I'm going to be the "main character" and you're actually going to be able to see my face! I can't wait to do it! I'll let you know how it goes! :)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Little Successes!
I got a call from the director this morning and... I got the part!! YAY!!!!!
I have the LEAD role in this show!!! I am SOOOOOooooOOoOoOOOOooo EXCITED!!! WOOHOOO! I can't wait until rehearsals start!!
I have the LEAD role in this show!!! I am SOOOOOooooOOoOoOOOOooo EXCITED!!! WOOHOOO! I can't wait until rehearsals start!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Difficulties of Auditioning
Yesterday I had an audition for a play that I think I would be really good in. It is a comedy that would also involve a lot of improv, and I LOVE improv. But let me start by telling you how it went and how I prepared for the audition. Well, the morning started out okay, but it quickly became stressful because I had other things on my plate besides the audition. That's usually how it is. Sometimes I barely have time to think about things before I am thrust into the arena and forced to perform. Yesterday was no different. I knew what monologue I was going to do- it was one I have done before, so I wasn't really nervous about it. But then other things I had to do started getting me stressed, so I started getting stressed about the audition too! I practised my monologue a couple times in the car, and my boyfried was with me, and he kept making me so mad because he was singing every word I said. He always does that, and it is SO irritating. I mean, he gave me a ride to the audition, but he didn't have to TORTURE me the whole way. To top it off, I was running behind schedule. I wanted to be there about 15 mins early, but it ended up I that I was barely there on time.
Anyway, I was stressed before the audition, but I took a deep breath in the car, marched into the theatre, signed in, and waited for my turn. Oftentimes auditions feel like you're waiting for the guillotine to come down on you, unfortunately. This one was kind of like that. I was worried I would mess up my monologue because I was stressed and hungry and not thinking straight. BUT, when they called my name I put on a smile and tentatively walked in. There were 5 people in the room, and this was a theatre where I haven't done any shows yet, so I didn't know any of these people- and that can be a bad and a good thing. Bad in that it's nerve-racking, but good in that you potentially never have to see these people again if you totally suck. Well, I went up there, chit-chatted a little with the director, and then dove in.
By the way, I still have to learn this myself, but don't worry if other people in the room whisper things to each other during your audition. This totally wigs me out too, but they're probably not even talking about you. Or if they are, no worries, it might be something nice, or something as innocent as: "her tag is sticking out of her shirt"... it's not always something as sinister as: "she is too fat and ugly for this part, what is she thinking?" I prefer to think positively, or at least, I prefer to think that people are not completely evil.
Anyway, I think I did my monologue well, even though nobody laughed. It was a comedic monologue. Yeah... Oh well! Then the director asked me to act out a particular situation without words- a little improv, which was fun. THEN he asked me to say something in my New York and French accents. That was when I had a mini heart-attack! My mind went completely blank! I can do those accents well, which is why I have them listed on my resume, but I never expected to be asked to demonstrate them in a preliminary audition. This should be a lesson to all: Always have something prepared to say in the accents you have listed on your resume!!! If you say you can do a New York and French accent, have something prepared to say in those accents in case they ask you to exhibit them!!
When they asked me my mind went blank and NOT ONLY could I not think of ANYTHING to say in those particular accents, but I couldn't even remember how to DO the accents!!!! I finally said, "give me something to say and I'll say it in a New York accent," and the director gave me something to say, which I did in an ADEQUATE accent (damn nerves!). Then he asked me to say part of my monologue in a French accent, which I must have done really well, because he laughed pretty hard!
With that my audition was over, but I think it went pretty well overall, because the director asked me if I was available the night of callbacks, which of course, I am always available for! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!!!!
SO, here are some lessons I learned from this audition:
Practice the accents you have listed on your resume, and NEVER lie or exaggerate about your abilites- that would just be bad!
Practice your monologue a few times before the audition, even if you know it and have used it before. It is good to refresh it and get back into the character.
Always give yourself enough time to prepare for the audition and enough time to get to the audition location.
Don't stress out! That can ruin any kind of preparation you did!
Don't let the auditioners wig you out!
And... always try to just let your personality shine through!
Anyway, I was stressed before the audition, but I took a deep breath in the car, marched into the theatre, signed in, and waited for my turn. Oftentimes auditions feel like you're waiting for the guillotine to come down on you, unfortunately. This one was kind of like that. I was worried I would mess up my monologue because I was stressed and hungry and not thinking straight. BUT, when they called my name I put on a smile and tentatively walked in. There were 5 people in the room, and this was a theatre where I haven't done any shows yet, so I didn't know any of these people- and that can be a bad and a good thing. Bad in that it's nerve-racking, but good in that you potentially never have to see these people again if you totally suck. Well, I went up there, chit-chatted a little with the director, and then dove in.
By the way, I still have to learn this myself, but don't worry if other people in the room whisper things to each other during your audition. This totally wigs me out too, but they're probably not even talking about you. Or if they are, no worries, it might be something nice, or something as innocent as: "her tag is sticking out of her shirt"... it's not always something as sinister as: "she is too fat and ugly for this part, what is she thinking?" I prefer to think positively, or at least, I prefer to think that people are not completely evil.
Anyway, I think I did my monologue well, even though nobody laughed. It was a comedic monologue. Yeah... Oh well! Then the director asked me to act out a particular situation without words- a little improv, which was fun. THEN he asked me to say something in my New York and French accents. That was when I had a mini heart-attack! My mind went completely blank! I can do those accents well, which is why I have them listed on my resume, but I never expected to be asked to demonstrate them in a preliminary audition. This should be a lesson to all: Always have something prepared to say in the accents you have listed on your resume!!! If you say you can do a New York and French accent, have something prepared to say in those accents in case they ask you to exhibit them!!
When they asked me my mind went blank and NOT ONLY could I not think of ANYTHING to say in those particular accents, but I couldn't even remember how to DO the accents!!!! I finally said, "give me something to say and I'll say it in a New York accent," and the director gave me something to say, which I did in an ADEQUATE accent (damn nerves!). Then he asked me to say part of my monologue in a French accent, which I must have done really well, because he laughed pretty hard!
With that my audition was over, but I think it went pretty well overall, because the director asked me if I was available the night of callbacks, which of course, I am always available for! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!!!!
SO, here are some lessons I learned from this audition:
Practice the accents you have listed on your resume, and NEVER lie or exaggerate about your abilites- that would just be bad!
Practice your monologue a few times before the audition, even if you know it and have used it before. It is good to refresh it and get back into the character.
Always give yourself enough time to prepare for the audition and enough time to get to the audition location.
Don't stress out! That can ruin any kind of preparation you did!
Don't let the auditioners wig you out!
And... always try to just let your personality shine through!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Accomplishments So Far
WELL, I guess I should talk about what I have accomplished so far, so that you know where I am, and how far I have left to go. I live in Colorado- I know, not the place you would think someone pursuing a film career would live, BUT, I was born and raised here, and I'm trying to gain as much experience as I can here in CO before I make the big move to LA. Also, I have to save up some money before I can go anywhere, and I hear LA is expensive.
Okay, now back to what I have accomplished so far:
I started taking acting classes at the Denver Center Theatre Academy about 2 years ago. I've taken classes in improv, voice-over acting, and acting for the camera, and I think I've improved a lot as an actress. I have also gotten an agency here in Denver to represent me. Their website is http://www.radicalartistsagency.com
This agency is excellent and they have gotten me a lot of auditions, including an audition for a television series. So far I have only been an extra in two commercials, but hey, they say you have to do 100 auditions for every part you get, and so far I've had a better ratio than that. AND I can also say, 'hey that's the back of my head in that commercial' which is pretty damn cool. Eventually I hope to see my actual face in a commercial. :)
Also, I've been doing a lot of theatre(since there's not a lot of film production here YET) and I'm gaining a lot of experience as a "professional" actress. I have auditioned for a ton of plays, and I've been in 5 so far, with my 6th show coming up in March. That is a lot in the span of a year, so I guess I can be proud. I've also worked backstage on 5 or 6 other shows doing costumes and props, so I have been keeping busy.
I've been working my ass off trying to make a name for myself in this town, and I don't expect any less in LA. Actually I expect it to be a whole lot worse in LA. Los Angeles is a much bigger pond than Denver...and I don't know how to swim very well! Eeek! Sometimes I get down on myself because I haven't gotten more parts, and it's really hard to get rejected, but I guess I can only anticipate getting rejected a hell of a lot more in LA with thousands of other hopefuls competing against me. I better toughen up.
So far I think I'm on the right track for getting to Hollywood, so I guess I'll just keep working hard doing what I'm doing. Plus, I don't know what else I could be doing to get there any faster. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know!!
Okay, now back to what I have accomplished so far:
I started taking acting classes at the Denver Center Theatre Academy about 2 years ago. I've taken classes in improv, voice-over acting, and acting for the camera, and I think I've improved a lot as an actress. I have also gotten an agency here in Denver to represent me. Their website is http://www.radicalartistsagency.com
This agency is excellent and they have gotten me a lot of auditions, including an audition for a television series. So far I have only been an extra in two commercials, but hey, they say you have to do 100 auditions for every part you get, and so far I've had a better ratio than that. AND I can also say, 'hey that's the back of my head in that commercial' which is pretty damn cool. Eventually I hope to see my actual face in a commercial. :)
Also, I've been doing a lot of theatre(since there's not a lot of film production here YET) and I'm gaining a lot of experience as a "professional" actress. I have auditioned for a ton of plays, and I've been in 5 so far, with my 6th show coming up in March. That is a lot in the span of a year, so I guess I can be proud. I've also worked backstage on 5 or 6 other shows doing costumes and props, so I have been keeping busy.
I've been working my ass off trying to make a name for myself in this town, and I don't expect any less in LA. Actually I expect it to be a whole lot worse in LA. Los Angeles is a much bigger pond than Denver...and I don't know how to swim very well! Eeek! Sometimes I get down on myself because I haven't gotten more parts, and it's really hard to get rejected, but I guess I can only anticipate getting rejected a hell of a lot more in LA with thousands of other hopefuls competing against me. I better toughen up.
So far I think I'm on the right track for getting to Hollywood, so I guess I'll just keep working hard doing what I'm doing. Plus, I don't know what else I could be doing to get there any faster. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know!!
Introduction
I have been practicing my Oscar acceptance speech since I was a kid. Some may call this delusional, but then again, there is a lot to be said about the power of visualization. I've had a lot of difficulty so far in my life trying to figure out which path to take. I've tried to please my parents, I've tried to do something practical, I studied what I thought was respectable in school...I've done a lot of stupid things that held me up instead of focusing on what I really wanted. All this time I've known what I want to do with my life, and that is to be an actress. A film star! I've always wanted to be a part of that magical world you can escape to when you want to feel happy or sad or romantic, or simply reconnect with humanity. I truly believe that film has this power to open one's eyes to the beauty of the human spirit and reawaken one's sense of belonging. Aside from all that, I just like films because they make me feel good. They make me happy. And I want to be in them so I can make other people feel happy too.
Well, I have finally found the courage to actually go after my dreams, but here's the problem- I don't know how to GET into movies. I know what I want my final destination to be, but I don't have a road map for getting there. I've never been really good with making step by step plans. I'm a dreamer. I see the goal ahead, but I don't know how to achieve it. I'm at point A, but I'm trying to jump to point Z without wanting to think about all the letters in between. How do I get there from where I am right now?
This blog is going to be my journal of every step I take on my path to Hollywood. I'm going to work through this, share my triumphs and frustrations, my successes and letdowns, and hopefully writing it down will help me to work my way closer to that ultimate dream of being in the pictures! I hope this will also help other aspiring actors figure out what they need to do to accomplish their goals and attain their dreams! In the very least I hope I can be somewhat entertaining, if not informative. Let the games begin!
Well, I have finally found the courage to actually go after my dreams, but here's the problem- I don't know how to GET into movies. I know what I want my final destination to be, but I don't have a road map for getting there. I've never been really good with making step by step plans. I'm a dreamer. I see the goal ahead, but I don't know how to achieve it. I'm at point A, but I'm trying to jump to point Z without wanting to think about all the letters in between. How do I get there from where I am right now?
This blog is going to be my journal of every step I take on my path to Hollywood. I'm going to work through this, share my triumphs and frustrations, my successes and letdowns, and hopefully writing it down will help me to work my way closer to that ultimate dream of being in the pictures! I hope this will also help other aspiring actors figure out what they need to do to accomplish their goals and attain their dreams! In the very least I hope I can be somewhat entertaining, if not informative. Let the games begin!
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