So, since I said in the last post I would do an entry basically summing up where I am in my acting career so far. Basically at this point, I am about 3 months into my acting career and things have been slow going. This is to be expected. I wasn't planning on getting a ton of roles right when I got here. That makes no sense. I have been getting a few auditions though, probably averaging about 1 a week. My favorite one was a few weeks ago. I had to blow up a balloon and shake maracas. It was all very entertaining for me. Also, they said I was funny, so that's good. I also had an audition that I had to film. I had to record a video as if it was the last few minutes of my life. I'm going to post it when I have access to youtube, which apparently you don't on megabus, but I'm not very proud of it. It was really late and I know that I could have done better.
I also began writing non-blog things. I have a screenplay in the works. It is only a few pages right now, but it is the farthest I have ever actually gotten in a script, so that's good.
I also have begun work on a website for myself. It isn't going to go live until sometime in the end of the summer when I get my new headshots, but look forward to that.
Until next time.
EDIT: I found a way to get the youtube video on.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Ah, the good ole days
I know it's really ironic/hypocritical to be complaining about new media on a blog, but I kind of love being an ironic hypocrite, so I'm going to. The acting world has changed so much since the days of Old Hollywood, where all you needed was a head shot, and that was it. Now actors need to have websites, performance reels, online profiles at websites like actorsaccess.com, mandy.com, backstage.com, etc. in addition to your headshot and resume. This has made things a lot easier for people, but also a lot more difficult. How are you supposed to keep up? It takes a lot of balance, let me tell you that. I started working on my own website, not to be debuted for a long while, but at least it's a start.
Speaking of Old Hollywood vs. New Hollywood. I think for me, Old Hollywood would have fit my style a little more. In general it was a lot worse for actors, but in some ways it was better. First, studios used to nurture there stars. Agents, managers, and producers would help to "make" them who they were. They would advise them on good career choices. I know all of this stuff sounds great, but in order to not get pissed that life isn't like that anymore I need to remind myself that these actors were owned by the studio system. They weren't paid well and almost worked as slaves for the studio. You were not allowed to do movies for other studios while you were still under contract.
I reality I wish that studios took risks more often. In the golden age of Hollywood, stars were raised and worked their way up through the ranks. Nowadays if you are not already a star, no one is really going to help make you one, which I understand and am okay with, it just would be nice you know? Also, Old Hollywood movie producers took more risks. I get discouraged when I look at what is in theaters and it is all sequels or based on some previous source material. No one is really making original work. I know that some people feel that there aren't many stories left to tell, but I'm not that cynical. There has to be more stories out there. Well anyways, that's my rant for now. My next post will be more informative and an update on my actual life. It also won't be too long from now. I'll try to get it out soon.
Cheers
Speaking of Old Hollywood vs. New Hollywood. I think for me, Old Hollywood would have fit my style a little more. In general it was a lot worse for actors, but in some ways it was better. First, studios used to nurture there stars. Agents, managers, and producers would help to "make" them who they were. They would advise them on good career choices. I know all of this stuff sounds great, but in order to not get pissed that life isn't like that anymore I need to remind myself that these actors were owned by the studio system. They weren't paid well and almost worked as slaves for the studio. You were not allowed to do movies for other studios while you were still under contract.
I reality I wish that studios took risks more often. In the golden age of Hollywood, stars were raised and worked their way up through the ranks. Nowadays if you are not already a star, no one is really going to help make you one, which I understand and am okay with, it just would be nice you know? Also, Old Hollywood movie producers took more risks. I get discouraged when I look at what is in theaters and it is all sequels or based on some previous source material. No one is really making original work. I know that some people feel that there aren't many stories left to tell, but I'm not that cynical. There has to be more stories out there. Well anyways, that's my rant for now. My next post will be more informative and an update on my actual life. It also won't be too long from now. I'll try to get it out soon.
Cheers
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
It has been a while since I updated, but not for lack of wanting to. I have had this post in my mind for quite some time, but haven't found the time to sit down and actually write it down. Two completely different entries could be written that have the same title as this post. This is not a post about the awesome Nickelodeon show from the 90's, but my attempt to be witty and creative with my titles.
This post is my way of saying that I will no longer let fear stand in my way. This not to say that I will not be afraid of things because that is preposterous. It is just saying that fear should not hold me back. I had a realization that I have all of these great ideas and these great choices about characters and ways to realize them to stage, but I would shy away from them and take the safe route out because it was easier. Nobody can HATE the safe choice, they just don't like it very much.
The best actors make the boldest choices, and they follow through with them. I recently realized that this is one of the hurdles that I will need to cross. I have crossed it before, and when I make bold and interesting choices they have always been met with positive feedback. The issue is that I need to make these bold choices on a consistent basis, and to do them in auditions. This is not to say that every every reading needs to have some enormous affectation or some huge decision, but to say that when I make character choices to stick to them.
One terrible instance of this happened about a year ago. I was at a callback for Brighton Beach Memoirs and I had practiced the audition in two different ways, one with my normal everyday accent, and one with a Brooklyn accent. I was told my Brooklyn accent was good by a friend, but me with my lack of confidence and fear of failing decided to go without the accent. Trouble is, with the way the dialogue is written and who I was reading with the accent came out on certain lines, which never looks good.
To sum it all up, I am no longer going to be afraid to stick to my convictions. I will also not be afraid that someone is going to judge me or think I am weird because I had an original take on a character. What is the worst that can happen? They remember me for being different? Hell! At least that means they remember me.
Cheers
This post is my way of saying that I will no longer let fear stand in my way. This not to say that I will not be afraid of things because that is preposterous. It is just saying that fear should not hold me back. I had a realization that I have all of these great ideas and these great choices about characters and ways to realize them to stage, but I would shy away from them and take the safe route out because it was easier. Nobody can HATE the safe choice, they just don't like it very much.
The best actors make the boldest choices, and they follow through with them. I recently realized that this is one of the hurdles that I will need to cross. I have crossed it before, and when I make bold and interesting choices they have always been met with positive feedback. The issue is that I need to make these bold choices on a consistent basis, and to do them in auditions. This is not to say that every every reading needs to have some enormous affectation or some huge decision, but to say that when I make character choices to stick to them.
One terrible instance of this happened about a year ago. I was at a callback for Brighton Beach Memoirs and I had practiced the audition in two different ways, one with my normal everyday accent, and one with a Brooklyn accent. I was told my Brooklyn accent was good by a friend, but me with my lack of confidence and fear of failing decided to go without the accent. Trouble is, with the way the dialogue is written and who I was reading with the accent came out on certain lines, which never looks good.
To sum it all up, I am no longer going to be afraid to stick to my convictions. I will also not be afraid that someone is going to judge me or think I am weird because I had an original take on a character. What is the worst that can happen? They remember me for being different? Hell! At least that means they remember me.
Cheers
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