Trials and Tribulations

So, it has been a while since I've updated, which I wish meant that I was just so busy I couldn't find the time to update.  In reality it's more because I haven't felt the need to update because the course has kind of steadied, which makes the title of this post somewhat ironic.  But, what I realized is that these ups and downs are the norm.  I've realized that with this career there are going to be highs, but also a lot of lows.  The past few months have kind of been a low point, basically due to the lack of auditions, mixed with other things.  But today I finally got a compliment that I thought I would never get, and that is all it took to kind of break me out of this little funk.  I know that seems a little superficial and I shouldn't care what people think, but in reality everyone cares a little bit about other people think.  I've decided not to reveal what it was because I kind of want to keep it a little more personal.

Anyways as for the generic info dump on what has been happening in my life, I am writing this after being up for almost 36hrs straight, with about an hour nap in there somewhere.  Basically I just got finished with two open calls, which I normally hate, but these actually seemed pretty good.  I also, have two auditions lined up for next week, so that is good.  I'm just really happy to finally be going out on auditions again.  The month of December was a dry one, so I am happy January has proved a lot more prosperous. 

I am hopefully moving back to day shifts at work, but with a regular schedule, so I will still have weekends off, so I will still have time to go out on auditions.  I'm really excited about just being able to sleep again.  It's going to be glorious. 

Anyways, I'm sorry this post is kind of boring and generic, and probably doesn't make much sense, but my lack of sleep has caused my brain to work on a completely different train of thought.  I'm just happy I was able to string this together.

Cheers

Auditions Auditions!

So I haven't updated in a while, basically because nothing has really changed enough to inspire me to update, until recently.  A few minutes ago I just got an email telling me I have an audition on Monday, this will follow my two auditions that I have on Sunday.  This is the most that I have had in a while.  This means though I thought I was telling myself that the summer is a slow season for my type of projects, that I was actually right.  I had started to doubt myself through most of September because of the lull that occurred.

I also switched to overnight shifts at work, which means I do not have to freak out every time I get an audition notice, worrying if I will have to switch shifts with someone.  I can know look at it knowing I will be free at the time.  I also get weekends off, which is a nice plus.

I'd like to say that I will update soon with the results of these auditions, but I can't guarantee it.

Cheers.

"Focus" and "Growth"

So it's been a really long time since I posted, I wish it was due to the fact that I was busy booking work and getting tons of auditions.  Alas, it is not.  I went on a trip to Vegas, which was awesome, but basically I have been submitting myself to any project that fits me, but have only gotten one audition in the last few weeks.  The audition did go very well though.  I didn't get the part, but it was the best I felt coming out of an audition in a long time.  I knew that I had nailed it, and they thought so too.  They emailed me and said that my audition was wonderful, but they decided to go in a different direction with the part.  Now I know they could have just been lying about this whole thing to soften the blow, but they also said they wanted to work with me in the future, hence, growing my contact base and growing as a person.  I also didn't take the rejection personally what so ever,  which brings me to the title and topic of this entry...Focus and Growth.

My sister gave me these stones that are meant to keep me on track with the words "Focus" and "Growth" on them.  I m really taking the words to heart.  I carry them around with me as a reminder of how I am going to keep growing as a person.  Realizing that if I don't get a part doesn't mean I'm not talented, it just means that someone else fit the part a little bit better.  I will also try to remain focused at all times.  If something doesn't further my career or my life in general, why do it?  This has been a great lesson and I thank her for it.

Maybe this positive thinking has sent out some good karmic waves or something because I just found out I have another audition this week, which hopefully I will be able to attend if I can get someone to take my shift at work.  I'll keep everyone updated.  Also, now that my life is a little more stable, I will be updated more again.

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

Let the Fun Begin

So, I have been in my new place for almost a week. It's been very interesting. I love it, for the fact that I have my own space, but I hate the fact that New York is outrageously hot right now and the one thing I forgot to bring from home was a fan. My roommate basically forced one on me, so I have one in the meantime. I also don't have internet access, which is why my posts are going to be a little bit more scarce. I will try to update at least every couple of days. We should be getting internet access in a few days, but who knows?

As for the acting life. I am really loving my acting class. I know that I have taken this class for a few years now, but now that I am in the city, everything seems to click a little bit better. I really seem to understand the process a little bit more. I also love the fact that I do not have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to get there.

I had an audition today, so my average of about one per week it still going strong. I think it went well, but for the first time I had to miss an audition because of work. They only gave me about 6 hours notice and it happened to be the one day that I was working until 9. The role wasn't that great, so it's not a huge loss, but I still would have liked to go. Work is going to to be an interesting obstacle because I have never really been that great with time management, I also need to make sure that I stay employed, but some acting jobs require multiple day shoots on a short notice. Since I have not gotten one of these jobs yet, I haven't learned how my managers are going to react when I say that I need the next few days or week off. Only time will tell.

This lack of internet access has lead to a few really good things. I get a lot more sleep. Also, I realized why some actors become writers, because if you have a computer with no internet access, writing is really all you can do with the computer. So I think I might start doing some of that. I'm not really sure, but it'll give me something creative to with my time.

Well I hope that I will be able to update again soon.

Cheers

And So It Begins

I have been invited to my first audition today. It's for a one act written and directed by someone entering a play competition. It seems pretty cool. I'm not expecting much from the audition, but I am happy because it is my first and that hurdle is always the hardest to cross.

For this audition I finally had to decide on a headshot that I am going to use. I'll post it when it is complete, but I am pretty happy with it. A few things I learned should be avoided when it comes to headshots:

Crazy Poses (look natural, not positioned also avoid strange head positions)
Gobbs of Makeup (look like you would when you came in to audition)
Super Close Cropping that causes you to lose ears and foreheads and stuff
Distracting backgrounds or gimmicks
And that none of these rules are set and stone and can be broken at any time if the picture permits, besides not looking like yourself. They like it when you do.

That last rule however makes it almost impossible to choose a headshot because what if you are the exception? Well when I chose mine I figured I wasn't so I played it safe. We'll see how it works.

Also, I am planning on doing some background work. We'll see how that goes. I'll keep everyone posted.

One New York City tip to everyone. Texting Kills, even if you are not driving a car. Always be alert. That is all.