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.

Filling the Gap

So blogger just came out with an app for the iPhone, which is pretty awesome. Now I can blog from wherever I am. I just wanted to give a quick update on how life is going right now, since my last post was about a month ago an it ended with me saying I was going to update more, but apparently my life had other plans.

I started two new acting classes, which I love. A scene study and a voice class. With the scene study class I am finally getting to do some real character work, which I haven't gotten to do since The Credeaux Canvas, which was about a year ago. It's basically been torture being away from it that long, so I'm happy to be back. I also had an audition for my first paid gig. I didn't get it, but I got called in to audition, which is good enough for me.

I have another audition in a few weeks, I'll let you know if this one works out more positively. I'm sorry for the lack of wittiness and charm in this post, but I really wanted to update everyone on what was going on. Till next time.

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.

An update on my life

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.

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

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

One Goal Accomplished

So, I accomplished one of my goals for the summer. I signed up for an extras casting agency, which granted was the easiest of the goals to complete, but at least it is progress. So I feel that I am getting into a routine here which I feel is good. Routine helps me stay sane, but at the same time when I want to break that routine it feels all the more difficult.

I have gotten in the habit of submitting myself for auditions during my lunch break at work and when I am off. It helps me feel productive and keeps me thinking about the ultimate goal of my move here.

One thing that they never mention when people talk about moving to a big city to become an actor is homesickness. It sucks. I really like my life here in New York, but nothing will ever replace the PEOPLE back home. My coworkers are not nearly as awesome, and I don't spend enough time with people in my acting class to make lasting friendships like the ones I already have. I think this is actually a good thing, because acting is a cutthroat business, and I am a softie as it is, I don't need an emotional attachment to my competition to stand in my way also. Basically the end of this entry was meant to tell you all that I miss you and am thinking of you, and that I am really thankful for all of the support I have gotten. You are awesome.

Cheers