Archive | January, 2010

The Other Side: Submissions

26 Jan

My production company, PianoFight, has been knee-deep in casting for our upcoming project ShortLived 3.0. It’s a 3-month long playwright competition held in SF and in LA, with 8 shorts every Friday and Saturday night. And 4 new shorts being introduced every other week. That means- we need lots of actors! It’s been such a learning experience going through the many electronic submissions from the top casting sites as we pick and choose those we want to see for the auditions.

Being on the other side has taught me a few things…

A good headshot goes a long way. It’s amazing the amount of snap judgements you make form a little 2×2 thumbnail. If the picture is black and white, I immediately thought– what century is this actor from?! What serious actor doesn’t have a color headshot by now? If there were multiple shots in the photo session but they were all variations of the same picture, I thought, why am I looking at these? Picture 2 or 3 doesn’t tell me anything that picture 1 hasn’t already. If there were a bunch of weird character shots, but nothing that told me what the actor looked like normally, I thought, well this person just does gimmicks and characters and wouldn’t be able to do theater.

Less is more. If the actor left a novel in the “notes” section (for which we specifically wanted just what day they were available to audition) I thought, this person can’t even listen to directions! And aside from that, who has the time to read 5-paragraph essay on why we should choose them for the part? Sorry, pal, that novel just cost you an audition.

Follow directions. I now totally understand why casting directors emphasize no double submissions. It’s so annoying and hard to keep track when you have the same people applying for the same part through different avenues. Did I already give this person a time slot? Did I already reject this person and they are just submitting again? You making our job more difficult makes us less inclined to consider you.

So, CD’s, I feel for you. Next time I submit a project, I understand how all those submissions can be overwhelming. I’m sure the amount of responses we received doesn’t even come close to the amount for a national commercial or feature film, so I can only imagine. I will take caution with every project I submit to and how I submit. This is our career, after all. We should take care in all that we do with it.

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Related Reading: The Other Side Part 2 & The Other Side Part 3

When is Enough, Enough?

22 Jan

When you are pursuing a career for which there is always something to do, when do you know you are doing enough?

For the most part, I would say I am confident, focused, driven and determined when it comes to being an actor. However, once in a while I have a mini meltdown. Hence, last night. In one torrential downpour (kind of like the one we are experiencing this very moment in LA) all of my doubts, fears and frustrations came crashing down on me. It all felt so fruitless. I suddenly felt as though I have accomplished nothing. Had nothing to show for all the blood, sweat and tears I have put into this chosen career. What am I doing? What is the point? It’s so not fair! I should have done this, and this and this by now!

But, in the midst of my pseudo panic attack, I never said I give up. I never said I didn’t want to do this anymore. Those tears were just the growing pains of pursuing acting. It comes with the territory; I am totally okay with that. I am an actor, after all, so let the emotions flow…

Today, a new day, I feel better, clear-headed and maybe even more driven. I will continue to do what I can each day. And for me, that is enough.

Decision Making: Moving to LA

21 Jan

Moving to LA for acting is nothing you can be prepared for. No one is ever really “Ready” to make the move. You just either DO or you DONT. There will always be plenty of excuses to keep you from making the next step, no matter how legitimate they may seem– Don’t want to leave the steady job, have a serious boyfriend/girlfriend, not enough professional acting experience, going back to school, etc. Trust me, I’ve heard them all because I’ve said them all too.

When I decided to go to Berkeley for undergrad, my intention was always to hop on a plane back to LA the moment I got that diploma in my hand. I told myself I was there strictly for my degree and then I was to go straight to LA to give this acting a fair shot once and for all. But when that day finally came, I was immersed in my life in the Bay Area. I had friends I didn’t want to leave, a serious relationship and even an awesome theater company. I said to myself, let’s see how this goes, I will move back in the fall. The summer came and went and I had made no plans. Fall came and went and I said maybe in the new year. But then I got a part-time job. Wanted to see what a 9-5 life was like. After all, all of my other friends had normal office jobs. I wanted to feel a part of that club too. Join in on company office parties, meet up for after-work happy-hours, feel like a 20-something professional living in an awesome city. But then again, that’s exactly what I did NOT want. Confused? Ha, me too…

I always had one foot in because I didn’t want to commit to that life even though I wanted to feel on the same page as my peers. My heart wasn’t in it, it was longing to pursue acting even if I didn’t realize it clearly at the time. When you’re that scared your judgement can get clouded. And striving for an acting career is a scary thing.

Anyway, TWO years went by before I realized that if I didn’t just set a date and make the move, I was never going to do it. Time isn’t going to wait for you. And what was I waiting for anyway?

Most importantly you have the desire, and really, that’s all you need to have to make the move.

Of course there are issues like, where to live and getting a day job, but if the desire is there the solutions will follow…

Actor New Years Resolutions

20 Jan

While we’re still in the month of January, I thought this would be an appropriate topic. Another actor-friendly blog I visit regularly, The Actors Voice by Bonnie Gillespie (I’ve listed her in my online resources), had a great post a few years ago on Working Actor Resolutions. Now, I’m not one for new years resolutions since I rarely keep them, but I thought this was a great list to keep in mind for actors be it new years or not.

These are the ones I liked from her list (with my own take on them), plus a few of my own:

1. Update your demo reel.

I intend to do this as soon as I get some footage I’ve been waiting on. Just like you should update your headshots, I think it’s really important to update your reel. Hopefully each year you are adding to your body of work and have something to show for it. And it’s a good thing to keep the ball rolling. It’ll feel good to have cut something together that shows how much you’ve grown as an actor.

2. Take a day off every week.

I try to do something every day related to my career, whether it’s reading a play, or submitting myself to auditions, I think it’s a good idea to give myself a day off! It’s hard with a career like acting to remind yourself to take some time off. We need vacations too. So take a day off where you don’t do anything related to acting at all and relax.

3. Create at least one project of your own.

Making your own work is something I’ve already mentioned a lot. And I’ll mention it again! Make one of your resolutions to create something of your own. Be it a short play that you put up in your own apartment for friends and family, or a little 2-min Youtube video. It’s a great confidence booster to have produced something on your own– and who knows, maybe someone who’s someone will see it.

4. Take a class you’ve never taken before.

I don’t just mean an acting class. But maybe a belly dance class! (Something I’ve taken up recently with well-known belly dancer and teacher Layla) or fencing or Spanish or jewelry making. Well rounded people make good actors. Think of something you’ve always wanted to try and sign up for a class. Or just open up your local community college’s course book and pick something. You never know when a casting notice will call for your type plus a special skill that you just so happened to pick up.

5. Write a scene.

I find that being on the other side of the page, writing a scene instead of acting in one, is really helpful for an actor. You’re still thinking of character motivation, objectives and conflict yet in a different context. It brings a fresh perspective to things you already think about as an actor.

6. Work on a new monologue.

A stale monologue is something I am definitely guilty of. It’s time for me to update my monologue library. There is something to be said of course of holding onto a monologue that’s always worked for you. But there is also something to be said of retiring one that you’ve used one to many times. Whatever fire that used to make that one monologue ring true, might just not be there anymore. Pick a new one. It’s time.

7. Be proud of yourself!

You’re going after your dream. Remember that. Some people go their whole lives without ever even realizing what their dream was. But you, you know it and you’re achieving it. And that’s awesome! So, as cheesy as this sounds… pat yourself on the back and be proud of yourself.

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