It's been a while.
June flew by and the Cricket Feet Casting Actor's Showcase is next week! I'm super excited. My scene is going really well, and the director we've been working with, Chil Kong, is amazing. He offers these amazing three word nuggets of direction that totally change the scene. It's been wonderful to work with a director again, even if just on a three-minute scene. And I do get to chase a girl in a sheet while wearing heels. It's pretty fun.
I have a week to become a master networker and not be afraid to talk about myself and tell a story where I am the central character. I'm working on not being nervous about performing for a theatre full of people who could potentially give me a job. I'm excited, and I'm trying to fuel the rest of the nerves into more excitement.
It feels so good to be doing something that propels me forward. I'm excited for July 9th and 10th and what will come after.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Contemplation
As I spend the last afternoon of my 2--th year answering the phone for other people for twelve dollars an hour, I realize something - I've learned a lot and I've done a lot of growing, and there is certainly more of that to come, but I realize that also to come is the best. The best is yet to come. And tomorrow is the first day of it coming. It will be here. The best. Tomorrow. And then the day after that. And the next day. And the best will keep on coming. For as long as I will let it, as long as I stay out of the way.
This is going to be a good year. I look forward to it.
This is going to be a good year. I look forward to it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Woohoo!
Guess who got cast in the Cricket Feet Actor's Showcase? WE DID!!!! All three of us - myself, Xan, and Xan's sister - will be appearing in front of millions of the most important people ever two nights in July.
I'm exaggerating somewhat. But I'm excited.
The showcase is the brainchild of Bonnie Gillespie , a casting director here in LA (who happens to be from Atlanta) who also writes a wonderful column, which I have previously referenced here and read religiously.
We are well into Phase II, folks. Phase II!!! Whee!
I'm exaggerating somewhat. But I'm excited.
The showcase is the brainchild of Bonnie Gillespie , a casting director here in LA (who happens to be from Atlanta) who also writes a wonderful column, which I have previously referenced here and read religiously.
We are well into Phase II, folks. Phase II!!! Whee!
Friday, May 16, 2008
YouTube rocks
Here is the scene from Female Trouble. It's pretty funny. I'd love to know what you think! I've got the melodrama/campy/ridiculous piece down, I think...
Wednesday night was our audition for the CricketFeet Showcase, and we rocked it...we're supposed to hear something by tonight at 8pm. Cross your fingers.
Wednesday night was our audition for the CricketFeet Showcase, and we rocked it...we're supposed to hear something by tonight at 8pm. Cross your fingers.
Monday, May 12, 2008
When I bomb, get callbacks
Apparently. Last week I got called back for the Brecht show, the audition I almost didn't go to because I felt so unprepared. I botched my monologue somewhat but left just being proud that I stayed and didn't psyche myself out. And then I got called back. Nuts.
The callback was quite a learning experience. There were 7 of us, all around the same age and called back for the prostitute roles. While we were waiting, several made psyche-out attempts ("Well, I'm pretty sure that I'm here for the role of so-and-so" and "Well, I read the play and downloaded the music off of itunes....")...I tuned them out and read a magazine.
He had us improv some dancey-movement type of stuff in small groups, which was fine, but then we had to do it over and over because two of the groups didn't follow instructions. After all that, they had me play the clarinet and another girl played the accordion (which was freaking awesome - i have a new aspiration). After that, the other girls jumped up and each sang a song, of varied quality. And after all that - this was where I wanted to shout "Seriously?" - one of them jokingly said "and I can juggle and play the piano and..." and they all chimed in - seriously, all of them except for me and the accordion girl - listing their various talents and abilities. I kid you not. It was ridiculous. It was done in a joking manner, but they weren't joking. The desperation was palpable. And intensely awkward.
So I left. I haven't heard anything, but that's alright. I didn't really want to play a non-speaking prostitute.
For your clicking enjoyment, the How To Throw A Baby Shower video finally showed up on Videojug - it's fun. I have a somewhat embarassing "cameo."
The callback was quite a learning experience. There were 7 of us, all around the same age and called back for the prostitute roles. While we were waiting, several made psyche-out attempts ("Well, I'm pretty sure that I'm here for the role of so-and-so" and "Well, I read the play and downloaded the music off of itunes....")...I tuned them out and read a magazine.
He had us improv some dancey-movement type of stuff in small groups, which was fine, but then we had to do it over and over because two of the groups didn't follow instructions. After all that, they had me play the clarinet and another girl played the accordion (which was freaking awesome - i have a new aspiration). After that, the other girls jumped up and each sang a song, of varied quality. And after all that - this was where I wanted to shout "Seriously?" - one of them jokingly said "and I can juggle and play the piano and..." and they all chimed in - seriously, all of them except for me and the accordion girl - listing their various talents and abilities. I kid you not. It was ridiculous. It was done in a joking manner, but they weren't joking. The desperation was palpable. And intensely awkward.
So I left. I haven't heard anything, but that's alright. I didn't really want to play a non-speaking prostitute.
For your clicking enjoyment, the How To Throw A Baby Shower video finally showed up on Videojug - it's fun. I have a somewhat embarassing "cameo."
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
To The Person Who Left Me This Note
Firstly, Welcome to Los Angeles. You obviously haven't been here that long. Either that, or you have a personal vendetta against trees and are going to attempt to use up the world's supply of paper by leaving such notes on every parking job you dislike.
Second, if you have time to leave such notes in the morning, you are probably a) expendable, and shouldn't be coming in to work, b) coming in to work too early because you have no life, c) allowing time to leave pissy notes for people, because you have no life and it's the only way you can get off, d) channeling your road rage and should not be trusted to drive in this city, e) being That Guy in the Starbucks line who is making everyone else miserable, or f) all of the above. And you have no life.
Third, you have the handwriting of a second grader. Good thing mommy and your secretary do all your communicating for you. You should probably leave it to them.
And, finally, those white lines painted in the parking deck are for parking between. They outline and demarcate a space to be filled by one car, in this case, one that falls into the "compact" category. Apparently you were confused by that. Don't worry. You'll get it.
Thanks for saying hi and have a nice day!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
That was fun. Can we do it again?
Filming my first student film scene only confirmed what I have known since I was five - I want to be an actor.
That was a blast. Too much fun! I'm full of superlatives! So. We filmed a three minute scene from the 1974 John Waters movie Female Trouble. I got to play Dawn, the Tranny. It was a blast. For this class, they only got one take, with three cameras rolling. We watched the result from one of the cameras last night after they shot, and it looks great. I'm so excited to have this for my reel. Xan and I really lucked out - the other two girls in the scene were fantastic, and the student director was great. I was so jazzed when we left last night. What fun.
As my first film experience, it was a total slap in the face as to how different it is from theatre. (Well, obviously, but I'll elaborate to make myself sound less dumb.) So many of my theatre instincts had to be checked for this - don't turn out to the audience, don't project so much or the boom operator will hate you, don't look at the audience/camera, keep it smaller, don't balance the 'stage' by spreading out from the other actors, stay close to them, stay in the frame. With this role, I was supposed to be over the top, so some theatricality was appropriate, but it was still a lot to think about. I also saw myself on film for the first time...time to get back on the diet. I'm thinner than I've been in years, but I need to keep at it. And I need to stand up straight. For real. But it was a blast.
This was also a fun project because it was partially and elaborately playing dress-up. I love that. And I love having my make-up done. For your viewing pleasure - Lauren as Dawn the Tranny:
I learned a lot about myself and my acting this week - I am very confident when I have a character/caricature to hide behind. I have no problem going crazy, being big, making choices. A throwback to children's theatre, perhaps? But when it comes to being natural, being simpler, more quietly complex, I struggle. At least right now. I had an audition on Tuesday that I walked out of knowing that I sorta sucked - I was actor-y and unnatural. The student-written dialogue was a little spotty, but I really don't think that's the reason. I've got to figure out how to be real people, and how to be more of myself with characters that are more similar to me. Sounds like it's back to basics for Lauren. Time for a class.
In other news - WE QUIT TRADER JOE'S!!!! I'm very happy about it. Seemingly as an affirmation, there has been a lot of acting stuff going on for both of us already this week. We rehearsed and shot the scene, Xan got sent on two auditions by his quasi-agent, he got called in to interview for being an HBO stand-in, I got an audition for a featured extra in a Bruce Willis film, and I got called to do a spec commercial on Sunday. We're smokin'! Being an actor is awesome!*
(* Can you get paid for doing this??? Can I get paid for doing this? Please?)
Keep it coming. As soon as I get my copy of the scene, I'll post it here. I'm so excited!
That was a blast. Too much fun! I'm full of superlatives! So. We filmed a three minute scene from the 1974 John Waters movie Female Trouble. I got to play Dawn, the Tranny. It was a blast. For this class, they only got one take, with three cameras rolling. We watched the result from one of the cameras last night after they shot, and it looks great. I'm so excited to have this for my reel. Xan and I really lucked out - the other two girls in the scene were fantastic, and the student director was great. I was so jazzed when we left last night. What fun.
As my first film experience, it was a total slap in the face as to how different it is from theatre. (Well, obviously, but I'll elaborate to make myself sound less dumb.) So many of my theatre instincts had to be checked for this - don't turn out to the audience, don't project so much or the boom operator will hate you, don't look at the audience/camera, keep it smaller, don't balance the 'stage' by spreading out from the other actors, stay close to them, stay in the frame. With this role, I was supposed to be over the top, so some theatricality was appropriate, but it was still a lot to think about. I also saw myself on film for the first time...time to get back on the diet. I'm thinner than I've been in years, but I need to keep at it. And I need to stand up straight. For real. But it was a blast.
This was also a fun project because it was partially and elaborately playing dress-up. I love that. And I love having my make-up done. For your viewing pleasure - Lauren as Dawn the Tranny:
I learned a lot about myself and my acting this week - I am very confident when I have a character/caricature to hide behind. I have no problem going crazy, being big, making choices. A throwback to children's theatre, perhaps? But when it comes to being natural, being simpler, more quietly complex, I struggle. At least right now. I had an audition on Tuesday that I walked out of knowing that I sorta sucked - I was actor-y and unnatural. The student-written dialogue was a little spotty, but I really don't think that's the reason. I've got to figure out how to be real people, and how to be more of myself with characters that are more similar to me. Sounds like it's back to basics for Lauren. Time for a class.
In other news - WE QUIT TRADER JOE'S!!!! I'm very happy about it. Seemingly as an affirmation, there has been a lot of acting stuff going on for both of us already this week. We rehearsed and shot the scene, Xan got sent on two auditions by his quasi-agent, he got called in to interview for being an HBO stand-in, I got an audition for a featured extra in a Bruce Willis film, and I got called to do a spec commercial on Sunday. We're smokin'! Being an actor is awesome!*
(* Can you get paid for doing this??? Can I get paid for doing this? Please?)
Keep it coming. As soon as I get my copy of the scene, I'll post it here. I'm so excited!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Vacated and Back
New Orleans was great. We had a fantastic time, heard great music, and I got to reconnect with an old friend, which totally made the trip. I would not want to live there, but I do love that city. Also, parades make me cry. Not sure of the reason for that, but when all of the bands were coming by, I was fighting back tears.
Last night I helped audition for the student film scene I'm doing, which is indeed happening. We're doing a scene from "Female Trouble," a 1974 John Waters movie. I'm the lead who, in the movie, is a man in drag. It's a blast. I get to be campy and huge and not worry about it.
The director asked me if I knew any male actors, so...Xan and I have our first project together. There you go. The guy is really nice, and I think it will be fun. I'm just glad to be in something. My first real reel material. Ha.
It was hard to return to Los Angeles...as soon as we got on the plane, the atmosphere was different. Everyone seemed a little more selfish and self-absorbed. I've got to figure out how not to let this place make me crazy. Ideas?
Last night I helped audition for the student film scene I'm doing, which is indeed happening. We're doing a scene from "Female Trouble," a 1974 John Waters movie. I'm the lead who, in the movie, is a man in drag. It's a blast. I get to be campy and huge and not worry about it.
The director asked me if I knew any male actors, so...Xan and I have our first project together. There you go. The guy is really nice, and I think it will be fun. I'm just glad to be in something. My first real reel material. Ha.
It was hard to return to Los Angeles...as soon as we got on the plane, the atmosphere was different. Everyone seemed a little more selfish and self-absorbed. I've got to figure out how not to let this place make me crazy. Ideas?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Not an artistic week. But Vacation is IMMINENT!
It's been a rough week. I've been feeling the burn of no day off in 6 weeks, and have been substantially burdened by the Temping Blues. But it has all paid off, because I am thirty minutes away from not having to come back for a week. One Whole Week! Which I will spend dancing and moderately consuming Adult Beverages in New Orleans. New Orleans! A Vacation! Wheeee!
Also, I got two exciting emails today - two projects that I don't have to audition for. One is from a student that I auditioned for a few months ago, who left a very nice message that he couldn't use me in that one but would keep me in mind for future projects. And lo and behold, he did! He sent me a message asking which role I would like and telling me when the shoot is. Hot damn.
The second is some project where I will be "non-speaking featured, but not an extra!" So we'll see. But whatever! This is good. I like it.
Thank you, headshot!
Until my return, when I will be jumping back on the wagon...in more ways than one.
Also, I got two exciting emails today - two projects that I don't have to audition for. One is from a student that I auditioned for a few months ago, who left a very nice message that he couldn't use me in that one but would keep me in mind for future projects. And lo and behold, he did! He sent me a message asking which role I would like and telling me when the shoot is. Hot damn.
The second is some project where I will be "non-speaking featured, but not an extra!" So we'll see. But whatever! This is good. I like it.
Thank you, headshot!
Until my return, when I will be jumping back on the wagon...in more ways than one.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Being in things is fun
Friday's shoot was quite fun. I was early, which I am learning more and more is always a good idea. Things happen when you're early. This time, since I was the first baby shower attendee to arrive, I was used in one of the external shots - score. I was getting presents out of the car and another girl came and stole one of my presents from behind my back. If I'm lucky, you'll be able to see my bum sticking out of the car door. Double score!
It was quite fun, though - we were shooting two videos for VideoJug, a humorous how-to video site. The video is going to be voice-overed, so we just got to improv being at a party. The producer was very specific and gave us each little objectives for the shots. It was very professional and great that she was so specific. It made me excited to see the final product. I have been checking for it on the website somewhat obsessively, but I have not seen it up there yet. Once it is, I will definitely link it.
Working 7 days a week and working in an office are making me feel like I'm strapped to the life-sucking machine from The Princess Bride - if only Christopher Guest would show up in my life, it might improve. But for now, I need a day off.
Also, since I'm trying to embrace the Los Angeles mindset, I've scheduled a rhinoplasty/liposuction session with a reputable but highly affordable cosmetic surgeon. It's great cause they'll do both at the same time so I only have to pay for one round of anesthesia. What a deal. The doctor thinks he can really do something for the dimples in my elbows. I'm really excited. Here is the doctor's profile.
Will definitely post the videojug links as soon as I see them, and maybe the photos of the new me!
It was quite fun, though - we were shooting two videos for VideoJug, a humorous how-to video site. The video is going to be voice-overed, so we just got to improv being at a party. The producer was very specific and gave us each little objectives for the shots. It was very professional and great that she was so specific. It made me excited to see the final product. I have been checking for it on the website somewhat obsessively, but I have not seen it up there yet. Once it is, I will definitely link it.
Working 7 days a week and working in an office are making me feel like I'm strapped to the life-sucking machine from The Princess Bride - if only Christopher Guest would show up in my life, it might improve. But for now, I need a day off.
Also, since I'm trying to embrace the Los Angeles mindset, I've scheduled a rhinoplasty/liposuction session with a reputable but highly affordable cosmetic surgeon. It's great cause they'll do both at the same time so I only have to pay for one round of anesthesia. What a deal. The doctor thinks he can really do something for the dimples in my elbows. I'm really excited. Here is the doctor's profile.
Will definitely post the videojug links as soon as I see them, and maybe the photos of the new me!
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