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!

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.

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."

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!

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!

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?

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.

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!

Cast without auditioning round two

So it happened again - hopefully this time it will pan out. While on lunch today I got a call for a short film about a baby shower that I had submitted for on LA Casting. She wants me with no audition! Woohoo! I have very little information about it. But she wants me!

Last night I had an audition for a different short film, one about the end of the world or something with a very cheesy script that I entertained Xan with on our drive over. When I got into the room, they had me slate (state your name and contact info) and then show my profile from both sides. Then they had the Already Cast Star Who Wasn't A Star come stand next to me so they could see us together, and then face each other and hold hands, to show our chemistry. It was pretty ridiculous. As soon as this guy stood up I new I probably wasn't what they had in mind - I was 2 inches taller and 15 years younger. Oh well.

The best/worst part is that this casting director has a "service" where he sends you a link to your audition video - yeah. I've never seen my audition video before. It was very scary. It's pretty bad, but worse than that is the still that shows up with my name underneath it - it's HEINOUS. A truly unfortunate screen shot. I think I'll try to grab it to illustrate:


Oh God. It worked. I'm sorry! But it does make me laugh. It's. So. Bad. It's a good thing I think I'm a lot more attractive than I apparently am.

This place is a racket, you play or go home

So last night I paid to audit an acting class. I'm not sure of the technical definition of "audit," but I think paying twenty bucks probably goes against it.

We sat in on a masterclass, and we were 2 of 22 auditors, which I did some quick math to determine that they made an easy $440 off of our butts just being in the seats...this town is a racket. Anyway.

The class was good. She seemed to really know what she was talking about and was good at pushing the actors, relentlessly in fact, which I appreciate. It's all scene study, so you work up scenes and then present them for the class. I think I'll start taking there, probably in May, as it's $275 for a month and you have to pay for anything you miss that isn't work related. This town is a racket.

Also...you have to buy her book. This town....

But. As negative as I am, it does seem like the kind of place I would like to study, and I think her name would be a good one to have on your resume, which you can put on there even before you make it into her masterclass. Because you don't start out there. Oh, no. After the 3 hour class, she "met with us," which consisted of her taking a cursory glance at our resumes and, in my case, and I think probably most others, saying "Introductory level. Monday nights okay?" I expected to be placed at the bottom, but it was still a bit of a blow to feel like my credits weren't even considered. Whatever. Small fish. Big pond. Swimming upstream. But I'll get up there, dammit.

Also, I hate name-dropping. It's so tacky. Xan pointed out that that is how she can sell herself, by listing the people she's worked with, and that perhaps she doesn't do that when there aren't auditors there. Maybe not. But it was pretty funny - she was saying how Eva Mendes only had three or four lines in the movie Training Day, but you remembered her in the movie because of the work they (they being she working with Mendes) did on her scene. I don't remember her from the movie. Xan does, but he pointed out that it was because she was naked.

I feel like a rat. And a guppie.