Let's rock!

Things are busy....yay!!! I have an audition today for a film - my first "real" audition of the year - thank you, Selena! And tomorrow I am being seen for a role in a short film I submitted myself for. Tomorrow night we are shooting the first part of the pilot and then we will be shooting all day on Sunday for the rest of it. And today is my husband's birthday - Happy Birthday, Love! And now I need to go continue preparing for the audition. I'll let you know how it goes!

Before I go though, I had a dream last night that I was working on CSI:NY and I was in the makeup chair and I realized that I had forgotten to blog that I was going to be shooting. And I was going crazy looking for my phone so I could update you. Let's hope that dream comes true - the working part, not the forgetting-to-blog-about-it part. That clearly wouldn't happen ;)

Business of Whims

I really enjoyed the workshop with Jeffrey Drew last night. You can tell that he is passionate about what he does and he loves actors. His office does the casting for Chuck, Human Target and a new pilot called Edgar Falls - brought to us by the same people who did Life, a show I loved! He said that his office doesn't even release breakdowns - they just pull from their files on who to see for co-stars and guest star roles. I'm glad I'm part of his files now! He paired us up to do a scene and after my partner and I finished our first go-through, he had us switch roles. Which was so much fun - I liked her role better and I think it was better casting all around. It was a scene from Men in Trees - remember that show that took place in Alaska and starred Anne Heche? He used to work on that show too. I love a challenge and switching roles on the spot is a test of versatility...bring it on! Like I said, a lot of fun.

Oh, and the title of this post comes from Jeffrey - he was talking to the group before assigning scenes and he said, "If you're trying to figure out why you didnt' book a part - don't. This is a business of whims. And you may go in for a role and they decide, 'Hmm, I know the role is written as an eighteen-year-old white girl but I really think it should be a 60 year-old black man.' You just never know in this business. You just have to love what you do. And go in to every audition as yourself. That is all that you can hope for. Going in, being an actor. Its that simple. You gotta love the journey." Made me think back to the very first post I wrote on here...go read the last paragraph... I'm here for the journey.

Learning

I haven't put up work in class for at least two months - there has been a lot going on in my personal life, so working on my acting has taken a backseat. So to say I was a bit nervous when I put up my scene last night, well, add nerves to rust and you wonder what the final result will be. I did work hard though, did all the steps of the technique, and it went...really well. I had people coming up to me afterward telling me it was the best work they've seen me do. And I felt good. That sounds so simple, but I felt satisfactorily good. I have learned a lot about myself in these past few months and putting that to use in my craft is one of the reasons why I love acting as much as I do. I feel like whatever trials I may face, I can always channel them through art. It is a gift, this thing we call acting.

Tonight I'm meeting with Jeffrey Drew, who casts Chuck and Human Target. The office he works with, Patrick Rush, uses actors all the time that they meet at casting workshops - apparently they say they use over 100 per year. Cross your fingers, people! One of these workshops is going to pay off eventually. Let's get crazy and say that all of them will! It is just a matter of time....right?

Another day, another possibility

Rehearsal went well yesterday and we are putting up our scene in class tonight. I always get a little nervous when I am working in class but that is a good thing - keeps me on my toes and keeps me striving to do better work. Rehearsal for our pilot episode went well too - Kelsey Rob and Corinne found the best costume for my character - I can't wait for you guys to see it. Chelsey Ball is going to be our set photographer on our shoot day, so hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures next week. We blocked out the first part of the episode and even taped it so we could get an idea of how it will look. It's lookin' good...I'm excited to see how it all comes together...!

Awards and more

Did you watch the SAG awards this weekend? Only one person I voted for won - Christoph Waltz. Oh, and Alec Baldwin - but he was a shoe-in. Oh! And the cast of Inglourious Basterds - I did vote for them, for ensemble. Ok, a little more won than I thought. It adds to the excitement, watching a show that in a tiny way you helped happen. And that you are a part of, since you are part of the union. And when the award recipients thank the SAG members, they are thanking me. Of course, not many of them this time - since my votes were not the most popular. But still. I can't wait to thank SAG members one day, for my SAG Award! And how about that Betty White? She is kind of amazing. I want to be her "when I grow-up." Of course my husband was quick to remind me that I'm already too old to be her - she got her start in this "experimental thing called television" when she was 17. Touche.

Lunch with Selena went well on Friday. We have a few things in the works and I'll let you know about them, if they come to fruition.



The student film audition was a flop - lunch with Selena ran longer than I was expecting and I didn't have any extra time to go over the script...let's just say, I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked to be.

Today is rehearsal for class and then rehearsal for the pilot episode of our webseries - we're shooting on Sunday!! Hope we're all off book this afternoon...!

Hustlin'

I'm Corinne's homepage. She rocks.

Today is lunch with my manager. It's been a hot second since we've seen each other so I'm looking forward to it. Always good to check in, see how things are cooking for pilot season, see what's in the pipeline. And see what I can do differently to increase my chances for opportunities. Someone once said, "How much do you pay your agent? 10%? That means they only have to do 10% of the work. What are you doing for the other 90?" I'm doing what I can right now - taking classes, meeting with casting directors, writing/producing/starring in a webseries, keeping fit - which is all great, but I always feel like I should be doing more. More networking, new headshots, whatever it takes to get my foot in the door. And that's why I like meeting and discussing what more I can do, that I'm not thinking of. What can I say? I'm a hustler, baby.

Auditioning this afternoon for a student film. Now. I've been burned by student films in the past - and by burned, I mean I never received copies of my work (I'm talking about you, RITVIK FROM USC). So I'm always hesitant to audition for them. But I like the character in this one and I need to build material for a reel. I have my one clip from House but I need more clips to make it interesting. So I'll go in and read today...why the heck not?

Wow

First of all...I had no idea! I was tickled yesterday with the comments my last post got - major shoutout to Kevin, Kristen and Mom :) It really means a lot knowing that my daily ramblings are finding their way to you.

The casting workshop last night was....canceled. Major bummer but the casting director got stuck in a late producer's session and didn't think he was going to be able to make it on time with the rain. So I won't be meeting Ben Harris until February 10th now. It all works out though because I got to do some editing on the first episode of our webseries, which is officially shooting one week from Sunday! Feels like we are running out of time to get everything done but ultimately it will all work out. We are just defining and refining our shooting script, we have a talented director from NY that is taking the helm next weekend, we have locations nailed down and friends at the ready to be our supporting roles. It should be a lot of fun! Kelsey Rob and I have a writing meeting scheduled tonight to compare edits, do some more edits and then get the script to the cast so we can start rehearsing and memorizing.

I have rehearsal today for my scene from class - yes, my scene partner got back safe and sound. Turns out she was stuck in Europe a few extra days because of weather and then she booked a job in NY, so was there an extra week. But we are back on track and should put our scene up next class.

Oh, and I worked at a Golden Globes gift lounge this past Friday and met a lot of fun celebrities but one stood out the most: Michael Emerson, aka "Benjamin Linus" from LOST. I said to him, "I have to admit, I'm hesitant to meet you right now...I don't want to shatter the illusion." And he replies with a flattered smile, "Oh, I'm glad you're such a big fan." And I said, "You have no idea - this is a real treat for me." I can't believe the last season is premiering in two weeks...and I'll be in class!!! But at least I got to meet the master behind one of the best villians ever. Guess that will have to hold me over for now!

I'm back

Oh my goodness - I went a week without writing...to the six people who read this - my husband, my parents, my in-laws and the occassional friend - I apologize! Life has been full of ups and downs this past week, but I'm back.

Last Wednesday I went to a casting workshop with Fern Champion. She is a veteran casting director who loves doing independent film, is a character herself and is the one who discovered Cameron Diaz. I think the session went well and I hope she calls me in eventually. Tonight I'm going to a workshop to meet Ben Harris, an associate casting director for The Office, who also casts all of Judd Apatow's films. I love doing comedy so fingers crossed it goes well tonight. There is supposed to be a torrential downpour today in LA - major storm that is going to bring 8 inches of rain, so I hope that has passed before I make the trek over the hill to North Hollywood.

Other than that, I have an audition for a student film on Friday and am still waiting for my first audition of the year from my agents and manager. Fern was saying last week that things should start picking up in February, so I am trying to exercise patience. To say I'm chompin' at the bit would be an underdstated cliche. I'm ready 2010...bring it!

Jeremy Renner gets my vote...

The Hurt Locker was a tense ride but one that was worth it because of the performances and the direction of the film. Jeremy Renner's work was near perfection in my eyes. Anthony Mackie got me on his side and Brian Geraghty broke my heart. And it is an interesting thing to identify in some way with all of the characters. I wish I could be as brave as Jeremy's, imagine myself more as Anthony's but know I would be closer to Brian's character, if I was in a war. It wasn't as hard for me to watch as In the Valley of Elah was, as far as subject matter goes, but I think it is important to see films like The Hurt Locker and In the Valley of Elah to remind us that we are in a war. Those who have loved ones overseas or who are soldiers themselves need no reminder but often I feel so removed. I'm beyond grateful that there are men and women fighting to allow me the freedom to feel that way.

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Tonight...back to class! I'm looking forward to it but I'm a little worried because I haven't heard from my scene partner. She was visiting her family over the holidays and was due back this past weekend...but no word. So I won't be putting up any work tonight and I hope that all is ok with her. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back into the swing of things...

Short and sweet

Real quick post - been a busy Monday morning...

The studio is back in session so I was back to monitoring last night. It felt good to be back. I'm looking forward to going to class tomorrow night! Tonight I'm going to see The Hurt Locker...I'm a little hesitant because I think it might be tough for me to watch but it is getting so many accolades that I'm definitely curious. I'll let you know what I think....

First audition of the year?

I was super excited yesterday afternoon when I learned I had my first audition of the new year for...a fast food restaurant commercial. Wah wah. Turns out I can't audition because they are still holding my Olive Garden commercial and that is too close of a conflict - we don't want to risk the $50K fine that would be slapped on me if Olive Garden wasn't too happy about me touting fast food products nationally. I say there is enough room for Italian and burgers to live in harmony, but it doesn't work that way. Oh well. I can't complain - if OG wants to pay me every 13 weeks, that is a sure thing where as any other restaurant spot would be an audition and who knows if I would get it? So instead I will go hike in Runyon this afternoon with Corinne and keep toning up my glutes. Cause baby got back.

Thoughts on Up in the Air screening (or, "I want to work with Jason Reitman")

As a writer/director, you have an idea of how everything is supposed to look and how the words are supposed to sound. When you are working with great actors, they show you that your words can sing.

- Paraphrasing Jason Reitman

I really enjoyed Up in the Air last night and I loved the Q&A with Jason, George Clooney and Anna Kendrick. Well, I should say that I loved when they were all talking with the moderator, before it was opened up to the audience for questions. I have never heard such asinine questions at one of these things before. Sometimes it astounds me the things people say and ask - do they really just want to hear themselves talk? It is embarrassing when someone says, "I really loved your movie but some of my friends hated it. I think they just didn't get it, you know?" And that is the first "question." The girl babbled a bit more than that so when she was done, Jason asked, "What was the question? All I heard was you liked it, your friends didn't and you think you're smarter than your friends." It got worse though...

If you've seen the movie, then you know there are a series of people getting fired and little snippets of how they react and what they say. Those are non-actors that Jason interviewed and included as part of the film. I thought it was an ingenious touch that brought a bit of a documentary to a scripted film, intertwining realities. Some woman asked, "I'm sorry, but in a room full of unemployed actors how can you justify using real people in your film?" That question wasn't so bad - in fact, it was a little funny. It got awkward though when everyone laughed and she yelled out, in an accusatory tone, "No, I really want an answer!" Jason then explained, quite eloquently, that the people in we see are from St. Louis and Detroit. They bravely shared their experience and that it wasn't that he didn't think that actors couldn't equally convey the experience of being fired, it was that as a screenwriter he couldn't come up with the words to write. That they offered things he would never of thought of - like the Chuck E. Cheese line said by the guy who's lip quivers - you know who I'm talking about if you saw the movie. Jason said, "I would never have thought of that. And worse, if I had, I would have written it almost as something cutesy. And I would never have been able to direct an actor to deliver that line with the dignity and heartbreak that that man brought."

The film is timely, which is why so many people are responding to it the way they are. It is funny, it is touching, it is heartbreaking and it is beautiful written and acted. And my new goal is to have Jason Reitman write a role for me someday - like he wrote the roles for the people in this film. He wrote them with George, Anna and Vera in mind. How cool is that? Jason? I'm ready to make your next movie sing.

UPDATE: PopSugar had some pictures of George and Anna leaving the screening last night. I saw the paparazzi hanging out by a tree when I left. Oh, Hollywood.

Motivated

Come on....auditions!! That is the thought in my head right now. Slowly but surely Hollywood is waking up from its holiday slumber and I am ready to take this town!

Feeling motivated this morning (clearly). I started doing my morning pages again this week and I've already been for my run. Morning pages are an exercise from the book, The Artist's Way. As soon as you wake up you write three pages of stream of consciousness. You get all of the gunk in your head out and that allows you to focus more clearly on the day. They take about 20 minutes. I've been doing them off and on for about five years now and I always love when I get back into the discipline of them. Mornings are not always the best time for me to be productive, which is why writing them has been an "off and on" process, but I always feel more prepared for the day when I do them. You know who else does them? Ellen. And Alicia Keys. They talked about it once on Ellen's show. I'm in good company ;)

Tonight we are going to a screening of Up in the Air. It has been getting a lot of buzz so I'm looking forward to seeing it. The director, Jason Reitman, as well as George Clooney and Anna Kendrick, will be there for a Q&A afterward. Should be a fun night. I love award season....the screenings just keep coming!

Sound Team Needed

Just a quick post: our meeting last night was a good one and we are still planning on shooting the first two episodes the last weekend in January. We have most of our production details lined up but we are still looking for sound people to help us, so if you are reading this and know of a good sound team...let me know! It's going to be a really fun project...thanks!

Happy New Year!

Here we are! The beginning of a new year. It seems that a lot of people are thinking this is going to be a great year and it is encouraging to see so much optimism after a hard year. I have to admit though, I've been thinking that 2010 will be "my year" for years. I've thought that all that I have been working so hard at will begin to culminate and manifest itself. About three years ago, our friend John asked when I thought things were going to start to really happen with my career and I said, "In 2010, I'll be 'that girl.' As in, people will turn on their tv and I'll be on a show and they'll think, 'It's that girl again!' You know, because they recognize me from something else I've worked on too." So, needless to say, I am excited to see where the year leads.

Today it is back to a semi-regular routine...class isn't back at the studio for another week, so that bit of vacation continues. Otherwise, I have work, will go for a run this afternoon and have a meeting for our webseries tonight. I really enjoyed the holiday break but I'm ready to get back to work so we can make this year all that I've been anticipating.

Happy New Year!

And, PS, the picture is one that my sister, Kelsey, took of her friend Sheree while they rang in the new year on the beaches of my hometown. Kelsey is a fantastic photographer and you should check out more of her work at Kelsey Lynn Photography.