Patterns and Paths

I went running before writing my morning pages this morning and I've found a pattern - it doesn't matter which order I do my "tasks" in, the thoughts that consume my mind most in the morning are about how I'm going to make this day the most productive it can be.  I go through all the possibilities of what I can be doing to get this career into high gear and I know my wheels are turning.  But are they turning in the right direction?  Am I moving forward or backward?  Or am I stuck spinning in place?  One of the things that I most appreciated about the class I just finished with B. is that I really feel like I have a better idea about which direction to point my wheels.  I also feel a bit overwhelmed with how much there is that an actor can be doing in order to continue to develop and grow.  But what is exciting is finding out what works best for me, both professionally and personally, and knowing that I'm on the right path.  August is coming to an end today so I'm going to do a few errands and give the busy-ness of the business a rest.  But I have a new month's resolution for September...."Make It Happen"....breakin' out the Mariah!

Yummy/Emmys/Birthday

Yesterday was so much fun on the set of The Can Do Kitchen!  First thing I noticed when I walked in was the yummy smell - Lynn was cooking up something delicious!  And oh-my-goodness was it delicious!  She is such a natural host and so fun to watch - she really is in her element and I'm excited to see the entire season when it debuts.  What did she make for our show?  You'll have to tune in to find out!  I'll let you know when it is airing.  It was a celebratory dinner, celebrating my success as an actress - how awesome is that?? I felt pretty special and humbled - thank you, Lynn!!

We were shooting in the late afternoon but since the Emmys got started here at 5:00, I just recorded them and watched them when I got home.  I thought the show was so much fun - Jimmy Fallon did a great job hosting, I really liked the format and I was really impressed with the whole thing.  I'm sad LOST was shut out, since you know my love for that show runs deep, but overall it was great.  I had some real belly laughs with some of the presenters and set ups.  And I cried fat tears when Jewel sang The Shape of You.  She has that effect.  

And, before I go, one last thing....

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!  Thinking of you and wishing I could be with you to celebrate.  Love you!

The Can Do Kitchen

Quick little weekend edition (since I didn't get to blog yesterday)....

So excited to be a part of The Can Do Kitchen tomorrow!  My talented, amazing friend Lynn is the host of a great new cooking show and I get to go taste her yummy concoctions for one of the episodes tomorrow.  Check out the website, become a fan on Facebook and get excited - this is the start of something big!

Inspiration

I have the great pleasure of being acquainted with the masterful James Earl Jones.  We met several years back and kept in contact following.  I was lucky enough to see him in his last Broadway performance, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and if you are in NY at any point during the run of Driving Miss Daisy (Oct. 25 - Jan. 29), I urge you to take the opportunity to see a living legend in action.  His passion and dedication to the stories he gets to tell is evident in this interview from Playbill:

Motivation

One of the things I've grown to like most about LA are the screenings that are happening around town all the time.  And the ones I've been to have been films that either were produced, written, directed or acted by friends and colleagues.  As cheesy as it may sound, it is constantly inspiring to see the hard work of the people I know right there on the big screen.  Whether it is at a film festival, at an independent theater or at a bar, there is something really gratifying about seeing good work being appreciated.  The screening I went to on Monday was at the Downtown Independent Theatre and I originally was going because Bobby Miller's short film, TUB, was playing before a feature.  Bobby is a filmmaker who answered our call for completed short films when we were launching Green Apple.  We had hoped to produce one of his next projects but Green Apple dissolved before we got a chance to collaborate together. He has proven to be an exciting writer and director to follow and TUB has been sweeping through film festivals this past year - Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, to name a few.  It has screened two other times in LA and both times I had a schedule conflict, so I was looking forward to finally seeing it. And then I found out that the feature that was screening after Bobby's short was The Scenesters, a film that Jeff Grace did.  I know Jeff through a friend and we've hung out in the past on group outings but I haven't seen him in at least a year.  I remember him talking about a project he was working on or had just finished at the time.  This was the project.  So now I was extra excited to see these films and they did not disappoint.  Bobby's short is dark and twisted, like his sense of humor.  I laughed while I cringed.  And Jeff's feature is so clever and engaging, with deadpan humor and a plot that kept me fully entertained.  Seeing work like their's motivates me.  Motivates me to do more, take these stories that are swirling in my head, get them out onto the page, to play and make mistakes but most importantly, to create.  What am I waiting for?

Good News

It has been almost a week since we last met and I'm sorry for the delay.  My in-laws were in town for a few days so I was visiting with them and enjoying their company.  We even headed up to Malibu Wines for some wine tasting and picnicking and I'll be heading there again for sure.  I think it would be lovely in the fall, with a chill in the air and a group of friends.  You hear that friends?  We have a field trip planned!

Besides all the wining and dining, there is a lot to report in the land of acting!  Well, maybe not a lot per se, but enough!  I think I'll work backwards:

• Did you see me on The Bachelor Pad last night??  Oh, don't pretend that you don't watch it - it's trashy fun for everyone!  Ok, fine.  You may not watch it BUT if you were flipping channels and you happened to catch a Pizza Hut commercial, then you would have seen me!  My Pizza Hut spot is airing!!  It is a quick glance of me but I'm in it and I'm elated!
• My Southwest spot was held for another round and football is starting up in a few weeks so keep your eyes out for that one too!
• I had a super fun audition on Thursday for a commercial.  Why was it so fun?  I got to sing all of my lines!  Golly good gracious do I love to sing.  We got to make up our own tune (for the audition at least) and I felt like I was at home.  Because, yes, I tend to try to make life a musical.  Should hear about callbacks soon...fingers crossed!
• When I got out of that audition, I had an email waiting notifying me of another audition for later that afternoon so I was super excited about that too.  Showed up, had fun.  Didn't get a callback but they were casting for the older version of a child actor who they had already cast.  So it may be because we didn't look enough alike.  Who knows?  It was a fun day and that is all that you can ask for!

So lots of commercial activity bubbling around these past few days!  Bubble bubble bubble.

Playing catch up on this blog is bound to happen now and again but I always feel like I have more to tell.  And I do but I've run out of time this morning.  Will tell you all about the screening I went to last night when I continue to catch up tomorrow.  Until then, I'm going to try to stay cool today.  Remember how I was saying it has been the coolest (temperature-wise) summer in LA in awhile?  Well the heat finally decided to show up and it is making up for lost time.  We have a severe heat advisory today...stay cool, my babies (please hear that last sentence in Conan O'Brien's voice.  Thanks.)

Every Other Wednesday - Part Two!

The second part of the three part episode I did on Every Other Wednesday is live!  Check it out!

Gardening

Speaking of timing...I left myself a good amount of time to get to the screening of my classmate's short film last night.  The theater that it was showing at is on the westside, which takes a little time with normal traffic.  Well, yesterday Obama was in town and, earlier in the afternoon, there had been major traffic issues with roads shut down on the westside.  So I thought I was all prepared, going to go an alternate route, skip all the chaos.  Well, when it came time to head out to the movie, the Obama brigade had moved east, towards where I live and I literally could not get past my block.  I missed the screening.  I missed seeing Eat, Pray, Love.  And I was totally bummed.  My husband and I consoled ourselves with some cupcakes, which were on our alternate route back home.  We pretty much were in the car for almost an hour just looping back.  Craziness.  Everyone was updating their traffic statuses on twitter and facebook while they were in gridlock - one friend was stuck for 3 hours trying to get home.  What I think is funny is that everyone seems to be upset with Obama - like it is his idea to shut down all the roads.  Nope, we can thank all the crazies that have come before and that are here today that have threatened or taken our leaders' lives.  It only takes one nut and it is better to be safe (causing major traffic headaches and inconveniences) than to be sorry.

Because yesterday was a bust, I'm thinking of going to see EPL on my own today, minus the bonus short film.  I'm also putting together some updates to send to casting directors I've met over the year.  Focusing on the business side of things is the goal of the month.  Planting seeds, watering them, watching how they grow...

Timing

I know I said I would write several posts from jury duty but I ended up having one of the best jury duty experiences ever: about an hour after I posted on Friday, they dismissed us all.  The room erupted in cheers.  Not sure why we were all called in but there were no jury selections, no trials and we have all completed our service for the year.  Sweet.  So instead of posting, I went home, got to visit and catch up with F. in the afternoon and then enjoyed a lovely weekend with the hubby.  And major congrats to F. for signing with the commercial agent that she had been targeting!  The power of putting it out there and making it happen!

So now I sit here on this chilly August morning (apparently the coldest LA summer on record in 30 years) and I'm wondering where my day will take me.  I still hope to hear something about the film I went out for last week but I've learned not to wait by the phone - that is just a recipe for crazy.  Going to support a classmate's award-winning short film tonight, which is screening before Eat, Pray, Love at a local theater.  Went to C.'s boyfriend's acoustic set last night at the House of Blues and enjoyed some live music.  I think I need more live music in my life.  And I have a bit of homework to get done for class this week. This week we are focusing on self-producing so there are some articles to read and some webseries to watch and some questions that I'm going to need to jot down.  I am really looking forward to it - with Girl Parts still on the horizon and K. finally getting back into town after her summer back east, class is perfectly timed in my life.  My nerdy self is very much looking forward to getting started.

Coming to you LIVE from.....

.....Jury Duty.  Luckily, I didn't have to be here yesterday when I had my audition.  You should have seen me when I called in Wednesday to see if I had to report on Thursday.  When the little recorded voice said, "You do not have to report for jury service," I did a little scream and a little dance.   Then when I found out I had to be here today, I did a little pout.  But that is another story.

The audition went well yesterday.  I feel like I had some strong work that I put into it and trust that that came across.  I'm my own worst judge though - always harder on myself than I should be.  It takes me a good hour of decompression to say whether I did ok or not.  When I initially walk out of the room I second guess everything but about an hour or so later, I feel like I can look at what I did a little more objectively.  The casting director was very sweet and hopefully we'll hear something positive in the next few days.  You just never know...

Since I'm here all day, chances are I'll do multiple posts to stave off boredom.  But the break we were on is about to be up so I'm going to go ahead and sign off for now.  Until later...

Quick hello

Working hard on my sides for the audition tomorrow.  Went to audit class last night - was planning on doing that anyway but extra grateful that I did so that I could brush up on technique with this audition in mind.  So glad that I.C. lets you come to the studio anytime once you are part of it.  It was great seeing the work that was being done and great to see everyone.  Meeting up with K. this afternoon to run my sides and further prepare.  It is days like today that remind me how lucky I am to be on this adventure - I love my job!

Tweet Ups and Staying Up

I'm pretty sleepy this morning but my coffee is doing wonders.  I went to the LA Actors Tweet Up last night which ended up being a lot of fun.  Remember how I was reluctant to even join Twitter?  And now I'm going to tweet ups....geesh.  I knew I would like it but I'm surprised at how good of a resource Twitter has been.  Meeting and networking and finding out about projects and classes - its been surprisingly useful.  And going to a tweet up and meeting all these people, some of whom I just followed on twitter and now we have an actual "real world" connection, I gotta say, there is something to be said about social networking.   It is not just virtual anymore.

And while I was at the tweet up I got an email from my agent - feature film audition on Thursday!  So I came home and stayed up late to read the script.  You thought I was sleepy because of the tweet up, didn't you?  Nope.  Was up past my bedtime, snuggled up to my laptop, reading a really interesting and engaging script.  I'm really looking forward to going in for this role.  Can't wait to dig in and start doing the work!

Back to School

Growing up, when summer vacation was coming to a close and we had to start thinking about going back to school, I was the girl who loved shopping for school supplies, organizing all my notebooks and laying out my first-day-of-school outfit the night before so I'd be ready to go.  It wasn't necessarily "cool" to be excited to go back but, then again, I was never really known for being cool.   I'd probably hem and haw along with those who complained, so I could fit in a bit better but those who were close to me knew the truth.  And those who were close to me were excited too.  I kept nerdy company.

That same sense of butterflied excitement is what I've been feeling for the past week.  I've been excited to start anew and see where the rest of the year takes me.  I'm excited about the classes I'm going to take that will add a bit more structure - acting, improv, yoga, Krav Maga.  I'm taking a great class that is really helping me hone the business side of this "show" business.  I'm reading Bonnie Gillespie's Self Management for Actors that is already teaching me so much.  I feel like it should be mandatory reading for anyone who takes this pursuit seriously and I'm only upset that I didn't know about it sooner.  But I truly believe timing is everything and there is a reason that this has come into my field of vision at this point in my career.  Something is brewing and I'm more prepared and ready than ever.

And, on another note, I went and saw Rent this weekend at the Hollywood Bowl.  Neil Patrick Harris directed and Nicole Scherzinger stole the show in one of my most coveted roles - Maureen.  I love love love that role and she made it her own.  So good.  Her and Tracie's Take Me or Leave Me was the best version I've seen - and this was my fifth time seeing Rent - saw it on Broadway a time or two ;)  And Telly Leung's Angel was the best I've seen!!  Some really inspiring performances. And it was my first time at the Bowl....loved it.  It won't be my last time - I'm already looking at their season to see when I should go back.  I'd love to listen to some classical music under the stars....

Meryl Streep's Commencement Speech

Empathy is at the heart of the actor's art

- Meryl Streep

I thought I would only watch a few minutes but ended up watching the entire 28 minutes.  Magical Meryl mesmerizes again...

Hyper

Yesterday I tuned into the SAG Foundation's LiveStream that focused on New Media - creating, marketing and building an audience.  Getting excited about Girl Parts filming this fall and picking up tips along the way to make it a success.  Commercial audition this afternoon.  And still thinking about dying my hair. Oh and submitting myself for the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase (thanks, K.).  Because I'm a woman.  That makes me diverse. Click click clickin'...

Click

"Well, my whole 20s was like that:...there are times when you're figuring out those puzzles where you really do feel lost. 'Do I really want to be an actor?  Is it really going to work out?' You want to talk about a series of breakdowns?  Talk to any actors in their 20s.  You just never know if it's going to click."  

- Julia Roberts, Entertainment Weekly (8.6.10)

It seems I've talked a lot about Julia Roberts on this blog lately.  There was the whole "she tested for the same soap back in the day" scenario.  Then there was the article I posted about how she got cast in the early years of her career.  And now there is this quote.  Oh, and I posted the trailer for Eat, Pray, Love when that first came out too.  I still can't wait to see that movie.  Anyway, back to the point:  of course, given my recent Grateful blog, you know that this quote resonated with me.  And given my post yesterday, you know I'm back on the horse, so to say, ready to conquer it all.  Ready to make things click.  Yesterday I looked at the fall lineups for the major networks and made a list of shows that have roles for my type.  Then I narrowed that list to the shows that I really want to work on.  Then I checked to see which of those shows have casting directors I've met and who I still need to make a connection with.  Of course, I want to work on all of the shows on my overall list but narrowing it down to the shows that I watch or that I think I'm really right for makes the list less daunting.  Once I tackle the primary list, I can work out from there.  Click, click, clickin' along....

PS - one last Julia thing - her hair on the cover of EW is the prettiest color....I'm thinking about trying it out on myself....thoughts?
PPS - I'm really not as obsessed with JR as this post may indicate.  All coincidences, I swear.  But, seriously, isn't her hair pretty?

New Day Dawns

This picture is on the beach at dawn, at the sunrise wedding last week of one of my nearest and dearest friends.

....After a blissful week with my family and without internet access, I'm feeling recharged and renewed and ready to see what the fall brings me.  I feel like August is the start of a new year for some reason.  I'm making resolutions, starting classes, reassessing my goals - it's exciting.  I already went for my run today, have a commercial audition later this morning and I'm making lists in my head (soon to be on paper) for all that I need to get done this week.  Feeling fired up!