Pick a card, any card!
As an actor, I’m comfortable with breaking down a script, finding a characters’ motivation and quirks, learning blocking. The first thing that happens when you get cast is you get the script and read it over, right? For my current production of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off! that’s what didn’t happen. While the main cast was learning their songs and mime sequences, I’ve been getting into the world of audience interaction and improv.
I love going to see improv shows and if there’s one kind of person I admire, it’s the stand-up comedian who can stand onstage alone and make up a joke out of whatever the audience throws at them. But me do it? I might say something funny now and again but I never considered myself quick enough to keep up with the comedy. So being told that I’m going to out in the audience, doing my fortune teller act on the spot was like being told I was going to be thrown in cold, shark-infested water: I had to start swimming.
On Choosing Projects
I spend a lot of time sifting through casting notices on Actors Access and other casting sites. On Actors Access, in particular, I have to just laugh at how many of the casting notices for women involve the terms “smokin’ hot,” “gorgeous,” “beautiful girl next door,” or “complete knock-out” while the casting notices for men are generally, “[Ethnicity], [Age Range], [Character description].” Rarely does a casting notice for men involve the term “Intelligent but…[smokin’ hot, gorgeous, beautiful girl next door, complete knock-out].” I have to just laugh, because otherwise I would cry.
If you have 2 minutes, read this Flashback Friday. And if you have 15 minutes, follow the steps and make your day productive!
“So you’ve had a great week of auditions, (callbacks!), networking events, and play readings and shows. Yay!
But you get home, and there’s something looming in front of you. You can’t quite make it out, but who really cares? You’re still somewhat flying on the high of today’s success. You go to sleep and the next morning when you wake, you realize …” Finish this sentence!
Acting Book Reviews: Introduction
Sometimes I wish I had more time and funds to spend on classes. However, considering my recourses, I find books are a better alternative. There is a small thrift store on the block before my survival job. They always have a large amount of books outside, and I love skimming through them before I go to work. Apparently there is at least one actor living in the neighborhood, because I often find acting books- as well as books on directing, playwriting, etc. It’s kind of a hit or miss endeavor. I have found some really great books, and I have found some that weren’t as helpful as I was hoping.
“Am I my resume?”
Over and over my life feels like a scene out of A Chorus Line.
“Who am I anyway?” Is it a lie to call myself an actor when I do so many things with my life? Where’s the easier title for actor/choreographer/singer/barista/teacher?
“Am I my resume?” Even though I’ve done great things and had people give me huge opportunities, will new people take a chance on me in the future? Do all these ‘great’ credits even help me when I walk into an audition room?
“That is a picture of a person I don’t know” … Does my headshot still look like me? Do I need to get new ones taken? Do I give the same air of confidence that my picture seems to show? Can they sense my insecurity and fear?
Curly’s Advice
I’m sure I’m not the first person to be inspired by and blog about Curly’s famous advice. But as another Ukrainian-Pennsylvanian-descendent of coal miners, I have always felt a secret bond to the awesome Jack Palance (we know him as Volodymyr Palahniuk.) And it may be a bit embarrassingly cliché to use a movie clip as inspiration to change my life, but hey, City Slickers is a darn good film. As you’ll see in a moment.
But first…
When I started blogging at The Green Room I was producing and performing in a big non-profit theatre project, taking improv to rural schools. It was a great experience. Since then I got some grants to do more children’s theatre. It was a great experience. Then I started writing radio drama, got a couple of plays produced and applied for a grant to do a community radio project (I didn’t get the grant, but it was all a great experience.) I also starred in a short film which won a bunch of awards. It was a great experience. I also did several web series and short play festivals. They were great experiences…At this point you might be getting the drift. I’ve had a lot of great experiences, which in themselves, truly are each very meaningful. But sadly, a collection of meaningful but VASTLY DIFFERENT experiences makes it difficult to sustain forward career momentum. And frankly, I’ve reached a point where I want a big leap.
Link, Like, Follow, Pin, Plus
Paul Russell recently posted about why using real, paper copies, sent through the mail is still an important part of earning work as an actor. Don’t rely on email alone, he insists, because spam catchers are sometimes tough to break through, even with the best of intentions.
After spending two days dusting off my website, online profiles, resume, etc., I endeavored to reach out to a former client from whom I had not heard in a while. My email to her was quickly kicked back as undeliverable. This was distressing; that client had been a really good source of income, and I had fancy new demos she needed to see.
Fortunately, in the beginning of our business relationship, I had connected with her on LinkedIn, so I was able to look up what she is currently doing. In fact, she has changed companies and is now working in the same field for a new company. That means I may get to add another client to my roster, fingers crossed. I was also able to look through the employees with her former employer on LinkedIn to find the new contact at the old client.
“Slummy Mummy”: On the Mom-Work Balance
I thought I would get some other perspectives on the actor/mom juggling act —
Jennifer Weedon – a wife, mom, actor, writer & producer extraordinaire! I love her candid answers and really relate. Enjoy!
-What are the biggest challenges in juggling being a mom and an actor?
The biggest challenge by far is childcare. When I’m not working, I’m home with my son full-time. That’s how I want it–I don’t want to miss a moment. But it’s an actor’s job to be available at all times to audition unless booked out. When an agent calls with an audition for tomorrow (or even later today!), I can’t say, “Let me find a sitter and get back to you.” I have to accept (with a terrible feeling of panic in the pit of my stomach), hang up, and start the mad dash to find a sitter. And it’s really difficult to justify paying $20 an hour to someone to stay with my child while I audition (which is earning me nothing.) So every audition is an expense, where it wasn’t before. I’m lucky that I have a couple of “volunteer” babysitters I can check with first. I’d like to meet more actress/moms so we can help each other out in a pinch!
The Green Room 