So, I looked at several photographers, but think I've settled on one. I'm meeting with him Wednesday and have a shoot scheduled for the 11th. I'm trying to knock out these new shots as soon as possible to get things rolling again. That will give me a little time to put the wardrobe together. I've been looking at the same stuff in my closet for a long time. Guess you could say I'm not exactly a slave to the latest fashion trends.
Today, we're going to Malibu. My wife is running a recruiting table for her alma mater at a college fair there. She figures she'll volunteer a little time rather than sending them money. I figure I'll cheer my college's football team like a madman, and maybe that helps. Anyway, we're leaving early to have a look at Malibu since we haven't been there.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Good day
Had a great day! I ran some errands this morning, and while I was out, I stopped by to say "Hello" to my commercial agents at KSA. Alicia was in the office, so we chatted a bit about this new class I'm taking. She said a bunch of KSA clients have taken classes from Carolyne and had good results. On my way out, I caught my other agent, Brooke, heading back in with some lunch. We also talked about the class, and she mentioned that I should get some new pictures. Since I haven't been getting out as much the last couple of months, I was wondering if the pictures just aren't popping enough. I'm getting a few names from her to check out. I absolutely love the way Alicia and Brooke run the office. It's so nice to be able to stop in and feel like you're welcome and that they're happy to see you. I've heard enough horror stories to figure this isn't the norm, and I appreciate it. This is the vibe I got from them at our initial meeting and why I wanted to sign with them instead of the others.
Class tonight also rocked. I took a different approach to the material this week. Normally, I do a lot of work on the scenes before rehearsal. Over the past few weeks, that was generally resulting in me being in my head for class and not listening. This time, I laid off it. I didn't spend so much time beforehand, and used rehearsals to sort of find my way and try stuff out. I guess it worked. I felt much better about my listening, choices and the performance this week.
Class tonight also rocked. I took a different approach to the material this week. Normally, I do a lot of work on the scenes before rehearsal. Over the past few weeks, that was generally resulting in me being in my head for class and not listening. This time, I laid off it. I didn't spend so much time beforehand, and used rehearsals to sort of find my way and try stuff out. I guess it worked. I felt much better about my listening, choices and the performance this week.
Class: Commercial acting
I'm all signed up for a class in commercial acting with Carolyne Barry. I audited the class last night and it seems like she's got good insight and a direct approach, which I like. The students did their spots on camera, received direction from her and did them a few times more. After that, they all traded spots and were getting ready to do it all again when I had to leave. It will be very instructive for me to do a class on-camera. The last time I did that was several years ago. My class starts May 1. This one will require a little less time outside of class than my current situation, and I plan to reinvest that time into theatrical agent/manager submissions.
Last night was a friend's birthday. I met him and another guy at a bar between Los Feliz and Hollywood. The place was a little froo-froo for my taste. I prefer a more relaxed, unstylish atmosphere I think. But hey, the beer tastes the same, and I hadn't had one in a while.
My wife has become enamored with Pilates and is currently training to be an instructor. We all know what that means. Yes, I've been in a Pilates class for the last three Saturdays. It's actually enjoyable. The exercises are an efficient brand of brutal. I'll probably keep going as my schedule allows. I've had a bunch of driving students in the last few weeks. It's nice to have a part-time thing that brings in somewhat steady money, but doesn't suck out my soul. I know servers here can make great money at many places, but at what cost? I haven't done a catering job since before Christmas. I'll probably keep that in my back pocket for the lean times.
Last night was a friend's birthday. I met him and another guy at a bar between Los Feliz and Hollywood. The place was a little froo-froo for my taste. I prefer a more relaxed, unstylish atmosphere I think. But hey, the beer tastes the same, and I hadn't had one in a while.
My wife has become enamored with Pilates and is currently training to be an instructor. We all know what that means. Yes, I've been in a Pilates class for the last three Saturdays. It's actually enjoyable. The exercises are an efficient brand of brutal. I'll probably keep going as my schedule allows. I've had a bunch of driving students in the last few weeks. It's nice to have a part-time thing that brings in somewhat steady money, but doesn't suck out my soul. I know servers here can make great money at many places, but at what cost? I haven't done a catering job since before Christmas. I'll probably keep that in my back pocket for the lean times.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Year One
We celebrated our one year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles last week. In that time, we've accomplished a number of things with plenty still left to do. We're both generally agreed that the move has been good for us, and we like living here.
One of the tough things about it is the housing market for buyers. Prices here are ridiculous. I honestly cannot imagine how people afford the $700k-millions for little 2 or 3 bedroom bungalows. Even the 2 bedroom condos are in the $400k range. We love our neighborhood and want to stay here, but for a while, it seems renting is the only reasonable option. If you can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for $1400/month, does it make sense to buy a 2 bedroom condo and pay $1700-2000/month plus HOA fees of an extra $200+? Maybe it will be the right move at some point to help with our tax situation, but for now...no way.
I'm taking a break from the place I've been studying for the last 9 months. I want to focus on developing some other actor tools. First, I'm researching commercial classes. Though my callback ratio has been good, I don't want to rest on my laurels there. I want the bookings and the paychecks! I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with one teacher and other meetings in the works. The commercial auditions have been a little sparse lately, and I'm hoping to inject some positive energy into that arena. With that, I'm researching various other acting classes. I feel like I need to shake things up and attack my training from a different angle for a while. Although I'd like to continue where I am in addition to all of this other stuff, I simply don't have the time and money to do it all at the same time.
One of the tough things about it is the housing market for buyers. Prices here are ridiculous. I honestly cannot imagine how people afford the $700k-millions for little 2 or 3 bedroom bungalows. Even the 2 bedroom condos are in the $400k range. We love our neighborhood and want to stay here, but for a while, it seems renting is the only reasonable option. If you can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for $1400/month, does it make sense to buy a 2 bedroom condo and pay $1700-2000/month plus HOA fees of an extra $200+? Maybe it will be the right move at some point to help with our tax situation, but for now...no way.
I'm taking a break from the place I've been studying for the last 9 months. I want to focus on developing some other actor tools. First, I'm researching commercial classes. Though my callback ratio has been good, I don't want to rest on my laurels there. I want the bookings and the paychecks! I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with one teacher and other meetings in the works. The commercial auditions have been a little sparse lately, and I'm hoping to inject some positive energy into that arena. With that, I'm researching various other acting classes. I feel like I need to shake things up and attack my training from a different angle for a while. Although I'd like to continue where I am in addition to all of this other stuff, I simply don't have the time and money to do it all at the same time.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Workshop experience
Tonight I attended my first casting director workshop. I'm not really a fan of the concept of these things, but I want to cover all the bases. Basically, you pay a nominal fee to be a "member" of a workshop company, and then you pay another fee for a chance to cold read a scene for a casting director.
There were about 20 other actors in the room. The CD briefly outlined her experience and take on things, then opened up for about 15 minutes of questions. After that, she assigned scenes and scene partners. I was matched up with another fellow in a scene from a fairly popular sitcom. We were given about 15 minutes to "rehearse" [no writing on the script please] before everyone was brought back in for the performances. My partner and I went next to last. We got redirection a couple of times, but I still didn't feel we hit a groove.
It was definitely a learning experience, though I'm not exactly sure what to take from it beyond future workshops of this type. I learned you have to take care of yourself in your 15 minutes. If you need time alone with the sides, then politely tell your scene partner and take it. If you get "direction" from your scene partner that doesn't fit your instincts and take on the scene, then stick to your guns and do your thing. In such a weird set of circumstances, this can be tough to balance with honest listening and the overall philosophy of always making your scene partner look good. You can't just get up there and not play the scene with the other person. I know that I didn't take the time for my process in the beginning and it affected my performance.
And so, I am not really any more a fan of the whole paid CD workshop thing than I was beforehand. Our guest seemed to be a nice person, and it's interesting to hear a little about how someone on that side of the business works. For now, I'll continue to attend some of these workshops to glean what I can and meet people. It is what it is, and as long as you know that going in, it's fine.
There were about 20 other actors in the room. The CD briefly outlined her experience and take on things, then opened up for about 15 minutes of questions. After that, she assigned scenes and scene partners. I was matched up with another fellow in a scene from a fairly popular sitcom. We were given about 15 minutes to "rehearse" [no writing on the script please] before everyone was brought back in for the performances. My partner and I went next to last. We got redirection a couple of times, but I still didn't feel we hit a groove.
It was definitely a learning experience, though I'm not exactly sure what to take from it beyond future workshops of this type. I learned you have to take care of yourself in your 15 minutes. If you need time alone with the sides, then politely tell your scene partner and take it. If you get "direction" from your scene partner that doesn't fit your instincts and take on the scene, then stick to your guns and do your thing. In such a weird set of circumstances, this can be tough to balance with honest listening and the overall philosophy of always making your scene partner look good. You can't just get up there and not play the scene with the other person. I know that I didn't take the time for my process in the beginning and it affected my performance.
And so, I am not really any more a fan of the whole paid CD workshop thing than I was beforehand. Our guest seemed to be a nice person, and it's interesting to hear a little about how someone on that side of the business works. For now, I'll continue to attend some of these workshops to glean what I can and meet people. It is what it is, and as long as you know that going in, it's fine.
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