Well, perhaps things are picking up again. There has been a slight up-tick in auditions this week, though the normally bustling casting facility I went to the other day was desolate but for one non-union spot and the one I was in for.  Today, I auditioned with my daughter about an hour after I pulled her loose tooth. She's got such a fun sense of humor and play. I hope she never loses it, which is one of the reasons I've been hesitant to get her involved on a more regular basis.

I've been working with a private voiceover coach for quite a few months now. Jumping into this arena has always felt like something I should do, something that matches up with my skill set, but something I put off for way too long. I took a class last spring in which I was the only person with a background already in the entertainment business. It was just OK. It got me in the booth, reading copy, and hearing playback, but I didn't feel like I got actionable direction or critique.

As in every other arena of acting and entertainment, competition is fierce. There are many hopefuls and not as many jobs. I decided that if I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. I want to invest my time, energy and money into being really competitive, rather than spinning my wheels, rushing into a demo and being just another so-so semi-pro. I want my demo and auditions to pop. I also want to have the confidence that comes with training and technique when I do book a job.

All that lead me to go the private coaching route with a really solid guide. She's a pro with a track record of success. The best thing is that I can trust her feedback. It isn't all good. And when it's critical, it's constructive, on-point, and easily converted into better performance. I think we may be nearing the demo production and branding stage, and I'm excited about it. I feel that I'm absorbing the techniques and getting more and more comfortable letting it fly. 

In other news, a good friend of mine and I took an idea that had been bouncing around in my head and went out to shoot a really short bit.  It's all improvised, and it's raining in LA, which makes it cool.  Hope to crank out a few more soon.  Have a look and give us a thumbs up!

The Bureau on YouTube

The Bureau on Funny or Die

Cheers...maybe

I'm here because I'm juicing...maybe. Typing this does prevent me from eating solid food, so perhaps I'm using you as a distraction...maybe. Pulling up the blog, I was stunned at the date on that last entry. So I'm feeling guilty about that...maybe. The subject of actors blogging came up at an audition today in a "not good" kind of way. So I was inspired to get back to work at it and make it good...maybe. I read an article about modeling and acting "school"/talent show scams cropping up more in Atlanta. So I got angry and wanted to add to the chorus singing, "Research this stuff before you sell the house and move the kids to Los Angeles so Sally can be an actor..." maybe.

Anyway, I'm here. And I recently shot something. So if you happen upon my blog, click on over and give it a watch. Then share it with your friends if you feel like it. Goodness knows they probably share worse with you. I'm looking at you Buzzfeeders and Find-Out-What-Tool-You-Are'ers (I got drill press, how about you?). So here's The Bureau, and here it is again on Funny or Die where you can even vote for something!

The last couple of years (wow) have been good. I've had a lot of different experiences in civilian and professional life that have been invaluable lessons. I lost a family member, my aunt, who took me to my first really professional theatrical production, which, I believe, was Pirates of Penzance. While I didn't ride down the river of musicals, I have actually performed in one. So cheers, Aunt Julie. Thanks for the affirmations hiding in the critiques. Couldn't have done it better myself.

Cheers also to Sarah Elizabeth Jones. If you have somehow managed to avoid reading about her, please do so now. Slates for Sarah on Facebook is a good place to start. She was a second assistant camera person killed on the set of a movie shooting in Georgia. I didn't know her personally, but the incident has set off a firestorm of emotion and awareness regarding safety on sets, and the need for everyone to take it upon themselves to look after each other. The story struck a real chord with me, but I'll spare you my diatribe. Others have already said it, so I leave it to them.