#100in2015: My 2015 Resolution

Compiling my year-in-review blog posts "The Numbers" is always a sobering experience. Flipping back through my yearly planner and reviewing how I spent my time can be both enlightening and depressing.

Total glass half empty / glass half full mind stuff. While some might look at my 2014 calendar and see the jobs I booked and the meetings I had, I inevitably focus on all the empty space - the weeks, days, and hours spent developing a pilot that went nowhere, the auditions for roles I really wanted but didn't get, things I had to miss because of writing deadlines - and my God, I only went on ONE date?!

I even looked at all the social gatherings I attended - happy hours and dinner parties - and thought, "I should have been getting work done instead of having fun!" Such is the life of a stressball overachiever...

But as I compiled last year's post, one area did present itself as an opportunity for change in 2015 - my number of auditions. Sometimes I think I audition a lot, other times I feel like I don't. The numbers don't lie --

• 2014 - 50 auditions
• 2013 - 37 auditions
• 2012 - 37 auditions
• 2011 - 14 auditions
• 2010 - 25 auditions

So I'm generally trending upward. Good - that's how it should be. But can I be doing better?

I've said it before - the job of an actor is looking for a job. And I believe all work is wonderful - paid or unpaid, TV or commercial, studio or indie, web series or industrial, etc. I'm an equal opportunity actor. I just want to work.

So I'm setting a radical, pie in the sky goal for myself in 2015 -- 100 auditions. That's right, twice the number from last year. Because increasing the odds can only work in my favor, right?

To reach this goal, I'm going to need to kick up my efforts - submit myself more, do better at the auditions I do get to impress the casting directors, and commit to going to every single audition, no matter what writing deadlines are hanging overhead. It will be an interesting experiment - likely stressful at times - but I'm up for the challenge. (I already wonder what percentage will be for nurse/doctor roles...)

So there's my 2015 resolution - 100 auditions! Follow my progress on Twitter or Instagram using hashtag #100in2015 as I update my total count throughout the year.

Why don't you join me? If not 100 auditions, then 100 of something else. How about 100 hours on a writing project? Or 100 trips to the gym? I know there's someone out there who's up for making 100 Pinterest recipes. Let's do this together!

Onward and upward in 2015!

The Hump Day Update: Spring Awakening Edition

I have emerged from the ashes...with a pilot script!

Yes, dear readers, that's where I've been these past months. Writing, writing, writing - head down so I couldn't see all the good television and fun I was missing, focused on completing a new original pilot script in time for staffing season.

And I did it! It's done. Which means it's time to share all the things I did manage to squeeze in between my writing sprints these past two months...

In the midst of writing, I shot a vanity video for my agents at The Writers Junction - can't wait to see how it turned out!

Produced a friend's short film, with serious performances from these guys --

That may or may not have involved jumping into a pool fully clothed --

In the middle of the day, I had perhaps the most exciting celebrity sighting of my entire life - KITT!

I shot a few more episodes of Grey's Anatomy, helping to save fake patients like this sweet guy --

Had a handful of auditions at which I ran into lovely ladies like this one --

I attended writing group meetings --

Reading events --

And volunteered, of course. Presentations and events for Break the Cycle --

And WriteGirl --

Including a workshop at the Japanese American National Museum, where I found a profile on Mitsuye Endo, who I portrayed for years in Theatre Espresso shows. Me and Mitsuye --

Finally, nerdiness! Attended two PaleyFest panels, filled with ethnic talent --

And saw Eric Kripke, creator of Supernatural, speak at the Nerdist studio at Meltdown Comics--

The store was filled with comic goodies galore --

Finally, I threw a Pi Day dinner on 3/14, because I'm a nerd who loves pie. I made this banner of pi to over 3,000 digits to decorate my place --

Wow, I've been busy!

Back to writing...

Accountability Check, Please!

Working stiffs often talk about striving to find a work / life balance. Now that I'm working part-time at WriteGirl, one of the non-profits with which I volunteer, I'm realizing I need to find a work / work / life balance.

That is, I need to find enough time in my week for my public relations duties for WriteGirl, my writing, while maintaining some semblance of a life.

In the past few weeks, it's the middle category that's been suffering. I need to get going on this new TV pilot script and I have an unfinished novel nagging at my door. And I'm really eager to spend more time on them. But the one thing I don't have more of is time.

So I'm turning to this blog for some accountability. Like I did during my previous Writer's Diet Experiments, I'm committing to one week of daily blogging, with the hopes that reporting my day to day actions will force me to find a balance.

Because if you don't see me writing enough, I give you permission to fill my inbox with finger-wagging messages. Here goes!

---

Friday began with an audition for a TV comedy. My waiting room spot was right next to the casting office's drop box, which was overflowing with actors' hopes and dreams --


I was thoroughly entertained by this excellent piece of art in the office --


The Periodic Table of the Muppets? Genius!


After my audition, I headed to the WriteGirl office for the rest of the day, intending to leave by 5pm. I left around 6:30pm. Ack.

Was greeted by this stunning sunset as I got on the freeway --


Made a quick stop at the 99 Cent Only store to pick up some posterboards for a WriteGirl-related art project --


More on that tomorrow...

Then, I made dinner and caught up on episodes of Revenge while doing some more WriteGirl stuff. Looking back, I should have written in the morning before going to my audition. Ah, hindsight.

See why I need help? Here's to more productivity tomorrow...

An Open Letter to Student Filmmakers

Dear Film Students,

You are all so beautiful and eager. You can’t wait to get out of the classroom and start making your films. You’re excited to find actors to bring your vision to life. You can already picture the thunderous applause at your Academy Award qualification screening.

As an actor who has auditioned for and worked on many student films, I applaud your enthusiasm. You are the next generation of filmmakers and yes, many of you will go on to be Oscar nominees.

But right now, there are things my fellow actors and I experience over and over that need to be addressed. Because frankly, we know more about the business than most of you – especially if you were in junior high school when we started our acting careers.

So with all due respect, here are a few things you really need to hear --


1) Don’t make us drive out of town to audition.

Actors are juggling day jobs, auditions for paid roles, and our everyday lives. If you ask us to drive to Thousand Oaks or Long Beach for a student film audition, we probably won’t go. Especially with gas prices being so high right now.

Ensure the largest talent pool for your auditions by holding them in town. In Los Angeles, CAZT is free for producers and Space Station is affordable as well. You can also hold auditions via Skype or invite actors to put themselves on tape. Come to us and we’ll come to you.


2) Tell us where we’re going.

“Auditions will be held in Butler 22A” may mean something to you, but we’re not familiar with your campus. Send us directions, send us a campus map, tell us where we can park. Post signs along the way to help us find you.

And for goodness sake, put a sign on the door that says “Auditions Are Here!”


3) Be clear about what you want to see in the audition.

Don’t just send us the script. Tell us which pages you want to see so we can prepare in advance. That’s how it works in the big leagues. If you’ll be taking us through improv or movement exercises, let us know up front. We’re game for anything but we don’t like surprises. We just want to show you our best work.

Oh, and if the role is for a non-dialogue film, don’t give us five pages of dialogue from Sleepless in Seattle for the audition because you think it’s a similar character. You’ll just get a Meg Ryan impression that is unlikely to help you cast your role. Plus we think it’s weird. And monologues? Nooooo...


4) Respect the relationship between actor and student filmmaker.

My friend Christopher describes it as a symbiotic relationship. We need each other. I know you think your short film will be the next THX 1138, but you’re not doing us a favor by allowing us to be in your masterpiece. Understand and appreciate that we’re taking time and energy out of our lives to work on your project for free. Respect us and you’ll earn our respect.


And perhaps the most important thing student filmmakers need to learn about working with professional actors --


5) Say “thank you” as often as possible.

Never underestimate the power of gratitude. We’re doing fight choreography and falling down stairs without stunt pay, crying on cue for twenty takes, and doing our best to hit every mark. It’s all in a day’s work for us. We’re happy to help you realize your vision. Pay us back by saying “thank you” and meaning it.


Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the audition for your next film!

Sincerely,

Your Actors

Thursday Discovery Day

Yesterday was about writing, today was about discovery!

At an audition this morning, I discovered this little guy in the waiting room --

Talk about random!

It was a friendly waiting room filled with ethnic women, so I felt right at home. I chatted with one actress who told me about her one-woman show turned foundation for empowering women against sexual assault. What an incredible discovery!

On the way home, I finally stopped by Reel Cycle, a shop filled with clothes, shoes, accessories, & furniture used in television and film.

I discovered a pair of designer black suede heels that were practically brand new for only $20! Then I walked back to my car and discovered this on the windshield --

So basically the shoes cost me $83. Discount fail...

My first wave of editors is reading my series proposal for notes - hopefully will be able to start putting beats on the board this weekend!

The Hump Day Update: Summer's End Edition

Summer is over (boo) and the fall is already in full swing. My week has been wonderfully and stressfully full!

First, because I'm planning to once again donate my hair to Locks of Love, I decided to get a trim to give my hair some shape as it grows for the next year.

What I got was the WORST haircut I've ever gotten in my LIFE. Here's my lovely, thick hair before --

And my poor hair after, post hack job --

My face says it all. First of all, the whole cut took 10 minutes - never a good sign. And you can't really tell from the pic, but my hair is completely uneven - it's a disaster. I should have read the Yelp! reviews before buying the Groupon deal. Ah well, I'll fix it later...

On the upside, I did indulge in some great lunch meetings, including one at Beverly Soon Tofu in Koreatown. Stone plate bibimbap - yum!

Plus several auditions - hooray! A particularly fun one at the Warner Bros. Studios --

In one of the houses along the fake street --

I love auditions on studio lots because I love taking in the details of fake streets like this one. Anytown USA - except for the giant mountain range behind the houses --

And the highlight of my week? Slaving away on my futuristic robot cop drama pilot...then hearing that both Josh Friedman and JJ Abrams sold their futuristic robot cop drama pilots. Sigh...maybe I should keep going. Or maybe I should take these buys as a sign from the universe and move on to something new. I haven't decided yet...

Happy fall everyone!

Searching for Auditions

"So as a newcomer in LA as of this upcoming Monday, where would one find out about worthwhile open call auditions?" - @ActorAdamRay

First of all, welcome to Los Angeles! May your days be fruitful and traffic-free!

"Worthwhile open call" can be a bit of an oxymoron in Hollywood, so I'll just focus on finding worthwhile auditions in general.

For on-camera auditions - indie film, student film, commercials, industrials, etc. - create online resume profiles on Actors Access and LA Casting and start submitting yourself online. NOW Casting and CAZT are up and coming online submission services that are worth checking out too.

And after you sign up, make sure people can find your online resume link!

If you're more interested in stage work, definitely sign up at Backstage.com. You can subscribe to their print edition or save a tree and get an online account to view a wealth of casting notices. They've just redesigned their site and it looks amazing!

Some theater open calls are definitely worthwhile, though know that dues paying membership theater is a thing in LA, meaning sometimes you have to pay the company to be in their shows.

And if you're interested in background work, sign up at Central Casting. Extra work can be a fun way to meet actors, learn about set etiquette, and get paid to stand around. There are call-in services you can use to get even more extra work too - Joey's List is one that a friend uses.

Finally, I always suggest actors create an action plan for their career to hone their focus and keep from feeling overwhelmed. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. There's a ton of opportunity in Hollywood, so go for it! Break a leg!

Writer's Diet, Day 3 - Woot-Filled Wednesday

Another Hump Day, another green smoothie --

Began the uncomfortable, arduous task of editing my short story today. Read through everything - eek - and made a quick outline of all my plot points as well as a list of problems to fix. So, so many problems to fix.

Bolstered my spirits by snacking on crackers and leftover dips from my last clothing swap - all Trader Joe's again --

Met with my director to get a few signatures on the second round of SAG paperwork. The short film production is coming together beautifully - we locked a fantastic DP and are close to locking the rest of the crew. Woot!

Producing is incredibly satisfying for me because I'm a born multitasker. Plus there's nothing like checking tasks off a list.

Head to a casting office in Santa Monica for my third audition of the week --

And look who I ran into!

That's me with Cris Franco and Larry Cedar, original cast members from Square One TV! Otherwise known as my absolute favorite educational TV show from my teen years.


Square One TV was mix of comedy sketches, animated shorts, music videos, and game show segments that taught basic principles of math. That's right, it was a math show - and I loved it! Funny, clever, and so fantastic.

My two favorite music videos from the show, sung by Larry and Cris, respectively --



I acted with Larry on The Riches some years back and gushed to him about the show then. He was tickled I'd even seen it. When I told Cris I watched the show today, he laughed heartily. Probably not something he hears every day, but I was happy to be his fan girl. Sometimes I love my life.

Wasn't able to get back to work after the audition - got an invitation for sunset happy hour at The Lobster by the Santa Monica Pier that I couldn't turn down --

Indulged in Steamed New Zealand Cockles and Black Mussels --

and Espresso BBQ Pork Belly Sliders - yum!

And of course, a mojito!

Happy Hump Day everyone!