This morning I got an e-mail about an open slot on Wednesday for the VO classes I'm starting. I e-mailed back saying I wanted to take the slot and now it's mine, yay! This means I'll be starting my classes two weeks earlier than planned - would've liked to have started a month earlier, but the first two openings I couldn't do, and the third one I was too slow responding and someone else nabbed it. Still, my plan is to do one class a week - although schedule-wise and money-wise every other week might be more realistic. I'm just hoping things go well and the teacher doesn't say "sorry, your voice sucks, why don't you just save your money and do something else." I'm seriously having bad flashbacks to college speech class!
Last week I found out about a VO gig for a website that I go to a lot. It wasn't a paying gig but would be good practice and some exposure. They wanted a demo but if you didn't have one you could record the sides and send them in. I was going to stretch the truth a little and say I was in the process of putting my demo together (hah! not even close to that point!) so I don't have one to send in and had to record the sides. I planned to record them on the sly at work. But unfortunately in the end it didn't work out. Our system is so antiquated - it records to tape and I was hoping to be able to convert it to an MP3 and put it on a CD. Could not for the life of me figure out how! Was too scared to mess around with the computer for fear I'd mess something up. I also tried recording the tape to DVD so I could bring it home and put it in my computer. Couldn't figure out how to do that on the DVD recorder. I think it's a 2 step process and I wasn't sure how to do the 2nd step. I gave up. I also wasn't 100% thrilled with my read which could mean one of 3 things - 1. I was too preoccupied with worrying about running the equipment or that someone would show up at work while I was recording, 2. I'm not really right for this, or
3. I have no clue what I'm doing! (which is why I'm taking VO classes!) Probably a little bit of each. I do have to say I sounded better on the professional microphone than on the little mic on my computer. I did try to record it at home by attaching a microphone to my video camera, but in the end it was just too much trouble for something I really have no idea about what I'm doing. The sad thing is today I found out that someone I know just set up their home studio and I probably could've talked them into letting me record it at their house. Oh well.
A few weeks ago I was talking to someone about how I was starting VO classes. I was saying how I went to a few VO seminars and realized I have no freakin' clue what I'm doing and if I really want to do voice overs I need to get into some sort of structured class. They said they knew what I was talking about and how they went to some VO thing once and it was horrible - like they were just reading from the page. Somehow we got on the topic of price of classes - I think I was saying how I had done a lot of research, heard a few VO teachers speak, and audited a class that turned out to be one of the lower priced classes, but what I decided on was the best fit for me even though it's expensive. My friend is like, why don't you take the cheaper class so you'll comfortable and then take the more pricey class when you're more confident.
Okay, I understand their point. I understand trying something out before comitting to it. But the thing is, the cheap class ain't cheap! We're not talking a $50 or even a $100 class. The "cheap" class is about $500! I know there are those "getting started in voice overs" seminars that are somewhat inexpensive, and I guess if I knew NOTHING about voice over it might be good to take one, but I'm not totally clueless. I've now gone to three free seminars and audited a class, and listened to a few audio seminars, so I have some clue of what's going on. Also, it isn't like I'm jumping into some advanced class - this teacher teaches all levels so why waste my time and money taking class somewhere I really don't want to take class? And so what if I'm not comfortable or confident yet - that's what class is for! The teacher is not going to expect me to be at the top of my game the first day. I highly doubt they expect me to walk in there and impress them, lol.
Aha! I think I just realized why this person said this to me. OK, now I get it. I get where their coming from and why they have this mentality and even where they got it from. Not even gonna get into that here because that's a WHOLE other post.
I'm also beginning to really thing you do "get what you pay for." Too many times I've tried to save a buck or two (or a hundred) and not been happy with the results. Okay, okay, I know the opposite is true too. But I know this is a reputible teacher, one of the best. It's taken me way too long to learn that you just can't cut corners on certain things.
The other thing is I pay per class as I go, so I'm not locked into a six week session - so if I do end up just not liking it, I can stop anytime and not pay another cent.
This post went in a totally other direction than I planned, lol.
This weekend I went to a party in Long Beach. The person lived on a little penninsula between a bay and the ocean. They had a patio. They could walk to both the bay and the ocean. I'm SOOOO jealous. Yeah, their apartment was tiny, but still, they live in a GREAT location! And they have their own garage and a HUGE patio. We barbecued and drank on the patio. I still have a stomachace from all a ate and drank, lol. 2 people had kayaked over from the OC so we walked over to the bay and saw them off. I wanted to go to the beach or at least see the ocean portion, but we never did. Things like that make me want to throw in the towel and go rent a little place by the beach, lol.
Tonight I have French class. It's starting to make a little more sense, but I can't retain this stuff at all! If I can get going I'm going to go over to the college early and check out the theater and film buildings.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Hurry up!
I'm getting antsy and impatient. I'm supposed to have a possible audition on Tuesday or Wednesday and I haven't heard anything. It's something I submitted on almost 2 weeks ago, a show that I've done before...twice. Got an e-mail back from the director saying since I've done the show, and played the role they are trying to cast, I might not need to have a formal audition. If they could talk to whoever directed me in the show Maybe I could just meet with them sometime before the audition, or just drop by the audition to chat. I e-mailed them back with the info and yes, I'm interested in doing this, and haven't heard from them since. Sigh. I'm trying not to think about it. It won't be the end of the world if it doesn't happen, and it also means I won't have to do some serious schedule rearranging. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention - this is to do the show out of town at a theater festival...I think this is the first time it's being done outside of LA, which would be exciting. I'm actually more concerned about the LA rehearsals than going out of town - the out of town thing would just be one weekend, I think.
Like I said, it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't happen, and financially and schedule-wise it's not the best thing for me to be doing right now, but if I'm gonna be completely honest with myself I really, really want to do this and would find a way. I think I would drop everything to do this. I have a weird obsession with this show that's lasted over three years now since the first time I saw it. I can't explain it. It was like I was just sucked in and it became a big part of my life - like once you do this show it never really ends - I'll always be connected.
What if I slipped through the cracks? Or they found someone to play the role already? Or even worse, this director talked to the other directror and they said, don't even bother! Okay, that's highly doubtful because that director wouldn't have cast me a second time if they thought I was bad, lol. It's only Sunday, and it's possible the audition dates got changed or something, so I'm not giving up yet. I just would like to know for sure whether this audition/meeting is happening or not, and if I have to go through an actual audition I need to prepare.
I also want to get going on these voice over classes. I've gotten two e-mails about cancellations last week and this week, but unfortunately neither time slot worked for me so I could'nt bump up my appointment. Ugh. I'm hoping there's more cancellations this week or next. Still, my first lesson is less than a month away, so it's not that bad.
Last week I went to a thing about voice over demos at one of the organizations I belong to. The person who spoke hasn't been doing VO very long and a lot of it was stuff I'd heard before, although they did say a few things I didn't know about. But the encouraging thing is they already had booked work! And they studied with the person I'm going to be studying with, so that's good to know.
Oh, things worked out fine with my haircut. I explained that I thought it was too short last time and didn't like how it looked on camera. My hairdresser cut it the same length, but left the layers longer so it doesn't look or feel as short. I'm happy with the outcome. It's a teensy bit too short, but in two weeks it'll be just the right length.
Like I said, it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't happen, and financially and schedule-wise it's not the best thing for me to be doing right now, but if I'm gonna be completely honest with myself I really, really want to do this and would find a way. I think I would drop everything to do this. I have a weird obsession with this show that's lasted over three years now since the first time I saw it. I can't explain it. It was like I was just sucked in and it became a big part of my life - like once you do this show it never really ends - I'll always be connected.
What if I slipped through the cracks? Or they found someone to play the role already? Or even worse, this director talked to the other directror and they said, don't even bother! Okay, that's highly doubtful because that director wouldn't have cast me a second time if they thought I was bad, lol. It's only Sunday, and it's possible the audition dates got changed or something, so I'm not giving up yet. I just would like to know for sure whether this audition/meeting is happening or not, and if I have to go through an actual audition I need to prepare.
I also want to get going on these voice over classes. I've gotten two e-mails about cancellations last week and this week, but unfortunately neither time slot worked for me so I could'nt bump up my appointment. Ugh. I'm hoping there's more cancellations this week or next. Still, my first lesson is less than a month away, so it's not that bad.
Last week I went to a thing about voice over demos at one of the organizations I belong to. The person who spoke hasn't been doing VO very long and a lot of it was stuff I'd heard before, although they did say a few things I didn't know about. But the encouraging thing is they already had booked work! And they studied with the person I'm going to be studying with, so that's good to know.
Oh, things worked out fine with my haircut. I explained that I thought it was too short last time and didn't like how it looked on camera. My hairdresser cut it the same length, but left the layers longer so it doesn't look or feel as short. I'm happy with the outcome. It's a teensy bit too short, but in two weeks it'll be just the right length.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Le Francais est tres difficile!
I'm going to get my hair cut at 2pm. I have stuff I need to do before then but I'm sitting here updating this blog, lol.
I started a French class last week. I took six years of French in middle and high school. Then forgot it all. I want to be able to get back to a level where I can put it in my special skills section of my resume. I don't expect to be fluent or anything, but at least get to a level where I can put conversational French on my resume.
I checked out a few options and decided to go with one of those community extension classes at a community college. It seemed like the cheapest and easiest option for now - the class meets for two hours once a week for six weeks and cost about $100 with all the material and parking permit fees. I didn't want to officially enroll in a community college and have to take required classes and get grades - too much - I don't need a degree in French. I also checked out some sort of language institute but it was very, very, very pricey. I also took their online placement test. I tried the one they suggested for people who took French before but a long time ago. Couldn't even get past the first question! I tried the most basic test and could barely do it! I also checked out some online classes - most of them were more expensive than the class I enrolled in - I can pay less money AND be in an actual class. I also thought about buying a set of CDs and also checked out some free online options but in the end decided it would be better for me to be in a classroom situation. And the community college I signed up at is only about a mile from me so that's good. I had never been to this college and let me say...it's a dump.
I went to the first class expecting the teacher to be some French woman who had lived in Paris. Or at least like my high school French teacher - a mean old woman who supposedly lived in Paris for awhile (or so I was told - never truly verified that). Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw an African American dude! Okay, I later found out he was Hatian, but still, not what I expected! And he started talking to us in French right away! Is this class going to be entirely in French? Jeez, I think in high school we were at year 2 or 3 before we got to that point! There's nine people in the class. Most of us have had some exposure to French - either took it in high school or have been to France but never picked up the language. There's a couple that are going to France in July so they're trying to learn. Then there's one girl who's completely clueless. And she has a weird accent. I thought she was southern or something but then I thought she said she was Russian. It's hilarious to try and hear her speak French...she can't pronounce anything!
I was lost the first class. Most of it is about what stuff SOUNDS like. I need to see it written down. This is very weird for me because I usually learn stuff quicker by hearing it - that's how I learn my lines all the time. But for some reason I have to see the words. We did have to go write all the French words we knew on the board - I did really well there. But I think most of my words were from "Foux du Fafa!" lol! Thanks Flight of the Conchords! We have a CD and book set that we have to listen too. I seemed to have better luck with that at home. It made sense. Got to the second class and was kind of lost again. We also have a sylibus with homework - I don't understand the sylibus, and it's not because it's in French! It's just written and set up weird.
I'm hoping this starts to come back to me. There's certain things that I think I learned different before - or thought I learned them different before, which is more likely the case. I can understand certain words and phrases, expecially when I read them, but have a hard time expressing myself. I have NO retention for this at all! I need to start doing something everyday so I don't forget. I thought about trying to watch DVDs in French or with French subtitles and the teacher even suggested it last class. I think I'll try that. I'll also see what I can find on the internet for French websites. I'm starting to wish I had taken one of the music or dance classes I thought about taking.
I also went to two auditions last week. One was an open call for a new agency looking for commercial talent. Couldn't find much info on them - probabaly because they were new - but got the open call info from a reliable source so I went. Got a weird vibe from it. Hmm. I don't know. Something didn't feel right. Could be the place is totally legit but just a bad match for me.
I also went to an audition on Sunday for a short film. I was expecting the worst. There were typos in the script. Ugh. That's a pet peeve of mine and also a red flag. And they sent me the entire script with no real instruction what I was supposed to be reading. But it wasn't very long and each character really just had one scene so I just picked a character to audition for and learned their chunk of dialogue. And it was sort of an open call - meaning I could show up anytime between 11-3pm. I almost didn't go, but did, but didn't really care. I mean, I did my homework and was prepared, but honestly didn't think this was something I'd be interested in doing. The project also seemed a bit ambitios - filming in traffic, a car crash, etc. I went prepared to ask a lot of questions. I'm just tired of
Turns out the people were really cool and it seemed like they knew what they were doing. They told me how they were going to shoot it - staging the traffic, etc. and what their plans for the film were - to put it on the internet. And they were really nice. I read it twice, got some laughs and felt good about it. I guess this is just a reminder that you never know, and it's always worth going to auditions. Was this a Sundance-bound film? No. But it could be a nice little piece for my reel and something that could get some attention on the internet. And at least they were honest about their plans and didn't make it out to be more than it was.
This week I've been trying to stay motivated. It's been productive - I went to French class Monday night, started the next round of my advanced comedy class on Tuesday, went to TAN twice yesterday, going to get my haircut today. Lots to do!
That reminds me, I need to figure out a way to tell my hairdresser in a nice way not to cut my hair as short as she did last time and that they style she cut it seems to be becoming the "mom" cut. I don't know if she's going to understand that it's nothing personal, it's a wonderful haircut, but NOT the look I'm going for. NOT really my category, and NOT what I'm trying to market myself as. Three strikes right there. I also saw myself on camera and it was WAY too short in the back and not the look I was going for. I just didn't like it. It wasn't me. Or at least the look I'm going for, or the right look for the things I'll get cast as. The sad thing is in class the other night the teacher said I had a good look going on - I know they probabaly also meant the way I was dressed, but I'm sure it also included my horribly overgrown hair that desperately needs a dye job! Figures.
I started a French class last week. I took six years of French in middle and high school. Then forgot it all. I want to be able to get back to a level where I can put it in my special skills section of my resume. I don't expect to be fluent or anything, but at least get to a level where I can put conversational French on my resume.
I checked out a few options and decided to go with one of those community extension classes at a community college. It seemed like the cheapest and easiest option for now - the class meets for two hours once a week for six weeks and cost about $100 with all the material and parking permit fees. I didn't want to officially enroll in a community college and have to take required classes and get grades - too much - I don't need a degree in French. I also checked out some sort of language institute but it was very, very, very pricey. I also took their online placement test. I tried the one they suggested for people who took French before but a long time ago. Couldn't even get past the first question! I tried the most basic test and could barely do it! I also checked out some online classes - most of them were more expensive than the class I enrolled in - I can pay less money AND be in an actual class. I also thought about buying a set of CDs and also checked out some free online options but in the end decided it would be better for me to be in a classroom situation. And the community college I signed up at is only about a mile from me so that's good. I had never been to this college and let me say...it's a dump.
I went to the first class expecting the teacher to be some French woman who had lived in Paris. Or at least like my high school French teacher - a mean old woman who supposedly lived in Paris for awhile (or so I was told - never truly verified that). Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw an African American dude! Okay, I later found out he was Hatian, but still, not what I expected! And he started talking to us in French right away! Is this class going to be entirely in French? Jeez, I think in high school we were at year 2 or 3 before we got to that point! There's nine people in the class. Most of us have had some exposure to French - either took it in high school or have been to France but never picked up the language. There's a couple that are going to France in July so they're trying to learn. Then there's one girl who's completely clueless. And she has a weird accent. I thought she was southern or something but then I thought she said she was Russian. It's hilarious to try and hear her speak French...she can't pronounce anything!
I was lost the first class. Most of it is about what stuff SOUNDS like. I need to see it written down. This is very weird for me because I usually learn stuff quicker by hearing it - that's how I learn my lines all the time. But for some reason I have to see the words. We did have to go write all the French words we knew on the board - I did really well there. But I think most of my words were from "Foux du Fafa!" lol! Thanks Flight of the Conchords! We have a CD and book set that we have to listen too. I seemed to have better luck with that at home. It made sense. Got to the second class and was kind of lost again. We also have a sylibus with homework - I don't understand the sylibus, and it's not because it's in French! It's just written and set up weird.
I'm hoping this starts to come back to me. There's certain things that I think I learned different before - or thought I learned them different before, which is more likely the case. I can understand certain words and phrases, expecially when I read them, but have a hard time expressing myself. I have NO retention for this at all! I need to start doing something everyday so I don't forget. I thought about trying to watch DVDs in French or with French subtitles and the teacher even suggested it last class. I think I'll try that. I'll also see what I can find on the internet for French websites. I'm starting to wish I had taken one of the music or dance classes I thought about taking.
I also went to two auditions last week. One was an open call for a new agency looking for commercial talent. Couldn't find much info on them - probabaly because they were new - but got the open call info from a reliable source so I went. Got a weird vibe from it. Hmm. I don't know. Something didn't feel right. Could be the place is totally legit but just a bad match for me.
I also went to an audition on Sunday for a short film. I was expecting the worst. There were typos in the script. Ugh. That's a pet peeve of mine and also a red flag. And they sent me the entire script with no real instruction what I was supposed to be reading. But it wasn't very long and each character really just had one scene so I just picked a character to audition for and learned their chunk of dialogue. And it was sort of an open call - meaning I could show up anytime between 11-3pm. I almost didn't go, but did, but didn't really care. I mean, I did my homework and was prepared, but honestly didn't think this was something I'd be interested in doing. The project also seemed a bit ambitios - filming in traffic, a car crash, etc. I went prepared to ask a lot of questions. I'm just tired of
Turns out the people were really cool and it seemed like they knew what they were doing. They told me how they were going to shoot it - staging the traffic, etc. and what their plans for the film were - to put it on the internet. And they were really nice. I read it twice, got some laughs and felt good about it. I guess this is just a reminder that you never know, and it's always worth going to auditions. Was this a Sundance-bound film? No. But it could be a nice little piece for my reel and something that could get some attention on the internet. And at least they were honest about their plans and didn't make it out to be more than it was.
This week I've been trying to stay motivated. It's been productive - I went to French class Monday night, started the next round of my advanced comedy class on Tuesday, went to TAN twice yesterday, going to get my haircut today. Lots to do!
That reminds me, I need to figure out a way to tell my hairdresser in a nice way not to cut my hair as short as she did last time and that they style she cut it seems to be becoming the "mom" cut. I don't know if she's going to understand that it's nothing personal, it's a wonderful haircut, but NOT the look I'm going for. NOT really my category, and NOT what I'm trying to market myself as. Three strikes right there. I also saw myself on camera and it was WAY too short in the back and not the look I was going for. I just didn't like it. It wasn't me. Or at least the look I'm going for, or the right look for the things I'll get cast as. The sad thing is in class the other night the teacher said I had a good look going on - I know they probabaly also meant the way I was dressed, but I'm sure it also included my horribly overgrown hair that desperately needs a dye job! Figures.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Slowly but surely getting this thing updated!
I should be working on a monologue right now...but instead I'm updating this blog.
So, on to June.
Last Monday was a screening of a film I did a few months ago. I didn't go. Mostly because it was a horrible, horrible experience all around and I really had no desire to see the finish product and be reminded of the whole ordeal.
I was on the fence about going to a CD workshop on Saturday. It was someone who casts one of the shows that's on my target list. I usually wait until the last minute to sign up for these workshops because there's usually plenty of room and sometime they offer a discount when they're desperate for people. But on Friday I got an e-mail from a website I subscribe to about an industry event on Saturday. It was geared towards producers/directors/filmmakers/etc. but I thought it might be a good opportunity to go. It was at USC and it was a series of panels and you could choose 3 to go to. Let's see...I could either
1. pay $35 to meet ONE person, a CD.
Or
2. pay $40 and meet about 15 people who are producers, writers, directors, etc.
I opted for #2. A better deal all around! And that included lunch, a gift bag, a raffle, coffee, and more coffee (yes, the itinerary said "more coffee"). At the event I also found out that included muffins and danish in the morning and cocktails at night - I skipped both of those - danish and muffins are good but too fattening, and as much as I was craving a drink I was about to fall over from exhaustion by the time the event was over and had to drive home.
So I got up early and trekked down to USC to get there around 9:30 to check in. I shelled out $8 for parking because I was scared I wouldn't be able to feed the meter, and I felt better leaving my car in a secure parking garage on campus than on the street all day - even though I've parked on the street outside of USC plenty of times (even once with major police activity going on) and never had a problem. I checked in (alphabetical by first name, okay, that was confusing) and got my gift bag (filled with expensive skin care samples put in Academy Award gift bags, including a full bottle of moisturizer - score!) and made sure I got my coffee! At 10 there was a little opening seminar type thing where the people who run the organization sponsoring the event spoke a little bit. I really didn't read much about what the organization was, but it was something affiliated with USC and most of the guest speakers went to USC. I think most of the people there were either students or alumni of USC then a small amount of people not affiliated with the school. The organization was called Women of Cinematic Arts so the opening speakers did talk about women in film type issues (and I was happy they talked about women in FRONT of the camera!) but the panels didn't deal specifically with women.
The first panel I went to was about independent features and a group of indie producers spoke. It was really interesting. I was really happy when they brought up the topic of dealing with SAG and to file all the paperwork with SAG early. I really think there are a lot of inexperienced filmmakers who don't know how important that stuff is. I really liked that panel.
The next panel I went to was about TV and the Web. It was a variety of TV producers talking about how they use the internet for the shows they work on. They all seemed to agree that the internet was not going to replace TV. Wow. That was really surprising to hear because I've heard so many times how internet is going to be the new TV. Hmm. Interesting with the whole SAG contract thing going on right now. Can't even begin to get into it here. Another great panel with some interesting speakers.
I was undecided which panel to attend for my third one. One was about creating webisodes and the other one was about getting and working with an agent. The webisode one was what I wanted to go to and thought I would learn the most from. I didn't know how much the agent one would help me because it was mostly writers and directors and I'm not looking for a literary agent. But, there were some GREAT speakers on that panel - writers from hit shows, directors from films. A great networking opportunity. Hmm. What to do, what to do... I read the bios of the people again and saw that one on the webisode panel went to Emerson! Aha! That was the deciding factor. I was starting to feel a little odd being around USC students and graduates all day - I needed to hear someone speak who was one of my peeps! Yes, I managed to find the one person who went to the same college as me! A lot of stuff the speakers talked about was stuff I'd heard before - there's no money in webisodes, do it as passion project, make the best quality thing with what money you have, keep them short - but they did say some stuff that I hadn't really heard before such as things about marketing, and getting a distribution deal, and what to look for in a contract. Treat it like an indie film. They also said something interesting how this playground their in isn't going to last long. Hmm. Interesting. I'm not sure if they meant that it's going to go all corporate and studios are going to take over, or it will just play itself out and webisodes are a fad.
Afterwards I stuck around to say hi to the Emerson person. I even missed part of the raffle for this! I hope they didn't call my name - there were some great prizes worth a lot of $$$! But it was worth it to say hi and introduce myself.
The panel I seemed to enjoy the most was the indie film one - but maybe because it was the first one and by the time I got to the third one I had been sitting in seminars all day and was tired. I didn't even stick around for the free drinks. And they were good drinks too! Not just beer and wine but mixed drinks! But I was tired and had to go cat sit for someone and a drink would just make me more tired.
I spent Sunday and Monday trying to get contact info for the speakers so I could send out thank you notes. They didn't give out contact info so I had to do some research. I spent hours on IMDB Pro and even went and looked up stuff in the Hollywood Creative Directory. I had some luck, but a lot of these people weren't listed, or I wasn't sure if I had the best contact info. I wanted to get snail mail addresses but had to settle for e-mail for most of them. A lot of them had websites, and the only contact info I could find was through the website. There were two people in particular I really wanted to send thank you notes too. I found a website for one, but wasn't having much luck with the other. I did find an address, but it wasn't something I found easily on the web, and wasn't sure if it was a home or business address. That seemed a little too stalkerish. I did find a MySpace page for one of their films. Ugh, I guess that was how I would have to contact them. Then just for the hell of it I searched the film name on Facebook. Aha! There's a facebook page for the film and it has contact info! Voila! An e-mail address! Not as good as a snail mail address, but much better than contacting someone through MySpace!
I still have to write the thank you notes. Ugh! Why do I procrastinate on this so much? I think I want to make sure I'm saying the right thing, and what I want to say and I think about it way too much. I need to just do it.
Whew, almost caught up! One more post should do it!
Oh, I did try my free skin care products and LOVE them. Uh-oh, does this mean I'm going to be buying expensive moisturizer from now on?
So, on to June.
Last Monday was a screening of a film I did a few months ago. I didn't go. Mostly because it was a horrible, horrible experience all around and I really had no desire to see the finish product and be reminded of the whole ordeal.
I was on the fence about going to a CD workshop on Saturday. It was someone who casts one of the shows that's on my target list. I usually wait until the last minute to sign up for these workshops because there's usually plenty of room and sometime they offer a discount when they're desperate for people. But on Friday I got an e-mail from a website I subscribe to about an industry event on Saturday. It was geared towards producers/directors/filmmakers/etc. but I thought it might be a good opportunity to go. It was at USC and it was a series of panels and you could choose 3 to go to. Let's see...I could either
1. pay $35 to meet ONE person, a CD.
Or
2. pay $40 and meet about 15 people who are producers, writers, directors, etc.
I opted for #2. A better deal all around! And that included lunch, a gift bag, a raffle, coffee, and more coffee (yes, the itinerary said "more coffee"). At the event I also found out that included muffins and danish in the morning and cocktails at night - I skipped both of those - danish and muffins are good but too fattening, and as much as I was craving a drink I was about to fall over from exhaustion by the time the event was over and had to drive home.
So I got up early and trekked down to USC to get there around 9:30 to check in. I shelled out $8 for parking because I was scared I wouldn't be able to feed the meter, and I felt better leaving my car in a secure parking garage on campus than on the street all day - even though I've parked on the street outside of USC plenty of times (even once with major police activity going on) and never had a problem. I checked in (alphabetical by first name, okay, that was confusing) and got my gift bag (filled with expensive skin care samples put in Academy Award gift bags, including a full bottle of moisturizer - score!) and made sure I got my coffee! At 10 there was a little opening seminar type thing where the people who run the organization sponsoring the event spoke a little bit. I really didn't read much about what the organization was, but it was something affiliated with USC and most of the guest speakers went to USC. I think most of the people there were either students or alumni of USC then a small amount of people not affiliated with the school. The organization was called Women of Cinematic Arts so the opening speakers did talk about women in film type issues (and I was happy they talked about women in FRONT of the camera!) but the panels didn't deal specifically with women.
The first panel I went to was about independent features and a group of indie producers spoke. It was really interesting. I was really happy when they brought up the topic of dealing with SAG and to file all the paperwork with SAG early. I really think there are a lot of inexperienced filmmakers who don't know how important that stuff is. I really liked that panel.
The next panel I went to was about TV and the Web. It was a variety of TV producers talking about how they use the internet for the shows they work on. They all seemed to agree that the internet was not going to replace TV. Wow. That was really surprising to hear because I've heard so many times how internet is going to be the new TV. Hmm. Interesting with the whole SAG contract thing going on right now. Can't even begin to get into it here. Another great panel with some interesting speakers.
I was undecided which panel to attend for my third one. One was about creating webisodes and the other one was about getting and working with an agent. The webisode one was what I wanted to go to and thought I would learn the most from. I didn't know how much the agent one would help me because it was mostly writers and directors and I'm not looking for a literary agent. But, there were some GREAT speakers on that panel - writers from hit shows, directors from films. A great networking opportunity. Hmm. What to do, what to do... I read the bios of the people again and saw that one on the webisode panel went to Emerson! Aha! That was the deciding factor. I was starting to feel a little odd being around USC students and graduates all day - I needed to hear someone speak who was one of my peeps! Yes, I managed to find the one person who went to the same college as me! A lot of stuff the speakers talked about was stuff I'd heard before - there's no money in webisodes, do it as passion project, make the best quality thing with what money you have, keep them short - but they did say some stuff that I hadn't really heard before such as things about marketing, and getting a distribution deal, and what to look for in a contract. Treat it like an indie film. They also said something interesting how this playground their in isn't going to last long. Hmm. Interesting. I'm not sure if they meant that it's going to go all corporate and studios are going to take over, or it will just play itself out and webisodes are a fad.
Afterwards I stuck around to say hi to the Emerson person. I even missed part of the raffle for this! I hope they didn't call my name - there were some great prizes worth a lot of $$$! But it was worth it to say hi and introduce myself.
The panel I seemed to enjoy the most was the indie film one - but maybe because it was the first one and by the time I got to the third one I had been sitting in seminars all day and was tired. I didn't even stick around for the free drinks. And they were good drinks too! Not just beer and wine but mixed drinks! But I was tired and had to go cat sit for someone and a drink would just make me more tired.
I spent Sunday and Monday trying to get contact info for the speakers so I could send out thank you notes. They didn't give out contact info so I had to do some research. I spent hours on IMDB Pro and even went and looked up stuff in the Hollywood Creative Directory. I had some luck, but a lot of these people weren't listed, or I wasn't sure if I had the best contact info. I wanted to get snail mail addresses but had to settle for e-mail for most of them. A lot of them had websites, and the only contact info I could find was through the website. There were two people in particular I really wanted to send thank you notes too. I found a website for one, but wasn't having much luck with the other. I did find an address, but it wasn't something I found easily on the web, and wasn't sure if it was a home or business address. That seemed a little too stalkerish. I did find a MySpace page for one of their films. Ugh, I guess that was how I would have to contact them. Then just for the hell of it I searched the film name on Facebook. Aha! There's a facebook page for the film and it has contact info! Voila! An e-mail address! Not as good as a snail mail address, but much better than contacting someone through MySpace!
I still have to write the thank you notes. Ugh! Why do I procrastinate on this so much? I think I want to make sure I'm saying the right thing, and what I want to say and I think about it way too much. I need to just do it.
Whew, almost caught up! One more post should do it!
Oh, I did try my free skin care products and LOVE them. Uh-oh, does this mean I'm going to be buying expensive moisturizer from now on?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Trying to get up to speed
I'm trying to get this blog up to date - the last two weeks of May were really busy.
Sometime mid-May I got an e-mail from a writer friend asking if I wanted to be a part of a staged reading/one act play festival at a theater they belong to. I did it last year and it was fun so I said yes. They told me they had a part for me in one of the plays that was being put up on the 31st and that the readings going up this weekend still weren't cast so there was going to be a little get together on Friday night where people could read stuff and get cast in stuff for that weekend. Cool. I said I'd do that too.
Then a day or two later I got a call from a project I had submitted for sometime within the past week. It was a trailer for a feature length film that was a finalist in a competition being sponsored by Netflix. I guess people had submitted scripts, ten finalists were chosen, those finalists have to make a short film/promo/trailer/etc., then the those are put online and the public votes for a winner. So it would be some exposure. Cool. But...it shoots in Victorvillle, about 90 miles outside of L.A. Don't know if this is a downside or an upside - on one hand it's a long drive, but on the other hand it would be an adventure - shooting on location - road trip! And it shoots that weekend, which would mean backing out of the play festival that weekend. The person told me that they knew if was far, but the director really liked my look. I need a moment to think. So I tell the person who called me I have a possible commitment that day but could probably cancel it and I'd call back in an hour.
Was this worth doing? Would it be exposure? How much would I be in this thing? Is it background? Would they cast me in the actual film if it wins? Hmm. After thinking it over I call back and agree to do it...because it would be an adventure! I've learned not to expect anything in these situations - such as being cast in the project if it gets made - but I thought it would be fun to shoot something outside of LA. I've been to Victorville before on the way to Vegas. It's this oasis of shopping centers and restaurants out in the desert. The person tells me the A.D. would call me with the location and call time, and wardrobe would call me about what to wear. Wow, maybe this is a bigger deal than I thought! The night before the shoot I got an e-mail with the call time and location and all those details from the A.D. It was a real call sheet thingy. I was impressed - I was expecting this little shoot, but it's bigger than I thought. On Sunday I trek out to Victorville. This was in a part of Victorville I'd never been too - I've only been to the strip mall section of Victorville. This was further out. I get lost. I drive back and forth between two strip mall type sections at least 5 times. The address just doesn't exist! Finally I call the person who's contact number I have and I find out that Mapquest was giving everyone the wrong directions. Ugh. I pretty much just had to turn around and go in the opposite direction. Finally I get to my destination - this tiny little diner in the middle of nowhere in the desert. Wow. It was kind of fascinating. I guess it was built a looooong time ago.
The truck bringing the equipment from L.A. broke down, so there was a lot of waiting...and waiting...and waiting. But that's to be expected. At least we were inside. Once the truck arrived there was a lot of equipment, and a lot of people there. Wow. I guess this is a big deal!
Overall the shoot went smoothly. They were just shooting a trailer for the film, so they only shot what they needed to put that together. I was playing a waitress. I've never waitressed a day in my life! I know, that seems odd for an actor to say that, lol! I'm just glad I didn't drop anything or trip and fall!
Sometime within the next week one of the producers sent out a thank you e-mail and a link to where the voting would be. There were some links in the e-mail to the production company. I clicked on them. Okay, this was like a REAL production company that had done some stuff. Okay, I just went back to try and find the website and the link doesn't work - the site is GONE! Hmm...
Anyway, I wanted to send out thank you e-mails to people but never got around to it and decided to wait until the voting started and the trailer was online. I'm trying to make a good impression so MAYBE they will consider casting me in the actual film when and if they make it. The trailer went online two days ago and I watched it. It looks great, except...
I'm not in the damn thing! Nope. Not at all. Not even a glimpse of me! Even the person who was a crew member who stood in as a diner customer was in it! Geez. I know, I know, it happens, it's beyond my control, it had nothing to do with me, and there's nothing I can do about it, but come on! That's so disappointing because I was going to tell everyone to go vote for it! I still am, but now I have to say that I never made the final cut. Grr. I'm still going to e-mail thank you notes to everyone and say the trailer looks great and good luck. And the trailer does look great...and the film seems interesting. I'm still hoping that they'll consider casting me in the actual film, but I've come not to expect too much from these situations - I won't even get into that because that's a whole other post in itself. Oh, I did go to the film's website and I am credited in the credits there, so that's a small consolation! And I don't think I was the only one who got cut. I'm even in the production stills, lol.
So that's that. The week following the shoot I had rehearsal for the one act play reading, and did the one act play reading last Sunday. I think it went well, minus a few minor personality clashes, and the actually festival running long. I also got to talk to a friend of mine about starting the whole voice over process and there was actually someone else there who was also starting the program. Cool! My friend seemed interested in it, freaked out when we told her the cost, but then when we explained it all she got it and said she would do it too if she had the money. So I felt better about that.
I also went to a CD workshop that week. Actually it was a commercial agent night - they brought in two agents and we could all do commercial copy for them. I was going to do the copy I did once before and got great feedback - the cat food commercial, can't go wrong with that! But then thought about bringing my own - something I did in a class once and then did for an agent and everyone really liked it - the agent didn't call me in, but everyone liked it! The thing is, that one can be a little, uh, wacky? I guess that's what I'm going for. Also, it's meant to be done with props, and I'm not bringing props, and I'm not doing spacework, so I have to decide if it makes sense without all that stuff. I think they'll get the idea without it all, and isn't it more about personality and performance than props? I rehearse it a few times to get the words down. I take out the one line that won't make sense if I don't have props. Okay, I'm gonna be brave, take a risk, and do it! But I bring some back-up copy in case I chicken out and they don't have my cat food commercial there!
I get there and the cat food commercial copy is there. What to do, what to do?!? I decided to take a risk and do the crazy copy I brought with me. I go outside and run through it a few times. Then the workshop starts. Okay, no turning back now. There's a Q&A before we start. I asked questions...two questions...wow, I really was being bold! I usually just sit and listen at these things. Then we start the "showing our work" portion of the night. I go towards the end. It goes well. I get a couple laughs from this one guy sitting in the back. And I got HUGE laughs on one part - not really sure if I should've gotten laughs there, but it's still a good thing. Unfortunately I don't know if the agents laughed or not. When it was over I felt good! I felt great! I was soooo glad I took the risk and did that copy. I made sure to send out thank you notes the next day. Haven't heard anything...but it's only been a week and a half...but the sad reality is I probably won't hear from them. I don't mean to sound negative, but it's the harsh reality...there's so many factors out of my control. But, I feel good because of the stuff I could control - I went in there and gave a kick-ass performance! And I'll make sure to stay in contact with the agents. Still, it's frustrating...not gonna go off on that tangent...
So that was May. Oh, yeah, I also went to a party down in Long Beach the last weekend of May, whew!
Now on to June....
Sometime mid-May I got an e-mail from a writer friend asking if I wanted to be a part of a staged reading/one act play festival at a theater they belong to. I did it last year and it was fun so I said yes. They told me they had a part for me in one of the plays that was being put up on the 31st and that the readings going up this weekend still weren't cast so there was going to be a little get together on Friday night where people could read stuff and get cast in stuff for that weekend. Cool. I said I'd do that too.
Then a day or two later I got a call from a project I had submitted for sometime within the past week. It was a trailer for a feature length film that was a finalist in a competition being sponsored by Netflix. I guess people had submitted scripts, ten finalists were chosen, those finalists have to make a short film/promo/trailer/etc., then the those are put online and the public votes for a winner. So it would be some exposure. Cool. But...it shoots in Victorvillle, about 90 miles outside of L.A. Don't know if this is a downside or an upside - on one hand it's a long drive, but on the other hand it would be an adventure - shooting on location - road trip! And it shoots that weekend, which would mean backing out of the play festival that weekend. The person told me that they knew if was far, but the director really liked my look. I need a moment to think. So I tell the person who called me I have a possible commitment that day but could probably cancel it and I'd call back in an hour.
Was this worth doing? Would it be exposure? How much would I be in this thing? Is it background? Would they cast me in the actual film if it wins? Hmm. After thinking it over I call back and agree to do it...because it would be an adventure! I've learned not to expect anything in these situations - such as being cast in the project if it gets made - but I thought it would be fun to shoot something outside of LA. I've been to Victorville before on the way to Vegas. It's this oasis of shopping centers and restaurants out in the desert. The person tells me the A.D. would call me with the location and call time, and wardrobe would call me about what to wear. Wow, maybe this is a bigger deal than I thought! The night before the shoot I got an e-mail with the call time and location and all those details from the A.D. It was a real call sheet thingy. I was impressed - I was expecting this little shoot, but it's bigger than I thought. On Sunday I trek out to Victorville. This was in a part of Victorville I'd never been too - I've only been to the strip mall section of Victorville. This was further out. I get lost. I drive back and forth between two strip mall type sections at least 5 times. The address just doesn't exist! Finally I call the person who's contact number I have and I find out that Mapquest was giving everyone the wrong directions. Ugh. I pretty much just had to turn around and go in the opposite direction. Finally I get to my destination - this tiny little diner in the middle of nowhere in the desert. Wow. It was kind of fascinating. I guess it was built a looooong time ago.
The truck bringing the equipment from L.A. broke down, so there was a lot of waiting...and waiting...and waiting. But that's to be expected. At least we were inside. Once the truck arrived there was a lot of equipment, and a lot of people there. Wow. I guess this is a big deal!
Overall the shoot went smoothly. They were just shooting a trailer for the film, so they only shot what they needed to put that together. I was playing a waitress. I've never waitressed a day in my life! I know, that seems odd for an actor to say that, lol! I'm just glad I didn't drop anything or trip and fall!
Sometime within the next week one of the producers sent out a thank you e-mail and a link to where the voting would be. There were some links in the e-mail to the production company. I clicked on them. Okay, this was like a REAL production company that had done some stuff. Okay, I just went back to try and find the website and the link doesn't work - the site is GONE! Hmm...
Anyway, I wanted to send out thank you e-mails to people but never got around to it and decided to wait until the voting started and the trailer was online. I'm trying to make a good impression so MAYBE they will consider casting me in the actual film when and if they make it. The trailer went online two days ago and I watched it. It looks great, except...
I'm not in the damn thing! Nope. Not at all. Not even a glimpse of me! Even the person who was a crew member who stood in as a diner customer was in it! Geez. I know, I know, it happens, it's beyond my control, it had nothing to do with me, and there's nothing I can do about it, but come on! That's so disappointing because I was going to tell everyone to go vote for it! I still am, but now I have to say that I never made the final cut. Grr. I'm still going to e-mail thank you notes to everyone and say the trailer looks great and good luck. And the trailer does look great...and the film seems interesting. I'm still hoping that they'll consider casting me in the actual film, but I've come not to expect too much from these situations - I won't even get into that because that's a whole other post in itself. Oh, I did go to the film's website and I am credited in the credits there, so that's a small consolation! And I don't think I was the only one who got cut. I'm even in the production stills, lol.
So that's that. The week following the shoot I had rehearsal for the one act play reading, and did the one act play reading last Sunday. I think it went well, minus a few minor personality clashes, and the actually festival running long. I also got to talk to a friend of mine about starting the whole voice over process and there was actually someone else there who was also starting the program. Cool! My friend seemed interested in it, freaked out when we told her the cost, but then when we explained it all she got it and said she would do it too if she had the money. So I felt better about that.
I also went to a CD workshop that week. Actually it was a commercial agent night - they brought in two agents and we could all do commercial copy for them. I was going to do the copy I did once before and got great feedback - the cat food commercial, can't go wrong with that! But then thought about bringing my own - something I did in a class once and then did for an agent and everyone really liked it - the agent didn't call me in, but everyone liked it! The thing is, that one can be a little, uh, wacky? I guess that's what I'm going for. Also, it's meant to be done with props, and I'm not bringing props, and I'm not doing spacework, so I have to decide if it makes sense without all that stuff. I think they'll get the idea without it all, and isn't it more about personality and performance than props? I rehearse it a few times to get the words down. I take out the one line that won't make sense if I don't have props. Okay, I'm gonna be brave, take a risk, and do it! But I bring some back-up copy in case I chicken out and they don't have my cat food commercial there!
I get there and the cat food commercial copy is there. What to do, what to do?!? I decided to take a risk and do the crazy copy I brought with me. I go outside and run through it a few times. Then the workshop starts. Okay, no turning back now. There's a Q&A before we start. I asked questions...two questions...wow, I really was being bold! I usually just sit and listen at these things. Then we start the "showing our work" portion of the night. I go towards the end. It goes well. I get a couple laughs from this one guy sitting in the back. And I got HUGE laughs on one part - not really sure if I should've gotten laughs there, but it's still a good thing. Unfortunately I don't know if the agents laughed or not. When it was over I felt good! I felt great! I was soooo glad I took the risk and did that copy. I made sure to send out thank you notes the next day. Haven't heard anything...but it's only been a week and a half...but the sad reality is I probably won't hear from them. I don't mean to sound negative, but it's the harsh reality...there's so many factors out of my control. But, I feel good because of the stuff I could control - I went in there and gave a kick-ass performance! And I'll make sure to stay in contact with the agents. Still, it's frustrating...not gonna go off on that tangent...
So that was May. Oh, yeah, I also went to a party down in Long Beach the last weekend of May, whew!
Now on to June....
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