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.
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