Monday, March 29, 2010

Real Life

After a jam-packed weekend of friends, food, new music and wanderings, I have mixed feelings about being home. My dog greeting me with his wiggly butt and lickey kisses helped ease the transition but I still feel melancholic after such an idyllic visit to the city.  The thoughts of living there again taunt me in my dreams ... And  I remind myself that living there and visiting at a time when you are free to do completely as you please are two very different things.

Our time there was perfection - I couldn't have asked for anything better. Dinner and drinks with dear friends at Flatbush Farm and Bar(n), watching the sun set in the American Wing of Metropolitan Museum of Art, partying with lovely people to live Jazz at the Tea Lounge, and enjoying the best homemade crepes with my man and two of our best friends lead up to the original excuse for our trip: the premiere of Chris's piece for the ensemble counter)induction. The Tenri Cultural Institute was packed to max with interesting people who wanted to hear new music. How cool is that?

Chris said the experience of hearing his piece played was "amazing and surreal. The performers did a fantastic job and it was incredible to see them make music out of what I had given them. The whole frame of the concert was beautiful and really well considered. It's exactly the kind of project a composer likes to be a part of."

Tonight Chris and I relax, recuperate, and enjoy his recent success. But starting tomorrow its time to get to all those odds and ends I've been vacationing from. I'm finishing up filming a project, I have a whole list of errands I aim to complete, and its time to hit the gym. Yes, its back to real life for me!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Unique New York

I'm still waiting to hear anything about the Method commercial and am surprisingly calm about the whole process - I know I've done what I can do and anything beyond that is out of my control. I'm not gonna lie though, it would be REALLY nice to get it.

Packing up and preparing to leave today for NYC is a great distraction too. This is the first time I've been back since I moved away from the big apple almost a year ago, and I'm dying to see my old friends again, and relish in the wonderfulness that is New York. What a great city. I'm dreaming of the day when I'm bi-coastal and can enjoy the benefits of both side of the country.

This trip is also extra special because my fiance's new work will be premiered by the ensemble counter)induction on Sunday. After seeing all his months of hard work, I'm so proud to hear this wonderful piece of music brought to the stage. Check out more info here:  http://counterinduction.com/season/concert/259.

Soon. "Live from New York!"

And for today's pic, a great little crazy moment from the set of Robots.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Fever-licious

This week has brought surprising productivity despite being confined to bed for two days with a fever. I started getting sick on Tuesday and by Wednesday night I was good for nothing. But, Thursday morning's doctor visit and antibiotics have me on the road to recovery. I mean, I don't have time to be sick, right?

I completed some more filming on Robots this morning, and just found out I am on-hold for a Method detergent viral commercial that I auditioned for this afternoon! For those of you who may not know, being "on hold" for something is a little tricky: It basically means that you've almost booked the gig, but perhaps you haven't booked it at all. They ask you to hold open the dates of the rehearsal/fittings/shoot, and professional decorum dictates that they have the right to first refusal for anything that might come up for you during those dates. It gives them time to work out any details or perhaps decide between a few actors before actually booking someone. But whatever the case, its good news and I feel great about it.

This weekend is all Robots all the time, and I can't wait for next week's trip to NYC! But in the meantime, some fun pics from Frank Caruso, PI.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Caruso Closes

I'm a lazy bum. I didn't mean to be such a blog slacker, but so it goes.  

Frank Caruso, PI wrapped today and we had such a good time filming at BarceLuna in Alameda. It was a smooth day and the complete cast was on set together, making for a great wrap party. Special shouts go out some great girls: Christina Melocik  - who plays an awesome villian-ness and gives good advice too, Diane Hyppolite - who managed to make my tired eyes look bright and sparkly, and Casey Leonard who rounded out the cast last minute and really is a much more attractive version of our director Chris. Onwards and upwards!

Tim Halpin (aka Frank Caruso), the Maltese Falcon, and me.


Oh, Frank, what are you getting yourself into?

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Catching Up

Today is the first day in a long time that I haven't had to be anywhere at a certain time, looking good and ready to go. I'm celebrating the day by not washing my hair, wearing no makeup, running errands, and spending some quality catch-up time at the local cafe. I spent a good part of the morning finishing my taxes and sorting through my calendar for the next month. Whew! It's going to be a busy one, but no complaints here;) The sun is shining and I am lucky enough to be working more than hoping-to-be-working. Speaking of working, tomorrow I've booked a print ad and Friday Robots starts filming!

A short clip from Frank Caruso, PI is up on youtube.  I'm not really used to seeing myself on film yet, so I'm trying to hold back any judgments and just enjoy: 



This day has been a good opportunity to catch my breath a bit and celebrate my recent accomplishments. I've been necessarily selfish with my time and energy lately though, and I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my family tonight. Perhaps I'll even cook dinner!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Gun Power

Yesterday I learned how to lock and load a gun on the set of Caruso, and it was awesome. Thank you Chris for teaching me proper form;)  I got such a kick out of filming the action sequences - should I investigate stunt work perhaps? It ended up being a super long day of filming, but when the producer apologized for the extended day, I answered happily that there was nothing else I'd rather be doing.

Running on next to no sleep, I had a good call back this afternoon - a long and fulfilling one. I loved that we worked with the script and then did improve versions of everything with different combinations of actors.  It was quite a workout.

I've tracked down my next reading assignment - Acting for the Camera by Tony Barr - and I'm lining up my next projects. Things are looking busy and good.

The cast of Asshole Robot had a fun script read-thru Friday and we are off and running.

 

 Now for some rest, family time, and relaxation.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Just a little rambling....

What a busy week! Lots going on here, most of it good, and I'm gearing up for a print go-see and a table reading of Asshole Robots tonight. Frank Caruso, PI starts its 3-days of filming tomorrow, and I have a call back for a Scary Cow production on Sunday. I had auditions or work every day this week, It's great to be carrying around a stack of scripts to read and learn, and I'm feeling motivated and centered. For me, the busier the better. It keeps my creativity at its peak and a little touch of stress goes a long way in keeping me in touch with raw emotions.

This morning, however, I'm taking a little break from all of the work and I'm spending a little time with my puppy and my man. Perhaps breakfast underneath the California sun is just what we need! For my east coast friends and family, I hope you find some sunshine today too!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Resources

I've read three great books in the last few months, and I thought I'd share them here for anyone who might be interested in finding some good acting resources.

1. Judy Kerr - Acting is Everything
This book is bible of resources on everything from getting around LA, to cover letters and resumes, to building your support team. She provides great practical advice and includes helpful links at the end of each chapter. I now always keep this book handy and reference it often.

2. Ivana Chubbuck - The Power of the Actor
Chubbuck's 12-step method is clear and powerful. The first half of the book spells out and explains each step in her method, and the second half of the book discusses strategies for particular circumstances (playing drunk, etc). I audited her class in LA and was very impressed by her Master Level students and her ability to draw out powerful choices from them. I also refer to her method often when preparing a role.

3. Michael Bofshever - Your Face Looks Familiar: How to Get Ahead as a Working Actor
What I found most useful about this quick read was the first-hand accounts by working actors, from how they got started in the business to how they use all their free time on set. The book also provides some basic, yet sometimes forgotten information such as set etiquette and balancing time off.

hmmm... Now off to find what I should read next.