Wow, wow, weee-wooooowwwww! What an absolutely powerful week...found out my next play venture is officially postponed until after Thanksgiving and although most would feel bummed, I'm exhilarated at this opportunity. WHY? Because now not only do I get to perfect and study the Gullah accent asked of me, I get to take my time with memorizing the role at my pace, this actually opened my dates up for some conflicts in shooting my upcoming shows and I get to go into the New Year if all goes well with a new job ready for me. I also know this play, with all it's racial tensions presented will be a welcomed thought with all that is happening so who can be upset at that...yes, I did have to make some swaps and changes to work this play out only to have it changed but I've learned to go with the flow no matter how stressful it may be because in most cases it's outta my hands any way so why spend more than the venting time needed - life goes on, either jump in quickly or let things pass while fighting to no avail because this business keeps going and you must learn to adapt. It's moments like these you realize you're just a small moving part in a bigger picture, be thankful you don't have to be burdened with the other stuff for the most part. So here I am, making the most of my time and I see a short filming with pay and submit although it's for a NY casting director because auditions are there as well as in L.A. I get a notice for an audition in NY (which I'm not there,) so I respond stating I'm in L.A. finishing up a play with another following (before I knew of the date change) and asked for an L.A. audition time. Told to recontact her a few days from then to get some times in which I did with my schedule being a mess with rehearsals starting (not really)...never heard from her. I thought oh well until I found out about my clearing of said set schedule and contacted her once again with my IMDB link attached as well as a clear week to come in. She ended up contacting me to be a reader for the session I was hoping to audition in and of course since my schedule was free and I've always been interested in the casting process to see what actors bring, I was totally down and excited. 2 days from 2-6p in Hollywood with a NY casting office I've never met, getting to read multiple parts/characters and seeing other actors auditioning even for the role I had submitted for - what an insight guys...if ever you get an opportunity to do it, not for friends, but for an office, GO DO IT! It will open your eyes to some do's, don'ts and whys. I also learned that my training has been top notch because finding an acting coach to really prepare you for any situation is a difficult task but one not to be taken lightly. I saw so many things that made my brain explode with just bewilderment as I watched these creative beings come in one by one that I had to wonder why isn't simple information shared. You may know these things or you may not but it's always good to review, so let's dive in.#1 - Do the homework guys. The full script was provided since it was only 17 pages or so, this may seem like a daunting task, but you must as an actor because I saw so many under prepared actors. They ended up missing opportunities to play because they were in the script and since being in the script, became flustered with text. We get tongue tied, things happen, most likely they'll give you a second take or you can just stop the take to focus but understand what you're going for and you can play with lines while getting back to the core of the message especially when the office seems clear with being okay to improv. Even after giving free reign to just make things up, I still ended up seeing actors look at the paper as if life depended on it. Dramatic improv is real, make sure you're doing it in class, I can't tell you how many actors were stumped for words as I rolled on waiting for them to interject. Homework, homework, homework - break down that scene, know what your character wants and how they're going about to get it and why. If you've got these basics, you'll be fine to play, so play away but the only way you'll get there is by really diving in. Surface work will get you surface results and you've already spent your day to work around this audition, time to get there, gas to make it and energy to try to get this character, don't waste your precious time...it's not worth it. Plus, when given a 2nd or 3rd opportunity to do the scene you'll be able to give them something different to see each time if need be...the choice will be yours but you won't have to play the scene the same way, over and over again with the same hand gestures because that's the only way you know how to do it.
#2 - Since having the script, you know the story...make use of that info. Most of the time, you've got to make it up but now it's there at your fingertips and although you don't play the ending as the character, you now know it, so your choices can reveal as much to coincide. I couldn't believe I watched actor after actor playing the same choices in varying degrees of anger and toughness but only laughed when the scene called for it. We laugh in awkward times in life guys, choose a place you can break up some of the monotony of a serious situation to give the scene some life...change. We change, we ponder, we don't know what the other person will say so let that affect you in whatever way it does and explore that but to play an angry scene just angry is like watching paint dry to me. It's a choice, could be even solid pending on how it's delivered but why not discover something else happening within all of that anger? Figure out what other colors you can bring to the character, within any given scene and I promise you, you will stand out...whether the first, middle or last person. I've been that person and for the most part never hired but I was always respected/remembered in that room and I fight hard to give the room choices they may have never even thought of but that is my art I'm fighting for up there - fight for yours. If you fight to make interesting choices, we may have more interesting movies to all go and support.
#3 - Know what you're doing before the scene and after the scene. I watched actors finish their line and then just look at the director...no finishing of thought, no having life after, no letting the director say cut, just an abrupt stop as if the scene ended with that...when have you seen that in a film. I'm sure it happens but usually there is a little life carried on even after the scene has ended so don't stop until noted to do so, a moment may come up that shows something completely different that they may want. Keep going until you hear cut or exit but do something, know you're doing something before and after.
#4 - Be confident in your work and exit the room. Do not ask if there is another way you can do the scene, no matter what you may be feeling unless you've felt you were totally off the mark, leave the room knowing you just killed it because they had nothing more to give you. I watched quite a few actors ask if there was something else, if the director wanted to see something else (as if she wouldn't ask) and I watched them look desperate and destroy the beauty they may have just done because why ask? Are you not confident in what you gave? Now you're making me question what I saw when I felt it was fine...leave it be, it's okay to leave the room speechless or happy, you made the callback...they like you...they really like you.
#5 - If a reader or someone in the room gives you a heads up because she (me) has overheard something and for some reason you never got the note either:
A. Ignore it
B. Do it and be confident about it
C. Ask in the room if you should do said things and go from there
I get a reader could be shady because they want a friend/boy-girlfriend to book the role instead and not everyone is on the up and up as I may be but take that note with some validity because I was in the room with you reading the day before.
So, one of the actors did a full jacket change in the room during the 2 scenes because of the different feel of scenes but it broke some of the flow which was stated after. The actor was great and when they left, it was stated to send this person a note not to do that in the call backs. I happen to be outside changing for my sprung on opportunity to audition for the role and saw their jacket and didn't know if they were just going to do it regardless or if they had been given the note. Being the actor/instructor I am, I decided to let this fellow actor know that they didn't need to do that again and they should've gotten a note. This actor did follow my advice but after the 2 scenes, the director asked that on the redirects of the 2nd scene if they could simply take off the suit jacket that was on...maybe to give this actor a more relaxed feel. The actor did that, did the scene wonderfully but when it was all over decided to stop the room as they were exiting to ask about the jacket...WOW. Now the director didn't seem to get the fact that this actor was asking about the changing of jackets, not the simple take off but I watched this actor just go on about whether they would have different clothing etc., etc., etc. to the point that because the jacket was asked to be removed, they assumed I may have given them the wrong info which may have hindered the performance. I watched this, remarkably just giggling inside...this actor was the role, did bit things that none of the others had done and now in the room after the well received audition discussing a jacket change over a jacket take off...when in doubt, ask before the audition but don't make it a thing after, you lose power in your performance. After all of this, I focused, went in without any changes to my direction even after seeing everyone else's performance and rocked that room. I noticed what they may lean towards but I was going to show them other options are available if wanting to think outside the box. I didn't take too much time to read the room or see if they changed towards me as I finished up the reading process with the other actors...I do know as I left quickly after, not trying to hang out for even an extra second, the casting director walked me out, hugged me, told me I was fantastic and that she'd call me next week for another reader spot if open to it...that was all the confirmation I needed because this is the woman that barely shook my hands in the room when I first met her. Know your work and all that it's worth, don't belittle any of it, leave them speechless.
#6 - Don't walk in the room defensive, you're there, enjoy it. Don't say things like, "I usually do this in front of a camera" when asked to speak to the room when you're giving a speech...there is no camera in the room at the moment...pretend there is one. I incredibly saw, many actors snap back when given a note, you do understand that it is a part of the job, you must take someone else's ideas into consideration and when you walk in ready to fight, you've lost the battle in the room. You may wonder why you're not getting a certain response to your work - take a look closely, this may be a simple reason.
I get this is coming from someone who hasn't "made" it yet, it's all a humble opinion from just another actor trying to make it but it's simple info that should be shared. We're all here following our dreams and it makes me sad seeing most people walk away because they don't get the response they assumed they'd have, sometimes it's because of timing but sometimes it's just within the work. Take a look into your work because if you're honestly doing all these things, it's just a matter of time. This may not get you the immediate bookings, hell, it's taken me an awful long time just to get to this point and I'm still at the bottom but I've realized I have built trust in my work and people know when they call me in, they're going to get something other than the norm which will be solid/strong and interesting. Go for it guys, don't hang back in the wings - that is not your place, others may feel safe there, let them do that but if you're looking for some fulfillment in the audition process, begin by creating and playing...it's your right as an artist!
During the madness of these two days, of course I have my fitting for "Trouble Creek County" as Deputy Kirby, a series coming soon with some faces you'll recognize. Getting our wardrobe from the set of "Major Crimes" is completely awesome and I get to wander around Raleigh Studios. I've never been called to audition for the show, but how cool is that to even be so close to it and now with this series, it just may open that door...if not another.You never know what or where one job may lead, so take the smaller pay out of it and realize it's paying within SAG terms, you get to work on a good project and do something outside of yourself in the process. I've never had the chance/opportunity to read for a sheriff/cop/sergeant etc and I realize it's because of my look...I'm an ethnic with long curly hair and that's just not done really. There's a "professional" look that has always been the bane in my backside as if my hair can't be pulled back, put into a bun or just be curly like other people because when you're black, your hair in of this industry can be a problem because that's life. I remember a fellow co-worker telling me "when my hair was straight I looked more professional, more like I should be there compared to my natural curls." You may laugh now, but this was the thought and idea of many in order for ethnic minorities to "fit in" and that was within the last 10 years. Of course with life changing around us, more people becoming aware and the openness of some in the industry, the idea that you must have straight hair to be professional as an ethnic are slowly being put away because it's simply not true and that includes length, kinkiness etc. I love fighting for that because I remember when this industry wasn't so kind as I changed my hair from pressing it bone straight every day to curly and losing jobs/auditions because that wasn't the norm...I couldn't even get extra work most of the time but during this time, I just worked on my art, made it focused because that is what I wanted to be judged on...that was what I was fighting for. I hated waking up 2-3 hours early just to repress out my hair, not being able to work out fully because the hair may get all weird before/after an audition and hinder me from the next, I was tired of this aspect of my art being judged by my hair and I decided that I'd take 1-2 auditions a year, maybe book one if I was lucky and live my life instead. It's been a journey to get here and to see all these diverse, young/old actors now with all these different, natural hairstyles brings joy into my heart because this was a struggle, not for most but for a select few. So being this character, getting to play her from a small town not as a side kick but as a deputy is such a wondrous opportunity, I almost cry when I think about it. I can't wait to smash this role into a million pieces, because I'm gonna prove it's the work, the art that matters and because they trusted me with it, I'm gonna give it to them like nobody's business.
Out of the blue, I also got a call to shoot another short with Sue and Brian of "The Package" which was a special, unexpected treat. I will always make time for them if possible because good people in this industry are hard to find and when you do, you fight to work with them - even if it means closing your play the night before and racing first thing in the morning to shoot all day...with emotional scenes to play. Again, this was such a test to my training and work...exhaustion can play a role in your art, especially when having to call upon tears over and over again in a scene but with training, it doesn't become a one and done thing, you learn to recall and keep recalling until it's over. I could feel my tear ducts drying up, especially after lunch break but it was needed so I had to find them by other means. Usually a good night's sleep will allow me to go at it all day long if need be but with being pulled thin, I had to have tricks up my sleeve to stay in and stay in I did. I'm glad all these years have not failed me when needed, all those classes of making choices, finding what moves me, getting to know the creature within is paying off. Even when I felt I wasn't going to be able to do it, it came - those tears needed for the scene came repeatedly and what a great experience into feeling even more confident in my craft. I can't stress training constantly, consistently and pushing yourself past your comfort zone to explore your art, when you need it, this won't fail so keep training someway, somehow. Do theatre if you're not in class (I know it's time consuming but let it be your class) because acting is a muscle you must work in order for you to get what you need when called upon. Don't stop training...
Almost complete with Season 2 of "Cheetah In August" shooting last of the scenes in a few weeks, which lines will need to be brushed up once again. Premiere happening in L.A. with free tickets if you act quickly on Sept. 30th, along with a short poetry, promo (with picture of the poet to the right along with the Bawn men), to give way to the ladies of "August." What an absolute honor to work with the LGBT community and although saddened by the outbursts of homophobic ideology, this is the reason they must keep expressing their pain, hurt and humanness through art. I'm so glad to be a part of an industry that is trying to embrace that instead of ignore it, we're all too precious to suffer through out life because of views made by others or religion or upbringing. If you've been oppressed in any way, you must find it in your heart to support the oppressed...understand what you were considered once as the oppressed and you'll understand why. Love...LOve...LOVe...LOVE and keep that....
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