The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 38

WOWSERS! Beer floats all around, because that's how I roll!!!

Another year has passed and this year with less auditions BUT more bookings - I'll take those odds every year. It's difficult getting into a stride when you don't have auditions to show for it, but whatever chance you get, you must learn to take the fullest advantage of because your next one isn't guaranteed. I agree this is a numbers game, but when you're on the bottom rung of the actor's ladder (like me), your chance to be seen can be slim to none...really let that sink in and know you're here for a reason. Every chance you get, you go out there and SHINE. Let them get you...let them understand your work but put the work in as if it's your break to finally get in, regardless if it's a gas paid student film, less paid web series, low budget film etc...make it into a cinematic experience for yourself and the audience. Who knows who's watching, it's not just some "thing...," this could be a shot for a bigger role, a more wide spread audience, more recognition, so don't take any booking lightly because if used properly, it'll propel you into your next job, no matter how "small" you feel the production is. Sometimes I hear actors speak about their work with embarrassment undertones...did it not give you another opportunity to be on camera? Did it not give you another credit? Yes, it may be bad but did you do your work so that it sets you apart? Are you able to use the footage? These are the things that matter...not that your were one away from a major blockbuster deal, that wasn't given to you so be proud of the work you're doing...someone would burst at the seams to be in your shoes right now. This year, I took on 3 plays (some pay), all at different theatres, 2 webseries, 1 guest star on a pilot for Discovery ID, a co-star role on a network show and 2 shorts - 9 outta 38 ain't bad, I would've loved more but hey, this year has been my busiest thus far and I want more next year...I even got an NAACP theatre award to top it all off, more of this please. Look, each year gets better and you will as well, don't let up now, even with feelings that all is lost, things can change in the blink of an eye. If you do your work, work your work and constantly give your art, there is no denying - sooner or later it's gonna happen! I don't care what your family/friends/neighbors/random person says...you just can't give all in your craft and have no returns. I know you can't survive off one show a year, so how do you turn that one show into more? Market your boo-tay off, make sure everyone in the whole world knows you're on that show...before it airs, while it airs and definitely after it airs - constant bombardment of work accomplished, get into some theatre to keep on talking or create your own content to keep on talking or be involved in friend's project so you can keep on talking...whatever it is, has to involve you constantly, consistently talking so learn to love what you've done and understand that each piece that you do, is a part of the puzzle you're putting together. Every step is one step, one push, one move forward...there will be times you stand still because you're not given the opportunity but best to stand still and work in that place so that you're ready for the next chance that comes along. My career has been lots of wait with little to no reward but this year, after being in SAG since 1997, things have finally moved in strides compared to the past years, especially after quitting for over 7 years. I won't dull it down for anyone, I've worked hard and I've kept at it even and am working harder for everything because I had quit...the goodness is coming, the understanding of my work is finally being settled and my craft is sharpening every day. I didn't get everything I was going for but I definitely got into wonderful projects this year and you better believe I'm using it all to fight my way to a better 2017...please join me, fighting together beats fighting alone any day.

I think I went on my last audition of the year, to another web series but this one with some action involved. Although after looking at the sides and feeling this could be bad especially with one night to look over 3 scenes I decided I had side stepped enough auditions for the year. I looked up the writer/actor and not much but I saw another casting office to get familiar with so why not?! The words on the page didn't transcend writing but that's our job...so I decided to take another approach to the script. It could be done cheesy, most people would because it's easy, I decided to just let it sit and become as real as possible. I raced to drop off some goodies and made it to my audition 45 minutes early hoping to get out early but that was not the case. Everything was telling me to get out there, from the non-parking on the streets because of the time (had to valet at the building) to the 6+ people waiting ahead of me. It moved so slow but it did give me some time to review the words even more making my confidence in what I wanted to do even more solidified. I chatted with the other actors and listened to the silly convos that came up still staying focused on my purpose. Finally went in after the girl they knew had to take a moment because her sides were different, so I went in first for the role. Spoke to everyone, asked what they'd prefer in me standing or sitting which they gave back to me in which I stated "I'll go ahead and stand, whatever the camera is set for because my 1st scene was standing anyway and if they needed me to sit after, I'd do so." One of the men there, totally thanked me immediately for putting the room at ease and coming in with such relaxing energy. These are things I want to come in with, even being slightly frustrated for waiting such a long time, this was unexpected to hear and receive, thus making my work come effortlessly from one scene into the next, changing my voice and giving each a textured performance. So much so, the guy (actor/writer) stated "perfect" after each scene and the other guy stood to shake my hand so as to thank me for sharing my art. That moment made it all worthwhile, seeing the appreciation in the warmth of words and them realizing the bar I was trying to set...especially after seeing I was once again, the only minority of black descent there. I left realizing I made another space in that room, that maybe, just maybe the next casting session when it calls for everything but a "black" female, they'd rethink that choice and give 2 or 3 more a shot and even call me back in again. This is the purpose of my work, to be so good in the room, they may forget the who they have in mind and start considering someone, some people instead...I can only keep doing that and knowing every now and then, they'll take the risk and pick me. I've freed myself from feeling the weight of needing the job, I already know I deserve the job, it's their minds that need to open to my work and I don't have to change a damn thing because I enjoy doing theatre work, I enjoy being at the bakery, I enjoy doing my art where it's respected/wanted. Let the pressure of needing to be what they want you to be, be the drive of your craft to not be...finding fulfillment in your own purpose. What is it that you want to accomplish? What do you want to say? You're more than just a face saying lines...know that, stand in all that and keep pushing forward, YOU'RE TOO GOOD TO QUIT!

Below is just a small glimpse of artists in my world that have kept me inspired and are out there creating content, writing, filming and constantly making a yes when no's are all around - CHEERS to you all, you amazing creatures you....


Stacey K. Black
@staceykblack 
Has directed episodes of "Major Crimes" "NCIS" "Trouble Creek" - I'm on this one thank goodness etc, etc. She's shooting another documentary style webseries "Send My Mail To Nashville" as I type this, she's a busy gal. Follow her, like the YouTube and stay tuned to all her work, she's one to keep an eye on...










Shea E. Butler
@SheaB1
Wonderful Writer/Director with a new book out about a cockroach detective on Amazon ya'll...need we say more. One of the lovely ladies of "Trouble Creek" and always up to something...


Sue Keeton & Brian Kronenberg
A dynamic duo, they stay in constantly...writing, directing, producing and shooting it all on their own. Was able to do "The Package" last year and then "Walk Away" this year, they're now busy with their short documentary winning awards! Good things happening to good folks...




Saundra McClain
Actress, writer, singer and director extraordinaire. Her direction is always to give visual perception but she's open to your organic leanings as well. She loves attractive artists and are willing to look past looks if you walk in pushing the envelope even if she has her own preconceived notions as to what the part should look like. Open to listening to interpretations as long as it doesn't sway from the focal point, this lady is a must know as she's out there directing wonderful theatre pieces and working towards a musical. Don't miss an opportunity to be seen by this insightful lady or consider her for a role...

Mike Quain
www.quainphoto.com/@quainphoto (instagram/twitter)
Not only is he my beast, but he's a gifted photographer/director with an eye for light. He shoots it all, including my upcoming soon to be released 11 minute short that he directed and edited along with countless other videos/headshots to date. If you have a project/photo need, he's the guy to see...his pictures are clean and crisp plus he captures what you give him. Laid back, no hassle, no ego just good work - you'll leave with his work in your pocket. Check out his work, new studio up and running in Monrovia, just east of Pasadena.


Jared Boghosian
@jaredboghosian/jaredboghosian.com
Actor/director/creator of his own content. YouTube workin' it so catch his work and try to work with his work. Just good peeps getting creative, putting art out into the world and a great person to know. Lucky enough to do a small skit directed by this one this past year and I don't regret it...not one bit!





Eugene Nova
@novatheking/leonenova.wix.com/clickstarent
Music, actor, writer, director and will fill in as crew to help you out if need be as well because he's good at everything like that. Worked on "The Label" with this fella and was able to get him an audition in "Married With Secrets," which we were both on. He's constantly up to something...watch out!




Aundrea Posey/Greg Francis
She's a producer/writer, he's a director/writer as well and I was lucky enough to get an audition and booking for the pilot this past year on "Married With Secrets." Not only very open to my interpretation, but with no egos to boot about it as well. Love when the people who hire you are trusting of your talent, if you see these names, you're in good hands and congrats to you for working with them...I can only hope and cross my fingers that we'll get a chance to work magic once again on set together!

Anthony Bawn & Brentley Willis Bawn - Bawn Media
@AnthonyBawn/@BawnMedia
Got to shoot and be a part of this wonderful story created by these men. "Cheetah In August" is currently on AmazonPrime and I'm ever so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with these two very busy new content creating creatives. Check out their work and check into what they're up to, got to keep these folks in your radar...

Rodrigo Brand
Had the pleasure of working with this cat on "Twelfth Night" as he brought about the ridiculousness of Malvolio. He wrote a short, produced it and had me play the mom - showing me if you want something bad enough, make it happen. Love pro-active artists, it's the only way to be and this guy is doing it...






Love to you writers out there just making it happen, I'm getting around to supporting you all...

Doug Richardson - "Lucky Dey Series - Reaper" out now on Amazon
El - Elyse Young doing fun, sexy, romance - "Billionaire Blind Date"
Carlos Desmond Davis - collection of poems on Amazon - "50Fifty100"
Chris Wallace - "The Escape Artists" (got for Christmas and will now be reading!)