The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 8 ( Audition 9 )
YES to getting another audition against "type" at Quixote Studios this week and although there was only one note given in 3 scenes, which I felt was off base, I still readjusted (even) though I felt it was completely wrong in that moment which is something you must learn to do because it's not your show, it's theirs and went into my work. I rarely get military/police auditions although I feel I'm fully capable of portraying the character, however, my "look" has always gotten in the way so I've learned to pull my hair back, keep them in the braids and style it differently. There's this idea that only a certain look can be certain characters which is phooey because in the right costume, right hair/make-up done, you can look exactly as you need to be...it's all about having the right team! Don't despair, keep pushing for it, keep at it until...until you get the chance to play that role and make sure you dive in all the way so that no one can question that role on you ever. This is the reason I never complain when I get into wardrobe, hair and make-up...I want to look exactly as I should without my preconceived notions on how I could look better for the camera, because it's not about if I look good but if I look the part. If the director has no qualms about anything then I'm good to go, just get me in front of that camera please! I'm looking forward to the footage of Deputy Kirby in "Trouble Creek" because I've never had the true chance to even be looked at for a "cop" type role. I remember going in and having one of the guys state they couldn't see me as the Deputy because of my long, flowing hair I had waltzed in on with my flowing dress but when I came out of wardrobe with uniform on and had it in a quick bun they were aghast. They stated I looked great, exactly as a Deputy should look and I'm just happy the women ( Shea & Stacey ) writers/directors of the show could see past how I came in...it didn't hurt that one was also a hair/makeup stylist as well. It's just that easy (not - ha) and your chance is coming, just don't give in along the way. It can be daunting because the look is that it's either straight hair or if it's curly, it's the short type of curly but not past the shoulders which is mind boggling because it's been okay for others to have all types of hair but for minorities...it's interesting still on the look and style of a person of color but be mindful, not overwhelmed at this notion. I'm fighting hard and that's all you can do, you see it, acknowledge it and you push back hard. I will not straighten out my hair unless I'm shooting and even now, my straight hair is past my tush so it's still in it's own category nor cut it at this time, I work out way to hard and I love my hair's length, it is what it is and I will make these roles bend to me while hoping the people behind the desk are open enough for the work. Just keep plugging away, one role atta time and soon, your body of work will be able to speak for itself. Don't change the incredible, beautiful, unique you that you are to conform with ideas of what others may think the character looks like...be you and let that hold the weight that you are exactly what the character is!
And so, the callbacks happened...at an inopportune time as usual. I had picked up another hush, hush gig as a stand in ( haven't done it in years ) for 3 days since I was busy doing nothing but with much need for some money and had to speak to the 2nd as well as the 2nd/2nd AD about getting a callback that afternoon. I first asked if times could be changed via my agent but with bad reception, the e-mails didn't go through quickly so after a couple of hours I finally get the call. No can do with any time changes, it's a strict callback, yikes so now I must see if I can find a cover just to have a solution in my back pocket. The other gal standing in with me for another character was to be at work and although she called to see, she could not help out, a couple of friends I felt would be perfect were busy and I was out of any luck. I don't do this type of work often and I honestly didn't think I'd get it but when I did, I needed the work...especially to get towards my SAG health insurance. I try to keep myself as open as possible so I don't put any undue stress on my life but when you gotta work, you gotta work, so of course not having to do this type of work for years finally being a thing, I accepted only to be faced with the callback of the above audition...of course it couldn't happen on Thursday or Friday when I had nothing planned but a couple of other auditions. I finally had to speak up as it was rounding to the 5p time and I wanted to not only be professional but also courteous of their scramble they would have to face. I finally pulled one aside to be told to speak to the next person as I was asking/telling of my predicament, I couldn't help but to feel terrible putting anyone in this position because I couldn't keep the booking. The wonderful human being of an AD was actually more excited for me then me...he completely went bananas in happiness for me and assured me it was no problem and they'd love to have me back as well. I kept asking if I could help somehow, maybe go and comeback while someone else came in for the hour but he wouldn't hear of it, he wanted me to book the job. I was absolutely floored...I've never been on a set as anything below an actress and have someone root for me as hard as he did. I was so moved, I was in tears of thankfulness and humbleness. See, although I haven't stood in for ages and had a bad experience for a season on a show with a crazy actress, I actually like the work, I like the feeling that I am a part of the crew and I get to watch more of the inner workings of directors/camera operators/AD's etc all make magic. I've never felt above this type of work, I feel I actually get a chance to learn more about others and their positions and not taking it for granted when I step on that set to play a character. Humbling...I also see how most people can treat you when you're not the star and that is a pill all actors should take, but there are times when you get on a wonderful set and everyone is treated with respect and appreciation, lucky for me, this was one of those times. I then called the casting office I was booked through and I can't tell you how upset this person was with me...to the point of telling me to not go to my callbacks. YIKERS!!! With this dilemma, I decided to once again try to come up with another solution only to be shut down by this amazing human being of an AD ( awesomeness of Kyle.) He specifically told me to not worry about it, that he was excited for me and that he'd handle the situation, for me not to drop any more thought into it and I was truly in the clear...they got a friend to cover. Not long after I received a text from said casting office stating they had gotten a message from Kyle and all was clear for me to go to my call backs...I can't thank this show enough. For not only treating me like a human being, but for stepping in and rooting for me as an actress as well. I'd stand in for them anytime and as many times as I can in the future no matter what - love when everyone can understand the struggle no matter what position they're in and literally have your back! So, here I am, in this serendipitous moment of my callback working out this morning without a worry about rushing and getting to play a role I have yet to play. I can't speak of it since an NDA was signed but I truly know, I'm right where I'm suppose to be and for that I'm grateful! It takes a village for an artist...find your village and thank them hard - I actually stopped by the set just to drop off bundtinis to let them know that gesture would never be forgotten. CHEERS to being where you're suppose to be with others helping how they can and fighting to stay there!!!!
YES to getting another audition against "type" at Quixote Studios this week and although there was only one note given in 3 scenes, which I felt was off base, I still readjusted (even) though I felt it was completely wrong in that moment which is something you must learn to do because it's not your show, it's theirs and went into my work. I rarely get military/police auditions although I feel I'm fully capable of portraying the character, however, my "look" has always gotten in the way so I've learned to pull my hair back, keep them in the braids and style it differently. There's this idea that only a certain look can be certain characters which is phooey because in the right costume, right hair/make-up done, you can look exactly as you need to be...it's all about having the right team! Don't despair, keep pushing for it, keep at it until...until you get the chance to play that role and make sure you dive in all the way so that no one can question that role on you ever. This is the reason I never complain when I get into wardrobe, hair and make-up...I want to look exactly as I should without my preconceived notions on how I could look better for the camera, because it's not about if I look good but if I look the part. If the director has no qualms about anything then I'm good to go, just get me in front of that camera please! I'm looking forward to the footage of Deputy Kirby in "Trouble Creek" because I've never had the true chance to even be looked at for a "cop" type role. I remember going in and having one of the guys state they couldn't see me as the Deputy because of my long, flowing hair I had waltzed in on with my flowing dress but when I came out of wardrobe with uniform on and had it in a quick bun they were aghast. They stated I looked great, exactly as a Deputy should look and I'm just happy the women ( Shea & Stacey ) writers/directors of the show could see past how I came in...it didn't hurt that one was also a hair/makeup stylist as well. It's just that easy (not - ha) and your chance is coming, just don't give in along the way. It can be daunting because the look is that it's either straight hair or if it's curly, it's the short type of curly but not past the shoulders which is mind boggling because it's been okay for others to have all types of hair but for minorities...it's interesting still on the look and style of a person of color but be mindful, not overwhelmed at this notion. I'm fighting hard and that's all you can do, you see it, acknowledge it and you push back hard. I will not straighten out my hair unless I'm shooting and even now, my straight hair is past my tush so it's still in it's own category nor cut it at this time, I work out way to hard and I love my hair's length, it is what it is and I will make these roles bend to me while hoping the people behind the desk are open enough for the work. Just keep plugging away, one role atta time and soon, your body of work will be able to speak for itself. Don't change the incredible, beautiful, unique you that you are to conform with ideas of what others may think the character looks like...be you and let that hold the weight that you are exactly what the character is!
And so, the callbacks happened...at an inopportune time as usual. I had picked up another hush, hush gig as a stand in ( haven't done it in years ) for 3 days since I was busy doing nothing but with much need for some money and had to speak to the 2nd as well as the 2nd/2nd AD about getting a callback that afternoon. I first asked if times could be changed via my agent but with bad reception, the e-mails didn't go through quickly so after a couple of hours I finally get the call. No can do with any time changes, it's a strict callback, yikes so now I must see if I can find a cover just to have a solution in my back pocket. The other gal standing in with me for another character was to be at work and although she called to see, she could not help out, a couple of friends I felt would be perfect were busy and I was out of any luck. I don't do this type of work often and I honestly didn't think I'd get it but when I did, I needed the work...especially to get towards my SAG health insurance. I try to keep myself as open as possible so I don't put any undue stress on my life but when you gotta work, you gotta work, so of course not having to do this type of work for years finally being a thing, I accepted only to be faced with the callback of the above audition...of course it couldn't happen on Thursday or Friday when I had nothing planned but a couple of other auditions. I finally had to speak up as it was rounding to the 5p time and I wanted to not only be professional but also courteous of their scramble they would have to face. I finally pulled one aside to be told to speak to the next person as I was asking/telling of my predicament, I couldn't help but to feel terrible putting anyone in this position because I couldn't keep the booking. The wonderful human being of an AD was actually more excited for me then me...he completely went bananas in happiness for me and assured me it was no problem and they'd love to have me back as well. I kept asking if I could help somehow, maybe go and comeback while someone else came in for the hour but he wouldn't hear of it, he wanted me to book the job. I was absolutely floored...I've never been on a set as anything below an actress and have someone root for me as hard as he did. I was so moved, I was in tears of thankfulness and humbleness. See, although I haven't stood in for ages and had a bad experience for a season on a show with a crazy actress, I actually like the work, I like the feeling that I am a part of the crew and I get to watch more of the inner workings of directors/camera operators/AD's etc all make magic. I've never felt above this type of work, I feel I actually get a chance to learn more about others and their positions and not taking it for granted when I step on that set to play a character. Humbling...I also see how most people can treat you when you're not the star and that is a pill all actors should take, but there are times when you get on a wonderful set and everyone is treated with respect and appreciation, lucky for me, this was one of those times. I then called the casting office I was booked through and I can't tell you how upset this person was with me...to the point of telling me to not go to my callbacks. YIKERS!!! With this dilemma, I decided to once again try to come up with another solution only to be shut down by this amazing human being of an AD ( awesomeness of Kyle.) He specifically told me to not worry about it, that he was excited for me and that he'd handle the situation, for me not to drop any more thought into it and I was truly in the clear...they got a friend to cover. Not long after I received a text from said casting office stating they had gotten a message from Kyle and all was clear for me to go to my call backs...I can't thank this show enough. For not only treating me like a human being, but for stepping in and rooting for me as an actress as well. I'd stand in for them anytime and as many times as I can in the future no matter what - love when everyone can understand the struggle no matter what position they're in and literally have your back! So, here I am, in this serendipitous moment of my callback working out this morning without a worry about rushing and getting to play a role I have yet to play. I can't speak of it since an NDA was signed but I truly know, I'm right where I'm suppose to be and for that I'm grateful! It takes a village for an artist...find your village and thank them hard - I actually stopped by the set just to drop off bundtinis to let them know that gesture would never be forgotten. CHEERS to being where you're suppose to be with others helping how they can and fighting to stay there!!!!
Do a good deed and get paid back in bundtinis. Fair trade.
ReplyDeleteExactly Chris, I appreciate goodness and I just gotta reward it! <3 Fair trades - HA
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