The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 18 ( Audition 19 )
Wahoo to auditions!!! You should be having fun with these because after all, they're just auditions. Quit looking at them as a job you should have but more as people getting to know/see some of your work. Sometimes the first one doesn't do it, sometimes it takes 3-4 auditions and sometimes they'll never see it but that's the fun part of it! Will they get it? Will they get you? Do they have only their vision? Whatever it is, it's not your concern, you're in to give your version of the art as you see it to be...whether it meshes or not, whether they understand your questions or not ( because you thought it was deeper than the surface - I told you I see scripts differently, ) you are there to just be and that is all you can do. Had a lovely audition for the first time at Seeker Studios for an interesting short film and it was nice just being in this place with it's over stuffed chairs and the "Before I Die..." wall. Although the ambiance was absolutely wonderful for me, I felt bad for a certain girl who had been there for quite some time and was getting frustrated. Realize that's part of this process, this industry is a you hurry up and then wait kinda place, not fair but it's the nature of this beast. You have to be prepared to expect the worst most times and the more of these you end up at, the more you'll see that some are great at time management and others...not so much but hey, you got an audition! You're there instead of not, learn to enjoy the aspect of this and give yourself some time if possible. Most of the time, I don't make any plans for at least an hour and a half after auditions and it's now caused less stress in my life, of course, things collide and at times there is nothing you can do but what you can control, try and then let it go! Got to see a familiar face (via Facebook) in the room and found out later she's one of the peeps working on it which is absolutely awesome. Although there seemed to be a lag in lines given, you do what you do and you leave, I just don't have time to ask for another read, especially when there is someone I kinda know and if I don't feel it was nothing I could control. Give what you've got to give, let them decide so you can LEAVE HAPPY!!!
In the midst of auditions, with one tomorrow already scheduled, I'm nervous as all get out for an opportunity I never thought I'd see. After some back and forth, the idea of me being a fight choreographer for a music video has been looming over my head. I've complained for years that this business gives no looks to black female martial artists, even skilled at their craft and I've had to develop my own series to short film to feel like I'm working towards showing it. So when I was offered the job, I had it in my mind that since I've never done it, who was I to do it now? I compared myself to my instructors, other great stunt coordinators and I forgot to see that they too started somewhere. I've got over 15 years of fighting experience, I grew up devouring Kung Fu/Black Belt Theatre and I've gotten my black belt...who was I not to do this? Any male with this experience ( even less ) would've figured he deserved this and yet here I am ready to turn this down because I felt I wasn't as knowledgeable as I could be - HA!!!!! HA to that nonsense! I almost gave this away to some other male/human to do this, maybe with more experience, maybe with less but they weren't gonna be me. I needed to do this for all the little black karate girls who are never represented, so when they decide why even do it, they are undeserving because life and this industry can show you as such, they may get a glimpse of me, someone like me as we all fight for the future of all of us. I had to do it because I feared doing it and felt set on the idea that I'd be bad. How many other people have just done things with little to no experience, just to see...I take my art seriously so I train, I work, I study so I can feel I'm thus prepared. I forgot to see, because I've done this in most aspects of my life, I AM more than ready for these opportunities, I AM more than deserving and dammit, I AM!!! I took the job and I even got to hire my own set of guys ( thank goodness for Rodrigo, Davis, Marcus, Hayden and Kwesi for bringing it! ) I decided to hire with diversity in mind as well as knowledge of their work through either having trained them, worked with them or was referred. Lucky for me, I have a wonderful pool of underworked goodness that needs to be seen - hey, just like me and even hired a student I taught when he was a kid, this was his first experience in this setting. I had the opportunity to give a young, black martial artist his first opportunity into this business because I understand what it feels like to have a skill and still not be seen. Yes to my Brazillian/Asain/Black crew that ended up being a great looking and kick butt crew that took direction, gave insight and collaborated with me to give some really fun stuff to this cute music video. I ended up doing the opening choreo for the song as well, teaching the gals some stuff to look like they knew what they were doing and had back up mini fights to boot. I'm ever so thankful that an old casting director ( Cydney ) whom I've never had the pleasure of working with but has always called me in over the span of 8 years, believed in me for the both of us. No matter me giving her other names of male counterparts that could do this, she knew I should do it and even bring another element of femininity to the moves. She was right, my beast was right, my friends cheering me on was right and my inner creative being was right! I hired correctly, tackled this monster and slayed it into submission to the point that I knew I had earned everyone's respect by the time the shoot ended, yes I left getting nods from the crew. YES and what, YES and how, YES and...let's do this universe!!!!
During this crazy period, I even got a message from a familiar face wanting me back on a set that I had worked a year ago to this day. He even stated how he couldn't give me a big part since I was so prominent last season but would I mind doing a smaller role - um yeah, for this group of peeps, YES everytime! Even though I had to request to show up an hour later to set on the first shoot day, they worked around my hectic schedule and I was able to take care of everything I needed in order to do it all!!! Thank you Greg Francis for thinking of me once again...I am humbled to be a part of your art and I will forever be grateful for Aundrea Posey for giving me this opportunity to be a part of this family. WAHOO to working with folks you've worked with before and WAHOO for getting to play a detective this time around! Just keep at it...One step atta time...you never know when and where the next bit of work may find you and CHEERS to that!!!
Friday, June 16, 2017
The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 17 ( Audition 18 )
I don't think I've ever had one of these informal, lunch kinda meetings for a job per say but this experience was a wonderful one. Through another artist's ( Hannah ) recommendation, I received an invite to lunch to meet with the director/writer and was sent over previous work done by said director/writer. The actress had dropped out and they were looking so my beautiful gal threw my name into the hat. I sent over some material of me and watched the short sent...as soon as I watched the beginning, I already knew I wanted to be a part of her work. Well lit, great direction, wonderful story and awesome sound quality...all the things an actress looks for in future work plus pay...I'm in, I want an audition. I sent word that I had watched the short and read the short script and wanted to be a part of this story. I just had the meeting in which I suggested Urth Caffe in Pasadena and must've gotten at least an hour of face time with the creator of this project. I'm more of a one on one person anyway, so this type of introduction is way more welcoming for my introverted artistic self. I can flail at auditions, I can flub, I can feel off that day but chatting with someone, looking them directly in the eye and letting them know my truth is my soul. I didn't care if I got the part, I just wanted to meet the person responsible for creating such art, to connect with inspiration and be on their radar for future projects. I think I can do these type of "auditions" any day...as a matter of fact, I'd prefer them. I had sent over some of my most recent work in which she watched and we discussed life, work, art, bigotry on all levels as well as how lovely the day was. When she left, I knew I had thrown my heart on the table as I do and it was up to her and the universe to give me a shot without seeing me read but to judge me on my past work along with this meeting. I assume that's how bigger names get in but since this was my first "remembered" experience, I was quite lost in the beauty of the moment. I've always felt I'm good at auditioning but my strong suit is when the cameras roll and they call action but of course you gotta get past that weird stage of auditioning in order to show what you've really got. Trust me when I say, this whole other world is such a refreshing side of the business and a place I'd like to get to asap!!!! Good food, possible job and great conversation - YES PLEASE! I found out the next day, during a pick up session on my NDA project that I was offered the role - YIPPPPEEEE! I can't wait to show 'em the risk they're taking with me will be well worth it but definitely sending energy into the universe letting all know, I truly enjoyed this process and am open for more!
We had a rehearsal day first which was awesome in and of itself. This process taken from theatre, gives me hope. To meet your fellow actor/doggie joy and be able to work some familiarity with them gives me comfort as an artist. This one simple step should be used to create chemistry, to process shots and to get a feel of everything around you...wish more would do this! It made the shoot day magical and I saw Max, my doggie co-hort along with my co-lead for the 2nd time. Although this job seemed easier on the surface, I had a harder time just being. I love playing characters, so to just play natural - myself is always work to me, I hope to get more work like this just to balance my art out. I've fought so long to be seen as a character actress that I've forgotten how to just be but practice makes close to perfect so I'm excited to see how this story plays out. A simple short on human connection...a brief story in someone's life, I love this and if you love this, you just keep going at it, no matter what or who is telling you different, reach out and grab it, hang on and enjoy the ride!
I thought my hush-hush project was pretty much completed and after the tardiness of my last arrangement, I assumed I wouldn't be needed, however, another call for another day of pick-ups came in and I sprung into action. Remember when I told them all they'd have drinks on me...I was booked for a Friday session but at 10a so I knew there was no way on making good with my promise so I ordered some champagne from my wine club which arrived a couple of days before I went in. I decided to take a rose' in as well for the front desk lady that dealt with the situation as well as the person who dealt with my agent. I arrived 20 minutes early only to be at the wrong Bang Zoom but was able to drop off my first rose' bottle to the lovely, front desk lady that had been involved with me since I had been there. I then jetted over to the Bang Zoom near Magnolia bringing in the goodies. Of course as I entered, I asked if I'd be taking them for drinks after and of course there wasn't a real possibility so I broke out the bottles for the director, writer and producer that I had made wait on that day. Each were so grateful and surprised that it made me feel like I had made up for the situation I had caused by keeping my word in a different way but truly taking responsibility for the day. Yay to being able to improvising keeping your word in this business! I got to see some of the scenes and hear my voice and WOW...just WOW! I am absolutely proud of being a part of this project and I truly can't wait to share the good news, however now is the time...FINALLY!!!! For these past few months I've had the chance to work on a new VR game in connection with Skydance Interactive and Oculus called Arch Angel. I'm the female lead and although I can't give you the story as of yet, just know the diverse casting in this game was bananas! Don't mind the crazy pants, I thought I was to be in the motion capture suit this day, instead I was interviewed - ha, ha, ha!!!!
I know this business is tough, we get discouraged when we don't book but understand that this town is built more on the backs of perseverance than talent because as talented artists we convince ourselves that this isn't the place for us. We've worked hard, we've sacrificed plenty and still it doesn't seem enough...but if you'd just hang on. You may not get the glory when you want it but you'll get your reward for being the talented soul you are...slowly...steadily...you just got to figure out how to keep on hanging! Your time is coming but you've got to keep right at it, someone sees you and someone will risk it to let you shine. KEEP ON GOING....
Wahoo to auditions!!! You should be having fun with these because after all, they're just auditions. Quit looking at them as a job you should have but more as people getting to know/see some of your work. Sometimes the first one doesn't do it, sometimes it takes 3-4 auditions and sometimes they'll never see it but that's the fun part of it! Will they get it? Will they get you? Do they have only their vision? Whatever it is, it's not your concern, you're in to give your version of the art as you see it to be...whether it meshes or not, whether they understand your questions or not ( because you thought it was deeper than the surface - I told you I see scripts differently, ) you are there to just be and that is all you can do. Had a lovely audition for the first time at Seeker Studios for an interesting short film and it was nice just being in this place with it's over stuffed chairs and the "Before I Die..." wall. Although the ambiance was absolutely wonderful for me, I felt bad for a certain girl who had been there for quite some time and was getting frustrated. Realize that's part of this process, this industry is a you hurry up and then wait kinda place, not fair but it's the nature of this beast. You have to be prepared to expect the worst most times and the more of these you end up at, the more you'll see that some are great at time management and others...not so much but hey, you got an audition! You're there instead of not, learn to enjoy the aspect of this and give yourself some time if possible. Most of the time, I don't make any plans for at least an hour and a half after auditions and it's now caused less stress in my life, of course, things collide and at times there is nothing you can do but what you can control, try and then let it go! Got to see a familiar face (via Facebook) in the room and found out later she's one of the peeps working on it which is absolutely awesome. Although there seemed to be a lag in lines given, you do what you do and you leave, I just don't have time to ask for another read, especially when there is someone I kinda know and if I don't feel it was nothing I could control. Give what you've got to give, let them decide so you can LEAVE HAPPY!!!
In the midst of auditions, with one tomorrow already scheduled, I'm nervous as all get out for an opportunity I never thought I'd see. After some back and forth, the idea of me being a fight choreographer for a music video has been looming over my head. I've complained for years that this business gives no looks to black female martial artists, even skilled at their craft and I've had to develop my own series to short film to feel like I'm working towards showing it. So when I was offered the job, I had it in my mind that since I've never done it, who was I to do it now? I compared myself to my instructors, other great stunt coordinators and I forgot to see that they too started somewhere. I've got over 15 years of fighting experience, I grew up devouring Kung Fu/Black Belt Theatre and I've gotten my black belt...who was I not to do this? Any male with this experience ( even less ) would've figured he deserved this and yet here I am ready to turn this down because I felt I wasn't as knowledgeable as I could be - HA!!!!! HA to that nonsense! I almost gave this away to some other male/human to do this, maybe with more experience, maybe with less but they weren't gonna be me. I needed to do this for all the little black karate girls who are never represented, so when they decide why even do it, they are undeserving because life and this industry can show you as such, they may get a glimpse of me, someone like me as we all fight for the future of all of us. I had to do it because I feared doing it and felt set on the idea that I'd be bad. How many other people have just done things with little to no experience, just to see...I take my art seriously so I train, I work, I study so I can feel I'm thus prepared. I forgot to see, because I've done this in most aspects of my life, I AM more than ready for these opportunities, I AM more than deserving and dammit, I AM!!! I took the job and I even got to hire my own set of guys ( thank goodness for Rodrigo, Davis, Marcus, Hayden and Kwesi for bringing it! ) I decided to hire with diversity in mind as well as knowledge of their work through either having trained them, worked with them or was referred. Lucky for me, I have a wonderful pool of underworked goodness that needs to be seen - hey, just like me and even hired a student I taught when he was a kid, this was his first experience in this setting. I had the opportunity to give a young, black martial artist his first opportunity into this business because I understand what it feels like to have a skill and still not be seen. Yes to my Brazillian/Asain/Black crew that ended up being a great looking and kick butt crew that took direction, gave insight and collaborated with me to give some really fun stuff to this cute music video. I ended up doing the opening choreo for the song as well, teaching the gals some stuff to look like they knew what they were doing and had back up mini fights to boot. I'm ever so thankful that an old casting director ( Cydney ) whom I've never had the pleasure of working with but has always called me in over the span of 8 years, believed in me for the both of us. No matter me giving her other names of male counterparts that could do this, she knew I should do it and even bring another element of femininity to the moves. She was right, my beast was right, my friends cheering me on was right and my inner creative being was right! I hired correctly, tackled this monster and slayed it into submission to the point that I knew I had earned everyone's respect by the time the shoot ended, yes I left getting nods from the crew. YES and what, YES and how, YES and...let's do this universe!!!!
