I rarely do it but I submitted to do some commercial extra work in San Diego since I've got some family there, it would be anywhere from 1-4 days plus practice and the money was good enough to peak my interest - $400-$1600. I usually don't get any of these guys...I have no clue what it is but I could barely get extra work when I first started and commercial extra work/commercials was non existent in the past to present. Covered a friend once on some commercial extra work for one of the biggest extra commercial companies out there since I couldn't get even an interview to sign up to give my money to get on her site no matter how many times I submitted - HA! The problem was, the A.D. knew my friend and had no clue who I was and called it in. I worked the day but got banned from her so called list that I never was on in the first place and of course my friend just kept right on working. I'm telling you, this business can be ridiculous and political, so never think it's you...people other than the actors/actresses can be crazy and weird as well, take it all with a grain of salt. Plus this lady is like if you work for her, you work for her...there will be no cancelling for auditions, even if it's days in advance, no subs, no changes unless she or the client makes those for you - HA! Love this hypocritical part of the business but it's part of the business and you must hold your integrity even as others don't. I stay true, if it's any kind of extra work and I'm booked, most likely if an audition comes up, I'm leaving someway, somehow. I'll even do it very professionally but even that goes with bitterness from the other end. My first priority has always been and will always be my art, yes it's a one in a hundred chance but I've booked several leading parts having to leave set during lunch or being booked for 4 days and only working 2 by letting them know what's going on, so never give up on your opportunities...yes, I get they say it's paid work but is it the paid work you want to be doing for the rest of your life? Does it make you happy? Does it sustain you or are you just comfortable with the paycheck? If it's a yes, then by all means keep going but if it's a no, then you must make hard choices and make some people angry but understand that's okay.Your livelihood, your art and your well being is way more important so give it a shot by making that your priority! They had me send an audition video in...it has come down to this ya'll! Commercial extra work wanting videos of you...I guess for more days and a possibility of an upgrade this makes sense but who knows what was going on with this. Still went through the hoops, gave them some of my secret weapon and got no call but at least I received the notification to even send in more stuff - HA - it's a win in my book, because with this one, there should be more principal commercial auditions coming...one step atta time, even if it's to get practice for the bigger stuff! And remember, it's okay to not be on everyone's radar, some people will have it like that, while the rest of us work tirelessly to even be noticed...but know that your time comes, just be prepared when it does cause you're gonna shine and they're gonna realize!
Another at home audition for a pilot as a series regular from another cd I've worked with and although they were looking for "name" actresses it's always nice to be thrown into the pile because of your work! Practice, practice, practice it all...from drama to comedy to improv, to whatever will make you stand out consistently and constantly until it's your turn. Made some crazy, but probably not seen choices by anyone else because you gotta show them you can go there, commit and as long as you're still within character, play...I got to find some interesting choices with her ( even a costume change ) whether that was what they were looking for or not. See, I totally get that not everyone understands my choices but if you watch my takes more than once, you'll become convinced I've got something else going on the problem is that most only will watch one time and there's nothing you can do about that. So if they don't get it, it's a pass immediately but if they're open, they'll take a looksie maybe a couple of more times because it's different and then realize what you may be offering! I'm okay with not playing the norm, I'm glad I don't play what it is they may want to see and I'm fulfilled with my art because I choose to do so. Jobs are lost but I make a lifetime of respect from where I do find work no matter how big or small the role and that is what you gotta do if you're in this business and considered an "off-type." Again, it's not about the bookings although they're great, your time is coming but you gotta be consistent in your work and make the hard choices of showing what makes you unique to that role. So do what you gotta do but GIVE THEM YOUR ART each and every time as much as possible, leave the rest and celebrate your awesomeness for doing just that!
Gotta squeeze in a some headshots from the photo shoot with my umma and I must say, it's the most meaningful shoot I've ever done! From wearing a colorful dashiki dress because of an old photo of my Appa in his dashiki top, to putting on his BDU's from years ago in the Air Force and getting pictures with someone who connects us all. Making these memories and having them captured was all I could hope for in standing in my truth and I actually didn't hate doing them this time around with thoughts of my Appa floating around but understand it's a process. Finding a good photographer and makeup artist is essential...for some reason people feel like they can squeeze by on one or the other or neither and it's important that you're very aware of what market you're trying to be a part of. Photos are everything in this business, they represent you before you even get the opportunity to be in the room so whatever it takes to splurge on your chances of making it into the room is up to you because you're going up against some heavy hitters and their name just carries weight. Getting a good photographer doesn't always mean you're spending the most money...my beast charges $200 for 2 looks with a make-up artist available usually for $100 but before him I remember spending $800 which I had scraped and saved to shoot with some guy from Hawaii that a friend referred me too that did the make-up as well. The shots were good, more model type stuff and they kinda worked but for $800 and a few months of me squirreling away to make it happen, it definitely wasn't worth it. The make up was good but boy did I look plastic and that's just not the image I want to convey. I don't wear that much make-up on the regular so why should I look as such in my pictures. I've seen way too many people look so done in their photos that they don't even look like themselves in person...the energy is different, the feel is wrong all because they're trying to do and be something that isn't them. YOU'RE AN ACTOR/ACTRESS, the message will come across if you just give them a slight evil vibe/character look/hero essence, the look will be completed when you book the job so unless you can walk in full character each and every time you get a particular call, keep it simple for yourself and let your work do the talking. Take the time to do research, find a photographer that will get you, get your shot and it doesn't take someone clicking away 500 times if it's the right person. You'll need less touch ups/photoshop if you get the correct make-up artist as well and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg to find one but skimping on either will get you a great film with spotty sound or great sound and crappy lighting which doesn't help your journey forward. I get saving a $100 is a lot in this business but if it's $100 to get you in the room with the casting of "Black Panther" or a great role in "SWAT" or a booking next to a name, then that $100 was well worth it! I should be taking pictures more being with a photographer, but this has always been an issue with me until this particular photoshoot, channeling some of my Appa's energy and being with my umma!!!
Photos by: http://www.quainphoto.com/
Makeup by: http://www.danielchinchilla.com/
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