The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 18 & 19 ( Auditions #22 & #23 )

AM I BLACK ENOUGH?!?! To already deal with this from when I was born, to day by day because of the business of stereotypical casting as well, art has always been subjective and there will always be people no matter if it is for the betterment or push as a whole, to destruct that if possible with whatever means they can find. Studying philosophy because I always looked at things differently and was encouraged to keep doing so by my favorite teacher who pushed this as my AP in high school,  has always benefited me into my own free thinking. Seeing Childish Gambino's video was absolutely enlightening and exactly what I've been waiting for from newer artists. Watching that opening scene and asking myself, what else is there to it? Most say it's just killing each other...I also say it's our killing of our own art because.... Take a look again and humor me, a guy goes to his "guitar" to play/do art, then "someone" else who's doin' their "moves/thing" comes along behind, art now gone and shoots this person who has been maybe stifled in expressing their art by the covering of the head. You can look at this in so many ways and that is the true beauty of it all...that is art. But the message was more clear that this was some of it because within hours people were now attacking whatever they could about this brilliant expression by now saying because of who he is married to, it holds no value. WOWSERS! This work has made people upset, moved, think, angry, understanding and so much more and because of where it's coming from, we want to take away it's value no matter how good this person could be. Is he out there cheating on his wife? Is he a rapist/abuser? Has he done something other than marry outside his race that makes his message less needed or necessary? If he was married to a black woman then it's more worthy? You'll take messages from men/women married within their own that have had known mistresses/other men, been abusive, dealing with underageness because they scream God and they're the same skin color? Sound familiar? I've always been about character and the message and "we" as a whole, need to stop with this "they're not good enough to speak on it because they're lighter, darker, hair natural or not, married to whom" or whatever excuse you wish to justify in damaging good art. I've had to deal with this while still knowing I needed to support local/POC businesses because if I don't although I always want to and have been before this movement, they'll talk and if I do, they'll talk so understand this catch 22 in life and DO YOUR ART REGARDLESS. The hypocrisy of it all, is that the same people that look down on you for whatever reasons will be the same people still asking for your support, your follow, your likes, your push...it's a rough road out here, but with good foundation you can shake this all off and do what is true. Try to be a good person, give back when you can, love whomever you love because it's love and keep it moving from all the negative and ART IT OUT ARTIES!!!!

Haven't booked a voice over job as of yet but being able to audition for 'em has opened up a whole new world! Not exactly sure of what I'm doing but I got some equipment so therefore I AM! You gotta open yourself up to whatever possibilities/opportunities that may come your way so making those necessary sacrifices of having a microphone, getting those headshots finally, updating your reel - basically re-investing in oneself, is a persistent way of keeping on. I get it...it sucks to spend money in order to make money but in this business during the come up, it's a necessary evil so look at it as upgrading your studies constantly to get another foothold in this business. You just never know where your break may come from so don't hinder all the different avenues that may open up once you're available to receive it. This isn't the top of the line mic, but it'll get the job done and through a few bookings, I'd be able to upgrade and maybe one day have my very own booth to work from! Learn to love investing in oneself, you'll never know how it'll keep you afloat during the dry spells. 2 voice over auditions done in the comfort of my new place because moving in and of itself, is already stress - fell into a cactus moving and still made it all happen - wahoo to splinters in the butt to make things exciting, which is helped with some mod podge/elmers glue smeared on and peeled off. 3 days of this and loose dresses and I can still feel I didn't get it all - urghhhhhhh. No I don't have a picture of that process but the damaged cactus is below. Yes, I said that correctly...then warm epsom salt baths followed by some neosporin, aloe vera and coconut oil for it's antibacterial qualities! Just don't fall into a cactus....but if you do, have at home auditions you can manage! HA!!! No matter what...GET IT DONE!!!