The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 37 - 41 (Audition #41, #42, #43, #44 & #45)

Keepin' busy as I learn to open up my options/opportunities as an actress because without change, you may very well be pushing up against the same wall for some time. I know I did but I didn't have a choice at the time...when I came into this business, it was all about the agents. You had to have headshots and the only way you were going to get into a room was through your agent, an industry referral/friend or maybe an acting instructor. Right now, you've got casting sites to submit you from anywhere at any time, lower budget productions and new media posts to help you along your journey without an agent if you choose with the ability to shoot and get things out yourself along with your friends. There hasn't been a better time for such a vast number of diverse actors so although it is still very difficult, it is more doable if you persist. I've opened myself up to voice over because after booking the video game a year ago, I began to see another side of my art form...I was just never presented with the opportunity and lucky for me the director, Tim, loves theatre actors, hence my opportunity to get in the door. No voice credits, no experience, just good 'ole theatre and lots of training along with pushing my work once in front of them all. I totally get it, being comfortable and at least feeling like you know what you're doing is safer, but safer didn't get you to pursue your passion, move across states and get up in front of people over and over and over again to hone your craft. You've got different types of opportunities to make your dream come true and it's up to you to decide to make that happen. I love being in front of an audience - my first, serious acting class was in a theatre but at the time the opportunities for being on stage in L.A. at a reputable, paying theatre was far and few in between for POC so I went on to looking for film/T.V. work. Although that produced some credits, it wasn't coming fast enough but with each job I became more aware and was gifted with more openings in which I finally got on the wonderfully, big stage at ICT and we ended up winning a "Best Ensemble" at the 2016 NAACP Theatre Awards. Last year was my first 2 Scenie Awards in "Bee Luther Hatchee" (Outstanding Ensemble Cast & Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role.) and this year I received my second Scenie Award for "HOME" in the "Best Ensemble" category. From all
this work, I have been able/open to auditioning for other nicer, stage productions all the while pushing it with my other desire to be in front of a camera and as I booked here and there, small roles, bit parts, nice roles in smaller productions. Through this process I could see how you could learn to survive if you're smart in this business. Survival is key, make it through the lean to get to the goodness only to go through lean again so remember, be ready, be open and say yes to change, let that allow you to ride into your dreams!

3 voice over days with multiple auditions handled along with my very first voice over audition for a clay animation gig (wahoo,) one with a special guest (Roscoe the dog,) one catching my ugly faces when I read sometimes, because it ain't about being pretty...and a "too young" for me martial artist with autism role played. I submitted although the age was high school to just starting college, I wanted the chance to be seen to I stated that I'd like to read and be kept in mind for other roles in the season. Do what you need to do, to get into the room, then show them the choices you've painstakingly made for the role so that they may consider you an in for whatever role that may come up. Being nonchalant, not putting in the effort, not making distinctive choices because you don't feel the role is yours or you isn't the option - but yes, it may work every now and then, but really? As a professional and it's not improv? Why? It's your job...come in working it so well that they basically think you're the character - yes, there are few times I walk in being the character, this time I did because I didn't want what I looked like or spoke like to deviate from this autistic character that wasn't really given any justice from what I saw during my homework. It may be too much for them, too deep, too layered...whatever, do you and do it so well that they look for more, in you and in others behind you. This audition has helped shape another character choice for my bag and this is why you play whenever you can, you learn to develop your characters early on and build from there! Start looking at auditions as mini workouts getting you ready and keeping you prepared and you'll begin to love that you're staying "warmed up" and psyched to have your chance to get "in there!!!" The habits you form now, will follow your work ethic into the future, so don't shirk on the responsibility of being an artist, do the work & "SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU GOT - ALWAYS!!!"

The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 34, 35 & 36 ( Audition #38, #39 & #40 )

It's August and my audition count is where it's usually at by the end of the year because of voice over opportunities. Although I count just one day for the vo work, sometimes I've had to lay 2-4 down which equals more chances for me to get out there. If you haven't looked into the world of voice overs yet, please do so...there are different types of work as well as the jobs in film, T.V. and animation, just as there are different aspects in acting, so is true of voice overs. 1 self submission for a web series as a recurring and 2 vo days to fill out a slow time period in the industry...so the constant practice has kept me in shape for regular auditions as well, so don't shy away because not only is the money good, but the extra workout doesn't hurt as well while you're waiting! Loved playing a female pastor but decided to go a more subtle route since I felt it's already enough being black...a female...and now a pastor. I kinda know what they may have been looking for which is the standard but whenever the chance, play against type...it's usually the same ole, same ole for black productions but if you want to see a change, you must be willing to risk giving that change. So onward with no regrets! 3 very fun voice over bits ranging from parts in video games to everyday necessities and why not? At least it's another shot, another chance to work and let me tell you these voice actors work, are paid well and living good without you knowing who they are and what they do. There is plenty for us all, don't let this business fool you into thinking only a select few get these...if you want it, go for it as I am. All it requires is a decent mic and a quiet place to record, give your artist self the gift of being in it always...no down time, no cold periods, just different types of work to consider and enjoy the endless options!!!

Booking has been slow for me this year, most of my work coming from people I know and random gimmes but I receive...it's been tough loosing some of the people I love in just a short amount of time so steadily plodding along has been my goal and it should be yours as well. This business is unpredictable with high-highs and low-lows but it's up to you to adapt, change and expand in order to keep up with the ride. Yes it sucks to do something good that contains momentum that keeps pushing you forward but then have life knock you on your ass so you end up meandering for awhile which in turn makes you feel like you're starting over again but mentally you've got to be prepared for these moments. What if you get into an amazing film with the right director, great cast etc all the makings of a career leap...the build up is fantastic but then you find out you've been cut out of the film? What if the film tanks and tanks bad and your performance is overshadowed by it all? What if the film gets shelved? One minute you're riding high and the next it's all for nothing and maybe it has something to do with you but most likely not...then you being the artist you are, takes it in personally as it weighs on your mind, spirit and being to the point that you don't want to function. It's FUNK TIME but it's up to you how long and why you stay there...it's okay to grieve and feel the enormous pain of it not working out but if there is nothing you can do, it's not your burden to keep carrying that negativity. I've never had to deal with this on a mass scale but I've had some friends that are dealing with it/dealt with it and still trying to find the way out in some ways and I can't wait to see the one man show Ahmed. I remember after doing "The Colony" and reading some of the nastiest comments about me online...whether it was me being the angry black woman with a chip on my shoulder because I would randomly express my opinion when called for to just having people hate my voice and thinking I was so stupid for some choices made when others made worse choices at times but they were white...male...or considered people with more knowledge of surviving than me. I fell into a black hole for a bit, trying to explain myself to strangers and feeling hurt by the judgement of people who had no inkling of my full soul. I slowly realized it wasn't my responsibility to make them like me or to even see me...their opinions were just that. Who were they in my life? Did they have any idea of the good I try to lead by everyday I'm living? Do they pay my bills or help me at all? No...then why did I even give them the time of day? Once this all soaked in and my beast kept at me to not only stop looking at the comments but to realize who I truly was fully, I was able to let it all go. Does it still hurt when I think about it from time to time - absolutely, but in order for me to survive in this line of work, I had to be able to shake what I could off. So how do we do that part? We take care of ourselves one step at a time...we look into our fullness and ask what can we do better, how do I give to myself and others. I stayed home a lot, I focused in my workouts, I ate delicious foods, I learned to appreciate a good drink, I found ways to enjoy nature at every opportunity and I watched/saw all sorts of art forms deemed good, bad and ugly. I then figured I could go on and share my art or I could go hide/give up because of...people. I chose to fight because I knew the person I was and all that I had to be/give and no one/nothing was going to change my course...even me feeling sorry for myself. So even through this trying time, I haven't looked at this as a "failure" of a year but of time to grow as an artist, regroup and constantly find a way to push forward. Opening myself up to voice over work is keeping me sane while things are slow and I had to pass on some fun stuff because of life but it's because I know it's just a matter of time...it's all going to pay off, it's going happen but you've got to be in it, in order for it to be so. So, you plod along, you do what you can do to keep on swimming, to keep your hope centered. This work isn't for the faint of heart...mass disappointments await you but you've got to mentally tackle it all with what's more important - your art that sings from your pores when you're doing what you love or the topical hurt of it all. MOVE...CHANGE...DO...and watch those negatives, rack focus on the good bringing nothing but awesome into your life! ARE YOU READY????

The "Glamorous" Life of Auditions - Day 32 & 33 ( Audition #36 & #37 )

It's been basically a year since my first big voice over job for a video game and about 6 months of getting into the vo auditions in between life. Every audition has brought about a teeny, tiny step towards understanding more about this side of the business, hence the reason I just keep plugging away without having booked anything really...until recently. I was messaged about a "small" gig laying down some lines from the husband of a wonderful woman ( Cheri - whom I did "Flyin' West" with ) who's done some ah-mazing work in this industry, out of the blue ( thanks Kiff! ) Not small in my book...this was a chance to work on a paid gig, taking the direction given and working more on my craft of what they wanted, so I said yes with the quickness and went to work. Thank goodness for a good mic and a wonderful partner that understands how to do all these things, otherwise I'd be lost on most of these opportunities, www.quainphoto.com, you did it again. One great thing for all ya newbies to this side of the work, there are so many more postings looking for non announcery, more natural delivery so don't feel like you can't get anywhere RIGHT NOW! You can, if you want to. Yes, it's hard - yes, it's work - yes, it's time consuming in ways but you can start right now if you absolutely have the desire to do so...only you are standing in your way at this moment. Again, I have no reel as of yet but it's coming, no connections for the most part and I'm here...plodding away, learning as I go - yes, it's been a bit easier for me having been on another side of all this as an actress, but wherever you may be in your career, you can allow yourself different avenues if you choose to be diligent in expanding. While it's been uber slow, even with these 2 days, I've had several auditions within each day along with getting something to work on. The coolest bit that I still pinch myself on, is having a reunion/late wrap party for us cast members of "Arch Angel" for the new release of the multi-player version "Hellfire" to release soon. Lunch in the Marina with a stop over at Skydance to see the office where all the magic happens and met everyone that not only made these VR games possible but who were just excited to finally see the face behind the voices. Played the game for the first time and although I got a little motion sickness, I hung in for some time, playing against my cohorts that I even matched voice to face now as well. Out of the blue, interesting things happen, a few years ago, you'd never have been able to convince me that I'd be a part of a video game but here I am. So slowly but surely I'll get the hang of this new arena and I'll be even better in another year, that's how it goes. Put yourself out there, invest in your dreams and the steps may seem tedious and gradual to you, but when you finally get a moment to look back, you'll see how far you've come and how much more you can go. Keep swingin' for dem fences...home runs, HERE WE COME!

During this time I also had an opportunity to shoot for some friends ( Courtney, Erica, Ajala & Danna. ) A couple of rehearsals, lots of practice on my own because dancing isn't my thing but since my part had salsa moves involved, I really focused in on my Zumba classes at the YMCA. My partner's schedule never panned out with us being able to really practice together ( but we still rocked it Andrew ) because life is busy and it's up to you when this happens to decide to put in work regardless. Nothing extensive, just a little bit more of something I was doing to make me feel more confident in my work so that when I was on set, I took responsibility for my artistry. Remember, no excuses...you as an artist have got to step in as prepared as you can possibly be so that instead of stressing while the camera is rolling, you get to play and that is what you came for! I didn't lie, I didn't state I could dance to anyone nor do I recommend "fake it 'til you make it" in these types of situations, you never want to embarrass who you are as an artist. There are some things you can learn, study and do quickly so if it's something that you've dabbled in, are a part of, do kinda sorta, I say yes to saying you can do it and working your butt off to make sure it can happen. A lot of dancers go out for martial artist roles because the movements are somewhat similar, my issue usually is that I can spot it a mile away...there is something about a fighter that can't be replicated but if the production loves you then by all means dive all in and hopefully you'll get some training to help tweek the edges because that's mostly what I see. When I see the punch or a blade strike, I can always tell someone that wasn't trained and that's okay, but that's when it's your job if you want to look, feel and be authentic to really put in the extra time to come across as the character you're suppose to be. I would never say I was a gymnast...I won't even state I can parkour, because it's so vastly different from what I study and train in, so unless I'm giving the training time, I state what I can do to the fullest, what I can try and what I can't do but be willing to learn if given the time. You'll lose some jobs but it's better that than showing up being a hot mess any day and understand that not all roles are meant for you, there is no need to lie your way in. Work hard and try lots of things you're interested in, then focus on those things to propel your work further because I love working with people I know that just want to create, this part gives me hope and whenever I can, I jump all in. Little to no make-up to give me more of a small town vibe - Yes please, improv to play around to see different moments - Love It and doing something I'm uncomfortable doing - give me more so that I can practice for the future. Get out there and get yourself better with each take, each scene, each film...DO IT and watch how you grow! Teaser for "Rhythm & Blues" coming soon...