Who doesn't love a good junkie/prostitute outta jail role and I love it more when I get a shot at being seen on parts like these. Nothing's worse than being a character actress, not being seen that way and not getting the call to even give 'em your take, hence the reason I just keep going for it. I get there are roles that could better suit me, but it's these types of work that gets my heart a buzzin', so when it comes up, it's a big deal and I plan on going as all get out as I possibly can. It's funny because it's the same casting that I didn't hear anything back from after my so called "booking" of the last film after giving my height. I almost didn't submit when I put 2 and 2 together but I thought, why not just do this my way - with a "no slate" instruction except for name, I decided I'd throw in my height as well since it became the issue during the last process. I still got dressed as I saw fit and I went all in as far as I could go during the audition with no partner but I got it done regardless because again, you gotta let crazy be crazy and you focused on your possibilities. This role was too much fun to pass up since I know the "type" they're actually in search for, but doing you and being an option is such a fun way to work on your character development and is what dreams are made of. Glad I got the opportunity to do a whole different role to show my range every chance I'm presented with...get out there and just do it with a smile because you know that they know, that you know...😂...celebration cake pop by the wonderful Michele to say "Well Done!"
DON'T GIVE UP! No matter the odds, no matter how much it feels like you're not being heard/noticed, no matter how you may feel at this moment, no matter what others may say for the good...DON'T PRESS THE QUIT BUTTON! Most people are gone within months of trying because the quick idea of fame and fortune doesn't hit. Then there are those who stay awhile...until something better comes along, whether that be a mate or a stable job etc., then they dabble if they can, when they can but it's just a hobby. Then there are those of us who understand this long game but are more aware that we can't breathe without this form of expression being released from our souls and it may take years upon years to get something out and we may still not have made it to our peak but we BELIEVE, we KNOW and we UNDERSTAND that we are all better for getting moments to do our craft than not to have. It truly sucks because I've known more talented people to quit, to walk away, to dabble than the ones that seem to "break out" at times and all I can say is persistence. When the going gets rough, PERSIST - when it seems like you've received nothing in return, PERSIST - when everyone around you seems to rise but you feel stuck, PERSIST because you can honestly say, looking back, you're not at the same place you were when you decided you were going to do this and that's because of your persistence. Yes, it's been a struggle - Yes, it's been truly one of the hardest things you've done - Yes, it's glorious and heartbreaking and gut wrenching and exciting yet so unstable right now but you've come a long way baby! Open yourself up to new investments of oneself whenever possible. For $60, my beast gifted me with a microphone set and I've been able to send voice over auditions whenever possible which have upped my opportunities, a whole different world for me to explore and be inspired by. No, I'm not the many accented gal, naturally gifted in gab but I make do with what I've done via acting for film/t.v./stage working tirelessly to get my tone known/recognized. Flexing my vocals to play a 12-14 year old Brit was a challenge I accepted and felt really good about and although I gave a great read, I'm sure they have a line of people they've worked with as well, so I persist. My 2nd day of a voice over audition of 2019 with a fun character read of a snobby, self indulgent fighter and I'm absolutely excited to see what this year has in store but I wouldn't know anything about it, had I not been open to pushing myself with this gift. I could've been too nervous, too scared, too whatever and let this chance slip away because I knew nothing about this side of the industry but I also knew I'd still be acting, just in a different way so why not? Take a chance on yourself, you've trained your art, fought hard to get here and you deserve as many opportunities to explore, challenge and share your work, so step into your light and shine!
Having my umma here was heaven sent and for 3 weeks I gobbled all that goodness up. Not only are there buckets upon buckets of freshly, fermenting kimchees but I was reminded that this is a side of me that isn't as acceptable to the industry or Korea. I'm half Black, half Asian and that's not looked at as being of Asian descent no matter the fact that I'm a full half...mostly because of my darker complexion. If I was white and Asian, I'd have some leeway and be called either multi-ethnic/ethnically ambiguous but being darker has it's own stigma and hasn't fully been recognized yet, so my job is to make it recognizable. I was born in Korea, I grew up eating Korean food and learning to cook in such a way as well as others. I've got a traditional Hanbok from Korea and although I'm not fluent ( shame on me, ) I do have phrases trapped in my head. So, when offered the chance to be a black and Asian character in an upcoming pilot presentation, I gently pushed for the opportunity to also show that it's not just what I look like but who I am as well and that includes me speaking in my native language. At first it was a weird thought...because it hasn't been done but it needs to be and who better to introduce it than myself right now at this moment. This is why your unique stamp is so important in representation, if you don't do it, then who will and when? It's time to fight for your space of who you are and who you can be without compromises, because you've gotta show this stereotypical business that you are not in a box and you will be counted! I was never ashamed of being who I was, I just never got to embrace all that I am with all that I do because of certain outlooks and I love all the sides of me...so time to show it! I'm absolutely humbled that they decided to step outside the box with me because there is a Korean gal representing diversity, but I can't tell you how much more interesting it is to have me, the mixed chick speak the language. This is how you make subtle changes, this is how you open the box, your UNIQUENESS is necessary - please share, this world needs more of us!!! This space has enough of the same ole same ole and they believe that works, so it's up to you being of different sorts to see all that they're missing. Push forward/fight to give them what is special about your craft! My umma is gone, but lucky for me, I can have over 8+ different kimchees on my plate, Korean work on my art and celebrate, that life is delicious!!!😋
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