The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 13

So, I'm usually not as nervous for an audition but since I've never done Regnard ( I say Shakespeare so most can understand the time period in a general way ) nor Shakespeare, this one has created slight butterflies. I love the fact that Michael Donovan (CD) is confident enough to give me a chance, especially in a period piece that most wouldn't even see a minority for and one that's never done anything like this in all of their acting career. So for 4 days I try to get it in the best I can but I'm not as confident with the wording as I like...

It's nice to just push past my comfort zone because you never know first off and secondly, that's why you're here. Everyone can do what they're comfortable in, it's the uncomfortable zone that tells you to grow. As actors we get into a space and think that's it, I know now but there is always something you're not comfortable doing nor wanting to do and that's where you go as an artist. Push your boundaries and do it now...don't wait until...this way, when the time truly comes for you - you'll be chomping at the bits. After this experience, not only will I put up some Regnard/Shakespeare in class but I will do it with confidence because I walked out knowing I wasn't far from what was expected. They laughed, gave me a note for the second scene and I took it and then ran - which is all I could do at that point but I realized I can do this. Although I have rarely seen any minorities do this genre in theater, I do know of one amazing, amazonian lady named Cheri whom I was lucky enough to work with in "Flyin' West" who is actually in the circuit and for that I have hope. You just gotta keep doing it until the right director sees you and leans in, regardless of ethnicity or gender but in order to find that, you've gotta keep on pushing forward.

So today is dewy, skin day and I go with a pinch of sugar and my oil base facial cleanser but you can add this to your daily cleanser or after you lather up and then rinse off. So easy, so cheap, so effective! After I lightly scrub, I leave it on for a few minutes then off it goes and I'm left with glowing skin...well, glowing enough for me and my price budget!

 Then some vegan pancakes with the best whip around...I don't think I'll ever need regular whip cream again! It's amazing that you can eat better and it's delicious as well, now I feel so perfectly balanced and I never feel like I'm missing anything.





 So happy I went in for this and tried because it's given me enough confidence to realize I can do it, I've been putting in the work all these years and it's just a matter of time....

It wasn't so bad! You never know until you try and that's art, the first time might not be so good but you get better, more confident and then you know. Never bypass an audition out of fear, if you're unprepared, sure you're not right etc, then by all means but if you know that you're good at what you do and need a push to be better, then go risk it all - your art demands it!!!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 12

I honestly didn't know what to expect today but I was hoping for some goodness and greatness is what I got. Had an audition scheduled for Monday after receiving the call from my manager stating that casting wanted to see me for a web series paying very well...that was on Thursday. By Friday afternoon with no call from anyone, I sent my manager an e-mail letting her know I was home all day and it would be perfect for me to get my scene to work on it before the weekend hit but my management hit me back that evening to state....NOTHING, casting never got in contact with them again...Saturday rolls on into Sunday and I try not to say a word. I get a text from management and they're going to try Monday morning - HA - my audition was for 12:40p. So I state to make sure the casting office realizes that it would be a very cold read, maybe change the time or date if possible. Monday at 11a, still not a peep and my morning is now officially screwed. Can't make my acting class, there's a guest speaker I missed so I send a text stating I'm moving on with my day as my team tries to find out what's happening. Urghhhhhhh...so I go into my "shoutout newsletters" that I haven't finished sending out to cd's (I'm in the M's) since I need to make a new one of my new happenings. Sucks that my day was scratched but what do you do but keep moving on and doing things. Next thing I know - BAM, audition for Friday for Shakesphere...have I done this, NO...do I want to...DEFINITELY! Next thing is another audition that came from the Bay Area to check out L.A. talent for a webseries that I couldn't make out there. They're in L.A. and I get a chance to monologue! Thank goodness Allen Levin of Lifebook has done 30/60 events, where you have to get a monologue under 1 minute and a half...I've written 3 and they're in my acting memory files for moments like this. Monologue under 2 minutes...ah yeah! I wake to the early doggie meltdown and since I'm up with a massive amount of lemons...I'll make lemonade...strawberry that is - with organic coconut sugar!

Oh, and organic, vegan lavender with lemon zest cuppy cakes since I made a meeting with my agent before my audition this evening. And why not from scratch vanilla frosting with lemon zest as well! WHEW!!!! Let's add almond flour, organic and vegan chocolate chip cookies to that as well. Hell, if you're gonna do it, might as well do it big guys! But then you end up with things like this....

Gluten/Soy/Dairy Free and delicious, more please! Mr. Chow's is officially my favorite quick, vegan fix baking mix...I've had regular folks with no idea their eating vegan brownies, the cuppy cakes and some cookies I'm still trying to doctor up but for the most part, I can live without until my cheat days because it has gotten that good folks! Just gotta know which ones to get and which ones to play with...

Got a chance to squeeze in a get together with my agent before my audition and since I could only do the late afternoon with all that baking and lemon finding uses, I was invited to her house for tea. YAY, I've never been invited over by any agent for tea and with that I know that I know that she will forever be for me! I decide to make some home made sugar scrubs with lavender and organic rosemary from my garden along with a brown sugar scrub with organic lemons and organic oranges from my yard as well. Gotta do my agent right, especially since I'm being invited over! Organic sugar, white or brown, lavender/rosemary ground up, some organic sunflower/coconut oil and scented essential oils go a long way baby!

 These easy to do gifts are simple yet very well received by anyone receiving them so if you're on a budget and need to spread the love out, get creative with everything you've got, buy the rest and make, make, make! Not one complaint yet =).

Get over to my agent's house thinking it'll be a quick time and the next thing I know it, we're in an hour and now she's asking if I'd like to submit a tape via her to a casting notice for an Asian Chicka. Of course I say because you just don't say no to opportunities presented by you trustworthy agent. I practice for 5 minutes and we video it...several times...she wanted the right angle but we got it! So happy my agent got to see me break down a script and do it in front of her for video within 15 minutes with 2 pages of dialogue and she loved it. These are the moments when preparation meets opportunity, all those class hours putting in real work when needed...Thanks Allen Levin of lifebook acting academy! Get to my audition a bit early and rightfully so because there was problems with the check in and the front desk at Space Station today and since I was about 15 minutes early, she was able to handle the situation without stress on my part. The waiting room ladies to greet me were exceptional, you just don't get welcomed like that. I quickly ask if language was an issue since my monologue had some but I brought another to do in case. They wanted the hard stuff and hard core they got. The room was professional and warm, it wasn't a cattle call like I had expected and I met the director, A.D., the star, the Producer and Executive all in one swoop. This shoots in the Bay so we'll see what kind of production it is because I believe you should go in, audition (PRACTICE) and then figure out the logistics because then they want you and will work with you but at least your face was seen. Don't miss a chance for something good because you're giving yourself excuses as to why not to do it. Do it, then the ball is in your court to decide...wonderfulness, yes?!?! See ya Friday for some first time Shakespeare...yikes! And then, there's always my web series I'm turning into a film but here's a clip that will follow my short film to be sent to festivals because you just gotta create!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 11

Celebrating my crazy weekend to Audition Day 11, I went a bit overboard with Portos...but ya gotta do what ya gotta do, so celebrate hard my friends!

Was finally able to get my dad on set with me...in a picture of course - my mystery show soon to announce, but what good times! Not only were they super nice, super professional and super cool, but the director thought my "heavy scenes" may take some time and was worried about getting it all so he politely asked if it was possible for us to do my crying scenes first but if I was uncomfortable with that, he'd completely understand. WOW, the thought of him just asking makes me feel so much respect because that's a person who knows how difficult it may be to just jump right in to something heavy but they don't call me "deep/intense" for nothin'! Of course we can start there, "Do you need me to cry a little or a lot?" HA!!! 3 different takes, one with tears, one balling and one choked up just for options and next...love when you can go right in. Trust your work, your art, you can do this so gets to doin'!

Had to replenish my well after going through so many emotions with my shoot so what did I do? THEATRE of course! Whenever you're feeling off, upset with your craft/business or just looking for inspiration, take a good hard look around...life is a work of art isn't it?!?! You can go to the ocean, go hiking, go somewhere or you can be inspired by someone else puttin' in work. I always leave wanting back in, to get more when I get to see people doin' their thang and lovin' it...so off to Long Beach to ICT to catch Abigail/1702 - The aftermath of Abigail from the Salem Witch Hunts with some wonderful sing songs and then to Two Roads Theatre to see my peeps in "PREVIEWS" - so very proud and so very inspired! Bring on Monday's Audition purdy please!!!!








Decided since my hair is always an issue when I go in for "Tech/Business" auditions, I felt it was time to make it work! Quirky hair for me today because I wanted to be different from what I had seen on the show and give it more of a "me" type feel. Paramount has got to be one of the nicest studios around, the people are so happy and friendly...I felt so good walking into my audition and walked out feeling even better! 3 lines, 3 different emotions with an arc...can't ask for anything better - BOOM! It started off with the security giving me the stapler since I ran out, to the Casting Assistant who I thought was the receptionist chatting with me since people were walking by and talking about my hair, to getting to chill out after at the Coffee Bean with a chai tea latte!

Had to also give my tasty buds a whateves splurge since it was that time with the So Cali (Hot Diggity Dog) at dog haus and yes, that is a salad resting on top - don't knock it until you try it! It's so Cali ;)

 You deserve it...all of it...so get to it!

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 10

So today was a Warrior Goddess role and I relish in these type of auditions since I always feel that my hair, my look, my way can be a bit much for this industry so it's always refreshing when I know they're looking for something different and different I AM!

So the Casting Director noted to me that she's been casting this for over a year already and they may have seen everyone but my dear, they haven't seen me! Remember that please...YOU are unique, there is only one YOU, YOU do have something to offer and no one can ever imitate nor be YOU because no one has walked in your shoes. I don't usually care if I'm the first, middle or last to audition, when I get into that room, it is my time, my audition and no one can take that away from me, not even the people sitting behind that desk, so go give them YOU - each and every time, no matter how many times...they will get it eventually and will come to love YOU for it! But first, breakfast, because it's a very important start of the day.

Organic colorful veggie omelet with my own cut organic home potatoes with onions - YUMMERS! What a way to start my day...




Now even though it's been 15 whole days since I last saw you guys, doesn't mean I've been sitting around waiting...waiting is fo suckas. Get your ROCKY script guys - imagine your dream role...now write it for yourself because you never know and we all know the saying that when preparation meets opportunity! WERK...and that's how I got this audition eventually....

I've got Asian eyelashes ya'll and getting extensions have been my lifesaver! I've had the same lash lady for years now and because of my loyalty, when I can't afford it, if I truly need it, I can call and she will do it on credit...and that's some goodness right there. I don't get a chance to wear them all the time but I do like the extra pop they give my eyes for auditions so today is all natural instead of glam because even though my audition today was Goddess, my shoot tomorrow is me as a Publishing House Asst. and my audition Monday is as a Humanich Tech so glam is not the calling this week! Also realize that no one "wakes up like dis..." for the most part, it's work even to look naturally good in this business.

Ended my tedious day with another Zumba class since this weekend is filled already, don't like to feel guilty and don't like to feel like I should've, could've, would've in the room or on the set so always put in WERK!

Finished my night with a plate I think I have perfected in my year of 5 days of vegan/vegetarian eating. Truly guys, my body hasn't stopped working, I feel great during the week and I still enjoy whateves twice a week. 1 day of dairy and all if I so choose and the next day is whateves without dairy, but still can do the desserts as long as it's soy/dairy/gluten free. Lovin' the way I feel and truly happier with this balance now in my life, plus I don't miss anything...as a matter of fact, I gets to eat more of it. I'm telling you, vegan/vegetarian food has come a long way baby...

That is kale, with baby kale, chard & spinach with carrots, red onions, shredded carrots, yellow pepper with red pepper, sea salt, spicy sesame oil and lemon from my trees along with radishes (that taste like potatoes when cooked) along with garlic, raw slivered almonds, quinoa, olive oil and crushed red peppers with snap peas! Sweet potatoe rubbed with truffle oil with a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper along with tomatoes with soy free/dairy free balsamic and slices of organic apples. Organic red wine without sulfites added and my soy free/dairy free/gluten free brownies with walnuts. More veggies, one step at a time! See you Monday, let's do this!!!

The Glamorous Life Of Auditions - Day 9

Print job audition yesterday and like most people, I have no idea what all that entails but I got a good sense into this other life! For actors, these jobs of just taking pictures can mean extra money in our pockets while waiting for the next audition/job and who can be mad at that? What is maddening is the time frame of say 12p - 7p with no time slot, just show up whenever....CATTLE CALLS...urgh! Arrived only to see all sorts of people and your number....#114 and you hear them just call #75 as you're done with your sign in sheet. It is here I just want to walk away but I've already used up gas to get here, put on make-up and clothes and got up early to prep the day, so here I am and here I shall be.

These jobs aren't bad however and usually a couple of hundred bucks for a few hours of your time (at the very least usually) can pay some of the much needed bills but most commercial print auditions will take up 30 mins - an hour if not more of your time. So if you can wait it out, it does pay but boy is it another level of patience.  Bring games, chat and be prepared to hang out!

More happier to leave this mad house of the print world held today at the Space Station, I would've preferred my acting auditions to this and then maybe crash this type of work. Which brings me to the next point...crash commercial print auditions! If you're sitting around for something else and you see a mass load of different peeps hangin' about, go over, sign in while waiting. Most of these print jobs require no prep except for the clothes you may have on, so if at an audition and you're in casual wear, bring a dress shirt with you just in case. Money wise, these are so well worth it...time wise for the audition is another story but hey, if you've got no where to be for a minute....

Thank goodness I hit up my new favorite thrift store in the valley and on Wednesdays they have pretty much 50% off of everything in the store!!!! I was asked if I had any pencil skirts for an upcoming shoot and since I didn't, I figured I may help wardrobe out in case I could find some on the cheap and have it in my wardrobe as well since business attire is a necessity at auditions. 2 black pencil skirts (one with a slit in front and back, one without,) another black fitted, with pleats all around - 1 of the skirts is Jones of New York and the other Ann Taylor, all of them looking practically new, a white skirt - FOR ME dammit, because I can never go shopping just for the task at hand, a pair of business dress shoes and 4 books...yes one of them is a Star Wars book, a gift for the beast...and me since it's the story between Empire Strikes & Return, don't judge, it's not polite...for $27!!!! So either you can save, save, save and shop at the malls which can be easier or you can thrift store rummage and find everyday audition items to fit your budget so you can spend your cash on other items in this business where you usually can't get a deal...the choice is yours...HA, see what I did!!!!

Until next time....

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 8

CALLBACK HEAVEN!!!! I love and appreciate callbacks...now. I didn't quite understand the dynamics of callbacks back when I started but now that I know what happens on the other side for you to have a callback, I've learned to celebrate them more and with that energy, get more! If you get a callback, enjoy and go at it the same way you went with it the first time. Don't change a thing, not your hair, your makeup, your clothes or your read, walk in looking as close to what you came in as because they liked you and now they're showing you that they really like you...also feed your body before putting all that pressure on yourself once again. It deserves all the nourishment it needs to give you what you want in the room -  you gotta give to get...

Same clothes on with discount flair! Marshalls, TJ Maxx and thrift stores are my go to places to create a wardrobe without the price. Picking up solid basics without the idea of trends will keep you in the game of clothes longer, so when you shop, ask yourself - "Can I wear this to an audition as well?" Double duty is what you're looking for in the long game of wardrobe in this business because it seems you have to have everything in order to portray the characters you go out to audition for. The things you can find at these places are amazeballs...stop spending all your money on clothes, hit up the clearance isle and thrifty stores...that's where you'll find me getting the good stuff!

Fun times at CAZT studios, I've been there so many times and I'm telling you guys, they get good projects so get on Casting Networks and start submitting for those roles. The cool thing about this place is that when you're auditioning here and if you happen to have the look of the casting in the next room, you can bet they will ask you to get in their room as well...or you can just ask too! Crash when you can, trust me, if you're respectful, the least they'll do is take your picture so have an extra one on you! You're there, so the worse you'll get is no...and you're already at no, so ask away!!!

Having fun is the name of the game, if you're having fun keep at it and don't you ever stop or let anyone take your hope or love of your art away. I got discouraged years ago because life does that and I had no one to tell me how close I was, that it had nothing to do with me and I walked away. Funny how the art brings you back if you're suppose to be here so don't step in the way of your work because you don't book, if you're out auditioning, if the same peeps are calling you back, if you're getting callbacks, if you have the room in tears, if you got the director doing the shoulder bounce after you read...YOU CELEBRATE - that's a booking and you're oh, so close! Hang in...don't you dare let someone else take what's yours!

It's not work...it's play time! Lucky us, we gets to play....

The Glamorous Life of Auditions - Day 7

These are the days it hurts so good. Getting that audition for a meaty, meat role and you know every actress is chomping at the bit so I go in with my guns a blazing for this one. I submitted myself for this role guys because it sounded well written and different for me, something new for my reel and challenging for my art. Sci-Fi Dramatic Thriller with a female lead...yes, please. Now I get this audition & sides just before the Easter weekend with family but I know how important it is to be prepared, so I make a copy and memorize a page while traveling there and the other page traveling back with a day to make sure I get it ingrained in my brain without overkill. No need to stress, just do yo best! Also, I decided to look at my audition ticket again, a day before the audition and noticed they sent a treatment and the script - what a pleasant surprise. I've learned to check my audition info just for that reason, more information which helps me be a better actress in the room. Go get 'em!!!

Can't stress how important it is to keep up with notifications of your work to the rest of the world. If you don't keep pushing your news out there, who will? You are your own publicist until the day comes when you can hire one. So until that day, toot your horn...as loud as you possibly can. Do it respectfully, do it diligently, just do it consistently but you gotta do it!

Also remember to dress the part, I want to look fabulous at every audition but sometimes that's not the character. Sometimes it's all out makeup, then it's just base & eyes no brows, little blush and then it's just base,mascara, little blush because you want them to get the idea of you having no makeup without looking crazy on the audition...you can look crazy on set after you book the job! So unless it states no makeup, I've been told it's best to come in as close to the character you see fit but don't ruin your audition because you decide to look fabulous for a girl at wits end who just lost everything. Be mindful of your clothes, hair and makeup, have them believing you are the person they are looking for by making their job easy when they see you. Lots of work, yes but it's the details...every little detail in which I'm learning!

Oh and celebrate...NEVER FORGET TO CELEBRATE!