After reading an excellent article in Backstage today about auditioning for commercials by Killian McHugh, I realized I never posted this informal interview I gave him when I took his workshop back in May. Enjoy!


And if you're considering taking a commercial class check out his site at www.killiansworkshop.com. Once I get new commercial headshots that will hopefully get me some more auditions I will definitely be back for one of his refresher courses.

So I tried my hand at waiting tables but it just didn't work out, as I've shared in detail with the readers of my Unscripted blog so hop on over there for the full scoop.

The good news is, I may have an interview next week for a full-time gig. An old boss of mine from Vegas now works out here at a really cool hotel and sent me a message via facebook yesterday. Since I have experience with weddings he wanted to know if I'd be interested in a position focused solely on booking & planning weddings there...um, yeah! I've gotta meet with his director first though and win him or her over so hopefully that will happen next week because the sooner the better.
And in other news, last weekend was my sister's birthday which we celebrated at the W. Though the drinks and the food were overpriced {typical of Hollywood}, the drinks were strong and their steak sandwich was delicious so we were happy.  Love you sis!!

Oh what can I say about this one? First of all, it's deferred. Meaning whoever takes this role will only get paid if this is bought by a distributor {and that's a big if!}. Second, do you really think they're going to watch the demo reels of all the actors who submit? Puh-lease. Just be real. Big ta-ta's are the main qualifier for these roles. Don't ask for reels too as if that will make a big difference... Although, maybe they're watching the reels to size up said ta-ta's.

Anyhow, my ta-ta's are small {but still pretty, don't get it twisted!} so I will happily pass on this one.

In case this wasn't forwarded to you via email, take a look at some of Black Hollywood recreating classic covers of Ebony Magazine...

I should have posted this months ago, 8 months ago to be exact but at the time my digital camera was nowhere to be found. Now that I take it with me wherever I go I finally took a snapshot of the wonderfully encouraging gift I received in the mail back in February.

Hilarious depiction of a conversation most actors have with people outside of the industry on a daily basis...

Getting back in class is something I've really wanted to do but just couldn't afford {both financially & time-wise}. Well a friend of mine made a great suggestion that I start by taking a few private sessions with an acting coach until I have both the time and the money to commit to an on-going class, so I did! I had my first private session with Amy Lyndon and boy was it an eye-opener.

We started our session with a career consultation as one of the main things she works on is helping you put your package together so that everything's in order when you begin seeking representation. She looked at my clothes, my hair, my headshots and my resume and gave me her thoughts on the type of first impression I make- adorable, cute, fun, sassy, spunky... I can get with that. We talked about the main roles I have on my resume as well as the type of roles I generally go out for and she immediately gave me some homework...

1. Take new headshots and shoot 3 looks: All American Girl Next Door, Young Lawyer/Doctor/Businesswoman and Sassy Spunky Sidekick. Three very different, very distinct looks that I can believably pull off. Each of these looks will become a character on a TV show that's currently on air and I even have to give each one a name and bio so that on the day of the shoot I can portray these 3 women, rather than just take pictures. I like!! She even gave me very specific suggestions on the type of clothes to wear and to avoid for each one. And since I had already scheduled a 2-look session for November with Bradford Rogne I simply upgraded to 3 looks. 
2. Make a rough cut of my reel that's between 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. I have a bit of footage from one scene in Dating Dilemma, the short film I did last year and of course I can now use something from Diary of a Wedding Planner as well. We may even use a clip from What I Hate About Me just to show a tiny bit of my personality. Typically that sort of thing wouldn't go on a reel since I'm not acting in it but we both agreed that until I get more material I can use it for now, especially since it was something that aired on network TV.

With my image and materials assessed, we moved on to the actual coaching. I brought in sides from the new season of The Game since that is one of the shows I plan to target {so glad it's coming back!!!}. The character was a guest star who had 3 scenes with the lead so I chose one and gave a read as if it were a real audition. Ha! Over the next hour Amy showed me how to really break the scene down in a far more detailed way than I ever have before. And I must admit, with each new read my character became much more specific. I didn't necessarily change any of the choices I made but I definitely realized that my approach was far too general, superficial and ultimately, forgettable. And she told me I need to work on my timing, apparently I was reading a half hour sitcom like a one hour drama, not good! It was a lot to take in in an hour but I loved every minute of it.

I left with Amy's book, The 15 Guideline Map To Booking and have to prepare scene 2 for our next session. Can't wait.

Notice what Hollywood considers "plus-size"...

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, 11:23 AM Pacific Addendum to 10/11 9:39 PM, 10/8 9:44 AMMBIB 3 (Plus Size Models) REVISED Cable NON-UNION Procter & Gamble Sponsored Casting Director: Interview Dates: 10/12/10 Callback Dates: 10/13/10 Shoot/Start Date: 10/14/10 Pay Rate: $130.00 Location: Burbank, CA
SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SUBMIT ACTOR'S ONLINE DEMO CLIPS  ALONG WITH EACH ACTOR SUBMISSION. POPULAR TALK SHOW ABOUT BEAUTY, FASHION AND HEALTH. This is for adult females size 8-12 - we are looking for African American Models. [ PLUS SIZE MODELS ] AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALES, age 18-32. This is for adult females, SIZE 8-12. *Must have runway experience be true to size. Looking for sassy and fun personalities.

8-12. Ridiculous.

My interview with Backstage regarding using social media for networking purposes has gone live. For the most part it's accurate, the only thing that's incorrect is that I don't yet have my SAG card, right now I'm still in SAG-Eligible limbo status {though I have a date in my head that I'm pretty sure I'll be joining by}. Anyhow, here's an excerpt:

When Brandi Ford moved to the West Coast, she initially thought she'd use Facebook and Twitter to connect with fellow actors and alleviate her sense of isolation as a newcomer. But her online life gave her far more than she anticipated. For example, meeting casting directors and other industry professionals on the Internet led to a few in-person networking opportunities.

For the full article pick up the latest edition of the magazine or head over to http://www.backstage.com/bso/content_display/news-and-features/e3i05a30aa117cd49d6f41fc4d74b808bf5.

It's been a busy week to say the least.

Besides working both day jobs I've been focused on fine-tuning the score and overall sound design of the pilot episode of DWP and I couldn't be happier with our progress. Yesterday I watched the latest version which was the first time the credits were added and it made me so excited to see the names of everyone who've worked so hard to make this project what it is. Plus I never realized how much music and sound in general can really boost your production value until now. Rob Gokee has done a really great job with our score and Longlost Pictures have just been incredible with the sound design and the overall editing so I'm truly truly excited to show it to the world come Sunday! We have just a few minor music adjustments to make and then we'll be ready to go so here's hoping everyone will fall in love with the pilot like we have.

We shot episode 2 of Diary of A Wedding Planner yesterday. By the way, how do you like the new photo? I LOVE IT!!! Especially the little cake topper of me with a bobble-like head. Jesse Young, a friend of mine from Houston, created it and he did a great job.

Anyhow, yesterday's shoot was a breeze. We all had a fun time, everyone was professional and we wrapped a little earlier than planned so I couldn't have been happier. And on top of that, the real reason for this post is to announce our premiere date. Woooooooooo-hoooooooooooo!!!!

Get ready...

Get set...

The first episode of Diary of A Wedding Planner will premier on a computer near you on 10-10-10 at 10 am Pacific Standard Time. That's this Sunday people! So save the date. Tell your friends. And don't forget to tune in by going to www.diaryofaplanner.com.