Producing
I'm back in the producer's seat again. Tara and I hired a wonderful talent by the name of
Rachel Goldberg to direct
Muted and things have been pretty much nonstop since then. We've posted a breakdown and requested some of the actors to put themselves on tape. We're meeting with DP's (another word for cameramen mom/grandma). We're putting the final touches on our Kickstarter (fundraising) campaign and we're even planning a party to kick it off which should be a lot of fun.
Writing
I finished draft 3 of my screenplay. I'm happy with its progress but I know it's time to get a script consultant to read it. I have a few in mind but my funds are reserved for other more pressing needs right now so unless they're willing to barter their services for some baked goods, I have to wait.
Acting
I filmed a nice procedural scene with my classmate & friend Yvonne. It's still being edited but we were very happy with the rough cut. No audition updates, yet, but I'll keep submitting knowing that my roles are right around the corner.
Headshots
My agents want me to get new headshots and I'd love to but my funds are being saved for another car. As soon as we get a second car (which will hopefully be in the next 4 weeks), then I can start planning my shoot. I've already selected the photographer and my agents were very specific about the looks they want me to capture so I've just gotta book the shoot. In the meantime, my buddy Hugo shot these:
Pretty happy with them! Though I'm really giving someone the evil eye in that second one. :-)
Day Job
So already I'm sick of transcribing. It was fine when I was doing it as a supplemental thing but to do it every day for such a small amount of pay is ridiculously monotonous. If I were to go back to working at a production company then the pay would be a lot better but as an independent contractor working from home, it's low (and will be even lower once taxes are paid on them next year). So I'm back in the day job seeking hunt once again. I even thought about going back to waitressing but that makes my soul shudder at the very thought. I love people and I love food but working as a server can really make you hate both and I just don't wanna do that. I've been looking at Event Sales and Event Coordinator jobs lately and I just had an interview today that went really well. I have to do a second interview with the owners of the venue and I'm hoping to knock it out of the park as I'd be coordinating a lot of birthday parties, premiere parties, screenings, wrap parties, etc. - all events that I enjoy working on. So we'll see.
Day 60: Updated my
website, my
IMDb page and my
Actors Access page with the new pics. I still have to get them up on LA Casting but I'm dreading it. The price gauging that company does is ridiculous and yet no matter how badly I want to rage against the machine I know {and they know} I have to fork over the cash if I want to play in the commercial sandbox. Guess I'll get them up by Friday... but I'm not happy about it.
Day 59: Had my
retoucher do one of my photos at rush speed in order to get Argentum's 2 for 1 deal before time ran out and she came through! I ordered 50 of this headshot and will be getting 50 free when I pick them up on Friday.
Day 56: In order to take advantage of
Argentum's 2 for 1 Pilot Season Special before it ends on Monday I took some new headshots. This was my first paid headshot session since we moved here and it was WELL worth it. I'd been wanting to shoot with Bradford Rogne of
Photos LA for awhile now so I asked him to squeeze me in at the last minute and he did. Though the entire day and night was a rainy mess which caused traffic to be at a standstill, he not only accommodated my tardiness but the entire time I felt like I was in such great hands. He did my makeup flawlessly {it seriously convinced me to take a few classes at the MAC store} yet it still looked very natural and fresh. Though I scheduled a 2 look session we got each look with both my natural hair and what I call my "glam hair"
AND he even threw in a few shots of a third outfit right at the end, love it!!
Pardon the photo overload but the hardest part of all of this will be choosing which ones to use! As you can probably tell I'm way more comfortable smiling and laughing then looking all sullen and serious but all I need is one theatrical shot so I'm good to go. If you're thinking of getting new headshots I can't recommend Bradford enough.
Day 35: Researched a few headshot retouchers before deciding on Jessica with
Now That's You. Great quality, fantastic price, can't wait to see how my pictures look when she's done with them.
Day 36: Took my husband to see
The Mechanic and we both loved it! Technically this was for pleasure and not business but I can make the argument that whenever I watch
Ben Foster perform I'm auditing a master class in acting. I really believe he's one of the most underrated actors on the scene and I hope he continues to get bigger and better roles as his career progresses.
Day 37: Finally bought
Bitch Is The New Black. This book that will one day become a film is something that I really
really want to be a part of for more reasons than one. Gonna dive in this week and let the role research begin. Oh and I had a callback for Dunkin Donuts in the morning which was followed by being placed on avail in the afternoon.
Heeeeey!
Day 15: Got a response from one of the Model Mayhem photographers and took a few headshots today. Yay! It was super quick so I hope they come out nice. Actually all I really need is one good commercial shot for now. Didn't get to shoot the scene for my reel today though since our cameraman booked a job, yay for him, boo for us. Hopefully we can knock that out sometime this week.
Two weeks ago I enrolled in an AWESOME marketing/business/branding class for actors called "Class Rules!" which is taught by casting director
Bonnie Gillespie and boy am I glad I did! Though you can view the gist of what it offers
here, this class really is so much more than what's listed on the site. Everyone is incredibly supportive and the exercises and assignments we're given have been extremely insightful thus far. That said, the first week we did a typing exercise {for family/friends who aren't in the industry, this is when people look at you and/or your headshot and describe what you look like} before we got to know each other so that it could be as true to a first impression as possible.
Here is how I was described most often...
- Young Mom
- Entry-Level Professional {nurse, doctor, etc.}
- Strong/Tough
- The Best Friend
- Sassy/Feisty
- Fun/Playful
- Sweet
- Smart
- Matter-of-fact/No-Nonsense
- Bitchy/Catty
- Friendly/Kind
- Addict {yeeeahhhh I had to quickly get over my WTF attitude with this one & just roll with it}
And this is how my headshot was most often described...
- Strong/Tough
- Serious
- Smart
- Intense
- Angry
- Guarded
- Vindictive/Don't Cross Her
- Young Mom
- Disadvantaged Background
- Blue Collar
- Lawyer/Assistant DA
Finally, these are the shows that are in production that most folks suggested I try to get on based on what they consider to be my type...
- True Blood {one of my faves!}
- Treme
- Criminal Minds
- The Game
- Vampire Diaries
- Defenders
- Grey's Anatomy
- Glee
So obviously when I get new headshots to submit to the above shows I need to have some balance and find a way to show my strength/intensity along with my softer side {which is the REAL me anyway}.
Next we'll be discussing agents & managers that we should be targeting individually. The process to come up with the specific agents who need my type is time-consuming but necessary so I'm off to get started on my homework and compile that list. And if any of you want more details on the class shoot me an email, you'll be glad you did!
Got my retouched headshots last night. Very excited to see how well these do for me in terms of getting more auditions. What do you think?
Thanks to Adam Parth of
Silver Gecko Photography for shooting these for free. Sometimes craigslist can hook you up! By the way, if you're in need of new headshots and are short on cash contact Adam asap. He's still shooting freebies for a limited time to build his portfolio {let him know you were referred by me} so get in where you fit in while you can.
Hello dear readers! I've officially moved to LA and I'm already LOVING it!!!
We're still settling in and there's a lot that needs to be done before I start to put myself out there but here are the updates thus far...
*I've registered as an extra at Central Casting. No it's definitely not glamorous work by any stretch of the imagination but it's an easy & quick paycheck.
*I have a handful of interviews scheduled with local wedding/event planners over the next week or so for a part-time or full-time flexible position.
*And what I'm most excited about is that I've taken some new headshots! I definitely didn't expect to but I came across a promotion from
The Casting Director offering free headshots to any actor who came to their office last Sunday. I decided to give it a shot and was pleasantly surprised that they didn't give us a long spiel or try to sell us their services in any way, shape or form. They simply asked us to check out their new website and began to take our pictures. Here are the ones I liked (and keep in mind these have NOT been retouched)...
I've decided to go ahead and join their site (which submits its members to casting directors for auditions) since it's only $2.99 per month on a 6 month trial period. If I like it, fantastic! If not, at least I'll only be out of $18.00 so why not? And for the record, yes I do still plan to get some professional shots from
Bradford Rogne but until I can afford them I'm super glad that I have these in the meantime!
While checking my email today I stumbled across an advertisement from one of my favorite photographers- Bradford Rogne. He's offering gift certificates for the holiday season and I'm sure there are more than a few starving artists out there who could use them-
"If you've ever wondered what gift to give your favorite actor, think Headshots! Gift Certificates are available in any denomination, or purchase an entire session package! Gift certificates never expire. Full Session Value certificates guarantee session fee for one full year after purchase. Inquire for details. Email me to purchase, or with your questions to info@photosla.com.
And, one more thing... *Get 20% Off with Argentum Photo Lab*Use Discount Code: BROGN20" Has Bradford shot me? Not yet but you best believe he will be the first one to shoot my headshots once I'm out there. The best part about working with him is that you'll be getting a photographer & make up artist rolled into one. And he has experience with many different skin hues which is evident in his portfolio.
Check out his work at
www.photosla.com and if you book a session with him send me a quick email so that I can see the results.
