Day 309: Performed a scene from Private Practice at an awesome manager workshop with Melanie Sharpe put on by casting director Billy DaMota and Actor Rated. I really wasn't even supposed to be able to go but Tara worked her magic to get me on the list at the last minute. I ended up leaving in the middle of work since it didn't start until 9:30 with a coworker of mine named Liz who was also on the list and we had a great time. There were a lot of really nice and really funny scenes and everyone was prepared as requested. Afterwards I exchanged contact info with a few of the other actors whose work I liked and vice versa. Then Liz and I headed back to work a full 2 hours later where we didn't get off until 4am due to our acting excursion.
Showing posts with label workshops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label workshops. Show all posts
Day 91: Wrote the Artist Statement that the PGA Diversity Workshop requires. Had to fight through writers block because I have no time to put this off. Seriously, this application is consuming my weekend.
Day 92: Since the PGA does not accept drop-offs and I didn't mail my application on Saturday I had to spend some cash and use a courier to deliver it and this was after I spent money at a copy shop making 4 copies of the entire packet. This was most certainly an extensive application that I'm glad to be finished with. Though it was painful at times - and I'm not 100% sure that my treatment is written the way they want- I'm very glad I've undergone this process because it's forced me to get clear and specific about what it is I want to do with this film and how I want to do it. So I'm happy to say I made the deadline and submitted my application to the Producers Guild of America's Diversity Workshop.
Good morning Ms. Ford. I am *******, *******'s mother. I appreciate you reaching out to me with the goal of doing a documentary on *******.
I, along with my sister *******, would like to meet with you to discuss your idea. I will be staying in the Los Angeles area from 4/2/11 - 4/9/11, and would love to meet with you in person to discuss further. My sister will contact you today or tomorrow to discuss some particulars and set up a date, time, and location to meet, because today and tomorrow I will be unreachable.
I truly look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
*******
Well that email gave me hope so I headed over to Google to help me figure out how to write this treatment. First I read bits and pieces of the highly informative "How to Write a Documentary Script" by Trisha Das. Skimmed over the things I already knew and honed in on new information. Took notes on the important points that stuck out to me so that I'd have them at my fingertips when needed. Then I googled "Documentary Treatment Examples" and that helped out even more. By midnight I was done.
Now on to writing the 2 page synopsis and an Artist Statement about why I want to participate...
Day 85: For awhile now I've been toying with the idea of making a documentary. Not because it seems like fun {it doesn't} or because it'll make me loads of money {it won't} but because there's a story about a young girl that I really want to share with others and that would be the best medium to do so.
This idea has been in my head for about 8 months now, since the moment I first heard about her story. I've shared it with very few people, one of whom is my friend DSLR Girl, who immediately agreed to work with me on it if I decide to move forward. Since I'm not done with DWP yet, it's been in the back of my mind, waiting patiently for me to bring it to the forefront. Well, thanks to the Hollywood Happy Hour newsletter I've learned that the Producers Guild of America (PGA) is currently accepting applications for their Diversity Workshop. This workshop is, according to their website, "designed to foster the creative development of diverse voices in Television Comedy, Drama, & Reality; Motion Pictures, Documentaries and Web series" and best of all it's FREE! {Yeah the F word is practically unheard of in this city!} After looking over their website and what this program has to offer I knew immediately that the project I want to submit in order to apply is my idea for this documentary. The only problem is that I'll need permission to make this film from her family since the young lady has passed away. So today I emailed her parents telling them my intentions and requesting to speak with them on the phone. I don't think it's ever taken me so long to construct one email but I wanted to make sure I was as respectful as I could possibly be. I hope they'll get back to me but I can understand if they don't so it feels like I'm in the middle of a coin toss right now. In the meantime I have to decide whether or not to write a 4-5 page treatment for this film as that's a requirement of the PGA application. On one hand I could be writing it for nothing if the parents say no. On the other hand, I could already have it ready to go by the time they say yes.
Can I make this film without their participation? Probably.
Do I plan to? Absolutely not.
The deadline to apply is April 4th so we'll see.
This idea has been in my head for about 8 months now, since the moment I first heard about her story. I've shared it with very few people, one of whom is my friend DSLR Girl, who immediately agreed to work with me on it if I decide to move forward. Since I'm not done with DWP yet, it's been in the back of my mind, waiting patiently for me to bring it to the forefront. Well, thanks to the Hollywood Happy Hour newsletter I've learned that the Producers Guild of America (PGA) is currently accepting applications for their Diversity Workshop. This workshop is, according to their website, "designed to foster the creative development of diverse voices in Television Comedy, Drama, & Reality; Motion Pictures, Documentaries and Web series" and best of all it's FREE! {Yeah the F word is practically unheard of in this city!} After looking over their website and what this program has to offer I knew immediately that the project I want to submit in order to apply is my idea for this documentary. The only problem is that I'll need permission to make this film from her family since the young lady has passed away. So today I emailed her parents telling them my intentions and requesting to speak with them on the phone. I don't think it's ever taken me so long to construct one email but I wanted to make sure I was as respectful as I could possibly be. I hope they'll get back to me but I can understand if they don't so it feels like I'm in the middle of a coin toss right now. In the meantime I have to decide whether or not to write a 4-5 page treatment for this film as that's a requirement of the PGA application. On one hand I could be writing it for nothing if the parents say no. On the other hand, I could already have it ready to go by the time they say yes.
Can I make this film without their participation? Probably.
Do I plan to? Absolutely not.
The deadline to apply is April 4th so we'll see.
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!
Slowly but surely things are beginning to line up for me...
On the home front...
I found a place I absolutely LOVE in Burbank and wouldn't you know it's the same place we were planning on moving to when we first came out here? Though it wasn't advertised online, I called the management company to inquire about one of their other properties and found out that they have one unit available in the place we originally wanted. Since we won't be able to pay the deposit until next weekend I'm praying no one else will snag it before then because I really do love it.
Agents & Auditions...
I'm still putting auditions on hold right now but I did meet with Venture IAB for commercial representation. They saw my profile on LA Casting and had me read some copy for a Jell-O commercial. It started off well enough but for some reason I got nervous halfway through and it showed. I don't know why I let my nerves get the best of me, since the two guys I read for seemed nice enough, but for whatever reason I did. I think it's probably due to the fact that this is the longest stretch of time I've had to go without auditioning at all, and I'm not used to that. Auditioning is like working out, when you haven't done it in awhile your body can tell! So I'm not expecting a call from them...but it sure would be nice to get one. :-)
Casting Director Workshops...
I've gone to 2 workshops so far. The first one was at Actors Collective where I read for Andy Henry. Although this one went really well I really didn't care for the format that this company provides. Everyone reads in front of everyone else which doesn't duplicate the setting of an audition- at least not any of the ones that I've been to. On the other hand, my 2nd workshop was at Actor's Key and I definitely prefer their one-on-one format much better. Here I read for Dan Shaner and it was a mess. I was unprepared {sides were memorized but I didn't do much with the character}, a bit intimidated {Shaner is definitely not a bullshi**er} and overall just felt like I made a premature move reading for him. As a result I've since decided to only meet with Casting Associates & Assistants and not the actual Casting Directors until I've got some more training under my belt. The nice thing, though, is that with this company you get written feedback from the CD when you're done. From this feedback I learned that Dan liked my headshot- hey I'll take it.
Reel Deal...
Since I've only done one short film thus far {for which I am still awaiting copy} I've decided to go another route with getting material for my reel. Instead of waiting to get booked on another short or student film and then hoping that I'll get a copy that I can use months down the line, I'm going to use the services of a company that shoots your scenes for you for the sole purpose of starting or adding to your reel. There are multiple companies that offer this service- including Create Your Reel and Best Shot Reels but I decided to go with Relentless Filmworks. After looking at all three sites I felt that their work really spoke to me the most so I had a consult with them yesterday and I'm really excited about the concepts we've come up with and can't wait to read the scenes they create!
Dream Day Job...
I've made it to the final interview round for a part-time job as a Marketing & Special Events Coordinator for a restaurant in Hollywood. I would really REALLY love to get hired here for a variety of reasons-
- Funds. Living in Burbank won't be cheap and neither will all of the acting classes that I'd like to take- like NOW. Did I mention I have a paypal you can donate to?
- Fun. This place is super casual. I won't have to wear business attire- not even business casual and the overall vibe just seems like a laidback, fun place to work.
- Flexibility. I told the truth: I'm an actor looking for a day job that I will enjoy and be successful at. And you know what? They're cool with that. As long as I get the job done and produce the results that they're looking for they could care less if I step out to go on an audition. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? This reason alone makes me want to work here.
I've passed the initial phone interview and the first round of in-person interviews. The last step is for me to meet with the owners tomorrow and if they love me {and why wouldn't they} then they'll check my references and I'll finally have a part-time job! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high because I have no idea how many other candidates have made it to this point but it's hard when I know I'd be perfect for it. *Prayers, friends, prayers*.
Now that I think about it, I guess slowly but surely wasn't the right words to use. It's more like fast & furious around here and hey, that's what The Year of the Hustle is all about.
I've created an Audition Tracker to help me clearly see the progress that I make this year. The idea came from the Parade of Delusion blog- thanks Justin! While it'll be posted & updated daily in the sidebar of my blog, I figured I'll share it with you at the end of each month along with the rest of my monthly progress. So without further adieu here's January's recap:
AUDITION TRACKER
Student Film: Nightwalkers, Candace (really, REALLY wanted this one but what can you do?)
Short Film: Bring Me Back, Sheryl
Print: Sugabunz, Spokesmodel (CB!)
Web/New Media: Untitled, Karen
Web/New Media: Untitled Game Show, Contestant (BOOKED!)
Feature Film: Inner City High, Lanisa
Industrial: Merck, Principal
Commercial: Vaccine Advocacy, Principal
Web/New Media: Lenox Avenue, Kia
Commercial: PNC Bank, Principal (BOOKED!)*
*= Booked as an extra with the possibility of being upgraded to principal
TOTAL AUDITIONS: 10
CALLBACKS: 2
CB SUCCESS RATE: 20%
BOOKINGS: 2
BOOKING SUCCESS RATE: 20%
I can't think of any other profession where a success rate of 20% is actually okay...then again acting is unlike any other profession so I guess it is what it is.
FITNESS
I've enrolled in a fitness bootcamp that meets bright & early Monday - Thursday and on Saturdays for one hour. The gymnastics facility that we work out in smells like socks {yuck!} but I love that we're on a springboard floor, excellent for our joints. I plan to go 3-4 times a week until around mid-April. I figure by then I'll be in great shape and can swap bootcamp for dance class.
HEADSHOTS
I posted an ad on craigslist asking photographers to do a TFP or TFCD headshot shoot with me. TFP means Time For Prints and TFCD means Time For CD so basically I was offering to shoot with them for free {they won't pay me for my Time} and they will give me either the Prints or the CD for free as well {I won't pay them for theirs}. It's a win-win scenario if you get a photographer who needs your look for their portfolio AND knows what they're doing. This is a great idea for those of you who, like me, are a little strapped for cash right now. No I'm not suggesting you do this in lieu of hiring a professional photographer, I'm saying this is a way to have SOMETHING until you can afford to make that investment.
Anyhow, I shot with Adam Parth of Silver Gecko Photography and it was quick & easy. I'm still waiting on the other 3 shots that I selected for him to retouch but in the meantime here's my new commercial headshot:
I'll be using this shot to seek commercial representation so I hope it catches the eyes of multiple agents when it lands on their desk {or in their inbox}.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
This is the one area where I missed the mark and it's partly my fault. I agreed to do some light cleaning for one of the companies who hold CD workshops in exchange for 2 free workshops per month. The cleaning was very easy- mainly dusting so it seemed like it was going to be a sweet deal. The problem? When I tried to use one of my credits to register for a workshop with Scott David I was fed bs. Here's how it went-
Employee: Hi I'm returning your call to book you for the workshop next week.
Me: Great! I'm so excited as this will be my first CD workshop ever.
Employee: Awesome. Let me explain to you how it works...blah blah blah...now I'll just need to get payment to secure your spot.
Me: Oh I'm Brandi. I have a credit with Owner's Name.
Employee: Great. Let me just check with him really quickly.
PUT ON HOLD FOR AWHILE
Employee: I'm sorry but all of the slots are full.
Me: What do you mean? You just wanted to take my credit card number 5 minutes ago. All of the slots can't be full all of a sudden.
Employee: {awkwardly} I think you'll have to talk to Owner's Name. The way it was just explained to me is that I have to take all of the paying customer's first and if there's any room left then we can fit you in.
Me: What the hell? I'll send Owner's Name an email then because if this is how it's done then I'm not interested in working with him.
And from there I sent him an email asking him why he never told me this stipulation before I agreed to work with him. After all, this would mean I will only be able to schedule my workshops at the last minute IF they don't sell out- NO WAY! He lied to me then, telling me that his employee gave me the wrong information and that the workshop really was full. Of course he didn't expect her to call me back the next day trying to get my credit card information for the workshop once again. She forgot to remove me from her callback list and that's how he was busted in his lie. Moral of the story- when bartering be sure to get as much information as possible! I failed to ask if there were any stipulations to using my workshop credits and got burned in the end. Since I still have 2 credits with this company I do plan to use them sometime over the year but for the rest of my workshops {the ones I'll be paying for} I plan to go elsewhere. I don't give my hard-earned money to shady people.
So that's the update for the month of January. Not bad.
So last weekend I volunteered at ActorFest {an annual expo for actors held in NY and LA} and signed up for a boatload of raffles with classes/studios/companies I was interested in learning more about. A few days ago I got this email:
Hi Brandi-
CONGRATULATIONS!
See you soon ;)
--
Best,
Kris & Katie
www.actorskey.com
818-926-7399 or 818-456-8798
The Actor's Key
2019 WEST MAGNOLIA BLVD.
BURBANK, CA 91506
Woo-hoo! Participating in CD workshops is one of the things I was planning on doing next year anyway so now I'll be going to The Actors Key to get it started. *Doing the happy dance.*
Hi Brandi-
CONGRATULATIONS!
You've won one free workshop at The Actor's Key!!
You may pick ANY available $25-$55 workshop.
--
Best,
Kris & Katie
www.actorskey.com
818-926-7399 or 818-456-8798
The Actor's Key
2019 WEST MAGNOLIA BLVD.
BURBANK, CA 91506
Woo-hoo! Participating in CD workshops is one of the things I was planning on doing next year anyway so now I'll be going to The Actors Key to get it started. *Doing the happy dance.*
