This Business is Tough (for everyone)

Last night, I went to a screening of the new Ron Howard flick, "Rush," plus Q&A with it's stars, Chris Hemsworth (aka Thor) and Daniel Bruhl (I don't know how to do umlauts on this computer.)  It's a beautiful film that is a character study about the Formula 1 drivers these guys play and the rivalry between them.  Both actors are amazing in their respective roles, each doing a wonderful job taking on these iconic drivers.

What I found interesting was these guys talking about how they got these roles.  Each had to audition.  Yep, one has a SAG award for his work on Inglourious Basterds under his belt and the other is Thor, from the 3rd highest grossing film of all time.  And both had to audition.

Here is what really struck me:  Chris Hemsworth couldn't get an audition for this film.  They weren't interested in seeing him.  (Did I mention that he is THOR?)   He wanted the role so much, once he read the script, that he proactively put himself on tape.  He picked a monologue and had his wife tape him in his hotel room (and, he says, approximately 115 takes later he was finally happy enough with it to send it to his agents in hopes that Ron would watch it.)

When I first heard this, I thought, if THOR can't get auditions, what hope could I possibly have?

But, that is the incorrect response.  What you should get out of this, is that no matter where you are in your career path you have to be proactive.  Sure you should get a hold of scripts, find roles that are right for you, and put yourself on tape.  But beyond that you got to be getting yourself out there, constantly creating.  Write roles for yourself, create characters, do plays.

What will absolutely kill your career is sitting home and waiting for someone else to call you with an opportunity.

Why your Happiness can't come from your Career

I've said it a few times before on this blog, but it deserves to be repeated: your happiness cannot be solely based on success in your career.  The first reason for this is fairly obvious: in any artistic profession hard work and desire don't always equal success in your career.

But there is more to it than that.  How is success defined?  Is it becoming a series regular on a show, being interviewed on the Late Night talk shows, or winning an Oscar?  If you do get this, then what?  Shows get cancelled; the interview is only 5 minutes; and someone else wins the Oscar next year.

The thing is that there is always another rung in the ladder and as long as you base your happiness on success there really is no end point that will give you that happiness. 

I am reminded of this sad fact by some of the recent deaths in young Hollywood, people whose careers by all outward appearances were going great.

So, where does your happiness come from?

I can tell you some places my happiness comes from: creating art, finishing a project, and Disneyland ... oh, and when the house is clean. 

The important thing is to have a full life, a life outside of Hollywood. 

What I did on my hiatus ...

Alright, so I've been called out by a friend for not writing a new post in awhile.  I'd like to say I was super busy - but, the truth is that I just couldn't think of anything great to say.  One week turned to a few more and eventually I realized it had been an awful long time since I had posted anything.

To be fair, as most actors out there will attest it has been super slow lately - there is some stuff filming out there, but not a lot.  It is always slow after Pilot Season until Episodics come back in full force sometime after the Fourth of July since most shows are on hiatus.  So, let's turn this into a what I did during the hiatus report, since it is sort of like summer break for actors.

1. WORKING I got a temporary day job that pays well, so that I can start putting money into my savings account as opposed to the usual draining from it.  It's a perfect hiatus job since I am only contracted through July - although, I'll admit I am not great at it and I certainly don't love it.  But, having a little emergency fund helps me to be better actor or at least a less desperate one.

2. FILMING I've been working on my latest short film.  It's still in post, with some footage still to be shot and sound/color to be done.  But, I'm feeling pretty good about it and can't wait for it to be done so we can start the film festival submission circus.

3. PERFORMING I had the opportunity to tell a story at a night of short stories presented by Playhouse West.  This is the second night of stories the school has put on. Created by Jim Nieb, it gives the students an opportunity to write a personal story on a theme and perform it.  I've often heard a good exercise for actors is to write your biography.  It allows you to see what is truly important to you and what affects you.  Even if you never share your story - I think it is a great way to learn about yourself and I recommend trying it.  Here are the themes of the last two (in case you are feeling ambitious and want to try it): Lessons from Love & Lessons from Missed Opportunities.  And here is the one I did in February:

4. I WAS ON TV Okay, so it seems kinda silly to talk about it now, but the show I worked on last year had it's premiere.  Graceland premiered on USA and with the help of my mom emailing, calling, and Facebooking everyone we know - it had good numbers.  I was the Flight Attendant with one scene near the beginning of the Pilot episode.  Someone even made a .gif of my scene (now, before you say it was probably  me - I'll have you know that I have no idea how to make gifs.)  Anyway, it's always fun to feel like a star and get one status update on Facebook liked over 60 times.

5. LEARNING I've been going to class and working hard on scenes.  Hey, just because I'm not getting paid to act doesn't mean I shouldn't be acting.  Adding a few more hours to my 10,000 and getting to work with cool people like Jeff Goldblum is always good stuff.

6. BASEBALL My Braves are doing pretty well this season, so naturally I had to do my best to bring my bad luck to them and see them lose - twice.  But, I always love watching Baseball.  And like I always say it is very important for actors to have hobbies. One of mine just happens to be yelling at boys who hit, catch, and throw balls for a living.

With a couple weeks left in the Hiatus, I'm thinking about getting a haircut and some new headshots.  Oh, and as usual, watch lots of TV.  What's your plan for the rest of the hiatus?

I'm really great at Procrastination (or why I need a deadline)

If there was a contest for procrastination, I'm pretty sure I'd win, but I would probably procrastinate entering for so long that I would forget to do it.  Basically, I am easily distracted by things like the internet, television, anything shiny, and cat videos. 

For instance, since writing the last sentence I have checked my email 3 times, looked at everything new on my Facebook feed, read half of a speech Steven Soderbergh gave about the state of cinema, and checked Tumblr- twice.

Writing this doesn't have a looming deadline.  I mean, I could write it now, or write it later, or give up completely and just finish reading that Steven Soderbergh speech instead.  Seriously, when left to my own devices I am amazed I get anything done at all, what with all the articles on Cracked and Buzzfeed I haven't read yet. 

Ugh, I just lost another 10 minutes reading about 5 Ridiculous Health Myths and checking a notification on Facebook.

So, since I know that procrastination is an issue for me - how do I combat it?

I need to have deadlines and they need to be soon.  Deadlines more than a week away make it seem like I have plenty of time to do it later, you know after I rewatch all of the Harry Potter movies. 

It helps if it affects someone other than just me.  I hate letting other people down.  Sure disappointing myself sucks, but I can always cure that with some ice cream and British television.

It's a constant battle for me because much of what an actor has to do can't be quantified and put into deadline form.  I have lines to memorize, scripts to read, a website and reel to update - not to mention a house to clean, toilet paper to pick up, and checks that need to go to the bank.  But, that's just life.  There are always things that need to be done and I can't always get mad when I find myself off track and searching for pictures of David Tennant on the internet. 

I just have to remind myself the things I need to do and not be overwhelmed by it all.  I know it will get done - because it has to.

Now for your procrastinating enjoyment here are The 50 Cutest Things that Ever Happened and an otter who got into a car and wouldn't leave.

The Problem with Rushing

So, here's something I often struggle with in auditions: I rush.  It's a constant battle for me to take my time in auditions and be, you know, a good actor.

I do the things you are supposed to do: I am prepared, I breakdown my sides, know all the moments, know my doings, I take the time in the waiting room to calm myself.  Yet, often I go in there and rush - especially the first time through.  (I tend to relax by my second read - I love those second takes.)

But, you don't always get a second take.  So, how do you make your first try as good as your second?

Well, I've begun to understand why I rush.  Rushing is a symptom of a lack of confidence.  There is a fear that if you take your time, don't constantly fill the space with talking, people watching will lose interest.  Of course, I know logically that this isn't true and that the most interesting acting moments are almost always behavior and not from the lines. 

But, how do I take that knowledge of why I rush and why it's bad, get past my own nerves to bring into the audition room the best actor I know I can be?

Yeah, I don't have the best answer for that.  Except that before I walk into the room I try to remain calm and remind myself to take my time.  Sometimes it works, sometimes my nerves get the better of me.

But, hey, I never said I wasn't a work in progress.

Is it Okay to Take a Break?

I've seen many actors burn out because they don't give them selves a break.  Wanting to go all in makes sense when following a dream that probably took you away from home, away from your friends and families.  I've seen friends take that to an extreme forsaking any kind of social life for classes, workshops, and only their careers.

Of course you should be focused on your career and you all know how important I think classes are, but don't forget to have a life as well.  Remember, your career is a marathon not a sprint.  I've seen friends spend nearly everyday going from class to their day job and then back to class without stopping.  Often those are the ones that give up because they can't maintain that level of energy. 

Beyond not having the stamina to keep up, it's important for actors to experience life.  Recently, John Hawkes gave seven tips to survive the film industry.  He spoke about how much he learned about acting by hitchhiking a thousand miles.  He also said that it's important to loaf occasionally.

I believe that stepping back sometimes is okay.  Get a hobby.  Find something else that you love other than your career.  It gives you perspective.

I love traveling.  When the opportunity came up for me to go to Israel and Jordan, even though it was the middle of pilot season, I jumped at the chance.    The trip was a dream come true (I got to go to Petra, which was a bucket list thing for me.)  I don't regret it.  There will be other pilot seasons, other opportunities to work.

Yes, it's important to work hard, go to class, and do what you can for your career.  But, remember this is also your life.  So, don't forget to live it.

Importance of Intelligence

People who know me, know that I have a very low tolerance for idiots.  I say this because actors get a bad rap and many people assume actors are stupid. 

Why do people assume this? 

I think a big reason is that actors are forced to take day jobs allowing us flexibility to pursue this dream.  Since, these jobs, like waiting tables, don't normally have a career path, people assume they must be easy.  However, most of you cubicle-dwelling-corporate-ladder-climbers would be surprised to find waiting tables is actually pretty difficult.  Not only does it require brains, but it also requires a lot more patience than most of you probably have.  I've waited a lot of tables and I can tell you many of the people I have worked with in Los Angeles hold advanced degrees and are doing this job because they are busy following the career they came to LA for in the first place.  Not because they are lazy or too stupid to get another job.  Seriously, I have a friend who holds a degree in Neuroscience and works at a bar.

Alright, so that was a bit of a tangent about restaurant servers, but the fact is that being a good actor requires intelligence.  As an actor, you have to have a deep understanding of what makes people tick and most importantly you have to have a deep understanding of yourself. 

How do you achieve this sort of understanding?  Well, for one thing, read a whole lot.  Most of the best actors I know are avid readers and many have a deep desire to learn as much about everything as they can.  Look at James Franco, he seems to constantly be pursuing different degrees and college courses.  If it is our job as an actor to provide a window into different aspects of the world around us, we have to understand how the world works.

The fact is that being a good actor like being good at almost anything - it takes intelligence.  Feel free to question our mental stability in choosing to pursue this crazy dream, but don't assume just because we are actors that we are stupid.  Thanks.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

As an actor it is easy to feel you are in constant competition with every other actor remotely in your category.  For me, as someone who plays a mid(late)-twenties Caucasian female, that means that most of the city of Los Angeles is my competition.

Since we all feel that we are constantly competing with others it is very easy to want to compare ourselves with others' achievements.  You see the postings on social networks of "the competition" booking jobs, on set, working with cool people and it's easy to start feeling down on yourself.  You say things like: why are they getting all this work, while I am stuck sitting at home looking at Facebook?

All this competition and comparing yourself to others is pointless in this business.  A casting director once told me that there is really only one person that is perfect for a role and it's their job to find that person.  Yes, you can put yourself in a large group of actors that you'd call "your type" but everyone in that group is an individual with their own quirks and understandings of the world.  There are examples of talented actors who get a role that isn't right for them, maybe because they are famous, but then the movie fails because of it. 

When a role comes along that you are really perfect for, you won't have any competition.

Next time you freak out because everyone on Facebook seems to be doing more than you, remember people generally post the good and exciting events that happen.  Most of the time people don't post about the days when they bomb an audition and don't get that call back. 

Facebook tends to just be the highlights.  I bet if you look at your own Facebook wall you'll see your life isn't as bad as you think it is.

Self-Taping Auditions - Some How-Tos

It seems more and more casting is being done by self-taping.  One example of this is how James Badge Dale got the role of "Cancer Guy" in Flight. 

This innovation is great for actors since CDs have the opportunity to see many more actors for each role.  It's especially good if you are proactive with your career because if you can find out what roles are currently casting that you are perfect for.  It is easy to get a hold of the sides and have your agent pass along a self-tape to a CD.

The trick with self-tapes is that there is no room for any mistakes.  If you want it to be seen and for the tape to actually help you book a role it has to be perfect.  When you are in the audition room, flubs can be overlooked - but when it is on tape mistakes sort of glare at you.

You don't need a fancy camera to do a self-tape.  All you need is a camera phone or any digital camera.  One thing is that you want it to be well-lit.  They need to be able to see you but, that doesn't require special lights.  I like to use a china ball, which you can get for less than $10 at Ikea.  As far as the background, I do it in front of my cream colored walls.  Some people hang a curtain or sheet.  You just want to make sure that whatever behind you is not distracting.  Avoid cluttered spaces - a blank wall is best.

Here are a couple technical notes about the actual filming.  Unless they specifically ask for it, you don't need to slate - just label your video with your name and the character you are auditioning for.  Nearly all the casting offices I have worked at don't have actors slate, the only film I worked on that required slates was one that needed every actor's exact height.  A close-up shot is best - about an inch above the head to just below the shoulders.  If the character is supposed to be a sexy female, I'd wear a low cut shirt and make sure some cleavage is in the shot.

When I self-tape, I make sure to do enough takes that I will have at least one that is perfect.  All my lines are memorized, I never look down at the sides, and every moment is clear.  Once I get the perfect shot I use iMovie or Final Cut to cut any extra footage off the beginning and end and send it off to my agent.

There are studios that offer space and equipment to self-tape at a cost, but I don't think it's necessary.  Really just grab a friend to be your reader and do it at your place.  That gives you the opportunity to control everything and do as many takes as you want.

Getting Used to Rejection

As an actor we all know that rejection is part of the game.  Rejection is something we have to face daily and just keep moving forward.

But knowing rejection is common doesn't make it any easier to take.  And the ugly thing is that it doesn't really stop.  No matter how famous or talented you are there will be some role you didn't get or some award that goes to someone else.

I had one of those weeks recently where I could do nothing right.  Every audition, every class, every workshop went wrong and by the end of that week I was certain I was the worst actor in all of Los Angeles. 

I'm not going to lie, I may have quit acting multiple times and cried a bit.  It was a tough week.

You know who got me through this bad week?  Leonardo DiCaprio.

Yep, Leo.

I thought about how not only has he never won an Oscar - he wasn't even nominated this year for his performance in "Django," which was pretty darn good. 

What it made me realize is that with acting, as with any art, everyone has an opinion and many disagree with mine.  You can't create art if you are worried about what other people will think or if you will be rejected.  It will stifle you.

I've been doing this for quite some time and the rejection still hurts.  I wish I could be one of those people who just takes it in stride and moves on to the next thing.  But I'm not, I have a tendency to fixate and worry about what I could have done differently.

In the end, I don't think you could have done anything differently than simply bringing yourself into the room.  Don't try to be anyone else.  Just be prepared and be who you are.  Either they'll want you or they won't. 

And if they don't then you don't need them either.

How I'm Handling Pilot Season

Pilot season can seem to go in two different ways depending on who you are.  The first group are the actors with top agencies who are going out all the time.  These are the actors that are going out so much that they actually complain about it.  Seriously, I've heard them complain, ugh.

The second group of actors are the ones who desperately want to be going out for pilots, but are not getting called in for anything.  The ones who maybe don't have as much experience or aren't with one of the big five agencies.  I am in this group and as a member of this group I can say it sucks.  Pilot season will seem to last forever with maybe an audition or two if I'm lucky.  So, the question is how do you make the most out of being in the second group?

Here is how I am handling Pilot Season.  I help out at my agent's office and make sure I go in at least once a week.  The day I go in is one of the days that they have their pilot meetings and I get to sit in on that.  This allows me to keep very up-to-date on where the pilots are in their casting process.

I also got a copy of their pilot grid which gives you tons of information about every pilot being produced or that they are considering to produce.  It tells you what network is producing it, the plot summary, character list, the casting director, and more.  I use the grid to figure out which pilots I might be right for and then get those scripts.  Pilot scripts are rarely secret (unless it's a JJ Abrams or Joss Whedon show) and floating around all over the place.  I can usually get them from my agents, but if you don't have an agent ask around to your friends.

Once I have the scripts of the shows I am interested in, I work on the role I want - just like I would if I was called into the office for an audition.  If I can get a hold of the actual sides, I will use those.  If there aren't sides available I will just use my favorite scene.  Then I put myself on tape for the role.  I send that on to my agent who can pass it on to casting.

Will this get me into casting rooms?  I don't know.  I am getting a lot out of just watching myself on tape - working on my on-camera skills.  And you never know what can happen.

How are you handling pilot season?  What are you doing to get yourself out there?

A Magic Pill for Success?

With all the (not-so-surprising) news about Lance Armstrong's doping admission, it makes me wonder what I would do if there was a magic pill that would guarantee me an Oscar.  Would I take it?

I don't know.  I mean, it would be tempting.  Plus, there is the thought that if such a pill existed I am sure most of my competition would take it (which was one of Armstrong's rationalizations.)  I know people in the business who seem to be willing to run over their own grandmother if they thought it would get them ahead.  It can be so cutthroat and people will take any advantage.

But then, I think about the energy, time and hard work I have put towards this dream.  At the times that I have found success, there is a satisfaction in the fact that I didn't come by it easily. 

Since there is no magic pill.  I'll keep on going to class, reading plays, watching movies, keeping up with the trades.  And, working as much as I can as an actor.

This weekend I get to act in two plays at Playhouse West.  Saturday night I'm in a preview of Boy's Life and Sunday night we are bringing back the hugely popular A Mixed Tape.  Hope to see y'all there!

The Camera as an Extension of Self

Finally saw "Zero Dark Thirty" and got a bonus Q&A with Golden Globe winner, Jessica Chastain.  I found her so inspiring because she spent years struggling in LA and working hard before she became a working actor.  Helps me to see the light at the end for me.

She spoke about working with Al Pacino in "Salome" and some of the lessons she learned from him.  One that I really loved was something for all stage actors who have made the move to film.  She said the camera always made her a bit nervous since she had trained on the stage.

Pacino told her to think of the camera as an extension of herself.  The camera sees you in a much more intimate way than even your acting partner can and you can't hide anything from the camera.  Ms. Chastain said she began thinking of the camera as an extension of her soul and as a tool in her acting.  Eventually, it becomes something you don't think about and it is just another appendage like an arm.

I do wish to learn to use the camera in more powerful ways and plan on using this pilot season to really develop the skill by self taping as much as possible.

How to Navigate the Casting Director Workshop Dilemma

Right now, the idea of Casting Director workshops is a very divisive issue in Los Angeles.  I'm a bit nervous to even bring it up because the passions can be so high on both sides.

Most actors will tell you it is very tough to get into casting offices these days and virtually no offices hold "general meetings" with unknown actors unless you have a very persuasive agent.  What workshops do is give you a way to meet with casting directors without having to be selected for an audition.  For those of us who aren't getting the auditions we want or for those who don't have an agent it seems like a great way to get your foot in the door.

But, there are some downsides.  Workshops are expensive and if you go to multiple workshops in a month, it really adds up.  Also, workshops are not really supposed to be an audition and if you read the fine print on any workshop website you'll see the ubiquitous disclaimer that this is just for educational purposes and there is no guarantee of employment.  Of course we KNOW that, but let's be honest, we go to these workshops because we want the casting director to eventually hire us. 

Plus, we've all heard the stories from friends who have gotten called in or even booked a role from doing a workshop.  If it can happen to them, it can happen to us, right?  Well, I'm here with some bad news - the numbers are not in your favor.  The percentage of actors who actually get called in and book work off of workshops is very small, but there is always that chance.

What I suggest is to attack workshops in a methodical way.  Figure out what TV shows or movies you WOULD be cast in very easily and who casts those.  From there you have a target list of casting offices you should try to see.  Make a budget each month of how much you are willing to spend on workshops and limit yourself to seeing only those offices that are on your list.

Try to see the decision makers in the offices - sometimes it is the head CD who calls people in, but in other offices it might be the associate who generally works on the submissions.  To find out who the decision maker is - speak to your agent or ask friends who have been in that office in the past.

There are a lot of different types of workshops out there.  I know quite a few people who prefer intensives that go for multiple weeks with the same casting director.  Personally, I like workshops that allow you to prepare your scene in advance and provide you with a reader instead of a random partner when you get there.  Feel them out and see what is best for you.

Please tread carefully.  There are a lot of people in Hollywood whose only job it seems is to separate actors from their money.

Lastly, remember workshops are not really considered classes and should not take the place of your regular training.