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.