Being Grateful and Yamaha

It's that time of the year and being grateful is certainly on the priority list. I recently finished a fun VO job for the Yamaha Commercial Audio Division and came fairly close to landing another last minute industrial job. A lot of close calls recently, which is really frustrating. The Yamaha job came out of the blue...you just never know when something will hit. For this, I am truly grateful. So many, getting by with so little and that must be especially tough during the holidays. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to count your many blessings. It helps to put things into perspective and remind us of how much we have, both the tangibles and intangibles.

And, will you remind me of that next time I get stuck in L.A., traffic and miss two auditions, as I did last week, (while I cussed my way through two seedy neighborhoods on my way to the freeway exit). And, did I mention that I also spilled hot coffee all over myself and couldn't find a gas station that looked safe enough to use without a loaded weapon? Oh,yeah, there was that, too. Like I said, remind me...

Merry Christmas and Happy all-the-other holidays!

Mrs. Wilson and Alan in Anatomy

Filmed the Chapman University piece yesterday. Here is why acting is so fun...I played a 45-year-old science teacher, Mrs. Wilson. Her student, Alan, had to make up a lab so she allowed him to stay late and finish his frog dissecting project. Mrs. Wilson was sort of...how can I say it...a Mrs. Robinson. That's right, I got to seduce a 16-year-old, nerdy Star Trek boy for nearly three hours! Fantasy land can be so fun, especially when you've been married for 20 years (happily, but never the less...) Anyway, haven't seen any footage yet, but it will probably creep me out! Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson...

Sports Show and Mrs. Wilson

Recently went back to my roots and worked on a marketing proposal for a client pitching her radio sports show. What fun to work on the writing, the branding and the entire package. Isn't is amazing how we can move on to various endeavors and activities in our lives and leave behind many that we love and enjoy. I had forgotten that I'm actually good at that kind of work. Perhaps, I should add it to my bazillion others things I'm trying to do to stay fulfilled on a professional level! Anyway, my client got the gig!!! Thank goodness someone is...yeah, not too many auditions right now and that means no work, although I am filming at Chapman this Sunday. I'm playing a high school teacher, Mrs. Wilson, who is in an unhappy marriage and just a little too interested in her 16-year-old student. eee-uuuu. gross. Should make for a funny scene, though. I'm okay with this down-time right now. Was getting weary of the driving. Go figure. Gas prices are so much lower, now. Also have another podcast up and I'm writing the next one. Nothing like recording for 30-minutes in my closet surrounded by my dirty clothes basket and a whole section of "audition" clothes that haven't needed dry cleaning in months...but, I digress. Holy caca, I'm fine. Lots of people out of work..life is tough for so many. Hope you're not one of them! Let's continue to count our blessings!

the Horrorfest audition and skinny actors

Oh yeah, I had a couple of doozies last week. First of all, I was able to audition for a big-time casting director who is booking Miss Horrorfest III for the After Dark Films. I knew I wasn't the madam of darkness or next of kin to the devil, so I decided to take the opportunity and try something a little different. He obviously saw something in my headshot and/or resume to call miss All-American in (that would be me). I took the Sigourney Weaver, Alien hunter/killer approach and added my own touch of comedy with my 8-year-old's Nerf guns...it so seemed funny as I was rehearsing...don't think they got it - crickets in the room kind-of-thing...lots of scary and beautiful divas at that one, oh well, one never knows... then, on to a Chapman University audition in which I completely misinterpreted the script and had to un-prepare and re-group within seconds- for the camera. Probably not my best take...at least the casting crew was very polite. Once, again, one never knows...and, finally, the listing for a gorgeous 35-40 Caucasian female, 5'7-5'10 and 115-120 pounds. YES. An Amazon-tall woman weighing less than me. Nothing like feeling a bit insecure. That weight and height requirement listing would probably make me obese by their standards! Gotta love it. And, don't you dare respond with your measurements if they match that listing!

New podcast in the works...

Neanderthal woman, Wayne Brady music video and KISS

OMG! It's actually a good thing that I haven't been able to post for a while. I got me some gigs! Most recent audition - another one for a Discovery Channel show - a documentary-like program on Neanderthals. Just call me cave woman - best I could be for this audition, although the director asked me to stop acting "ape-like" and be more human-like. Damn, I hate it when that happens. Gotta love the submission on this: women under 5'5, a lot of muscle and NOT SKINNY, as in one of the few! Very fun audition and it was worth the sucky drive up to Woodland Hills. At least I got to drive by Casey Kasem and Ryan Seacrests' Top 40 production studios and Fox Sports Radio. (Yippie, I know, a dismal attempt to justifying 65-miles one way.) But, hey, I would have been in hair, make-up and costume for three hours to look like a real Cave Woman, or maybe, I could just get up, not shower, not brush or floss, skip my caffeine (or have a triple dose) grab some raw meat out of the fridge and go straight to the shoot - camera ready! What else...hand-picked by Wayne Brady, the casting director and the producer for his "You and I" music video. (He recently released his first album.) I know they auditioned and screened hundreds of submissions for this so it was nice to be selected. Wayne Brady is seriously hip and groovy up close...but, then, I have a thing for men of color and a few select ethnicity's other than pasty white. Shot the wedding scene at the L.A., Arboretum in Arcadia. Check out his website and you can hear the song. Hopefully, the video will be there soon, too. And, I booked a very cool show on A&E and although I am not suppose to talk about it (since it's a reality show), there's a hint about it in the title of this blog and KLOS coincidentally played Rock and Roll All Nite during my drive to the shoot...hmm...I like to think of it as one of God's funny ways of sending an affirmation. Did a few other things, including some VO work, but I've already rambled enough. F-ing homework is a drag. Just needed to say that - you parents know what I'm talking about. Now, my oldest son has added VIOLIN practice to his regime. (It was that or Cello in the 5th grade). Could it get any better?! I'm chil-laxin', though, or I'll find myself going ape-like all over again! NEW PODCAST IS ALSO UP!

Playboy TV, Asian Minority Bachelor and another Podcast

I can now say that I have seen the inside of Playboy TV. Had an audition there last week for a "non-nudity" commercial, as they put it. It's kind of what you would imagine, and not. Yes, there are pics and posters of naked women all over the place, but the employees are very normal/average lookin' folk and the offices are basic admin-looking rooms. The lobby has a big flat screen playing scenes from their shows, but no boobies, thank goodness. That would be a bit awkward. You find Playboy mags all over the place, of which I was free to take. (I took one for boys...JUST KIDDING...for my grown-up boy, that is!) Didn't get the gig, but it was a fun improv'd scene. Also auditioned for a Charter Cable spot as an American Idol-like judge (Paula) so I got to argue with "Simon" the actor...let's see, did I get that one...hmmm...no...nor did I get the children's theatre gig playing a fairy...what-ever...Another podcast is done and this one is on white wine. My friend, Greg, provides some good wine tips, too. It's on iTunes. Have a VO gig that just came through. I get to record some affirmations for a client in London. And, finally, Asian Minority Bachelor is finally up on my website. This is a funny piece and I am so glad that I got to do it with my friend, Justin (my husband in the scene). Check it out if you get a chance and tell me what part worked the best...talk soon! Shalom!

AMB Episode

Got the raw footage from Asian Minority Bachelor. Kind of scary that I can play tipsy and drunk so well...I am so completely convinced that comedy and improv are my thang. Love this kind of work - feeding off the emotions and reactions of others. Might put some Crash footage up. The quality is poor, though (too dark, not the acting, of course!!)...new podcast in the works!

My First Podcast

Get Fit Stay Healthy is done, published and waiting approval on iTunes. Check it out at http://www.blubrry.com/getfitstayhealthy/. I hope to have a direct link on my website, too. What kind of stuff are you interested in? I can research topics and produce a podcast on your subject!

What else...got a call from my agency for a print job in a few days...but, it's between a brunette (me) and a blonde. It's a simple choice of dark hair or light hair. Biz is so funny, like that. I think they went for the blondie..., though, since I haven't heard anything. Also in the running for a cool VO job, but once again, me and a long list of other equally talented (if not more) voiceover artists...sigh.

Opened a canister of Pringles tonight. Here's a tip - don't do that, unless you have willpower up the you-know-what. Holy shit. Ate the entire f-ing container...BTW, my podcast is about WILLPOWER...guess I should practice what I preach...

Intimidation and Believing in Yourself

Received the Crash DVD. Not bad, but I am certainly my worst critic. The producer sent along incredibly positive comments on my performance. However, I truly didn't "see" that when I watched the scene. Why do we do this to ourselves? When I arrived on set and met my co-star (actor-husband), I found out that he had done much more acting than I had...he had a "technique" for making sure we had the scene down (first panic, since I didn't). I was sure that (1) I would drop my lines, and (2) look like a piece of sh*t next to him. I had to fight to keep my thoughts positive (verses you are really f@cked, now) and not be intimidated by what I thought was a disadvantage. None of that was the case. My co-star dropped lines and according to the cast, I got "stronger" as the day wore on . It's so easy to create a scenario in our heads that is simply not reality and then perpetuate it to our detriment. Fortunately, I didn't do that, but I could have. No more "psyching myself out" and a good reminder for all of us to believe and stay focused on our talents and skills despite what is going on around us or who is hanging out amongst us!

Gigs - Gigs- Gigs...and, I'm not talking computers

Wow! My first gig with Brand and a funky job up in Los Angeles with Video Jug. I did a short job for Taco Bell this week in which I had to do a few ad-libbed lines in Spanish...yes, I think that's why my agency submitted me. Cool. No problema! It was a corporate training video on customer service. I so loooove Taco Bell...more than ever! And, I am now a practicing Tarvuist...actually a ridiculous made-up religion for a spoof testimonial on Tarvuism...a religion that teaches one how to speak to sea creatures...hmmm...airing in Europe, but maybe, here too. Also finished a few VO jobs; one for insurance and one for the mortgage biz. Should be editing the Asian Minority Bachelor soon...finally!!! And, waiting to receive my copy of Crash from the Los Angeles Film School - any day, now. My producer says I did a bang up job being anxious and angry and especially yelling the f-bomb at my whimpy, actor-husband. Way too fun. What isn't fun - my bill today for maintenance on my 2004 Honda Odyssey that I have to drive the hell-out-of to make auditions...yikes.

A scene from Crash

Recently filmed scene 27 from the movie, Crash. I play Sandra Bullock's part when she and her husband were robbed and they hired a guy to change the locks. What a fun day - getting to scream the f-bomb at my husband 15+ times! Filmed it at the Los Angeles Film School on Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood. Student films are awesome - if you get a good crew, of course. Glad I got to do it because with gas prices, it's getting harder and harder to make the L.A., auditions. You can't work unless you land a part and you typically don't land a part unless you audition, unless you're in the big leagues! Have only had 10 auditions in Orange County, but they do happen. Auditioning - what a strange thing...peeling off layers to or adding dimensions of yourself - in front of a bunch of people you don't know, hoping you'll make it through the first cut. I auditioned for the Discovery Channel's Mystery ER last week. In fact, I've auditioned twice - both times as a doctor. That would be a fun gig!

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