It's almost the end of week two and more exciting things are on the horizon. As I stated before I started sending my headshot and resume out before I even moved, and that seems to have worked to my advantage. I was contact earlier from a manager I had submitted to, he asked additional questions and asked to see more photos. And now I have an interview with him on Monday.
Also, one of the reasons I joined LA Casting was because a good percentage of people who join obtain their agents, as they can search your profile. I had two agents contact me this week. One is a commercial agent with a very good track record, and I have an audition tomorrow. The other is a theatrical agent with a not so good track record, and thus I will not be going ahead with them. I'm incredibly hopeful I'll sign with the commercial agent!
I also decided against auditioning for the two theatre companies, because I need to stay incredibly focused on my goals right now. And sadly, the theatres would have taken up too much time and not provided enough income. I hope to do some theatre down the road, since I miss it, but right now I'll have to put it on the back burner.
Now that I finally have my new phone/number, I can sign up for extra work next week and start making more money. As well as hopefully getting some SAG vouchers. I did some more audience work, this time around on the Family Feud. Very entertaining to watch John O'Hurley (Elaine's boss on Seinfeld, voice of Neptune on Spongebob Squarepants), not to mention he allows you to ask questions during break. I found out he was born in Kittery, ME! He also talked about his voice-over work as well. Just shows you you can use every opportunity to learn something and possibly apply it to your own career.
Speaking of voice-over work, I made the "short list" for a gig I auditioned for. A short list means that they reviewed everyone and then narrowed it down to the actual contenders for the job. They'll be making their final decision in about a week - I'm hopeful I'll book this job!
I think that's all I have to update. The days are starting to blur together, and I can't seem to decide if the weeks are going by slow or fast! Till next time...
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Bodies rest in motion, fighting night and day
Tomorrow will mark my first week in LA. It feels much longer than that! I think that’s both good and bad. I think I settled in pretty quick, which makes me believe I made the right choice moving here. But dealing with jetlag and the time difference is still wearing on me. And the driving…oh, the driving!! I’m pretty sure it’s just the nature of the beast of driving in a new city and not knowing where you’re going. But I find it utterly nerve wracking and I get anxious whenever I think about it. That being said, the parking is worse. Everything is street parking, but it’s limited and uber strict. I already received my first parking violation, sadly. Let me warn those who are new or will be new: a “red zone” is a $75 ticket, and there’s a curb that’s painted red and your car is just a little bit over the line…you’re going to get that ticket. Lesson learned. That being said, as I start recognizing streets it is getting easier. And gorgeous weather everyday certainly makes up for a lot.
Work wise, things are going exceptionally well considering I’ve only been here for a week! Through LA Casting I booked two days of work as an audience studio member (yes, you can get paid dong that) on The Doctors. Certainly it’s not the most money you can make, but there are a lot of worse things I can think of doing for money than watching a TV show being filmed every day. Also, both days we had meal penalties and the first day we went into overtime. So that means I will be making more money! It was also awesome to see Paramount studios (where it was filmed), and it happens to be very close to where I live so it’s also convenient.
Auditions wise things are also going great. I have two theatre company member auditions and a modeling audition coming up during the next three weeks. Also, because I started submitting materials before I left I have corresponding with an agency about a possible meeting. I was asked for additional info and photos, so hopefully I will hear back on Monday on whether or not they’re interested. I still have yet to sign up for Central Casting because I’m still waiting to change my phone number. Hopefully sometime next week I will get that worked out and go and sign up. Because, of course, more cash monies is essential. Not to mention the possibility of SAG vouchers! I think that’s all for now. All in all I think it was a pretty productive week. Hopefully more exciting things to come next week!
Work wise, things are going exceptionally well considering I’ve only been here for a week! Through LA Casting I booked two days of work as an audience studio member (yes, you can get paid dong that) on The Doctors. Certainly it’s not the most money you can make, but there are a lot of worse things I can think of doing for money than watching a TV show being filmed every day. Also, both days we had meal penalties and the first day we went into overtime. So that means I will be making more money! It was also awesome to see Paramount studios (where it was filmed), and it happens to be very close to where I live so it’s also convenient.
Auditions wise things are also going great. I have two theatre company member auditions and a modeling audition coming up during the next three weeks. Also, because I started submitting materials before I left I have corresponding with an agency about a possible meeting. I was asked for additional info and photos, so hopefully I will hear back on Monday on whether or not they’re interested. I still have yet to sign up for Central Casting because I’m still waiting to change my phone number. Hopefully sometime next week I will get that worked out and go and sign up. Because, of course, more cash monies is essential. Not to mention the possibility of SAG vouchers! I think that’s all for now. All in all I think it was a pretty productive week. Hopefully more exciting things to come next week!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Hello, World.
I've decided to keep this as my public blog while I'm trying to live the dream. When I was deciding what to do during the summer (right after graduating with a theatre degree), I was constantly looking for stories from actors who made the somewhat scary move to Los Angeles. This blog is how did it, but that doesn't mean anything I state is right for you. Everyone is different and you should go about deciding and relocating on your own terms. Since it's a BFM ("Big F'ing Move"). However, if you're looking for a variety of ideas to make that decision, hopefully I can help a little. This blog might also serve a purpose for myself as an actor's log and a way to keep track of auditions.
So, here's how I relocated (or relocating...I arrive tomorrow!). I set up a long term sublet through Craigslist. It was a very long process of phone calls, emails, exchanging Facebook pages, etc. Because, obviously, on both ends we wanted to make sure neither of us was a psycho. I chose what worked for me...I didn't want to deal with furnishing right away. So an entire apartment (with a roommate) completely furnished was ideal for me. I also needed certain amenities like cable and internet (maybe I'm spoiled?). I also needed to live in a safe area, but also a central location (LA traffic is notoriously horrific, you need to at least give yourself some sort of head start). So I researched a lot, and Google Maps is amazing for that since you can explore the area with street view. And it just so happens that area turned out to be the Hollyhood (luckily near where all the rich people like to hang out, so I'm not actually in the hood).
I decided to fly instead of take a road trip. Trust me when I say I would much rather take a road trip across the country (I'm coming from the East Coast), because I think that would be an amazing and life changing experience. But as a young woman traveling alone (which I would have had to do), I so didn't feel comfortable doing that. Flying alone is going to be hard enough! When my sublet is up and I move into my own unfurnished apartment, I do plan to take a road trip with family and move the rest of my belongings though. And I can't wait for that adventure!
I'm taking what I need for a few days on the plane, and then having about six boxes of what I need (mainly just clothes and shoes...and yes, that does take six boxes for me) shipped over the next couple of weeks. Luckily I have a wonderful mother who is paying for those boxes. But I'm paying for the big expense, which was to get my car shipped. BUT in the long run it's cheaper than buying or leasing a car, also cheaper than the gas and hotels of driving across the country. My car will also last many years (only about 50,000 miles on it!) and has great gas mileage. So while I cringed at the cost at first, the overall savings (not to mention CONVENIENCE) won. ...Okay, I still can't help but cringe.
I do have bills (how do you think I shipped the car? Hello, credit card) and I do have money saved. I have about three months of rent and living expenses saved up. Not a very big nest, but it's enough that I can spend one month getting settled and just focus on acting. If I have to, by the second month I will begin looking for a part time job. Basically, I have just enough of a cushion, but not so much that I spent years at home saving the "perfect" amount (nothing wrong with that, but I was too anxious to wait).
The biggest advice I can give to anyone is RESEARCH and PLAN. Not to the extent that you psych yourself out and never go. But enough that you know what you're getting into, you know the area, you know what's around you, and you have some sort of game plan when you arrive. For me that was the summer...yes, I'm pretty impatient. But after I got my degree, what else was keeping me here? Two books that inspired me and are full of wonderful resources, and I highly recommend: How to Make a Living as a Working Actor in LA and Acting is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles. I found the first book to be an amazing quick read, and it definitely inspired me and gave me the courage to just do it (move to LA). The latter book is a bit harder to read, as it is SO information filled. Reminded me of one of my dreaded college textbooks. But it literally contains EVERYTHING you need - definitely a great resource book.
Sites that I can recommend: Backstage.com, Actorsaccess.com, Lacasting.com. These three sites (for a nominal yearly fee) can potentially get you a lot of work. The internet has made it so much easier for our generation to get work for ourselves, even for us unrepresented non-union talent. Yes, you have to pay a yearly fee for these, but they are very affordable. And you have access to so many audition notices that you can submit yourself for. So worth it.
I think that's all I have to write about now. I will try to write again soon, perhaps tomorrow when I arrive in sunny California after my 8-hour flight. ...Or maybe after I've passed out from the time change and jetlag. Ta!
So, here's how I relocated (or relocating...I arrive tomorrow!). I set up a long term sublet through Craigslist. It was a very long process of phone calls, emails, exchanging Facebook pages, etc. Because, obviously, on both ends we wanted to make sure neither of us was a psycho. I chose what worked for me...I didn't want to deal with furnishing right away. So an entire apartment (with a roommate) completely furnished was ideal for me. I also needed certain amenities like cable and internet (maybe I'm spoiled?). I also needed to live in a safe area, but also a central location (LA traffic is notoriously horrific, you need to at least give yourself some sort of head start). So I researched a lot, and Google Maps is amazing for that since you can explore the area with street view. And it just so happens that area turned out to be the Hollyhood (luckily near where all the rich people like to hang out, so I'm not actually in the hood).
I decided to fly instead of take a road trip. Trust me when I say I would much rather take a road trip across the country (I'm coming from the East Coast), because I think that would be an amazing and life changing experience. But as a young woman traveling alone (which I would have had to do), I so didn't feel comfortable doing that. Flying alone is going to be hard enough! When my sublet is up and I move into my own unfurnished apartment, I do plan to take a road trip with family and move the rest of my belongings though. And I can't wait for that adventure!
I'm taking what I need for a few days on the plane, and then having about six boxes of what I need (mainly just clothes and shoes...and yes, that does take six boxes for me) shipped over the next couple of weeks. Luckily I have a wonderful mother who is paying for those boxes. But I'm paying for the big expense, which was to get my car shipped. BUT in the long run it's cheaper than buying or leasing a car, also cheaper than the gas and hotels of driving across the country. My car will also last many years (only about 50,000 miles on it!) and has great gas mileage. So while I cringed at the cost at first, the overall savings (not to mention CONVENIENCE) won. ...Okay, I still can't help but cringe.
I do have bills (how do you think I shipped the car? Hello, credit card) and I do have money saved. I have about three months of rent and living expenses saved up. Not a very big nest, but it's enough that I can spend one month getting settled and just focus on acting. If I have to, by the second month I will begin looking for a part time job. Basically, I have just enough of a cushion, but not so much that I spent years at home saving the "perfect" amount (nothing wrong with that, but I was too anxious to wait).
The biggest advice I can give to anyone is RESEARCH and PLAN. Not to the extent that you psych yourself out and never go. But enough that you know what you're getting into, you know the area, you know what's around you, and you have some sort of game plan when you arrive. For me that was the summer...yes, I'm pretty impatient. But after I got my degree, what else was keeping me here? Two books that inspired me and are full of wonderful resources, and I highly recommend: How to Make a Living as a Working Actor in LA and Acting is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles. I found the first book to be an amazing quick read, and it definitely inspired me and gave me the courage to just do it (move to LA). The latter book is a bit harder to read, as it is SO information filled. Reminded me of one of my dreaded college textbooks. But it literally contains EVERYTHING you need - definitely a great resource book.
Sites that I can recommend: Backstage.com, Actorsaccess.com, Lacasting.com. These three sites (for a nominal yearly fee) can potentially get you a lot of work. The internet has made it so much easier for our generation to get work for ourselves, even for us unrepresented non-union talent. Yes, you have to pay a yearly fee for these, but they are very affordable. And you have access to so many audition notices that you can submit yourself for. So worth it.
I think that's all I have to write about now. I will try to write again soon, perhaps tomorrow when I arrive in sunny California after my 8-hour flight. ...Or maybe after I've passed out from the time change and jetlag. Ta!
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