Win-Win

There are a few things that I'm not a big fan of in the acting game.

Monologues would have to be number one in my book. While I often find myself speaking out loud to no one at all, it's usually something along the lines of 'please do some laundry' or 'you forgot to take that damn library book back again' but never long speeches revealing my deep inner thoughts and conflicts. Monologues, in my opinion, are just unnatural.

Improv. It's not that I can't think on my feet, I'm fairly quick, really. It just something about improv that rubs me the wrong way. It's always a lot of fun when I've done it, but somehow I don't look forward to doing it. Maybe because it seems like everyone else is? Who knows? I've decided to get over my attitude toward improv and am now in an improv class. Maybe appreciation comes from really giving it another try? We'll see.

Cattle calls. Something about an open casting calls makes me itchy. So many people. So much time. And it usually involves standing in the heat. I haven't gone to many open calls, so my experience is limited at best. When I did go, I was driven by stories of actors who have been "discovered" at a casting call. The pessimist in me, however, says that my chances improve if the casting director saw my picture before hand and specifically asked for me rather than just showing up sight unseen. But thousands of people show up to casting calls and from those casting calls shows get cast, so it has to be benefiting someone, right?

Well a friend's experience this past week has really spoken to the optimist in me. On Monday, she had gone to an open casting call for the touring production of 'The Color Purple'. She texted me right after and said that she was invited to a callback on Wednesday. We texted back and forth then she said they called and asked her to come back the following day, Tuesday instead. The next day, she texts me to say that the second audition didn't go as well, she was expecting to read for a certain part and she got a bit tongue tied and was really upset with herself. I tried to be encouraging and let her know how proud I was that she went and that it would all work out. That this wasn't the end, it was just the beginning. Well, later that night, she was called back again...to read for the part she wanted. I told her to put it all out there, no regrets, no holding back. Well that's just what she did and I couldn't be more proud of her. Of course it would be awesome if she is casted the part and gets the opportunity to perform around the country. I would love for that to happen. But what is most awesome is that she went and did it. And what she came back with mentally is invaluable. The confidence to do what we do with no regrets. The ability to give something her best shot, full out and not hold back. The lesson that anything is possible, even at an open casting call, in the midday heat with every actress in LA trying to one up you. Now that's priceless.

Wow...

I've been so lazy. Lazy about a lot of things, but one of the biggest is keeping up with keeping up!

The point of this blog was to keep up with what was going on with me as an actress...so I guess you can see how things have been going, huh?

Somewhere along the way, I decided to take on regular work, which is the antithesis of being an arteeest, right? Well, I'm actually pretty happy about my decision because the regular 9-5 has allowed me to keep my head above water during this financial downturn.

It's not that I'm not still thinking about it though.

To be honest, I need to get out of my own way. Time ticks away everyday and the regrets just grow bigger and bigger and bigger. It's time to put it all out there, but this time not give up or start listening to all those voices telling me that it might not happen.

So, as things go along, this blog may become less about the trials and tribulations of me and my struggle in the industry and more about me and my struggle as an individual. Should be interesting, right?

Oh, and a huge shout out to my good friend and inspiration, Jason Rogel, who's new indie feature length film, Splinterheads, is showing at the Maui Film Festival!

Readjustment

Well, it's been almost a week since returning from Paris and I think I finally have my head screwed on right. The jet-lag wasn't that bad, but I was walking around in a fog for a few days there.

I came back feeling really motivated and feeling like the sky is the limit...so being back at home is all about sustaining that feeling. In Paris we walked everywhere, didn't watch tv at all, and just really enjoyed our surrounding. And being at the festival with so many creative people was amazing. With this new found fire, I'm really motivated to work on a screenplay. I'm working [and reworking] the storyline and making a plan to get this done.

And speaking of motivation and new found fire, director Amber Sharp has a 90-day goal to get her series, Don't Go on the air. To see the challenge and how you can help, check out the website.

This weekend, I made a trip down to San Diego for the SD Asian Film Festival's screening of 'Potluck'. Two good friends of mine, Jason Rogel and Ellen Williams were a part of this funny film...I am really proud of them. Congratulations on great work everyone!

Kudos!

I wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to some of my peeps who have some exciting stuff going on right now.

Congratulations to Jason Rogel on being cast in Corbin Bersen's indie film! Jason impressed Corbin so much that his part was expanded. Thank God somebody recognizes his amazing talent!

Congratulations to my cousin, Omar, for booking an NBC All-Star Game commercial! Keep an eye out for it during the game. Not only is he family, he's a very talented actor.

Congratulations to Carolyn Ozimok who decided to make a huge life change and dedicate herself to her art and her photography. What an inspiration!

As for me, the director of Triple Minority, Amber Sharp, has offered me a part in her pilot that will be shooting this month. It's called Don't Go and I like to describe it as a cross between Melrose Place and The L Word. I'll be reunited with some of the cast and crew from Triple Minority and am so excited we'll have the opportunity to work together again.

That's it for now...more exciting news on the horizon!

Capital One and Jason

Keep an eye out for my one of my best friend's Capital One commericals, airing on a TV near you! I caught it during last night's Heroes episode [Save the Cheerleader; Save the World]. He fire extinguishes a dad on a virtual vacation. Funny stuff.

Go Jason! I'm so proud of you!