You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!

I feel like so much of my life is goal-oriented. This is probably a good thing, overall. But really, it can be exhausting.

I know many people in artistic professions probably identify with this, as well.

The fact is, if you want to make a living in a creative career, there is really no one way to go about anything. It’s not the typical, “go to college, get an entry-level job, move up from there.” Of course, I think there is a similar structure to progress in creative fields, especially film, but I digress.

I am learning how it can be so powerful to look at where you have arrived in your life. Yeah, you may not be where you want to be in your career or artistically, but hey — you are probably a lot farther than you were when you began.

When I analyze my life(that can be dangerous), I realize that I have a lot to be thankful(and proud of myself) for — when I truly break it down, in four years I have accomplished a lot.

I am not saying all this to be like, “look at me, I’m so great.” On the contrary, I’ve been learning how powerful it can be to recognize how far you have gone. 

I think this encourages me — many of the things I have experienced were merely dreams, at one point in my life. So, keeping that in mind, I know many of my goals and dreams are very conquerable. 

Instead of looking at what you haven’t accomplished, what have you conquered in your life? Where have you gone that you never thought was possible?

And also remember:

There are fifteen years behind every overnight success. So enjoy every mini-success that gets you to your goal.

because I wanted to.

So, about a month a go, I got a ridiculous idea for some web animations. It was based on some light after-dinner table conversation. I think someone was talking about “Australian Mobsters” or something. I misheard someone, and thought they said “Austrian Lobsters.”

Then I began thinking.

And Johann and Ludwig were born.

Johann

Ludwig

They live in a castle. Duh.

I was an animation major for a year, but I definitely do not consider myself an animator. Or at least, not a very good one. On top of that, I didn’t study cell or stop-motion animation — only 3-D.

So why did I attempt this?

I don’t know. Because I wanted to.

Sometimes you just gotta follow through with cool ideas, I guess.

So, make sure you check it out. And of course, be sure to check back or subscribe, because there will be more adventures coming.

afraid to fall — a follow up

I thought more about this subject over the last couple of days. And I realized — sometimes we don’t fall. Not at all. Just because a couple of people have an opinion about our art, doesn’t mean it is bad work.

I watched this video by Dallas Travers today. Thought it was very applicable to this subject. Enjoy.

afraid to fall?

Creativity is something that is all around us — quite literally, nowadays.

Web. TV. Film. Visual art. Advertising. Fashion. Design. Blogging(*hollah*). Music. Fiction. Non-fiction.

It goes on and on.

I feel like I, personally, consume more art in any given day today than I did in an entire month, fifteen years a go.

Creating can be a feat. Many do not understand, or see the validity in creating new ideas, concepts, art, or humor.

Ok, be honest. When was the last time you watched an *AWFUL* movie, and said very bad things about said movie? Well, there were people probably worked very hard to make that movie, and they *probably* weren’t trying to make a horrible movie.

Yeah, maybe they should have realized what they were doing. Maybe they live under a rock. (Hey, I’ve been in at least one awful film like that, sooooooo yeah.)

But then, think about all the lovely films, shorts, TV series’, web series’, whatever, you have seen. And think about the fact that people have also probably said terrible, horrible things about each and every one of those works. Heck, I know I have said bad things about very good films. Perhaps I don’t understand the genre. Maybe I wasn’t at a point in my life to understand their work of art.

Whatever it is, I don’t entirely think it is right.

Sure, sure. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But, the fact is, our opinions are not completely thought through.

Think about the last time you have said, “that was a crappy movie.” Could you pinpoint what you didn’t like? Based on what you hated in the movie, did the entire film warrant a sweeping statement such as “that was a crappy movie“?

Probably not. There are very few completely awful films out there. And the films that are completely awful often have cult followings, because they are entertaining… in a different way. *grin* (I am a big fan of AWESOMELY BAD movie nights.)

I am a little over halfway into writing my second feature-length screenplay. My first screenplay is something that I learned a lot from, however, I do not think it is anything to show anyone, anymore. Nope.

However, my new screenplay is something I am proud of. To be honest, I don’t think I have ever written this well. And I am not saying that pridefully. After writing dozens of shorts and other projects, I really honestly believe this is some of my best work.

But what if others don’t view it that way? What is they don’t understand my (very outrageous) premise or some of the more (controversial) stylistic elements?

And what if it is crap? Just like all those filmmakers who thought they were making a work of art, when really they were creating a terrible film: what if I just don’t see it?

I think, maybe, that is where trust comes in. Trusting yourself, trusting that there is a plan that is bigger than you, than me, than everything. And understanding that creating is lovely, beautiful, and wonderful. Just because a few naysayers don’t understand your work, doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

Read this quote today:

The path to every victory is paved with predictions of failure.

 

lines

Thinking about learning lines tonight, because, well, I have some lines to learn.

I have this thing with memorizing.

Rehearsal. There’s an app for that. No really, it’s called REHEARSAL.

Whenever I have a buttload of lines to memorize, I will often attempt(I said ATTEMPT) to get them down late into the night. But usually, I will not be able to remember or recall the lines very well… because, duh. It’s late at night.

And then, voila! I wake up in the morning, and I can recall most to all of my lines. It’s magic.

Or maybe just basic neurology or psychology.

…but that’s not my field.

Ok, back to learning lines.

Cleaning Up the Old, Making Room for the New

I’m going shopping on Friday(it’s my Birthday this weekend! WOOOO). I need clothes in a bad way.

I haven’t been shopping in several months. To be honest, even though I love fashion, I don’t feel the constant need for new pieces all the time, like when I was a bit younger. So, for the last few months I have been quite creative with pairing my stuff in various combinations; trying to express myself in the best way possible WITHOUT buying anything new.

So, keeping in mind that I will be going shopping on Friday, I decided to get rid of some stuff. I made one bag for giveaway/goodwill, and another bag for trash(keeping all my stuff that is consignment-worthy. *grin*).

The giveaway bag filled up pretty quick, even though I am not giving away nearly as much as I do normally. (Perhaps I have learned to treasure what I have?)

The trash bag didn’t fill up very much, with the exception of some holey socks and junk mail that was sitting precariously near my clothing shelves. (I think this is because this pack rat is learning to toss stuff right when it becomes useless, rather than letting it just sit on my shelf or in my drawer.)

The funny thing is, I completely expected to get rid of more clothes than I plan to buy. However, I think it will end up being the opposite: I am going to buy more clothes than I got rid of.

This whole process made me think about my life. And, really, before I get into the life lesson I learned from this project, please know that I really dislike most cheesy metaphors. I apologize in advance.

Here are a few parallels with this project:

-Sometimes in life, we need a little “spring cleaning” in our mindsets.

-I have been learning to drop negative thinking at the initial onset of the thought(and believe me, it sets in quite a bit with what I do for a living).

-In order to make room for new awesome things that will help our lives, we have to get rid of old, useless items.

-Sometimes people in a different stage of life can benefit from things that we have experienced.

-Instead of constantly cycling new and old stuff in and out of our lives, there are certain things that should remain foundational, and should not leave us.

-Sometimes we become truly blessed with more than the bare minimum. That’s ok, too.

I also felt a bit of significance with this parallel, mainly because I feel like I am “in limbo” — or even really have felt this way for a couple months.

Several questions linger in my mind about my life — many in relation to acting, to this business, next steps, when to stay still, so on, and so forth. So many people have such security in their lives. Not so for actors. But, that’s part of the journey, right?

So, what do I “clean out” of my life to get ready for my next adventure?

What do I hand off to someone else for their benefit?

What do I hold on to?

And what will come into my life that will seem a bit like “icing on the cake”?

I guess time will tell.

Dear Frustrated Former Theatre Majors

Dear Frustrated (and recent)Former Theatre majors(who are trying to get an audition),

I have a few things to say to you.

I understand that many of you want to start acting professionally. Here are a few tips(with a dose of sarcasm). Or really just a few things I’ve learned. (Take it from someone with my BA in Theatre — and I absolutely love the fact that I have that degree! No sarcasm about that).

1. You are probably a better actor than most actors in your city. Heck, you might even have better technique than half the acting coaches in Los Angeles. But really, this doesn’t matter. At least not more than who represents you.

2. Most of the time, your Union status is more important to Casting Directors than where you studied for your degree.

3. Those producers in the room? They probably don’t know who these people are: Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, and *GASP* Constantine Stanislavski. And guess what? *DOUBLE GASP* They don’t care either.

Shakespeare is my homeboy.

4. Nobody cares if you played Hamlet.

5. Nobody cares if you played Medea.

6. Nobody cares if you played Dr. Faustus.

7. It’s 2012, please get headshots in color.

8. Again, you are probably an amazing actor. BUT NOBODY CAN TELL IF YOU ARE TALKING LIKE THIS.

9. Yes, you will be expected by many to be CURRENTLY STUDYING somewhere. It doesn’t matter if you busted your butt for four years (wearing a corset, mind you) to achieve your BFA.

I’m not crazy. I’m a theatre major.

10. Yes, when you act with film actors for the first time, it will feel like they are whispering their dialogue. Maybe try doing that, too.

11. When you go in for agent/manager meetings, don’t constantly throw your degree in their face. (With exceptions) They will probably be turned off by this.

12. Theatre acting technique provides the groundwork for all acting technique today — regardless of whether it is used in film or TV. So understand that you have an amazing toolbox at your deposal, even though it might need a little tweaking for film.

13. The film industry can be a bit distrustful of the theatre world. And the theatre world is even more so of film.

14. That 19-year old kid in the waiting room going up for the same role as you has been acting professionally since he was a baby. He probably knows more about this industry than you do, even though he doesn’t know who Bob Fosse is. And that’s ok.

15. Yes, you will occasionally see some reality star or something going up for the same co-star or guest star role as you are. They are famous, you are not. They have an advantage. Understand this.

16. The dumbest commercial roles pay much higher rates than even a juicy guest star role.

17. Even though you got all the lead roles in your theatre program, you are now starting from the ground up. Be ok with this. You don’t have all the answers.

18. Don’t EVER. EVER. EVER. call a famous actor a “terrible actor” to *another* actor. They might just be their close friend.

19. Yes, in college, you wrote in your thesis about artistic integrity and not ever accepting a role from the Disney channel. Please drop that stupid idea. RIGHT NOW.

and last but not least:

20. No, you will most likely not be “discovered” while doing background work on CSI. 

successful relationships: authentic vs. hollywood

Found this on pinterest this morning, courtesy of my friend Tasha.

This reminds me of all the times I’ve been judged for what I have, or have not accomplished.

But then again, it also reminds me of all the times I have judged others.

Sometimes, we meet people, and we tend to highly underestimate them. We ignore their capabilities, and see them, as they stand in front of us.

Maybe they have been through a great deal. Maybe they have been through hell.

Or maybe, just maybe, they are on the verge of a breakthrough, professionally. And you don’t know it.

The Hollywood mentality says that we must be friends with people who can advance us in our professional lives. GROSS. BLECH.

Why must we have such a utilitarian approach to our relationships? Why can’t we be authentic? Why must we hang out with certain people solely because of what they can do for us?

In my experience, when friends get other friends professional leads, it is only when that friendship was built on authenticity.

I guess I’m just a little tired of all the Hollywood hype.

I LOVE the work. I really do.

But WHO CARES about who is an up-and-comer, who is a star, who is this, who is that. WHO CARES.

This reminds me of several conversations I have had with others who are working in a creative career:

 

*talking to another actor*

Other Actor: Yeah, I was up really late working on a script…

Me: Oh, you write?

Other Actor: Yup.

Me: I didn’t know that.

Other Actor: Yeah, I’ve been writing for about ten years, now.

 

and that kind of thing has happened to me, too. You never know the depth and breadth of someone’s experience. Let’s not underestimate each other. Let’s pursue honest and lovely relationships. Let’s break through this yucky barrier of hype and crap and poop and hype. <<<wow… I said that so eloquently.

 

Yo! Beginner actors! Listen up!

Hey, so, all of you who would classify yourself as a beginner to the biz(or a relative beginner), have I got the book for you.

I was just chilling, wasting a little time at B & N before going out for Mom’s day/Dad’s Birthday dinner(Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Happy Birthday, Papa!). I decided to check out the acting/film/drama section at Barnes, as I always do.

I discovered this cute little book (and when I say little, I mean really skinny. Like under 50 pages):

Ok, so it looks mediocre enough. But really, it has some great points. This is a book that doesn’t mess around. It doesn’t mess with extraneous details, but desires to educate you in the most important facts about auditioning.

Again, if you are experienced with your cold read, it is NOT the book for you.

On the other hand, if you are a (relative) beginner with little to no training in audition technique, pick up a copy.

Check it out on Amazon.

Some great advice.

I love this video by Dallas Travers.

It says it all.

Make sure you check out her blog, by the way!