Developments

Ok, many things have been occurring and I've yet to tell you about any of them... apologies!

I'm going to start with the most recent and work my way backwards...

Last night, I participated in an intensive with an associate casting director for ABC through the Actor's Green Room. Now, let me explain that sentence, as many of you may already be lost. An intensive is a couple hours one night that we (paying actors) get one-on-one time with a professional in the industry reading sides (a scene from a script) and then get feedback and critique. The purpose of these intensives is to allow unknowns, like myself, a chance to show my ability cause at this point in my career I'm probably not going to be seen by them otherwise! Ha! Humility is the key to contentment!

Anyway, the Actor's Green Room is one of many networking establishments in the City (and for my money, the best) who bring the unknown actors together with the casting directors and provide the space and opportunity to connect and work together. The ideal outcome would be for the CD last night to think I was so brilliant that she might call me in for a real audition for pilot season coming up! Oh geez, I just introduced a new term, didn't I?

Pilot Season- 20+ new shows are cast and filmed and presented to the networks to possibly get funded and then put on the air and shown in your home on your TV once a week!

SO- all that to say, I prepared a scene provided by AGR from scripts that were either recently developed or are in development and we bring it in to read for the CD. The set-up was unique in that the waiting room had a monitor showing the person in the room being filmed with audio and everything. So we were all kinda listening in on their audition. I actually loved the set-up because when I was in the room it was just me, the reader, the CD and the camera woman, but while I was waiting I could hear how the CD talked to the other actors, how their voice came across, what was missing in their performance and I just enjoy watching other people work. Now, whether or not that affected my performance, I don't know BUT I went in to read, I did my scene and I felt good about it. The CD told me she had no adjustments, I did a great job listening and reacting, she would send that copy straight to the director!

Now, before I went to the workshop I spoke with an independent filmmaker who I recently took a class with that spanned 3 weeks, meeting once a week. It's design was to simulate working on a film set. First, an audition with just the director. Second, first read-thru with the other actor and director. Third, off-book with blocking and filming the scene. Our conversation last night was a follow-up on the class and to answer any questions I'd had. He was extremely encouraging and he had tried to get me in for an audition for his latest project, but my darn schedule didn't allow it. He assured me 2012 will be a busy year, so he'd keep me in mind for projects. I'd absolutely love to work with him. He's so focused and encouraging and I feel confident under his direction, which is such a huge gift for an actor!

Also, I've been involved with a developing play that should be going up on stage maybe early next year, which has earned me a bit of $$. Now, its not a ton, but its so satisfying when you receive a bit of monetary encouragement for your life's pursuit. And I have a possible second project coming my way for the stage very soon! All good things!

The best recent occurrence, I don't actually want to post but please ask me about it sometime because it may be one of the best small world stories I've personally encountered!

Do you ever feel like you're on a path with absolutely no idea where it leads but you're sure you're heading in the right direction?