Filed under: Blogroll, Dance, Hollywood, Midwest, Wisconsin, acting, singing
Hello, friends. I have little news to report; recently I have auditioned frequently but not gotten any parts. Nonetheless, some of the auditions have been surprising so I share them mostly for your entertainment.
I have in the last month auditioned for two, count ‘em two, Spanish-language telenovelas. I am called back for one of them this Saturday; the other casts continually, so they could really call me at anytime. This second one is not too picky about its actors, actually. It is a broadcast program–I just watched an episode the other day–but it is quite clear the actors are inexperienced.
In another audition, I played a homeless, mentally-ill Peruvian man called “el americano.” The character was called “el americano” because he looked North American.
I auditioned to play a guest at the prom in a music video by Monet for the Disney Channel. It was to air during “The Secret Life of Zach and Cody.” Part of the audition included “busting a move like we were at the prom.” I now regret not rocking them with “the worm.” If nothing else, it would have been memorable for everyone.
One time I got called back as a Latter Day Saints missionary for a spec commercial; I was eager for this one because a friend had recently said I reminded them of an LDS missionary. For you “30 Rock” fans, the breakdown also said I was supposed to be “like Kenneth from 30 Rock.”
So the answer for most of these auditions is “no.” But I can say pretty genuinely that most of the time, “no” does not get to me like it used to. My perspective is that in Hollywood, you need to knock at every door you can find. The vast majority of the answers you get are “nos,” but you need to keep knocking. Steady on, steady on, because sometimes there are “yeses.”
Audiciones Recientes
Hola, amigos. Tengo pocas noticias que reporter; recientemente, audiciono con frecuencia pero no me ha salido ningún papel. De todas maneras, algunas audiciones les van a sorprender, así que las comparto para entretenerlos.
Este mes, audicioné para dos telenovelas en español. Para una, tengo una segunda audición el sábado; escogen actores continuamente para la otra, así que me podrían llamar en cualquier momento. Ésta segunda no requiere mucho de sus actores. Ahorita vi un episodio y está claro que los actores tienen poca experiencia.
En otra audición, el papel fue de un hombre peruano que vivía en la calle y tenía una enfermedad mental. El personaje se llamaba “el americano” porque se veía norteamericano.
Audicioné para ser un joven en el prom de un video musical de Monet para el Canal Disney. Se iba a presentar durante “The Secret Life of Zach and Cody,” un programa muy bien conocido entre los niños de aquí. Tuve que bailar en esta audición y ahora pienso que debía hacer un movimiento que se llama “el lombris.” De todas maneras, no me dieron el papel y por lo menos así me habrían recordado muy facilmente.
En otra audición me tocó ser un misionero “LDS” (mormón); estaba emocionado por este papel porque recientemente una amiga me dijo que le recordaba de un misionero mormón. Para la gente que mira el programa “30 Rock,” la descripción decía que debía ser parecido a “Kenneth de 30 Rock.”
Pues, en la mayoría de estas audiciones, me dijeron que no. Pero puedo decir con toda sinceridad que la mayoría del tiempo, “no” ya no me molesta tanto como en el pasado. Mi perspectiva es que, en Hollywood, hay que tocar toda puerta que se presenta. La gran mayoría del tiempo, la respuesta es “no,” pero hay que seguir tocando. La persistencia vale la pena porque de vez en cuando la respuesta es “sí.”
Hello, folks! This week is dress rehearsal week for Much Ado About Nothing, and we open Friday. I here include the postcard we are distributing to promote the production. Please note that I will not perform the final weekend, as I plan to be in Colombia.
My interview with the commercial agent went really well. I felt nervous, but I remembered something I learned from my cousin Jessie: it’s alright to be quiet when one does not know what to say. I also learned recently that this sometimes comes off as more calm than forcing oneself to be extroverted.
The agent said the picture I sent him (see the article “When You’re Better Looking in a Picture”) got me in the door but that the others I had were too “modelly” and not appropriate for commercials. He told me they were interested in representing me and that I should call him by Monday after doing two pieces of homework.
First, I should pick up his book, entitled “So You Want to Be in Show Business.” I picked it up from Samuel French Bookstore on the way home, and it gives practical advice to the aspiring actor. Practical is my favorite kind of advice, just like classes that teach things that are actually useful are my favorite classes.
Second, I should find snapshots at home that show me doing the special skills listed on my resume. These skills include playing tennis, ballroom dancing, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, fly-fishing and iceskating. He said “though we only get seven or eight requests a year for actors with these skills, if your picture shows you doing them, you are more likely to get called in.”
I contacted my parents and my former ballroom dancing partner to see if they could scrounge up some pictures. Then I recruited my cousin Pat and my friend Brian to take some action shots while we played tennis and went to the ice arena. I play tennis frequently, so that part was a gimme, but I had not gone iceskating in a while. How fortunate that those things we learn when we are little very often stay with us. Iceskating was no problem either.
I perceive the homework assignments as a test to see how I would perform for the agency as a client. Therefore, I hope to have all my ducks in a row today so I can call them back a day early.
I have no enormous news to share, but I continue to plug away at my current pursuits…
Last week, I began sending out copies of my current resume and headshot to prospective commercial agents and print modeling agents. I bought a booklet called “The Agents” at Samuel French Bookshop, which is where most of Hollywood buys acting books. I decided that my best possibility of an “in” was to contact agents seeking bilingual actors. My fingers are continually crossed that I will hear back from one or more of them soon.
Much Ado About Nothing will open in just a few weeks, so my rehearsal schedule is picking up. A challenging bit for me is a solo I am meant to sing just awfully. In “Film Acting, An Actor’s Perspective,” Michael Caine explains how an actor playing a drunk should never act as though he is trying to be drunk; rather, he should act like a drunk trying to be sober. Similarly, I am to act like a poor singer who is trying to sing well, and this has required some careful thought and advice from the musical director. The swing dancing numbers have a been a real joy–from time to time during a dance, I’ll be full of energy and throw myself into the routine. It is real fun. (Laura Fernandez, can you confirm that this is good grammar? Fun is a noun, so it should be described with an adjective, not an adverb. Am I right?)
This last weekend, a few friends and I went to The Highlands, a club located at the Hollywood and Highland Complex. This is also the location of the Kodak Theater, where the Oscars are filmed. As one of my friends had a connection at the club, we got in for free and received free drinks and a wristband that gave us access to all sections of the club. It was fun, living how the other half lives–at the moment, I couldn’t have afforded the $20.00 entry fee and $11.00 drinks.
I hope you are all very well and enjoying life. Thank you for reading about what is going on with me.
I recently received the role of Balthazar in The Knightsbridge Theater’s new production of Much Ado About Nothing. My role is not large, but I am eager for my first Shakespeare experience. I am also excited because the production is set in the 1940’s, just as the soldiers are coming home from World War II.
True, being in a play will limit my availability for other acting opportunities over the next couple of months. However, I think the long-term benefits of acting in the play will outweigh the costs. Acting Shakespeare should improve my ability to portray characters completely, and I hope it will help prepare me for meaningful and period pieces.
Allow me a moment to explain myself. Though certain roles appeal to me now, I also have a “someday” category in my heart of hearts. I would someday like to act in movies with excellent messages, the sort where one would rightly be glad such a message is heading out into the world. For example, I put The Shawshank Redemption and The Pianist under this classification. My other “someday” yearning is to do movies set in the past–say in the 18th or 19th century–and perhaps even in Great Britain. I have a real tender spot for the British Isles.
Now, if my availability for film acting is ever to be limited, I think early on in my career is the best time. A casting director could call me in the next couple of months, offering me a role in her newest motion picture—but this is more likely to happen later on than it is now.
I am excited about the play’s 1940’s setting because it allows for three swing dancing numbers. Back in Wisconsin, I learned to swing dance at The Art of Dance Studio for a ballroom dancing competition. I am eager to refresh my skills and to learn some new fancier moves for the show. Our dancing director has referenced throws and “holding girls upside down.”
The show runs October 26 to November 25, though an understudy will play my role the last weekend, when I plan to be in Colombia. If any of you is in LA, please come and see the show! Acting in a play matters so much more to me when people I am close to are present.
