Aaseamah's Journey - AKA: Who's Your Daddy?

So I landed in Iowa Saturday afternoon.
I went straight to my hotel room to drop off my bags and freshen up before I joined the rest of the cast and crew at a 4th of July BBQ party. It was the first time I got to meet the executive producer of the film, Tim Anderson, and the rest of the crew. Everyone is so unbelieveably NICE! I'm so excited to be a part of this project, and it just makes it sweeter to know I get to experience this with my good friends Jennifer and Marlo (the writers/producers/star/director of the film). It's so surreal and amazing and I'm just trying to soak up every moment.
Today we spent the day shooting the picture props that will be in my character's office at work. My character, Missy, is so self absorbed that she decorates her office in just photos of herself at various times: birthday, with her dog, at work, etc. She is going to be SO MUCH FUN to play! I can't wait!
Tomorrow morning I have a wardrobe fitting at 9am and then I'm free the rest of the day to get my manicure and pedicure and explore Eldridge, Iowa - then I start shooting on Tuesday!

Heading to Texas Tomorrow!

I'm packing for my trip to Texas and Iowa right now. I'm heading out tomorrow morning and flying into San Antonio. I'm spending a couple of days in Texas before I head out to Iowa to shoot the film tentatively titled "Who's Your Daddy". I believe I will shoot for about a week, then head back over to Texas to finish up my vacation with friends and family. Who knows, maybe I can score an audition for Friday Night Lights while I'm in Texas! haha Always looking for work!
Ok, back to doing research for my character! :)

Wow.

What a crazy day it's been today.
Well, they always say it happens in 3's.
Ed McMahon died a couple of days ago and now today I hear Farrah Fawcett has passed away. Then, just a few hours later, I hear about Michael Jackson passing away as well. It's a sad sad day.
Farrah Fawcett actually graduated from my high school so I have always looked up to her in a way, because she showed me that someone from my small town can make a name for herself. She followed her dreams and made it happen, and for that, she will always be an inspiration to me.
And Michael Jackson! Are you kidding me?! Such an iconic person! Whatever has been said about him, good or bad, and even all the wacky things he has done - no one can deny the talent that this man had. He will be forever missed, impersonated, and remembered.

My Face in the Window

My headshot on the poster for The Photoshop on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks. I've been getting my headshots printed here for a few years now, and I refer everyone I know to this place. I love Norman and he's really helped me out over the years! :)

Trying to be productive this week, but kind of hard with no other auditions lined up. Reading play scripts so we can produce something for the stage this year. And also updating my business resume so I can try and get a studio "day job" instead of subbing... We'll see how that goes.
I've also had people ask me if I've ever tried to "write" something - like a script. I have in the past, but just figured I wasn't any good at it. I'm thinking I trying my hand at that again and see what I come up with. That's something I can do to kill time before my trip to Texas and Iowa in July! :)

Searching for New Plays

Calling for full length play submissions!!!

If you have a great full length play that has yet to be produced, we are looking for you! We are interested in allowing a playwright the opportunity to showcase their talent to an audience!

Our preliminary timeline is to open in late September, so we want to begin reading material as soon as possible. If you have something that is important to you, a passion project that just hasn't had a chance to see the light of day, something that will knock the breath right out of the audience's lungs, send it over. We aren't limiting genre at this stage. We are open to everything, as long as it is full length.

Please email: lydiablanco@hotmail.com

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my daddy - the greatest man ever! :)


I have another commercial audition tomorrow! YAY! This is the most I have gone out commercially - ever. I wonder why the change? Anyway, tomorrow I'm going in for "hero woman" on a Glade commercial - which just means the main girl. We'll see how that goes.
I'm also getting together with a small group of people to produce original plays on the stage here in LA, so we are looking for scripts. Maybe this will lead to that theater company I've always wanted to open.
Gearing up for my trip back to Texas to see the familia Juky 1st - then off to Iowa to shoot the film! Not a bad summer so far! :)

2 Commercial Auditions on Tuesday

I had two commercial auditions on Tuesday of this week.
The first one was for a Geico commercial. I really wish this one went better than it did. I had one line and for some reason it never came out right. :( I went in with a partner and I was the one that was getting all the notes. Just seemed like I couldn't get it right - take after take. :( Then I rushed over to my second audition of the day for Time Warner Cable. This one went better. I got to use my comedic abilities and play the demanding wife. Nice. Didn't go PERFECT, but it did go better!
I'm meeting a friend tomorrow afternoon to discuss the possibilities of producing theater together. Both of us have been wrapped up with shooting film and TV that we haven't had much time for the stage. And we both really miss it. So hopefully something can come of this.
I'm realy liking the idea of taking on the producer's role. In theater, TV and film. I may have found a new road for me to explore... :)

It's Official!

I'm shooting in Iowa this July!
My good friend Jennifer Fontaine, who is INCREDIBLY talented by the way, has written and is producing yet another fabulous project and has graciously included me in it! Her producing partner and my friend, Marlo Bernier, will be directing.
Tentatively titled "Who's Your Daddy", Jennifer is adding another hat to the many she wears, and is starring in this feature as well. I play Missy, the "antagonist" to her character, who is a news anchor, and - well...let's just say she's a very interesting character, without the best intentions sometimes.... hehehe
I am SO excited to be a part of this project, but more importantly, to have a front seat in this journey that will enhance the careers of Jennifer and Marlo!! So very exciting! :)
I have no idea when in July I am shooting, but I plan to squeeze in a trip to Texas to visit the family before I get to work on this project. This year started off slow, but thankfully it's picking up!

Sympathy for Delicious

Orlando Bloom in character in Sympathy for Delicious.


I was invited by a friend of mine, Al Coronel, who is also with my manager to see an advanced screening of Sympathy for Delicious, the Mark Ruffalo directed film I shot just a couple of months ago. I walked through the doors of William Morris Endeavor for the first time ever, to see the film in their private screening room. It was a very rough cut, meaning Mark still had a lot to do to the film before it's completely finished and ready to be seen by the public. But let me just tell you, Orlando Bloom was really good, and completely different from what people have seen him do so far. Christopher Thorton and Mark Ruffalo both gave really good performances and Juliette Lewis was as powerful as ever. But damn it, I love Laura Linney, and I wish there was more of her in this film! :( But all in all, I'm excited to see what he does in post production and I can't wait for everyone to check out his directorial debut.
My role in this was SO VERY MINOR, just FYI... I play the mother to a little boy who gets healed by Delicious D, played by Christopher Thornton. I'm talking seconds... But its ok. Work is work, right? And the opportunity to work with THE nicest guy ever was all so worth it! Mark Ruffalo is so very sweet and kind. I just love him to death! :)

Working on Monk

I had a really great day shooting Monk yesterday.
As soon as I got to set I sat in the make up chair for 2 hours while they made me into a corpse that has been rotting for 12 days. That was fun! Then we headed to the location, which happened to be the same house I shot Desperate Housewives!
My first scene to shoot was where I had to play dead. I have never done that before, and let me tell you, it's hard work laying down on a HARD hardwood floor take after take while trying not to show your breathing! I would try to hold my breath, but then get nervous and have to breathe - then I would take too big of a breath which made me paranoid that my chest was moving too much in the scene. It's hard work. But no one told me I was moving or breathing too much so I guess I did a good enough job!
Then finally I changed out of my dead makeup into my normal alive makeup and shot the flashback scenes which will be in black and white, I believe. Cool!
I had a stunt double, for when the attacker kills me with a crowbar to my head. I also had a photo double for when I'm dead on the floor...even though I did that work too. I guess she was there for my breaks? I don't know...
But all in all, I had fun. :) Tony Shahloub was a REALLY nice guy! I enjoyed chatting with him on set about the show, his role as executive producer, and his plans for when the show ends.
I really needed this positive experience. I was going through a tough week where I was questioning my next career move, considering a break for a while to do something else - anything else. But after this shoot, I realize that there is still some passion and talent left in me to where I can't just walk away completely right now. I just have to find another creative outlet to keep the juices flowing. Maybe produce my own work? Do more theater? Get in a class? Find a new day job that's industry related? I don't know....But I'll figure it out.
Maybe I just need to take my summer vacation. :)

Booked Monk!

Just found out today I booked Monk! Yay! Randy kept his promise! haha Too bad he's not directing this episode! He was so nice to work with!
I am scheduled for a wardrobe fitting tomorrow and I shoot Friday.
I'm kind of burning out from subbing. I'm thinking of taking a break and finding work on a studio lot somewhere and learning another aspect of the business. I'm searching for any opportunities out there.... :)

Monk Audition

Today I had an audition for Monk.
It was another challenging stretch for me: a maid named Maria with an accent. haha
I was looking forward to this audition mainly because I had worked with the executive producer Randy Zisk when he directed me in the Lifetime pilot in Vancouver The Virgin of Akron Ohio, and he was SO nice to work with! And his brother Craig directed me on Weeds and was also a joy to work with! :)
As soon as I walked in, I wondered if Randy would remember me, but as soon as I entered he greeted me with a huge smile and said "Hi Lydia! Good to see you!" :) That was a relief!
The audition went by quick and painless and I headed home.
We'll see....
But he did promise me a job on Monk THREE years ago...haha I'm waiting....

Sorry for Being MIA

Ok, almost 2 weeks have passed since I have posted anything. So sorry! Let's get everyone up to date.
Last week I had a callback for the Bank of America commercial. It went really well. They paired us up and gave us a scenario. Mine was being proposed to. So I had this complete stranger tell me he loved me, then got on bended knee and proposed to me. I accepted, and this complete stranger hugged and kissed me on my neck. Sounds weird, right? Just another day at the office! Then, after he proposed, we had to improvise a scene where we are now in a birthing class and I'm pregnant. Life moves fast! haha
Last weekend I went to Vegas for an early birthday celebration with some friends. And yesterday was my official birthday, and I spent it auditioning for a play in Long Beach called In Arabia We'd All Be Kings. Actually, I had another play audition earlier this week for a show called El Verde at Casa 0101. I would love to do a play this summer. I feel so out of practice!
This week has been a pretty horrible week (between taking my car in to fix "issues" and dealing with a horrible 5th grade class), so I'm waiting for something amazing to happen. I need it. I deserve it. haha
Maybe a nice big booking??

Happy Birthday To ME! :)

My New Baby...

This week has been interesting.
My first week off from subbing, and I bought a new car! :) I love it, but now that I have a new car payment I have to keep working!
Soooo....
I had two auditions on Wednesday. One for Nip/Tuck and one for Bank of America. Then my agent called for another bank of America audition on Thursday morning, which ended up being the same spot - so I didn't re-audition.
Tonight I'm going to a screening of La Carretera, the short film I shot 2 years ago.
That's about all that's happening... I have a birthday coming up - May 27th. Yikes! Another year gone! Where is the time going??

Not Much Going On

Today is my last day of subbing in this 3rd grade class. Then I'm back to finding work everyday. There are pluses and minuses to that!
Yesterday I had my audition for Raising the Bar. It was for another maid role, on the stand in court. I thought I did fairly well. I went in and did my thing with my accent and the producers and director seemed to like it and then I was out. I have to say I was the youngest actress there for this role, so I may not be what they are looking for - but you never know...
So far, no other auditions lined up. I may watch a production of Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend and possibly take some workshops next week, just to stay busy doing something. Next Friday I am finally watching the final cut of a short film I shot almost 2 years ago: La Carretera (formally known as The Graveyard Shift). I'm excited to see everyone I worked with on that production!
Summer is always SO SLOW!

Inspired!

Last night I saw the production of LYDIA at The Mark Taper Theater, and OH MY GOD, was it amazing! I absolutely LOVED it! :) The acting, the writing, the direction - it was all great! Very inspiring! (And it made me feel like I have tons of work to do!) I especially loved how fearless the whole production was with the subject matter. The writing "went tehre" the actors "went there" - and they were not afraid! It was awesome! I highly recommend this show!
I'm taking the day off of subbing tomorrow because I have an audition in Santa Monica in the morning. It's for Raising the Bar on TNT. Wish me luck! :)

I Like When Its Busy :)

Jada Pinkett Smith, star of Hawthorne.


It's been kind of busy lately for me, which is good. The bad part of that is juggling my schedule and trying to find a way to go to my auditions while I'm still subbing! I have one more week left in this class and the committment is over! :) But they gave been a really great class - the best actually - so I can't complain...
So I had an audition yesterday for The Closer, playing a neighbor in a neighborhood meeting. It was a one line role and I was thinking of ways to cancel. I didn't, and I showed up on time for the audition, and I saw Carla Jimenez there. She is the woman I was up against for the pilot last fall. You know, the one who got my role in the Wilmer Valderamma pilot for FOX? Yeah - her. She's very sweet and we communicate from time to time on myspace/facebook/email/etc. Well, it was surprising to see her there, but it did solidify my decision to start auditioning again for co-star roles. Times are still hard and acting jobs are few and far between right now - actors just have to work - so we have to get out there and try and land whatever we can - no matter how big or small. My audition went well. Short and sweet. And I was out.
Today I had another audition for the new Jada Pinkett Smith show called Hawthorne. I went in for two different nurse roles. They went well, and the casting director is someone I know from workshops and facebook. In fact, she made a comment about how funny my updates are! That was nice! :) I saw a lot of familiar faces auditioning. There were lots of different types of nurses there, male and female, so who knows what they end up going with!
This weekend I plan to check out LYDIA at the Mark Taper Theater - I hear its great! I can't wait! :)
I also have an audition in a few weeks for a play in Long Beach. I know it's kind of a far commute to do a show - but that's how bad I need to do some kind of theater. Actually, I have this need to do really GREAT theater, so hopefully this is it! The play is called In Arabia We'd All Be Kings. I'm going to start reading it this week.
Still planning on spending some time this summer in NYC. maybe June or July. Not sure yet, but my manager is now keeping an eye out for submissions out there. I think she's going to start submitting me for plays for the summer- that would be awesome! :)
A cool little side note - I just received a very cool sweatshirt from the MORNING production office today! Nice souvenir from the film! :)

Still Trying to Work - But Aren't We All? :)

Friday I had my audition for the feature film WWJD. I saw Jack Deveraux from Days of Our Lives, Matthew Ashford, auditioning as well. Can you believe I kept it together and didn't approach him? haha If you knew what a DAYS fan I was for many years, you would be very surprised!
I felt like my audition went well. I was auditioning for a maid named Maria, with an accent, so how bad could I have done, really? Afterwards, I headed to Santa Ana to see a friend perform in the play When Nature Calls with the Breath of Fire Latina Theater Company. It was a series of monologues written by Josefina Lopez.
Afterwards I spent the night with my friend Shayla in Long Beach. I really like heading down there because its so pretty! I really want to live closer to the beach! So we went condo hunting and found some really great deals! I just don't know if Long Beach would be too long of a commute when I have auditions.
Sunday I had my audition for the play Anna in the Tropics at the Frida Khalo Theater. I really wish my Spanish was better, because the show is in English and Spanish! :( That has always been on my to-do list - get fluent in Spanish, but somehow I haven't been able to complete that task! Maybe I just need to go to Spain for 6 months and immerse myself in the language! ;)
I have an audition on Wednesday of this week for The Closer, playing my first lesbian character (I think). I need to book something, but I know we're coming up on the slow summer season... And so far my booking ratio has been less than stellar lately.
Still thinking of NYC, maybe for a few weeks this summer....we'll see....

Busy Weekend

Last night I attended the Cricket Feet Showcase at The Colony Theater in Burbank held by Bonnie Gillespie. There were lots of people there! It was packed! We had a good night of 24 scenes, drinks, food, red carpet, and mingling. It was a fun night! :)
Today I have an audition for an independent film called WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) and tonight I am heading to Santa Ana to see my friend in her play When Nature Calls.
I also have a play audition on Sunday for Anna in the Tropics at the Frida Khalo Theater.
Trying to stay as busy as I can!

Another Audit

Last night I audited another acting coach. I was invited through email to check out Lynette McNeill's class that she has on Monday and Thursday nights. I have audited a few coaches in my quest to find a new home to study with. I've seen Ivanna Chubbuck, Howard Fine, John Kirby, and I've taken a comedy intensive with Scott Sedita, and I have Larry Moss on the list. So far, I'm pretty set on Howard Fine. But since I can't enroll until August (when the new cycle of classes begin), I decided to see what else was out there to consider, just in case I find someone even more suitable for me.
Lynette's class was small, 16 students. And she had only one class, unlike the different levels that other schools offered: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Class, which I prefer.
Her class began with an hour of improv, then onto prepared scenes.
The students seemed to have fun and Lynette really seemed involved in their progression.
I just didn't feel like this format and environment was for me.
At this point in my career I want and need to feel challenged. I want to feel like I'm in a class where I'm not the best one, but the worst one so I can really learn from my classmates and strive to be better. I want to work with actors whose careers are taking off to motivate me to work harder. To pull out the best in me. That's the goal.
So yeah, I'm pretty set on joining with Howard. :)

Last Minute Audition!

I just got a call for a last minute audition for a commercial in Santa Monica, right after work! I have to zoom right over and hopefully make it in time. I'm pretty excited because it's a strong comedic role, so hopefully I can step up to the plate! :)

The wedding I stood in this weekend was beautiful! And so much fun :)

Starting to Get Busier

Well, I had another audition today!
Today I went in for a feature film called Fred & Vinnie. Two auditions in one week! WhoooHooo!!! I saw a lot of familiar faces. Luckily I was able to run in and out to make it back to work on time.
The audition went well, and the casting director, Brad Gilmore, was very sweet.
Still trying to figure out a way to take Howard Fine's class any earlier than August - don't think there is one. :( I'm auditing a class on Monday, so we'll see how that goes.
Also, I was asked to make an appearance at a red carpet arrival for an actor's showcase next week. Me? I don't know why, but since a good friend asked so nicely, I plan to be there.... :) I'm very flattered though.
I am in a wedding this weekend so I will be very busy starting tonight with the wedding festivities! :)
Busy busy busy

An Audition Today!

YAY! So happy just to have an audition today!
That could lead to a possible BOOKING, which equals WORK, which means something for me to DO! So happy! Even though it is "only a co-star" role, it's actually a decent role.
I'm auditioning for The Bill Engvall Show on TBS. Should be fun... :)

S-L-O-W

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I didn't get to spend easter with my family this year - I rarely do now that I've been living here in LA for the past 8 years! I spent it with a friend of mine in Bakersfield California. Had a great time and even help fly her dad's Cessna airplane for about 2 seconds while I screamed the entire time! haha
Sorry I didn't know ahead of time, but last night my episode of Desperate Housewives reaired on ABC. But I did check to see if anything else is coming up and I saw that The Holiday is reairing this weekend on TBS - so check your local listings! :)
Kind of slow right now. Waiting for something to bite - a play, a commercial, a movie, anything! Just want to work!
I keep getting these invites to audit these acting classes, so I plan to do that sometime next week. And of course, gotta start keeping busy with workshops or something...

Audition Today!

YAY! Just got the call that I have a last minute audition today for a guest star role on the new Amy Poehler series on NBC: Parks and Recreation. I'm subbing today and the role calls for business-like and professional. So here I am, rushing home during lunch to change into my suit, then rushing back! Then, the bell rings today at 2:30pm and I have to make it into Hollywood by 3pm! Yikes! Very hectic!
But I'm so excited that it's a nice guest star role and it would start work tomorrow! :)

Adjusting to These Economic Times

This economic crisis has affected both my jobs.
First off, LAUSD handed out 6,000 pink slips to permanent and non permanent teachers, which means that lots of them will be out of a job next school year if they don't get placed somewhere else (Thanks Gov. Arnold!). Which means many would probably go into the subbing cycle, which means I could get called for work much less. Great.
Then, the entertainment industry is feeling it also. Aside from the fact that SAG still hasn't finalized a new thearical contract for us, studios are making less and less films right now. Which means that big stars who normally do films are doing television just to get work. Which trickles down to me, because they are taking those guest star spots on shows that I need to work on. So I've been doing some thinking, and I figured this is not the time to stand my ground on the whole "guest star/series regular only" jobs. I really can't even say "no more maid roles" or no more anything.... I kind of have to take what I can just to keep working.
So I emailed my representation this weekend and told them that I am willing to do any part, big or small, on any project (union of course) just to keep working. Times are tough. And hopefully when things get better, we can pick up where my career has been headed and go forward in that direction.
Time to swallow pride and do even those roles I felt that I had "moved past".
Well, what can you do....? Gotta stay busy any way you can, right? :)

I'm Baaaaack!

Well, I was gone for almost two weeks to Dallas, which means I had to turn down a couple of audition opportunities (The Closer and a commercial). :( But, I was gone for a great reason, I was witnessing the birth of my neice's baby girl: Ava Rose! Wow, let me just say I commend you mothers out there! I dont know how you did it and survived that whole ordeal of giving birth! It was crazy! Just like the movie Alien! haha
Well, I was anxious to get back home and get back to work! I had planned to sign up and begin to take Howard Fine's acting class next week for the next 3 months but they had cancelled the one I wanted...so now I have to wait until August!! I'm so bummed about that!
I did see my small clip on Dollhouse. I looked puffy. Hitting the gym today. :)

USC Student Film

I had an audition for Gustavo, a USC grad film today. That's huge since I don't really do student films anymore. That goes to show you just how slow these auditions are getting for me. I just need to be busy doing something. Some kind of work.
I wasn't even going to show up to this audition today. By the time I got out of work, and got on the freeway, I saw how crazy traffic was. I was about to turn around and just go home. Apparently President Obama was in town so freeways were shut down for some reason. I got to my audition 20 minutes late. :(
I met the producer and director and had a very nice chat/interview before my read. I was a little nervous because the script was in Spanish and we all know that Spanish is not my strong suit. I stumbled a bit through my first couple of reads, then I started to feel more comfortable. They were both very sweet and I felt good about it. As I was walking out, I had to smile because I didn't blow this audition off. Whether I do this film or not, it was a nice experience nonetheless.
I offered to send them actor friends of mine for the title role in this film just in case they were having a hard time casting. I also told them i would try and help them find the 2 kids they needed (a 2 yr old boy and an 8 yr old boy. They seemed very appreciative. :)
Off to Texas for a week to await the arrival of my neice's baby. She's due any day now and hopefully she's waiting until I get there to arrive!

On TV This Week

I had an audition for tomorrow that I had to cancel. :(
I'm going out of town on Friday for a week because my neice is having a baby and I told her I would be there for her. Well, today my agent called me with a guest star audition on The Closer which would work the week I am gone. :( Damn it.
Family first right? haha Ugh....
Well, good news... I will be on DOLLHOUSE this Friday, on FOX at 9pm. Don't blink because it will be fast.
Then, Saturday evening my film THE HOLIDAY, with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, will air on TBS at 9pm and again on Sunday at 5:30pm.
Again, don't blink.

Audition Today!

Today I had an audition for a feature film at Betty Mae Casting. The role called for me to resemble Frida Kahlo. I never really ever go in full costume, but I like to suggest the character as much as I can whenever I go in. So I went with my eyebrows darkened just a bit (with a touch of shadow in between them) and my hair pulled back. I was surprised to see that I was probably one of the only ones who even went through that effort. Most of the other girls looked like their normal everyday selves.
I went into the office and saw my good friend JC Cantu there. He has risen up the ranks over the years and I have seen him progress in his casting career. It was so good to sit and catch up with him.
Then I went in and did a pretty damn good job in the audition room, if I do say so myself. :) We'll see what happens...
This evening I had a production meeting for a short film I am working on called Pawnbroker, dircted by my friend Alex Castillo. This is my first venture as a co/associate producer on a film. It was very productive and I'm very excited to get this project going. It's set to shoot in Chicago as of now. We are currently in our pre-production phase.

Morning Shooting

with the director and star of the film, Leland and Jeanne. Not the most flattering pic of me, but it was the only one I took.

Well, I had an amazing time shooting Morning this week. Let me first start by saying that Leland Orser and Jeanne Tripplehorn were two of the nicest people! Very sweet!
I was only on set for three hours and then I was wrapped! It was a fast and easy day! We were shooting in the mall in Torrance so afterwards I just drove down to Long Beach and had lunch with a friend. It wasn't a bad day at all!
I play a sales clerk that runs out of a department store looking for Jeanne's character and hands her a bagshe left in the store. Its a very short - but sweet -scene. I was really impressed to see he had a young (and thin) woman (from Mexico City) as his cinematographer, holding that huge steadicam for my scene! That was awesome! Girl Power!

Lydia Blanco - Offer Only? haha

Ok, things like this never happen to me - well, actually yes, it has happened once before (The Office) - but its still pretty awesome nonetheless.
Last week my agent called to tell me I was offered a small role in a film, no audition necessary. Wow. Nice. Debra Zane, who cast me in The Terminal with Tom Hanks, called my agent about me for this SAG modified low budget film called Morning. They had wanted to set up a meeting with me but my agent just sent over my reel and they called back to offer me the role. Just like that.
The film is written and directed by Leland Orser from ER and stars his wife Jeanne Tripplehorn as well as Laura Linney and Jason Ritter. I'll be playing a store salesclerk in one of the scenes. I shoot on Tuesday. Pretty exciting stuff! And I'm very flattered and humbled that Debra thought of me for this project! She's very sweet! :)

Wrap Party

I went to the wrap party for the film Sympathy for Delicious last night. I was very happy to receive an invite. It was at a club in Los Angeles and the band that performed included one of the make up/hair people. It was fun. I didn't stay long since I didn't really know anyone on the crew very well. I only worked that one day and I slept in my trailer for a bit after I was done shooting my scene, so I didn't get to mingle much. But I did see the director, Mark Ruffalo there, across the crowded club, so no chance at speaking with him again. Oh well. It was fun to hang out with my friend Allie who also worked on the shoot. :)

Congratulations!!!

My friend Allie with her "movie husband" on the set of Sympathy for Delicious

A very big congratulations to my friend Allie Smith, who just got bumped up to a speaking role on the set of Sympathy for Delicious! I've known Allie since she was a itty bitty teenager in Texas, and she had moved to Chicago to pursue her career in acting. She's been out here for just a few years, trying to find her way. She was doing a pretty nice featured extra role on this movie and I got to see her on set when I was shooting on Thursday. Well, she just told me today that Mark Ruffalo, the director, gave her a line! Her first big movie job out here in LA! She so deserves it! She was so excited - and so was I!
See folks, it can happen, just like that! She was showing up everyday as an extra, trying to soak up as much as she could while on set, and because she is just so darn likeable and professional, they found a way to upgrade her! And in an insant, they moved her from a chair outside with the others, to a trailer all her own. :) Nice.
Here's to many more to come Allie!

Saturday Night Benefit

Above: with The very sexy Esai Morales, and below with equally sexy, Wilmer Valderamma ;)


So Saturday night I performed with Casa 0101 at a benefit gala organized by my friend Yennifer Beherns to raise money for the charter school that her kids go to. One of the award recipients that night was Wilmer Valderamma. When he arrived, I approached him and we chatted about meeting during testing for his pilot. He said that The Emancipation of Ernesto is still being reworked, so I'm not sure when the show will air. Either way, I'm not on it! :( haha He was very gracious and he gave a meaningful and inspiring acceptance speech.
Then, I could hardly contain my excitment, because one of my Hollywood crushes entered the room: Esai Morales! I just LOVE him! That man table-hopped and said hello to everyone in the room, he took pictures with everyone, and even stayed later to dance the night away with the kids and ladies who circled him on the dance floor! He has such a positive and happy spirit about him! :) SO excited I got to meet him!
All in all, the night was very successful and I'm so very honored to be a part of a great cause, supporting the education of these kids that are in an immersion charter school - they are taught in both English and Spanish!
It was a great night!

I LOVE MARK RUFFALO!

Yesterday I was on set working on Sympathy For Delicious, the directorial debut of Mark Ruffalo! I was so excited to be on this set! The moment I met Mark and he approved my wardrobe, he was so sweet to me, thanking me for being there and telling me what a great job I had done. I guess he meant in my audition. Then I went to set and we worked on the chaotic scene where the lead character, played by Christopher Thornton (who is also the writer) healed my "son" in leg braces. I think we did maybe two takes and we were done. In fact, my audition consisted of improv, which I realized later that I didn't even do in my scene on set! So I doubt I will be heard - much less seen in this movie! But the plus side is...I did get to meet and talk to Mark and learn what a very nurturing and sweet director he is! :)
We chatted again later where he again said what a great job I did and even went as far as to call me an amazing and talented actress. Hmmm...Maybe he was still thinking of my audition, because I didn't feel like I gave much in my scene. Oh well. All that matters is that he liked me, right?? :)
I'm just bummed that my experience on this film was limited to just one day.
I've read the script and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the story. And from what I saw in the play backs yesterday on the monitors - it looked like it was shot really well.
It's going to be a pretty damn good movie.
Back to being unemployed.
Next!

Last Minute Nickelodeon Audition

Victoria Justice, the star of the pilot I auditioned for, and whose mother I would play.

So, the weirdest thing happened....
I was out last night with a friend of mine visiting from the East Coast and I get a message from someone I know who works for a different talent agency than who I'm with, letting me know there is an audition for a series regular on a new Nickelodeon show and they were seeing people the very next day. He felt I was perfect for this mom role and wasn't sure if I had gone in for it yet. No I hadn't, actually. He sent me the information and sides and was "passing on the info" for me so I could check it out. Apparently the casting director gave him the green light to send all his hispanic actresses in that age range - so he thought of me - which was nice, considering he doesn't represent me.
There were about 6 of us being seen for the role today. One of the actresses, Rosa Blasi, recognized my face as soon as she walked in. She and I had worked together on her show, Strong Medicine, a few years ago. I was a recurring role and did about three episodes, but that was a while ago, so I was surprised that she would remember me. I was also surprised she was going in on a preread for this show. That woman has been a regular on a few programs, and is working non-stop. It was nice just to share an audition room with her. :)
I felt I did pretty well. Not sure if it was my best considering the little time I had to prepare for it, but it was definately fun. At the moment the pilot is "untitled" but it does star Victoria Justice from Zoey 101, whose mother I would play. We'll see how this plays out....

Howard Fine

Well, last night I audited Howard Fine's master class. I have been feeling like I need to do something that keeps me flexing my acting muscles more. I did a quick one weekend play in January, but I need something to work on on a more regular basis.
I really liked Howard's style. I felt comfortable in that environment, felt "at home" even. So I am looking forward to begin on going classes. Maybe in April. We'll see. I have audited a few other coaches around town, but he really felt like a perfect match for me. :) Now, I just have to prepare myself to part with that money on a monthly basis. Yikes! It's not cheap!

Award Nomination Day

Well, today I was nominated for an award at my university for "Distinguished Alumni"! Isn't that nice? My parents attended on my behalf at the awards breakfast today at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Apparently a few of us were nominated from the theater and film department. One of my fellow co-stars in many plays in college was also nominated: Josh Dubose. Also nominated were filmmaker E. Charlton-Trujillo and actor Todd Pate; both who I knew while in college.
I was disappointed that I couldn't be there, but it was nice to know my parents sat and chatted with my acting professor J. Don Luna, whom I just LOVE!!!!!

8 Years...And Counting!

(Once of my first headshots when I moved to LA! Good old Black and White!)

Well, Today marks my 8th year in Hollywood! Can you believe how time zooms by so fast? 8 years ago today I arrived here without any connections or family or close friends. My beginning was a great story that I would tell from time to time over these 8 years. It explains my tenaciousness and perserverance.
I knew one girl who I did a film with in Austin. It was prearranged that I would stay with her for a month while I found my own place and some source of income. I paid her weekly to sleep on a dirty futon on her living room floor which I shared with her dogs. Nice. After 2 weeks, she kicked me out, wanting "her space" back. I was homeless my first couple of weeks in town...not knowing a single soul. With all my stuff piled in my car, on a rainy day in February, I had no place to go. Somehow a miracle happened, and a girl who I had just met the week before in person (but I had an email friendship with before moving here) insisted I come stay with her and her husband that very day I was kicked out. They took me in and treated me like a family member they were hosting. I stayed there for about 3 weeks until I found an apartment in the valley. Till this day, she is one of my closest and dearest friends - I can never thank you enough Jen! :)
That was a tough month - but never did the thought of turning around and driving back to Texas enter my mind. Not once. Weird huh? It wasn't even an option.
As I sit here and think about my beginning, it makes me very proud of myself to see how far I've come.
So how did I celebrate my 8 year anniversary in Hollywood?? Well, by declining an audition for Grey's Anatomy of course! haha WHAT?????
Yeah, that's right, you read correctly. My manager called me with an audition for Grey's Anatomy. I was so excited because I love that show and I've been waiting for the opportunity to work on it! She didn't know if the role was a co-star or a guest star since there was no breakdown for it. I looked at the sides and saw it was only one page, yet my manager was sure there had to be more to the role. I put a call into my agent and he checked it out for me. He called me back and said it was a one scene co-star and he thanked the casting director, but declined. Yup. Just like that.
Ugh.
But I totally understand. That's why I have him as my agent. He's helping me say no to those small parts that I have done plenty of times before. He's helping me focus on those meatier, jucier roles that I've been wanting. He made a good point saying that Grey's Anatomy is a great show and will be on for a while, so its best we hold out for a better role. Because once you work on a show - that's it. Unless they bring your character back, you can't work it again as a different character. So, here I am...waiting for the role that's right for me on this show. I just hope they give me a shot when that role comes along! :)
Happy Anniversary to me! haha

BOOKED!

So, good news, I booked the mother role on the feature film Sympathy for Delicious! I'm so excited because it's being directed by Mark Ruffalo, and starring Orlando Bloom and Laura Linney! I shoot February 18th!
Bad news, for me - I've been sick this whole week. I haven't been able to sub and I've been laid up in bed for the past couple of days. I knew I felt something coming on, which was a god reason to rest - but noooo, I ended up going to The Price is Right on Tuesday. haha In almost 8 years of living here in LA, I had never been to a taping! It was pretty exciting! Not the 4 hours of waiting right before, but once we got in, it was cool to see how it all worked. And let me tell you, Drew Carey was very impressive! He was so friendly and personable to all the tourists during commercial break. He geniunely wanted to entertain everyone. He seemed like a very nice guy. :) We had a good time, but all the cheering and clapping really helped my voice to disappear. And I was laid up in bed the following day - medicating myself, hoping to be better soon.
Today I feel much better - not 100% - but better.
Heading up to Big Bear this weekend for the first time. Should be fun - and relaxing :)

Not Bad...

Yesterday's auditions went pretty well. I made it to my first one, where I met the casting director, Kim Coleman , for the first time. She was so very nice! I was a bit nervous because my Spanish isn't GREAT, and I had two pretty meaty scenes to do!
Luckily, when I went into the audition room, she told me the second scene was in English. Nice! I felt more comfortable with my Spanish in the first scene anyway, so this was perfect!
I felt like my audition went really well. I may be a bit too young for the role, but you never know! I feel like I made a good impression on her, so that's what counts!
Then I headed over to Heidi Levitt's office for my second audition, for the feature Sympathy for Delicious. I wasn't clear what role I was auditioning for exactly. "Girl #2" with one line...at first. Then they came out and changed my role to one of the fans and I auditioned with three lines! :) Then after that audition, she said they had a last minute role come in that day for a mother whose son was healed and was walking for the first time. She wanted me to improv a scene where I get emotional and cry. Yikes! In 2 seconds! No prep time, just ready to roll. Well, being the professional I am (wink wink) I pounded out an emotional scene and it went pretty well. Again, we'll see what happens. :)
All in all, it was a good day. I ended it by seeing Slumdog Millionaire at the theater. Great movie!
So far nothing lined up for next week, well, nothing except my friend wants me to go with her to the Price is Right! So who knows, I could be running down that aisle and playing the game! haha
We'll see.

TWO Auditions TODAY!

My manager called me yesterday with a small one line role on a SAG low budget film, but its starring a few big names and being directed by one of the stars. It was going to conflict with my subbing job for today and I was trying to see if they could see me afterwartds, around 3pm. I was willing to miss it if they weren't able to see me later. I hadn't worked much since I've been on vacation and I really couldn't afford to take time off - even for a one line role on a low budget film.
THEN, my agent called me around 8pm with another adition for today, within 30 minutes of that first one! This one is a larger role in a larger film. So I had to call the teacher and cancel on her. It was hard considering she arranged this with me last week and I was cancelling on her last minute. :( But she was very nice and understanding and even wished me well.
But of course, I'm not out here to be a substitute teacher, so I had to do what I had to do. :( Low on cash or not!
So here I am, working on my sides which I had to have translated into Spanish for the audition. Let's see if I can pull it off! :)

Saturday Night

We had two shows tonight - back to back. I'm so tired. The run is going well, and we've had sold out shows for almost all of the performances! Just two more tomorrow and that's it. It's over.
I've really enjoyed being involved in another play production even though it wasn't a full run. We only rehearsed for 2 weeks and had one weekend of performances. It was a nice stretch considering I have been away from the stage for almost 2 years! It just made me want to do more theater! I've missed it!
I can't wait for Monday when I can just relax.
Hopefully I get some auditions lined up this week. I need to book something! :)

Big Night

I had a GREAT audition for ER the other day! There were 5 of us up for the role that was written purely in Spanish. Now, in case you didn't know....I don't really speak Spanish. I like to say I fake it pretty well. So there I am, first up, in front of the director, producer and casting director and I do my thang...and it went pretty awesome. The director said something along the lines of that being "damn near perfect!". Nice! He gave me direction and I did it again. Again, it went awesome and I was out the door, feeling really good. :)
Well, I'm assuming that someone walked in after me and did it perfect - not just damn near it - because I haven't heard anything. Oh well. What can you do?
Tonight was opening night of the play festival I am doing at Casa 0101. It was a great opening night. I hadn't been onstage in almost 2 years! That's the been longest I have been away from the theater. I was so nervous at first - but once I felt the energy of the audience, I felt right at home!
Ahhhh...gotta love live theater!

Another Audition!!!

YAY!! I love when I get back from the holidays and I'm busy with auditions. And believe me, one a week in January IS busy! haha I have another audition next week for ER! Now, technically I have already worked the show, but my amazing cop role was never seen since it ended up on the cutting room floor. Oh well. It happens. Now I have my second (and my LAST) chance of making the ER cut! This is the final season of the show and there are very few episodes left to shoot, so I jumped at the chance to go in again. Granted it's not a large part, but I don't really care! ER has been around for ages, so that means one thing - the residuals will be awesome! :) Now, if I book it, my agent has advised me to take a "no billing" instead of a co-star. Its already on my resume anyway, so it doesn't matter much. I'm excited. The role is completely in Spanish, so I better practice!
Tonight I start tech rehearsals for the show that's opening next weekend.
Its good to have things going on. Please let it be like this all year! Plus, BOOKINGS!!!! :)

Being Productive

Yesterday's audition went well. It's always nice to see G. Charles Wright and Deborah Barylski! :) It looks like they may have only called a couple of people in per role for the producers. When I got there, I saw my friend Chane't Johnson, who was there for my same role. We chatted a bit about her amazing trip to Puerto Rico and then it was showtime. I felt really good about my audition, but I also know how great Chane't is - so I guess it just comes down to type. Whatever they feel like this teacher should look like. You never know. You can't control things like that - all you can control is what you do in that room. Hopefully its your best, and then you leave it at that.
Like I said, I felt really good about it....we'll just have to see what happens. :)
I had rehearsal this whole week for that show, then tech week starts this weekend. It's nice to have something I'm working on. Keeps my blood pumping!
Ok, Off to the gym! Trying to be productive in every way today!

2009!!!

Wow...I was on vacation for 6 weeks and it ended yesterday! I never thought I would ever utter the words "I'm tired of vacationing" - but it's true! I'm so happy to be back and motivated to get back to work and make things happen!
I had a great vacation, starting in Europe and ending with my family in Texas. Very low key holiday season for me, which was nice for a change. :)
Within the first couple of hours back in California, I get a call from my manager letting me know I have an audition - straight to producers - for a guest star role on a pilot, playing a teacher! hehe I couldn't be more perfect! It's the same casting office that I tested with in September for that series regular role on that pilot. Remember that? Seemed like just yesterday...
I'm very excited that I have an audition right out of the 2009 gate. Sometimes I have to wait weeks before that happens which is very frustrating! And I'm busy in rehearsals right out of the gate too. I'm doing a short play festival next weekend at Casa 0101. It's my first show with them and I'm happy to be working on the stage again!
I like the way 2009 is starting! Hopefully its a sign for how busy I will be this year! I hope so!
I feel really good going into this new year. I'm going to try and stay busy and productive as much as possible. And since I'm standing in a wedding in mid April, I'm back in the gym trying to shed this vacation weight. UGH!
I'm on a mission baby!

Audition tomorrow!

Wow, I feel like I haven't auditioned in ages! I have a commercial audition tomorrow for Direct TV, playing a bank teller. The great thing is the callback will be before I fly out to Texas and will shoot when I get back from the holidays, so my trip doesn't conflict.
I can't believe it's already the end of 2008! Was it me, or did this year fly by? I guess the older I get, the faster the years go by! scary!
I can't believe on Feb 3rd 2009, it will be 8 years I have been here in LA. Wow. I have two more years until I'm an "overnight success". You know that saying...it takes ten years....I'm almost there. ;)

Vacation is Not Over Yet!

Even though I got back LATE Monday night, I feel like I have still been on vacation this whole week! Trying to recover from being jet-lagged, and still no work. I leave for Texas next Thursday until the new year so it's like I'm on vacation here in LA too! I can't really audition since I'll be gone again soon, so it's basically me resting before my next trip.
My European trip was pretty amazing! France and Italy were SO beautiful! It was breathtaking to actually see with my own eyes things I have only seen or read about in books! I can't wait until I start planning my next trip abroad!

Italy - Here I Come!

I am HOURS away from my first European vacation! I'm SO excited! 12 days in France and Italy!! I can't wait! I depart tomorrow at 5:25pm and I will be back Dec 8.
Today my manager asked me if I could put myself on tape for consideration for this Showtime pilot that's the spin-off from The L Word. I was so excited about this role, but at the same time, I have SO much to do right now. I'm not even fully packed yet! I hate stressing out! I'll try and get it done in the morning - I just hope it's a good enough job. I'd hate to send something "half-ass".
Can't wait to post pictures! Sorry everyone - you will be without my updates for 13 days but when I get back - lots of amazing Italy stories!!!
See you soon...

Film Premiere

So I checked out that movie premiere for Mexican Gangster starring Damian Chapa with a few friends last night. I walked the red carpet and then we all headed in to see the film. It definately felt like one of those family parties with all the Latinos in the house! haha Afterwards we headed to the after party at Elevate, which has a pretty awesome view of downtown LA.
I'm not sure if "walking the red carpet" is for me. It was hot, and awkward with so many cameras. I didn't know which one to look at! Nor was I sure how to pose. But I guess I better get used to it! I expect to be at many more of these in my near future. ;) lol
Tomorrow I have an audition for the lead in a short film. Then another screening.
I have to remember to start packing for my trip. Just 4 more days...

Few Weeks Left of 2008

So I've decided to audit Larry Moss and Howard Fine when I get back from vacation. I'd like to be able to get into a good scene study at the very start of the year. I audited Ivana Chubbuck's master class a while back and although I wasn't crazy about it then, I'm reconsidering, and thinking about auditing her again. Just to see if I feel any different. I just don't like that I have to PAY another $20 just to audit her class again. But my friend Angel has been studying with her for a while and he loves it. And I am currently reading her book.
I got invited to a movie premiere on Friday for Mexican Gangster. I plan on attending that, then onto my friend's birthday party. I'm pretty excited, because that would be my very first movie premiere. There's even a "press check in". Nice.
I have an audition for a short film on Sunday that shoots when I get back from Europe. Hopefully that works out too.
I leave next Wednesday to France and Italy and I am SO EXCITED!!!!!! I've never been there before and I'm spending 12 days with a couple of girl friends of mine. Then I get back for a few days and then I'm off to Texas for the holidays.
2008 went by fast, don't you think?

Sorry I've Been Gone...

I didn't realize it's been a WEEK since my last post. Time sure does fly! Thank you to those who have contacted me expressing concern about my absence. I'll try and be better about updating. Sometimes when nothing is going on, I have nothing to write.
Let's see...what's been happening this past week? Well, I saw Spring Awakening at The Ahmanson last Tuesday. That was a really good show! :) I was REALLY tired and I struggled to keep my eyes open, but I did catch most of the play! I'm sure it would've been even better had I ordered some coffee beforehand!
I've been attending a lot of free screenings lately. In just this week, I've seen The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke, Milk with Sean Penn, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt, and Rachel Getting Married with Anne Hathaway. All good movies. Saved me some money at the movie theater this season!
Yesterday I attended a special workshop that was sponsored by PLIE (Professional Latinos In Entertainment) and Disney with casting director Risa Bramon Garcia. They hand picked 24 actors who they felt were "up-and-coming" and sponsored this workshop with Risa. It was pretty educational and it was especially nice to finally meet some fellow actors whose work I had seen and admired in the past. A few I have met before, but most were new friends.
Not much else is happening. I think my agent and manager have turned down more auditions on my behalf lately than I've actually auditioned for! Mainly because they were all small co-star roles and they are trying to actively push the guest star credits. It sucks because I get bored with no auditions or work coming in and I get ancy. I want to DO something! Doesn't look like I will do much of anything the rest of 2008. I'll be "on vacation" for the majority of the remainder of this year. I'm also eager to do a play. I'm even submitting myself for one in NYC!
So hopefully 2009 holds more for me. I'm thinking of getting into an on-going class. The one thing the workshop yesterday helped me realize is I have been out of class too long. I have been getting comfortable in some of my bad habits and I should get back to exercising my acting muscles regularly. I may audit Larry Moss's master class at the start of the new year. We'll see.

Very Sad Day...

I got some really sad news tonight.
My dog Benson died. :(
He was only 2 1/2 years old and he was staying at my parent's house in Texas. I've been wanting to move him to Los Angeles with me for the past year, but since my yard isn't that big, and I'm rarely home, I figured it was best to leave him in Texas where he can run and play with other dogs. He was such a sweet and playful dog and he will surely be missed. :(

I got a call on Friday for an audition tomorrow for Eli Stone. It's for a small co-star role of the Jury Foreman. My agents are going to call them back and pass on it. They are really doing what they can to keep me in the guest star world, and I appreciate that. I know I will work less, but its a sacrifice I have to make for the greater good of my career.

Slow Week

President Obama!!!!!


Well, I hope you didn't blink!
My scene seemed pretty fast on DH on Sunday. And my Goodness! They say the camera adds ten pounds - but we're gonna go with the rumor that there must've been 3 cameras on me! haha Yikes! Doesn't help that tiny Eva is in the scene with me!
I took the day off yesterday to VOTE (YAY OBAMA!!!) and I had scheduled myself to sub today - BUT AEF called with my first commercial audition!! So I cancelled my subbing job to go to my audition this morning at 10:40am. They were casting for families and I was paired up with a husband and a very cute little girl! It was quick- but painless.
I don't expect much to happen between now and the end of the year considering I will be out of town for two weeks at the end of November and again at the end of December. But I'm anxious to see what 2009 has in store for me.
Still tossing around the idea of NYC next summer. Maybe do a play out there..? We'll see.

Tonight on ABC!

Well, it looks like I'm let go from being on Avail for the commercial. My schedule conflicted and that basically took me out of the running. But the casting director, Pam Gilles, was very sweet and understanding and even wished me a safe and fun trip to Italy. Nice! But I really wished I could've done this job. :(
Ok, tonight is the night. I swear.
My Desperate Housewives episode should be airing tonight on ABC at 9pm pacific time. Look for me as the (surprise!) Housekeeper to the new rich family in the neighborhood. My boss apparently loves getting massages from Carlos, Gabby's husband.

Good Audition

I had my audition yesterday for that series regular on the Untitled Cannon/Bruckheimer pilot with April Webster Casting. April is such a breath of fresh air! Her energy is so positive! And it was great seeing Lonnie Hamerman again! She used to be over at Gary Zuckerbrod's office on Without a Trace. I met her a while back doing workshops and she's brought me in numerous times! She really likes me so that's always a good thing!
There were 5 of us auditioning for my role today. I say "today" because I know they've seen people previously since my friend Deborah S. Craig went in on this a couple of days ago for the same role. The 5 of us were all different so I think it will come down to what they are looking for physically. But all in all, I think I did a pretty good job. Lonnie said "Great, as always" afterwards, so I don't think I sucked. But we did chat for a bit and I let her know about my new agent and how I tested in August! Seemed like good topics of conversation at my series regular audition! heehee
Just got a call from my manager that I'm on "Avail" for that Xyzal commercial. The only problem is I think the shoot dates are in early December - when I'm in ITALY!!! :( Damn. We'll have to see how this works out.

Another Nice "Actor" Day

Well, I had a GREAT callback today for that commercial! It's always a great callback when the casting director says "Brilliant" afterwards! haha
She's very sweet!
Then after my callback, I headed over to the post office to mail my postcards out. For some reason my printer wasn't working this morning so I had to hand write over a hundred addresses on these postcards this morning!
Then I headed over to AEF to officially sign my contract. That was cool! I gave them some headshots and copies of my demo reel and talked to one of the commercial agents that I will be working with.
My manager called this morning with an audition for a series regular role on the new Unititled Cannon/Bruckheimer pilot for TNT! That's tomorrow at noon! Wish me luck! :)

Unpinned

Just got word today that I was released from being "pinned" on Eli Stone. I'm actually kinda happy about that because it leaves me open to book a larger and better role! And I have faith that a larger role will come my way now that I have my new agents behind me. :) We'll see...
I picked up my postcards today and I plan on getting them ready to mail tomorrow morning. I really like them! The Photoshop in Sherman Oaks did a great job! ;) (That's my plug for them!)
That reminds me, I have to send an autographed headshot to a fan who contacted my manager today. It happens every so often, and I don't know if I will ever get used to it! It's pretty surreal and very cool! :)
SO excited for tomorrow! Looking forward to my callback and my contract signing! YAY!!!

New Postcard

Here is my new postcard. I should be picking them up tomorrow or Tuesday and mailing them out ASAP. I have to make sure that everyone gets them before next Sunday's episode of Desperate Housewives. :)
I also saw on imdb.com (hopefully it's accurate) that my Prison Break episode will air again next Sunday also. It will air 11am on FX. November 2nd looks like a big day on TV for me! :)

Last Minute Audition!

I had a last minute audition yesterday for another commercial! Well, it was sort of a commercial. It was for voting No on Prop 8. I had to act like a "couple" with my buddy Bernardo Badillo because our manager submitted us as a couple - since that was what the spot was looking for. I think we did well. It shoots this weekend and I haven't heard anything yet, so I doubt we got it.
I did get a callback for that other commercial audition from Thursday. It's on Tuesday. And right after that I go into AEF to officially sign paperwork! :)
Today I have a workshop, then I approve my postcard layout for printing.

Nice "Actor" Day

I had a 7:30am call time this morning for the Dollhouse shoot. Traffic was hell this morning and I arrived about 10 minutes late! Oops! I HATE when that happens! I was playing an "upscale housewife" and I have to say this was the quickest and easiest paycheck I have every worked for! I was wrapped by 10:30am, it took only 3 minutes to actually shoot my part, and my quote was raised! YAY!! All good stuff!
After I wrapped, I headed over to the SAG office to update my member info to include my new representation (see below). I checked out the SAG Actor Center for a bit, (very cool place) then headed over to Photoshop in Sherman Oaks to start ordering my new postcard. I wanted to design one that annouced my new rep, my Dollhouse booking, and my Desperate Housewives episode that SHOULD air November 2nd.
After that, I headed over to a commercial audition in Van Nuys for an allergy medicine. The role was a mother of an 8 year old and the sides had A LOT of dialogue. I wasn't able to get the script ahead of time, and I didn't even think I would make it to the audition if it wasn't for me wrapping early, so I got there a bit early to look it over. I was a little nervous because I had a lot to say with not a lot of time to prepare. But I'm pretty confident in my cold reading skills and I have to say I was able to pull it off. The casting director, Pam Gilles, seemed to be very happy with my audition and called me a real "professional". Awww....That was nice.
Now we'll just wait and see what happens....

New Representation!

I took some meetings this week and have decided on a new addition to my team! I will be signing on with AEF: Amsel, Eisenstadt, & Frazier Talent Agency on Tuesday! I'm really excited about them mainly because they seemed really excited about me! Plus, they were all really nice! They also represent Barry Williams (Greg Brady) and the very sexy Antonio Sabato Jr! Nice! But I'm most impressed with the fact that they represent Danny Trejo! He works a lot!
I'm excited and hopeful about this new turn in my career. I feel only amazing things are on the horizon! :)

Good News!

I had a great meeting today with an awesome agency and I have another one tomorrow woith another awesome agency....and then I make my decision. I pretty much know which way I'm leaning... :)
Found out this afternoon that I booked that role on Dollhouse for FOX. I shoot Thursday. Weird...I could've sworn I wasn't going to get this one... hahaha I guess you never know. :)

Audition Today!

I had an audition for Eli Stone today. It was a small co-star role of a hotel clerk. It went well, I'm going to producers tomorrow at 5pm. I normally would be a little more picky, shooting for strictly guest star or recurring roles, but considering the economy, and how slow it is, a girl's gotta work! So I will consider mostly everything! :)
Also, that audition last Friday for Dollhouse, that I thought was a waste of time, may not turn out that way. They called for my "quote" so I'm on their mind. Hmmm....
I have a meeting with one of my target agencies on Monday. I'm SOOOOO excited!!! :)

According to imdb...

I will be on Desperate Housewives on Sunday. Nice! I thought I was in episode 6, not 4, so I didn't even think about postcards, or notifying people this week. Oops! I better get busy today! :)

Working 9 to 5

Saw 9 to 5 tonight at The Ahmanson tonight! It was good...very entertaining! I hadn't seen the film in ages, and the play brought back many memories! But let me just say, the actress who played Dolly's character, Megan Hilty, was so GREAT! She was a dead ringer for her! Her voice, her look, her acting - it was a perfect impersonation.
Allison Janney was good in the Lily Tomlin role. She's not a great singer, but she acting like she could sing! She played the role perfectly.

Yesterday...

Well, I went to that audition yesterday and I have to say that I felt like I should've been subbing that day instead! It was one of those feelings that felt like I may have wasted my time. I didn't do BAD, I just didn't feel like it was MY part. They had so many different types of women there, so they could cast either direction. And I'd much rather have made a definate income that day then go to that audition. I guess that tells you something about our economy and how slow things have been for me - income wise.
And what's interesting is, I turned down an audition for Monday! Well, my manager advised me to turn it down. It was for Hannah Montana and originally it was for two mom roles. Well, the larger role was cut at the last minute so I would've only been auditioning for the one line mom part. Well, my manager and I agreed that since this office has brought me in numerous times and will probably have better roles for me down the line, we are going to hold out for something better. :) I've been close to booking (pinned) many times for Hannah Montana and I'm sure they will keep me in mind for future roles.
I had two workshops this afternoon that went really well. At Actorsite I met Angela Sorensen w/ Zane Pillsbury and at ACG I met both Angela Scaletta w/ Tim Payne & Christi Webb w/ Koczara / Shevchenko. Not a bad day! :) I'll be sure to postcard them this week!
I did see my friend Dan of The Dan Band last night. That was an AWESOME show as usual! :)

Of Course...

I have been bored all week.
I subbed only one day (Tuesday) and had nothing the rest of this week, except for workshops.
Well, Yesterday I finally booked a subbing gig for Friday and then I get the call just now that I have an audition for Dollhouse at 11:30am. Of course! That's how it always works! Damn - I had to cancel my subbing job. I better book this, because work is slim all on fronts and if I'm turning down subbing work, I better make up for it somewhere else. It's a small role as an "upscale housewife".
I also cancelled my workshop tonight for the commercial agencies. The one office I had my eye on pulled out at the last minute and she replaced them with another office. Since my "target" wasn't going to be there tonight, I decided to save my $30 for another workshop.
I have two workshops lined up for Saturday.
Tomorrow night I'm seeing my buddy Dan Finnerty of The Dan Band in his show at the Avalon Theater. SOOOOO funny! (He was the wedding singer from Old School.) :)

S-L-O-W

Wow, I realized that I haven't written in my blog for a while...meaning not much has been happening in while! :( No auditions. No meetings for new commercial or theatrical representation. Nothing.
I did have my meeting/read through of that film that I will be "helping to produce" last week. That was fun - to begin this process. I'm looking forward to "the next step". This should be exciting! :)
When things get too slow for me, I get back into workshops. I had one this past Saturday for Junie Lowry Johnson's Casting office. They used to cast Ugly Betty and now they are working on Dirty Sexy Money and Big Love. That workshop went well. I did a very intense dramatic scene where I played a rape victim. Everyone else had light comedic scenes and here I am, doing heavy material that I had 10 minutes to look over! Crazy! But luckily I did well. :)
I had another workshop last night for Romano/Benner's office. They cast Scrubs and One Tree Hill. That one went ok. I had a comedic scene and I felt a little off, but she seemed to like me anyway - go figure! ;) haha
Tonight is soap night - I have a workshop for the office that casts Young and the Restless. I haven't booked a soap yet, and I rarely get called in for them. I did audition one time for a juicy role on General Hospital. Didn't get it though. We'll see how it goes tonight.
And tomorrow is commercial agent night. Workshops with two agencies tomorrow night. We'll see how tht goes.
I hope I get auditions soon - because I hate only having my workshops to blog about! :(

What to do?

Of course, as it goes, when I'm free, there is nothing going on! And when I have made plans to sub or do something, THAT'S when the auditions come rolling in and I have to figure out a way to work it all out! Well, as this week has it, I'm free - and now bored. I'm trying to be productive. I did a mailing out yesterday to a select few agencies looking for new commercial representation (and even a cew theatrical and voiceover ones). I even did a couple of drop offs for some projects that may have a role for me.
And since I was so productive yesterday, that means I have no idea what I'm doing today! I was thinking of trying to hone my writing skills. Maybe try to write some kind of script or story. I never really considered myself a "writer". Funny huh? Since I've been "writing" in this blog for some time now. But I guess it's because I don't consider this writing. It's more like me talking through my computer keys! haha Another idea for today was to really look into breaking into the voiceover world. I would have to get a voiceover demo reel, which could run kind of high.
Hmm...maybe I'll just go watch a movie, or go to a bookstore and read for a bit.
It's usually a great feeling to have my days free, with endless possibilities! But sometimes, I'm just not sure what to fill them up with!
Needless to say, I love being BUSY!
I'm supposed to sub tomorrow, which probably means I'll get a call today saying I have an audition tomorrow, which I'll then stress out trying to figure how to make it all work.
And I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

Finding Different Paths

Ok, last week was a little slow for me. Not a single audition and I felt like I was just sitting around, waiting to see if any of my auditions from the past couple of weeks turned into jobs. No news yet on that front.
This week I have a pretty open schedule. I decided to focus on getting a really good commercial agent and hopefully get that side of my career rolling. Maybe even see what I can do in the voiceover world. I know that voiceovers are really hard to break into out here, especialy when I'm not bilingual :( but I loved doing the Japanimation cartoons when I lived in Austin, so that would be awesome to get back into that.
I met with a fellow actor/producer friend of mine, Alex Castillo, last week to talk about me possibly getting into producing. He is starting pre-production on a new project this week and hopefully I will be involved. The first table read is Thursday and as of now, if all works out, I can come board as an "assistant producer/associate producer", depending on the the amount of work I take on.
I'm pretty excited about this new endeavor! :)

Pinned....Yet Again!

My manager's office called to tell me that Perry/Reece's office called to check my availability for tomorrow. (They like doing that, huh?) But this time its for that tv movie I auditioned for a couple of weeks back called Ice Dreams. They pinned me for tomorrow but then called me later in the afternoon and relased me. I guess they ended up casting someone else.
But I'm still on that short list for the lead in their mini series. I want that to work out - but then again, if it does, it interferes with my trip to Italy! Damn... Only time will tell...

Private Practice

Had an audition yesterday for a small role on Private Practice. I had taken a workshop with Will Stewart from Lowy/Brace Casting back in April. I had never been in to audition for their office so I was really excited that I was being called in! This office also casts Grey's Anatomy, which I LOVE and hope to be on someday soon.
So they bring me in for a preread for a small co-star role of apregnant woman on the show. I had to make it before their 3pm producer's session, but I didn't get out of work until 2:30pm. So there I am, racing down the freeway again, trying to make it in time for my audition. Luckily, I did. :) They preread me, gave me an adjustment, and asked me to stay for producers. I hung around for another hour until I was finally called in to do it for the writer, producer, director, and casting director Linda Lowy. I did my short scene and the director asked if I could do it again with a slight adjustment "just to see something different". I took the adjustment and showed her something different, and better. :) They all seemed pleased and I was out the door.
Nice first audition for that office. Now we just have to wait and see if it was "nice enough". :)
Looks like I have a lot of "fires burning" at the moment, so it would be nice to something came out of any of them.
We're waiting to hear from the Adam Sandley movie, the miniseries, and now Private Practice. Not a bad place to be...

Something Interesting...

Just got an email from my manager letting me know a casting office called to check my availability for a Miniseries. Apparently I'm on the "short list" for the lead role which works 10 weeks starting mid-October. Can't get too excited because you never know with these things, but how COOL would that be???
My manager sent over my reel on DVD to the casting office, and they will cast off tape.
Which I think is interesting since it IS the lead role in the series. I figured they would want to read people in person for that. Usually they cast off tape for smaller roles. Hmmm...
Keep fingers crossed AND say a little prayer :)

Close Call!

I almost didn't make it!
I had that audition today for that Adam Sandler/Seth Rogen film Funny People. Judd Apatow is directing, and Allison Jones is the casting director. She also cast me in Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office.
I didn't think I was gonna make it to the audition! I got out of work around 2:30pm in Panorama City and I had to make it to Hollywood by 3pm. Well, I made it by 2:45pm! How you ask?? You don't wanna know! I'm just thankful I made it! I ran up to the audition room and tried to catch my breath as I looked over the sides. It was one scene, but a prety meaty one, so I had lots to look over in just a few minutes.
Allison came out to tell me she'll be right with me. She thanked me for coming in and actually apologized that it was for "another maid role". Wow. I don't think anyone has EVER apologized to me for that! I really appreciated that. I thanked her for calling me in and told her I didn't mind at all. (hehehe)
I went in and did a pretty good job, complete with accent and all. She seemed pretty pleased with it, and the fact that I made it in to the audition. Who knows...
Again, this is one of those jobs where I don't mind playing the maid AGAIN. I would love to work with Adam and Judd and Seth! And I need to do another big movie like this!
I thought a lot about my resistance to these maid roles and how ironically I have either booked or auditioned for so many just this year! I could fight it and bitch and moan and make myself miserable.....OR just shut up and work! I figured I would make myself happier if I do the latter. And try my hardest to work on as many other projects that I care about on the side as often as possible.
I'm really toying with the idea of getting into producing.
We'll see...
Congrats to my buddy Stephon Fuller for booking one of the reporter roles on Do Not Disturb that we auditioned for on Friday! YAY!!!

Last Minute Audition!

These don't happen very often, but I had a last minute rush call for an audition today. My manager called me at 10:30am for an 11:30 am audition time! Wow. I was temping downtown and it took me about half an hour to get there. Not too bad. The role was for a reporter on the new Jerry O'Connell show Do Not Disturb. Luckily I was dressed for work in "office attire" so it kinda worked for the role.
I saw my friend Fanny Velez there and also Stephon Fuller. I hadn't seen them in a while, so that was nice. :)
No one really had that much time with the material. You signed in, looked over the sides, and then they caled you in. Definately a COLD read! I think I did pretty well. It works on Monday and Tuesday, which sucks because that's when the Adam Sandler audition is. :( And I really want to do another big movie....
So I guess we'll see what happens.

Short but Sweet

I had a very quick day today on the set of Desperate Housewives. I got there at 9am and was wrapped by 2! I got into wardrobe and makeup where I first met Eva Longoria Parker, who I will be shooting my scene with. She introduced herself to me and I let her know that not only are we from the same hometown (Corpus Christi, Texas), but we actually went to high school together for a short time. We chatted a little about the hurricane that is scheduled to hit that area this weekend and I headed back to my trailer.
We went to rehearsal where I got to meet the creator of the show: Marc Cherry. As I said hello to the director, Matthew, Eva let him know we went to school together and we're from the same town. We did the scene a few times and I guess I was kinda nervous because I was making little amateur mistakes, like not hitting my mark, and forgetting to leave the door opened after she stormed through. But as we went on, I warmed up a bit and by the time they were ready for my "close up" I felt really good about my character. I basically play this snooty uptight bitch. Fun! :) I finally naled my lines and looks and the next thing you know, I was wrapped! Quick day.
But I did manage to get a quick photo with Eva. She was pretty nice to me. Not extremely chatty, but I didn't really expect her to be.
She did want me to let everyone know that she looks like crap because she HAS to for the character.
And just so everyone knows, she's shorter than I am. I'm just wearing slippers and she's in high heels in this pic.

Audition on Monday for a Judd Apatow film starring Adam Sandler. :) More on that later...

Wardrobe Fitting

They had this REALLY cool dress that they made out of magazine pictures of mainly the cast. It was pretty spectacular. I just had to snap a pic!

I had to rush right over at the last minute today to get a wardrobe fitting on the Universal Lot for Desperate Housewives today. Since I shoot tomorrow, there really wasn't much time. They pulled a few maid uniforms out for me and had the alterations lady fit it for me. Again, not the sexiest maid on tv, but it does the trick.
I shoot tomorrow with a call time of 9am. Looking forward to it!

Not a Bad Day :)

Had another audition today! It was for Eleventh Hour, and I was brought in by Felicia Fasano, whom I just LOVE! This office is SO awesome! Everytime I see them they greet me with a huge hug and make me feel like an old friend! The first thing they asked me before I even walked into the room was why my part on Weeds was cut? I told her it wasn't, and I was there in the episode. She said she expected to see more of me since it did say "guest starring" in the opening credits. I agreed and told them how they cut a bit of my part down, but since it was a half hour show, even just ONE scene is considered "guest star".
Felicia made a very nice comment about how she keeps seeing me on her television set. And how "every time she turns on the tv, Lydia Blanco is there, on every channel." Nice!
We went into the audition room and talked about the pilot I tested for a few weeks ago. She said "I can't wait for the day that I can see Lydia Blanco as a series regular on a show" And I joked back with her and said "I can't wait to have YOU cast me as a series regular on a show!" And of course, all she had to respond with was "I can't wait to have a role that I can cast you in!" Which is so very true. The right role for the right actor, right? hahaha
I did my audition, it went well, and I was out the door. I always feel good about auditioning for that office. They cast me in Sleeper Cell a couple of years ago. :) So we'll see what happens.
So it looks like I'm shooting this Thursday on Desperate Housewives. They emailed me my scene tonight and it's WAY different from my audition scene! It's BETTER! Originally I had ONE line to my boss about helping him with his bags out of his car. Well, this new rewritten scene has me answering the door to a furious Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) and having to deal with her. It says I grab her from going into the other room and sit her down in the living room. Nice. haha I feel much better about this role now! Something MORE and interesting to do! And definately sounds like it could be recurring!
Think positive thoughts! :)

News and More News!

Ok, Finally my "pinned" is turned into a "Booked"! YAY!!!! After being pinned for this show NUMEROUS times, it's nice to finally get to work on it. My manager called today with my official booking for Desperate Housewives! I'm tentatively shooting on Thursday of this week.
I had an audition today for Hanna Montana. I've been called into this office for this show many times as well. Haven't booked yet. This was for a role of a mother. I was actually sent the wrong sides. My manager had sent me sides for a different episode and I didn't know until I was in the office signing in. I noticed they had the sides right there and they were different! Luckily the role wasn't too big and I could memorize the one line before going in.
Howard called me in and I met one of the producers in the room. He asked me to go with what I had prepared first, then we would play with different ways to do it. I did it my way first, then with the camera still rolling, Howard started tossing out redirects. "Bigger" "Throw it away", "Faster", "Don't mime anything", "less devestated", "Like your wagging your finger at her", "Less", "Louder", "Faster", "ok, thank you!" Wow. I did't know what to think of that! My brain just tried to keep up with processing each redirect at superlightening speed! I wasn't sure if he gave me all those redirects because I never hit it just right, or to test me to see how directable I am.
Well, I got the call later in the afternoon that I was on "Watch and Avail". Which is the same as pinned, I suppose. The only thing is I think the role shoots for three days this week, and it may conflict with Desperate Housewives. We'll see. Ahhh, all good problems to have! :)

TOMORROW

Guess What

Yup, Of course, you guessed right. If there is a maid role anywhere in this town, I will book it. Well, it's not an "official" booking just yet. I'm "pinned" once again, but I was told I was the CHOICE. Meaning....after they check out the storyboard and make sure the role is still in there and after they negotiate my rate, then it will be an official booking.
My audition went well. Obviously. haha I just LOVE the casting director: Scott Genkinger! He is SO sweet! He greeted me in the hallway with a big hug saying "Lydia! My favorite!" Awww!!! He did just book me on Prison Break, so it was really nice to see him again. I would audition for just about anything for him! (Including a small one line maid role that POSSIBLY may recur on Desperate Housewives!) I walked into the room with my headshot and resume with my Prison Break postcard attached and a post it note on my resume letting them all know I just tested for studio AND network for a series regular on a pilot! That did spark some interest and I could see in Scott's face that the news impressed him! (YES!) After my one line, the director said he would like to know what pilot that was. I told him and they all just smiled and nodded and I was out the door. I felt really good about that meeting, mainly because it showed them that I was still willing to come in for this smaller role. And that I was capable of doing more, just in case they were inclined to write more for this character. You never know...
I talked to my manager afterwards and we talked about being "humble" and auditioning for the small roles that come my way. I told her that I didn't feel humble at all because I did feel like I deserved to progress to larger stuff. But after that phone call, I realized that maybe being humble is a good thing in this case (and every case, I suppose!). :) It keeps you grounded and striving for more. And as much as I pout about having to audition for ANOTHER freakin maid, or ANOTHER freakin co-star role, I have to see it as an opportunity. It's always an opportunity to work with certain directors, or co-stars, or in this case, a pretty big hit show. My manager somehow believes in her gut that this part will grow and grow and the next thing you know, I have worked a few episodes with a great storyline! haha Hmmm...I'm not sure that this will happen, but it's always nice to have that positive outlook, because...you never know!
My pinned dates are from Sept 3rd to the 15th. So I should find out exactly when I shoot sometime early next week. After they officially book me, of course.

How - No WHY - Does This Happen?

Ok. I have an audition tomorrow for Desperate Housewives. Great. Straight to producers. Great! Possible Recurring...AWESOME! Another freakin maid role....Ugh.... Oh, a MAID role with ONE line? WHAT???????!!!!!
I'm trying to understand how a.) I was even submitted for a role I have told my managers in the past that I don't want to do again (unless it was a major guest star with a great storyline or the lead in a film. Sad that there are prices I would sell out for! haha) And b.) How the hell I can go from SCREEN TESTING for a series regular role just two weeks ago to ONE freakin line tomorrow! My manager's defense was those words: POSSIBLE RECURRING. Ok, if it did recur, then I can understand wanting "recurring" again on my resume. That always looks good. But if it doesn't recur, I just sold my one opportunity to be on Desperate Housewives for a ONE line co-star. I have plenty of those on my resume already!
Like that saying: If I'm not moving forward, I'm moving backwards! (That is a saying right? If not, that I'M saying it!)
Alright, let me say that I have some readers who occasionally write me for advice on their careers, and I pride myself with giving out pretty knowledgeable information. But there are times whem I wonder if I take my own advice. Just tonight I had someone come to me with a similar issue. Their manager wanted them to take headshots that would show them in a stereotypical light, in a role they never wanted to do anyway. But they would probably work using these looks.
I told this person that they could do what their manager wanted, and it could suck, but they could build their resume and get some work that could possibly lead to bigger and better opportunities in their career. That's exactly what I did. Basically I paid my dues. I played Maria the maid more times that I'd like to count, and it has sometimes lead to great opportunities. But it has also felt like the black cloud looming over my head that won't ever go away. It's like no matter what I do, no mater how big my next project can be, someone somewhere will think of me when they have a maid to cast.
And that sucks, because I want them to think of me when they need a good actress for a role, any role, not just when they need a housekeeper.
So anyway, I digress.....I told this other actress that it also matters that YOU are happy with the choices you make. And proud of the work you do. But I think our jobs as actors are to find the balance of business and creative. To make a living while doing work we are proud of. That's the tricky part.
The whole reason I came out here to be a professional actress is to make a living doing what I LOVE. Well, I have to say that many years of doing parts you don't want to do because it either feels degrading or stereotypical, or insulting....can make it pretty hard to LOVE what you're doing. To have pride in it. You stop loving it after a while. And I never wanted that. I never saw that coming.
And again, I have to say that this isn't JUST about "another maid role audition". This is more about wanting the opportunity to tell OTHER stories. I feel like I've told that story. Over and over again.
And I want to feel like I'm evolving and growing as an actor. And in business. How am I supposed to be happy to go from a screen test to a one line co-star all in two weeks? Again, feels like I take two steps forward and three steps back. How do you progress that way?? (can you tell I'm venting here? Sorry)
Is it even possible?
When I did theater, I used to perform in 5 full productions a year. I was always in rehearsals. I was usually the lead or a major supporting role. My characters had arcs and meat to their storylines. I loved every bit of it. I move to LA, and I can finally say I'm a working actress and I make my living working on television and film, but that fulfillment is not there, not like in theater.
So I am going to this audition tomorrow, mainly because I know it will make my manager happy. It could POSSIBLY RECUR, you know! hmmm.... But it's blantantly obvious that I'm not taking my own advice of doing what makes ME happy. I even advised this person that if they didn't want to work the job they were auditioning for - then don't bother auditioning. And here I go....
With fingers crossed that if I book it, it will recur...and damn it, I hope it recurs a few episodes just to make me feel better about this whole thing.

And I will try harder next time to take my own advice.

Because I happen to think it's pretty good advice.

New York City Itch

I don't know what it is lately, but I'm having the itch for New York. Maybe because I spent the entire weekend at home, bored, thinking about things. I surfed the internet a lot and spent some time on the Labyrinth Theater Company's website that's run by Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ortiz. I saw that I knew a few people who were members, and I just felt like it would be awesome to be in that company, among those talented actors. It's very easy to miss the stage when you're here in LA and you don't do as much great theater as you did before. And maybe that's why New York feels so enticing right now. Plus, I'm just thinking it would be nice to experience a different place for a bit. Maybe spend a few months on the east coast, just to experience that. I had the choice to either go to graduate school in New York or move to LA 7 years ago...and well, obviously, here I am.
I know it would be a complete shock, expecially since there would be less auditions for tv and film like in Hollywood, but I wouldn't be going to the east coast for that anyway. I would love to just relocate and do an amazing play for a few months, and then just come back here.
Ok, just dreaming out loud. But the nice thing is I have the freedom to do that. No husband or kids that I have to consider before making that kind of decision. :)
I'll talk to my friend Larissa who lives in NYC and bounce that idea off of her just to see what she says. I wouldn't go this year anyway since I plan to visiting Italy in November and need to save my money for that...but maybe next year? Early next year? We'll see... Just a thought. You never know...I may be there anyway for work. There is this movie I possibly could be involved in that shoots early next year in NY. Hmmm.... maybe I could just STAY for a bit. :)

Still Got the Nerves

I had that audition this week for that movie of the week. It was for an office I had never been into, but casts a lot of projects: Perry/Reece Casting. I took a workshop with one of the associates a couple of months ago.
They brought me in this week to read for a bitchy mom at a skating rink. It was fun to do, but I don't think I did my absolute best. For some reason I felt a little nervous during the audition. Go figure! I screen test last week for studio and network executives and feel completely comfortable, I go in for a first audition for a movie of the week, and I'm a little nervous! haha Funny how that happens, huh? See! Even someone like me, who has been out here forever it seems, I still get nervous sometimes. Which is a good thing. I can't imagine walking into a room and not feeling those "butterflies" anymore. If that ever happens, I may have to think of a career change! :)
One of my managers wanted me to put somewhere on my resume that I screen tested for the pilot, but I received advice from a casting director friend that I should just postcard that info, or just add a post it note to my headshot, but it shouldn't be a permanant fixture on my resume. I kinda compromised and added it on my online resumes as a note under my special skills for a month or so... We'll see how that works.

Back to Work

Sorry I haven't written anything in a week. Don't worry, I haven't been locked up at home, too depressed to see the sunshine. Just not a lot has happened, really....
So get this - the day I got my bad news of not booking the pilot, I got my wisdom teeth taken out. (I figured what perfect timing! I was already feeling bad!) I got home all swollen and in pain (inside and out) and my manager calls me about an audition the following morning - at 10am. For a one line co-star.
Now, I understand work is work - but talk about kicking me while I'm down! "Sorry you didn't get this SERIES REGULAR job - but how about ONE line on a show??" ARGH!!!!! Man, just when you think you've progressed 2 steps forward, someone brings you back down 10! Luckily because of my wisdon teeth, I declined the audition. I knew I wouldn't be perfectly well to audition the following morning - and definately not well enough for one line! :(
That's the one thing I don't think I can ever get used to about this career. It's not like other jobs where you advance over time. Eventually you work yourself up to a certain level of success.
No. Here in the entertainment industry, you can progress, and progress, and still end up right where you first started! I'm reminded of this everytime I see recognizable faces waiting with me in an audition waiting room. Or waiting on me at a restaurant. You can have you're own show, or a string of hit movies, and still end up in obscurity. I'm especially reminded of that last part while watching The Two Coreys. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman were such huge stars in their teens, and here they are now, just trying to WORK.
Scary.

Well, I mailed out a chunk of postcards today letting everyone know that I just screen tested for studio AND network for the pilot last week. Hopefully that will generate some juicy auditions for me.

Tomorrow I have an audition for a small but fun role on a movie of the week. :)

And I picked up my really cool postcards for my Prison Break episode. I'll be sure to put the picture up later this week. :)

The Decision has Been Made....

Bad news.

I didn't get it.

I know I'm supposed to be positive and say "Everything happens for a reason". I know I'm supposed to say that I'm happy that Carla got that call today telling HER the good news. I know I'm supposed to say that "If not this one, then the next one"....

But let me just go to the dark side for a bit.....

THIS SUCKS!

Seriously. And it just doesn't suck because now I feel I can't trust my instincts (I was SURE it was mine). And it doesn't suck just because it was an opportunity for a GREAT job. It sucks for more than just that.

It sucks because I was SO close to the exact dream that I had had ever since I can remember, and I lost it. (And again, I do feel like I "lost" it since it did feel like it was mine. I saw it, I felt it, I just knew in my gut. That damn Secret! haha j/k)

It sucks because I didn't want this just for me. I wanted it for my parents. (I was buying them a new house with this job.) I wanted this for my family. For my friends. For you guys who read this blog. I wanted this for everyone who believed that I could and should have this. That's why it sucks. And I know everyone is still proud of me, and I know I have accomplished SO much. And I know there will be others. But it sucks that I didn't get this one. There. That's all.

I'm done with the dark side.

Back to positivity..... :)

It was an AMAZING experience that I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. I have learned so much through this process and am so grateful to have come this far. I am very proud of myself and how I held it all together, even through the most stressful part, the screen testing.
And I do believe there will be MANY more opportunities, and many more screen tests to come in my future!

Onwards and upwards!

Network Test

Ok, I'm, a cheeseball...I took a picture of my 6 year contract that I signed! lol I had to! Things like this don't happen to me everyday! And I had nothing but a huge grin on my face as I signed all four copies. It was pure bliss. :)
I went into the network test today. I saw one of the other girls just as I walked into the main building. She and I walked to our room where we were told to meet. We saw the casting directors and they informed us that we were the only two that made it to this level of the process. That third actress was not coming today. Wow. For some reason I figured Studio and Network tests were a package deal. If you went to one, more than lkely you would go to the other one. Hmmm....Obviously that is not the case. We were very lucky to make it this far. Even most of the guys from yesterday didn't make it to this round. Wow - I'm proud of myself! :)
So we have another "work" session, but this time it was more of a warm up. I did my 3 scenes again for the casting directors and the writer/executive producer. No notes this time.... Hmm...That's a good sign, right?
We waited. And waited. And waited some more, until finally all the executives made their way down to our floor to the testing room. The room was a screening room with a big flatscreen on the wall, but the seats were arranged like a mini theater. The "audience" was raised on levels. There were about 10 executives from the network with the 2 casting directors, Emily the writer, and of course Wilmer, the star (and co-exec. producer). I was actually fine with a room full of people. My background in theater made me actually prefer it! An audience to react to my work! Nice!
Carla (the other actress) went first. Then I went in.
I actually felt REALLY good about my test. They laughed in all the right places, and the dramatic moments were there again. I didn't feel like I nailed it as hard as yesterday, but I have no complaints. It felt very good. Everyone seemed pleased.
I walked out and just exhaled. The hardest part was now over. The only thing I had to do was wait for the decision.
Did I just say the hardest part was over??? Am I crazy?
How am I going to sleep tonight???
I do have to say that no matter what the outcome, I am very proud of myself and the work I have shown to these people. And whatever is supposed to be, will be.

Keeps Getting Better

I can't even begin to explain how I feel right now!
But I'll try....
I went in to meet the studio execs today for the pilot The Emancipation of Ernesto. We had an hour work session before the actual "audition" for the studio. There were three of us girls up for my role and four guys testing for a different role, and we all sat there in the waiting room until it all began.
Wilmer walked in and introduced himself to everyone and said hello. We were all ushered into a separate room so we could work individually with the casting directors and the writer and Wilmer. When it was my turn, I walked in, did my three scenes and the writer had some adjustments for me. They were pretty big character changes from what I had originally prepared, so I took a few minutes to try and get it to the right place before I had to do it for the studio. I was a little nervous and unsure. Doubting my original choices I had made since they gave my notes and changes. I tried not to let that get in my head too much and I spent the time before I went into the room to audition completely alone and working on my scenes.
And somehow, right before I walked into that room packed full of executives, I felt this calming feeling come over me. I was completely at ease as I walked in. I began my first scene and after I uttered my second word, laughter erupted! It was perfect! They laughed at all the jokes. Everything that was supposed to be funny, they got! It was the most amazing feeling! I really did feel like I showed the comedic side of me as well as my dramatic one. I really connected with my reader (the CD) during a dramatic letter to my son. It felt good on all ends! I really don't think it could've gone any better! There really was this excited energy in that room. I walked out of there and I felt like the entire world was not only lifted from my shoulders, but I was floating right to the top of it! It was incredible!
Now, within the hour that I left the studio, my attorney called to tell me that they called me back to network which is tomorrow at 4pm. This is the very last stage of this process. I sign the 6 year contract before I walk in to do it again for the network execs. After tomorrow, they make their decision.
Let me just say, I already consider this a victory, no matter what the outcome. I truley hope and pray that the outcome includes ME in this role, but just to make it to this level of the game, and then feel like I really did my best and had the opportunity to shine...well, there are no words to express that. I have already won!
Seriously.
Now let's just hope, for my sake, that I CAN do it better than today. Shoot, I'd even settle for exactly the same!

Negotiations Update!

Well, yesterday I was updated by my manager about how the negotiations are going...and I have to say I am in SHOCK! *(And by shock, I mean, ecstatic shock!)There is a whole new world I am being introduced to here! :) It's pretty damn awesome!
Again, what sucks in this whole process is, I get all excited about the possibility of what I could be making, and what my career could be....and then the part could always go to someone else and CRUSH that dream. That dream that has already been negotiated! It's just cruel!
But we're going to stay positive and wish for the best. That's all we can do, right? And by we, I mean me! LOL
The negotiations include everything from pay per episode, to how many episodes I'm promised for the next few years, to dressing room specifics, to even hair and make up consulations where I can provide my input to how I want my character to look. There are so many little details that I don't even really have a say in as to what's "important" to me. They are just negotiating for me, trying to find the "best" deal. Pretty cool... The only thing I really care about is being able to show up to work everyday. That's always been my biggest dream. Driving to the studio everyday because that's where I work. On set. (sigh) So close....
Yesterday I went to an interview for a Teaching Artist position at the 24th St Theater. This position would travel to different schools teaching theater to students and teaching teachers how to teach theater. Sounded like a pretty good idea. There were 15 of us there at the group interview, and I didn't find out until after the 2 hours that they were only looking to fill one or two positions. Wow.
But we're hoping I'll never have to teach or do something like this again because I'll be on a series! :) Crazy how in one week, your life can change.
I'm hoping....
Ok, I'm going to church and lighting a candle between now and Monday...
Feel free to do the same! :)

Rolling with the Big Dogs

I met with my new attorney this morning. Crazy that I even have a "new attorney"! She was very nice. We talked a lot about this whole process and I learned SO MUCH in that one hour meeting! They are a very reputable firm who represents Patrick Dempsey, Halle Berry, and now....ME! crazy.
I wasn't sure about this whole thing at first. I thought I would hurt my chances if I came to the table with an "attorney" representing me (My small town mentality). But the attorney made a good point, she said this would give me a stronger credibility. I'm sure there are numerous actors who get to this screen test level for the first time, and are so excited that they take the first deal offered by the studios. This first deal is so important because it establishes your quote. The remainder of your career is affected by this first step. If you get low-balled, and accept that, the rest of your career is "playing catch-up". So it's very important to hire people who know what they are doing and who can get you the very best deal possible. I thought that if we countered with a too high number, that they would roll their eyes at me and just say "forget it" and move on. Little did I know! Apparently that's not how it works at all. And apparently I forgot what NEGOTIATING means! hahaha
By the time I walk into the room to meet with the studio and network, my contract for the next 7 years has already been agreed upon by both sides, me and the studio (which is negotiated by their business affairs) and already signed! And my attorney made another good point, they won't agree and sign a contract that they can't afford or one that they aren't willing to pay. In her eyes, the contract has to be worth my while because essentially, the studio would "own" me while I'm on the show. I can't go out for other pilots, or do anything that conflicts with this one. Guest appearances on other shows would be limited, except for like game or talk shows.
All of this has been very exciting! I have always been pretty business minded in my career, and this is another level that I have never seen!
They ended up pushing back my screen test a week. I go in on Monday and Tuesday, the 11th and 12th. AND they added a third person. Great.
But I'm just going to stay focused and go in there and do the very best job I can. And then just sit and wait. I doubt I will have to wait long. I'm sure I'll hear a decision by that Wednesday, or Thursday the latest....
Again.....Crazy!!! But I love it! :)

Floating on a Freakin Cloud!

Well...
Today was the day I went back in for my second round of the pilot: The Emancipation of Ernesto. This time, the casting director brought in 4 other girls to go up against me for the role. I was the second one brought in, and again, Wilmer was a little late, so he missed my audition! Again!
:( And just like the first time, he JUST missed it. He walked in right after I was done. Damn.
But I do have to say that I thought my audition went really well. I wasn't nervous, and I did everything like before, but slightly better! ;) haha And with a thicker accent! Afterwards, the writer, Emily, complimented me generously and with every compliment I kept expecting a "but..." at the end - and there wasn't one!! I smiled and thanked them for bringing me in again, and off I went. Smiling to myself...and wishing Wilmer had gotten there just a couple of minutes earlier. oh well.
I guess that didn't hurt me much because an hour or so later I received a call from my manager that I am invited back next week to SCREEN TEST for the studio and network. Apparently this is what we have all been waiting for! It is narrowed down to two of us for the role, and when Tuesday rolls around, my contract should be negotiated, reviewed by an attorney, and signed. Crazy!
I have never been through this part of the process! It is so exciting!!!
Please, keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
My biggest dream could be fulfilled!
Wow.

On the Horizon

It's been a pretty slow week. I've been trying to stay productive and keep busy with some things that need to get done. I'm trying to design a postcard for my Prison Break airing (Sept 1st) and I've been refilling my manager's stash of headshots on me. Gotta make sure they have enough to keep submitting me! :)
Well, while I was in the office on Friday, my manager pulled me aside to talk about the possible series regular contract that I could be signing. Wow! She talked about how the contract would probably be for 7 years, and how I may want to hire a attorney to look it over, and to consider things like exclusivity clauses which limit my other work on different networks if I book this role. As I tried to stay focused and professional, my mind was being blown away at the thought of me possibly BOOKING this role and my biggest dream being fulfilled!! It's crazy to feel even this close to it! I'm trying not to get too excited about it, just in case it doesn't go my way....I'd hate to feel that huge disappointment! But it makes me feel good that my manager is pretty confident about me and feels like this really could be mine! Nice! I feel the same way - I just try not to say that outloud too much! hahaha Just in case....
Well, I thought I would be going in again this week to meet the other producers, but it looks like they are seeing a couple of other different roles and I won't be called in until next week.
Surprisingly, I feel very calm and at peace about this job. Not really nervous or unsure. I feel good...so we'll see what happens. :)

Boston Legal Today

I had a preread for Boston Legal this morning at 10am. I had planned to drive back into the Valley and have lunch with a friend of mine who I haven't seen in a while. But after my audition, I was asked to come back for producers at 2pm. :) And since it was all the way down in Manhattan Beach, I decided to hang around and wait until 2pm. No sense in driving all the way to LA and back by 2. So I went shopping and spent money (oops!) and had a really good turkey wrap at the Bristol Farms deli and went back to the studio for my callback.
It went ok for the producers. It was a small role, and even though I felt a little "off", it wasn't that bad.... eh... We'll see.

Steel Panther and The Two Kyles

The band Steel Panther.
Me with Kyle Brandt and then with Kyle Lowder, my Days of Our Lives HUNKS!



Ok, this week I checked out 80's hair band cover band Steel Panther at The Key Club. First of all, I have to say, IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!~ They sang songs from Bon Jovi, Poison, Whitesnake, and the hair band list goes on and on...
But the HIGHLIGHT of the night was when I met Brady anbd Philip at the Rainbow Room before the show. Ok, if you are a huge Days of Our Lives fan like me, then you completely understand my excitement at meeting these two - and why I refer to them as their characters! haha
Brady, who is played by Kyle Lowder, and Phillip, who is played by Kyle Brandt were so nice and gracious and allowed me to take my photo with them. :)
And they were both very easy on the eyes!
Again, the highlight of my night! :)

Series Regular Audition TODAY!

Wilmer Valderamma, executive producer and star of The Emancipation of Ernesto


Well, I'm not in South America...so I guess I didn't get that part. :( Damn... I would've loved to spend 12 days in South America!!!!
But, I DID have my audition this morning for that series regular role on the Wilmer Valderamma pilot for Fox!! And it went pretty awesome!!! :)
ok, so I got there pretty early. (Wasn't sure how traffic would be at that time, and I didn't want to risk it!) The casting director came out and greeted me with a great big hug and asked if I remembered HIM! Of course I do! I've known him ever since I moved to LA and started taking workshops. He's brought me in a few times before and I've tried to stay in contact with him through postcards periodically. He mentioned that he saw me on Weeds a couple of weeks ago and I gently reminded him of my Prison Break episode that will air next month (Sept 1st)! He gave me a quick note about the character and show and I waited a few more minutes before they called me in.
When I walked into the room, I met his partner who I've also met a while back, and the writer/producer of this pilot, Emily Kapnek. Everyone was so nice and they all laughed during my audition! Which is good...since it was a comedy! hehe
Afterwards, G. said "And that was Lydia Blanco!!", which I took as a compliment because it seemed like he was pretty proud of me. Awww..... I said my goodbyes and opened the door to leave, and Mr. Valderamma himself was standing right there. I smiled and said hello, he said hello, and entered the room as I left. Damn it - he missed my audition! Good thing they recorded it so he can check it out later. He is one of the executive producers for this show, and of course, the star. :)
I left the studio lot feeling REALLY good about the audition. I don't want to jinx myself and say that this is it - this is MINE....But I DID feel pretty damn good about it! ;)
I got a call from my manager not even an hour later, saying that the casting director called and said they had only brought in two girls for this role, and I was the only one that they liked! Wow. They want to bring me back in to meet another group of producers, but we are not sure when just yet. I just have to work on my accent in the second scene. I wasn't sure how thick I should do it, so I played it safe and did it very americanized - with a hint of an accent. Stupid me! I should have just done a thick one on my first try! Oh well... Good thing they are bringing me in again, so I can show them what they want! :) YAY!!!
I feel good about this project. I read the majority of the script and it's pretty hilarious! :)

South America??

So I could be in South America tomorrow!
My manager called me today about a role for a new show that is shooting in South America and flying there tomorrow! No audition, they are casting from demo reels! My manager sent mine to their office and now we're just waiting to see if I get the call that I'm flying to South America tomorrow for 10 or 11 days! :) That would be AWESOME!!!! The casting office is the same one that cast me in my pilot that I shot in Vancouver last year! So there is a good chance...we'll see.
Then my manager called me 30 minutes later about a series regular audition for Thursday! Nice! So if I'm not in South America, then maybe it's because I need to book this pilot! Fingers are crossed!

I'm Back - and Ready to Work!

Well, I'm back from vacation. :) I had a great time seeing my family and standing in my friend's wedding. It was a nice break. I'm back in town and just playing the waiting game to see if we are going on strike. I hope we don't - but at the same time, I hope we get a good deal. So we'll see what happens.
No auditions lined up as of yet - but that's expected during the summer. Hopefully I'll get to book a movie this summer. :)

Update

Just found out today that they are having another round of callbacks for my role on Kath and Kim...and I'm not in the running anymore. :( I guess I wasn't as perfect for the role as I thought I was. Oh well... What can you do? It wasn't meant to be. Maybe the next one...

Ahhh...Vacation Time!!

I subbed a few days this week at an elementary school where I have worked pretty steadily over the past few years. A fellow teacher (Hey Aldo, this mention is for you!!) was finally introduced to my blog for the first time! And I'm sure he's been checking it for a few days, just to see if I would mention him. hehehe Maybe now, he'll become a regular! :)
Well, after subbing only two days this week, I'm ready for a vacation! I took a long weekend and headed to Palm Desert to be a bridemaid in my friend Jennifer's wedding. It was HOT, but thankfully mostly everything was indoors! I just got back home tonight and now I have to pack and head to Dallas first thing Tuesday, then to Corpus for a week.
I can't wait to see my family and friends!!! :) Hopefully I don't miss anything big while I'm gone!

Third Time's a Charm!

Ok, I went in for my THIRD audition for Kath and Kim, the new Molly Shannon and Selma Blair project today. I originally went in for the role of Heather, then again for the role of Troy, and now for Donna. Donna is one of Kim's (Selma Blair) best friends, just like the other roles, except this character was written for me!!! ;) Or at least it seems like it! She's described as cute (me), with a spark in her eye (me), and a touch of crazy (ummm...). And she has the best lines EVER!!!! Very sarcastic and funny - I love it!
I felt pretty comfortable going in for this role. I was sent straight to producers and it's a possible recurring guest star role, instead of a series regular like the previous two. I thought I did pretty awesome! They laughed in all the right places and I left the audition room really feeling that this role was mine.
Sooooo...we will have to wait and see what happens....
WISH ME GREAT VIBES!!!!

Callback!

On the "Graveyard Shift" set with Leandro Cano.

I had a callback for the play Boyle Heights. I had so much fun, mainly because I saw so many friends there! If I would've known my buddy Leandro Cano would walk in 10 minutes after me, I would've waited for him to sign in so we could be paired up together! :( Oh well...I did get the opportunity to meet fellow actor Alex Castillo. We were paired up together for a pretty dramatic scene as husband and wife. I thought we did pretty well. We'll see...

Play Audition today!

Man, I REALLY need to do a play! I'm going through withdrawls! It's been over a year that I've been in rehearsals and got the chance to perform for a live audience. So, today I went to my first play audition of this year at Casa 0101 for the play Boyle Heights. It went well, and I saw some fellow actors there! :)
Weeds aired tonight. It was a short scene. They deleted a funny bit that I did where I stole her lipstick, but oh well..all in all, it was a pretty funny episode!

WEEDS - This Monday!!

(ok, I have to give credit for the design to Richard Azurdia, since i totally stole it from his postcard! LOL) ;)

Nice Day...

Last minute audition for a Nationwide commercial today. I just had to react to a guy getting beat up by and elderly woman. Sometimes it's weird to think I have to drive all the way to Santa Monica for a 2 second audition of me just reacting! haha But then again, if I booked that commercial, that reaction would bring me in lots of money! I guess it went well...
I checked out A Chorus Line at The Ahmanson. It was really good... I sat in the second row in the orchestra, and even though it sounds like GREAT seats, I'd prefer the first row in the mezzanine. It was a little too close for my taste. But the show was good, and I love those songs! :)

Finally - Commercials!!!

I haven't had a commercial audition all year long! Can you believe that? It's so weird that my career is "backwards" in that I work so much more theatrically than commercially. Most people some to LA and go on more commercial auditions than anything else. That hasn't been the case with me.
Friday was my first commercial audition of 2008. It was for a national Mastercard commercial. It actually went ok. Quick and painless. Today was my second one for a Honda regional commercial. That one could've gone better. For some reason, my head wasn't really in it. And I kept making silly novice mistakes. I should know better. Maybe I have just been out of practice with my commercial side. I'm a little rusty. I have a workshop scheduled for this week, and I need to get my postcards designed and printed for my Weeds episode that should air in a couple of weeks. I have to double check the date on that.
And I have been surprisingly overwhelmed with the support of you Prison Break fans. Somehow a link to my blog was posted on a fansite or message board and I have been contacted by a few hard core fans! That's pretty cool! It was awesome working that show, and I'm a pretty die hard fan of the show myself, so I get the excitement! Thanks again for all the support! :)

The Best Day EVER!!!

I can't believe just how pretty these two boys are! And tall!
As soon as I see them, I can't really speak. My breath was gone. We were all in the make up and hair trailer and Michael Scofield walks in. Ok, ok, his real name is Wentworth Miller, but I know him as Michael Scofield! :) His birthday was yesterday and he was talking about how Wolfgang Puck made him a cake! wow! He sees me sitting in the chair getting ready for my make up to be done and he introduces himself and shakes my hand! So sweet! :) Then Lincoln Burrows walks in (Dominic Purcell). Wow, he has this very strong presence. And personality. He decides he needs to shave, so he takes off his shirt and proceeds to do so. And that's when I fell in love! heehee Perfection! :)
We get ready to head to set and that's where we formally meet. We chat about his experience living in Dallas for the past two seasons and how he would fly to LA EVERY WEEKEND to see his kids. Then the driver gets a call on her walkie telling her to turn around and take us back to base camp. Because of the overcast weather, they decided to shift things around and shoot a few scenes before ours. That did NOT make Dominic happy since this was the only scene he was scheduled to shoot today. And if they push it back, he would have to wait hours in his trailer before he got to work. He ended up leaving and returning to set later in the morning.
We finally headed over to the set, which is this incredibly gorgeous mansion. It happened to be right across the street from Muhammad Ali's former house. We shot Michael and Linc spying on my character with binoculars and their side of our phone call. I had to stand next to camera and give him my lines. That was the extent of all three of us working together. Then I shot my part inside the house on that phone call and leaving the house at the end of the day. And then that was it.
I was done. :(
I was scheduled to work tomorrow but since they shot everything today and yesterday, I'm done early. Which is a bummer, because I would've loved ONE more day on set! Man, it was hard to leave today. I wish I could work with these people everyday! And not just the actors...the whole crew was awesome! Two days and it felt like home!
It really doesn't get better than this. I was trying to think if there was another show that I would be this excited to work on....and the answer is NO WAY. This was it for me! I guess booking Grey's Anatomy would get me really excited too! Ok, good...something to look forward to! :)

Ms. Blanco? Right This Way...

That's how my day started today. :) And as I got out of my car while the valet took it to park it for me, I made my way to my trailer. (I wish every morning started this way!) I quickly got into costume and headed to the make up and hair trailer. I walk in and see Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) ( I was so excited but I had to contain myself and act professional. But let me tell you how surreal it was just to be so close to a character that you watch every single week! (Have I mentioned that I love this show???) Then I see Sucre (SO cute!) and I meet Bellick (SO nice!)
I did my scene with Sarah, which was AWESOME! I felt like I crawled inside my tv set! Then in the afternoon I had my scene with Mahone and Bellick! It really doesn't get any better than this! Both guys were awesome to work with and so friendly! The scene consisted of Bellick snatching my purse from me while I wait at a bus stop and Mahone "chasing him down" even though he's in on the whole thing. We did a few takes and I ended up with a few bruises. But they were from Bellick, so I didn't mind sporting battle wounds from the scene! I wore them proudly! haha
My day ended and I was on cloud nine! Today was really awesome. Tomorrow I see that my day starts off with me working with both Michael and Lincoln Scofield!!!! I can't wait!!!!

BOOKED!

YAY!!! I am SOOOOOO excited!
Just got the official word that I booked a role on Prison Break!! What an awesome belated birthday gift to me!!! :) I work three days next week!! You have no idea how much I love this show!!! I'm going to be the biggest dork on set when I see these characters and get to work alongside them! Plus, I have a HUGE crush on Wentworth Miller! ;)
I'm taking TONS of pictures!! :)

Happy Birthday To ME! :)

Today is my birthday! :) Another year older, another year wiser, right? haha I hope so!
Today was a nice day. I hit the gym for 2 hours this morning, pampered myself with a spa manicue and pedicure and had dinner with a freind of mine. We had some really good sushi, PLUS I got to see Joaquin Phoenix there! I LOVE HIM!! He looks a lot different in person. He's kinda short, and has long messy hair with a beard. (Hopefully that's for a part!)
I still haven't heard anything about Prison Break. It doesn't start shooting until next week, so hopefully I will get that phone call today. Or sometime this week. I hate waiting...I should forget about it like all the other ones.

On Avail?

My manager called to tell me I'm their "first choice" for Prison Break. They just needed to know my availability for June 2nd thru the 11th. "First choice? So, does that mean a booking?", I ask. Well, aparently they have to check the storyboard and my availability and then they would be ready to book. Well, I'M AVAILABLE!! Let's do this! :) I thought I would hear back from my manager before the end of Friday with an "official booking" - but I didn't. So I'm waiting to get excited about it until I hear back, which hopefully will be tomorrow when offices re-open from the long holiday weekend.
You don't understand... I LOVE this show! I would do background work on this show just to be around it all! So playing a housekeeper does not bother me one bit! Plus, it helps that she's pretty major to the episode's storyline! :)
Hopefully tomorrow I can post a "BOOKED" entry...

Yesterday Went Well...

Well, yesterday's audition went really well. I was so nervous about this one! That usually happens on shows I REALLY want to be on, like it did with ER! :) I walked into the audition waiting room and I was surrounded by photos of the cast! :) Even huge framed TV Guide covers! Nice!
I went in and did my 4 scenes and I felt really good about them. The casting director walked me to the door and whispered to me "Great job" - That's always good! :)
So I haven't heard anything as of yet. We'll just have to wait and see...

FOUR MORE DAYS UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY THOUGH!!!! :)
I sound like an excited 5 year old! haha I'm getting older, but I don't feel old! :) And I can't complain about having another birthday....think about what the alternative would be! :-O

Never Say Never...

I know that it wasn't too long ago that I said I would NEVER do another maid role again. Well, I remember telling my agents and managers to only call me on a maid role if it's the lead on a new pilot or movie, or the role is important to the overall storyline. I didn't want to just walk into the room and find another dead body, or answer the door with an accent and that was it.
Today, my manager calls me with a straight to producer's audition for a "housekeeper" role on Prison Break! I LOVE this show! Like the kind of love you could call obsession! haha So, this is one of those exceptions! I would LOVE to be on this show in any way, shape, or form! So I'm very excited! It's 4 scenes and it's pretty important to the overall storyline of the episode. This is the description: Intelligent, pleasant, she is unaware that she is a pawn in the plans of Michael and his crew to retrieve some information from her boss without anyone knowing it. Nice... :) Have I mentioned how much I love "Michael" - played by Wentworth Miller???
This is one maid role I really want to book! :)

Today's Producer's Session

The audition for Cold Case went really well. While I was waiting to go into the room, I was pleased to be among some good company there for other roles. I recognized Liz Torres, who was going in for the role of a teacher. She saw a couple of other actresses she knew. One of them, Ivonne Coll, who I recognized as a teacher on Lean On Me!! She played Mrs. Santos. That was really cool! They all seemed really nice, and such close friends. Then, moments later, Lupe Ontiveros walks in!! Wow! She has been working steadily for a very long time and I have always admired her! It really makes me feel good to be around these veteran Latina actresses who continue to work. Gives me hope for the future!
One actor, Celestin Cornielle, was there for his audition. He went in and did his thing, and afterwards, as he walked out, they went running after him to bring him back in. Obviously they saw something they liked. He was this good looking ;) actor that was auditioning for a very bad-boy role, complete with tattoos and a white "wife beater". He also had a very good headshot. Damn, I'm sorry I never asked him who the photographer was. We even sat there talking about it for a while.
So then it was my turn. I walked into the small room, that happened to be filled with at least 6 or 7 people, mostly producers with the writer and director. I read with Michael Testa, and it seemed to go well. They really liked my final line. The room erupted in laughter after it - so that's always good. (Unless it's a dramatic scene - then it's not so good. But luckily, this was lighter!) So we'll see. I'm not sure if I physically match what the role would call for - but I did the best I could in the audition. And that's all I could hope for!

Going to Producers Tomorrow!!

Just found out I have a callback for that Cold Case audition I went to on Friday. Nice! :) Another booking would be nice right now!

Last Minute Audition!

Doesn't happen often, but when it does, it REALLY is LAST MINUTE!
So I went to the gym today for two hours and left my cell phone in my car. I usually hate having it on me when I'm working out. Now I know why I should always carry it with me. By the time I left the gym, I had a couple of messages from my agent and manager about a last minute audition for Cold Case today! (Nice! I guess that workshop on Wednesday DID generate an audition for me!) I looked at my watch and saw that I had TWO hours to get home, shower, get dressed, work on the sides, and make it to Warner Brothers. Actually, make that less than two hours. And the role was a guest star role! That's not a lot of time to prepare an awesome audition. Then I notice that the role was WAY too old for me! I didn't question it too much because I figured maybe they changed the role since they released the breakdown. I worked on it as much as I could, mainly on the drive there, and I actually felt pretty ready. I walked into the room and the first thing out of Dan's mouth before I could even take a seat was "You're way too young for this role!"
But he gave me a different role to look at which was way more appropriate for me. Another Guest star role - nice... I looked it over and did my best and he seemed to like what I did...so hopefully I hear back about a producer's session soon. Keep your fingers crossed...

More Workshops

This week has been pretty dead, but thankfully I'm staying busy with workshops. :) I had one last night with Dan Shaner of Shaner/Testa Casting, who casts Cold Case. I have been into this office before, but I haven't booked yet. So I wanted to make sure he remembered me. He gave me a scene where I played a forensic detective. Nice... :) It went well. I got to play a very dry and bitchy character. It was fun!
Tonight's workshop was with Christine Babayans of Perry/Reece Casting. They cast a lot of films so this is a big office to get into. Thankfully, I had another good scene where I got to stretch some dramatic muscle. It went well.
Hopefully these two workshops this week will generate auditions for me in the near future...

Nope. Nuthin...

See how that works? One day, super busy...running around from one audition to another, and then it's back to being dead for me! I haven't heard anything back from any of those auditions :( so it's safe to say those jobs aren't mine. But that's ok.
One of the most important lessons I have learned from being in this industry and living in LA for the past 7 years is...staying positive is essential. This career is filled with disappointment at every turn, but I have also learned to not focus on that so much, and to focus on the positive aspects of it instead. It's easy to be disappointed. Discouraged. Ready to throw in the towel and give up. The challenge is to endure all of that and still stay in the game with a positive attitude. Ready to take on the next thing that comes your way.
I can't tell you how much I have learned from The Secret. The law of attraction. It really does work. And that's why I try and stay away from negative feelings and energy, because I would just draw more of that into my life.
And I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach, that whatever happens with these auditions, and my future ones, the best has yet to come. I just feel like things are only going to get better. :) Watch.

Ahhh...I Can Get Used to Days Like These...

I had a pretty darn good day today! :)
I arrived at my first audition (How I Met Your Mother) just a few minutes early, but they hadn't started the session yet. They were running about 10-15 minutes late, which made me a bit nervous since I had to be at my second audition by 10:45am in Santa Monica! But luckily, once they started, they went pretty fast and I was in and out of there quickly. The audition went well - quick and painless.
I made it to my second one (Raising the Bar) 5 minutes early. It is always so nice to see the casting director: Scott Genkinger!! He is so sweet! :) I noticed that the director on this episode was the same director I had worked with on The Practice: Jeannot Szwarc, so I highlighted his name on my resume before the audition. The first thing the director did was turn my resume over and notice his name! He said "Oh, you and I worked together on The Practice!" and I smiled and said "Yes we did!" and of course there was a little discussion about how great that show was! Then I did the scene, which was pretty simple and straight-forward, and I left...feeling pretty good about it.
Then I headed off to my third audition of the day (Without a Trace). I got there early so I had time to go over my script in the car for a bit. It's hard enough to find the time to prepare for an audition when you get it the night before - but even harder when you get THREE the night before. I never feel like I do any of them justice when I have to split my time like that. So this extra time before my audition is priceless! I went in there and nailed it! Before I even made it home, my agent called me with a callback today at 4:15pm.
So I just got back from my producer's session for Without a Trace and I felt really good about it. We'll see what happens...

My demo reel

A Busy Day Tomorrow!

Thank God! I love busy days!! :)
I have THREE auditions tomorrow!! YAY!!! The first one is for How I Met Your Mother, the second one is for Raising the Bar (a new show on TNT), and the third is for Without a Trace. I'm playing two nurses and a courtroom forewoman.
Three in one day! I HAVE to book at least one of them, right?? If not all three?? ;) Fingers are crossing....

Lady's a Charm

My calltime was pushed back until 7:30am instead of 6:30 - so I got the extra hour of sleep. :) We ended up shooting at RenMar Studios instead of in Long Beach so I was spared that long drive down there! Nice! I got there, did my thing and I was wrapped by 10 am, so it was a quick shoot!
I met Mary-Louis Parker who was SO very sweet. I had a hard time keeping a straight face during our scene because her reactions were so funny! And I met Craig Zisk, who happens to be the brother to Randy Zisk, my director on The Virgin of Akron Ohio. I have to say that these two guys are probably the nicest, most genuine guys I have met in this town!
The day went by fast, but it was an awesome experience. Everyone was so nice, and it was a treat seeing my buddy Alejandro Patino, who was also working on this episode. I forgot to find out when this airs but the episode is titled "Lady's a Charm".

Getting Some Weed

Me, in my very flattering (HA!) border patrol uniform on the set of Weeds! And the border "recreated".

I shot Weeds yesterday. Well, actually, I went to the set, got all dressed up in my wardrobe and waited to shoot Weeds today. After 8 hours of being ready to work, they wrapped us without even shooting our scene! Then they tell me that they have to reschedule the scene for Thursday morning.
The bad news is, I had bought a plane ticket to go to Austin for a long weekend to hang out with some friends. I was scheduled to leave this morning. I had to change my flight and pay the difference of flying out on Friday morning instead. The GREAT news is, I am working another day - PLUS another day for holding me today. I just tripled my paycheck! Nice! I definately don't mind the extra money I had to spend on changing that plane ticket now! :)
Tomorrow's calltime is 6:30am, and my scene is the first one scheduled to shoot for the day, so I'll probably be wrapped early. :)

Wardrobe Fitting

I tried on my border patrol uniform for Weeds today. That's all I have to say about that! haha
It was green. It fit. It wasn't very flattering.
But I don't care! I'm shooting on Tuesday with Mary Louise Parker!!! This show is so funny! If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!

Staged Reading

Today was a crazy hectic day. This whole week has been!
My day started off with a visit to the editor who is reorganizing my reel. I had realized I didn't have my Curb Your Enthusiasm episode on me, so I headed off to Target to buy season 5 on DVD so she can finish the reel. Can you believe they discontinued it at Target??? So I head over to Best Buy and they were out (I guess that's good news for my residuals!). Then I found it at Borders and took it straight back to her office. Well, of course, it was encoded so you couldn't dub it from the dvd. I bought it for nothing! The coloring would be so off if you tried to record it onto another source. So I ended up going home and searching my old VHSs and found my original recording of it. YAY!
But I was running late for my reading in the OC so I couldn't take her the VHS just yet. I showed up at Chapman University around 3pm and we rehearsed it for a bit and did our reading around 4:30pm. It went very well. The script was from a hypertext narrative called Show of Hands.
After the reading, I had to hit the road to make it to my workshop by 7pm. Luckily I made it in just the nick of time! My workshop was with Tara Treacy from Valko/Miller Casting. They cast 2 1/2 Men, , and some other shows and pilots.Big Bang Theory. The workshop was short and sweet and I was home by 9pm.
Tomorrow I have to drop off that VHS to the editor and I have a wardrobe fitting for Weeds. :)

BOOKED!

Three o'clock rolls around and I feel like I must have lost the part since I hadn't heard anything so far. Then, my phone rings. It's my agent Marsha and she tells me that they want me for Weeds!!! YAY!!!! I'm very excited because my resume could use another Guest Star credit - PLUS, I've been DYING to get back on set again! Things can't get any better!!! :)
I work on Tuesday of next week and I should be going in for a wardrobe fitting sometime at the end of this week, or the latest on Monday.
Right after hearing that news, I went in for another audition. Marlo, who I just did a workshop with on Thursday of last week, called me in for a small role on Ghost Whisperer. The awesome thing about that role was it was non-descript. The character could've been Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American, Asian...anything! And I was just happy that she thought of me to throw into the mix! I went in and did my thing and out I left. Felt pretty ok about it. It happened so fast I couldn't really tell.
Then I headed over to ACG for another workshop. Tonight I met with Will Stewart of Lowy/Brace Casting. I've been wanting to meet him for a while now, since I just LOVE Grey's Anatomy!!! I had a pretty dramatic scene that I felt really good about, so hopefullty that will generate an audition for that office really soon!
Time to mail the thank you card to help him remember me! And to get those booking postcards out too!

Today was Exhausting!

ok, so it went down like this...
I got to my Weeds audition, feeling pretty good about it. I felt like this was a no-brainer for me, pretty easy stuff. I saw SO many friends there for other parts, it was crazy! I mean, it felt like a family BBQ with all the Latinos hugging and chatting each other up. I played catch up with a lot of them. :)
Then I was brought in first out of a group of 7 other girls. I went in and did my thing, feeling really good about the whole audition. They all seemed to laugh at all the right parts. They said thank you, I said thank you, and I was out the door. Then Kari, Dava's associate, came running out after me and asked me to come back in and do it again. Nice! :) They gave me an adjustment and I did the scene again. I was kind of disappointed in myself because I didn't feel as if I did the adjustment like they wanted. They wanted that first line, very matter of fact and dry like the rest of the scene. I felt like I almost did it exactly like the first time. Not a good thing! I want them to know I can take direction - WELL!
But, I did it and out the door I left. Kinda kicking myself. :( Oh well...I have to believe that even though it wasn't "as perfect" as I thought I could've been in that second scene, I still was good enough to book it. I have to believe that.
Right after that audition, I headed over to that rehearsal for the staged reading. It went really well. Considering it was the very first time I even received my script, it sounded pretty good outloud.
There's a cast of 4 actors in this, and we do the reading Thursday afternoon.

YAY! Another One!

I have a straight to producers audition tomorrow afternoon for the show WEEDS!! YAY!!! I'm so excited! I love auditions. I love booking. I love working! haha
I have a busy week this week. I have a workshop tonight, a rehearsal for a staged reading on Tuesday (after the audition), another workshop Wednesday and Thursday night, and the actual reading Thursday afternoon. And sometime during this busy week, I am going to update my reel.
It's not always like this - but I like it when it is! :)

Audition Today - Finally!!

I love getting auditions! Man, for some reason it seems like it has slowed down so much for me that any little audition I get, I'm so excited!!! It's a shot at a job! YAY!! Well, today wasn't "any little audition". I went in for Desperate Housewives today, again. :) As I walked in, Scott asked me if I had done the show already, because he thought I did. I told him no, I have just been pinned a thousand times. Haven't booked YET. I went in for the role of Jane, a medical records clerk that the character Susan, played by Terri Hatcher, comes to talk to. After I had my audition for that role, the director and producer (both women - YAY! Girl power!!!) asked if I could read for another role, Griselda. That role was more charactery and the scene was funnier. :) I looked it over and went in and read that scene. It went well, and then I left. Good day...
We'll see what happens now. I think I'm due for a Desperate Housewives booking already!!!
Tomorrow I have two back to back workshops! Should be a busy day. Just trying to generate more auditions...

Another Workshop

My new two-sided postcards!!!




Had another workshop today with Bridgette Glover-White of Mackey/Sandrich Casting. She was a very sweet girl. :) She gave me a very comedic sitcom scene which I did very well (if I do say so myself! haha) She primarily works on features, so hopefully this will give me an "in" into their office. I felt pretty good about it.
I ordered new two-sided color postcards and new color business cards which I pick up on Friday. YAY!!
I also have a rehearsal for the staged reading next Tuesday.
I would love to do a play again soon...
I just want to WORK!!!

Workshop Time

ok, since it has been dead for me in the audition department :( I have tried to stay busy with workshops. Today I had one with Jeremy Gordon of Liz Marx Casting. It was a funny scene where I had to play a lesbian at Home Depot, "out-manning" a man in line.
I also signed on to do a staged reading at Chapman University in the OC in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to that. :)

Back to Being Dead...

Well, needless to say, I haven't heard anything about those auditions last week...which probably means, I didn't get them. Oh well. At least I can be proud of the work I did in those rooms. :)
It's been pretty dead this week. That's the thing about having a busy day - you really want every day to be like that. So, when a day is DEAD, you miss the busier times. :(
I took a workshop last night at Actors Co-Op Group with Natasha Ward from Digman/Massalas Casting. They are doing a film starring Beyonce and they had a breakdown for a tough Latina cop character which I wanted to be considered for. I had a good scene that I rocked and Natasha seemed very pleased with it. One of the biggest compliments I received last night was that I reminded her of Elizabeth Pena. That was pretty awesome since I love love love her! :)
I ordered new postcards and business cards - trying to be productive today...

Days Like These...

Well, what can I say about yesterday? It was awesome!!! :) I can get used to days like these...
My first audition of the day was for Little Britain and it went very well. The guy who was the reader in the room actually noticed on my resume that I was in Curb Your Enthusiasm. I guess that sparked his memory, because he asked if I played Maria, Larry's housekeeper. The casting associate asked what episode and the reader proceeded to explain my whole episode and said it was his favorite. That was very flattering. Then I did my audition, and had a great read. She gave me an adjustment, which I did pretty well, and that was it. I left feeling very good about that audition. :)
Then I was off to audition for Lost. I was there early so I worked on my sides some more in my car. When I walked into the audition room, the casting associate said she thought she had cast me in Lost already and was looking on my resume and couldn't find the credit. I told her that I was "pinned" before, but hadn't booked Lost - YET. :) I had a good first read and she gave me an adjustment, and I did that pretty well. Then I was off to my next one.
I stopped by my manager's office to pick up a check and chatted a little about my auditions and about the BIG one that was next. The series regular for Kath and Kim. I headed off to Universal Studios about a half hour earlier than my audition time. Good thing I did, because when I got there, I couldn't get on the lot. Apparently they moved and I was given the wrong location for the audition. I called my manager and she gave me the new address which was on Sunset in Hollywood. I had 25 minutes to get there now. I was nervous that I would be late, but she put in a call for me to let them know the situation.
I got there fast. 10 minutes early for my audition time and I only saw two other girls that were reading for my same character. Neither one was my type. I went in and did a preread with Collin (Daniel)and Bret (Greenstein). I felt really good about it. He asked for only half the scene when I walked in, which was fine. That first half was the part I was most comfortable with anyway. My energy was high and I hit all my jokes and beats, so all in all it was a good audition. They laughed at my funny moments, but afterwards they were hard to read. They didn't give any adjustments. They thanked me for coming in and that was it. Not quite sure how they felt about it at the end. I felt good about it. I think my audition was good enough to get me the callback, but we'll see.
By the time I got home, I had a tension headache from all the excitement and stress from the day. I was exhausted!
I rested for a bit and headed off to see a friend of mine (Fanny Veliz) in a play: Real Women Have Curves - The Musical. It was nice to be surprised with other friends of mine in the cast. Tina D'marco who played my mom in the same production 2 years ago in Santa Barbara, reprised her role. And my friend Danny Bolero, who I worked on the short film Graveyard Shift, was also in this show. It was great to see them all in this workshop production of the new musical. :)

Music to My Ears!!!

Man, I am SO incredibly happy right now!! First I got the call last night that I have an audition on Thursday (tomorrow) for a recurring role on HBO's new series Little Britain. I was so happy just to get an audition right now! I cancelled my subbing for tomorrow and was excited to see what the role was. I read the sides and I was thrilled to see it was a role I could be PERFECT for! Seriously! :)
THEN, today, I get a call from my manager letting me know they emailed me information for ANOTHER audition I have for tomorrow! And before I could celebrate and be excited that I have TWO auditions in one day - they call back within 2 minutes to say I have yet, ANOTHER audition for tomorrow. That makes THREE auditions - all in one day!! Man, I love it! And the best part is, they are all GREAT roles! HUGE auditions for me.
The first one of the day is Little Britain, which is that recurring role. Then my second audition of the day is for a SERIES REGULAR for a new pilot starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair called Kath and Kim. And I have to say I'm pretty damn perfect for this one too!! And last but not least is a nice sized co-star role of a nurse on LOST which shoots in Hawaii!!!!!! And I've played a nurse before, so I'm perfect again! haha :) It's a win-win-win situation!
My manager teased me about how I threw it out into the universe that I really wanted auditions and now they came swarming in. So now, I just have to put it out into the universe that I want to book them all! I hate to sound selfish - but hell - why not? I want them all! I mean, even if I book just one, it would be great - but I'm shooting for the trifecta!
Wish me broken legs tomorrow! I'm going to LOVE running around from audition to audition all day! That's how my life should be always! Nah, I take that back. My life should be me running off to the set everyday - because I'm working steadily! Yeah, that's what it should be like!
(sigh) - I'm on top of the world right now. :)

So...

I wish I could write that I was busy working on set all day, but no. I did not get the job. No biggie. Honestly, I was just really happy to get the audition in the first place! It had been way too long. Felt good to be back in the game...
Tomorrow: Disneyland! Just what I need to keep the good vibes flowing! :)

It Went Well...

It went well. I got there really early...I guess I was too excited that I had an audition in the first place! haha I noticed there were a lot of different types there, so it was evident that they weren't specific on what they were looking for. It could be "anyone's game".
I went in there, did my thing, felt good and relaxed. That's all I could hope for. It's 6pm now, and I haven't heard from them yet, and it works tomorrow. oh well. I'm just hoping my other drops yesterday generate more auditions!
I showed my neice all over this town for the past 2 days and I am tired of driving already! Damn this town is big! I forget since I'm so used to driving around all the time! We may take the day off tomorrow and just hang out at home and chill. Need a break from all the running around. :)

First Theatrical Audition of the Year!!!!!!

YAY!!!! I'm SO SO SO happy!
Today I decided to be proactive and get in my car and drive around town dropping off my headshot and resume at different offices that were casting roles for me right now. I ended up dropping 8 photos for roles I can definately BOOK! :) Well, a couple of hours after I left one office, I received an email setting up an audition for tomorrow. It shoots on Wednesday. It's a pilot directed by Zach Braff, and the role if a funny, dry one. I would love to book this! Wish me luck! :)

Still Waiting for an Audition

Wow, I'm really trying to stay positive, even though today is March 15th and I've had one commercial audition all year - and nothing else! :( I was thinking back to last year and by this time, I had shot a Guest star role on The Virgin of Akron pilot in Vancouver. Two weeks of work in Canada! Wow, I was on top of the world! Well, like I always say, this career definately has it's ups and downs. And since I feel like I'm in the downward swing - there's nowhere to go but UP - right?
I did see a few projects that I'd like to submit myself for, regardless if my manager and agent have already threw my hat in the ring for them. On Monday I plan to hit the pavement and drop off at those offices, praying to generate an audition or something!
My neice is coming into town today for her Spring Break, so it will be nice to have family around for Easter. :)
The upside to all this "free time" I've been having lately (due to no auditions or work), I have been hitting the gym pretty hard. :) Lost 4 pounds last week. Cool!

Reaching Goals

When I first started dreaming of becoming an actress, my "ultimate" goal was to be able to say that my profession was an "actor". That I could make a living doing, what seemed to be, the impossible. I used to dream of writing in the word "Actress" under "occupation" on any paperwork that I would fill out. That was my measure of success. That's the point where I can say I have made my dream come true.
Well, I have been here for 7 years and the first couple of years were definately a struggle. I made barely any money as an actress, if any at all! Then, things started to change and I began to work more as an actress and less as a substitute teacher. And every year the scales would tip even further in favor of the acting.
This year, as I prepare my taxes, I realize that for the past couple of years, I have made a decent living as an ACTRESS. Yes, I still substitute teach, but it's more of a part time job for extra money now.
So I just had to smile to myself at the realization of finally reaching that important goal - that "unattainable" dream.
It feels good to know that I made it happen. :)

I heard a great quote today:
"Brick walls are there to prove to ourselves how much we want it."

So true.

Trying to Keep Busy

Man, it can't get anymore DEAD for me! ZERO auditions! :(
Sooooo, I decided to be proactive and do some drops yesterday. Me and a friend put in a good 4 hours of dropping off headshots at various casting director offices. Funny thing happened, we happened to be driving by a commercial casting office and decided to stop and drop a pic since we were in the neighborhood. Well, we were turning the corner to the back of the building where the entrance is and we heard someone go inside, just as we got into their cloud of marijuana smoke. We tried to enter the building to drop our pictures off and the door was locked. Guess they didn't want us to find out who that cloud of smoke belonged to! haha Needless to say, we ended up leaving - along with our pictures. Oh well.
Seems like friends left and right are going into auditions - sometimes three in one day - and it's as if I left town or something - no one is calling. :(
Hopefully things will pick up. Soon. I need a job! :)

Believe in Yourself

I have learned so much about people and the way they go after the things they want in life, while living here in LA, pursuing my career.
I have learned that there are people who know what to do to make things happen and are just too lazy to make it happen - and there are people who don't have a clue, but are eager and hungry for that knowledge. I think the latter are the ones that will actually succeed. To me, it's a math problem.... 1 + 1 = 2. 0 + 0 does not equal anything at all - meaning you can't expect to get something for nothing, zero effort will give you zero results.
I also have learned that I can tell someone exactly what they should do to make their career move forward, but it's up to them to be in the driver's seat. I can't do it for them.
I really do try and stay positive and have faith that things will all work out in my career, and I highly recommend that attitude for everyone out there, in everything that you do.
I had someone ask me, who happens to have a negative attitude about herself and career (we're working on that), if I felt that the majority of actors in this town thought like me, or like her. My response was "I think the actors that work, think like me, and the actors that don't work, think like you." Because I honestly don't believe you can get far with a negative attitude. There is no way you can walk into every audition with "I can't do this" on your mind and walk out of there with a booking.
Belief in yourself goes a long way.

Not Much is Happening

Well, needless to say, I did not get the commercial. Damn.
I've been waiting to get flooded with auditions now that the writer's strike is over (WHOOOHOOOO!!!!!) - but my phone has not rang once. Damn again.
Hmmm...maybe I'll make some postcards, or take some workshops. I gotta do something so I'm not just sitting around.

On Avail