Rats of Hameln

So it's been ages since my last post and I feel so terrible since this is usually the way I start my posts. lol. But once I am a little behind, then I fall a little more behind and then it's just daunting because there are SO many things that I have to write about. If I could just stay on top of it, then I wouldn't have to play catch up! lol. So I've decided to try and write about each individual project or event instead of trying to cram it all into one long post.

So this post is about my most recent project - a short film titled The Rats of Hameln. (Pronounced Ham-lyn). I am told it was inspired by the Pied Piper tale and there are a lot of allusions to it. The director/writer, Elvis Chirinos, worked on Boiling Pot with me and is actually the person responsible for bringing me onto that project! He wrote the short with me in mind, but I still had to audition for it. It was a casual audition - outside of a Jamba Juice near my apartment. He filmed it on his phone, but it died and I ended up having him film it on mine and then sent the video to him. It's the first audition of mine that I've ever been able to watch afterwards. lol. After reading the script though, I wondered what that meant he thought of me, cause the character is kind of evil. lmao.

Well, I got the part (just in case you didn't see that coming even though I'm writing an entire post about the shoot haha).

The shoot took place over two days - a couple of weeks apart. Then a third day - only about an hour and a half - was needed to re-record some audio.

I don't want to give anything away - because there's a few twists in the film - but basically, I play a villainess (though of course, I think I'm in the right). Val (my character)'s boyfriend is conflicted about the life they live and that leads to a few surprises. There's a German scientist, love, guns, and blood! I even speak a little bit of German in it. Okay, okay, it's only one word, but still! It was my idea to have Val say something in German. :P

One of the things I really liked about it was the little details that Elvis really thought about. For example: My character always had something with lace on, and something red on. My wardrobe was entirely black, white and grey with small pops of red. Like a red bow in my hair or red garter.

Even though it was only a short, it was one of the best projects I've worked on! :)

The first day on set, we were in one of the crew members' homes. I had to drop my husband off on base that morning because he was leaving for month-long training. So I didn't arrive on set until 10:00am ish. I can't really remember for sure - but I know after dropping Ethan off, I went home to take a nap because I woke up around 3:00am to drop him off. lol. I was on set until about 7:00pm I believe. So that was a fairly short day. At least in comparison to the average day in this industry, which is about 10 hours.

Day one of the shoot.
I had red lips for most of the shoot as well.
I loved my costume and even got to keep some of it! yay! 

This scene was for a flashback so they made me look a little bit younger with a braid and a "fresh" face. 

Loved the fat braid and the glittery bow! :)

Second day of the shoot was at UC Riverside in the Paleontology lab. I arrived at 9:00am and didn't leave until after 1:00am. It was a 16 hour shoot! Almost double the time we anticipated it would be. But that's the entertainment industry for you! Shoots almost always go over (not always over by 7+ hours, but they almost never take the time you think they will).

Most of the crew for this project also worked on Boiling Pot, so it was fun to work with people you already kind of knew. Although, I didn't really know any of them. Since on BP, I was mostly background and tried to remain professional and not step out of line and try and talk to any of them too much. But I recognized all of them. lol. The actor portraying my boyfriend, Ken Shiode, was in Boiling Pot as well (in a larger capacity than I was). The makeup artist, Brittany Durlach, who has become a friend, did makeup and hair for BP as well (for Danielle Fishel). The shoot took place about an hour from my apartment, so it was funny to find out that she lives right down the road from me! She works at Jeffrey Michaels Salon - which is fabulous as well. After the shoot I had her cut and highlight my hair since it had grown out a little since getting my head shots (cheaper than getting new head shots, that's for sure!)

Fossils at UC Riverside!

Day two of the shoot, I wore a creepy mask!!

I even beat up one of the scientists! Jenavee Shay also worked on Boiling Pot as background with me!

My favorite makeup artist EVER, Brittany Durlach, (also from Boiling Pot), works on the mask. 

Some fake blood got in my hair, and since I had an hour long drive before I could get home to shower, I had it in a bun. Upon taking it out of the bun, it didn't move. :P

Well a week or so after the second day of filming, I had to go back to UCR to record some audio. Since I had a mask on, some of the audio didn't come out right, plus, there was a loud fan constantly running in the lab which made it harder to hear. We used the boom mic about halfway through that shoot but all the audio before we began using it, I had to redo. It was made easier by the fact that I didn't have to match my lip movements since I was wearing a mask. Lol. I did have to match the sound of my walk though! But that didn't take too long, and I even got to see a little bit of the film while it was still in production, which was a first!

Well, I can't wait to see the final cut!! And don't worry, I'll definitely be posting it once it's up!
Thanks for reading!

Batgirl Audition

So at the end of last week, I had an audition for the character of Barbara Gordon for a tv pilot. I was SO excited when I heard about the audition - I did as much research as possible (as recommended by the director) and checked out The Dark Knight Returns from the library - that is the comic that the world of the pilot is based on, even though the character Barbara Gordon is not in that comic. So after reading that, I also checked out Batgirl: Year One and Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds.

I rehearsed the sides they gave me over and over and even filmed it a couple of times so I could watch myself and try and see what needed work. Then the day of, I drove to Colton - almost to San Bernadino - and had my audition. I was the last one to audition for the role, which could be good and bad. Good because I'll be the easiest one for them to remember, bad because they could've been tired or already seen another actress that wowed them and they'd already decided on her. Well after waiting in front, I was brought to the back where practically 20 people were sitting to watch the audition. I read the scene with who I'm assuming is a crew member, it was obvious he wasn't an actor. After we finished, another crew member (director or casting director possibly?) asked someone off to the side of the group if they wanted to "give it a go" and then a man came up to me and he was introduced to me as the lead actor playing Richard Grayson (Nightwing, the original Robin) and then we did the scene together. They had also given me a cold read for another character (Helena Bertinelli/Huntress) and I read that with Grayson as well. They thanked me and I left. I was told that they would probably make their decision by the end of the next week... so if I don't hear anything by Sunday I guess I didn't get it. But I'm not banking on getting it - I never do - cause then you're just set up to be more disappointed. I always anticipate rejection so that if I do book a role, I'm pleasantly surprised. :) 

I wore green, hoping that that might subconsciously make them more likely to pick me, or consciously if they noticed. Because the character Barbara Gordon is drawn in green A LOT!

A lot of my Facebook fans were excited for me - my inner nerd was geeking out too. :P So, just crossing my fingers but, again... just expecting rejection. But I would so love to play Babs. After reading the comics and the research online... I love the character and think I'd be a great fit for it!!

Shoots, Agent Meeting, Charity Event

Alright, so it's been far too long since my last post (I really do seem to start every post this way). But, not much has happened. It's the holiday season so I've been busy.
But, I got a new job as a (part-time) Nanny for a wonderful family and their neighbors want to hire me as well for the days I'm not already Nanny-ing.

My manager got me another meeting with an agent, this time Allensworth Entertainment - it is next Wednesday. He told me that my meeting with Spectrum Talent went well but they aren't signing new talent now. (Not sure if that's a nice little lie or not but oh well). One of my manager's other clients had a meeting with Spectrum the same day as me and is now signed with Allensworth. So, hopefully, my meeting will also go well. I don't feel great about my demo reel - the quality of my taped monologues is not great, but it's all I had to work with. =( But I am very critical of myself and so my demo reel will never be perfect - and the same goes for my headshots and resume.

Speaking of headshots, the agent at Spectrum that I met with said mine are not LA quality, and I was going to get new ones eventually anyway (hopefully sooner rather than later). And I know which photographer I want, but it's like $425 for a shoot with her (Deidhra Fahey) - on sale now for $300. BUT she's amazing, and has done headshots for some Disney stars and a couple other big-name actors (when they were at the start of their careers) such as Megan Fox, Jennifer Lawrence, Mila Kunis, Britt Robertson (The Secret Circle), Mitchel Musso (Hannah Montana), the T-Mobile girl (Carly Foulkes), Mackenzie Foy (Renesmee in Breaking Dawn) etc.

I had a photographer on Model Mayhem contact me and ask if I would be interested in doing a headshot shoot. Not as good as Deidhra Fahey (who is?) but it would be free, help build my portfolio, and would at least tide me over til I can afford new ones.
I was also contacted by a designer of a Bridal accessories line (Petal and Thorn) asking for me to model some of their new products - and I'd be getting paid. YAY!
Thirdly, I was contacted by a photographer who wants to do a "Red" themed beauty/glamour shoot, whatever that means. Unpaid, but it would definitely be something different to add to my portfolio.

I need to start studying with a local acting studio soon. Grr. Man acting is expensive! :( Well, there are a few local studios, and I think I know which one I want, but I'm so afraid that I'll waste my money cause it won't be a "good enough" studio for the LA industry. I really do think too much and worry too much.
Regardless though, I need to get with a studio soon, and I really don't want to drive to LA once or twice a week for classes and then throw on driving to auditions (hopefully) and meetings. I wouldn't mind driving for auditions, I didn't mind driving 2 hours to auditions when I was in VA, but after driving 2 hours for acting lessons once a week (while in VA), I don't want to do that again. I know I shouldn't mind driving that far for lessons cause it's helping my career, and I do enjoy lessons/classes, but I really don't like driving, and if I have the option/opportunity to take classes closer to home...

Oh, and my manager sent me a link/invitation to this Red-Carpet toy drive for LA Children's Hospital at this club in LA next week. Kiss My Ass (Kiss cover band) is playing. It sounds fun, and I'd love to do a red carpet type of event and see what that's like (even though I'm a nobody, I can still pretend lol), but it doesn't start til 7:00 and I have to work the next morning and have that meeting with the agent the next day. Plus, since my husband has to work the next day, I'd have to go by myself and I never like going to social events/parties alone. It's not like a ton of celebrities would be there either - I think last year they had the stars of Storage Wars come but actors like Angelina Jolie and Robert Downey Jr will most likely not be there. That wouldn't be the reason I would go though, but it would make it a little more exciting.

Well, I have a "surprise" shoot today that I need to start getting ready for. "Surprise" as in, for my husband. Nothing racy or anything! Just some cute Christmas-type photos with a photographer I've worked with before (Brianna Noelle Photography). Plus, Tinisha Portillo is supposed to be there as well, and I have yet to meet her in person. Lol.

Thanks for reading!

Erica Arvold casting audition, computer crash...

It's been a while since my last post, and to all my dedicated readers (all two of you? Hi mom and dad! Lol) I am sorry! Since my last post, my computer crashed and it is currently at the Mac store having all of the data pulled off of the hard drive (I pick it up tomorrow!) and I ordered a new computer and it isn't going to be delivered until Thursday. I'm just praying that all of my data was successfully saved!

Anyways, last week I had a fashion show for Usanii House in Maryland. Specifically, it was a runway show for jewelry and accessories designed by Usanii House. It was different, not on a real "runway" as expected, but we walked through what was essentially a bar during happy hour. It was still fun and good experience, but I hesitate to call it my first "runway" show. The other models were all very nice and there was a large mix of personalities and ages and levels of experience. One model was from Ukraine and was the same age as me and was also married. She had the most typical "runway model" look. Tall, super thin, amazing cheekbones, and long sleek blonde hair. Lol. But she was very nice.

The following day, I had an audition with Erica Arvold casting for a Shentel commercial. It was probably the most fun and relaxed audition I've ever been to. I arrived at the building (in downtown Charlottesville) and immediately loved the decor for one. Lol. They were holding auditions for multiple projects (they're also doing the casting for Killing Lincoln I believe, another upcoming Lincoln movie). I was auditioning for the role of a college student that jumps into a swimming hole. I was told to bring a swimsuit to change into, and so, in my normal trend, brought two. While I was waiting, I met two other "college students" auditioning (though both of them were actually college students). They were casting for 5 slots, so I didn't feel like I was in direct competition with them. Though, the male actor auditioning had never acted in his life but was on the Virginia Tech diving team which of course, if he gets cast, will make me feel incredibly inadequate as an actor... lol. They were both nice and it made it a lot easier, having talked to them, when we all went in to audition   together as a group and had to act and improvise that we were good friends. When we were called in,   first we had to "slate" (state your name usually, and then Erica had us state our hometown and say  what we did for fun. I said I train my dogs) and once we had each done that, we (as a group) acted as  if we were standing on a rocky ledge and about to jump in to the water. but  more than that, we just  goofed around like teens would ("no you go first! Its so far down! is it cold?") I feel I did really well,  but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Though it'd be soooo nice to get it, cause it pays $300!  Anyway, had I not auditioned with the other two actors at the same, I would've been much more  nervous, cause we were all in our bathing suits. And for the first time, I was worried about my tattoo.  But, luckily, the other two both had tattoos as well. Lol. Filming starts the week of the 11th, so I'm  hoping I'll find out soon. And if I don't find out soon, then I guess it's safe to assume I didn't get it. 

Well, Thursday I have a couple shoots. I have one for breast cancer awareness (not nude or anything,   just wearing pink and looking tough) and then later that day, a mock "engagement" shoot done by a  college professor.  I also have scheduled a shoot for a couple weeks from now. It's a "running" shoot, basically exactly  what it sounds like. Lol. I will be running, and running, and running some more  while the  photographer takes pictures. And this one is paid! Yippee! Lol. Then, once I am back in  California, in  October, I have scheduled a casual beach shoot as well as a tentative shoot with a  fellow Marine  wife/photographer. I just signed my lease, waiting for it to be approved, but as of right now, my move in date is the 28th. Which means I'm leaving in less than 3 weeks! Gah! Lol.  
On an unrelated note, sometimes, while writing posts for this blog, I have to fight myself to post   certain things, I am naturally hesitant to post about auditions and potential opportunities and things of that nature, because if I do not get the job, or the opportunities fall through or something, then it will  appear that I have failed and people will therefore judge me. But I wanted this blog to be honest and  to potentially help other aspiring actors/models/performers/etc to see what life for an actor/model is  really like. I wanted people to see the reality of it, the hardships of it, the rejection, etc. and since people will judge you regardless of what you say or do, I try not to let my fear of being judged stop me from doing certain things. That fear hurts me with auditioning and acting- primarily with improv - because I am afraid of making a mistake or of making myself look stupid, so I end up coming across as timid and hesitant, not strong, confident, and as a bold risk-taker. 

Well, time for this wannabe (No! - to quote one of the Cinderella Story movies, I'm a "gonnabe!") to get her beauty rest. 

Don't forget to check out my model mayhem profile and website and Facebook page. :)
More later. Thanks! 

Auditioning is expensive!!

Ugh. I've decided that I'm not going to audition for the Disneyland show - Minnie's Fly Girls. All week long I've been planning on doing it, but I just talked about it with my dad - who used to be a United pilot and has been helping me figure out flights - and I just can't afford it. Though he could get me a ticket at a much cheaper price (for some reason I thought it was free! But, unfortunately, it's not) I'd be reimbursing my parents for at least part of the cost of tickets, covering the hotel, parking at the airport, food, and possibly taxi or shuttle fees. And then, if I got called back, which would be awesome, I'd have to do it all over again the next week. So, after some rough calculations (my dad is the mathematician, not me), if I got called back, I'd be spending at least $800 total for this one audition. Not including any new shirt or shoes I wanted to wear to the audition or anything, or the cost of sheet music, or the voice lesson I was going to have with my old instructor, Marcia.
It's just too darned expensive. :(
But, Disney does have auditions fairly frequently, so, I'm hoping that when I get back to California, they'll have something I can audition for, and then I'll only have to pay for the cost of gas!
I do still have the chance to be a princess though... I applied to and received an email from a company that does events and children's parties. They have "character performers" who attend these events - such as princesses, pirates, super heroes, etc. They wanted me to come in for an audition/interview this week, I told them I would not be in California until September and they said they'd love to meet with me then. So, that's good. But I'm not 100% sure it's something I'd want to do. I'd have to be available weekends, for one thing. And I've always hated that with every job I've had. Especially since my husband works a fairly standard work week, if I worked both Saturday and Sunday, I'd never have a full day to spend with him. Well, I've got time to decide about that still.
I guess that's all for now. Not the most exciting or uplifting post, but, such is life. And I vowed to keep this blog real and honest so those reading it can see what life is really like for an "out-of-work actress." Though I shouldn't put it in quotes... since I really am an out-of-work actress. At least currently. lol.
Well, thanks for reading! :)

MDPPA Eco/Chic Wedding Shoot and Disney Audition

So yesterday was the Wedding shoot for the Maryland Professional Photographer's Association. I left the house at about 10:30 and didn't get home until almost midnight! It was a long day but so worth it! It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot and met a bunch of really amazing photographers, make up artists, hair stylists and a whole host of wedding vendors. Not that I need any wedding vendors. lol. But still, it's good to network!
And it was so exciting to get paid. Now, I am both a professional actress AND a professional model. I haven't gotten paid to sing - or even be in a musical, but I guess that's next on my list!
It was so cool to have my makeup done professionally. I've always done my own (and everybody else's lol) and most times when I've had the opportunity to have someone else do my makeup, I've turned it down cause I was more comfortable doing my own or thought I would do a better job, etc. But Christine Penny with Angelberry Organics was so great to work with and I thought she did a fabulous job!
Below are two pics - not great quality - but you can see the before and after! It wasn't a great skin day for me, but I love the way it turned out! I can't wait to see the real pics from all of the different photographers. Now I know why some models can be very full of themselves. When you have 15 different photographers constantly telling you how "gorgeous" you are, or what "beautiful eyes" you have, it would be very easy to let it go to your head! lol. I promise not to let it get to me and remain down to earth and humble. :)

Next Tuesday, I am flying out to California to audition for a Disney performance on Wednesday. The show is called Minnie's Fly Girls and it is performed at the Disney California Adventure park. It's a group of three flight attendants from the 50's-ish singing songs about flying from the 40's-60's. The videos I've seen of past performances look really cute and I think it'd be tons of fun to be a Disney performer, at least for a little while. :) So, as soon as I finish this post I'm going to have to book a hotel and figure out which airport I'm flying into! (Either LAX or Burbank - Burbank is closer, but there are fewer flights and I'd be flying standby...) The audition itself is being held at the Debbie Reynolds Studio in Hollywood - which I think is exciting in and of itself. The studio is infamous, and I love Debbie Reynolds - or, what I know of her. lol. I've seen her on So You Think You Can Dance. :)

I'm still deciding on an audition outfit and musical selection as well, and tomorrow I am meeting with my former voice instructor at Sweet Briar College, Marcia Thom, to work on my audition piece.

Well, that's all for now!
Thanks!

Lesson, auditions, agents, etcetera

So, yesterday I had my acting lesson. It was my third one with this instructor - Russ Randall at Final Act Drama in Richmond Virginia. That's one thing about me - I'm very dedicated to anything I do - especially acting. Richmond is 2 hours away - so that's 4 hours in the car!
Well a little over a week ago, my manager told me to call this agent - Connie Lamothe (at 24/7 Models and Talent)- based in Virginia (he had already talked to her and told her I would be getting in touch to set up a time to meet). I called her and left a message and then never heard back. Yesterday I emailed my manager to tell him I hadn't heard back (while I was in Richmond) and then when I got home checked the messages and she HAD called. So I need to call back. Hopefully I will get in to meet her soon and maybe I'll get signed and will get some gigs while I'm still here in VA!
I also have to call Central Casting to find out about the House of Cards shoot on Wednesday as well as call the restaurant I work at to find out when I'm scheduled for this week.
I also have scheduled an audition next Wednesday for a web series called Shotgun Mythos. It sounds very interesting, but it would not be paid and it's in West Virginia - an hour and a half away. But it would be something to add to my resume, IMDB credit list and demo reel.
But grr... my IMDB starmeter dropped! I knew it would... but man I was hoping it would just keep going up! lol. I just need to keep submitting myself for auditions so more people will look at it and then it'd be so nice to get a job so I can add to my IMDB page!

I just called both Central Casting and Connie Lamothe - Central Casting told me to call back in an hour, and no one answered at 24/7 Models and Talent. Haha. Seems like I may be playing phone tag with Connie Lamothe for a while unless she calls back today and I don't miss the call for any reason! lol.

So... just going to try and pass time for another hour so I can call the Casting office. haha.

Well, that's all for now!
Thanks
~Laura

Ping Pong Summer Audition at Pat Moran Casting

So yesterday, I had my first "big" audition. Granted it's for an independent film, but it has Susan Sarandon and Amy Sedaris in it!
My new manager (woohoo!) Tom Townsend told me about this website (dragonukconnects.com) which has all of the major casting calls in this area. I found the one for Ping Pong Summer, submit myself, and they called me in for an audition! I found out less than 24 hours in advance, so the day that I got the call I stressed about what I was going to wear. Thank god for my mom and sisters (and dad on occasion) for helping me! The part I was auditioning for was a 16-17 year old teenage girl (circa 1985), whom after auditioning, I believe would be the lead character's sister. So, I was really worried I would not be able to make myself look 6 years younger than I am! Jeez I never thought I'd feel this old at not even 23. Haha.
I left early the next morning (not that 10:00 is early, but I mean I left early in that it takes 2.5 hours to get there, and I left 4 hours in advance). And I arrived in Baltimore almost 2 hours before my audition time was supposed to start. I grabbed some lunch at Qdoba (delish! First time in years actually) and then couldn't figure out where else to go so I went to the casting office, hoping I could find a bathroom in the building before I went in to their actual office to freshen up and maybe somewhere to sit for at least half an hour so I didn't look like a complete fool coming in an hour and a half early. No such luck. They had to buzz me in, and then there was nowhere to go but up the stairs and then the office. At least they let me wait in their waiting area and gave me the sides to study. I memorized them and then around 2:00, all at once a bunch of teens/young adults came in. Hard to judge some of their ages, but most of them were under 18 (could tell because their parents were with them) and then there were a couple who looked to be about my age or younger (no parents with them). And I was relieved to observe that not all of the female actors were up for the same role as me.
Being the first to arrive, I was the first called in to audition, and was a nervous wreck! It didn't go horribly though. We rehearsed the scene once, Pat Moran (casting director) told me I had "good instincts and good cadence/timing" but needed to "tone it down" a little. As I've always been taught, it's better to have them tell you to tone it down then to have them try and pump life into you. Much easier to get an actor to tone something down than to make it bigger. So I took that as a good thing! The second time through, they taped it. I fudged up one of the lines (dang it!) but not horribly so. I stayed in character and tried to fix it and keep going.
Once the scene was over (it was only about 10 lines long), Ms. Moran said to me, "That's all we need, thank you, good bye." Which threw me a little bit because I had been preparing to say something that my manager instructed me to say at the end of every audition. ("I really appreciate the chance to audition for you today. If given an opportunity, I promise I will work hard and will not let you down.") But I didn't feel as if there was an opening for it since she clearly had just told me to leave! lol. (not in a mean way, she was very nice but professional and extremely busy). So I just said, "Thank you for the opportunity." And left.
I was out of the office by 2:15 (and my original audition slot was 2:30). So I called my manager, grabbed some Starbucks, and drove the 2.5 hours home. Then ran 2.5 miles (it was a great stress reliever lol) and submit myself for more auditions.
Now, all that's left is to, firstly, no longer stress about it. Secondly, wait! I just pray for good news, as always. Cross your fingers for me! :D
Though this isn't related to the Ping Pong Summer audition, yesterday I also scheduled an audition for a local studio's commercial on Saturday and then today received a call from Central Casting asking me to work Friday in House of Cards (starring Kevin Spacey)! It's just as an extra, but I don't care! I'm just so excited! lol. Though the listing I responded to said "recurring/featured extras," so we'll see!
Keep checking back for more posts about my auditions and gigs. I'll try to update as frequently as possible.
Thanks!
~Laura