Shooting the Shentel commercial, Running photoshoot, and in CA!!

Man, it has been waaaay too long since my last post, but I got really busy with packing to move to California, and now that I'm here (yay!) I've been busy with UNpacking. lol.
But, since my last post, a lot has happened. Or, at least, it feels that way. lol.

Filming the Shentel commercial that I got through Erica Arvold Casting was a LOT of fun! It was a different experience than anything else I'd done too. The director was the camera-man and was filming most of the time. There weren't super specific directions, and no "Action" or "Cut," but it was more like he would tell us (the 4 other actors and me) a general sense of what he wanted us to do and then would just start filming. We started in a red Jeep and acted like we were driving to the swimming hole. We had music blasting and were just jamming out and having a blast - like college kids would do. :P I was the oldest of the group of us, 3 of them were still in college and one girl had just graduated. lol.

The director filming us!

Anyways, after filming in the Jeep we went to the swimming hole, which really was more of a rock/island thing right next to the road. We drove up the main road, pulled off onto the side, then walked down the drop-off on the other side of the guardrails to get to the river.

The big rock at the bottom of the screen is the one we jumped off of.

I was the second one to jump off of the rock - and it was so much fun! It was about a 12 foot drop, but the climb up to the top of the rock was the hardest - it was almost straight up and there weren't very many hand or footholds. I slipped once - the first time, and a couple of the others slipped too. One girl even sliced her wrist unknowingly.

Well, the director, Allan Vajda - for part of the time - was in the water below us with a little mini waterproof camera filming us. There were maybe 10 other people standing on the ground behind/next to the rock, some filming, some just watching (I'm still unsure as to who they were/their purpose for being there) - it was probably the biggest "crew" of any of the shoots I've been too, except maybe for the House of Cards shoot, though it probably comes close. Which is weird, because House of Cards is a BIG production, and this was just a commercial - not even a National one. haha.

Well, after jumping off of the rock for a few hours, we went back to our "base" (a firehall) and changed into dry clothes. Like an idiot, I forgot to bring a bra and underwear but brought like 4 different bathing suits. So I had to wear a dry bathing suit under my clothes the rest of the night - and the 2.5 hour drive home. lol. After changing, we went to another location by the river where they had built a bonfire. We roasted marshmallows and goofed off and stuff for a couple of hours. I think by this point everyone was getting a little frustrated and tired - a lot of the crew (and some of those random people who I think may have been from Shentel) were not in a very good mood and I could feel some tension between the director and some of them, and they even snapped at some of us actors too sometimes. For example, we were handed a guitar at the beginning of this portion of the shoot, and since I was the only one that had ANY experience with guitar - albeit, my experience was about 6 years ago - I was the one holding it. I was trying to "teach" one guy how to play (keep in mind they're filming this whole time) and one girl (for the life of me, I cannot remember her name!) started teaching us a song - everyone else was clapping their hands in time, and since I didn't have any hands free, I was VERY lightly drumming/tapping my fingers on the guitar. One of the "random" guys (I don't like using that word, but I don't know what his title/purpose was. He didn't have a camera and wasn't involved with any directing, I guess he was the owner of the guitar?) came up to me and snapped "Give me the guitar" and ripped it out of my hands. Lol. Similar things happened to other actors, but I don't remember what they were.

Anyways, the fire was SUPER hot and uncomfortable and they would film for minutes on end - sometimes I felt like my skin would blister lol.

Well, after about a 9 hour day, we wrapped up, got paid $500, and I went home, took a shower, and went to bed.

Here is the completed commercial! I can be seen in the opening (blue/green sweater), at 0:02-0:04, 0:34 (far right on the rock), 0:35 (and in the thumbnail picture), as well as 0:45 (on the tv, but I am not the one in focus, though I thought it was me at first lol).

Well, after filming that, I had one more shoot before I moved back to Cali. It was a running shoot with Photography by GregD, who runs the Studio at Dulles, near Mount Vernon. Basically, I ran for about an hour and a half almost non-stop. I took little walking breaks here and there, and there were fitness "stations" on the running trail, so I did a couple pull-ups, but pretty much it was the longest I have ever run. I got paid $100 for that (yay, that paid for one day's worth of gas on the drive cross country! lol). I just saw a couple of the photos online, and am just waiting for my CD to come in the mail.

Speaking of CDs, I also received my CD of images from the mock engagement shoot I did for Boston University in Georgetown. I will be posting some of those photos soon.

Well, now I'm in CA and am just trying to get settled in and unpack and stuff before I submit to auditions. I am supposed to start working at Macaroni Grill next week, and I do think I have one modeling shoot coming up soon with Brianna Noelle Photography. It's a Vampire themed shoot (for Halloween, I'm assuming) with two other models. One of whom, Tinisha Portillo, I know is another Marine wife like myself (the photographer is as well, not sure about the third model, though I would assume so. We tend to stick together lol) but Tinisha and I have talked some online and she has been very helpful and given me lots of great advice about modeling.

Anyways, I hope to stay on the ball with my posts, but if nothing new happens, then it's hard to find stuff to write about. lol. Gotta get back to unpacking! Yippee. =/

Thanks!

Shentel Commercial, Moving back to Cali!

So, that audition I had with Erica Arvold for the Shentel commercial I had last week? Well... I got it! :D Woot! It is filming on Thursday, and sometime before then I'm supposed to be contacted by the production company about what time and what I'm supposed to bring, etc. So excited! This commercial pays more than I would make in two weeks at the restaurant! Granted, I only work one day a week, but still. lol. Because of our society's taboo on talking about money, I have an ingrained aversion to saying how much I'm going to make, but if I'm striving to be honest on this blog, I have to bite the bullet and just say it. lol. It's no huge number, but it's the biggest paycheck I will have received to date, not only for acting, but in general. I will make $500 for this commercial - and I'm not even a principal role in it! :P Hopefully, that means that from here on out, I can expect to make that much or more for any acting jobs I get. Now, just to make sure I actually get jobs. That's the hard part. =/
Also, my computer came in today (hence why I'm writing another post - I seriously hated typing on an ipad for the last two weeks).
And, I signed a lease, and am moving in to the apartment in California on the 28th! Which means I am starting my cross-country drive with my mother-in-law on the 24th. I have a modeling gig on the 22nd for another $100, and this is my last week of work at the Grille. Money is really going to be tight for the next couple of days until I get paid at the Grille - I had to pay a deposit for the apartment and the car payment goes through today, leaving me about $20 in the checking account to get through til Wednesday - and if I can't pick my check up on Wednesday, I won't be able to deposit it until Friday. Eesh. Well, enough about my finances!
Well, that concludes my update. Unfortunately, my move means I won't be getting any more jobs any time soon cause I have to get settled. But once I'm in California, or, most likely I will start on the drive, I will submit to casting calls and hopefully get some auditions when I get back.
That's all for now!
Thanks! :)

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! 

Shoots, Shows, and Funding

So, I have a couple of shoots and stuff coming up! :) First, I have a runway show on Thursday for a company called Usanii House. Then, next Thursday, I have a mock Engagement shoot, and I also have a Devotional video shoot for Catholic University in the works. I got hired for that one because of my eyes. :) Yay! That last one is the only paid job of the three... but hopefully more will come.
My facebook fan page has been growing! I have been networking and getting tips from a fellow Marine wife and model - Tinisha Portillo - which has been super helpful with marketing myself.

On a side note, last night I took some headshots for some actors from the show I was recently in (for which I was paid) and imported them into my laptop and a few minutes later, my computer promptly crashed and wouldn't turn back on. After driving all over today going to the Mac Genius Bar and another store to try some other method they couldn't do at the Genius Bar... there has been so far no luck at recovering any of my data. SO MANY PICTURES! On top of the many headshots I just took (about 800 pictures) there were also 1200 pictures worth of my sister's engagement session, and a friend's newborn session. Tomorrow I am taking it to a local Apple store that was closed today to see if there's anything they can do... but it looks like I'm going to be needing a new computer. I knew I needed one, and was planning on replacing it... but not until the end of the year. So, that on top of other things spurned me to wonder if people might help contribute to funding my career. Gas alone is expensive - I've been paid, but not enough to cover the cost of gas, let alone my acting lessons. And when I get back to California, I want to continue my screen acting education as well as take dance lessons. So, I set up a GoFundMe account. This page, aside from being super cute, allows well-wishers, and kind and generous folk, to donate to my career! There are "rewards" - so if you donate a set amount, you get a reward - you'll just have to go check it out to see! :D But, for a small rundown of expenses... Acting lessons cost about $300 for 5 classes. At least, they did in Richmond, but they are slightly more expensive in Orange County, California. Dance/Fitness classes will cost about $175 for one month. Aside from dance it is also Yoga and Aerial Yoga/Tissu and things of that nature. As I mentioned, there's gas, and then I want to be able to do photography, which means funding that as well. I need Adobe Photoshop or something of that sort - that is $600. The Mac photo editing program, Aperture, although not as good, would suffice for a little while. That is $70. A new computer, with all of the memory that I would require as well as external drive for backup etcetera, would be almost $2000. Then I have to print headshots to take to auditions - about $25 for 5 prints. Business cards, postcards... another $25 at least. What does that come to? I'll round it up to $3000. Ugh. Hence, why it would be soooo lovely if my new fans and family members and friends wanted to contribute. Well, I'm not expecting any will - or not very much at least, but every little bit helps.
There is now a widget on the bottom of my homepage of this blog that allows you to click and donate. :)

Well, that's all for now.
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!

Midsummer Night's Dream, and a wedding shoot modeling gig!

So, it's been a little while since I last posted, but the acting stuff has been a little slow lately. Well, I guess that's not entirely true. I did just finish the two weekend-run of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in which I played Titania. It was at a community theater about an hour from my house. It was a lot of fun! There were a lot of talented, young actors in the cast. One of whom, Nerissa Serah Hart, is now a YouTube partner (meaning she's getting paid!) and I thought I'd just post the link to her channel. You know, help a friend out... what goes around comes around... etc.

Me as Titania in the Fauquier Community Theater's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Well, the other day, I submit myself to a bunch of postings and casting calls, as usual, and I got a response! It was from the president of the Maryland Professional Photographer's Association about a wedding shoot they're doing at the end of August. He said he liked my look, thought I didn't look like the typical blonde, bridal model (um... thanks?) and that I looked mysterious. Which is apparently what he wanted for the woodland-y shoot they're doing. He talked to my manager, and he then told me to go for it, even though I wasn't going to be compensated in any way other than getting copies of the pictures. And possibly being reimbursed for gas. Well, I talked to the president of the association - Mike Busada - today and he said that I will be being paid now! Woot! :) I'm super excited. I'll be getting my hair and makeup done, and wearing a nice wedding dress (which I should get to see a picture of this week) and it should be fun! Oh, Mike Busada has a pinterest board of his inspiration for the shoot. 

Of course, as soon as I find out more, and after the shoot as well, I will post an update! 

That's all for now!
Thank you! :)