Actor's of the past: we need you!

So, I've been at home alone and nothing better to do, so I've been watching the Muppet Show.  That's right.

I have a collection of "best of" DVDs which my husband got a long time ago (and I won't bore you with the story, but it IS funny how we came to own these).

I was awed by the show, the music, the creativity.  And, the guest stars!!  I saw Steve Martin, Gilda Radner, Carol Burnette, Paul Simon, Raquel Welch; just to name a few!

Now, who would appear today??  Britney?  Lindsay??  Heaven help us, PARIS??

At times like these, I have to hope that all isn't loss and that there is some really good talent out there.  I'm just not sure where it is.  Do you??

All wasn't lost.  I did laugh, smile and sing along from time to time.  But it does make me wonder..

By the way, don't be alarmed at the fact that I'm a grown adult at home alone watching the Muppet Show.  It's usually a Disney double feature.  ha!!  My taste in movies is sophisticated.  Ah, who am I kidding!!

Well, back to email.  And, check out Watercooler Wednesdays this week and give him your answer!!  

I love Kermit!

See ya.

Acting Biz is slow, so I'll do a review..

Yeah, that's right.  I had a lot of auditions recently, but no jobs.  And, now suddenly, nothing again.  That's how it is here in Nashville, TN.  Well, last night I saw Iron Man.  I know that I'm a little behind, but we're actually too busy to get to the theater much anymore.  

I have to say it was really amazing!  I thought the casting was perfect.  Of course, Jeff Bridges could have been Gene Hackman and I doubt if we would have noticed much.  Robert Downey Jr did a great job.  And, Gwyneth as well.  A simple role for her, but she pulled it off.  Makeup and hair help a little, I'm sure.  Terrence Howard was absolutely amazing as well.  Of course, he is always so "real" and in the moment.  He is one of the most believable actors out there.

I will also admit that I know nothing of the comic book hero, so I'm sorry if you have issues with consistency or even casting.  I do know how that throws many people off.  But, just as a film separate from anything else, I thought it was great!

It was really great to look at also.  The camera work, computer animation, color; it all set up another world but we were still connected to it.

What do you think?

Also, check out the All About Celebrities Blog

Chat soon.

Pray for work!!

"NBC kills Nashville Star", film at 11

I will admit that all reality shows are cheesy and I don't like most.

I only watched American Idol for the last 2 years.  My friend was on 2 years ago and I watched for him.  This year was out of curiosity.

Well, Nashville Star happened upon my tv because of this same curiosity and I really wanted to support local programming.  I really enjoyed the show.  It felt very real to me, not flashy like AI can be.  AND, the people had real talent.  I loved that they played instruments and they showcase their own original music.  So many people that get signed to record deals, don't write.  So, this was also intriguing.  There were no age limits either.  The very first Nashville Star winner was 40 something with 3 kids.  Love it!

Then, I hear rumors that NBC picked up the show.  Now, it sounds exciting.  What other Nashville programming will they want, or will they come here to do more things.  It's all possible.  BUT, I've watched 2 episodes and I'm bummed.  The only thrill for me is to see who else Billy Ray brings in from the Hannah Montana movie to sit in the audience.  But, the talent is NOT good.  I had a friend audition and didn't make it who is AMAZING!  Some of these people cannot carry a tune.  And, this week, when they were announcing who made it through next week, someone always jumped early.  They KNEW who was in the bottom.  What??  And, I loved the way Nashville Star handled good byes.  They call each performer to perform that made it through.  Down to the last two, and one goes home.  They don't perform one final crying thing which AI does and I hate.  So, taking one step closer to AI without stealing it's ideas, they both play, get assigned phone numbers to call, then they say, "oh yeah, you're gone".  Weird!  

Besides the fact, I hate Jewel and Billy Ray has weird timing and space issues.  The man stays at least 3 feet from every contestant.  Ugh.  Maybe I'm alone in this, but I did delete my Season pass.  It seems like a bunch of crap to me!

Hey, one more thing!  Check out this blog and chat about your pet peeve expressions!  It's Watercooler Wednesdays.

Auditions a plenty

So, yet another audition. My week has picked up, eh? This time more of an "open call" thing. Which I usually hate. They take forever.

But, this time went pretty smoothly. I got there and was #59 and they were on #16. Sounds scary, but 1 hour later, it was my turn. That's not too bad. And, there were 3 or 4 friends waiting there to keep me company, so that's always helpful.

The audition was easy. 3 in at a time. Basically stepping into frame, then "oohing and ahhing" about some new building. That's all. Simple, right? It would be nice to get because it pays pretty well. Especially just for some reactions.
My group was okay. One was a fellow actor that I know well. We worked together on a music video and Hannah Montana. He did a great job. The other was a very nice woman, but she was really destroying the vibe. We had to "ad lib" a lot. You know, "improvise". "Oh, look at that new room. That's going to be amazing". Instead, she'd comment on the obvious made up nature of our sentences.
EXAMPLE:
ME: "Look at that up there".
HER: "Oh, that pipe? Yeah, very rustic ."

See the annoyance? So, you just try to ignore her comments and stay in character.
Amazing how some people just really don't get it.
Oh well.  All the better for me.

Welcome to Audition Hell

Well, the weather here is hot! Really hot. It's 95 outside and probably 97 in the unairconditioned hall. That's right. No air.
There are 4 times the amount of people there that you expected. Why? Well, many are there for the first time. Though it's YOUR callback, they are getting a first shot.
Also, time moves slow here. You may sign in at 3:10 for your 3:30 audition, but they aren't looking at the sign in sheet. They have their own agenda and it's much different than the one you were told previously. They call whomever they want at whatever time they choose. Therefore, you sit and watch people just walk in and go in. As you sit, and sit and sit.
You were called for a role but no worries! They have another one, all shined up and ready for you. Mostly because they've already filled most of the roles as you sit in the hall. Waiting and waiting..
Needless to say, they don't seem to care about you at all. So why were you called to audition hell? Who knows?
But, was it worth it? You MAY receive an honorary extra role. But, let's face it. That's not why you bought the ticket.

Commercial Audition, really?

I got the call Saturday night that I was needed for an audition Sunday morning. I really hate weekend auditions. Yuck! Who likes to work on the weekend, right?
So, I said I could make it and I got the info Sunday morning. It was for a regional commercial. The Director had seen my headshot and chose me to come in and audition. That usually makes it more worth your time. Well, the company always has these really corny commercials, so my heart sank a little, but the pay was great and there were "roles" listed. So, I thought maybe this time it's a different format.
No such luck! I showed up and all we had to do was laugh and interact together in groups of 5. With lots of energy of course!! Now this happens more than you would think. It always annoys me. Why can't they just have us come in and ask some questions? You can get our personality from that! Most people know as soon as you open your mouth if you're right for the part. And, if they don't like you, they skip your slate and go to the next person. (by the way, "slate" is "Hi, my name is .. my agent is ... and I'm number...") It seems to be mostly about a look anyway, right?
The good news is it went quickly and I was about my business on a normal Sunday.
Oh, I haven't started my reel yet. I'm going to wait until I get that other DVD. You may call it procrastination..

The Actor's Life, for REEL

My agent has asked me to create a reel. I guess I didn't think that I had enough good "work" to put a reel together. But, she has assured me that I do. Nowadays, I can make it myself. I just want to make sure that it's good. So, I may need to enlist the help of some friends. I'm not quite sure yet.

I have a lot of my work. Mostly because I'm meticulous (and tech savvy) enough to watch for it, record it and put it in my computer. Of course, I just paid $12 today to get a DVD copy of something that I did this year. It's crazy, right? As I write my check and complain, I also must add that there is something nice about it. At least I know I'll get a copy. So many things you do, you never see and they never send to you. Not everything is on t.v. And, even the stuff I do that is for t.v. is sometimes for channels we don't have or in markets we don't live in. All of these things make it nearly impossible to gain copies of your work.

I will say it's nice when it's available in the store. That makes it all nice and easy.
Of course, I haven't had a lot of that. But, I treasure the lucky few.

I will work on my reel. I'll let you know how it goes...
Any suggestions?

Hannah Montana Line Dance

Yesterday was a crazy day.

I had received a casting for the Hannah Montana film (again).  They were now looking for line dancers.  I was aware that they would need those in the beginning and was sure to put down that I could do that if asked.  Of course, I was picturing a big group of people doing one of the many line dances I've "scooted" to over the years.

Not so.

I was getting the idea it was more than that.  I later saw a video of the dance and was a little shocked.  I wanted to make sure that I could even do the dance.  But, eventually I broke it down and was able to do it.  Of course, not like when I was 20, but they were seeking 28 and up!  So, not bad.  This dance is a mix of line dancing and hip hop funk.  You definitely have to be trained to do it.

Well, after rehearsing for a long time, I then realize that a HUGE argument has broke out amongst all involved (casting, agents, production) and now everyone is limited to how many they send.  I signed up later (wanting to be sure that I could do it first), so I wouldn't be going.

Isn't that nuts???  All the trying and excitement and then, oh yeah, "not gonna happen".

Well, good luck to them as they seek their dancers.  I guess I'll wait and see what it looks like in the movie.  Who knows?

If something changes, I'll let you know..

Always makes me say "hmmm..."

So, when you are NOT a celebrity and you're trying to act, you dig up work when you can.

There are many sites that I search constantly, hoping to find something to tell my agent about or send info to myself.  I will totally do something lo/no budget if I believe in the script, etc.  Sadly, that just doesn't happen enough.

Almost ALWAYS there is going to be a lo/no budget film where the subject of "nudity" will emerge.  Granted, everyone struggles with it and you have to decide what is right for you.  I prefer to never have to do any nudity.  

So I find a movie online.  Looking for actors, not really a lot of money, script seems okay, could be cool..

Then, "nudity and sex scene".  What?  You expect me to get naked for some film where kids meet up as adults and have "revelations"?  Wow, must be a real "Breakfast Club" type of film.  Why not?  It's a big enough struggle for most anyway.  But, once you say "oh, and we're not paying actors" or "we're looking for people who are passionate about the script".  It's as much a slap in the face as ministry work can be sometimes.  "Well, we don't have money, but we'd like you to work for free because you love the Lord".  But, I digress..

Anyway, I swear that half the time, it's some kids who want to just watch some folks strip for fun.

Girls, keep your clothes on.