tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55555295027731729012024-03-14T04:10:15.332-07:00Dear Aspiring Actress:This is a open discussion site about acting, jump on in!Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-319326096456412082012-12-20T17:57:00.000-08:002012-12-20T18:00:27.919-08:002012 RoundupHi kids!<br />
<br />
It's Amber again. I've been busy busy busy! I have a few other online profiles where you can find me now:<br />
<br />
Most of my bookings and new videos go up at my new website:<br />
<a href="http://amberplaster.com/">amberplaster.com</a><br />
You can find me on facebook here:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Rose-Plaster/136779886421082">facebook.com/pages/Amber-Rose-Plaster/136779886421082</a><br />
You can find me on IMDb here:<br />
<a href="http://imdb.me/amberplaster">imdb.me/amberplaster</a><br />
And you can hit me up anytime of the day with industry questions here:<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/amberplaster">twitter.com/amberplaster</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC7XYm-NHchw75XitXH4pottUT9edJEc7Uvdg8PZ-38RML6BMBjiRK8SpctqcBYCfzcsQsMwaq-gyFFNPZDAqYn8bHWFTxEx_bjv91SlF1VoYHVYi0OJq-QgSAAlGUyfQYU8-d0CWQPQ/s1600/triple-amber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC7XYm-NHchw75XitXH4pottUT9edJEc7Uvdg8PZ-38RML6BMBjiRK8SpctqcBYCfzcsQsMwaq-gyFFNPZDAqYn8bHWFTxEx_bjv91SlF1VoYHVYi0OJq-QgSAAlGUyfQYU8-d0CWQPQ/s400/triple-amber.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adam-Emperor-Southard-Photography/121394924565663" target="_blank">Adam Emperor Southard </a></span></div>
<br />
I'm still alive and working! Much more info to come. And I really appreciate the comments. I have discovered the amazing resource and inspiration that is <a href="http://theworkingactress.com/" target="_blank">the Working Actress</a>. I'm saddened that she no longer regularly updates it, but it's still encouraging to flip through her ups and downs on auditioning and bookings.<br />
<br />
What are your goals for the new year? One of mine will be to integrate blogger/tumblr and my new website.<br />
<br />
In the mean time here are some awesome resources for those actors just arriving to LA!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ImMovingToLA.com/">ImMovingToLA.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://helennasblog.com/post/7863855578/hangin-in-the-www" target="_blank">Up and Coming actors that self-produce and helpful webseries links for N00bs.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ispot.tv/browse" target="_blank">It's not IMDb Pro... but you can search for current commercials on this website! Great for commercial agent/casting director research.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bonniegillespie.com/" target="_blank">I've been interning for CD Bonnie Gillespie. She wrote a book that REALLY helped my career. You can find it (and other actor resources) here.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://LAactorsTweetup.com/" target="_blank">This is the best place to meet other actors/filmmakers, for FREE.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://codebloo.net/blog/casting-other-actors/" target="_blank">My producing partner has a very candid blog about casting actors, you will learn something or at least, giggle.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://insideactingpodcast.com/" target="_blank">These guys are hot. Bonus: they are also helpful</a>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
That should tide you over for now, hot stuff.<br />
XO - Amber<br />
<br />
<br />
p.s.<br />
Cassie Jaye is still alive and gorgeous (not that it matters how ridiculously good-looking she is). She has graduated from acting and has become an <a href="http://www.jayebirdproductions.com/" target="_blank">award winning</a> filmmaker. You can see her newest documentaries <a href="http://daddyido.com/store.html" target="_blank">here</a>. You can find her on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Cassie_Jaye" target="_blank">here</a>.Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-44448954170226901962010-08-07T16:42:00.000-07:002010-08-07T17:39:19.824-07:00I booked my first commercial!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Let me tell you about my first audition for a commercial.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I was asked a few days ago by my agent to put myself on tape for a hair product commercial. I had about 2 days to do it, but I wanted to be one of the first ones to submit to casting. I wanted to be fresh in their minds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I'm not going to disclose the name of the product, but you will see it soon enough. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I was asked to put myself on tape, showing my hair and talking a little bit about myself, so they could hear my voice. I pondered over how I should do this all day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I took Cassie's commercial advice, and looked up other hair commercials, most of it from the same hair company I was auditioning for, to understand the style they preferred. I noticed they focused on just the actors' hair A LOT, so I decided to showcase my locks and just smile and giggle and *try* not to feel too cheesy...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On my way home from my soul-sucking day job, I rushed to the salon, made a last-minute coloring appointment and got my hair Debra-Messing-red. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After ensuring my hair was sexy and shampoo-commercial-ready, I ran home to film myself while my hair was still.... fresh (for lack of a better word).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I had my husband turn on all the lights in our apartment & try to find enough white space to film next to, while I fretted over which shirts complemented my newly tomato-colored hair (I ended up with a power-cleavage black Tee).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We filmed me slating where I was from ("Hi, my name is Amber and I'm from Atlanta, GA. This is my audition video. I hope you like what you see!") and smiling my face off whilst flipping my hair in the most compelling way possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After taking about 10 shots, I felt comfortable with the last one, so we sent my agent the last 2 videos to choose what to submit to casting himself. (It always helps to have another eye!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The next day I am encouraged to hear good feedback. They love my hair but they want more. They need to wow the head of the company. They want to use me as their "Glamour Girl" (What does that MEAN?)! I am instructed to take a longer video, flip my hair more, look glamourous, more make up than last time, more hair...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I wanted this commercial so badly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I went BACK to the salon and paid for a $40 blow out, just to ensure my hair was SEX-Y. I thought, if I'm going to do another video, it has to look even better than the first. I have to KNOW I did absolutely EVERYTHING I could have done to one-up the other 100 girls auditioning. (I bet no one else went to the salon to ensure it's quality, much less TWICE.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">My husband (God Bless being married to an actor!) helped me choose a blue top that made my red hair stand out, and we filmed again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Here are some of the out takes we DIDN'T submit, because they were awful. He kept messing around in the beginning and we had to goof off to keep me giggly and smiley...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tX0rHa7hCB0&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tX0rHa7hCB0&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In addition to the videos we took, I sent a bunch of photos from photoshoots I had done in the past to wow the head of the company (since I am out of state, he needs to triple check that I will look right on film). I also had my husband take snapshots of my hair (front, back, sides, all over!) to show them the length.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I hope SOME of this information was helpful on how you self-tape. I am by no means an expert, but in the interest of sharing my experience, hopefully this can prepare you for feeling less awkward on your next self-submission.</span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-42684901081845948492010-04-28T18:59:00.000-07:002010-05-05T14:29:09.872-07:00While You Wait<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Good news is, we have been busy. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bad news is, we had to put blogging on the back burner.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We started this blog because we were sick and tired of waiting for something to come our way. Also, we wanted to create a community of help, advice, support and a general sisterhood attitude. We still want work and we still want to share as much as we can. Since starting this blog, I (Amber) have gotten engaged, married (yes, Cassie was my bridesmaid!) and lost my day job in Century City (Beverly Hills), and moved to Las Vegas.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Cassie has explored new work. She has since learned painstakingly how to edit digital films, bought a professional video camera and started her own production company, Jaye Bird Productions.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now to catch you up to speed to today!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I could literally talk about how proud I am of Cassie all day. She made a small experimental short film to practice her skills as a film maker (as well as add to her reel). She made her first documentary titled "Daddy I Do" which premiered at Idyllwild Film Festival and won Best Documentary. Her short documentary on hunger in the US, "Faces Overlooked" was featured on YouTube's homepage, AND "Daddy I Do" was accepted into the oldest, most prestigeous </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">film festival in the world, CANNES! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(More on Daddy I Do here: </span><a href="http://jayebirdproductions.com/postproduction.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://jayebirdproductions.com/postproduction.html</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> )</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ3BgfxmKK-QrxB1YczHeVIOplNQYSc-_lY4wbTW1DlOjH_YmLkJgFtmOHOdyU1Jys_J0imVpQ72VlBNzWpBilChqIMSn1hyphenhyphenIN9iUDp7YUBveZI9tcb7VLjelgWp77QbbexIcQm0qRhs/s320/DIDPosterSm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465439162382952370" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Getting married forced me to put acting on hold for a year. Now that I am getting my new life </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">together, I cannot wait to move back to LA and pursue acting and casting.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have made a goal board this year (It's something we try to do every New Years).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Some of my goals are:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Pay off my AFTRA fees (check!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Set up a home printer/scanner for resumes (check!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Become SAG eligible (check!) (more on how I found out I was SAG-e on this amazing blog: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://bit.ly/dkZK7x"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://bit.ly/dkZK7x</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> )</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Get a reliable car (almost have the downpayment! My last car was totaled)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Pay off Credit Cards (half way there)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Learn Photoshop (I have a teacher, just not a way to get to him yet.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Move to LA!!!!!!!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While I was working my butt off and saving in the desert, I had more time to search for</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">resources to use in the future. So I made a list of books recommended</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> to me by working actors, CDs, agents and friends. It's always hard to find updated, RELEVANT books</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">on acting out there so I hope this helps! (in no particular order:)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Desperate Networks by Bill Carter (the inner workings of how TV works)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/bx6JA4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/bx6JA4</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck (Acting technique by one of the most respected ALIVE acting teachers out there)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/aQE5BY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/aQE5BY</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-The Intent to Live: Achieving Your True Potential as an Actor by Larry Moss (acting)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/9gWP52"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/9gWP52</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-How To Stop Acting by Harold Guskin (acting technique)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/cRHA8x"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/cRHA8x</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-True and False: Heresy & Common Sense for the Actor by David Mamet (acting technique)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/9Dzw3c"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/9Dzw3c</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-A Practical Handbook for the Actor by Melissa Bruder (acting technique help)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/8XaZui"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/8XaZui</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Acting In Film: An Actor's Take on Movie Making by Michael Caine</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/b0PLA8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/b0PLA8</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi (a great book on networking and starting your career!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a href="http://amzn.to/chgHf0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://amzn.to/chgHf0</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Most of the these books have been recommended to me by the fine people at the </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Inside Acting podcast on itunes (it's free and if you are an actor, download NOW!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><a href="http://www.insideactingpodcast.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://www.insideactingpodcast.com/</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Also a few books are from twitter followers and The Working Actress (see her amazing blog here:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><a href="http://theworkingactress.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://theworkingactress.blogspot.com/</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> )</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Amber</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">PS- What are some books on acting, casting or networking, that you have read and loved?</span></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-58416824842700371022009-11-28T16:05:00.000-08:002009-11-28T18:43:25.717-08:00While You Audition - 3 Little Known Ways To Beat Not Having A "Real Job"<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Are you like me, stuck waiting in between not having a "real job" with a 401k and hating every serving job you get to pay rent?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While being stuck out in the middle of nowhere (Las Vegas), I am forced to wait out the horrible economy that happens so often when a democrat is in office. *sigh* Alas, I digress...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you want to act, but live in Nevada, (or outside of LA), you NEED to move to LA. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sorry, but the sooner you get over this horrible, inconvenient truth, the better. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However, until then, you have to survive. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As an actress (or actor), you have to do more than that. You must be healthy, active, and continually evolving. Even while you wait under the Hollywood radar, you better be paying off credit cards, working out, or learning something useful for when you do come back.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here is how I get around having extremely limited resources that come from not having a "real job" (i.e. health insurance, paid vacations, 401k & room for advancement):</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLcmsIaDtM5szH1KLLUyxG0PAGNp1m3XJZPY6dl0Io5DjsxaiTRuMIejGLvgDNNfffzD-_zfShrMGTLOu3YwOOuOh7dGHfL2v1SQ7AQdmXUF2tgmTt4k7uYYdLkXVcP7L7rVVbukI24Q/s320/_5050029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409350273540197474" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Dental Plans</b>. Can't have a killer headshot with a jacked-up grill! Nevada (as well as other states) have dental PLANS which help you to get your teeth x-rayed, cleaned, and fixed. Dental Plans are different from Dental Insurance in that you do not pay a monthly fee, nor do they act as an insurance by taking care of certain costs. Dental Plans will allow you to see (a provided list of) Dentists. The catch is you must pay same day, you cannot bill it to your insurance, because it isn't insurance. Dental Plans give you a discount on normal procedures. I paid about $138 for both my husband and I to get the Avia (recommended to me by a friend, so that's why I chose that plan) Dental Plan. Our coverage is for a year, we can change dentists if we want (as long as the dentist accepts Avia Dental Plan, which a lot out here do) and there is no waiting period! A regular cleaning is about $70. Avia Dental Plan got me a cleaning for $16. Rates vary, but it is still very helpful. You can get your teeth cleaned, cavities filled, even get braces, at your own pace. More info: http://www.dentalplans.com/dentalplans/sedchome.asp</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Free Clinics</b>. As a woman, you have more needs medically. As an actress, you don't need to stress about how long you can make it without a doctor's visit. You can almost always find a free clinic to get preventative healthcare. Like, for example, get tested for STD's, HPV and pregnancy for free at a planned parenthood location. If you tell them you are unemployed or broke, they make everything free or discounted (they will not give annual exams: pap, breast exam or birth control for free, but they can make it very affordable.) I recommend also checking out your college if you are going to school, they will usually give out cheap flu shots, vitamins and test for illness. You do not need Health Insurance for any of this! More info: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/index.htm</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>YouTube</b>. Do you need to look a cut above the competition? Of course you do. I used to love going to Gold's Gym in LA. While I'm out here in the desert, I do NOT want to go outside more than I have to. Plus, I need to save money. As an actress, you need to stay in shape if you want most leading roles. Youtube.com is the second largest search engine after Google. Why? because people want to SEE how it's done. I constantly google quick work outs that don't require equipment. You can change it up and work out on your own time. My favorite personal trainer for quick but challenging work outs on youtube is this european chick who is actually really nice despite her Maxim-appeal: http://www.youtube.com/user/charliejames1975</span></span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>What are some ways you have kept a 9-5 job at bay while auditioning, or waiting to audition again?</b></span></span></div></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-64580453357753210062009-11-25T17:03:00.000-08:002009-11-25T17:38:31.351-08:00Quick Tip: Camera ready<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Thanksgiving! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't have much time but just to let you know we're still alive here is a quick tip for actors and actresses. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><b>*Don't wear all white or busy prints to an on camera audition, it looks bad on camera.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are 2 examples from old photos of me and my man, sorry, not professional, but you get the idea. I would never wear this to an audi!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iBoIZYoYnopEAxYVxqdjySNrEUNRCI4pml58e1Rcn6-wtt7ErVYYHf1nkaX66sHf70WwZ1GaSFWZjjXsZdsQZK2yjCtHw4A6Bz5rEy-gnMLWmboa8Qbfr-fU2AaGeJ_mGc9FBsALm4A/s320/IMG_1808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408218836605759474" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See this fabulous-chiquita-banana dress I used to rock? You don't wanna distract from your face like this. ^</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrgc24AjevPpyo-5p95F2n8M718Iy5L6u-Yo_BCM3SX0ig1q23XiepvnakFoFMrtmtlYfymtGjNHAzVGGJEedz8MdCxwZSiRBKVmlwlSepog05Pj_khX-A9VTMr2f-uSbZh2ExspNPuY/s320/DSC_1719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408218832669107874" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See how I blend in the white background? You will to. Chances are, you will be reading in front of a white wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">*Stick to neutral or flattering solid colors, pink (looks good on every skin tone) blues, greens and black all usually look great. Also note unless you are a blonde you will probably look washed out in yellow. And everyone looks hung over in grey. Unless you really did get sleep the night before your big audi, avoid grey.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hope this helps! Also I joined dailybooth.com! If you're an exhibitionist like me, check it out, it's free:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://dailybooth.com/freakygreeneyes </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>What's your quick tip for looking better on camera?</i></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-80067342196241247102009-10-06T14:30:00.000-07:002009-10-06T14:40:21.167-07:00Be happy for others, kids!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, serif; font-size: medium; ">I just wanted to take a quick minute to congratulate ijustine (of internet fame. If you don't know who she is by now, wiki/google her or go to ijustine.com)!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I met ijustine on the set of a MTV real world: The Island challenge and Buffalo Wild Wings commercial last year. She was quiet, sweet and helpful around set. We spoke briefly and she said she wanted to be a TV host, not an actress. I think that's great. She knows what she wants and goes for it. She has done a TON of online hosting, youtube videos and has a great teen following. She went to school and learned to shoot edit and make her own videos. I really respect that.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not everyone is naturally as fearless as she is, but I just wanted to use her as an example. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She caters to a tech-loving, young, goofy online crowd. She keeps all of her work PG (that must be extremely hard, I couldn't do it.) and it has gotten her a lot of opportunities. Most recently she guest starred on one of my favorite shows, Law and Order: SVU. The episode airs in November and the rest of the info is on her video:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCHACkw9vpQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCHACkw9vpQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations ijustine! Please continue to root for fellow actresses success. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(whether it's TV, theater, radio or a news anchor, we can be supportive of others by sharing the good news!)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More updates to come soon!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">xoxox</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amber</span></span></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-46147647834009181772009-10-05T18:13:00.001-07:002009-10-05T18:17:48.774-07:00Beauty on a BudgetFrugal beauty tips for the struggling actress...<div><br /></div><div>One thing I've learned from my 5 years pursuing acting and trying to make ends meet, is ways to cut back spending on beauty products.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's INSANE how much we spend on keeping ourselves "audition ready"! From expensive haircuts and highlights, to manicures, to fake tans, to teeth whitening... money depletes FAST when you're trying to look good... so I've found some ways to consolidate my beauty products budget...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QiJ6x1jka-8&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QiJ6x1jka-8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-54507090864317664672009-10-02T01:03:00.000-07:002009-10-02T01:42:03.762-07:00You know you're a struggling actress when...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6RsWbTLEHbv5hbyEMh74Qpt9XPpmkzEXjuuS_3GZR4DKSVMCsHi_Wk8pEbcTbv51t4nT3_0QFVBQkQpZI4CeIA_HDiocJt9EcsvLwPycu7migNlidQIZezy7naRrBHDf-L_aC7Y-lz8/s1600-h/IMG_3883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6RsWbTLEHbv5hbyEMh74Qpt9XPpmkzEXjuuS_3GZR4DKSVMCsHi_Wk8pEbcTbv51t4nT3_0QFVBQkQpZI4CeIA_HDiocJt9EcsvLwPycu7migNlidQIZezy7naRrBHDf-L_aC7Y-lz8/s320/IMG_3883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387920082112356898" /></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">You know you're a struggling actress when...</span></b><div><br /></div><div>You have an array of solid colored tops just for auditions and headshots.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know what color looks best on you.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know your "best angle".</div><div><br /></div><div>You have waitressing experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>You don't have a savings or health insurance.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know AT LEAST one creepy guy you keep in contact with only for networking purposes...</div><div><br /></div><div>You know how to flirt with the whole room and still go home alone (a very good skill to have)...</div><div><br /></div><div>You know what "cheat", "slate", "improv", "sides", and "off-book" mean.</div><div><br /></div><div>You have your go-to 3 to 5 actresses that you always name when someone asks who your favorite actress is...</div><div><br /></div><div>You have your 3-5 TV shows or movie roles that you name when someone asks you your ideal role...</div><div><br /></div><div>You've done at least one project that you hope will never re-surface when you become famous...</div><div><br /></div><div>You write-off make-up, clothing, headshots, printer and ink, acting classes, and anything else you can think of when doing your taxes...</div><div><br /></div><div>At least one time you have dressed up and drank champagne at home while watching the Oscars on TV... admit it!</div><div><br /></div><div>When you meet someone who JUST moved to LA to pursuing acting, you secretly size them up to see how long they will last...</div><div><br /></div><div>Many numbers in your phone also have the one-day job that you met them on, so you'll remember who they are...</div><div><br /></div><div>You don't know how people got jobs before there was a Craigslist!</div><div><br /></div><div>You hold onto old clothes you'd usually never wear, but you think that MAYBE there will be a role that calls for overalls, studded jeans, a corset, or cowboy hat... just maybe.</div><div><br /></div><div>You've tried smoking at least once just to be closer to the director or celebs on their smoke break...</div><div><br /></div><div>You try to remember the celebrities you've met/seen so you can tell people back at home...</div><div><br /></div><div>You think aspiring actresses or actors who go on reality shows are sell-outs!</div><div><br /></div><div>You've heard of Stanislavsky, Hagen, Adler, Strasberg, and Meisner, but you can't tell all of their techniques apart...</div><div><br /></div><div>You dread memorizing monologues and it stays on your To-Do List until an audition comes up asking for one and then you freak out!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>You know what Samuel French is, and it's Heaven if you've been in one...</div><div><br /></div><div>You know the difference between SAG and Aftra, and you know how to become either...</div><div><br /></div><div>You've done extra work.</div><div><br /></div><div>You've looked for your small head in the background on a TV show.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Just some of mine. Feel free to add yours!</div><div>- Cassie</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-12879416095678878612009-09-14T02:47:00.000-07:002009-11-25T17:02:31.031-08:00How to make an acting DEMO REEL!!!The blog post you've ALL have been waiting for!!!!! (myself included!)<div><br /></div><div>DEMO REELS!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Dun dun duuuuunnnn.....</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a great mystery, and just like a documentary on Sasquatch, I'll do my best to inform you on the information I've gathered, but this DOES NOT MEAN I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!</div><div><br /></div><div>With that said, I'll tell you my personal take on how to make a decent demo reel, and I will show you the one I've come up with for myself, as well as other actress's demos on youtube...</div><div><br /></div><div>So, first, we have to clarify the objective of an actor's demo reel. The purpose is to show a casting director, director, agent, or manager (in 5 minutes or less is best) your acting range, emotion, different looks, how you interact with other actors, and your overall film "presence". </div><div><br /></div><div>The key to a good demo is getting to the point! Pacing is important. If you linger too long on one scene the viewer will get bored because they've already seen what they needed to see from that character and situation... move on to what else you have to offer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Demo Reels can range from 1 minute to 5-6 minutes... rarely over or under that amount. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once you've accumulated all your footage (and don't hesitate making a demo just because you think you don't have enough footage... a demo is ever-evolving... it'll never be perfect and it will never be your last demo...)... </div><div><br /></div><div>So, once you have all your footage to date, find an editor! A lot of people try to screw you on price so make SURE to shop around and compare prices, I wouldn't pay more than $300 for an AWESOME demo... and make friends with all editors and that way you can pull favors. I've had 3 demos made before from friends for FREE, and my latest demo I made myself because I learned how to edit... it's not as hard as it looks!</div><div><br /></div><div>Show the editor all your footage and pick out what you think best shows your range, look, emotion, different characters, and the best quality of films you've been a part of. Some of my favorite acting performances had terrible quality and I had to cut them all together. It sucks, but it's better to not be associated with that bad of quality. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rule of thumb: put your "biggest" job first on your demo. If you were on a popular TV show, in a good movie, or acted with a recognizable actor, put that first or second in your demo. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, in every scene you use in your demo, try to be the one dominating the scene. This may mean cutting other actors lines short or out completely, so that it looks like the scene is all about you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some people choose to do montages of footage with music in their demo. I like doing this because I can show various "looks" faster without having to show the whole scene. I definitely recommend always putting the music and montage at the END of the demo. Some people do it in the beginning, and most casting directors don't like this because they just want to get to the meat of the performances. That's why you should always show your best work first and go from there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some people choose to add the title of the film at the bottom of the screen when the clip is being shown. I find this distracting (especially when it's an unrecognizable film, that has no real notoriety), but still many people do this, and it's just a matter of preference...</div><div><br /></div><div>General note: always start the demo with your name in CLEAR text and end the demo with some kind of contact info, whether it's your agent/manager or your website info. Refrain from putting your personal info (email or phone number).</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, without further ado... let's see some examples!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my personal demo reel (I JUST made... today). Please comment and tell me what you think (what works and what doesn't, etc... it's ever-evolving...)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KEAtGn_YlHE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KEAtGn_YlHE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">The strongest part about this girl's reel is that she has big stations (NBC) and big actors involved. That's always the best way to lead your demo reel. Start with the most recognizable show or movie, or anything with recognizable actors, and it automatically makes you look like a pro. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iPlzA4f4wKk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iPlzA4f4wKk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">This girl's demo is good considering the interaction between the different people. For whatever reason the quality doesn't seem the best, which a lot of times is out of your control. And I noticed she doesn't really have any close-ups on her face, which would be ideal, but if you don't have the footage, you don't have the footage! No worries, just work with what you've got...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nORoqsfldPs&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nORoqsfldPs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">This is probably the best demo of all. Great pacing, great scenes, shows all the best parts, and simple. No fancy effects, no fancy transitions. VERY VERY nice. The reason these long scenes work is because they are high-quality, are mainly about her character, and they're with recognizable actors. If any of those things were not true, then the length of the scenes would be too long. Everything works in this demo!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mcu4g1_xkXw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mcu4g1_xkXw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">This girl is just a fabulous actress which makes the reel all the better, of course. I do think some of the scenes could be shortened, but that's just an opinion. The great thing about this reel is you know exactly the kind of character actress she is, and she has great range within her character.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gpRF82fL3AY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gpRF82fL3AY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div>The beauty of this demo is the length, 1 minute 30 seconds. Quick and to the point! Good variety of characters and all of the footage seems to be good quality. Not bad at all...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Nqbf_9-lJA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Nqbf_9-lJA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">This one is pretty long with footage that is not very necessary (example,: the first scene should be cut after she dies, no need to still be showing her motionless for that long). After the first scene, the pacing speeds up nicely and she has a good variety of footage. The end is an example of a montage of footage with music and no dialogue. Her montage could have been drastically shortened, since there is some footage repeating itself. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uPbeHe2XxMw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uPbeHe2XxMw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">Okay, there's a lot I want to say about this one, but I'll try to keep to the basics. Putting her acting aside, and just looking at the edit job: The transitions with the title and where the film can be seen are unnecessary and time-consuming. The crazy "special effects" transitions are very distracting and just in bad taste. Simple is better when it comes to transitions. I'm not sure if the editor added some of the music, but it was over-powering a bit. As a general rule, if you already show a certain character from a film, don't show the same character again, unless they're in a different extreme situation. Example: if you show being a ditzy blonde in one film, don't show a ditzy blonde from another film again, unless it's a totally different or extreme emotion being shown with that character. A casting director's time is valuable and they just want a slice from all the different ranges you have. Oddly enough, with better editing, this girl could have an AWESOME reel. Seriously!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2LBgkciNHc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2LBgkciNHc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-46819012773120522522009-08-12T23:58:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:51:24.320-07:00Utilizing the Internet to Market Yourself<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hello "kids" ;)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I made a video blog (aka. vlog) of finishing my first feature documentary. It's just cheesy rambling and whatnot, but I thought I'd share anyways.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Which, while I'm on the subject. I HAVE to say that you girls are entering a different age of pursuing acting then when I moved to LA in 2004. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Believe it or not, A LOT has changed from 2005 to 2009, and in order for you girls to keep up with the competition, you have to know what the competition is doing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So what are they doing? THEIR OWN VIDEOS! Whether it's acting out their own written scenes with friends, making their own music videos, spoof videos, vlogs, how-tos, or just simply dancing to the latest music. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am a strong advocate for being consistent with your "image" (for example: if you're marketing yourself as a dramatic actress, don't go making an SNL spin-off).... BUT I'm also a HUGE advocate for getting yourself OUT THERE! And in this technological age, there are MANY ways to market yourself, and remain true to who you are.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A couple examples:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- Facebook (befriend EVERYONE you meet on set immediately... being fresh in their mind could lead to your next job)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- Twitter (it's not for everyone, but if you have something to say, say it on twitter! And here's a hint: be positive. The better your outlook on things, the more people will want to work with you.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- YouTube (if you have a camera and know how to use it, THEN USE IT! And shockingly enough, many people have gotten acting jobs just from youtube videos, whether they're acting in the video or not. Casting Directors can sense if you have a good on-screen presence. Plus, bonus tip: if you have a special skill {i.e. a sport, musical talent, weird talent, something not a lot of people can do} FILM IT! You may just get cast, or "discovered" from it!)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*** If you have iMovie or Final Cut Pro and don't know how to edit (and you're like me and hate reading manuals) I suggest watching tutorials on YouTube! That's how I learned most of everything I know about editing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">IMDb is a HUGE marketing tool. When you get your name on IMDb, INSTANTLY put an avatar (profile picture) up, it'll be the best $35 you ever spend online. Just make sure it's a good picture, because it's another $35 if you want to change it. Also, I would highly suggest getting IMDBpro because you get special features such as "in production" castings, job listings, and career advice, as well as access to all message boards and just overall better information so you know the ins an outs of what's going on. Totally worth it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And eventually you'll want to get your own website (www.yourname.com). Why? Just because it looks more professional. No other reason, really. Well, there are some reasons: putting up all your photos, resume, demo reel(s), contact info, bio... it's good to have, when you have enough to put on it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you need a reliable website company: I got mine (CassieJaye.com) through RobPadgett.biz. Great prices, and he's on top of things. I've been with him for almost 3 years and he's never let me down. I'd definitely recommend him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- Cassie</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uUjQywmxdvU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uUjQywmxdvU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-14983944841320204212009-07-25T23:54:00.000-07:002009-07-26T00:33:28.349-07:00Preparing a monologue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgfFq9ogLB5PSRqL21UXGzmD33mL92UBA1X_welJ_3ZzsdocVxyrL8Vf66sezEMHEEWi0zft_xIE1kT02cbfP6g-dAa7UvCfPNHj3xcbh61vk0GepxYxEnbB-Cu64acmVXnkLeqrZRKY/s1600-h/Photo+81.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgfFq9ogLB5PSRqL21UXGzmD33mL92UBA1X_welJ_3ZzsdocVxyrL8Vf66sezEMHEEWi0zft_xIE1kT02cbfP6g-dAa7UvCfPNHj3xcbh61vk0GepxYxEnbB-Cu64acmVXnkLeqrZRKY/s320/Photo+81.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362668453310222274" /></a><br />Being that I live in the middle of nowhere, theatrically speaking, a girl has got to take what she can get.<div>That being said, I have rarely come across a casting in Las Vegas (where I am currently stationed, for the time being) that not only pays more than the gas it takes to get there but also seems fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>I came across an odd posting on (where else?) www.Craigslist.org under tv/film/radio jobs. (which believe me, this section is USUALLY blank.)</div><div><blockquote type="cite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:Times;">FRIGHT DOME IS CASTING FOR A MINI-MOVIE / PROMO FOR NEW UPCOMING HORROR ATTRACTION THAT WILL BE OPENING IN OCTOBER!<br /><br />ACTORS / ACTRESSES MUST:<br />BE BETWEEN 18 - 35 YEARS OF AGE<br /> BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION<br />BE ABLE TO DO SCRIPTED DIALOG (APPROX 2 - 3 PAGES)<br />BE COMFORTABLE WITH HAVING SPECIAL MAKEUP FX DONE TO THEM AND / OR BEING AROUND OTHER SPECIAL MAKE-UP FX.<br /><br />OPEN AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON ONLY AUGUST 1, 2009 FROM 10 AM - 8 PM<br />- YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST COME TO THE AUDITION AND DO MONOLOGUE / SCRIPT READING TO BE CONSIDERED. NO EXCEPTIONS!<br />- PLEASE BE PREPARED TO DO A 1 - 2 MINUTE MONOLOGUE / SCRIPT READING WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED ON AUDITION DAY.<br />- YOU WILL BE VIDEOTAPED DURING THE AUDITION IN ORDER TO HELP WITH THE CASTING DECISIONS<br />- PLEASE BE SURE A HEAD SHOT / PHOTO AND RESUME WITH YOU TO THE AUDITION.<br />COMPENSATION IS: $100 - $150 PER DAY DEPENDING ON WHICH PART YOU ARE CAST FOR.<br /><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Location: Las Vegas</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; -webkit-text-stroke-width: -1; ">Compensation: $100 - $150</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">So being the gloriously unemployed aspiring actress that I am at the moment, I took this little gem. A chance to actually prepare ANY monologue I want? Heck yes. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">I am looking for a creepy, scary, 20-25 yr old role. I am looking through some of my favorite monologue sites from high school (the only time I've ever actually needed a monologue) and need some help deciding what to do. Here are some favorite monologue sites of mine:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">1) http://www.whysanity.net/monos/female.html - They update this every year with new monologues and even have some really hard to find movie scenes, and sometime you have to email the owner and ask for them, but 99% are free for reading on the site. No made up monologue crap from a creative writing student. All real movies. No theater here, though. But you're not actually auditioning for film, are you? Where do you think you are? NYC?<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">2) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: -1; ">http://www.monologuearchive.com/ - They have a great organized monologue selection, separated by classical and modern, dramatic and comedy. Very good older, classical selection. They also have a section for kids I have no explored. Mostly play monologues here. (As you can imagine, at 5'9 barefoot, I don't get a lot of disney auditions...)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">3) Another great resource is Borders. Got to the literature section and there is a small section of monologue books, monolouge book sfor women, for men, for kids, from classical plays (not much from movies though.) and from different decades. My go to book, and most useful monologue book is a little purple paperback book called "100 women's stage monologues from the 1980's".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">For this audition I'll be choosing a film, and a horror or thriller genre. My problem here is I don't watch scary movies. Because they scare me. (Don't judge me!) So I don't have much point of reference. I am looking for a girl in her 20's who is creepy or scary. I'm not going for the damsel in distress, but the villain. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Any suggestions?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">I'll put up the final 2 or 3 I choose up here when I have some good choices.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;">email me or Direct Message your suggestion to me on twitter (twitter.com/freakygreeneyes)!</span></div></span></blockquote></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-65372119718570376852009-06-13T14:49:00.000-07:002009-06-13T21:09:03.730-07:00John Robert Powers. Those Dirty Bastards.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iFjvRkutGwbTLVO0MSxj5im6p4XWT0RmFjKMVK-3YQilFlTBNTj1-dd4j83mLs8AAPN6-ElLOWA0OFZI4SKZwXC-JSC7i2T8YPv43bzDm-tpl4HRgn_j459Wz3hkRCV18OsEqzMhbRY/s1600-h/08-trio.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSr2QtYRtHLSpXOMMIZEBK4sQd7_XUPoEv_SyhavvQStVYLxx_ChOpKNUGxOxAasmZjBq2HHlUIq0r4C03fpC2MtJYpeewGnmDmWHxT3yw2Ohwg3kNtXZpHu7IVn0G_Nkb6jNCbwo-rc/s320/Photo+121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347005894002324722" /><span></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iFjvRkutGwbTLVO0MSxj5im6p4XWT0RmFjKMVK-3YQilFlTBNTj1-dd4j83mLs8AAPN6-ElLOWA0OFZI4SKZwXC-JSC7i2T8YPv43bzDm-tpl4HRgn_j459Wz3hkRCV18OsEqzMhbRY/s1600-h/08-trio.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iFjvRkutGwbTLVO0MSxj5im6p4XWT0RmFjKMVK-3YQilFlTBNTj1-dd4j83mLs8AAPN6-ElLOWA0OFZI4SKZwXC-JSC7i2T8YPv43bzDm-tpl4HRgn_j459Wz3hkRCV18OsEqzMhbRY/s1600-h/08-trio.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">Like the new Green Day song so awesomely proclaims: "KNOW YOUR ENEMY".</span></span></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VF1JpwHV5Ds&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VF1JpwHV5Ds&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">Let me tell you about my lil' friend, John Robert Powers.</span><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When I first came to LA to act, I didn't know where to start. I didn't know about craigslist.org, LAcasting.com, or even NOWcasting. So I looked in the newspaper for acting jobs. I came across an ad looking for new and fresh ("No experience necessary!") models, singers and actors. It said something like, "OPEN CALL for undiscovered talent for TV shows on Disney and Nickelodeon!" I went down all the way to sunset blvd to audition for something I had no idea what it was really about. Upon entering, I noticed similar surroundings from trying to get an agent as a child (and also being scammed): A big lobby full of movie and tv posters with no connection to each other. There were several children toys and magazines for the moms. (A typical casting office is usually bare and small, with a few chairs and a desk with a clipboard.) After I filled out several forms with all my contact info on it (I never noticed that there was no place to put my agent's info, because they were banking on me not having one.) I was escorted into a huge classroom.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> There were rows and rows of chairs for all the overly excited parents and children to sit and listen to how successful John Robert Powers is and how every one of the posters in the room had been cast by them or one of the actors from their classes had gone on to make those shows.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One by one, after having us watch a VHS (Yes, a VHS) tape of how awesome John Robert Powers is, they had us file into a line to meet with their executive "Casting Directors". I noticed sad faces and crushed dreams walk out of that room before me. I thought, wow, they must be really picky! (See: the parents didn't have enough money to pay for the several thousand dollar classes they had to join to become "famous".)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I entered the room, the only thin, young teenager there with previous modeling experience and they told me they loved my look, and they wanted to hear "My story". I gave them a brief bio of myself and how I wanted to start acting in film. All three smiled encouragingly and told me there were acting classes available for me! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wait. What? How is this an audition? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I thought this was an audition for a tv show... " I said. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Oh we are having auditions for several TV shows! But you aren't ready yet, honey. But the good news is we just LOVE your look, I think you would book TONS of commercials and movies!" (Movies? What self respecting industry professional calls films "movies"?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So I say,"OK, cool, I like acting class, I guess.... How much is it?"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Enthusiastic "casting director" said "The acting classes start at $800 for a 4 week class or if you really want to act, we might be able to fit you in to our 2 year program for $6,500." (I am not positive on how many thousands of dollars they were charging, it was a couple years ago, but I know it was almost the cost of a legit college.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I teared up and said, "But there is no way I can afford that!"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"What about your parents?"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"No, they can't afford anything."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Well, we might be able to work out a financing plan for you."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was so upset I nodded and left. Going home, I thought, why wouldn't they say on the dang Ad that they were charging money, not a real audition for a real tv show? I was so indignant and confused. I knew one thing, I didn't need John Robert Powers. I needed a real audition. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Granted, this was WAY before I knew I even needed a resume or headshot, etc... but I still knew something was wrong with that place.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There are plenty of people out there who have unfortunately gone through the John Robert Powers scam. And if you are curious, or don't believe me, please research for yourselves!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/119/RipOff0119080.htm</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*Fast forward 3 years.*</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have recently moved to Las Vegas to save money for my wedding. I miss LA, but there is no money to be made there right now (So if you are thinking about moving to LA to act, now is not the best time. I would suggest saving up a couple thousand bucks to live off of for at LEAST 6 months, because there is no work out there, acting or regular. Unless, of course, you have very rich parents who have no problem supporting your for 4 years while you break into acting, then go for it!!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have been surfing the las vegas craigslist for work recently. No luck yet on finding any acting auditions. well, unless you count a "sexy busty blonde babe" type for a short film for NO pay. There are plenty of those "castings" in Vegas. (PLEASE FLAG THAT CRAP!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I came across this ad:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Casting This Saturday</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;">LA Casting Director is coming to Las Vegas to seek new talent for two upcoming films. </span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;">All ages are welcome.(if under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult) </span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">For more information, please contact Mary Zaragoza either by email or phone. </span><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:marygutierrez08@yahoo.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">marygutierrez08@yahoo.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:marygutierrez08@yahoo.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); "><br /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">(702)466-6482 </span><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So I sent in my headshot and resume. I thought something was weird about this posting, but I wanted SO badly for it to be legit work in Vegas, so I emailed to find out more about it:</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;">Hello!</span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am a 22 yr old actress from LA, recently moved to Vegas and would love to know more about this casting and what it is for! I have attached my headshot and a link to my imdb page. Thanks!-Amber Pxxxxxx</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She emailed me back a very air head response, asking me for my info all over again:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Director is searching for new talent for her upcoming movies. She will be here this Saturday at 1pm. She is looking for all ages and types. You may audition if you would like. I just need a little bit more information from you such as:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Client name:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">age: <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">two phone numbers:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Email:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't need to prepare anything for the audition. You just need to come in dressed nice. ( no jeans or t-shirts) You will be given a script, but you don't have to memorize it. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">I need your information so I can put you on the list. The audition will be held at the following address:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">1:00 p.m. For 2 movies.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">8879 W. Flamingo Rd. Suite 101</span></span></span></span></div></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">(Between Durango and El Capitan)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you get lost or need more directions please call either (702)466-6482 or (702)364-9900.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There will be a sign in sheet which will ask who invited you, you will put my name (Mary Zaragoza).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope to hear from you soon with more information about you and if you will be attending. Thank you! Sincerely, Mary Zaragoza<br /></div></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Confused and annoyed, I responded with the same information I already gave her and asked a few questions to try to understand what she was casting, and what the production company was:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hi Mary,</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Does the director have any experience? Is there a production website or imdb credits I could look at? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Again, my name is Amber Pxxxxxxx, I'm 22, I only have one phone number (my cell) xxx xxx-xxxx.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She never responded. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well I got a call this morning from a 702 area code (THAT'S VEGAS, NOT LA! LIKE THEY SAID THEY WERE VISITING FROM). It went something like this: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"...Hello?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Hi Amber! This is Mary from John Robert Powers! How ARE you!!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*sigh*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I'm good."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"We just wanted to make sure you could still come to our movie casting today! You see, we have a top LA casting director visiting today casting for new movies! Yup, so you REALLY don't wanna miss that! Oh I really hope you can make it, this is gonna be HUGE! Here, let me give you some contact numbers in case you get lost, ok?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(I pretended to take the several numbers down and said yeah I was pretty sure I'd be there at 1pm.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I hung up and was so glad I caught that before I wasted my time going to that stupid audition!! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The point I'm trying to make (and I'm sorry for this being so long!) is:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-Know your enemy: Beware of John Robert Power "castings" that are really ads. As well as anything else that makes you pay for anything. (unless acting classes are recommended by a working actor or legit agent who gets you work)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-Always try to find out as much as possible about the casting before committing to it! Some things to always know are who is the casting director, or the director/writer? What kind of work can they show you they have done? A youtube teaser trailer, or production website, or imdb credits, or personal references from actors they have worked with in the past are better than nothing! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-If they are professional, they will understand the request for information, and respect you for being interested.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Also check out one of my good director's blog about what he looks for in an actor and let us know if it is helpful!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://nsage.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-i-look-for-in-actor.html</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Whew! had to get that off my chest!</span></div></span></p></span></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-90907938340572653372009-06-13T09:26:00.000-07:002009-06-13T10:20:22.355-07:00Act From Experience<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.<br />Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,<br />vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I want to share some advice that took me a while to sink in.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I am the type of person where: when people tell me what to do and give me great advice, I don't FULLY understand it until I experience it for myself. I learn more through trial and error then I do from me just following people's advice. So if you're like me, then I'll tell you this advice and it may not register for a while. But if you are the type of person who learns from other people's experiences, then here's what I've learned:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I was star-struck when I first got to work with actor, Rider Strong (who played Shawn Hunter in "Boy Meets World", a show I grew up religiously watching). We worked in "Cosmic Radio" together, and we got to get drinks one night and talk for a bit. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">At the time, I was still a newbie, and trying to soak up as much information as I could about the industry. So I asked Rider, "if you have any advice for a young aspiring actress like me, trying to break the glass ceiling, what would it be?"</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I was expecting him to say "make sure you find a good agent" or "get into acting classes" or even "it's all about networking, who you know"..... at least with that kind of advice I feel like I can work towards and ask people for help with.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">But, in fact, his expert advice was... dun nun </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">nuuuuuuuuun</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">......</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">"Go out, experience life, meet many people, travel, live, love, learn. An actor's job is to know the most about life as possible, because we are translating these real life experiences onto film, and sharing it with people who don't have the opportunity to see all of the world and do everything there is to do."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">When he told me this, I'll admit I was kind of bummed. I was thinking to myself "I don't want to travel, go get my heart broken, go experience risky time-consuming things... I want to be in LA, auditioning, filming, networking... and that 'experiencing life' stuff seems like a lot of work". </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Yes, that's actually what I thought.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Fast forward to 3 years later (right now), I see what he was talking about. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">How are we, as actors, supposed to convey these emotions on screen, if we've never experienced them ourselves? We have the absolute </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">privilege</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> to teach millions of people about these true life experiences, we should know what we're talking about. It'd be like an News Anchorwoman reading the stories off the teleprompter, and yet, not even know anything about the subject. Sure, you can slide under the radar and hope that no one ever finds out you don't know what you're talking about... but believe me, they'll find out. If not now, then later.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Now, I'm not saying you should go do drugs if you're supposed to be a drug addict in a film, or go experience prostitution, or be in a gang... NO. But know about the subject. Research! You can actually google true-life stories of prostitutes on the web. I did it yesterday because I auditioned for a girl who was a prostitute yesterday. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Be well-versed in any subject you come across. If you only read acting books, then you're not doing your job. Expand your mind, expand your experiences. It's our job (as actors) to live life to the fullest so we can translate our experiences onto film for others to learn from.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">So, go out: LIVE, LOVE, LEARN!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-8211954871445691142009-06-10T08:54:00.000-07:002009-06-10T09:18:00.923-07:00Prepping For Commercial AuditionsIt's very important to do as much research as possible before every audition, but prepping for a commercial is a little different then prepping for a film or tv show.<div><br /></div><div>I have a Ross Commercial audition today, and there are no sides and no explanation of what I'm going to be asked to do. So how do I educate myself before this audition? </div><div><br /></div><div>You Tube! Just by searching Ross commercials on www.youtube.com I can see that ALL their commercials are just people dancing around, smiling, and having fun. So l will most likely be asked to improv something like this at my audition.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can also see how they dress, do their hair, makeup, etc... Your image and how you present yourself at commercial auditions is one of the most important deciding factors for casting directors (next to letting your personality shine). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BKx_0-WMCE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BKx_0-WMCE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I encourage you to always watch previous commercials from that company before you audition for them: iPod, Geico, Verizon, Fruit of the Loom, Doritos.... they all have different "styles" of commercials, so educate yourself!</div><div><br /></div><div>I auditioned for this Listerine commercial before, and I had to practice swooshing mouthwash in front of a mirror... it's actually really hard! But at least I knew to practice!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jo7ZrrxBcHA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jo7ZrrxBcHA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div><div>Break a leg!</div><div>- Cassie</div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-13299796709209472982009-06-09T15:28:00.000-07:002009-06-09T16:18:18.666-07:00Actress Check List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Helloooo! Cassie here again. I just went to an audi this morning, and when I was in the car I was thinking how I should write a blog about all the "actress supplies" I keep in my car for any last minute audition situation. So here are some tips on things to have in your car at all times and different supplies to invest in for your acting career!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Things to keep in your car:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- Plenty of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">headshots</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> in a hard folder (to keep them from getting bent)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- Plenty of UPDATED </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">resumes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> already cut to 8"x10"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- A small </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">stapler</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> to attach your headshots to your resume and a small box of extra staples</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (I don't staple my headshot to my resume until the day of the audition because if you do it in advance, you may attach old resumes to updated headshots or vice versa, and then have to take the staple out later when you update it... so just keep them seperate until the day of your audition)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Highlighte</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">r </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(for your "sides", aka script)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Heals</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (you may be out running errands and all of a sudden you get a call from your agent for an audition in an hour across town. It's a sexy girl role but you're just wearing jeans and a t-shirt... add heals to any outfit and you're automatically "dressed up"... keep a black pair of heals in your car)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Tape recorder</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> (*optional - I use a tape recorder to memorize lines if I don't have someone else to read the other part for me. I'll tape myself reading the other part and leave a blank space for my character's lines. That way it's like I have someone else reading the lines with me. My tape recorder stays in my glove box at all times)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Actress Supply List:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Paper / Printer / Ink </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(for your resumes and scripts, you'll be printing ALL THE TIME! Don't rely on Kinkos!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Headshots</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(Prints usually cost a little less than $1 per photo. I think I got 100 Headshots for $75. I also have 3 different "looks" which I choose depending on the audition. I have a young/natural smiling look for Disney and commercials; a smokey eye seductress headshot for the sexy girl auditions; and then my straight forward, no smiling, average girl-next-door for leading lady roles. Find your top 2 or 3 characters you'd be auditioning for and have your headshots reflect those)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Paper cutter</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(I invested in this within a month or 2 after moving to LA and I don't know what I'd do without it. I think it was about $20 at Office Depot and it's helped my resumes look so polished and it cuts time in half! Pun intended....)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Business Cards</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(I mentioned this in my last post, but they're very important! Mainly for networking events and while you're on set filming, not really for auditions. It doesn't matter how good, bad, or ugly you have them, as long as you have them with the correct info! Some people put their headshot on their business card, I didn't do that, I just have my name, email, and acting website. Phone number is optional. Just depends on how much info you want floating around out there. Be safe girls!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hope this helps! Feel free to email us if you want to add your own actress check list item! Always looking to share good tips!</span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-57683508217547533962009-06-02T20:42:00.001-07:002009-06-02T20:44:22.324-07:00I wanted to blog about moving to the fabulous Las Vegas...But I haven't found anything positive yet...<div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned kids.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-Amber</div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-71924595169182925562009-05-01T11:38:00.000-07:002009-05-01T13:01:41.244-07:00The First Step in the Right Direction<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hi! This is Cassie, and this is my first post on "Dear Aspiring Actress". Amber and I are here to encourage, inspire, motivate, educate, and hopefully articulate and translate how YOU can make your big break!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wow. Okay, stick to acting, NOT rapping... there I go again. Yikes!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, here are some tips that I've accumulated for girls wanting to move to LA to pursue their dreams. I can always go into deeper detail about specific steps needed to take place for your move, so if you have ANY questions WHATSOEVER, that's what Amber and I are here for. Feel free to comment below and we'll help you out.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG3VuD_P3gcKNIzTDX_4iRkTVikHlSfX8XGHIGOQetEbERvoB8MmzwdHQP8WtTPTi6Lo-Us7z0dAEx98NGYYgmlSiL88D6v7M1-lj-SWldbEN9bXR3Kov2VNB-Qq5DwEDRi7c5Nl6dLf0/s1600-h/th2bb9146a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG3VuD_P3gcKNIzTDX_4iRkTVikHlSfX8XGHIGOQetEbERvoB8MmzwdHQP8WtTPTi6Lo-Us7z0dAEx98NGYYgmlSiL88D6v7M1-lj-SWldbEN9bXR3Kov2VNB-Qq5DwEDRi7c5Nl6dLf0/s400/th2bb9146a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160778506133861586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, just to let you know: moving to LA will be the hardest and biggest step in the right direction you can make in order to pursue your acting career. It won't be easy, but it IS a necessity. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Your main focuses will be: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. apartment </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. survival job </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. headshots </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4. resume </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5. demo </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">6. agent </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">7. SAG membership </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. Apartment! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is one of the hardest things (I find) to secure, especially if you're planning on having a roommate. When I first moved to LA, I got a studio apartment on "Miracle Mile" (mid-Wilshire Blvd). It was $750/month with no parking space... and that killed me because I ended up racking about 15 parking tickets within the 6 months I lived there. Each about $50! Killer! So... definitely try to get an apartment with parking (that is, if you have a car). Which brings up: you'll definitely want a car in LA. Public transportation is not only dangerous here, but a pain in the arse. Especially with last minute auditions/meetings... and filming that ends at 11pm or later. It's close to impossible to try to be a working actress without a car. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSz6S3try3E5SYiz2-scMK6zkyeoOtjQq8TIY06krH8egm-_M1jZsocIss68gw5JoQSJzI6XaW38vyyPp6rrpAUwjt4p2PB1TvzEtnEFLwlZ6H7_gWOI9N8XYQrx7sQgxNXmwNwKqTEsP/s1600-h/HOLLYWOOD.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSz6S3try3E5SYiz2-scMK6zkyeoOtjQq8TIY06krH8egm-_M1jZsocIss68gw5JoQSJzI6XaW38vyyPp6rrpAUwjt4p2PB1TvzEtnEFLwlZ6H7_gWOI9N8XYQrx7sQgxNXmwNwKqTEsP/s320/HOLLYWOOD.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160776732312368322" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I recommend looking around: Hollywood (central to auditions), West Hollywood, Studio City, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood (can be a little seedy, but it's CHEAP), Toluca Lake, Los Feliz, and Silverlake (beautiful and convenient). Santa Monica and Malibu are beautiful and on the ocean, but extremely expensive and traffic is a nightmare. If you want to go even cheaper and don't mind the drive: Glendale or Alhambra seem to be good. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.westsiderentals.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a great resource in finding a roommate or an apartment (or both!). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Survival Job! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you're fortunate enough to have an amazing savings account to sustain living in LA without a steady income, then AWESOME! If you're like most actors and need a survival job, then here are your options: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- most common = waitressing </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- what I do and recommend = Promo Modeling!!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- want your SAG card? = extra work!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- don't mind the 9-5 desk job? = Temp work / Temp agency </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- special skills: bartending, go go dancing </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- random jobs: apartment building manager, real estate agent, medical transcriptions (requires schooling) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYyHbddMAh9PjVyNyqoMZsa9bkV3AUxKsAuV3Dv2d5F2khrqlF3agXv8zqp2y8Cz9a21Ls1lilFvEUKTheIESpEyQ0hbelA8IlX4pC5LRKZYaI52yno46ffqPyUJ-SHwWr2SUqFfHdjbv/s1600-h/waitress.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYyHbddMAh9PjVyNyqoMZsa9bkV3AUxKsAuV3Dv2d5F2khrqlF3agXv8zqp2y8Cz9a21Ls1lilFvEUKTheIESpEyQ0hbelA8IlX4pC5LRKZYaI52yno46ffqPyUJ-SHwWr2SUqFfHdjbv/s320/waitress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160775976398124210" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I say nay to waitressing. I did it for 2 years and it took over my life. They try to advertise that it's flexible and you only work at night, but it wasn't that way for me. If you can't get a shift covered to go on an audition or for filming, then you either miss the audition or lose your job. It was also VERY exhausting for me, that I would get out of work at 2am, and end up wasting the whole next day sleeping in, and then have to go back to the restaurant at 5pm. I made great money, but it wasn't worth it, and my only connections turned out to be people in the restaurant industry (which is a competitive industry in itself!). If you can avoid waitressing, then do! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Promo modeling is acting like a Vana White for conventions, trade shows, and promotional events. As long as you clean up well and you can talk to people and be friendly, then you're IN! There are different promo modeling agencies. I'm with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.promomodels.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.judyvenn.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, but there's also a lot of freelance work from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.Craigslist.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">***By the way, craigslist is not as scary as people make it out to be! It's like saying everyone on myspace is a pediphyle. Obviously you have those types, but as long as you're cautious and go with your gut feeling, then you'll be fine. If it sounds shady, then it probably is***</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Extra work (background) is long, tedious, and boring, but it's worth it for the on-set experience and hopefully getting your 3 SAG vouchers. I'm with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Central Casting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. There is also </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jeff Olan </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sande Alessi Casting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, among others. It's like $25-$50 to join and they put your photo in the computer system and then you call a hotline to see what show or movies they need extras for. Also, some extra agencies call you if you want to be on their calling list. I've never done that before because that's usually if you want to do extra work 5 days a week, and I can only handle up to 2 days a week because they are usually such long days (9-12 hours, sometimes 16 hours), but of course you get paid overtime. Always bring a book and a warm jacket to set. A lot of waiting around, and usually on cold sets. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Temp work is kind of like having a desk job, except it only lasts to 2 days to 2 weeks, or maybe in the rare case of a month or two. You need to have good phone and computer skills, and sign up with a temp agency. I'm with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Career Group, Inc</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> located in Century City... they're nice, ask for Greg ;) You just tell them when you're available and they will find you a spot to fill in for if a receptionist or office assistant is sick or on vacation. Easy as that, and you'll make about $10-$15 an hour. This is obviously more flexible than having a regular 9 to 5. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't know much about bartending, go go dancing, real estate, apartment management, or transcriptions, but I know other actors that make good money doing that as their "survival job", so if one of those interest you, google around, see what's out there! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. Headshots! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The way of Hollywood is color headshots. If you have black and white, then put a stamp on your forehead that says "inexperienced". It's true. I've shot with about 15 different photographers and only paid for one, the first one. I recommend getting on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.modelmayhem.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and finding a photographer on there that you would like to do a TFP/TFCD shoot with. Meaning: "Time for Photo" or "Time for CD". You give them your "time" (modeling for them), and they give you a copy of the photos, or a CD with all of the images. It's a great give and take relationship because beginning photographers can't afford to hire a model, but they still (usually... hopefully) produce good photos, and you also learn your angles or best expressions and "looks". </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4. Resume! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hmPD0-aG2wNrpw5VU6pDTUy-TSizD-3zD-P-eLtU3RLUtmRxjybm5TzCiL96sWr0CHpDmKU-alJxW5jExLXa-TN72B7idqOPD5TEy6oNuOJP-HO_N3wbhyphenhyphenndy2OUxedTp-RDeYVY0_gI/s1600-h/April27b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hmPD0-aG2wNrpw5VU6pDTUy-TSizD-3zD-P-eLtU3RLUtmRxjybm5TzCiL96sWr0CHpDmKU-alJxW5jExLXa-TN72B7idqOPD5TEy6oNuOJP-HO_N3wbhyphenhyphenndy2OUxedTp-RDeYVY0_gI/s320/April27b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160781589920380146" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Building your resume can be as simple as doing a one day shoot on a student film (obviously for no pay). The trick is, casting directors want to see that you've been in front of a camera, lights, and crew people, while acting out dialogue from a script. That's all it means. It doesn't matter if the line on your resume is from a small college student film, or from a big hit Blockbuster movie. It's all a learning experience. My favorite websites to find resume-building work and acting jobs in general are: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.actorsaccess.com </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.Craigslist.com </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.mandy.com </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.lacasting.com </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.backstagewest.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> or the Backstage West trade paper found in select Borders, magazine stands, and a weekly mail subscription. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5. Demo! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6Y0EQOHJ9rx1BqtRy63uewACl8hgfzt2Y70aJeVSEiJAFf7L796bqE0C_M4XPZLR0f8RLKs1M43i33kWk0ru_0pWS0-eqNEhJ4YT2VnEIaJ6tvLldwOasEQ1ggQ5j8fJtCEzG9oLQbxl/s1600-h/film.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6Y0EQOHJ9rx1BqtRy63uewACl8hgfzt2Y70aJeVSEiJAFf7L796bqE0C_M4XPZLR0f8RLKs1M43i33kWk0ru_0pWS0-eqNEhJ4YT2VnEIaJ6tvLldwOasEQ1ggQ5j8fJtCEzG9oLQbxl/s320/film.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160782723791746306" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There are A LOT of steps that have to take place until you can get the proper footage to add to your (ever-evolving) demo reel! You have to audition, book it, film it, and then bug THE HECK out of the director/editor/production company to give you a copy of your work to add to your demo reel. Getting footage is the hardest part, and it's especially depressing when you finally get the footage and find that the color or sound sucks, and it isn't good enough to even show people. But, with that said, don't get discouraged! The main concern is to have good acting work on film, because your performance is the only thing you have control over (not lighting or sound). If it means you have your mom or friend hold a home video camera while you act out a scene, so be it! Good casting directors should have enough imagination to see your talent shine through the low-quality.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Also, when you're ready to compile your different scenes and footage together, you'll need to get someone to edit your demo reel for you. I cannot stress enough the importance of making friends with EVERYONE (not just directors or casting directors), make friends with the writer, the editor, the sound guy, the PA, the grip, the AD, the wardrobe stylist, the makeup artist, the script supervisor, the animal trainer, the owner of the house you're filming in.... and the list goes on and on and on and on.... EVERYONE! Because you NEVER know what else they do or who else they know. You are bound to find someone who can edit, and will make your demo reel for a steal (which is $500-$800 if you go to a company that makes demo reels)... or they may even do it for FREE! So make friends! Mingle! Exchange cards! GET cards, actress business cards, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">VistaPrint.com</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> has some great deals. GET CARDS! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 6. Agent! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I put demo before agent on this list because most big agents want to see your work on film (versus doing a monologue in their office) before they decide to take you on as a client. How do you find an agent? That's tricky. In my experience, you have to know someone that is with that agent, and then ask for a referral. Ask the fellow actors you work with if they have an agent. Ask them how they like their agent (because having a bad agent is just like having no agent). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But just to clear something up: don't think that when you get an agent you can just sit back and wait to be called for auditions. You still have to put in 90% of the work even AFTER you get an agent. Keep doing your submissions online, and think of the auditions your agent gets you as "bonuses". </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">7. SAG! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhHmv86b2YsopOg-v65W6glelLY1Nmavt7jUAGGIanFGXih6pf8KLzAkPvxYhCCSt3mvBGued__7V0qYEIq_7M3zaEYbdi8rvxC6i9zo1FKBE1fLCQFC8r7JHLnmLukU1dTGzcSW_ElD3/s1600-h/news_logo_0.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhHmv86b2YsopOg-v65W6glelLY1Nmavt7jUAGGIanFGXih6pf8KLzAkPvxYhCCSt3mvBGued__7V0qYEIq_7M3zaEYbdi8rvxC6i9zo1FKBE1fLCQFC8r7JHLnmLukU1dTGzcSW_ElD3/s320/news_logo_0.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160748900924290210" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Don't let this cloud your vision! Whether you're SAG or non-union, if an agent, director, or casting director REALLY wants you, they won't care if you're non-union. However, on the flipside, if a non-union film really wants you, but you're SAG, they can't take you because they'd get in BIG trouble. So I say hold off on becoming SAG until you've done all the non-union work you want to, because once you're SAG, you're SAG for life! The best position to be in is SAG eligible until a big TV show or film comes a knockin.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Benefits of being SAG? Higher pay, bigger auditions in bigger movies/tv shows, you can get health insurance through SAG.... the list goes on, check out </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.sag.org</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to learn more. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A great book I got before I moved to LA is called: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Hollywood, Here I Come" by Cynthia Hunter</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I still look through it even today! I highly recommend it! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amber and I will try to keep updating this blog with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">more tips and tidbits on the industry from our own experience in what we've done and what we are currently doing as this battle to be a working actress in LA continues...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Peace!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlQTPDlmh2RWdgWK-GdLSGWlaNBCdyO_l7kym6xUjYmQHoRHkkUX3bzMMw0sceAeN4PW0dr3wOsRjc9Eq0Tmc5JSJivtnXX3SQMLgduGFeAwP5sirZ37-L8RgERQP_mWJazywtxfWQ3c/s1600-h/moon4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlQTPDlmh2RWdgWK-GdLSGWlaNBCdyO_l7kym6xUjYmQHoRHkkUX3bzMMw0sceAeN4PW0dr3wOsRjc9Eq0Tmc5JSJivtnXX3SQMLgduGFeAwP5sirZ37-L8RgERQP_mWJazywtxfWQ3c/s320/moon4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330947983476592514" /></a></span><br /></div></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-23587760123746878212009-04-30T10:20:00.000-07:002009-04-30T10:55:34.531-07:00Stick with it!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">A good friend emailed this post from her blog. This is a GREAT simply stated (I love simply stated things!) blog by Jenna Fisher (Pam, on the Office). If you are on your 2nd or 3rd year in LA and still have a day job, this is for you. (and me.)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">The Acting Advice Blog - by: Jenna Fischer from The Office</span></span></div><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">I’ve received tons of letters from people asking advice about the entertainment industry </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">and</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">, in particular, pursing a life as an actor. People have also asked how I got to be on The Office. This blog, I hope, will address some of those questions.<br />I grew up in St. Louis Missouri. I always wanted to be an actor but when you grow up in a place like St. Louis that is sort of like saying, “I want to be a superhero when I grow up”. It hardly seems real. The world of Hollywood is mysterious. You hear stories of girls being discovered at ball games. Success is about having “it” or being pretty or some other intangible magic. You have no model for how to succeed. Everyone’s story is different. One person does stand-up for 15 years and then gets a TV show, someone else finances their own movie and it takes off at a festival and suddenly they are the hottest thing. But for each of those people there are thousands of stand-up comics and filmmakers who never got their break. How do you know what to do?</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; background-position: initial initial; ">I thought being an actor meant being famous. But, most actors aren’t recognizable. It’s funny. I watch TV in a whole new way now. Like, I watch a show and I see the person who has 3 lines on Law and Order and I think, “Their family is gathered around the TV flipping out right now. I bet that was a huge deal for that person!” There are so many actors that make a living by doing support work on shows. I was that person for many years. For me to stay in this business, it had to be okay if I was never recognized. I learned that I loved the craft of acting more than the idea of being famous.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">My first piece of advice to someone who is serious about being a professional television or film actor is: move to Los Angeles. Moving to Los Angeles can be difficult but it is the only city that doesn’t put a ceiling on where you can go with your career. New York is the place to go if you want to do theater. But if you want to be in film and television, move to LA.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">I had a teacher once who said, “If you can think of anything else you are passionate about besides acting, do that. Your life will be better for it.” I actually think that might be good advice. I couldn’t come up with anything so I moved to LA.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">I fully expected to be working in movies within a year of moving to LA. That was not my reality and it is not the reality of most people who move to LA to pursue acting. It can take a very, very, very long time to succeed in this business and my best piece of advice is to not give up. You have to motivate yourself and just keep going. Create projects for yourself. Don’t whine. The first year is the hardest followed by every anniversary up to about year 5 when you’re so beaten down you don’t notice the years passing anymore. I have a friend who is so incredibly talented it is a crime that after 10 years in LA he still has to wait tables to make a living. He gets acting work here and there but he can’t hold down an agent. This business is not fair. It is not like other businesses where if you show up, and work above and beyond everyone’s expectations, you are pretty much guaranteed to move up the ladder. I don’t know why it works out for some and not for others. And when you move here you have no idea which camp you are going to fall into.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">It isn’t who you know. It just doesn’t work that way. I didn’t know anyone when I moved to LA. Most people don’t. I shared an apartment with an old college buddy. He had a commercial agent and I was sure that by knowing him, this agent would take me on. She didn’t.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Here is how I got “discovered”. I had been living in LA for about 2 years. A friend wrote a TV script and wanted to do a live stage version as a way of attracting TV producers. He asked me to play a small role. It meant lots of rehearsal for very little stage time and no pay. Along the way I questioned why I had agreed to do it. But, it was very funny and he was a friend, so I agreed. After our 3<sup>rd</sup> performance, his manager approached me and asked if I had representation. I said, no. She offered to represent me saying she thought I had a real future in television comedy. Naomi is still my manager today.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">A month later, I was doing a very strange play - a musical adaptation of the movie Nosferatu - at a small theater in Los Angeles. I was doing it because I loved the Commedia dell’arte style of the show and the people involved. I worked all day as a temp doing mind-numbing data entry for a medical company and then went to rehearsals for 5 hours a night, often getting home past midnight. One night an agent came to see the play and left his card at the box office asking to meet me. He became my first agent.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Now, that sounds easy right? Well, that was all after 2 years of working as a temp, doing every acting gig I could find - usually for no pay, borrowing money to buy a new engine for my car and wearing a pair of shoes with a hole in them because I couldn’t afford anything else. Did I mention my living room curtain was made from a torn bed sheet? It was another 3 years before I got my first speaking part on a TV show. That show was Spin City. (I played a waitress in a scene where the girl playing Charlie Sheens crazy date threw bread at me.)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; background-position: initial initial; ">Every year I did a little more than the year before. My first 5 years I probably earned between $100 - $2,000 a year from acting. Year 6 brought me some of my biggest success and I only made $8,000 from acting. But, I put a lot more money into my career than that. Headshots are expensive. The photo session and getting prints can run anywhere from $500-$800. Classes range from $150-500 a month. It costs $1,200 to join SAG once you are eligible. And apartments are crazy expensive. $700 - $1,000 for a crappy apartment that you share with at least one roommate. It’s no wonder my living room curtain was a bed sheet.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">So, how did I get The Office? Spin City was cast by Allison Jones. She also casts The Office. She became a fan of mine through a series of auditions. I kept going into her office year after year auditioning for different things. I got some and not others but she kept bringing me back. I developed a relationship with her - not because I met her at a party and we schmoozed - but because I had proven to her over the course of many years that I was a reliable and serious actor capable of providing a consistent body of work. That is what this business is all about - from a real working actor’s perspective. Allison remembered me when it was time to cast The Office. She called me to audition and I finally got the part.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Most actors think their first priority after moving to LA is to get an agent. I disagree. I think the first priority should be to build a body of work. Become a pro so that you are valuable to an agent. No agent wants to sign a non-union newbie. It’s not their job to get you ready. Join NowCasting.com or LACasting.com and submit yourself for non-union work. Get experience. These websites require you to pay a monthly fee for their service. I would normally warn you about places that charge you a fee, but NowCasting and LACasting are legit businesses. You post your photo and resume. They post casting notices for student films, short films, non-union work and some commercials. You are able to submit yourself for work and hope you get a request to audition. I have friends who work all the time doing this. It is a great way to get commercial work. I think the website LACasting.com submits their non-union members to commercial agents as part of their service. (You need to live in LA to participate.)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Work as an extra. If you are new in town this is a very good way to learn how a movie or television set operates. I did this my first year and I’m glad I did. No one gets treated worse than an extra (or as they are called now, background artists) but since I went through it myself I know how to be gracious now that I’m more successful. It’s a great boot camp. You learn the set terminology and etiquette from a safe distance. That way, when you book your first acting gig you will know what it means to “hit your mark” or how to “clear for second team”. The top extras casting agency is Central Casting. If you work enough you can earn your SAG card. That’s how I did it.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">You need your SAG card to be taken seriously by an agent. You cannot work on a TV show or a studio movie without belonging to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Union. You can do some extra work if you are not in the union but you cannot have a speaking role in a major production. There are non-union productions that hire non-union actors (like student films and low-budget features) and that is a great way to get practice in front of a camera.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">When you are ready to get an agent you should know a few things. Legitimate agents only take 10 percent and they should NEVER charge you a monthly fee or startup fee. They should not force you to use a certain photographer to take your headshots. If they do, they are probably just signing you up so that you’ll hire the photographer and they’ll get a kick-back. Agents should only make money if <u>you</u> make money. An agent may ask you to sign a contract - this is normal. A standard contract is for 1-2 years. I would not sign a contract for more than 3 years. And, READ THE CONTRACT. A friend of mine met with an agent who tried to write a clause into the contract that made it so that, at the agent’s discretion, the contract never ended. If you are unsure, contact SAG and ask them for a standard Agent/Client agreement. Ask if the agent you are thinking of going with is SAG certified.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">If you are good at comedy, take classes from the Groundlings or I.O. (formerly known as Improv Olympic). Second City in Chicago is also great. These are the most recognized improv comedy places. They look good on a resume. It’s a great place to meet people when you are new to town. Classes are expensive so that can be hard when you are just starting out. I didn’t do this but I wish I had. Almost every actor on The Office has studied with one of these 3 places.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">There is a book you can get at the LA bookstore Samuel French called “The Actor’s Guide to LA”. It is a spiral bound book that is updated every year. It lists all the extras casting agencies, casting directors, agents, photographers…etc. This is a great resource for the new actor. I also suggest reading Backstage West. It has casting notices and articles for actors.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally, there is an amazing book you can do called <i>The Artists Way</i> by Julia Cameron. I highly recommend it. It is a 12-week self-lead creativity seminar in the form of a book. It’s brilliant. You don’t have to move to LA to do it. In fact, it would be a good thing to do if you are thinking of moving to LA. It might give you the answers you need. It was through doing <i>The Artists Way</i> that I was inspired to make my movie <i>LolliLove</i>. I completely credit this book with giving me the tools and courage I needed to complete that project (a project that took over 4 years to finish.) And I credit <i>LolliLove</i> with giving me the confidence and practice with the mockumentary style that lead me to landing my job on The Office.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes, you will meet some scumbags if you move to LA. People that prey on newcomers. I can tell you with absolute certainty that those people have NO POWER in the grand scheme of things.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">For example, it was my first year in town and I was part of a theater group. At a party for a new play opening the playwright came up to me and asked me if I was an actress. I said yes. He asked if I was interested in doing a part in his new movie. I was kind of floored. How did he know I was any good? I said, “What is it about?” And he said, “Well, you’d have to do a raunchy sex scene with nudity. Would that bother you?” I laughed and said, “I wouldn’t do anything I wouldn’t be proud to show my parents.” He then said, “That was a test. You aren’t a real actress. A real actress would never say that. A real actress would piss herself onstage if the part called for it. You aren’t going to make it in this town. You should just go home.” And then he walked away. I went back to my apartment and cried. Why was Shem Bitterman (that is his real name) such a dick? I have no idea. Stuff like that will happen to you if you decide to become an actor. People will roll their eyes when you tell them what you do. You have to develop a thick skin - without becoming jaded, guarded or cynical. That’s a tall order. I’ll say now what I wish I had said then, “Shem, sir, with all due respect, you are a fuckface and you can kiss my ass.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">I have a great acting coach who says that success in Hollywood is based on one thing: Opportunity meets Readiness. You cannot always control the opportunities, but you can control the readiness. So, study your craft, take it seriously. Do every play, every showcase, every short film, every student film you can get. Swallow your pride. Be willing to work for nothing in things you think are stupid. Make work for yourself. Make your own luck. Don’t complain. Hopefully, the work will find you if you are ready.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">I know how hard it can be when you first get out here. Go out and meet as many people as you can. Create a family for yourself of creative, supportive people. AND, don’t stop your personal life for your career. I know a lot of people that wait to do things - visit family, friends, have relationships, get married - because they are waiting until they “make it”. Or, they don’t go to a friend’s wedding because they might “miss something”. Life is too short and it’s not worth it in the end. I always took off and did that stuff and it turned out fine. I was often anxious and worried in the process but I did it. I believe that in order for my professional life to move forward, I have to keep my personal life moving forward as well.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for my ex-husband James. He is the one who convinced me to quit my job as a secretary (ironically) and focus full time on acting. I didn’t totally believe I could make it but he did. He supported us financially and supported me emotionally. He ran lines with me and coached me before countless auditions. He put up with my highs and lows. He was, and still is, my biggest cheerleader. And, you need that out here.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">It will be hard to explain your first milestones to friends and family back home. They are waiting to see you on TV or on the big screen. It is hard to explain how a 2<sup>nd</sup> callback for a job you didn’t land was the highlight of your month and a very valid reason to celebrate. I remember one year my proudest moment was at an audition for a really slutty bar maid on a new TV show. It was written for a Pam Anderson type. I thought, “I can never pull this off. I just don’t have the sex appeal. I feel stupid. No one is going to take me seriously.” But, I committed to the role and gave the best audition I could. I didn’t get the job. I didn’t get a callback. But I conquered my rambling, fear-driven brain and went balls out on the audition anyway. That was a huge milestone for me - but hard to explain at Christmas. A year later I booked the role of a trashy prostitute in a little indie movie called <i>Employee of the Month</i>. In the past I would have turned down the audition thinking that I would embarrass myself. But after that earlier breakthrough I felt confident. The success is not always in getting the part but in the seed that is planted.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">If you live in LA and are serious about acting, I know a great acting coach. He teaches a class on How to Audition. Being a great actor isn’t enough. You have to master the art of the audition - showing people you are a great actor. His class is both inexpensive and amazing. I completely credit him with changing me from a good actor to a working actor. His name is Robert D’Avanzo 818-508-0723. Ask about his 6-Week On Camera Audition Class. He’s the best kept secret in town. And he’s AFORDABLE!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size:100%;">This Spring marked my 12 year anniversary in Los Angeles. I didn’t land the part of Pam on The Office until year 8. I’m hardly an overnight success. Likewise, Rainn Wilson toured the country doing theater and was one of those working but unrecognized actors for over 10 years. Steve Carell had been kicking around for close to 20 years. Most of us on The Office have a story like that. I think that is one of the reasons why we are all so very, very grateful to have landed such a wonderful job. Slow and steady wins the race.</span></span></p></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-4460235912137395362009-04-25T13:40:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:17:09.408-07:00Choose whom you disappoint wisely, kids.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Good News:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I just booked my first TV show!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(It's a small co-starring role on a new ABC Family show about 10 olympic hopefuls training in high school. I play one of the gymnasts on the opposing team.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's called "Make It Or Break It"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bad News:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was scheduled to work at my "day job" that day, and the only person who could have possibly covered it had to be at school. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Ugly News:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is the first time I have booked for my agent. It was very important to me. The show is AFTRA and they required me to be paid up before I was allowed on set. This allowed me 2 days to get ahold of casting, AFTRA and $1336.00 to pay for my membership. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">*I had a decision to make- Do I disappoint myself and my new agent who got me this awesome audition, that I won fair and square, not knowing anyone? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or do I disappoint my work and my savings account? (Every actor should have a small savings for big, career changing emergencies, like </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SAG or AFTRA dues, or flat tires on the way to set...) I really couldn't afford to lose any more hours at work or money for my wedding, but I wanted it all!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikTeDcsmJfo4rXiiwZnnffpP14Wdskt_1oCgzai0AYOQkOfKBrLwwVaNkGS9vLs2TF2hLci5u9_nq876PBFB_Su17Qlva7mFOggechIR1d4i6o9M1TiD2F0IMHFzgrldhOjacAlUj8bg/s320/IMG_4205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328755493295004594" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fortunately, my fiance', Ryan is extremely supportive of my acting career (the few perks of dating a fellow actor-) so I took half of the money out of savings and borrowed the rest (fortunately I never borrow money and when I am forced</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to do it, people know that I am good to pay them back asap. Never wear out your friends or family borrowing money constantly and forgetting to pay them back until they mention it, OK? No one </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">will want to help your cause.) I paid AFTRA online, which was very easy to understand, and I highly recommend joining that way. They also send you a confirmation e-mail with all your new membership info right after, so there is no confus</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ion. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And not a moment too soon, casting called that day to say they were going to have to re-cast me if I didn't join so that the show wouldn't get fined by AFTRA for letting me work! Oh, you better believe that I called them right back and assured them I was paid up and forwarded my confirmation # from my lovely email I had just been sent.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9K7kZtbwnRPHW1xXpiHYdMHzkdJn4Oy3XaHy1Dpclb0rnGCbsj7KvHkx7hok403Se9hAjEqSxlLtSo55RXFCCZgmTU8cvM_NTgizrVd11-mPOVz3VcRueUVjKprN3eET3wBimdFokMY/s320/IMG_4206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328755493001674098" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">^Me in my trailer with actress Amara Cash</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had a great day on set, I think I booked some overtime too, but we shall see, I don't know how AFTRA works with overtime yet....</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL910-0ReD4w1FkeUjUDUswchlObq6p0sylMMEGOsRNV_x8rbrXQHtzM59C3CLdsTBHOXj5oSA_OaRk9erkEgS1W8uPe-XF_OY2HlEChjYO_y6yN98yiToA1IehKotMBEvGo2VQCT9eqc/s320/IMG_4203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328755487879411490" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The bad news is I will be looking for a new day job... But the good news is I can work as many AFTRA jobs as I can get my hands on now and get paid at least $135 for a day of extra work if I have too. (Soap Operas... here I come!)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8bvHT1GRZM0dxc-lRcHQJPFsSvPTdpo2Z_cVJseTb-FHGPY6_49Kowl3pvLISZYFNzPID5ptMitKGv0HCF8sj0t1xHaZRqMfsqVbdAb0kPzmcb2-nsxhKk_h1TvlwxeHwPj8JPw5EGY/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328755481924894594" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If anyone has good suggestions on other AFTRA running shows let me know! I also am curious to go to some AFTRA new members meetings, they also have scene study classes and agency relationship seminars you can go to for free. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Has anyone gone to them?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEiwtk71h7bJWv5QcfkENYJGeIzCE0hRswmwvvpehFVNfwIeNw8egak3gHLRsVXXlq8y7jwDXPoxbkkB5UTSh_7-L_dk7BWKQtrbY_rniddHeYGt7X-77wjBnrKRJBTZ5doSemaB8XmzE/s320/IMG_4202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328755479443355954" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">************************************************************</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In other news, Cassie took me to the Women In Film's (or "WIF") weekly breakfast in Beverly Hills last week. It is a great place to go for networking, everyone is very friendly and the food is great. $35 for non-members including all you can eat breakfast and valuable contacts!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">check it out the next meeting and bring a friend:</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.wif.org/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=181&year=2009&month=05&day=08&Itemid=60<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">-Amber</span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-52404102168458949382009-03-09T12:37:00.000-07:002009-03-09T12:58:29.700-07:00Auditions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Auditions suck.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Lets just understand that. I don't think anyone is ever good at being judged. I have noticed recently that I have been nervous at auditions. That isn't typical, so I started to wonder why. Why was my heart beating fast and my face g</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">etting red right before I delivered my lines? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Well, to start I have not been consistent. I have been working full time at my day job for the past couple months. While I do enjoy the actual MONEY I'm making there, as well as the health insurance.... I have not been auditioning! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So my goal is to audition more often, get there EARLY (which hardly ever happens for me, I have horrible time management skills, kids</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">) and to take acting or auditioning classes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I had 2 auditions this weekend, one for a short film at CSUN, and the other for a guest starring role on 90210. I didn't feel good about either one of them. You know the difference between knocking the audition out of the park and feeling great, and feeling awkward and having the CD (Casting Director) smile and say "you did a good read". Well, at this point, I'll take the sympathetic smile and work on myself.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I recently went to a free acting on camera workshop in NoHo. Now usually those "free" workshops are all about getting your info and telling you how famous you will be if you just attend their classes at the low low price of $X..... BUT this guy was actually very helpful. He talked about casting, getting started and what the casting directors read about you when you walk in the room. He also evaluated our headshots and went over our "types". Which was helpful because I had no idea what my typecast was. Apparently I am sassy, quirky, cute. Fortunatley the class and the teacher agreed that my headshot portrayed that as well. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What do you think?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcKDljjOMWMtXsL2iFSFxuf1R0kzD8Dy7abCso5jQC4FttQoYSc8vyLdncEfUBuX6_QFAJXwPWOSyNYKDClFdulPGTBkYWEQArDQEvGnyvOzr7Gxgeg143jt4se3rMTML1nYj5uGxXQA/s320/DSC_7510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311278929564319906" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(I am also getting new headsh</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">ots soon, my hair is much longer now!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For more info on the class I went to if you live in southern california (which you should if you want to act), you can check out his classes here: www.johnsudolstudio.com </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Also, if you want, we would be happy to give you our advice on your headshot and tell you what you are putting across. Sometimes it takes an outsider to tell you what you look like!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Also taking: any tips on how to kills nerves before a big audition?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555529502773172901.post-36676816633324411872009-01-26T19:56:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:14:56.495-08:00It's just one of those days, kid.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">After thoughtful consideration, I have decided what to do about this blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1- Font: Ariel, "Amber and Cassie" look good in it and its easy to read, also it condenses the letters, so when we ramble (which we inevitably will,) it will look short and sweet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">2-Kids. our readers are special to me. No, we don't have any yet. So I suppose at this point they are imaginary. But not every one can have kids. Cassie and I have chosen to imagine ours. When we do have more, tangible readers, I would still like them to know who's boss. I mean, how much I love them. I feel an inherent need to give everything I like a nickname, our readers will be called kids. Unless of course they want to be called something different.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I suppose our first entires should be rather introductory.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">In any case, I cannot wait to get this blog started and get some feedback and my favorite, QUESTIONS!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Also I would like to incorporate videos, photos and interviews eventually.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Happy Monday!</span></div>Amber Rose Plasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00977734851522453776noreply@blogger.com0