Check out Ken Levine's Assessment: http://bit.ly/xV5Xfx

ACTORS! We’re insecure and yet we gravitate to the most insecure industry of all. Crazy!  And there’s so much to stress about  –

Aging | Looks | Relationships | Who’s Hot when you’re NOT | Keeping our Cool | Staying in the Mix | Timing.

PILOT SEASON: The ULTIMATE Test!

Well, here we are again at the beginning of Pilot Season. And this one is getting off to a slightly late start because Networks are still picking up Pilots… every day (and it’s almost February!) Nine Pilots were announced Friday! Half-hour Comedies are especially late — and I predict we’ll hear about a lot more pick-ups in the next couple of weeks, now that Comedies are back in a BIG-RATINGS-WAY.

I like to stay on top of what’s happening because it gives me something to discuss with my Agent before it’s too late.

PILOT PICK UPS – STAYING IN THE KNOW:

TV Tracker
It’s awesome! Expensive, but AWESOME, I subscribe to the daily alerts so I know when a Pilot has been picked up. I get an email alert with the logline, network, writer, producers and director for each project.

Deadline | Hollywood
They send out the emails for FREE, but they don’t contain all of the info in a concise way. Still, FREE is a big PLUS!

Futon Critic
You can go to the site to get the news releases.  But, I miss the old Futon Critic where they’d have Development Season Info by Network. I guess that’s a thing of the past.

To Know or Not To Know –

I love knowing that Great Minds I really respect (and would give anything to work with) like Jason Katims, Dick Wolf, David Kelley, Ryan Murphy, Greg Malins, Greg Berlanti, Kari Lizer and others are creating new shows that haven’t been cast yet — and that all of the Networks and Cable stations are looking for TALENT.

Look my way — please — I’m over here!

Some Actors stress about knowing. I can horriblize with the best of ‘em — TRUST ME —  but I actually like to know — especially at the beginning of Pilot Season because Opportunities give me hope – and I’m really big on HOPE!

I’m hoping to FIND THE FUNNY in front of a live Audience that laughs hysterically for 22 episodes… and then the HIT Series will be picked up again next year and the year after and the year after that… (and then I won’t have to go through Pilot Season again! ahahaha!)

F I N G E R S      C R O S S E D !

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• Resolutions Revisited
• INFOLIST: Oh, the possibilities…

stay open to possibility

Yesterday I got a DM from a Twitter Follower asking why I didn’t do a “Happy New Year Resolution Post” again this year. Oops! What did I write last year? Feeling brave I took a look at my lofty 2011 goals to DO, BE and GIVE more!

So much easier said than done –

I won’t start with excuses. I really did try. Some things went better than others. You’ll see. Um, maybe we should go in reverse order:

GIVE MORE –

I’d say I’ve earned a B or B+ in Giving, because this is where I’ve made the biggest strides. I clocked sooo many extra hours in the ER as a Volunteer and I really showed up with my best attitude (seriously!) Okay-okay, so for those of you who can see right through me, yes, there’s an advantage to showing up more in the ER when a certain Dr. Crush is around. But still – I’ve really really committed to helping the people I’m supposed to help whether he’s there or not. Swear!

BE MORE –

This one’s rough, because I actually was a Working Actress (today I got The Descendants screener — so there!) but I haven’t worked in over a year (truthfully longer) so I feel like I’ve totally failed in this area. Sadly, in Acting, if you’re not working you feel like a Wannabe, and that’s kind’a where I’ve been residing for awhile… very unfortunately.  So in this department, I’d say I deserve a C-  and not an F because several very supportive Casting Directors are still calling me in. For some unknown reason, they still think I’ve got it (even though I’m afraid I’ve lost it.) I hope they’re better at convincing the Producers than I am. Sigh…

DO MORE –

I’m trying to be all about the DOORS: keeping them open – and walking through Doorways I’ve never walked through before. So I promised a Commercial Director (in my Sunday Yoga Class) that I’ll be in the edgy short he’s writing|directing|producing. Normally I’d be a little leery, because once it’s been shot, you wanna make sure it won’t shoot a hole in your career (what career?!) But I’m gonna keep the faith as I walk through that Doorway. And then there’s this Music Supervisor (a friend of a friend) who’s gonna teach me what he knows, since I’ve always loved music. Maybe I’ll intern for him if Pilot Season doesn’t work out the way I’m hoping.

But speaking of Pilot Season – I’m going to try really hard this year to NOT second-guess my Audition opportunities. If my representation thinks I can be a separated Siamese-Twin-who-becomes-the first-one-armed-Astronaut, I’ll totally commit. If they call me in to play an 18 year-old Coed, I’ll enthusiastically cheer. Or if they want me to be a mother-of-three, I’ll find that instinct. Whatever opportunities come my way, I’m going for them and NOT LOOKING BACK!

Because next year I want to be able to look my Resolutions squarely in the face and go –

Hoo-ah!

 (What resolutions did you follow through on? C’mon be honest now…)

Liked that? Check out:

• Programming My LIfe
• LAUGHTER = Instant Gratification
• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012

Let 'em roll!

The best part of Holiday Shopping is in the DISCOVERY. When you happen upon a SPECIAL FIND you know it.

I love gifts that make people smile or Oooooo and Ahhhhh or go –

“Wow, how do you find this stuff?”

Gifts don’t have to be expensive. They just need to be THOUGHTFUL– and CAREFULLY SELECTED, so the recipients know you “get” them. (When someone “gets” me, I feel all glittery inside — ‘specially a certain someone!)

12 FUN FINDS (most of which I wouldn’t mind getting btw, ahaha!)

• BANTER BANNERS  @$10 (“Good Times” ,“Celebrate” , “No Place Like” –  everyone LOVES them!)
• QUOTABLE MATCHBOX PACKS @$11.95  (“Shine Eternally”, “A Great Flame Follows a Little Spark”)
• JONATHAN ADLER SUGAR POP CANDLES  @$38 (a yummy companion to the quotable matchboxes)
• JAMES PERSE T-SHIRTS for Guys @$45+ (soft and comfy like the faves he can’t give away)
• SPLENDID TANKS FOR WOMEN  @$38+ (great colors and styles for every shape)
• MEN’S SOCKS FROM BARNEYS @$19+ (solids, stripes, designer-y to classic, from England and Italy for every closet and budget)
• ANTIPAST SOCKS FOR WOMEN @$30+ (the ultimate in cool Japanese style — I love the lacey-netty-sparkly ones)
  
• SUE DEVITT LASH INTENSIFIER TREATMENT AND LENGTHENING MASCARA @$49 (for fabulous flirtatious lashes – promise!)
• Macally Mini 7-Port USB Hub @$19.99 (seriously, I don’t know how I lived with out this before – it gets all of those ugly computer wires off your desk)
• MAGIC TRACKPAD @$69 (when I upgraded my Mac to Lion I got this and it’s just like using an iPad, or iPhone — so much easier)
• TRUZZLES $69.99 + (French, fabulous and the perfect table accessory for anyone who lives in style or wants to)
• Dexter Ice Truck Killer Thumb Drive @ $39.95 (you MUST know someone you’d like to give the finger to, ahaha!)

Thumbs up!

(Please share your SPECIAL FINDS in the comments — I’d love to know about more!)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• HALLOWEEN & the Scary Job Market!
• INFOLIST: Oh, the possibilities…

Feelin' it

Life is not exactly according to plan…still…there are so many reasons to say “Thanks!

Hug everything and everyone you have!

I’m THANKFUL that –

Liked that? Check out:

• FEELING CONFLICTED: ER Volunteer
• Hearing Voices or Am I Just Getting a Headache?
• Back to the Grind: VOLUNTEERING IN THE ER

conundrums

On my ER shift, a Little Kid’s freaking out about having to get stitches, so I ask him if he can keep a secret? Uh-huh.

Wanna know our  SECRET CODE WORD ?

Yeah!…
…so I whisper: “Owww!”

Minutes later when  Dr. A dabs numbing cream on his wound, the kid yells, “Owww!” So I SHUSH! him about giving away the CODE WORD and he actually giggles – PLUS I get a “trying-not-to-smile-but-I-can’t-help-it” from Dr. A! So it’s a win/WIN of epic proportions! (My Mom would be so proud!)

Then in Triage, ANTHONY shouts at me for taking too many visitors back to see their Mom (c’mon Chan!) which is sooo frustrating! As I’ve said before — working in the ER is a LOVE|HATE situation!

ER Ambivalence –
THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WHATEVER!

LOVE

De-Stressing the stressed (Helps de-stress me too.)

FINDING THE FUNNY + earning a SMILE (Comic timing must be right, otherwise it’s all wrong!)

Appreciation (The “air” volunteers breathe!)

Patient Patients (So rare, I really appreciate them.)

Happy Endings  (NOT the kind you’re thinking of.)

HATE

Walkie Talkies (Talk about “impersonal!”)

Go To Registration FIRST (It says: “Our money is more important than your chest pains!)

Too many cooks (So many experts – So many opinions!)

Too many rules (And they change every week, truth!)

The odors (Code Brown, need I say more?)

Suffering (Can’t think about it…)

Death (No words…)

TOLERATE

Bossy Pants (Sometimes they’re right, sometimes they’re just being a Buttinsky!)

Frequent Flyers (Gotta give it to ‘em, addicts can be pretty creative.)

Pushy Family Members (They’re just scared and feel helpless.)

Impatient Patients (We all feel that way, right?)

(What do you love|hate|tolerate in the ER?)

Liked that? Check out:

• Hearing Voices or Am I Just Getting a Headache?
• Identity Crisis in the ER
• Finding our Way (with a little help from our friends)

Pumpkins and Actors have a lot in common… more than our BIG HEADS!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzI1hKz9i9E

Please don’t squash our egos. It makes us feel pretty rotten.

Ahaha!

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• Hollywood Flip: Staying Focused
• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012

Halloween Holly

October 31^st feels frightening, even if you’ve got a job. BUT… if your next gig is as invisible as a ghost, get CREATIVE!  When the door creeps open, step into the unknown.

Last Thursday I go to a BIRTHDAY DINNER for my firecracker-sports-agent-cousin-Jaimie at that new SBE (Katsuya group) restaurant next to Dan Tana’s: Mercato di Vitro.  As I pull up, I’m relieved to see that Kirsten Dunst’s Prius is even dirtier than mine. I head over to a table covered with family style platters of Artichoke Chips, Hen of the Woods Whatever, Buffalo Mozzarella, Osso Bucco, Primi Pastas…FUN, FATTENING and DELICIOSO!

Unexpected Opportunities for the Unemployed!

During dinner Jaimie starts stressing about not having enough time to get her “Holly Go Lightly” ensemble together before the Soho House Saturday Night Halloween Party. She asks what I’m gonna be –

Your Halloween Stylist!

GETTING THE JOB DONE –

Friday I’m up early and online – printing Audrey pics, searching for her LBD. Luckily The BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S dress is “THE dress” right now, so I find versions at every price from Theory to Bottega Veneta. Thankfully Jaimie is flexible about price ‘cuz she’ll wear this dress to her gazillion business events afterwards.

I start out on 3^rd Street Promenade. First stop: Forever 21 for jewels. The price is right, but the look’s not quite. So I move on to TIARAS at a kiosk, where I get recognized (embarrassing!) Next I go to the Tobacco Shop, but they’ve just sold out of their last cigarette holder (F___!)  I walk a few blocks and snap shots of LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, POINTY PUMPS and DARK SHADES at Fred Segal Santa Monica (knowing Jaimie has back-ups at home). I get into my car and head over to Ursula’s Costumes at Wilshire and 26^{th .} Never ever go to a costume store the day before Halloween weekend. I wait in line outside for twenty minutes, but when I get in I find a gold cigarette holder, yay!

Feeling jewelry-challenged, I go to Wertz Brothers Antique Mall and discover original multi-stranded pearls with rhinestones and the perfect earrings from the 50’s and 60’s. I email pics of the best to Jaimie and she makes her selection.

When I get home, on youtube I find a How-To Do Holly’s Do and send the link to my cousin. Jaimie Is THRILLED with my performance as a STYLIST (even though she doesn’t go for my Burberry Trench idea or borrow her friend Sarah’s cat).

I’m waiting for a debrief on the party (if she’s still sleeping in, it’s a GOOD SIGN.).

Even though I’ll be an ER Volunteer again for this Halloween, I feel less worried about the job situation.

If Acting doesn’t work out, I’ll just be something else next year. Ahaha!

Happy Halloween!

 (what are you gonna be?)

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Gifts To Put On Your Wish List! (under $100)
• FEELING CONFLICTED: ER Volunteer

do-over days

There’s something about Mondays that feels like a FRESH START – kinda like January 1^st when the New Year is in front of us. We leave last week’s pity party behind and FIND THE FUNNY in last week’s disaster.

Mondays inspire us, encourage us and motivate us to –

• do better
• look better
• be better

Weekly Resolutions

Mondays are “get organized” days. We make that dental appointment we’ve been putting off (we make it weeks or months from now, but at least we make it!) Or we arrange to take the car in for service because the orange light that’s been on for weeks just turned RED and the car sounds like ET just swallowed a vibrator!

Diets start on Mondays. Weekly work-out schedules are planned on Mondays.  Lists are made on Mondays. When a week starts out fresh, we do too. Life’s a little like school — if we screwed up last week’s test, on Monday we decide we’re gonna ace the next one.

Best part about Mondays?  Even if we totally f-up this week, we’ll have another chance in 7 more days to try again. Ahaha!

I used to hate Mondays, but now I’m kinda grateful for them.

Liked that? Check out:

• Actors Keep Track: Pilot Season 2012
• Resolutions Revisited
• Carving A Pumpkin is a lot like acting!

dr. crush

You think you know what you want. But what if you got it, would you even want it? Would you even know what to do with it? What if you blow it? What if you make the most of it? What if you’re not sure, but you’re willing to take some risks?

Are you EVOLVING or ESCAPING?

Is it the right time or the wrong time? Are you just biding time, because you’ve got time on your hands? Maybe it’s because he’s hands-off, unavailable like so many guys. So it’s the chase, not the win you can’t shake.

Think about your real life — the one you almost had — the one you’ve been working for. You know, the one that’s on hold right now.  Maybe he’ll hold you back from your hopes and dreams. What about living the dream? Maybe he’s just a dream.  What if it’s a nightmare ending? Maybe he’s not all he seems. Maybe he’s so much MORE!  Winners are better than wannabes, right? But are you a loser if you wannabe with a winner? Will you feel less if he’s more?

INDECISION OR INTROSPECTION?

Can you even find a soul mate, when you’re not sure who you are?  Can the qualities in him make up for those MIA in yourself? Is it complementing or copping out?

Clearly he’s someone you can count on? Now you won’t have to count on yourself. Or maybe he’ll count on you too. And together you’ll go to infinity.

If you change, will you recognize your reflection? Would that be good or would that be bad? Are you supposed to know all the answers in your twenties? Would you want to, if you could?

He’s not your typical type. But what if it’s time for a change? Changes are good if they’re good. Or do you just need a quick fix? Do you feel broken inside? Is it the white coat effect? Is your pulse racing because he’s an MD?

Are you HEALING or HALLUCINATING? Does this call for champagne or medication?

With every answer, you get questions.

Is this LOVE or are you going INSANE? Call the paramedics! Get to your ER —  STAT!

(if anyone else has the answers, pul-eeze leave a comment!)

Liked that? Check out:

• FEELING CONFLICTED: ER Volunteer
• Back to the Grind: VOLUNTEERING IN THE ER
• Has Texting Replaced Talking?

SOOOOO many shows! Not enough time to watch them all. But here are two getting a lot of BUZZZZZ…

funny femmes

TWO BROKE GIRLS

With the exception of THE GOOD WIFE, CBS isn’t a network I usually watch a lot. But this season I’m tuning in more now that Ashton has gotten me hooked on TWO AND A HALF MEN, followed by a new fave-in-the-making: TWO BROKE GIRLS. 

Watching Kate Dennings (Max) and Beth Behrs (Caroline) bounce lines off of each other is like watching a great game of tennis, with both athletes playing at the top of their game.  Max’s tough cookie with a heart of mush takes pity on Caroline the homeless heiress with a passion for positivity (my mom would love her!)

The writing from Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings is smart, fresh and racy without making you go Euuww!! (“If she were a les, she’s be the last les-I’d–be-in”) It’s very modern and real. And with the exception of the horse jokes (which might get crappy – 2^nd show spoiler alert!) this show has REAL STAYING POWER! Yes!

I give it  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

too much quirk?

NEW GIRL

I really couldn’t wait to watch NEW GIRL, because I love  Zooey Deschanel sooo much (500 DAYS OF SUMMER is in my top 10!) And I’m usually pretty crazy about Liz (she’s apparently calling herself Elizabeth now) Meriwether’s writing.

I read for Liz Meriwether’s NO STRINGS ATTACHED (when it was called FUCK BUDDIES) and I loved the pilot SLUTS,  both of which were more BRIDESMADE-ish and female Appatow-ish in humor than NEW GIRL (the pilot at least).

My guess is that the network and studio execs had a lot to do with the final cut of the NEW GIRL, because it seemed much tamer and set-up-set-up-joke-y than Meriwether’s previous scripts.

Deschanel as “Jess” is lovable as expected. The GUY characters however seem over-the-topish-big and dumbed-down to me, but maybe my expectations were too high (that tends to happen when it comes to guys in general.)

Still,  Zooey Deschanel rarely gets it wrong, so I’m gonna stick with this show to see where she takes it.

I give it  ♥ ♥ ♥

TWO BROKE GIRLS and NEW GIRL were in the top six rated shows for 18-49 during premiere week. So audiences are FINDING THE FUNNY in female-driven comedies and that’s VERY GOOD NEWS (especially for female comedy actors— like me for instance). Uh huh, uh huh!

Which shows make you laugh? Which make you barf? Please share in the comments, thanks : )

Liked that? Check out:

• HOT IN CLEVELAND: funny find!
• 2010 Emmy Awards: I vote for MODERN FAMILY
• Vids & Webisodes: My Faves