Posts Tagged ‘BEST OF LA’

Dear Jason Katims:

Though we’ve never met, I feel like I kinda know you – at least your inner warm and fuzzy, touchy-feely parts.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and PARENTHOOD, are amongst my faves-forever and your newest, ABOUT A BOY is worming its way into my heart.

I don’t know how you do it, but with every episode you manage to make me laugh-cry or cry-laugh as I empathize with your lovingly-flawed, fully fleshed-out characters. They’re all so heart-achingly honest and really, really, real — especially the tough-but-tender. So no matter how many times they fall, I’m there waiting with a net.

And don’t get me started on the Bravermans. I mean, I feel like they’re Family I love them all so much! Julia, Sarah and Kristina are my soul-sisters. Adam’s the big brother I wish I’d had. Camille’s my mom (if she’d lived longer). Though some of the situations may feel too-close-for-comfort (like family members with cancer or letting go of someone you love) you show me that we do get through it, no matter how hard it feels.

And ABOUT A BOY just keeps getting better and better. I now know that at the end of every episode there’s gonna be a lump-in-my-throat moment, whether the scene takes place on a diving board or toilet. Marcus and Will are 2014’s “Odd Couple.” They’re delicious! When it comes to characters, you know all the best flavors.

Marcus and Will

Your taste in casting is impeccable. I fell-in-love-at-first-sight with Tim Riggins, Vince Howard, Crosby B. and Will Freeman — I mean, you had me before they said “hello”. Read the rest of this entry »

OMG if one more Actor moves to L.A….

Full of opportunity, “Pilotzilla” (PILOT SEASON 2014) is frustrating, exhilarating, intimidating…

Casting choices are ridiculously unexplainable at times with hush-hush agendas happening behind the scenes. More and more and more and MORE it’s about getting names, Names, NAMES!

Not Meant-To-Be

After totally nailing an audition I was completely right for – (based on beyond-enthusiastic feedback from Producers and Casting) I lost out to another Actress who happened to be the daughter of famous Actress the Producers were trying to woo as the character’s mother. Things like that are so out of my control… Sigh… MOVE ON…

PILOT SEASON is its own Dystopian Universe

Odds are so stacked up against Actors, it’s almost like winning the Lottery! First you’ve gotta be on the list of acceptable actors the particular Network or Studio is willing to work with. Then you’ve gotta get through Auditions. You’ll read for the Casting Director (sometimes I’m lucky enough to bypass this step) and then if you get the Callback nod, you get to do it again in front of Producers —  Read the rest of this entry »

It’s contagious, so spread it!

Musically-speaking I heard a lot of positivity this weekend. Friday night I was lucky enough to go with my Dad — who’s friends with a high-up at the Recording Academy —  to the Musicare’s Person-of-The-Year Tribute to Carole King.

GOOD TIMES — GOOD SOUNDS

I knew of Carole King because my parents used to play her Tapestry Album over and over and over — plus they went to every James Taylor concert, so I knew she wrote for him too. But I had no idea Carole King wrote music for like 50 years for everyone from the Everly Brothers to Aretha Franklin to Blood Sweat and Tears to the Beatles… I mean the list just goes on and on. And the songs are ones we all know from growing up – they were blasting from our parents’ stereos, on the radio during carpool, in movies like The Big Chill and The Virgin Suicides.  When I listened to the words throughout the Tribute to Carole King, what really struck me was how positive her music is/was — especially if you compare it to what’s popular now, which in a lot of cases is negative, dark and more about sex than love, more about pleasure than feelings — it’s weird, we’re all still human, right? Read the rest of this entry »

from AverysRoom on Etsy.com

If you’re like me — you’re rushing, wrapping and feeling a little hyper right about now.  So in the interest of spreading good will,  I’ve listed a few fun finds that’ll bring smiles to your friends and family, but won’t break the bank.

MERRY-MERRY!

FEU DE BOIS CANDLE BY DIPTYQUE ; smells like marshmallows roasting over an open fire.

THE HENLEY – BRIGHT WHITE BY RAG & BONE; soft comfy cotton, great for layering.

REFLEKTOR BY ARCADE FIRE, VINYL DOUBLE ALBUM; the new album is killer — a must for music fanatics!

MOVEMBER GREY STRIPE WOOL WOMEN’S CLASSICS BY TOMS: perfect for the season + you are helping to raise awareness for men’s cancer – win/win! Read the rest of this entry »

do it!

COURAGE COMES IN ALL SIZES —

In the news this week: Teen activist Malala Yousafza is awarded the top human rights prize by the European Union! Will she win the Nobel Peace Prize next? My guess is “yes!” Malala is only sixteen but when she was fourteen she stood up to the Taliban, advocating the right of education for all children. Even an assassination attempt and a series of surgeries have not deterred her.

WHEN MALALA SPEAKS, WE LISTEN —

“AFRAID OF NO ONE”

courage comes in all sizes

Whether Malala is on the Daily Show or addressing the United Nations, she’s articulate, forthright and wise way-way-way beyond her years. Hearing Malala’s melodious inflection, I am reminded of the optimism of Anne Frank and the dream of Martin Luther King. The courageous among us see the big picture clearly, regardless of age. They step into the fire willingly, courageously, superhumanly automatically.

“Comfort Zone” is NOT a Concern for the Courageous! Read the rest of this entry »

feeling half-glass full

Another summer OVER.

Can I say the same for my professional Dry Spell?

Man, I hope so!

I really motivated myself this summer so I’ll be ready to ROCK the GUEST ROLE AUDITIONS this Fall. I need to be in front of the camera so everyone will remember what I can do – what I can be. Call it “prepping for PILOT SEASON.”

Summer Finds and Finding Myself

Spent the summer working on my inner and my outer — coaching actors, TA-ing at an Acting School, doing a small part in an Indie for a friend, and slimming down with the best discovery – my Yonana machine! It’s my version of a juice cleanse – but it tastes like ice cream, or sorbet, or Italian ice (depending on the ingredients). I can’t say enough about this fab find. My favorite combos are Peaches & Vanilla Yogurt Yonanas or Pineapple and Coconut Milk Yonanas. I got the bigger machine online from Bed Bath and Beyond –Yonana Elite is 2 ½ times more powerful) — and my freezer is packed with mini containers of frozen fruit, yogurt and coconut milk (haven’t tried almond milk yet). Frozen super-ripe bananas mixed with nothing tastes exactly like banana ice cream. I could go on and on, but enough on Yonanas…

Josh (my agent) said I need to glam up more for auditions, so I went to Barneys where Patrick (make-up artist extraordinaire) did my face before my audition yesterday (sure, I bought a ton of make-up — but Patrick gave me great tips so I can do it myself from now on).

Then last night— Read the rest of this entry »

Hollywood vs.The Hospital

Okay, so if BuzzFeed writer Jack Moore can get staffed on the Fox show US & THEM simply by pitching modern day Seinfeld stories via his @seinfeldtoday, maybe I can star in my own life story about the characters who surround me…

Evie Stewart Meets @ERtoday

What If…

• Abby Lockhart’s mom goes off her meds and lands in the ER, but escapes with Evie to Barneys to binge shop before Abby cancels the credit card? Read the rest of this entry »