Posts Tagged ‘How-To…’

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 »

the new flu can be rough-rough!

OMG! It’s a MASKADEMIC! Our hospital reminds me of Asia during the Sars Epidemic ‘cuz everyone’s wearing a MASK! Crazy! It’s like the opposite of what we learned in ER Volunteer Training when our Supervisor Charlayne told us –

Ya’ll need to wear masks around patients in ISO, but be sure to remove them when you’re walkin’ around. It’s like wearin’ rubber gloves in the waitin’ room. They give the wrong message.

Things are different now with the current strain of Flu — because it’s much stronger, scarier, and more virulent than in previous years. The new Flu is a RISK to the young, the old, the high-risk and even to HEALTHY humans. Yeah, it’s Twilight-Zone-y, sorta like that movie Gwyneth Paltrow was in: CONTAGION. Well no, not that bad —  but seriously, this new Flu can be a matter of life-and-death. No kidding! Read the rest of this entry »

Banksy’s heart-on

It’s almost February 14th — UGH!

That means:
PRESSURE if you’re in a Relationship. DEPRESSION if you’re not.

It’s the HOLIDAY of unrealistic EXPECTATIONS and humongous DISAPPOINTMENTS (so fun!) —
Wait… isn’t that just about my every day?

Oops!

So uhm, while you’re trying to bribe the hostess at that fully-booked “romantic” restaurant and feeling kinda forced to express yourself, why not take time to listen to my Valentine’s Day Songlist? Who knows, maybe it’ll help put you —

In The Mood — 

Smooch-smooch!

Flume – This Song Is Not About a Girl

Andrew Ripp – Falling for the Beat

Roberta Flack – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Haim – Honey & I Read the rest of this entry »

try it, you might like it : )

OMG I’m an Actor! So why is “Acting” NORMAL the hardest acting job in the universe? Why does it feel so out-of-body the moment I walk into “The Room?” I can be charismatic at the cleaners, where Mr. Chin thinks I’m hilarious; I’m totally in sync with Julio who makes the best Ice Blendeds at Starbucks;  but when I see a Casting Director in an AUDITION, it’s like I experience “white coat syndrome” only it’s with “deciders”, not doctors!  Seriously, my pulse goes bananas and I just wanna split.

Niles, my hairstylist/bff/therapist/family surrogate has been helping me un-psyche-myself-out  — I don’t need to worry about my performance, according to my kindest critic, because I always have that down.  BUT I need to WOW them with my confidence and charisma — specifically during my entrance and exit into “The Room.” (Can someone please just write those lines for me? — Is there a Coach for that? Or something I can Google?)

So…last week my Agent Josh sent me sides for a guest part on a family cable show — for a hottie, late 20’s, who’s trying to seduce someone’s Dad  (I know-I know,  that’s what they call “Family Entertainment” these days)…  Anyway, after I coached for the Audition, I called Niles for moral support and he said — Read the rest of this entry »

(but moving forward…)

Uh-oh! We’re five days into 2014 and I’m still thinking about my list of New Year’s Resolutions. So in a never-ending effort to stop procrastinating (which should be my #1) — I’m addressing it now. Not tomorrow, not next week – NOW!

DO UNTO OTHERS…

As I contemplate my list, my wandering mind heads over to what bugs me in others and what I’d write on their list:

• My “Dr. McCrush” (master of mixed-messages) over-analyzes pros and cons of anything remotely personal. He’s so freaked-out about moving in the wrong direction, he makes no moves at all! Not only is it frustrating from my P.O.V., I realize it can’t be healthy for him to be in constant stress-mode. What’s weird is that he has no problem making decisions professionally – he’s always focused and forthright and has an awesome bedside manner. But personally he’s a total basket case. Obviously there’s a whole lotta baggage in his history. (C’mon, Dr. A – pack it up already and let’s get going.)
• My Agent Josh is big on conversation these days, but not great at delivering. I realize his hands are tied by some of my inconvenient spur-of-the-moment decisions — and now that I’m on the lower steps of a ladder, it’s harder to get back up — but I’d rather he didn’t say something and get my hopes up than not say it at all. (But I don’t want to lose all hope…)
• My frenemy, Briana weirds me out on a regular basis, with her passive-aggressive behavior, the fleeting moments when things seem like they always used to and her bitchy flare-ups when I least expect them. Why does she hold onto the past, when there’s the possibility of a positive future? (Enough with the Dr. Jekyll and Hyde-ness!)
• My Volunteer Supervisior, Charlayne would get a lot more outta me if she’d show a little appreciation, ugh. It’s not a sign of weakness, Charlayne to act human occasionally. (“Honeychild,” didn’t they teach you in Southern school that you get a lot more flies with honey — not that I’m a fly – I hate flies, almost as much as moths who eat away at the vintage designer sweaters my mom left me.) Read the rest of this entry »

1. Go on a HOUSE CLEANSE on the 31st  (Mop up the old mess so you can make room for the new mess.)
2. LUG YOUR LUGGAGE around the block – (Packed with the the things you’ll need on your “Dream Vacay”.)
3. GRAB THE GRAPES — (In-between midnight hugs and kisses eat 12 of them, making a wish with each of the 12 months to come.)
4. CARRY CASH at midnight – (For prosperity in the New Year… and while we’re on that subject…)
5. Put a GOLD RING in your Glass for the promise of riches — (But be sure you don’t swallow it, because that’ll insure a trip to the ER instead — which is so not where you’ll want to be on New Year’s Eve, trust me)! Read the rest of this entry »