Guess who gets to go to South Dakota next week?  I do, and I’m actually really grateful for the opportunity to do a little acting and get paid for it.  It’s a commercial that will only air in North and South Dakota and it should take about three days.  Every time I hear a “no”, I always know that a “yes” is just around the corner and this is my “yes”.  I also am a big believer that being on a set, regardless of whether or not it’s for commercial or film/tv, it’s an educational opportunity and a great way to meet people.  Frankly, I’m excited to see South Dakota as it’s not exactly a state that has been on my “top ten” list of places to visit but I always like exploring new locals and meeting new people.

A big shout out to Danny Hoff and his crew (Laura Molina and Anna Leigh) for their persistence and for getting me in front of casting directors so regularly.  I felt like all those jobs I was put on “avail” for and in the final two, had to eventually turn into bookings and I hope this is the beginning of many more bookings to come..

I was put on hold for two upcoming commercials and recently completed my newest hosting reel.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that I get them both!  Also, let me know what you think about my newest hosting reel!

I’ve found myself often using the phrase, “living in LA is like playing the lottery and hoping you’ll get the one phone call that could change your life”.  I should preface this also by saying that I do believe one has to prepare and work hard so that when that one opportunity to arises, we are ready for the challenge.  Essentially, we are attempting to create our own “luck” through persistence and hard work.  Yes, there are always those actors who win the “jackpot” with an amazing agent who not only gets them auditions with top casting directors but also is interested in them enough to work together to create a plan of attack. 

I’d say that 90% of everything on my resume is through my own sweat, hustle and determination.  I’ve booked jobs through Craigslist, friends of friends and have even worked for free all in the name of building up my resume and reel.  I’ve even been known to work an occassional extra job because honestly, it sounds more proactive to be on a set where people make decisions than hoping I’ll get  hired while sitting at home, right? A big piece of the “game” is establishing credits and relationships and it has just been until recently that I truly feel like I’ve established both of these to the best of my ability.  I am now hoping to find a team mate who is willing to work with me to help guide and encourage me.  

I have done a lot of random things this week and it’s only Tuesday!   My friend, Sommar, asked me to do a testimonial video for a new electronic product from a major software company (signed a confidentiality agreement but you can probably guess).  I should be receiving the product soon and will film at the end of June.   I think it will be great footage for my reel!  Next, my friend, Lori, is working on a fantastic film, Sironia, and asked if I’d like to be an extra and I said heck ya!  Not only is it a rad film, I also think the director, Brandon Dickerson, is a wonderful person and I think I can call him ”friend” but I use the term losely as not to sound totally cheezy “Hollywood”.  Lastly, I auditioned for ”Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader” (no laughing….it was a very tough audition but I’ll take $250k any day).

Such a random beginning to my week but wanted ya’ll to know what I mean when I say that I ”hustle” for work.  Sometimes I find myself lured by the predictability of a career lobbying and government affairs and then I realize that I have a job in lobbying and it’s right here in LA (minus the “predictability” part)

All my best!

My good friend, Matt Fox, and I began filming a web-series, Judith and Judis: Life is Fabulous After 50 in December of 2008.  Our characters were developed in the advanced improv class of the fabulous Donovan Scott and we had such a great time working together that we thought it would be fun to take “Judith and Judis” to the next level – a webshow. 

What began as a simple idea with a video camera has evolved into something much more -  -  a web-series that gets better with each episode and a friendship between two good friends who happen to be actors.  I have heard that the best way to learn is to ”do” and much learning has happened under the guise of J&J.  We’ve learned the importance of good equipment, sound, editing and effienciency of movement.  Thanks to a good friend who happens to work at “E”, we’ve been fortunate to have solid editing and she managed to do an excellent job despite our poor quality of filming.  We now understand what we are looking for and what shots we need to make a good episode (close-ups, wide angle, reaction shots, Point of View shots, etc…) 

We also are beginning the process of editing our own footage (we can’t exactly keep asking our friend to take hours of footage and put together a coherent webisode for a measly bottle of wine).  Plus, it’s fun to learn and Matt just bought a brand new MAC (holla).

Producing this show has been educational on many fronts.  I have a much greater appreciation for the other aspects of “the industry” and while we aren’t exactly a “Saturday Night Life” sketch, we have greater understand as to what goes into making sketch characters funny and how to construct a successful episode (i.e. an arc, character development, conflict, backstory etc…)  For the record though, I think we could def. be a sketch on SNL.

This past weekend, we filmed our fifth episode and I think it is the best one yet.  It is entitled “Girlfriends Getaway” and well…let’s just say “girlfriends” is a different definition than J & J were prepared for.  We had the support of many of our acting friends and “friends of friends” as goes the industry.  Our fellow DuckTape Improv actor/friend, Tommy, who is also in the works to produce a feature film volunteered to film this episode.  Despite the bare bones camera and only one working body microphone, I think he captured some hysterical footage. 

I’ve heard some in the upper-echelons of the industry say, “don’t just put together a web-series” because you don’t have the expertise to do it well.  While I recognize the sentiment here (only put stuff out that is reflective of you and is high quality), I believe that the benefits of producing ones own series outweigh the slight possiblity that some hot shot director will see J & J and decide NOT to hire me because it’s not fancy enough.  I also do it because because actors (i.e. “me”) don’t like to wait around for some imaginary person to offer me a “job”.  I believe that the process of creating J&J has been one of the most educational and enlightening things I have done since moving to Los Angeles.  I have “learned by doing”.  Another cliche I have heard is that “90% of life is showing up” so I guess I’m wondering what will happen if I “show up AND write AND perform AND edit AND….”  You get the gist.

Judith and Judis isnt’ just about two fabulous older women experiencing Hollywood, it’s also about two actors who are anxious to learn and grow and experience success in Hollywood whether or not anyone pays us.  I’ll definitely let you know when this last episode is edited and up for viewing. 

Over and out~ Ang

I find myself often going to callbacks and even to producers so this is a great thing but I’d love it book the job.  I got called in again for Chips Ahoy and it went great.  The casting director was rad and let me know taht I am in the final “6″.  I did my best and that’s all I can do.  I trust that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. 

On the flip side, my buddy, Bob Lambert (casting director for All My Children) called me last week to ask if I’d like to work as an extra on All My Children.  Of course I said “yes” and it was a quick easy day in the casino.  Not to mention, I even shared a bathroom with Rebecca Budig/Greenlee (she is beautiful in-person too).  Perhaps I should clarify one minor detail… Bob isn’t really my “buddy” but I’ve found that many people in LA use the word “friend” loosely and so I figure I can too

I also heard back from Jason Kim, a fabulous manager at Lovett Management, and he told me that my scene was, “one of the best of the night” last week.  He seemed kind, smart, articulate and has an incredible roster of talent that he manages.  Fingers crossed.  He said he’d be in touch shortly…ah, the life of an actor.  

Now I’m off to my ”other job”….managing a tiki bar – - the fun never stops    I can feel it, good stuff is headed my way!

I had a great casting director workshop with Ani Avetyan - – don’t think it could have gone any better.  She gave me “5 out of 5’s” in every category and said, ” Solid, natural choices. Fun journey, very adjustable – SO GOOD.”  While this is great feedback, it is sometimes even more frustrating because here I’ll get great feedback but no job yet?  I can’t lie, it’s a little frustrating but I have to have faith that this journey is teaching me perseverance and a million other lessons that I am sure I am not even aware of.  I also just completed a wonderful 3-week workshop with Todd Sherry, of Patrick Rush Casting, and he was wonderful as well.  Fingers crossed.

I am also performing in an exciting showcase tonight and will be doing a comedic scene with the fabulous Candice Carr (ensemble member from Duck Tape Improv and fellow Groundling) - – wish us luck! 

Lastly, just received a call from Gwen Hillier with General Hospital and I get to work again next Thursday and Friday – woo hoo!

Prayers are always welcome!!!

I just returned from Mexico and not a day too soon because I have several awesome casting director workshops scheduled for this month! Already, they are off to a great start because last night I began a three week class with casting director/actor, Todd Sherry.  Not only is Todd a working actor, he is also a really neat guy with a refreshing approach – - namely, “have fun and play”.  He has s a “don’t take it too seriously” approach to acting and stressed the point of knowing who you are, what you have to sell, and recognize early that you can’t please all the people all of the time.   These all seem like common sense objectives but in a town where many acting teachers and casting directors make a living ripping actors apart and proving that their approach will put you back together (ughhh the internal monologues, the process, the objectives, the this and that etc….), they take the fun out of acting.  With his natural charisma and “actor friendly” approach, Todd spoke about acting with an authenticity and true joy that I responded to and honestly needed to hear. 

The only other time I have heard such a refreshing approach was when I hear Jack Plotnick speak about his, New Thoughts For Actors last spring.  Ironically, as I was thinking this exact thought, Todd mentioned Jack and it mad perfect sense because I had been thinking to myself how similar their approach is to acting and that they should be friends (if they aren’t already).  Overall, it was a really nice evening and left me feeling hopeful and happy – - two feelings that can be difficult to experience after spending three hours with a casting director   I’ll keep ya’ll posted on how the next two weeks go but already I can tell you to sign up for a class with Todd because he’s just an overall genuine human in this generally artificial town.

* on a side note, I had a great audition for a hosting gig yesterday and am crossing my fingers the director and producers also thought it was good

xo

I needed a couple of “business” shots and this is what the talented Wayne Rutledge and I came up with.  Would you take advice from me?  Buy my product?  Hire me to be your CEO?

This is the sort of mailing I do once in a while.  I know that I need to get in front of casting directors somehow and what a great excuse – - St. Patty’s Day!  Now if only Wendy O’Brien would call me in, she’d like this right?