Paige Craig Photography

One thing every actor, heck – every person generally appreciates is affirmation.  We look for affirmation in every facet of our lifes; whether it be relationships, life goals, work, hobbies, etc… One way actors look for affirmation is through booking work (duh).  I would argue however, that you can also find incredible encouragement from being called back for a commercial and it feels doubly (is that a word?) good to be put on “avail”.  At least this is what I’ve been telling myself.

My callback ratio for commercial auditions is about 65-70%, which means that for every 10 auditions I go to, I get called back about 6 or 7 times.  My encouraging agent, Anna Leigh, at Daniel Hoff has assured me that they view callbacks very similarly to actually booking a job.  She said that a callback means you did the audition well and now the client just has to decide what direction to go (blond, brunette, tall, short, quirky or “all-America”, etc…).  You can only imagine how great it feels to be put on avail (which, generally means it’s between 2-3 people).

I have been on avail for some pretty incredible jobs.  It’s hard not to get your hopes up (and start counting the money, a sure sign of death I’ve decided).  For instance, I spoke with a casting director at a callback and he told me that over 20,000 submitted for the job, 300 for put on tape (meaning, they had 300 people come in to audition both on the east and west coasts), and then they narrowed it down to 11!  I was on of the 11 and while I should be thrilled (and I am), it’s almost that much more difficult on the psyche when you don’t actually book the job - – especially when it’s shooting in the Bahamas!  Since then, I’ve been put on avail for at least three other great gigs.

With an uber competitive industry, one has to look for moments of light in the smallest of things, such as a callback.  It’s a subjective industry and you can do only so much until you realize the rest is out of your control.  Who knows, I could look like the casting director’s ex-wife, or maybe I’m too tall?  If I start thinking of all the reasons, I would go crazy.  Instead, I give thanks for the ability to pursue my passion and be exposed to some pretty incredible people.  I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, God is teaching me persistence through all of this.  My parents always told me that anything worth having is worth working hard for.  I agree, because when I book a job, the victory is oh so much sweeter and the gratefulness I feel is abundant.

The filming schedule was pretty intense and the amount of work the crew did on our house is amazing!  The experience also confirmed my focus in hosting and specifically on HGTV/DIY hosting.  Casey, the host of DOAD, is awesome and fun and is doing exactly what I want to be doing.  To make it even cooler, Etsy, donated/sponsored our show and so we got a ton of super cool furniture, art, lighting and other accessories.  You can check out more about their involvement with our episode here.

I’m also wrapping up my first quarter of Interior Design School and finishing up my real-estate licensing course(s).  By February, I anticipate being a actual real-estate agent and focusing more on design – - both of which should offer more credibility and expertise in the hosting arena.  Exciting things are brewing and I can’t wait to see my goals take flight!

Most driven people continually change their definition of success.  For instance, three years ago, when I first arrived in LA, I would have been over the moon thrilled with booking an U-5 during a historical moment in daytime television history (and I am excited); nonetheless, after booking several of these, I’m now looking ahead to bigger roles with more dialogue, depth and allow me to truly exercise my craft.  I am grateful and this is a nice affirmation that I am clearly on the right track – Yeah!

A total "vanity shot" in my dressing room at AMC :)

I’ve also had a shift in my perspective and a desire to do something more grounded in addition to pursuing my acting dreams.  I’m going back to school part-time at Santa Monica College to pursue a certificate in interior and architectural design, which will also help me with my hosting.  We all know that my dream in the hosting arena is to have my own show on HGTV.  I’m excited to get started and will also keep you posted on how my schooling unfolds.

Until then,

Angela

Hey there.  Some pretty exciting news coming at ya.  We’ve been selected to be recipients of the completely revamped HGTV design show, Design on a Dime!  While it’s not me who will be hosting, rather the talented Casey Noble, it is very exciting to have a whole crew in our home for an entire week, with a budget of $5000 to spruce up our living room.

Something I don’t blog about too much on this site is my love for design/renovation, which ideally will lead into a lovely hosting gig one of these days.  Nonetheless, there were a lot of candidates who submitted for this show and so it felt fantastic to get selected!  Plus, great national footage is always a great marketing tool – who knows who might be watching right?g.  We film at the end of September so I will keep ya’ll posted when it’s slated to air!  Onward and upward!

This is a old picture, the budget is now $5000!

Hopefully, I’ll get some of the photos so you can see how beautiful her work is!  Below is a iPhone photo of one of her dresses.  I call it a “Mad Men” inspired dress but I’m sure she has some official name she uses.

Have an excellent weekend!

Melissa Masse Look Book

Melissa Masse Look Book

Melissa Masse Look Book

With the new Miss Oregon, Caroline McGowan, and the Judges

With Miss Oregon's Outstanding Teen, Alexi Provost-Shean

Executive Director of the Miss O program, Dana Phillips, aka "my second mom"

It as been said that it is easier to get your son to play in the Superbowl than it is to have your daughter compete in the Miss America Pageant – that’s incredible!  I feel honored and blessed to call many of the former (and current) Miss Oregon’s my “sisters” of sorts.  While they’ll never take the place of my own sisters (who mean the world to me), it is comforting and exciting to know that I am part of a sisterhood that goes back to the 1920′s as way to keep tourists in Atlantic City past Labor Day weekend!  I treasure my memories as Miss Oregon and felt a sense of renewal and joy as I judged the pageant this past week.  

Perhaps this lesson of giving back is applicable regardless of the profession one has chosen.  I can say with certainty however, that I find my greatest joy in living in Los Angeles coming from opportunities where I attempt to serve something or someone greater than myself or my own objectives.

Welcome Press Conference in Atlantic City

Talent - Sarah McLachlan's "Angel"

Swimsuit Competition

Evening Gown

Talent

Reception - Atlantic City

In fact, my work on All My Children came from a workshop and I was called into producers for Hannah Montana two days after my workshop with Howard Meltzer. Sure, there are those who aren’t in it for the “purest” of reasons but show me one field where all involved are blameless. Nonetheless, my experience lately has been extraordinary and I’ve met some very cool people (who happen to be casting directors too).

As an actor, you rarely receive feedback from a casting director. The typical audition involves waiting in a big silent room with lots of “look-a-likes” and then walking into another silent room – alone, or with a few casting people – -where you say your lines to a camera and then leave. It can be pretty isolating and, unless you book the role, you really have no idea how you did. Sure, it’s nice to get called back or even better to be put on hold (which means it’s down to you and one other actor) but of all the auditions you go out on, it is rare to hear feedback.

Feedback is important to every single person regardless of profession. Feedback validates you, makes you feel “seen” and can give you hope and encouragement. Feedback gives me energy and lately, my feedback at these workshops has confirmed that I am indeed doing what I am good at. In an industry so full of “noise”, it’s ironic that the process of achieving success in the acting world can be so quiet. That is why these casting director workshops get a two-thumbs up from me; because I like to hear validation and know that what I am doing is good. I’ve always felt that my work is strong but it feels pretty damn nice to have someone else confirm it.

Feedback from Julia Kim - Casts Indpendent Films

Feedback from Deborah Barylski - Cast Comedies: Home Improvement, In the Middle, Arrested Development

Feedback from Scott David - Casts Criminal Minds

In Pamukkale, Turkey (the white is actually calcium deposits from water, not snow)

Nike - Goddess of Victory - Ephesus, Turkey

An appropriate photo to post – I’m anticipating victory soon

I spent my Friday shooting a campaign for Wells Fargo at the Port Brewery in San Marcos.  With a call-time at 6:30 am and rain in the forecast, it was a very long and cold day.  Yet, it was one of the more enjoyable photo shoots I’ve been a part of.

It's very Laverne & Shirley right?

I have been hired by Wells Fargo in the past and so it was fun to reconnect with some of the marketing people and meet new friends.  The photographer was the very talented (and a little kooky) Jim Erickson.  He is incredibly detail oriented and a fascinating person – - he had at least four extra shooters working with him at any given time and so the day felt very typical of my usual paparazzi filled day  

In addition to a paycheck, I also met a super fun gal, Angela Tom, and we’re looking forward to connecting in LA sometime soon.  So you see, you never know what’s going to come out of a job!  And, it didn’t hurt that we got to taste some delicious beer while we were there! 

Angela and Angela tasting the Lost Abbey Frambois raspberry beer after a long day. Cheers!