tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39610279297632293312024-03-08T06:33:05.864-05:00No Such Thing as a Big BreakJersey City-based actor yells at the internet, owns cats.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-13214944823566685062016-06-29T11:03:00.001-04:002016-06-29T11:03:46.135-04:00I frequently think of getting acting to pay me reasonable money is like takeoff velocity. I train, I go faster. I get in better shape, I go faster. My films play festivals, I go faster.<br />
<br />
I've hit a stall.<br />
<br />
Earlier this year I quit my restaurant job for a few reasons; now all my sources of income are flexible--I can pick and choose every day I work.<br />
<br />
I am at the point where the amount of unpaid good film and theater work I am offered exceeds the amount of free time I have. I need to pay my bills.<br />
<br />
I'm non-union. At this point in my life I am not very interested in booking a National Tour, I like my life and my boyfriend at my cat. It also means that no film is required to give me any money.<br />
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I'm a little disheartened at the gatekeeper situation when it comes to finding representation. A famous casting director compared the pay-to-play classes to speed dating. It's flawed and expensive. And here I am, producing good work, much of it under the Creative Commons license. I have fanbases that know my name! I also have some cobwebs in my bank account.<br />
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What's the next step? What do I do? I need to make more money so I can take more class so I can act more and earn no money and get good exposure...<br />
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<br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-54247523678316991522016-05-11T16:38:00.001-04:002016-05-11T16:38:19.651-04:00Asking, Giving, and TakingI am of extremely mixed opinions when it comes to the trend of crowd-sourcing. If the effort can reach a crowd outside one's immediate social circle, I don't mind it. I've contributed to many kickstarters where I know I will receive the product at the end; the online fundraising happened to ensure the size of the customer base.<br />
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I got irrationally angry the other day when I saw an acquaintance asking Facebook for a job. She wasn't unemployed, but had rather taken a job for a few months in Central America. She had already launched a Kickstarter campaign to send her to a training program back in the states for a few days, and didn't have the travel funds immediately available. Her kickstarter highlighted that she wanted to see all of her industry friends at the training! That effort was funded successfully.<br />
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Her time in Central America was coming to a close, and she wanted a job lined up when she returned to NYC. Within hours of her posting, references and offers appeared in her comments section.<br />
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An actor friend of mine has a GoFundMe started to potentially pay for studio classes. Acting classes are cost-prohibitive, and flexible employment pays significantly less. Her posts are more professional in tone, she's been invited to a program with an excellent reputation.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Now, I am of the opinion that the world does not owe you. If you make a choice to go on tour, or take a seasonal service job thousands of miles away, that's your choice and you own the consequences. Asking your friends to fund your trip to a convention or networking event, to me, reads as irresponsible.<br />
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My boyfriend listens to me fume every time I see one of these posts on social media. I hear Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook: I want, I want, I want, me, me, me, my, my, my. How can anyone be so-centered as to think their friends on the internet will greet their asking with enthusiasm? I huff, I puff, I complain, and then try to drop it.<br />
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Recently, aforementioned supportive boyfriend and I went to an Record Store Day event sponsored by Dogfishhead brewery. It culminated in a raffle. Each prize was shown to the room before the winner was announced. One of the prizes was a tin sign, and without thinking I exclaimed "I want that!".<br />
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I did not win the sign.<br />
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The winner's wife, however, hated the sign, and told the winner he could not bring it home. He had heard me from across the room, and gave it to me on his way out. I told a room what I wanted, and the object of my desire was literally given to me.<br />
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Maybe I need to chill out about asking. Maybe I should ask for bigger things.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-43063662950658680032016-04-26T11:58:00.000-04:002016-04-26T11:58:31.341-04:00The Indignity of It All<div class="message__content--body" style="border-bottom-color: lightgrey; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;">
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This weekend I had a rather infuriating exchange with a student filmmaker. I had applied for a principal role in a student film, and received this message:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hi Maya!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Unfortunately, the principle roles have already been casted but the director would absolutely love if you'd be able to act as one of a few background actors in perhaps the film's pivotal scene: a surreal and very darkly comedic orgy framing the moral decadence and apathy of Brittany. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The scene would involve very basic coverage but, as for nudity, it's quite literally however much you would feel comfortable with (do let us know, however, so we'll know how to cheat it out). Wardrobe would be black grungy clothing. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Let us know if you would be interested in the role, it will be shooting tomorrow in Brooklyn as an overnight -- from 1am to 6am. If you are interested and available, I can send you the address of the shoot (and please feel free to ask any further questions). <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Best,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />-REDACTED STUDENT</span></div>
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This message has a few problems. We'll talk about how the past tense of 'to cast' is 'cast', and how the word is principAL not princiPLE at some later date.</div>
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I wrote the student back that I was looking for reel material, and an unpaid scene orgy scene (shooting overnight, no less) didn't suit my needs. I also called him out on the faux flattery, and the bait and switch of sending me this message when it in no way reflects what I submitted for.</div>
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His response was lengthy, and full of misinformation; I'm not sure if he was poorly informed or just lying. Here are the highlights:</div>
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1) This has been difficult for him</div>
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2)Posting asking for nudity would be both "rude" and intrusive"</div>
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3)Not disclosing nudity and then asking for it on set would open him up to a potential lawsuit. (But seriously, he was considering that as an option)</div>
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4)Offering to pay extras for a nude scene would be tantamount to hiring sex workers. (He said cash would make is transactional.)</div>
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5) He's sure he'll have to hire more nude actors in the future, and he doesn't want to drive them away going forward. "Imagine if I got to work with <i>Foreign Director? </i>What a great opportunity and subsequent folly that would be!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's the deal, bucko: telling me the director would simply <i>love</i> for me to be in this "pivotal" and "darkly comedic orgy" scene does not stroke my ego. I did not submit to be in your orgy.</div>
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SAG pays extra for being scantily clad; they pay more for nudity. I've seen posts for non-speaking nude roles that pay the principal rate. Sure, I'm non-union, but looking at the union rules will tell you there is value in what you are asking for.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.25;">By not offering compensation, you are not sparing me the indignity of being labeled a sex worker. You are failing to compensate me for something that has an established value. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.25;">Be up-front. Post for what you are looking for. Do not bait-and-switch. Do not paint an unpaid BG role in a student film an opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.25;">Ugh.</span></div>
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Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-17373799748699987242016-04-18T11:13:00.000-04:002016-04-18T11:23:06.518-04:00Fleshed-Out CharactersIt's student film season. Backstage and Casting Networks are brimming with roles in films for NYFA, SVA, and NYU students.<br />
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I have my usual gripes. Broken single mothers, girlfriend to protagonist. Women are so frequently lead-adjacent. Women can be people and have characteristics of their own! However many first projects are just loving imitations of existing culture, and female characters are still having a difficult time at the box-office (action figures of Rey, anyone?). Students have yet to hear of the Bechdel test. Fine.<br />
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Ah yes, here we are. Stripper. I would like to sit down each of these students and ask them how many strippers they know, and what they based the characters on. Are all of them really parroting what they learned from watching The Wire, and Law and Order: SVU?<br />
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I am not a sex worker. I have had friends who are. I do not think I can speak authentically to their varied experiences. Am I supposed to believe that every 19-year-old student can?<br />
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Devil's advocate: maybe the student has never run a company, organized a heist, or had a serious relationship, and we make movies about those things all the time. I say to you this may not be entirely different, but it is the least grounded, the least three-dimensional, the most repetitive trope.<br />
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I, as an adult female actor, have so few roles available to me. An alarming number of the roles in my inbox sadly read Broken Sex Object. A stripper with a heart of gold who is conflicted about leaving her lifestyle for the One Man who can take her away from All Of This.<br />
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Dear students: please write something else. Maybe you haven't had your heart properly broken yet, you are afraid to write romance. Maybe you don't have the budget for car chases and explosions.<br />
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You are capable of so much more. Write me a role that's not a stripper. Try.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-83958526823180328342012-08-18T12:06:00.001-04:002012-08-18T12:06:53.575-04:00Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!My shiny new dayjob had a hiccup. They don't know when they'll be opening. Commence panic.<br />
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Being a grown adult who deals with her issues head-on, I did the logical thing and ran away to my parents' house for five days. Eggplant grown in the backyard and quality time with cats will do wonders for one's stress level.<br />
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My second day at home, I received a facebook message that a friend's company was hiring, and that said friend thought I'd be a good fit for the position. I've been offered lovely full-time jobs before, but not since moving to New York. New York is a money-devouring beast. I evaluated how such a job would affect my current career plans. I'd be better able to fund self-produced projects. I could audition for any project that rehearsed evening and weekends.<br />
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But, soon as I get into class, the bigger auditions I hope to land will be during the week, during the day. I can't commit to a company looking for a full time 9-5 employee. Several people I've consulted on this topic have told me to lie through the interview, and quit when I land something good enough. I'm against that kind of thing. Lying is usually bad, mmkay?<br />
<br />
I sent a response a few days later thanking the friend for thinking of me.<br />
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Even having been yanked around repeatedly, I realized that my priorities are the same. I moved to New York to be in a primary market for actors. Accepting a 9-5 would hurt my availability, and make it more difficult to achieve what I moved here to do.<br />
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The good news is that the increased stress has me practicing piano and voice more often. It's hard to stress out about liquor licenses while singing through The Last Five Years.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-14104177116324544192012-08-09T14:54:00.000-04:002012-08-09T14:54:08.671-04:00Writing is HardLike, really hard guys. Did you know that already? Oh, you did. That's cool.<br />
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I've finally started writing my short. I want to self-produce it within the next six months. Thinking about where I'm going to find the funds, man-power, and equipment is a project for after it's written. I have been toying with the idea of founding my own production company. That project is waiting for funds, and the free time to sort out details.<br />
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LOSERS is mostly shot! We have one more major scene, and some pickup shots. The shoots have been long, in locations lacking air conditioning, but the cast and crew have both been lovely.<br />
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I have my first day on set shooting Silver Cheese's action feature tomorrow. That one's a bit more hush-hush. Needless to say, I'm excited to be working with them.<br />
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And, through the magic of networking, I've booked another short! A friend from college recommended me to a co-worker, and I'll be starring in a film that mostly takes place in WWII. You, my dear readers, know my obsession with vintage fashion and hair, yes? And the storytelling sounds pretty excellent too.<br />
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I've also traded up my day job. I quit my retail position, and am now a bartender at a soon-to-open establishment in Astoria. Hopefully this will give me the funds I need to take class with NY agents and CDs.<br />
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Acting in three projects, writing one, and poised to make money? Sounds like a pretty good place to be.Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-7756863692634664392012-06-08T10:59:00.005-04:002012-06-08T10:59:53.647-04:00I get to wear my wedding dress again!Seriously, best $35 I ever spent. (For those of you keeping score at home, I've now worn that $1400 dress from Priscilla's of Boston for <i>Company, Taming of the Shrew,</i> and<i> The Last Five Years).</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Why will I be wearing that enormous raw silk garment again you ask? Well, I've been cast in a pilot.<br />
Sure, sure, if you read this blog you probably already saw that on my fan page or personal facebook page. If that's not the case, hello lurker!<br />
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The pilot is called <i>LOSERS</i>, and information about it can be found <a href="http://zackabramowitz.com/Zack_Abramowitz/News/Entries/2012/6/3_LOSERS%3A_The_Pilot_has_been_cast!.html">here</a>. I'm pleased as punch to be a part of the core cast.<br />
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I also received callbacks for the action feature mentioned in the previous blog entry. The callbacks are a day-long affair; I am to arrive with three outfits; ready for a photo shoot, table read, and fight choreography. I have never been so heavily vetted for a role.<br />
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With that in mind, I've started working out again. Some of you are familiar with my current weight issues--somewhere between moving to New York City, quitting soda, and dumping the person I dated for three years, I've become skinnier than I ever was in high school. I was worried that if I started an intense fitness regimen I'd be on the track towards 'too thin'. I know, I know, thin is good for tv. The fun part is that starting at this base weight, noticing the slowly-growing definition is much easier, and a good motivator.<br />
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I'm also trying to be good about singing at least twice a week. Yesterday was soprano repertoire day. Watch out, <i>Moonfall</i>, and <i>Gooch's song</i>. I'm coming for you.<br />
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<br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-77293297571239273102012-05-22T13:41:00.002-04:002012-05-22T13:41:41.084-04:00Oh that's right, I used to have a blogAnd I was going to update it for accountability, right? What a nice idea that was.<br />
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So here we are. I went to MA for Pirates of Penzance. While singing every day was lovely, it did put me a little behind in terms of NY auditions. When I came back I had living situation and employment issues that resulted in little income and free time. (Isn't that always the way?)<br />
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I'm finally starting to hit my stride again-- three auditions in the past week. Two for film, one for a theater festival. Both film auditions gave me a sword in the audition room. It seems that there's a niche for snarky female characters in action movies. I hadn't thought about that casting niche before; it suits me far better than a 'quirky best friend' in a rom-com. I've already received notice for callbacks for one of the films, though both seemed to be fairly impressed with me.<br />
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Caleb and I have begun work on my demo reel. Well, we totally began it, he's the one continuing work. I am lucky to have friends to do me such labor-intensive favors. It'll be great to have a calling card, though it also represents the financial investment of hosting media on the casting pages. Which brings me to my next bit of news:<br />
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I'm in training to be a server at a bar! That elusive beast, Manhattan experience, is finally within my grasp. In theory, I should actually be able to afford most of the industry things I need. How exciting! I'm looking forward to being able to take class again.<br />
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I'm also contemplating something Dallas Travers said. She suggested I write my blog like I'm answering James Lipton's questions on Inside the Actor's Studio. With that in mind, I solemnly swear to update this blog.<br />
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<br />Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-7729133923035419462011-12-14T11:54:00.002-05:002011-12-14T11:59:31.404-05:00Gearing up for JanuaryPirates opened to good reviews on friday. One such review, by Beverly Creasey, mentioned me by name. I guess that thing about 'no small roles' is true after all. This weekend's shows are selling well, and we are recording a cast album on thursday. I haven't been in studio in ages, so it looks to be a good time.<div><br /></div><div>Sexually Frank has been submitted to its first round of festivals, and is garnering its own share of press. Check out an interview with director extraordinaire Frankie Frain <a href="http://deadharvey.blogspot.com/2011/12/interview-with-indie-filmmaker-frankie.html">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've started submitting for auditions in January, and have been working on my mailers. While my hopes are not high of being 'discovered' in time for pilot season, my goal is to be called in for multiple principals for next year's summerstock.</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-32589024672763168932011-12-02T14:57:00.003-05:002011-12-02T15:05:13.470-05:00Surviving SuburbiaSo here we are, halfway through our little stint based in suburbia....and I'm quite quickly becoming bored out of my skull.<div><br /></div><div>I've been decent about accomplishing the things on my ambitious list. Hanlon's book of piano exercises has been kicking my butt. I've tweaked my fancy HTML email, and started combing through the Backstage listings to find recipients. I've chosen the first batch of Casting Directors to receive hard-copy mailers, and will be going into my dad's office next week to abuse his printer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did not buy Rocksmith. The MIDI-enabled keyboard stayed in Brooklyn, but I have been working on an excellent new song for both my voice and acting types. We'll see how terrible its sounds when I try to record it at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only tempting stint with Boston Casting and RIPD is for featured background in January. I don't think another month of this lifestyle will be good for me, or my NY gig availability.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pirates </i>begins tech on sunday. Wish me luck.</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-49970266223745758632011-11-14T09:16:00.003-05:002011-11-14T09:31:21.325-05:00Baby, won't you please come back?Last night I got a text from a student filmmaker. He is re-creating a scene from <i>Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom</i>, and I had read for Willie. He sent me a 'we went in a different direction' email pretty quickly after I read. Not the end of the world.<div><br /></div><div>My text from last night read:"the part has opened up, and he'd LOVE to offer it to me if I'm still available" at such-and-such a time.</div><div><br /></div><div>In that same vein, <i>Boston Ballistic </i>has been sending me emails about reporting to set for unpaid extra work. Yeeup. Totally gonna consider that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder if enjoying these situations when they arise means I am another bitter actor. As far as Willie is concerned, I am genuinely unavailable, I am not turning down this work out of spite. (Previous times this has happened I have turned down work because of other evident issues with the project). I am, however, bemused each time it happens. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other news! </div><div>I was very pleased with my homemade video for the Nightwing webseries. I did get the quickest turnaround on a rejection I've had in quite some time after sending it, however. They say they're interested in me for other roles, and the DP is interested in shooting regular ol' photos with me. So, not a total loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pirates is going well. I love singing light opera. I'm so glad I accepted this gig.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sci-Fi Noir pilot wrote me back, and is 'going another direction'. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I'm back in MA I have the time and resources to work on my secondary skills. I have a new audition song I'm very excited about, and have been kicking my butt with Hanlon's piano exercises. Back to Chopin next week!</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-14959623328914928142011-11-02T12:11:00.003-04:002011-11-02T12:21:43.854-04:00I have rehearsal tonight!I am currently on the bus from New York to boston. With the help of tea and power-naps, tonight I will be ready for my first rehearsal for Pirates of Penzance. Yay!<div><br /></div><div>(The period/greater than key finally fell off my laptop. That's gonna want some Macguyver-ing when I get home.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's recap:</div><div><br /></div><div>I was called in for a Chicago run of Hairspray last monday.I was very pleased with how I sang (belt mix on a high F? No problem) and read. The director seemed to like my adjustment, and the pianist said I did a good job. I haven't been called back, but it was a good audition.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started shooting an NYU student film called 'Electric Sugar'. We had some casting setbacks, and will resume shooting in early spring.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was called in for a Sci-Fi/Noir indie pilot. They liked my monologue, and said they'd be calling me in with specific sides in the near future.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have an audition for a webseries based on Nightwing, but until I receive my complete Pirates schedule, I don't know if I can attend. I shot them an email, and they're okay with a video audition. They also want to see how I'll look in the costume--but I can come up with photos of me in fishnets, a leotard, and leather jacket no problem.</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday was agent night with Paul Russell. I was pleased with how I did--the biggest criticism I received is that my song choice wasn't vocally challenging enough for my (suspected) abilities, and that I played it a bit safe. I need to send thank you cards to both Paul and the agents.</div><div>Paul gave my class a shout-out on facebook, saying we were among the most talented and put together he's seen. And no, he did no such thing the last time I took the class.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a very good couple of weeks. I sent all of my agent mailer stationery back to MA, so I can continue to assemble submissions while out of NYC. Auditions slow down in December, so that should provide a nice lull to see if I can get seen.</div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-5173121346591098942011-10-16T20:47:00.003-04:002011-10-16T20:59:03.684-04:00Whatever happened to your blog?Casting news: I've been cast as a featured role in an NYU student film! Hooray! The script looks very interesting, and the footage will fill the femme-fatale sized gap in my demo reel.<div><br /></div><div>The countdown is on til my first rehearsal for <i>Pirates. </i>I am so excited to be singing again soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't currently have any other employment while home in Boston, so I've developed a plan of productivity and self improvement. The pieces are as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div>My dad had a good idea for a feature film. I am going to ignore the fact that I have not a clue what I'm doing, and try to write it while I'm home. Six weeks. Totally doable, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to buy that video game that will teach me how to be a better guitarist. I will get better at guitar (and have all the endorphins associated with Xbox achievements. Hey, whatever works).</div><div><br /></div><div>I am going to use my MIDI keyboard and fancy new USB mic and try and record things in my basement. This could be a disaster. Even so, it will likely be an educational experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will continue to work out, probably with the help of my Kinect. (It was free, non-committal gym memberships are far from.) As I meet more and more New York actors, I find it comforting that so few are actually in that television weightclass (five pounds underweight, or fifty over). I've been making quite reasonable progress in terms of my fitness level, muscle tone, and figure. I have the beginnings of ab definition. Continuing progress during the holiday season will probably be difficult (mmm, pumpkin cheesecake), but totally worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I will continue my New York casting mailers from Boston. If anything, that should be easier, with more access to stationery and table space.</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-19365811432875414832011-09-16T10:24:00.003-04:002011-09-16T10:45:26.325-04:00National Television!My episode of the Wendy Williams show airs today at noon. Let us conveniently gloss over the fact that I am appearing as one of ten Pillsbury dough boys in a five-thousand-dollar-suit.<div><br /></div><div>Its a silly gig, and I'm happy to have the money. The part that I do find unsettling is that more people have expressed interest in watching this episode of a talk show than have ever asked me about my webseries, plays, or indie movies I've been in. At my most cynical it seems easy to mock me for taking a silly job to support my starvingactor lifestyle. I am trying to change that mindset to one focused on the quick turnaround. Maybe in a world with easier video formats and accessible film festivals, my Annette Bening costar credits will outshine those with Wendy Williams. One can only hope.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sent in my contract for <i>Pirates of Penzance</i> with Fiddlehead. I will be back in Massachusetts for a large part of November and December. I'm very excited to be a part of it--mostly because I haven't been in a full production of a musical since I left CLOC. I also love Gilbert and Sullivan, and cannot wait to return to an environment in which I sing every day. Before I leave, I plan to call AFTRA and discuss the joining payment plan. Hopefully I'll land some BG on RIPD, and make my short return home turn a profit.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-69069256919486658032011-08-26T10:54:00.002-04:002011-08-26T11:01:08.775-04:00Fingers CrossedBoys and girls, it has been an eventful week. I got my hair cut at the Aveda institute, only to end up talking Gilbert and Sullivan with my hairstylist. Long story short, he wants me to sing for him, and to get me in touch with his agent. Nice!<div>
<br /></div><div>Saturday I had callbacks for <i>Dusty</i> <i>Cartridges</i>, the gaming webseries. I was very pleased with how it went, and yesterday I sent a follow-up email to the writer/director.
<br /><div>
<br /></div><div>I went home to Boston for a few days. While there I sang for Legally Blonde and A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theater, and Pirates of Penzance at Fiddlehead. A friend has already heard about Fiddlehead, so I am not optimistic on that front, but my audition for A Christmas Carol went very well-- the pianist/music director remembered me, and the director was dancing along to my song in his chair! Fingers most definitely crossed for that one.</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I did have a vocal scare-- after singing for my audition tuesday, my throat felt muscularly sore, and I was worried I had been forcing or doing something terribly wrong. (No! I want to keep my audition song with a high A!). Turns out I just caught my dad's cold. So I am taking advil and drinking tea and hoping I will cease feeling like a mute in the near future.</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-56298122426684917372011-08-16T13:20:00.004-04:002011-08-16T13:49:45.287-04:00Chipping AwayI blame my recent bout of productivity on a book lent to me by a friend--'Getting Stuff Done' is rocking my world.<div>
<br /></div><div>I sent out gorgeous mailers to two Boston-based CDs (RIPD is rumored to be the biggest movie shot in MA ever), and one NY based manager. More mailers will be sent after I get my new headshots from reproductions.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>My Snowball microphone arrived, and I love it. The quality is far better than I thought I could afford, and I've already sent a first take of the Kickstarter cartoon. If I go SAG, I can bother my connections at Turbine for work. In the meantime, I should really take a VO demo class. Slash do research on what other people's demos sound like/feature/etc.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've started revamping my audition book. Tearing pages got fixed, beautiful new dividers were installed, and songs I haven't sung in years were removed. I want to add a few things before I print out a song list to go in the front. I'm still searching for a contemporary belty uptempo---and the things that sit best in my voice are from Lippa. Really? Lippa? I need to find something better.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>A couple setbacks-- apparently the footage I have from A Remarkable Appratus won't load on a PC, so I have to wait until I sit down to make my demo reel on someone else's Mac to pick and choose what I want. Sexually Frank, though it will play in Zune, will not edit in Windows Live Movie Maker (I wanted to slim it down to 45 seconds for Actors Access).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Also: I found someone on model mayhem who will take my swimsuit photos! Yay!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I really should clean my room. That's an idea.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-24594972091840542812011-08-08T19:34:00.006-04:002011-08-08T19:46:58.261-04:00$200 To sing on your stage? No thank you.Yes, really. <div>
<br /></div><div>I applied on Backstage.com for a showcase called 'Bound for Broadway'. An accompanist fee doesn't seem so outlandish, and being expected to sell tickets sounds pretty normal, right? Except when I received instructions, they read that I can pay for the tickets I sell with a money order written out to a person, not a company or group. So unless I can guarantee 10 friends will fork over money, and then buy two overpriced drinks to hear me sing one song, I am out $200. Yes, I want good video of me singing. I think I can do better than that, however.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I drafted a cover letter to send to CP Casting back in Boston today. They're in charge of principal casting for R.I.P.D., which looks to be the biggest movie to ever shoot in the state. I doubt that many MA actors are sending fancy mailers. We can only hope they need some blonde day-players.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I found a USB microphone with fantastic reviews online. I'm going to transfer some funds from my savings for the mic, and my new batch of Reproductions head shots. Frankie (of <i>Sexually Frank</i> fame) wants me to do VO work for some cartoons he's written, so I'll immediately have VO material to work with. Woo!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>There's a possibly equity production of Pirates of Penzance going up in Dedham, MA. I'll be returning for that audition to sing for Edith. One day I'll be old enough for Ruth...</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've resolved to stop stressing myself out about bartending applications until the end of the month, when I hear what is going on with the Kinect program. Trying to handle two jobs and my acting stuff is too much.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've kept up running 3x a week, as well as doing an ab-focused video that kicks my ass. My body composition has been changing, and as such I'm on the hunt for new full body pictures. I spent a good half hour submitting to photogs on Model Mayhem today, hopefully one will pull through, and I will have proof that I am skinny/toned enough to get more work.</div><div>
<br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-89032422210853332912011-07-28T22:47:00.003-04:002011-07-28T23:03:49.591-04:00Unrealistic Expectations?Still no bites on the food service front. I thought I was stooping below my level when I attended an open call for Planet Hollywood last week. Tourists? Midtown? Blech, right? My resume didn't even pass the first going-over; I got sent home before the interview. The search continues.<div><br /></div><div>I've gone to a few friends currently working as servers and bartenders for advice. The most useful (sanity wise, at least) is that it's summer, its the slow season for everyone. While the supplemental income may not come in time for agents' slow season, there will be more jobs in the fall. </div><div><br /></div><div>No calls back from NYMF. What I learned from outside audition rooms: despite what my voice teacher thinks/hopes/told me, I do need to go in with a belt. 'Classic musical theatre' sound is not cutting it in the city. "All the Men in my Life (keep getting killed by Candarian demons)" needs to go in my book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had an audition on saturday I was very pleased with--for a webseries seeking a pretty gamer girl. They loved my monologue, and me geeking out about Gears of War 3. I haven't heard from them yet, but the feeling of having an audition 'click' is certainly nice enough. I was also entertained as hell that I had an audition in a BET office. Its hard to get whiter than me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ending the post with good news-- My headshot and resume passed a screener on Actor's Access to submit for a spinoff musical Disney show. My friend Caleb was so good as to help me shoot my scene and song. The character is very close to my type, so I have high hopes of getting past the first few video screeners, and maybe being watched by some important Disney casting types. That would be okay. The idea of me being squeaky fucking clean is an entertaining one.</div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-32960431432220076042011-07-20T22:34:00.001-04:002011-07-20T22:42:17.939-04:00I am an [actor],and [actor]s just believe...Yes I've been listening to the Book of Mormon cast recording. Why do you ask?<div><br /></div><div>I failed my goal of quitting my job by my birthday. While two of my three interviews last week went very well, my phone did not ring. I interviewed monday at a bar down by 2nd ave, and was told I'd be called back for the second round. I am also attending three open calls tomorrow--one of which is at planet hollywood to be a server.</div><div><br /></div><div>The last time I served was when I was 18. I don't remember loving it, but I think I could get a handle of it again. Making money off tourists sounds a-ok to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had two auditions on tuesday, both for NYMF shows. One was unified, and I saw a SLC face behind the very long audition table. The other was for a particular show, but they did not call me back to dance. I was pleased with how I sang, but from what I can tell I need to be working on and showcasing my belt technique.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday I have an audition for a webseries. The role is me all over. Fingers crossed...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-50325108233865262702011-07-09T08:38:00.001-04:002011-07-09T08:51:41.701-04:00Keep Truckin'In the past two weeks I have applied to countless jobs, interviewed for five, postponed one, and been stood up for two. Thursday I found out that I was expected to provide my own costume for a promo, and haul the materials around for the duration of the month. The brick wall I continue to hit is that I have no manhattan bartending/serving experience, let alone 3-5 years of it. Where did everyone else get their start?<div><br /></div><div>In other news, I've started running regularly. All my runner friends were right-- I feel better the rest of the day--I'm more energized, and less cranky. I also have been putting my hula hoop to good use. Take that, abdominals!<br /><br />I have the sneaking suspicion that my old Oscar Wilde project has fallen through, so I've started applying for all kinds of theater gigs I can find. I can't afford to be in classes at the moment, so I have to get myself working. I'm trying to focus on musical theater credits, but I'll take what I can get at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm trying to be less cranky about the whole situation. We'll see how that goes.</div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-9649540693369707712011-06-27T13:31:00.000-04:002011-06-27T13:59:34.228-04:00And I love to live so pleasantly...Well I suppose the tax man hasn't exactly taken all my dough at this point, but it does continue to disappear.<div><br /></div><div>Summer is well under way, and I need to start mailing agents and casting directors while they have time to see me. However, that requires I have more headshots printed, etc. I tried a test run with Precision Photos for StageSource, and could not have been more disappointed in terms of both quality and service. Reproductions it is, pricey though they may be.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the conditions of the Kinect Sales program being extended was that we only work three days a week, instead of the four we used to get. Ironically, I had four when I was living at home and could afford to work less. Now I work three days a week, pay my own bills, and need some startup funds for career related things.</div><div><br /></div><div>What's clear is that I need something in addition to (or, should it work out, replacing) my current gig. Having zero weekend ability while only getting 18 hours per week simply does not cut it.</div><div>I've been hunting for a job bartending, cocktail waitressing, or serving. My mother calls me every time she reads an anecdotal article about how much tutors make. I had two interviews on friday for promotional work, and one today at a craft beer bar. Having just paid off my credit card that I used for the last round of headshots, I cannot afford to meet up with a playwright/director friend for drinks today. I've hit a level of 'fed up' where getting foot massages all night at a fetish party no longer seems like such a bad idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the mean time, I need to do homework for these mailings that doesn't cost me anything. I'm going to start working on a fancy magazine-inspired mailer (idea courtesy of Dallas Travers) and hunting down what agents I wish to court.</div><div><br /></div><div>The way I see it, I'm in the trenches. I'm doing what needs to be done at this point in my career. I suppose in this metaphor, I'm currently re-evaluating the infrastructure of the rations delivery system. Too far, perhaps?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-15617382949853684142011-06-14T19:46:00.000-04:002011-06-14T20:02:56.331-04:00What's the great conjunction?<span class="Apple-style-span">Its the end of the world! Or the beginning. End, begin; all the same.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On that note, I just received word that my program with Microsoft/Xbox isn't being renewed, and I will be unemployed as of this coming monday. The wine bar I guest-bartended for last week also did not hire me (for those of you following along).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I can't say I'm that upset about it. Due to some circumstances I won't discuss in this public forum, I had been dealing with a great deal of job-related stress over the past month. I'll also be happy to have my weekend availability back.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Onto beginnings!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Jack Menashe took lovely new headshots. If you haven't already, scroll through them on facebook and tell me which ones you like. I'm currently torn.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Sunday I attended stagesource auditions in boston. Because I was let in off the wait-list, I was scheduled in the afternoon, sans accompanist. I slated, grabbed a note off the piano, and sang a cappella.I should have been more prepared with my monologue, but I was pleased with how I did.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A couple weeks ago I attended a career seminar with Dallas Travers, whose main focus was to 'do less more often'. While I ponder headshots, I'll also be pondering which casting directors and agents to short list, and try to persuade to call me in. Feedback is also welcome on that front.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So! We have the current main goal of finding employment. Over the next two days I will be making contact with as many bars as humanly possible on the F train. Once I have the guarantee of my ability to pay rent and afford food, the acting foccii shall again begin!</span></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-63100271419295379802011-05-07T11:13:00.000-04:002011-05-07T11:30:55.637-04:00Poor Unfortunate Blog<span class="Apple-style-span" >For a while I stopped blogging because I felt I had nothing new to report. Then I was in Ohio. Then I was busy shooting a movie. Excuses, excuses.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The <i>Brick by Brick</i> reading went very well. I have received an email from Nehemiah that wheels are turning, so I am crossing my fingers in hopes of continued involvement with the show.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I just wrapped <i>A Remarkable Apparatus, </i>and I am very pleased with the rough cut (already out! I know!). I had the incredible good fortune to shoot a scene with Mrs. Annette Bening. I'm very happy to have been a part of the project, and I'm in talks with the director as to where the film will go from here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am in the beginnings of an adaptation of <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray. </i>It is the brainchild of my friend, Miss Olivia Lilley. She is staging it as a vaudeville. I begin research this week on burlesque, and period costumes (two of my favorite things), and am very excited to have something to work on for the summer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Boston Casting continues to email me regarding non-union background work. If I can land a couple of consecutive days that don't interfere with my work schedule, I will probably make the trip for the paycheck.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-65642372604264950092011-03-21T08:59:00.000-04:002011-03-21T09:16:20.888-04:00So much for "Blogging for Accountability"<span class="Apple-style-span" >I guess what's important is that I'm back, and blogging now. Uber-condensed update follows:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I love my new apartment and new roommates. The rent is affordable, we have roof access, and within my first week my roommate texted me to let me know we were having a 'vegan burrito party'. I totally found the right people.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I went to callbacks for 'Honestly Abe'. While I was happy and flattered to be called back, the role was very not-me. While I'd like to think myself capable of playing an ingénue straight--little wit, tongue in cheek humor, or spunk--that's not me, and I am certainly not the best person to play those roles. Long story short, I was not cast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >However! The story has a happy ending. Nehemiah spoke of my good audition to Ross, a playwright I know from college. They're doing a staged reading of their musical 'Brick by Brick', and want me in it. Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Back in Boston, I auditioned for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. My audition went very well, and the director asked me to seriously consider their apprentice program because of the "women in shakespeare problem". While my audition was very good, there are people with far more impressive classical resumes than mine, and they will end up being cast in the three or four available roles.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The apprentice program is full-time for ten weeks during the summer. Apprentices take class on a variety of things, are warm bodies on stage during shows, and sometimes get to understudy real roles. Not only does the program cost to attend, but I wouldn't be able to make any money this summer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I boiled it down to the following question: is having the Artistic Director of CSC as a reference worth all the potential money I could make this summer (not to mention networking during the slow season with agents and casting directors)? I decided no, it was not.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Onto the next! My voice teacher passed my info on to a Dancer/Director, who is making a site-specific piece for the opening of The Museum of Narrow Places at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Now I have a singing gig in cambridge on thursday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have an audition this afternoon for another showcase, and tomorrow night I'm attending an industry event.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >In the next blog: Maya's New Game Plan.</span></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961027929763229331.post-80539809244002426312011-03-01T10:51:00.001-05:002011-03-01T16:20:28.319-05:00In which Maya survives the scrutiny of three agents at once!<span class="Apple-style-span">I survived the last class of access to agents! While my feedback was generally positive, all three hate my current headshot. I thought it was still in the realm of "not so bad". Looks like I was being overly optimistic.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">There is one slot left for the Broadway session of Access to Agents. I'm extremely torn...Paul says that fewer Musical Theater actors are submitting themselves to agents...there's an actual opening in this ridiculous marketplace. I think the class would conflict with the Abe Lincoln show. I think my current compromise will be to send out mailers to agents who specialize in musical theater on my quest for representation.</span></div><div><br /></div>Mayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617156134141044184noreply@blogger.com0