I think I have it. I think I have Senioritis. I've just been feeling like I have no work ethic, recently. And the thing is...I feel guilty about it. But I keep feeling less unprepared and less motivated than normal. And I know I'm not performing to the best of my abilities. I know that I have so much more that I can give...I just can't find it in myself to give it. It's almost like I'm intimidated by the work....and I shouldn't be. I need to suck it up, wake up to the reality of only being in school for 5 more months, and give every assignment my best.
Here's what's happened recently:
Disney Auditions:
Cait and I traveled to Florida two Wednesdays ago, on the 17th of November. We landed in Orlando that night, did some prep work, (aka, watch Disney movies) and rested. On the 18th, we went to our Disney audition. The call was for Parade Performers/Disney Face Character Look-a-likes. I can't speak too specifically about the audition process for Disney's sake, but I can say that it was very successful. Cait and I both successfully completed the audition and made it into the 'character pool'. It's a waiting list of sorts. That means that anytime within the next 6 months, we could get a call.
Mock Commercial Auditions:
These happened two weeks ago, before I left for Orlando. I did not feel great about these. It's all about preparation and I certainly did not prepare enough. We were given a little blurb to memorize, but it was also written on a cue card to the side of the camera, that we could use. Arrived roughly 5 minutes before I was supposed to go, and I definitely didn't have time to memorize the blurb. I should've planned more accordingly. I think I did relatively well - I looked at the cue card more than I would've liked and that's one of the adjustments I was given. I was then asked to come up with a story about Comcast (that's what my commercial was for, by the way) and how it affected me personally. I talked about how much I love to watch "Glee" on Hulu and how faster internet speeds made that easier for me. It was completely off the top of my head, but it worked. I'm receiving feedback tomorrow on these auditions, as well as my TV auditions. Looking forward to improving on everything.
Mock TV Auditions:
Once again, I slacked on preparation. I realize how important it is, I just need to take it more seriously. I worked on the sides for about 20 minutes last night, and watched the first episode of the show. I grasped who the character was that I was reading for, and I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to do. I got into the audition room and found out that they were running very early, and even though I showed up 10 minutes before my time, it was still not enough time because I went into the audition immediately. Lesson learned. Show up at least 15 or 20 minutes early...just in case. I should always tack on extra time for myself, because I know I take longer to get ready than I plan for. Anyways, I did both sides twice. My adjustments were to talk slower, and mean everything you say. And that I need to make sure she remembers that I'm her best friend. I stuttered over a few lines and I had to look down at my script often, but I tried to make as much eye contact as I could. I'm also fighting a cold right now, so my voice was not in the best place and I was trying not to be congested. Afterwards, I got to play 'reader' for two auditions and had a blast doing that. I almost feel better being a reader than I do about the actual audition. Either way, I had fun. I enjoy doing TV/ Film. Next semester should be a blast with the TV/Film acting class. I get feedback tomorrow on this audition, so I'll write about that soon.
2 weeks until the end of the semester.
5 months til I graduate.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Time to Catch-up: PART TWO.
Wow. I've really been having problems writing in my blog regularly recently. The last three weeks have been full of homework, scenes, auditions, notes, tests, etc. I can't wait until I can completely focus on my craft...and not a literature class. We're coming up on finals, so my teachers are piling on the projects, scenes, monologues, papers, etc. Less than 6 months to go until I graduate. Thrilling and terrifying.
Here's what's been going on:
1. Shakespeare final scene.
For our final assignment in Rob's Shakespeare's class, we were supposed to choose a group of 3 or 4 people to work with and a 6-8 minute scene. My group had struggles finding a 4 person scene in Shakespeare's canon that had a fairly equal amount of lines and that was at least 6 minutes. Originally we looked at doing the 'ring scene' from 'Merchant of Venice' but it ended up having an unequal amount of lines. Rob helped us find a scene from Othello that we pieced together. It's the scene where Iago suggests strangling Desdemoda to Othello using her own bed, and where Desdemoda confronts Othello about his anger, admitting that she is clueless as to why he feels that way and that she knows not what sin she committed. In this scene, I will be playing Desdemoda. Before we left for break, my group ended up blocking the entire scene, which is fantastic. After break, we'll be able to clean up and polish and experiment a little more with different choices.
2. Monologue Class
So, I've had three sessions of monologue class since the last time I updated.
a. Do a monologue using a random object in the room that is given to you.
I did a monologue from Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida for this assignment. I came into the room and the objects I had were a music stand and a pillow set on top of the stand. Instinctively, I referenced the music stand as Troilus and I used the pillow as my bed. I ended up sliding down the music stand, so as I continued to get more frustrated with Troilus, the music stand continued to get shorter and shorter. I got quite a few laughs, which was great because I'm not as confident on my comedic skills as I should be. This assignment really forced me to use my creativity and to think out of the box and make strong choices that could either work or not. It helped me to remember that making choices is FUN. I was reminded that acting is not all intellectual...it's play time, too. It really helped to jump start my brain into thinking creatively.
b. Do a monologue using a chair in an unconventional way.
So for this assignment I did Claire's monologue from Kennedy's Children. I knew precisely how I would start out with the chair and my first couple of transitions, but from there, I really didn't plan anything out. I ended up dragging the chair, kicking it over, and throwing it down at the end. All of these choices Beth really liked, and she said it was a great piece for me, but she wanted me to do the physical actions with the chair after or before I said a line, in order to be able to hear what I'm saying, and to punch the dialogue more. She said it would make the monologue go from good to stellar if I just do the actions before or after lines. But she said it was a great monologue to keep in my book, and it was funny, which is great. I think this class is helping me to build up my confidence in my comedic skills. I'm feeling more comfortable with my own sense of humor and I'm not as afraid to make bigger, bolder choices with these monologues.
c. Do a monologue with a defining starting action before you speak.
I did a monologue from the stage adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma' for this assignment. The defining action I did was to run sneakily over to the door, and then cross to the 'window' (the curtains in the room). I paused for a minute and then I pulled a picture out from my bra and did a girlish squeal. Then I ran to the center of the room, looking at the picture again and did another scream, and fell to the floor in a heap of giggles. Then I started my monologue. Beth said it was a great piece for me, and that I should keep it for my book. She said the defining action was great for Emma, and that I could easily alter this exercise for a real audition setting and use most of the same choices. I wasn't as happy with this exercise as I have been with ones in the past, but it was mostly because I didn't feel like this monologue was performance ready. I was thinking too much about lines, and not enough about character. I was thinking too much, really. I also needed to slow down and live through the moments a little more. But I did find a great monologue out of the assignment, so that's a success. I might end up using this monologue for 'Sense and Sensibility' auditions coming up.
There's been a ton more...but I'm still trying to recover. More to report on later...including my Disney audition in Orlando, FL. It was quite successful. :)
Here's what's been going on:
1. Shakespeare final scene.
For our final assignment in Rob's Shakespeare's class, we were supposed to choose a group of 3 or 4 people to work with and a 6-8 minute scene. My group had struggles finding a 4 person scene in Shakespeare's canon that had a fairly equal amount of lines and that was at least 6 minutes. Originally we looked at doing the 'ring scene' from 'Merchant of Venice' but it ended up having an unequal amount of lines. Rob helped us find a scene from Othello that we pieced together. It's the scene where Iago suggests strangling Desdemoda to Othello using her own bed, and where Desdemoda confronts Othello about his anger, admitting that she is clueless as to why he feels that way and that she knows not what sin she committed. In this scene, I will be playing Desdemoda. Before we left for break, my group ended up blocking the entire scene, which is fantastic. After break, we'll be able to clean up and polish and experiment a little more with different choices.
2. Monologue Class
So, I've had three sessions of monologue class since the last time I updated.
a. Do a monologue using a random object in the room that is given to you.
I did a monologue from Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida for this assignment. I came into the room and the objects I had were a music stand and a pillow set on top of the stand. Instinctively, I referenced the music stand as Troilus and I used the pillow as my bed. I ended up sliding down the music stand, so as I continued to get more frustrated with Troilus, the music stand continued to get shorter and shorter. I got quite a few laughs, which was great because I'm not as confident on my comedic skills as I should be. This assignment really forced me to use my creativity and to think out of the box and make strong choices that could either work or not. It helped me to remember that making choices is FUN. I was reminded that acting is not all intellectual...it's play time, too. It really helped to jump start my brain into thinking creatively.
b. Do a monologue using a chair in an unconventional way.
So for this assignment I did Claire's monologue from Kennedy's Children. I knew precisely how I would start out with the chair and my first couple of transitions, but from there, I really didn't plan anything out. I ended up dragging the chair, kicking it over, and throwing it down at the end. All of these choices Beth really liked, and she said it was a great piece for me, but she wanted me to do the physical actions with the chair after or before I said a line, in order to be able to hear what I'm saying, and to punch the dialogue more. She said it would make the monologue go from good to stellar if I just do the actions before or after lines. But she said it was a great monologue to keep in my book, and it was funny, which is great. I think this class is helping me to build up my confidence in my comedic skills. I'm feeling more comfortable with my own sense of humor and I'm not as afraid to make bigger, bolder choices with these monologues.
c. Do a monologue with a defining starting action before you speak.
I did a monologue from the stage adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma' for this assignment. The defining action I did was to run sneakily over to the door, and then cross to the 'window' (the curtains in the room). I paused for a minute and then I pulled a picture out from my bra and did a girlish squeal. Then I ran to the center of the room, looking at the picture again and did another scream, and fell to the floor in a heap of giggles. Then I started my monologue. Beth said it was a great piece for me, and that I should keep it for my book. She said the defining action was great for Emma, and that I could easily alter this exercise for a real audition setting and use most of the same choices. I wasn't as happy with this exercise as I have been with ones in the past, but it was mostly because I didn't feel like this monologue was performance ready. I was thinking too much about lines, and not enough about character. I was thinking too much, really. I also needed to slow down and live through the moments a little more. But I did find a great monologue out of the assignment, so that's a success. I might end up using this monologue for 'Sense and Sensibility' auditions coming up.
There's been a ton more...but I'm still trying to recover. More to report on later...including my Disney audition in Orlando, FL. It was quite successful. :)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Ketchup.
Uta Question #4 What is your relationship?
My relationship to this blog is that it's my journal. It's a place I can rely on to record and review what I've learned so far. It's a place where I can be honest with myself.
I really don't feel like elaborating on that any further, considering that this post is going to be a 'catch-up' of the last few days. It's been awhile!
Alright, so on the 6th, Wednesday, we had monologue class with Beth. Monologue class happens every two weeks, so that we have two weeks to prepare a new monologue for her. The objective of the class is to finish the class with a monologue portfolio of at least 5 different types of monologues that you can use in auditions. 1 Shakespeare, 2 Modern Realism, 2 Contemporary.
Our task with this monologue assignment was to use the room. To be honest, I didn't even pick or memorize my monologue til a day before. That is my fault, because I was distracted and stressed out about other assignments. I ended up choosing to do a monologue from "Relative Strangers" by Sheri Wilson. I had done a monologue from that play in high school, but I chose a different monologue this time. The monologue addresses the possibility of breast cancer in my character. She has no mother and she's desperately seeking advice and comfort. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do with the room! I wasn't going to be able to practice before performance time, so it was really all up to creativity and immediacy.
Beth always says, "Don't go with your first choice. Push yourself, go with your third or fourth idea." My first idea was to use the water fountain. My monologue is very conversational and my objective was 'to seek comfort'. I thought I could use the water fountain in getting a drink and then refilling as I got more nervous and worked up in my monologue. Then I realized, what if the person I was talking to wasn't in the room? So I decided to place them outside of 'the room' and used the cabinet as doors. That gave me motivation to move in that area of the room more easily. It gave me a point of direction, which made it easier to find other choices. I also used the mirror as my 'tag'. Beth said I had a great, strong tag. I turned to the mirror in the back of the room and did a breast cancer check and then turned and delivered my last line. Up until the last line, I had not said the word 'cancer'. My last line was, "Does a lump always mean cancer?" I think I'm finally getting the hang of making creative, strong tags for my monologues that make sense. I can't believe I never knew about tagging until now...that would've been useful information to have had earlier in my training.
The next monologue I'm doing is from Kennedy's Children, I believe. I'm still deciding...but that's the frontrunner for right now. It would be my contemporary comedic. Comedy is not something I feel particularly comfortable with. Our assignment is to come in the room (in character) and use whatever prop is in the center of the room during our monologue.
Then, on Friday, the 8th, we presented our Shakespeare scenes. I was genuinely impressed with our class, for the most part. I also felt really great about mine! It's interesting, but I rarely feel nervous about performing Shakespeare. I felt totally comfortable in jumping up and performing. It should always feel like that, but I know it doesn't. I feel similar to that when I'm singing or doing a musical theatre audition. I feel more anxious than I feel nervous. Shakespeare is just comfortable to me. Perhaps that's because I feel like both genres are heightened in performance, in text, in emotion. I don't feel quite as vulnerable as I do when I'm performing a dramatic contemporary scene or monologue. I realize that Shakespeare and Musical Theatre require just as much vulnerability as contemporary text, but there is something different about the energy signature and the way you bring about vulnerability. I don't know....hopefully I'll find out what that difference is. Hopefully I'll be able to feel the same way about contemporary texts as I do about Shakespeare and musical theatre soon enough. Or just someday. Either way, Rob really enjoyed our scene. Specifically, he said that I was solid and that he could tell I understood what I was saying and that I was enjoying what I was saying and playing. He liked my choices as Viola.
So, overall, a successful week!
I mailed my UPTA registration forms...and I'm mailing my Midwest application this week. Things are happening so fast!
-Melissa
My relationship to this blog is that it's my journal. It's a place I can rely on to record and review what I've learned so far. It's a place where I can be honest with myself.
I really don't feel like elaborating on that any further, considering that this post is going to be a 'catch-up' of the last few days. It's been awhile!
Alright, so on the 6th, Wednesday, we had monologue class with Beth. Monologue class happens every two weeks, so that we have two weeks to prepare a new monologue for her. The objective of the class is to finish the class with a monologue portfolio of at least 5 different types of monologues that you can use in auditions. 1 Shakespeare, 2 Modern Realism, 2 Contemporary.
Our task with this monologue assignment was to use the room. To be honest, I didn't even pick or memorize my monologue til a day before. That is my fault, because I was distracted and stressed out about other assignments. I ended up choosing to do a monologue from "Relative Strangers" by Sheri Wilson. I had done a monologue from that play in high school, but I chose a different monologue this time. The monologue addresses the possibility of breast cancer in my character. She has no mother and she's desperately seeking advice and comfort. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do with the room! I wasn't going to be able to practice before performance time, so it was really all up to creativity and immediacy.
Beth always says, "Don't go with your first choice. Push yourself, go with your third or fourth idea." My first idea was to use the water fountain. My monologue is very conversational and my objective was 'to seek comfort'. I thought I could use the water fountain in getting a drink and then refilling as I got more nervous and worked up in my monologue. Then I realized, what if the person I was talking to wasn't in the room? So I decided to place them outside of 'the room' and used the cabinet as doors. That gave me motivation to move in that area of the room more easily. It gave me a point of direction, which made it easier to find other choices. I also used the mirror as my 'tag'. Beth said I had a great, strong tag. I turned to the mirror in the back of the room and did a breast cancer check and then turned and delivered my last line. Up until the last line, I had not said the word 'cancer'. My last line was, "Does a lump always mean cancer?" I think I'm finally getting the hang of making creative, strong tags for my monologues that make sense. I can't believe I never knew about tagging until now...that would've been useful information to have had earlier in my training.
The next monologue I'm doing is from Kennedy's Children, I believe. I'm still deciding...but that's the frontrunner for right now. It would be my contemporary comedic. Comedy is not something I feel particularly comfortable with. Our assignment is to come in the room (in character) and use whatever prop is in the center of the room during our monologue.
Then, on Friday, the 8th, we presented our Shakespeare scenes. I was genuinely impressed with our class, for the most part. I also felt really great about mine! It's interesting, but I rarely feel nervous about performing Shakespeare. I felt totally comfortable in jumping up and performing. It should always feel like that, but I know it doesn't. I feel similar to that when I'm singing or doing a musical theatre audition. I feel more anxious than I feel nervous. Shakespeare is just comfortable to me. Perhaps that's because I feel like both genres are heightened in performance, in text, in emotion. I don't feel quite as vulnerable as I do when I'm performing a dramatic contemporary scene or monologue. I realize that Shakespeare and Musical Theatre require just as much vulnerability as contemporary text, but there is something different about the energy signature and the way you bring about vulnerability. I don't know....hopefully I'll find out what that difference is. Hopefully I'll be able to feel the same way about contemporary texts as I do about Shakespeare and musical theatre soon enough. Or just someday. Either way, Rob really enjoyed our scene. Specifically, he said that I was solid and that he could tell I understood what I was saying and that I was enjoying what I was saying and playing. He liked my choices as Viola.
So, overall, a successful week!
I mailed my UPTA registration forms...and I'm mailing my Midwest application this week. Things are happening so fast!
-Melissa
Friday, October 1, 2010
Graduation? What?
Uta Question #3: What Time Is It?
Well...this question is totally appropriate for today. Time. Today was definitely about managing my time. In 6 months from now, I will be graduating. I had to turn in my graduation paperwork today, which was a surreal experience. Days are just flying by! Currently it is 10:30 PM, on a Friday night. It's 2010. It's also the very first of October - one month closer to graduation. I am 4 month away from my 21st birthday. It's currently fall....the leaves are starting to turn, the air is turning crisper, and mid-terms are approaching. It's even starting to smell like fall...the precursor to that biting winter wind and the smell of hot apple cider. Can you tell I'm looking forward to winter? :)
Anyways, today was busy and I totally didn't expect it to be. It was like I was being tested on time management today. I had my Shakespeare Lit. class from 12:00-1:00, and afterwards my Shakespeare scene partner and I met in the green room to run over our scene before meeting with our professor for some one-on-one time to work the scene.
The scene we're doing is from Twelfth Night. It's the scene in which Olivia unveils herself, and Viola, still masked as a boy messenger attempts (and succeeds) in wooing her. It's such a fun scene to play because I've got the role of Viola, which means I have the task of playing a girl, playing a boy in a very convincing manner (at least, in Olivia's eyes.)
Rob, (our professor), is simply fantastic to work with. We worked the scene for roughly 40-45 minutes. We had a lot of stop and starts and he just had a lot of great, insightful things to say. He said, "I love your energy, I can tell you're excited about this, just give yourself time to live and breathe in the excitement, as the character." My tendency is to rush into my lines, especially when I feel comfortable in what I'm doing and saying. My confidence, excitement, and emotion get the better of me, and my mouth gets ahead of me. I feel like I made strides in correcting that today, just in this working session.
My partner and I had some rough ideas of blocking that we wanted to try out, and most of those ideas actually ended up making it into the final ground plan, which is fantastic. Rob was very patient and urged us to experiment and act on our impulses, which is something I need to be more confident on. But today, I acted on my impulses more than once and it felt great! I had some really bold ideas swimming around and I just wanted to try them. There were so many images I had in my head when reading this scene, of how Viola would move, what she would do to seem convincing as a male. I experimented with standing in a very Restoration-esque pose, with my feet in 3rd position, flexing and showing off my calf muscle as men often did.
I'm very excited to work and develop this scene more on Monday. I have recently discovered how much I really enjoy working on Shakespearean text. It's something I would love to do professionally.
I also discovered that I'm not afraid to make big choices and act on strong impulses when I'm doing Shakespeare as compared to when I approach other text. It's interesting.
OH! And in the working session today, all 3 of us had a revelation about a line that I say toward the very end of the scene. Even Rob, who has been working with this material for decades was surprised to find something new in the text. Before my exit, my lines are:
Viola: "Love make his heart of flint that you shall love.
And let your fervour, like my master's, Be plac'd in contempt.
Farewell, fair cruelty."
Notice my parting sentence. Isn't it amazing that Shakespeare can write something so simple, yet so perfect in language? It's no mistake or coincidence that there is a play on the word 'fair', but it's SO easy to overlook those things! Viola is searching for the right parting message, and this is what she says. If you place the emphasis on those words in your line delivery, it gives the line an entirely different feel.
SO NEAT.
It's also the weekend.
Tomorrow night: You Can't Take It With You at the St. Louis Rep!
Well...this question is totally appropriate for today. Time. Today was definitely about managing my time. In 6 months from now, I will be graduating. I had to turn in my graduation paperwork today, which was a surreal experience. Days are just flying by! Currently it is 10:30 PM, on a Friday night. It's 2010. It's also the very first of October - one month closer to graduation. I am 4 month away from my 21st birthday. It's currently fall....the leaves are starting to turn, the air is turning crisper, and mid-terms are approaching. It's even starting to smell like fall...the precursor to that biting winter wind and the smell of hot apple cider. Can you tell I'm looking forward to winter? :)
Anyways, today was busy and I totally didn't expect it to be. It was like I was being tested on time management today. I had my Shakespeare Lit. class from 12:00-1:00, and afterwards my Shakespeare scene partner and I met in the green room to run over our scene before meeting with our professor for some one-on-one time to work the scene.
The scene we're doing is from Twelfth Night. It's the scene in which Olivia unveils herself, and Viola, still masked as a boy messenger attempts (and succeeds) in wooing her. It's such a fun scene to play because I've got the role of Viola, which means I have the task of playing a girl, playing a boy in a very convincing manner (at least, in Olivia's eyes.)
Rob, (our professor), is simply fantastic to work with. We worked the scene for roughly 40-45 minutes. We had a lot of stop and starts and he just had a lot of great, insightful things to say. He said, "I love your energy, I can tell you're excited about this, just give yourself time to live and breathe in the excitement, as the character." My tendency is to rush into my lines, especially when I feel comfortable in what I'm doing and saying. My confidence, excitement, and emotion get the better of me, and my mouth gets ahead of me. I feel like I made strides in correcting that today, just in this working session.
My partner and I had some rough ideas of blocking that we wanted to try out, and most of those ideas actually ended up making it into the final ground plan, which is fantastic. Rob was very patient and urged us to experiment and act on our impulses, which is something I need to be more confident on. But today, I acted on my impulses more than once and it felt great! I had some really bold ideas swimming around and I just wanted to try them. There were so many images I had in my head when reading this scene, of how Viola would move, what she would do to seem convincing as a male. I experimented with standing in a very Restoration-esque pose, with my feet in 3rd position, flexing and showing off my calf muscle as men often did.
I'm very excited to work and develop this scene more on Monday. I have recently discovered how much I really enjoy working on Shakespearean text. It's something I would love to do professionally.
I also discovered that I'm not afraid to make big choices and act on strong impulses when I'm doing Shakespeare as compared to when I approach other text. It's interesting.
OH! And in the working session today, all 3 of us had a revelation about a line that I say toward the very end of the scene. Even Rob, who has been working with this material for decades was surprised to find something new in the text. Before my exit, my lines are:
Viola: "Love make his heart of flint that you shall love.
And let your fervour, like my master's, Be plac'd in contempt.
Farewell, fair cruelty."
Notice my parting sentence. Isn't it amazing that Shakespeare can write something so simple, yet so perfect in language? It's no mistake or coincidence that there is a play on the word 'fair', but it's SO easy to overlook those things! Viola is searching for the right parting message, and this is what she says. If you place the emphasis on those words in your line delivery, it gives the line an entirely different feel.
SO NEAT.
It's also the weekend.
Tomorrow night: You Can't Take It With You at the St. Louis Rep!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Number 2....and a few auditions
Question number 2: Where am I?
Where am I? Well Uta, currently I'm sitting in a not-so-comfy chair behind a desk at my work. I've got 2 hours of work left. Let's see, I'm also...
-7 months away from graduating.
- almost 3 weeks away from the 3 year mark in my personal relationship.
- at a point where I'm just excited to see where things go in the future...
-ready for the next big project
Okay, not as in depth as it should be...but that's all I have for right now.
So, most recently I had two audition experiences, both completely different. The first was for "All My Sons", at my school. It was one of the worst auditions I've ever had. I used a monologue from "Another Part of the Forest" by Lillian Hellman, which was a great piece. I was stupid enough to depend on myself to memorize the monologue 2 days before the audition. I felt fine going into the room, I was confident and had no nerves. I started my monologue...and couldn't get past the first two lines. I tried three times to remember my monologue and just...couldn't! I don't know what happened! Thankfully the director was so kind and patient with me, and let me come back in after a few people and perform for her again. The second time I performed, I got through the monologue, but I did not feel as connected as I could've been. However, I did make a choice at the end, and I tagged my piece. (Tagging your piece means giving a strong physical gesture or choice before delivering your last line to spark interest and to remain rememberable.) The director gave me some feedback, which I agreed with, and I was on my way.
I did not expect a callback at ALL. I was on the way home when I got the call about my callback. Really? I was completely in shock. But it happened! So, I went into my callback the next day, researched, refreshed, and ready to go. I got to read with a friend who I've worked with before and who I love working with. We read our scene once, the director said she enjoyed it, asked our height, and our conflicts. Excellent.
The cast list went up yesterday and I was not on it, but I felt good about my callback, so I'm satisfied. I felt like I redeemed myself at the callback which is what's important to me.
Audition #2: Film audition.
Yesterday, I auditioned for a low-budget film that I was invited to audition for by the director. Although it was deemed 'low budget', the audition process seemed a lot more professional than other film auditions I've attended. I was impressed! It was held at a photo shoot center, so they had proper lighting equipment, a camera, and a stool to sit on if we wanted. Also, the writers, the producer, and the director were all present. It felt very official. So, I performed a monologue for them (Smoking Lessons, by Julia Jorden) and then performed my side that they provided.
The reading of the side went well. I performed it once, they gave adjustments. (Be less theatrical, a little slower, a little more dream like.) So I did it a second time and they complimented me on the second reading.
So I guess we'll see...shooting is in February, which will likely end up conflicting with UPTAS and Midwest auditions.
I suppose we'll see what happens!
Where am I? Well Uta, currently I'm sitting in a not-so-comfy chair behind a desk at my work. I've got 2 hours of work left. Let's see, I'm also...
-7 months away from graduating.
- almost 3 weeks away from the 3 year mark in my personal relationship.
- at a point where I'm just excited to see where things go in the future...
-ready for the next big project
Okay, not as in depth as it should be...but that's all I have for right now.
So, most recently I had two audition experiences, both completely different. The first was for "All My Sons", at my school. It was one of the worst auditions I've ever had. I used a monologue from "Another Part of the Forest" by Lillian Hellman, which was a great piece. I was stupid enough to depend on myself to memorize the monologue 2 days before the audition. I felt fine going into the room, I was confident and had no nerves. I started my monologue...and couldn't get past the first two lines. I tried three times to remember my monologue and just...couldn't! I don't know what happened! Thankfully the director was so kind and patient with me, and let me come back in after a few people and perform for her again. The second time I performed, I got through the monologue, but I did not feel as connected as I could've been. However, I did make a choice at the end, and I tagged my piece. (Tagging your piece means giving a strong physical gesture or choice before delivering your last line to spark interest and to remain rememberable.) The director gave me some feedback, which I agreed with, and I was on my way.
I did not expect a callback at ALL. I was on the way home when I got the call about my callback. Really? I was completely in shock. But it happened! So, I went into my callback the next day, researched, refreshed, and ready to go. I got to read with a friend who I've worked with before and who I love working with. We read our scene once, the director said she enjoyed it, asked our height, and our conflicts. Excellent.
The cast list went up yesterday and I was not on it, but I felt good about my callback, so I'm satisfied. I felt like I redeemed myself at the callback which is what's important to me.
Audition #2: Film audition.
Yesterday, I auditioned for a low-budget film that I was invited to audition for by the director. Although it was deemed 'low budget', the audition process seemed a lot more professional than other film auditions I've attended. I was impressed! It was held at a photo shoot center, so they had proper lighting equipment, a camera, and a stool to sit on if we wanted. Also, the writers, the producer, and the director were all present. It felt very official. So, I performed a monologue for them (Smoking Lessons, by Julia Jorden) and then performed my side that they provided.
The reading of the side went well. I performed it once, they gave adjustments. (Be less theatrical, a little slower, a little more dream like.) So I did it a second time and they complimented me on the second reading.
So I guess we'll see...shooting is in February, which will likely end up conflicting with UPTAS and Midwest auditions.
I suppose we'll see what happens!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ode to Uta... oh Uta.
Uta Hagen. The 'It' girl of modern theatre theory. Teacher of the Stanislavski method. The woman whose theory on acting I will honor in these next couple of posts. What better way to get to know someone than answer the 9 questions?
Fact: The 9 questions are a set of questions that Uta Hagen has determined will help define, shape, and reform your character's inner self. The first question is...
Who am I?
I'm Melissa. I'm 20. I'm an Aquarius. I'm incredibly driven, and I have an unrealistic, but positive outlook on my life. I am a sister, a daughter, a girlfriend. I have a huge heart and I'm relatively sensitive. I consider myself protective. I'm all about my family. I worry too much. I'm very impulsive. I'm emotional. I procrastinate and I try to fight against that impulse all...the...time. I might not finish this blog post.
I'm dedicated. I'm very curious... about everything. I'm energetic. I care a lot about my friends. I am not always confident in my appearance, but who is? I'm independent. I'm wishful. I make a lot of mistakes and I usually learn from them. I overanalyze everything. I stress out too much and I worry about being able to measure up to my own standards, which are very high. I compare myself to others too often, and I don't always appreciate my own values enough. I've just recently learned to stop doing that.
I'm 5"4. I've got brown hair, and brown eyes. I'm very pale and I'm proud of it. I used to have a gap in my teeth, but I got that fixed 2 years ago. I'm still kind of fond of that old gap, though.
I prefer to spend a chill evening at home, with friends, rather than party the night away. That's not to say that I don't like to party, though. :) I love being around people. I need to be around people. That's the actress in me.
So, this is a general overview of...me.
Here's to the beginning of this blog journey.
Fact: The 9 questions are a set of questions that Uta Hagen has determined will help define, shape, and reform your character's inner self. The first question is...
Who am I?
I'm Melissa. I'm 20. I'm an Aquarius. I'm incredibly driven, and I have an unrealistic, but positive outlook on my life. I am a sister, a daughter, a girlfriend. I have a huge heart and I'm relatively sensitive. I consider myself protective. I'm all about my family. I worry too much. I'm very impulsive. I'm emotional. I procrastinate and I try to fight against that impulse all...the...time. I might not finish this blog post.
I'm dedicated. I'm very curious... about everything. I'm energetic. I care a lot about my friends. I am not always confident in my appearance, but who is? I'm independent. I'm wishful. I make a lot of mistakes and I usually learn from them. I overanalyze everything. I stress out too much and I worry about being able to measure up to my own standards, which are very high. I compare myself to others too often, and I don't always appreciate my own values enough. I've just recently learned to stop doing that.
I'm 5"4. I've got brown hair, and brown eyes. I'm very pale and I'm proud of it. I used to have a gap in my teeth, but I got that fixed 2 years ago. I'm still kind of fond of that old gap, though.
I prefer to spend a chill evening at home, with friends, rather than party the night away. That's not to say that I don't like to party, though. :) I love being around people. I need to be around people. That's the actress in me.
So, this is a general overview of...me.
Here's to the beginning of this blog journey.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Beginning
Well, it's about time that I start a blog that actually means something to me.
So hello. :) My name is Melissa and I go to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. I'm a theatre major. More importantly, I'm an actress.
And obviously that's what this blog is about! I want to ramble about my experiences, past, present, and future as an actress. I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to look back and say, 'Woah. That's awesome. I came from there.'
So. The next post will be about me. This is just my little 'preview showing', if you will. ;)
I have to go do some Shakespeare homework, in fact.
Melissa
So hello. :) My name is Melissa and I go to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. I'm a theatre major. More importantly, I'm an actress.
And obviously that's what this blog is about! I want to ramble about my experiences, past, present, and future as an actress. I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to look back and say, 'Woah. That's awesome. I came from there.'
So. The next post will be about me. This is just my little 'preview showing', if you will. ;)
I have to go do some Shakespeare homework, in fact.
Melissa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)