No, not the last blog post. My last semester of college. That's what we're talking about.
I can't believe it's already here. I feel like so much time has passed, and yet, almost no time at all. At the same time.
I've made the decision to move to New York after the summer. I visited over the winter break and it just felt right. I'm very excited. But the prospects of making and saving enough money to move there is just a little daunting. I've got one job at the moment, which gives me about $260 a month. Take that times 5 and you've got $1300. So I've got quite a bit to go before I can say hello to a new home.
I just auditioned this week for the school's production of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility"and it was one of my best auditions. I felt confident and I made choices that I don't think I would've made prior to the monologue class I took last semester. I thought outside of the box and I took risks. I received a callback, but I don't think I made big enough choices in my reading. I did not get cast, but I realized how much progress I've made in my audition techniques since the beginning of the year. Good things.
Upcoming Auditions:
-Midwest Theatre Auditions
-Stages (St. Louis)
Both are for summer, paid positions and both are happening in St. Louis. I'm hoping to come out of Midwest with a few job offers. I'm not participating in the dance portion, but I feel like that is a good choice because I do not consider myself primarily a dancer and from what I've heard, the dance portion is advanced.
Currently I'm trying to finalize my song choice. I've found my monologue and I'm in love with it, so I'm excited to have some fun at these auditions.
Right now, I'm just so ready to absorb and take everything I can from these last few months. I want to continue to let go of my own judgements of myself and go forth in class with confidence. I want to volunteer myself for in class demonstrations and take risks. I want to fail while it's still okay to fail without costing you much. I want to learn as much about myself in school while I can. I'm looking forward to this semester.
Here we go.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Go Away, Senioritis.
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.
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.
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. :)
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