LA Comedy Fest and other stuff...

This morning my performance improv group, Duck Tape, and I are hoping to "wow" the organizers of the LA Comedy Festival so that we can perform as part of it in November. After almost two years of working together, each of us knows the strengths/weaknesses (not that we have any) of each one of us. I believe that our biggest strength is our ability to work together as an ensemble...there isn't any of the "hogging/showing-off/selfish" stuff that often times plagues an improv group. I feel really fortunate to have such a kind and committed group of professional actors to work with! Wish us luck.

On another note, I've done some more work with General Hospital and I absolutely love it. I would love to be a part of this show....mostly because the cast and crew are so darn nice. Not to mention, Gwen, the casting director, is the sweetest woman I've met down here in LA - - always quick to respond to me and just treats actors like "people" which is so refreshing.

I've had a good few weeks. Forever Fosse is wrapping up this weekend and my parents are coming down to see it -- yeah! I was also booked for a comedy pilot...and then cut from the script (boo). Such is the life of an actor.

I start my photography classes again in a few weeks and I am so excited to develop my skills in this area. All in all though, a great summer but I can't wait until I book even more jobs.

FOREVER FOSSE

I don't know what I was thinking but I was recalling my earliest memories of acting. Most notably my "debut" in Annie when I was 10 years old and I thought to myself, "hey, I'd love to do musical theater again, I'll look into it tomorrow."

So "tomorrow" which, was actually Monday morning, August 10th, I saw a casting notice on the breakdowns for the role(s) of Sally Bowles (made famous by the fabulous Liza Minelli) and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta Jones) and I thought, what the heck, I'll throw my hat in the ring. I wasn't expecting a call but sure enough, the next day I received a call from the Director asking me to come in the next day to audition. Kind of crazy, right? I didn't even have a song rehearsed and the last time I "sang", was a lip-sync to my vocals that had been pre-recorded during the Miss Oregon pageant back in 2001. Even then, this was a stretch but at least I had the benefit of a sound editor and some choreographed "razzle dazzle" to distract the audience.

I literally went onto Youtube, found the song "This Time" from Cabaret, and videotaped myself singing it with headphones on and it didn't sound half bad. Seriously, though the great thing about not being 19 in this town is that I have the mentality that I truly have nothing to lose and auditioning and being uncomfortable is why I moved to LA in the firsts place!

Armed with about 2 hours of vocal practice and my resume, I threw on some bright red lipstick, and walked into The Hollywood Fight Club with confidence. I have realized that confidence can get you places you never dreamed and if you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect a casting director to believe in you, right? I was offered the parts of Mama Morton (Queen Latifah's role from Chicago) and Lola from the musical Damn Yankees on the spot! I accepted and literally two weeks from our first rehearsal on August 13th, we had our first show.

Being in Forever Fosse has been an extraordinary experience and I absolutely love the theater. While I wouldn't call it "Broadway", it has been wonderful to be a part of something and the cast is extraordinarily talented! Being in this show has also reignited my love of dance, which I had done for 13 years and then just stopped one day - - well, not anymore. I'm dusting off my jazz shoes and gonna start hitting the studio again!

I am already looking for more shows to be a part of and will keep ya'll posted. I think the Lord is working in mysterious ways because I could never have predicted this path when I moved down here 18 months ago but what a journey it has been!

If you live in LA and want to come to the show, let me know! We just finished the first three shows and it runs every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until September 13th. Pics to come!

Marketing/Branding - JENN CHIANG ROCKS

I believe it is critical to an actors success to have an online presence and a marketing strategy. I also believe that an actors and their work should be easily accessible. One way to do this is through a web-site. Another way to do this is to mail information directly to various casting directors, agents and managers.

I am working hard to find work, which will give me more material for my web-site and I am also creating a direct-mail plan. This plan needs to be consistent and one that is branded properly. I am a big believer that image is everything. I know this may sound trite and vein to many but it is true nonetheless. I should clarify that I don't mean my "physical image" and that it is the most important thing (although, it is important), I believe that the image or the "brand" we communicate with can either increase my chances of getting work or decrease them.

Lucky for me though, I hit a jackpot when I met my good friend JENNIFER CHIANG! Jenn is an amazing designer and graphic artist and she has graciously and joyfully taken on the task of creating a web-site for me as well as my logo, business cards and some mailing materials. If you agree, I would highly recommend her services for anything you may need her for. She is ultra collaborative and is a perfectionist. I feel SO incredibly blessed to have her friendship and her expertise. I look forward to paying her back when I get my big break.

General Hospital - small part...big potential :)

So I did my little G.H. shoot yesterday. It was fun and quick. I'm not sure we'll even see me but the best part is just being on the set and there were only two other "extras" hired for this so it's pretty cool. I swung by afterwards to say hello to Gwen (the casting director) and she was gracious as always but obviously busy. She offered me a number to call if I want to do this more. Um...yes, I'd love to be on a set with people who make decisions and make a little cash-olah$$$ while I'm at it. I hope she looks for even bigger roles for me - -wouldn't that be cool. My pics are kind of corny but fun nonetheless!

My call sheet

My dressing room...o.k., it's a little basic but I was the only one there so if felt like my very own room - the life of a working actress ;)

That's a wrap! "thumbs up"...I entertain myself sometimes - - I just get so excited :)

General Hospital - Woot woot!

I met Gwen about 9 months ago but neither of us knew that we were in the "biz". I was volunteering at an event and she was attending and I had no idea what she looked like, what her last name was etc... so we just enjoyed a great conversation about this and that. I didn't feel intimidated or that I needed to prove anything to her and so was free to be myself. I told her that I live in Little Tokyo, downtown and she shared the best kept secret in LA and that is the $20 theater tickets at the Ahmanson Theater Group! Finally, at the end of the conversation, she asked what I did and I told her that I am trying my hardest to be a working actor. She informed me that she is the casting director for General Hospital, which I knew once she told me her last name! It just so happens that I had mailed her a postcard asking to meet with her just the week before! She said to keep in touch, send my stuff, and she'll see what she can do.

9 months, 4 postcards, and 3 emails later...my persistence paid off and she booked me for this coming Monday! She called and asked if I wanted to do a day of extra work and before she could finish, I said "absolutely"! Now, some actors think they are above extra work but not me, I'd be happy sweeping the floors if it would get me closer to the people who do the hiring/casting, plus, it's a great way to meet fellow actors and get my foot in the door. She even went on to say that this is a great way for her to see me again and that she'll look for an even bigger part for me if this goes well. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this comes along but I am so thankful that she remembered me and it's nice to know that persistence really does pay off.

I'll keep you posted on the exact episode. All I know is that I'm a honeymooner in "Mexico" and I'll be wearing "resort wear'. So funny yet so glad it worked out.

Target Shoot

Last Friday I arrived on set to shoot the Target web/commercials.

It was an interesting shoot and the other mom's were very nice. Unfortunately, none of us were made aware that the shoot was scheduled for all night. We were told that we were going to be forced to stay inside of the Target for what they called "lock down" from 12 am - 4 am. Luckily, my agent called and they released me after they were done filming my part. It was a good experience and I learned a lot namely, that regardless of my union affiliation, I am not someone who can be coerced into doing something that I did not agree to (i.e. staying until 4 am!). This is not to say that I wouldn't have stayed until 4 am had I know, but it was the principle of the matter. I was told that I was hired for a job during the day and then it was moved to night and then it was expanded to "all night". We likely didn't know about it because our agents would have negotiated a higher rate for us. Ah, the glories of being non-union! All in all though, I was thrilled with the opportunity to do a little job for one of my favorite stores!

Right after finding out we were gonna be in "lock down"

Booked it!

Boo Ya! It's a phrase I like to use when I book something and I am pleased as a peacock that I booked my first Target commercial/web-banner thing! This was for another non-union gig but you know what, I'm all about doing what it takes and if driving to Santa Monica two times in two days is what it takes, I'll do it. The audition was actually a pretty fulfilling experience. So many times I walk into a room, say one line and walk back out but this time I actually got to use my commercial training (pre-life, utters and mutters, etc... - - thank you commercial teacher Carolyne Barry!)

The callback was even better because the casting director and I had a nice conversation about different music venues around town and that lead into a conversation about the Fleet Foxes and it turns out that he is good friends with the lead singers dad and we were at the same concert a few months ago! I feel like these kinds of auditions/meetings are little gifts from God when He lines up all the right people, scenarios, etc... and a certain type of magic happens. I am thrilled to have booked it and feel great!

Following up on the last post re: 9Innings. I honestly don't know how this one went. The beginning felt a little stiff but the second half of the monologue went pretty well. I was even more perplexed at the conclusion because the director asked me if I could sing?! I sang in concert and jazz choir in junior high school and attempted to sing at the Miss Oregon pageant when I was giving up my crown but I was really thrown off. I didn't expect this at all and of course, wanted him to know that I'm willing to try anything/new things - -so I attempted to belt out my best little song-ditty and said thank you. Now, I'm not sure I get very many "points" for vocal performance but hopefully my willingness to make a fool of myself will help. It's out of my hands and I know that what is meant to be will be and I have faith in this.

Lastly, I am proud to say that I have enrolled in my first official photography class and am super excited! I've been intrigued by photography for a long time and even purchased a fancy SLR camera about five years ago but didn't have the time to devote to learning the craft so I returned it. In March I purchased a Canon Rebel XS, which gets great reviews as a good introductory camera and it took nice photos on my trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I can't wait to start my class in a couple of weeks and look forward to posting pics soon.
xo
Ang