Trying to get established as a new actor in Southern California is an ongoing, daily process. However, it's not 24/7. Along with doing all the things necessary to break into the business, there is also the daily living chores, which we all have. I devote a portion of every day to acting activities, and on some days that means spending hours, and on other days (depending on the circumstances) spending less.
That said, I am finding there are several non acting areas for which anyone coming down here to cast their lot, needs to be prepared.
First, if course, is the financial aspect. Every one's financial situation is different, so while I wouldn't attempt to tell you how go about it, please understand that you must prepare with a nest egg before you get here, and either a job or some other type of income to keep that nest egg replenished. If you are going to need a job you also need to know that while there are certainly still day jobs for actors down here, Southern California, like the rest of the nation, has been hit quite hard by the economy, meaning some of the traditional day jobs usually taken by actors have been scooped up by people from other fields who lost their jobs.
Next, is the isolation. True you're surrounded by some thirteen million people, but you are quite suddenly cut off from the majority, if not all, of your family and friends. Yes, with email, phones, instant messages, cam to cam communication on the Internet, a great amount of communication is still available with all these people, but the face to face contact with them, with which you are accustomed, is suddenly missing. This takes a real mental adjustment to get used to, but it is possible. One of the things which makes it possible is to keep focused on why you came here in the first place. Sure, there are a lot of neat things to do and see in Southern California, and new actor residents (all new residents, for that matter) should take full advantage of them, but without ever losing sight of their main goal. Also, the longer you are here, the more new friends you will make.
Besides all the many and necessary acting activities which I have mentioned in previous blog entries, there is setting up housekeeping and daily living activities associated with anyone who moves to a new area....Finding a place to live, furniture, laundry and dry cleaning, groceries, services like convenient service stations, banks, car washes (hey this is California, land of sun and clean cars), cable TV (or not), and many other aspects of daily life, all of which need to be re-established once you move. I mentioned cars. Arrive in Southern California in one, or buy one when you get here, but a reliable car is an absolute necessity for actors in LA.
My advice to any new actor taking the plunge to Southern California, is be prepared for your life to change suddenly and drastically. This is not meant to imply that the change is all bad, or all good. There is both, and I like to think the good far outweighs the bad, but above all it is different.
Having said all that....is it worth it? Without a doubt, yes, because you will be making a concentrated effort to realize a dream, and to further your standing in a field of work that you love. Even if you fail (and more do than don't), you took your best shot, and that is an opportunity everyone should have once or twice in their lifetime.
This coming Wednesday is my second private lesson with my Hollywood acting coach. Those are always fun (except for the times when I screw up) and each lesson moves me just a little closer to getting where I want to be. Besides, I love looking up at that white Hollywood sign on the hill, just before I enter his building.
Talk with you soon...........
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sometimes You Can Go Home Again
This past Thursday and Friday I had two wonderful events happen which, in two entirely different ways, brought me back to my roots, and both were extremely enjoyable.
On Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting with my old college professor, Bill Thomson, and his wife. I had not seen Bill, literally in decades. When I last saw him, he wasn't Bill, but was called by all his students at our small West Texas College, by his proper title....Dr. Thomson. Bill is now retired, but not so you would notice. After leaving USC, as the Dean of the Music Department, he devoted himself full time to writing. He has produced fifteen books, with some of them being used as textbooks in university music departments, across the nation. Reliving old times with Bill and his wife was in a sense, like going home again. I enjoyed it immensely, and am looking forward greatly to seeing Bill and his wife again. Fortunately, their home is only 25 miles or so from where I live and in LA, that is considered a short distance. All in all it was a wonderful day.
The following day I had my first acting lesson, since arriving in Southern California, with my acting coach in Hollywood. that too, was like a breath of fresh air, as the last lesson I had with him was in Seattle, last August. Just as I was walking into the building where his studio is located, I looked down the street and there high in the hills was the famous Hollywood sign, which gave me a real sense of where I was. He had me run through some scenes, and frankly, particularly at first, I was a bit rusty and sloppy. But as the lesson progressed, things began to fall into place and I was pleased with some of the work I did in the later half of the lesson. It felt so good to be back with the acting coach who was so instrumental in (1) moving me along in my development, and (2) in convincing me to move to LA and give it a try. As I have stated before, he is not an easy acting coach by any means, nor does he fail to tell you what was bad, so so, OK, or good. While very personable, he is totally honest in his assessment of your work, and when needed, how to correct it. Again, I felt so much at home to be studying with him once again.
So, the end of the week was a mixture of an old music professor, mentor, and friend, and a current acting coach, mentor, and friend. What could possibly be better than that?
Until next time............
On Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting with my old college professor, Bill Thomson, and his wife. I had not seen Bill, literally in decades. When I last saw him, he wasn't Bill, but was called by all his students at our small West Texas College, by his proper title....Dr. Thomson. Bill is now retired, but not so you would notice. After leaving USC, as the Dean of the Music Department, he devoted himself full time to writing. He has produced fifteen books, with some of them being used as textbooks in university music departments, across the nation. Reliving old times with Bill and his wife was in a sense, like going home again. I enjoyed it immensely, and am looking forward greatly to seeing Bill and his wife again. Fortunately, their home is only 25 miles or so from where I live and in LA, that is considered a short distance. All in all it was a wonderful day.
The following day I had my first acting lesson, since arriving in Southern California, with my acting coach in Hollywood. that too, was like a breath of fresh air, as the last lesson I had with him was in Seattle, last August. Just as I was walking into the building where his studio is located, I looked down the street and there high in the hills was the famous Hollywood sign, which gave me a real sense of where I was. He had me run through some scenes, and frankly, particularly at first, I was a bit rusty and sloppy. But as the lesson progressed, things began to fall into place and I was pleased with some of the work I did in the later half of the lesson. It felt so good to be back with the acting coach who was so instrumental in (1) moving me along in my development, and (2) in convincing me to move to LA and give it a try. As I have stated before, he is not an easy acting coach by any means, nor does he fail to tell you what was bad, so so, OK, or good. While very personable, he is totally honest in his assessment of your work, and when needed, how to correct it. Again, I felt so much at home to be studying with him once again.
So, the end of the week was a mixture of an old music professor, mentor, and friend, and a current acting coach, mentor, and friend. What could possibly be better than that?
Until next time............
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Rite of Passage (Sort Of)
Yesterday evening I submitted myself for a role in film by USC graduate students. It's non paid, and while I didn't come to LA to do non paid roles, many say actors new to the area should do one or two USC film school films as (1) it's a great experience with some very talented film makers, and (2) some go on the greater things and, if you did a good job, they just might remember you at a later time. Also, I understand the film footage is usually great for your demo reel. The film shoots over two weekend in April, and I have no idea if I will get to audition or be cast. Doing a USC film school production is somewhat of a rite of passage for new actors in LA, and while I may be an older actor, I definitely qualify as a new actor in LA.
This coming Friday, I renew my studies with my Hollywood acting coach. He's not easy on his students. In fact, he's damn hard on them, and that is probably why so many of his students swear by him (he likes to say that a few have sworn at him). Suffice to say, it will be great to be studying with him once again. If some of you find it strange that I refer to him as my Hollywood acting coach, rather than by name, I have formed the policy of not using the names of well known people (or even semi well known people) in the film industry, as I believe a person's privacy should be protected all all time, whenever possible. Therefore, you will hear me refer to many film industry people by their title, instead of their name.
However, here is one name I will share with you. On Thursday, I am having lunch in Pasadena with Dr. Bill Thomson, my old college music professor. He had a great career in music education, teaching at such places as Indiana University, and Hawaii, before finally settling in as the head of the music department at USC, a position he held until his retirement. I remember him as a wonderful teacher, a fine arranger, and a good musician. He was one of the two or three most influential people in my development, as I grew from a boy into a man during my four years in college. It will be awfully good to see him once again.
And so goes the life of an itinerant actor in LA. One bedroom apartments, auditions where you find them, acting lessons, and later....showcases, SAG cards, agents and who knows what else.
Like the old Saturday serials at the movie theater (If you are under 50, forget it, as you have no idea what I'm talking about) there's always another chapter next week (or, who knows, maybe tomorrow).
Until then...........
This coming Friday, I renew my studies with my Hollywood acting coach. He's not easy on his students. In fact, he's damn hard on them, and that is probably why so many of his students swear by him (he likes to say that a few have sworn at him). Suffice to say, it will be great to be studying with him once again. If some of you find it strange that I refer to him as my Hollywood acting coach, rather than by name, I have formed the policy of not using the names of well known people (or even semi well known people) in the film industry, as I believe a person's privacy should be protected all all time, whenever possible. Therefore, you will hear me refer to many film industry people by their title, instead of their name.
However, here is one name I will share with you. On Thursday, I am having lunch in Pasadena with Dr. Bill Thomson, my old college music professor. He had a great career in music education, teaching at such places as Indiana University, and Hawaii, before finally settling in as the head of the music department at USC, a position he held until his retirement. I remember him as a wonderful teacher, a fine arranger, and a good musician. He was one of the two or three most influential people in my development, as I grew from a boy into a man during my four years in college. It will be awfully good to see him once again.
And so goes the life of an itinerant actor in LA. One bedroom apartments, auditions where you find them, acting lessons, and later....showcases, SAG cards, agents and who knows what else.
Like the old Saturday serials at the movie theater (If you are under 50, forget it, as you have no idea what I'm talking about) there's always another chapter next week (or, who knows, maybe tomorrow).
Until then...........
Friday, March 20, 2009
Turn Left, NOW!!
The audition for the infomercial day before yesterday in Venice went well, I thought, but obviously not well enough. I enjoyed it and handled what they had me do fairly easily. Still, it's been two days and I haven't heard from them so I must assume I was not cast. As Gordon Adams, my old agent in the Seattle area said about the aftermath of auditions, "No news is bad news," The actors among you already know this, but for the rest of you....it is rare for a production company, casting agent, etc. to call or email and tell you that you were not cast. Usually you find out you were not cast by hearing nothing. I completely understand why this is so. They are not being rude, but once a cast is in place, the wheels of a production start turning faster....in fact, a lot faster, and they have little time to tell every person who auditioned that they were not cast.
Venice is a beach town (I'm sure many of you have seen pictures of some of the colorful characters walking, riding, skateboarding up and down the beach front). I saw downtown, but not the beach front, saving that for another time. Venice is a pretty town, with cooler temperatures than most Southern California towns (well, it is on the ocean).
I have a good portable GPS which I plug into my car when I need to find a place. Without missing a beat, it has found every address I have asked it to find in three different states. Still, It's a weird feeling to be driving through a part of Southern California in which I have never before been, having absolutely no idea where I am, and glued to the cultured ladies' voice coming from the GPS, as he says things like "Turn left in one quarter mile and then turn right." Then just as you get to your exit or street, she says, "Turn Left." The voice is quite nice, but there is an implication of turn left NOW or you are doomed in her voice. Of course, if you do miss a turn, she very patiently tells you what turns to make to get back on course.
While driving through Venice after the audition, I had this thought. If, for some reason my GPS failed and her voice fell silent, and the maps on the screen disappeared, I wouldn't have the foggiest clue how to get back to where I live. My only recourse would be to call 911 and say, "You gotta' help me. Where the hell am I?" OK, maybe not, but still it makes you wonder sometimes, if we have great technology, or if great technology has us.
Until I learn some of the routes to places I will be going to repeatedly, or in visiting new places, I will continue to hang onto every word from the GPS lady, as I make my way through the freeways and canyons of Southern California.
A final note. I have auditioned for three separate productions in my first three weeks in California, when it truth, I expected no auditions the first couple of months. No, I haven't been cast yet, but I still regard it as a pretty good start. No complaints.
More later.........
Venice is a beach town (I'm sure many of you have seen pictures of some of the colorful characters walking, riding, skateboarding up and down the beach front). I saw downtown, but not the beach front, saving that for another time. Venice is a pretty town, with cooler temperatures than most Southern California towns (well, it is on the ocean).
I have a good portable GPS which I plug into my car when I need to find a place. Without missing a beat, it has found every address I have asked it to find in three different states. Still, It's a weird feeling to be driving through a part of Southern California in which I have never before been, having absolutely no idea where I am, and glued to the cultured ladies' voice coming from the GPS, as he says things like "Turn left in one quarter mile and then turn right." Then just as you get to your exit or street, she says, "Turn Left." The voice is quite nice, but there is an implication of turn left NOW or you are doomed in her voice. Of course, if you do miss a turn, she very patiently tells you what turns to make to get back on course.
While driving through Venice after the audition, I had this thought. If, for some reason my GPS failed and her voice fell silent, and the maps on the screen disappeared, I wouldn't have the foggiest clue how to get back to where I live. My only recourse would be to call 911 and say, "You gotta' help me. Where the hell am I?" OK, maybe not, but still it makes you wonder sometimes, if we have great technology, or if great technology has us.
Until I learn some of the routes to places I will be going to repeatedly, or in visiting new places, I will continue to hang onto every word from the GPS lady, as I make my way through the freeways and canyons of Southern California.
A final note. I have auditioned for three separate productions in my first three weeks in California, when it truth, I expected no auditions the first couple of months. No, I haven't been cast yet, but I still regard it as a pretty good start. No complaints.
More later.........
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Living, Southern California Style
I have another audition, today. I guess calling it "another audition" sounds a bit flip, and I don't mean it that way at all, as I value each audition I am able to get. This one is this afternoon in Venice, and it's for an infomercial. While I have had acting friends who have auditioned for (and appeared) in infomercials, I have never done either, and really have no idea as to what to expect. However, it's honest, paid work and worth pursuing. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I have been in most Southern California cities, either on business trips (my sales territory for several companies included Southern California), or pleasure trips, but I have never been to Venice, which from all reports is an interesting place.
Coming from the Seattle area, there are several non acting related difference to get used to. First, is the weather. It Will be 87 today in Tarzana (where I live), with the temperature dropping back (as the local weatherman says) into the mid sixties by the weekend. I love the term dropping back into the sixties.
Next, of course, is the traffic which is a real bear. Sometimes it's bumper to bumper and then, for no apparent reason, you're zipping along at speed limit (or higher) speeds. Many drivers are courteous, and a few are not. I have learned to allow double the normal time to get to an appointment or audition. Sure, you get to many places early, but the peace of mind is worth it. Being late is not a good personal habit and it can be a real deal breaker for an actor.
Food costs a bit more here, but strangely, car washes are less expensive. My car had not been washed since our rainy trip through Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Yesterday I had it washed, vacuumed, with hand drying and all windows cleaned inside and out, for just $9.00 plus a tip to the man who did the finish work.
By and large, I have found the people here to be open and friendly. I'm sure, as in most places, there are a few jerks lurking around, but I have been fortunate to not meet any so far.
And so it goes...........
I have been in most Southern California cities, either on business trips (my sales territory for several companies included Southern California), or pleasure trips, but I have never been to Venice, which from all reports is an interesting place.
Coming from the Seattle area, there are several non acting related difference to get used to. First, is the weather. It Will be 87 today in Tarzana (where I live), with the temperature dropping back (as the local weatherman says) into the mid sixties by the weekend. I love the term dropping back into the sixties.
Next, of course, is the traffic which is a real bear. Sometimes it's bumper to bumper and then, for no apparent reason, you're zipping along at speed limit (or higher) speeds. Many drivers are courteous, and a few are not. I have learned to allow double the normal time to get to an appointment or audition. Sure, you get to many places early, but the peace of mind is worth it. Being late is not a good personal habit and it can be a real deal breaker for an actor.
Food costs a bit more here, but strangely, car washes are less expensive. My car had not been washed since our rainy trip through Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Yesterday I had it washed, vacuumed, with hand drying and all windows cleaned inside and out, for just $9.00 plus a tip to the man who did the finish work.
By and large, I have found the people here to be open and friendly. I'm sure, as in most places, there are a few jerks lurking around, but I have been fortunate to not meet any so far.
And so it goes...........
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Der Be SCAMS Out Der
Every actor who comes to LA wants to work. To work you have to audition; to audition you have to find out where, when, and the particulars about an audition in order to submit yourself for that audition. This is particularly true before you have an agent and is even somewhat true after you have one.
Into this void, with both feet, has jumped a number of companies, organizations, what have you, all claiming we can get you the straight skinny on all the quality auditions in town. I was not exactly a neophyte to all this, having done a good deal of research before moving down to LA. The majority of these companies (but not all, as you will see) are SCAMS pure and simple, with a goal, not in helping find auditions, but separating you from as much of your hard earned money as possible. The come-on is that you can register free, and yes, you certainly can do that with most of them. However, with most it costs to find out the contact information for an audition, post headshots onto their website, post your resume onto their website, and so forth. These companies are simply predators lying in wait for the unsuspecting "newbie" actor.
I mentioned that there are exceptions to this type of predator company. One is called Actors Access. With them, you can join free, post two headshots free, post your personal information (hair color, height, weight, etc.) free, post your resume free, and they will send you emails giving the complete details of auditions that fit your age and other parameters which you specified when you registered with them. Is there a catch? Well, yes, but not an unexpected one, as this company, like most, is in business to make a profit. You can join for $68 dollars a year and reply, at no additional cost, to any audition call which they email to you, or you can not join and pay $2.00 each time you respond electronically with headshots and your resume to an audition call. If you think you'll want to respond to more than 34 audition calls a year (not quite three a month), joining is the way to go. If not, then the $2.00 per pop is probably more thrifty. Actors Access also runs an off-shoot called Extras Access. It is run exactly like Actors Access, except it is for extra work only. I discussed the value of extra work for a new actor in town in a previous blog. If you are already a member of Actors Access, you can join Extras Access for only $10.00 per year. Actor's access get good marks from respected professionals in the area.
There is also another organization, with a slightly different mission, called Backstage. It also has a yearly fee, can also turn you on to legitimate audition calls, offers other services, and is also well thought of in the industry. I will be looking in Backstage more thoroughly this coming week.
So, if you're thinking of making the move to LA, be warned. There are some legitimate ways to find out about auditions prior to having an agent, but there are a number of SCAMS lurking in the weeds, as well.
More later..........
Into this void, with both feet, has jumped a number of companies, organizations, what have you, all claiming we can get you the straight skinny on all the quality auditions in town. I was not exactly a neophyte to all this, having done a good deal of research before moving down to LA. The majority of these companies (but not all, as you will see) are SCAMS pure and simple, with a goal, not in helping find auditions, but separating you from as much of your hard earned money as possible. The come-on is that you can register free, and yes, you certainly can do that with most of them. However, with most it costs to find out the contact information for an audition, post headshots onto their website, post your resume onto their website, and so forth. These companies are simply predators lying in wait for the unsuspecting "newbie" actor.
I mentioned that there are exceptions to this type of predator company. One is called Actors Access. With them, you can join free, post two headshots free, post your personal information (hair color, height, weight, etc.) free, post your resume free, and they will send you emails giving the complete details of auditions that fit your age and other parameters which you specified when you registered with them. Is there a catch? Well, yes, but not an unexpected one, as this company, like most, is in business to make a profit. You can join for $68 dollars a year and reply, at no additional cost, to any audition call which they email to you, or you can not join and pay $2.00 each time you respond electronically with headshots and your resume to an audition call. If you think you'll want to respond to more than 34 audition calls a year (not quite three a month), joining is the way to go. If not, then the $2.00 per pop is probably more thrifty. Actors Access also runs an off-shoot called Extras Access. It is run exactly like Actors Access, except it is for extra work only. I discussed the value of extra work for a new actor in town in a previous blog. If you are already a member of Actors Access, you can join Extras Access for only $10.00 per year. Actor's access get good marks from respected professionals in the area.
There is also another organization, with a slightly different mission, called Backstage. It also has a yearly fee, can also turn you on to legitimate audition calls, offers other services, and is also well thought of in the industry. I will be looking in Backstage more thoroughly this coming week.
So, if you're thinking of making the move to LA, be warned. There are some legitimate ways to find out about auditions prior to having an agent, but there are a number of SCAMS lurking in the weeds, as well.
More later..........
Friday, March 13, 2009
Setting Up Housekeeping
I didn't realize all there is to do when setting up housekeeping from scratch. Well....actually I did, but it's been so long ago I forgot. Yesterday after a buying trip for the odds and end I forgot to get on my other buying trips, I was sure I now had everything I needed. Today, I found out that wasn't true, so it's back to more shopping (Bed, Bath & Beyond, this time) for more little odds and ends.
Next week I will Register with Central Casting, which is the largest, and most recommended extra casting agency in LA. No, I don't have a burning desire to be a professional extra, long term, but being an extra is one way to become SAG eligible, and I plan to explore ALL the ways in which to get my SAG card. Each time you're an extra on a qualifying film, you can get a voucher. When you have three vouchers, you become SAG eligible. Why next week? Because you can't register with Central casting by email or regular mail (snail mail), but only in person and only at certain times of the week. I may also register with other extra casting agencies....not sure about that yet.
After that I need to look into actor's showcases. More about that next week.
Until then...........
Next week I will Register with Central Casting, which is the largest, and most recommended extra casting agency in LA. No, I don't have a burning desire to be a professional extra, long term, but being an extra is one way to become SAG eligible, and I plan to explore ALL the ways in which to get my SAG card. Each time you're an extra on a qualifying film, you can get a voucher. When you have three vouchers, you become SAG eligible. Why next week? Because you can't register with Central casting by email or regular mail (snail mail), but only in person and only at certain times of the week. I may also register with other extra casting agencies....not sure about that yet.
After that I need to look into actor's showcases. More about that next week.
Until then...........
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Into A Routine
I am a firm believer that one should have a routine in their daily life....not a rut, mind you but a routine to get you started on your day. Anyone who knows me well knows that my routine always starts with coffee (Starbucks of course). My morning routine has quickly fallen into this: coffee, read two newspapers on the Internet (The Seattle Times, and the Los Angeles Times), then a shower, and I'm ready for the day, be it a day of errands, self marketing and/or research on the Internet, being out and about....going places and meeting people, or what have you. That has quickly become my Los Angeles early morning routine.
In the immediate future, I have much to do in researching the various audition boards. My goal is to become SAG eligible as soon as possible, but prior to that I will seek non-union work. There is a good amount of non-union work in this town, and why not. The place is full of actors, many of them not yet union, looking for work. Auditioning for two network television shows last week was wonderful, but obviously that is not going to happen every week.
Sunday, my wife and I had lunch with my acting coach. It was both pleasant (he's a very nice and interesting man) and informative, as he filled me in on some of the ups and downs of the film industry here. We had lunch a a great little place called the Aroma Cafe....good food and a great outdoor seating arrangement.
Monday Morning I took Linda to the Burbank Airport where she boarded a plane for Seattle. She was such a great help getting me established, but she had to be back in her office Tuesday morning. Our two cats (tended to by a very good pet sitter while we were gone) we overjoyed to see her, I'm sure.
In the immediate future, I have much to do in researching the various audition boards. My goal is to become SAG eligible as soon as possible, but prior to that I will seek non-union work. There is a good amount of non-union work in this town, and why not. The place is full of actors, many of them not yet union, looking for work. Auditioning for two network television shows last week was wonderful, but obviously that is not going to happen every week.
Sunday, my wife and I had lunch with my acting coach. It was both pleasant (he's a very nice and interesting man) and informative, as he filled me in on some of the ups and downs of the film industry here. We had lunch a a great little place called the Aroma Cafe....good food and a great outdoor seating arrangement.
Monday Morning I took Linda to the Burbank Airport where she boarded a plane for Seattle. She was such a great help getting me established, but she had to be back in her office Tuesday morning. Our two cats (tended to by a very good pet sitter while we were gone) we overjoyed to see her, I'm sure.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
So Far,So good
Finally here, it took us two and a half days of driving (mostly in the rain) to get here. Then, out first day in sunny California, it rained. Go figure.
As I write this on Saturday morning, I am sitting in my new apartment (actually, a condo I'm renting from the owner) in Tarzana, CA. If that name sounds slightly familiar, that's because it was named after the title character in the Tarzan movie series.
A pretty amazing event happened to me a few days ago. My Hollywood acting coach called and said I had an audition on Thursday, March 5th with a well known Hollywood casting director. Apparently he had mentioned me to her and she said she wanted to see me. I auditioned in the Hollywood studio where Hero's and other TV series are filmed. I auditioned for a one episode small part for Amy Poehler's (of Saturday Night Live fame) new NBC series, "Parks and Recreation". Next, the casting director had me read for a one line role in the series, "The office". Never did I think I would be auditioning for small roles in two television series on my third full day in town. I know that I have a lot of hard work in front of me, and things like this will, by no means, be routine, but still, not a bad first week.
The traffic in LA is not as bad as you have heard. It's much WORSE!! Funny thing is when you first get here you think how wild everyone drives. Then, in a few days, you are driving the same way. Must be something in the water.
Well, have to run, furniture is being delivered this afternoon.
More soon........
As I write this on Saturday morning, I am sitting in my new apartment (actually, a condo I'm renting from the owner) in Tarzana, CA. If that name sounds slightly familiar, that's because it was named after the title character in the Tarzan movie series.
A pretty amazing event happened to me a few days ago. My Hollywood acting coach called and said I had an audition on Thursday, March 5th with a well known Hollywood casting director. Apparently he had mentioned me to her and she said she wanted to see me. I auditioned in the Hollywood studio where Hero's and other TV series are filmed. I auditioned for a one episode small part for Amy Poehler's (of Saturday Night Live fame) new NBC series, "Parks and Recreation". Next, the casting director had me read for a one line role in the series, "The office". Never did I think I would be auditioning for small roles in two television series on my third full day in town. I know that I have a lot of hard work in front of me, and things like this will, by no means, be routine, but still, not a bad first week.
The traffic in LA is not as bad as you have heard. It's much WORSE!! Funny thing is when you first get here you think how wild everyone drives. Then, in a few days, you are driving the same way. Must be something in the water.
Well, have to run, furniture is being delivered this afternoon.
More soon........
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