Business Aspect

Acting is business as usual and if you're not familiar with it, the only way to get good at it is through acting school ( just like college) and on the job training and surrounding yourself with fellow aspiring & working actors. Anyway, as far as the casting from MTV, I was not able to attend, and I am glad to say that it was a good thing because rumor has it that this is a SCAM ! I should have known , but I'll be more cautious next time. Hollywood slicksters are everwhere indeed. I prepared a homemade couscous yesterday with charmoula marinate, yummy... so there's no regrets here. Oh, one thing, I have created an account with LA casting at the recommendation of my good friend and mentor Talbott. Talbott is SAG and very talented actor ( one thing I aspire to be one day) and he's heaven sent and my guardian Angel. He has been providing with so many good advices. Talbott is good people and a genuine soul, I knew this the first moment I talked to him. He called me yesterday around 10 pm we ended-up talking for one hour, just hitting me up on my acting strategy, and providing with good advices, like on my headshots for example. He thinks they do not represent me accurately. A lot of people would get irrate but I found his honesty refreshing. Honesty is something I can deal with ! Too theatrical and I should have more commercial shots, and that I look much better in reality ! and I agree, he also advised me that I will eventually have to get better ones and told me not to get frustrated because I am new to this and to embrace the process. Yes acting is a business, and you only good at it when you fall & hurt yourself, as you keep falling, you'll eventually learn to crawl then walk. Guess right now I barely learning to crawl. I am excited though so much so, that I blog about it simply because I am leaving my dream, my journey, and what a chance I have to be doing what I love !

Landed a part in an MTV Video

Sounds silly, but I don't know the name of the artist. Anyway, I submitted my headshots and just received a responde from the assitant casting director that I have been booked ( for tommorrow) for an MTV video. Ok ! No pay, but copy of video & credits ( very important) for a newbile like me.. and of course food/drinks. Shooting will take place in downtown L.A., and ...at 7pm and last 3 hours. Ok, this is nothing to brag about, but this will be first time ever being in front of the camera, dancing as if I was in club lol ! That should be fun, totally not the theatrical project I have envisionned myself in, but still, this will provide me with invaluable experience and I can put it on my resume. Tres chouette !

Here's the email I received : The scene will be a club scene.. dress casual butnice.If you are receiving this E-mail, you have been bookedfor tomorrow's music video for JUNIORS/mtv2.This is non paid, however you will receive a copy ofthe video when it's complete along with credit fromthe director + food/drinks. This will be great exposure and you will only beneeded for 3 hours!Any additional questions, call Arthur ...

Listen

Yesterday at class, Tony our teacher, kept stressing the importance of letting things sink in and no be so quick to just repeat for the hell of repeating but to let your partner’s statement sink in then wait for the true response to come. I have to say I agree, I can see how easy it is to just repeat things, especially in the contest of a repetition exercise, however you must let that all sick in for you to generate a truthful response. Tony also stressed out the importance of taking things personal, letting thing ( statements/gesture) truly move you & affect you, know and understand what it means. He added that the present generation of actors and acting student are too focused on themselves and do not listen, acting is listening, without listening you’re missing what your partners is trying to get across thereby missing the opportunity to respond truthfully. Wow, that’s moving, I don’t wanna come across as some dumb girl that’s easily impressed, however, I could relate to what Tony said on such a deep level, I mean it gave me the goose bump, the man is just on point. Other things stressed out during class was that less is always better, don’t talk as much, take the time to tune in your partner’s needs, emotionally & even physically. 90% of actors talk to much and don’t listen that’s why they are bad and that’s why you always see actors at audition only highlighting their own lines as if it’s the only things that matters, such selfish behavior will disconnect the actor from his partner and the script, will not be as genuine therefore making things fake. Don’t observe, to speak observe to react truthfully. I thing I get it now, at least I kind of understand that’s it’s not just about repetition and saying something cute in return, or making sure you speak back fast, but to be in tuned with your own emotions and reacting honestly. As Tony said, the foundation of acting is the reality of doing that includes really listening to your partner, thereby not missing the forest because of the trees or the leafs as brilliantly stated by Tony Savant

Moving to L.A. to study acting ?

For those that have freshly arrived in L.A. or those contemplating an acting career and wondering where to start, there are a wonderful amount of resources you can get a hold of. I highly recommend the following book: Acting is everything from Judy Kerr ( an actor’s guidebook for a successful career in L.A.). This book will cost $ 30.00 but it’s well worth it and is an authority for actors in L.A. as well as those who plan on coming out here. The resources are so extensive; she really knows her stuff and writes extensively on classes, which ones to choose, photographers in L.A., where to get your pictures duplicated, printed, her information is always backed-up by phone numbers or website! That’s my bible, I carry it every where I go. She even offers advises for foreign based actors on how to move out legally to the states, visas & alternative besides getting a green card. So if you’re dream is to act in L.A., or even study acting in L.A, make it happen, don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is your own worst enemy, that & laziness. UCLA Extension offers acting intensive programs that guarantees anyone (foreigner) a visa to come & legally study acting! Find out more on the subject on Judy Kerr’s book by googling or doing a yahoo search for : acting is everything. A must for those in L.A and those looking to move out West! Don’t be without it , it’s 634 pages of sheer acting bliss and useful information.

French agencies, a step backwards ?

So I have been corresponding with a real nice person from an acting school in Paris. I will be heading back to Paris for 2 short weeks & to visit my mom. Anyway this person was nice enough to provide name of agencies. One of them has a particular interest in bilingual actors. One thing that differs so much from agencies out here in Hollywood is that there only a few ethnic actors/actresses wow! Well as far as I am concerned, I may look white, however, I have never considered myself white. I am French North African. I am perplexed that agencies in France are not giving young minorities more chances. Another thing, all these women are 5’8 and above. While I certainly do not want to pass judgment on anyone, I am only pointing out the obvious; that is blatant disregard for minority representation in France. I will further investigate on the matter when I head to Paris, and I will be sure to post my observations on my blog. I am overly excited & filled with joy to finally have the opportunity to go back to Paris. Stay tuned for my adventures, I will keep everyone posted.