MUSIC: "Welcome to the World" by Kevin Rudolf & Rick Ross
TIME: 9:51 PM
Previously when I was handing out mind candy back in December, this little incident happened! But like I said before, the Bite-Size Business Soiree -- held by my business coach, Erin Cronican -- happens at least every once a month all year round, so it wasn't like it was the end of the world for me, personally....however, I was really glad I was able to attend the one they held on Sunday, the 21st.
Before I go into what went on at the soiree for this month, here's a little story about how I met Erin, and I will somewhat give a little example of how "small" the NYC industry is or how tightly-knit we are, because strangely, I find it all pretty interesting.
A classmate from my improv classes with Alan Gordon named DeeDee Beard posted a notice about one of her soirees in January of 2009. Granted, though, I couldn't make it to the one in January, but I commented to DeeDee via Facebook to keep me posted on future soirees. I was, however, able to make it to the soiree in February, and ironically, the topic of discussion was NETWORKING LIKE A PRO! Now, flashback to Cristina Cho in February of 2009 -- I was very, very shy, learning to come out of my shell, rebuilding my personality, and I was pretty nervous and kind of uptight about being in a room full of professional/aspiring actors. Also, at the time, I was going by my previous alias, KRISTINE YOUNG.
I walk into the room, there Erin is, and immediately, she was VERY welcoming. We all sat in a big circle to listen to Erin teach about networking, and just from the moment I first heard her speak about good ways to network in the acting industry, I was really glad to be there. And I had NO IDEA that she knew Alan, but to make a long story short, Erin and I started officially working with each other in March, and we've been working with each other ever since then! =) So, I had a business coach and a second mentor on board!
Now, I don't go to Erin all the time. I mainly go to her whenever my career centers around the business aspect of it. Prior building my website, coming up with a way to market myself, and my one-on-one meetings with several headshot photographers before I decided to go with Matthew Sussman, Erin helped me understand the importance of being a business person in this industry and taught me how to prepare on presenting myself in my headshots, on my websites, and when networking with other actors and industry folks. Plus, thanks to Erin, I have to say it -- I absolutely LOVE networking now! Most actors don't, but I'm not "most actors" - I'm one actor, thank you very much - and I say that the networking part of my career is true delight!
Another thing about my business coach is that she really DOES make you feel excited about being in this industry! She's always lifting your spirits up, brings new ideas to the table for you, and she's very smart and very inspiring! So, I am very fortunate to have met with her! *claps*
All right...now, let's talk about Sunday's soiree shall we?
First of all, I want to thank Mother Nature for NOT snowing me in Brick, NJ this time around!
The topic of discussion for this one was DAY JOBS FOR ACTORS. What we would do in our circle in the first half of the event was introduce ourselves in to everyone in the entire room since there's always somebody new coming through the door, state our concerns with our current jobs or being laid-off or whichever and how we can somehow work it around our acting careers. This isn't a topic I'd think would come up in one of Erin's soirees, but it was a good topic to bring up. And I guess with the way the economy is now-a-days, it was important to discuss. Also, the funny thing was, just in that one half of the soiree alone, Erin had 30+ people in the room, which is rare. The previous three soirees I've been to, since this was my fourth, there'd be a maximum of about ten to twelve people. Most of the others who show up later on come to the mixer, where we all meet and network.
In the room of 30+ people, we all sat before Erin, listened to her like little kids in a classroom as she spoke about our careers, our goals as actors, and how we could have a stable income as well. Erin made us list "goals for a day job" -- pretty must list not the title of our dream day jobs, but what we'd like to do for a day job. She made us envision what kind of acting careers we want...and I'm not going to lie, I did write down a little "wish" in my notes, but I didn't show it to anyone nor tell anyone it. That's actually a little something I rather keep to myself, thank you very much, but along the lines of that "wish" I wrote down, I also made up my mind sort of on a fallback career IF the acting don't work out. One of the things Erin did make us do was write down what we love to do, other than act. I put down, as my second love, was website design and graphic art, but the truth is, as much as I love doing that, I have something else in mind for a fallback....and no, I'm not saying what that is, either!
Sorry! =P
Also, in all honesty, since I have my own website, a very steady day job that requires my time five times a week, early in the wee morning into the afternoon, I'm afraid I also don't have the time to work on another website, therefore, I'd rather see my peers provide their needs to someone who DOES have the time to provide their services to and will do it with care.
Anywho, after the soiree, we all went go to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square to the 9th floor, where we hold our mixer. This is the fun part, and for the first time I've ever been at an actor's mixer, I felt great! Generally, there are a lot of really nice people who come to the mixers -- there have been only very few people whom, I honestly will say, have made me feel placed in some awkward position -- but the people from this one were all really, really great! A really nice group of people, and the cool thing about it was I got to see some people whom I haven't seen in a while. So, if they're reading this blog, I thank you and I am really glad we met! =)
There was a short moment when I was at the mixer, I just stood back a little and observed the action all around me and absorbed it all in. Erin had a group of people in one spot, and my acting coach, Alan, had a group in another spot. I really enjoy watching my coaches network, because it helps me learn from them, how they construct their business, approach others, and how they hold themselves in every conversation. I notice how confident both Erin and Alan are with their work and how compassionate they are to aspiring actors such as myself. But all in all, I think the key to networking is just to be yourself, think about the position you are in, think about how you can help others, because when you are given the chance to do that, whether is recommending your acting coach, your headshot photographer, etc. or offering any kind of service you have, it does make you feel good!
Throughout the soiree on Sunday, I had someone in mind: My friend, Angel, whom I've known since my otaku days. Both Angel and I originally "met" when we had "Tenchi Muyo" websites back in the day, and we linked our sites together, kept in touch, even when those days were over, and we've been buds ever since. The reason why I thought about Angel is, because just recently, she's added a channel on YouTube where she does tutorials for hair and make-up.
Angel is one of the most talented people I've ever met! She can draw, do website design, graphic design, do hair, and make-up, and she does it like a pro (if you ever see her work, you'll be like, "Is there anything this girl CAN'T do?!")! She's a very passionate artist and has always been an inspiration to me as a fellow graphic artist and website designer, myself. I, personally, think she can beat me with my designs, too! And during the soiree and the mixer, I was thinking, "Damn...if only this girl lived in New York!"
Angel hails from St. Louis, MO, and I wonder if St. Louis does have an acting community of their own, because I do believe if Angel did promote herself as a professional make-up and hair person, she could start her own business and really get booked for headshots, perhaps even design website for actors who can't do website design, do postcards and business cards. I know if she were in New York and if she came with me to the mixer, a lot of the people I met that day would want to know more about her!
Therefore, please, do check out her YouTube channel, angelxmake, and you will see exactly what I am talking about! I have to say, too, I love how she introduces the products she uses, especially the bobby pins and the eyeshadow/eyeliner brushes -- VERY Ayumi Hamasaki-esque, especially with the long red nails. XD Luv ya, Ang!
So....that's what the Bite-Size Business Soirees are all about! You get a piece of insight of our industry, meet great people, meet other professionals, and it's always a learning process for an aspiring actor/industry person!
Now, before I close this blog with a little bit of good news, allow me to direct you to a couple of links:
First and foremost, for more information about Erin Cronican, you can visit her official website, ErinCronican.com, which, btw, she designed herself, too! (*yay to actors who can do their own websites*)
For more information about The Actors' Enterprise, which is Erin's one-on-one business coaching service, visit the website -- http://www.theactorsenterprise.org/ - check out the testimonials from Erin's students (including myself) and professional colleagues, and also see what it is she has to offer, because believe me, she is someone you'd want on your team!
And last, but not least -- there is also the Bite-Size Business Blog, where Erin gives you quick, yet very informative tips on how you can manage career, be like the professionals, and much more!
Now, for the quickie news, Thursday, March 4th, I am attending a workshop provided by Alan, my acting coach, where he is going to go over cold reading, scene study, and audition technique, which is something I am definitely gonna need! The workshop will take place @ the Player's Theatre in the West Village, starts at 7pm, and I have to say, I am a little nervous, but I am also excited as well! And you can bet, I WILL be blogging about that, too! =)
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
MUSIC: "Baby, I'm Your's" by Barbara Lewis
TIME: 8:15 PM
As I've said before, time after time on here, I do enjoy reading. I'm not all into fictional novels - I'm more into reading plays, biographies/memoirs, or something non-fiction, but not a self-help book.
Gabrielle Bernstein is a life-coach and a motivational speaker based in New York City, and what drew me to her book, despite the fact that it is in the self-help genre, was simply the cover (seen on the left). I got a glimpse of this hip young girl in a white feathered frock, accessorized with angel wings, barefoot, and standing on a skateboard in the middle of a busy street in the city, and I thought, "This looks rather interesting!"
At first, I did think it was a novel or one of those fashion-tip type of books, but it is nothing like that. If Gabrielle Bernstein is doing any sort of make-overs, she's giving your outlook on life a HUGE make-over as oppose to your wardrobe or physical appearance. She wants to help you find your inner-beauty, not your outter beauty. She wants to pick and pull out the negative talk in your head, not the embarrassing fashions inside your closet. She will add some color into your life instead of your hair.
I am generally a happy person, I do normally believe in myself, and I am a very motivated person! However, I wasn't always full of energy and spirit. Cristina Cho at the age of twenty-four wasn't the same Cristina Cho of today. My outlook on life wasn't all too great. I was painfully shy, quite withdrawn, very meek, extremely timid, and although I believed in myself a little bit, I wasn't fully confident in what I was doing, who I was meeting or working with, and in many ways, I felt my aspirations were way too far away from my grasp. Because of that, I became very impatient and perhaps tried too hard WITHOUT succeeding, but at the same time, I've become very discouraged, and every ounce of discouragement I felt just broke my heart.
Does this sound familiar to you?
In the midst of it all, I started going into therapy, slowly began to rebuild my character, my confidence, my spirit, but along the way, I slowly began to see life in a more positive light than I have before. All in all, I see my career as not only life-changing, but along the way, through my fears, I somehow found my strength and my courage to be able to keep myself moving forward. When I first started working with my business coach, Erin Cronican, I actually began to see a side to me that I never thought I had. That is when I began to think, "Geee, maybe I DO have a chance in this!"
The industry I chose to be apart of really puts all of these to the test not just for me, but for everyone involved in it. I've been told that the acting industry can break your heart, and you know what? It can, but I think what the hard part is for some is picking up those broken pieces over and over again and just continuing until they reach a certain goal in their careers.
This is why I want to blog about Gabrielle's book, "Add More ~ING To Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness". In her book, Gabrielle provides with you the tools that you need to being more positive, more confident, and more self-assured about the life you're living. She teaches you how to reach for your goals by stretching yourself further than you can imagine, gives you confidence in thinking big, and all the while, also helps you learn how to release your fears, your anger from the past, and any other bitterness that swarms in your head and blocks you from fullfilling your hopes and dreams.
When I first started reading this book, I noticed that not only was it psychological, but it was also spiritual. Gabrielle goes over meditating, releasing your past hurt and any doubts through with every breath you take. Discussing praying, not in a religious sense, though, but in more hip and cooler way, if you want my opinion! =) And of course, connecting with the Universe and reassures you that "the Universe has your back."
I find that it is important to work on ourselves, especially if you're an actor. There's a quote by Jane Lynch that always stuck out for me, personally, when she did an interview for AfterEllen.com, long before Glee. And that quote is:
"I would say stop worrying, and keep working on yourself. And when people ask me "How do I become an actor? How do I succeed?" I just say "there's no secret, just keep knowing yourself." You can apply that to any undertaking in life: the first thing you have to do is know yourself. Because without it you don't have your material, you're just making shit up."
Even 'til this day, I am still following Jane Lynch's advice and I keep on working on myself, challenging myself, learning, experimenting, and believe me, it's a process that's never-ending, but it doesn't have to be mind-boggling nor stressful. It can be a fun experience, an inspirational one if you look at the positive side to it all. But not everybody sees things that way, which is another reason to why I wanted to blog about this book. Not everybody also knows how to work on themselves, but I think Gabrielle's book can do just that! For me, it gave me new tips on how I could continue working on myself, how to keep my spirits up in this industry, and in life itself.
So, I hope, whoever is reading this, whether you are a happy soul or someone who wants to start rethinking, forgiving, focusing, or simply start listening to your "inner guide" and ignoring your "ego" (Gabrielle explains it all), you give this book a chance and start adding more ~ING to your life. Despite the spiritual essence to this book, there's no trickery or hocus pocus to this. This isn't also a book that is going to pick at your brain. It's a modern-day journey that leaves you inspired and makes you feel like you can take on anything in this world! I am SO GLAD I gave this book a chance, and I hope you do, too! =D
For more information about Gabrielle Bernstein, visit her website @ AddMoreIng.com
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
MUSIC: "Violet Sauce" by Namie Amuro
TIME: 6:39 PM
Lemme just start off by saying that I LOVE this song! =) The song can be purchased on ITunes, too! Namie Amuro is a Japanese (and one quarter Italian) Pop/R&B songstress, whom I absolutely adore! And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Japanese Pop/Rock/Goth, etc., etc., etc. It's a little something I became quite passionate about during my otaku days....and it all started with Ayumi Hamasaki and Miyavi (and I can thank my friend, Angel, for introducing me to Miyavi, too)!
Despite the fact that these are Japanese singers (and yes, they DO sing in Japanese only with a few English words and phrases thrown in there), they can be purchased on the American version of ITunes. I'm not fluent in Japanese, however, I do get a little bit of an idea of what the songs are about....or what they are singing about. I'm one of those people who takes pleasure in listening to forgein languages -- whether it is being spoken or sung. It's like music to my ears! =) And I'm probably one of the only few people I know of who don't mind watching forgein films with the English subtitles displayed on the bottom. Bottom line: I do recommend this music to anyone who is a music fanatic like myself, who loves to listen to something "different". Open your mind, people, and enjoy! =D
Anywho....
I have a book review to share with you later on in a separate blog, but before I share with you the really cool book I just got finished with yesterday when coming home from the city, I have a few minor things I'd like to "rave" about if you don't mind (hence the title).
I'm a make-up fanatic as well. I got in a tiny bit of trouble back in fifth grade on picture day by the principal when I wore this subtle shade of pink lipstick for my picture. I felt since I had to look nice for picture day, I HAD to wear make-up, because in my mind -- and even 'til this day -- I strongly do believe if you have to look "nice", you need to wear make-up - unless you're a straight dude or a uber Tomboy female. Don't get me started on make-up, please! If I can remember, I probably also snuck a little bit of light purple eyeshadow on me, too. Hmmm...
Since I am a fan of make-up and somewhat passionate about it, I do like to wander around in Sephora every now and then and check out their products. I really don't wear a lot of Sephora brands or most of the brands they sell. I, personally, am a MAC girl, however, I am not 100% faithful to MAC cosmetics. I also enjoy Urban Decay, Covergirl, Maybeline, and Bare Escentuals just as much, and I have a few things by NARS and Estee Lauder. However, I was in Sephora yesterday on 5th Ave. near 21st Street, only a few blocks away from Madison Square Park, checking out the lipglosses, just browsing - didn't need anything - and I stumbled upon a tube of lipstain by the Sephora brand. I never tried lipstain, because I thought it probably would keep your lips dry and chapped, especially in cold weather, but really...it didn't.
It's really cool, too, and suprisingly, my lips didn't get chapped or dried out despite the cold wind that swept through the skyscrapers and buildings in the city. Surprisingly, it kept my lips rather moist. It's called Sephora Brand Lush Flush Wine Lip & Cheek Stain, so you can use it on both your lips and your cheeks, which makes it extremely versatile! It's great, too, if you're not all into lipgloss and lipstick, because this stuff feels like air on your lips....and furthermore, it's great for both casual days and for a night out. The price isn't bad at all, either! And you can trick people into thinking it is a lipgloss by applying clear lipgloss over it. And if you find a contrasting shade of red lipstick, it makes the lipstick color BOLDER!
I guess you can say that as an actor, I do think it's somewhat important to know how to do make-up and know what your colors are - what works, what don't work, time periods, etc. It sounds rather cheesey, but it's something I, personally, believe, and I'm not saying this for the sake of looking "pretty" or glamorous, but I say it for the sake of looking presentable and professional. You want to avoid looking tacky and avoid wearing make-up that makes you look like a circus clown or John Cameron Mitchell in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch", but also, you don't want to look careless. For me, personally, any trip to the city that has ANYTHING to do with my career aspirations, I always check to make sure my make-up is close to me. Clothes are important, but the make-up -- UBER important!
Okay, one last thing, and then I'll do the book review!
It's Friday night, it's gonna snow heavily down here in Jersey, but I'm not bummed, because I'm in the mood for a little bit of "hibernating" tonight. I am a busy girl - a socialable girl, too, who tries to balance both my personal and professional life to the best of my ability, so I plan on relaxing, snacking on some baby carrots or Jolly Time popcorn, working on my second blog, work on my "Collected Stories" slides, and relax!
Book review coming up next!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
