MUSIC: "Break My Stride" by Matthew Wilder
TIME: 4:52 PM
*ahem* I am actually playing this song for a reason for this blog! You will see why! =)
However, looking on the bright side to the experience, it was nice to meet other people, even though I didn't really meet a lot of people.
My answer: "I think my personality is my greatest strength."
When I was younger and when I was studying acting in college down in Jersey, I always thought that actors HAD to be outgoing, loud, and never shy. I used to think that being "thick skinned" meant not being vulnerable or hurt. I was even told by someone that all actors are "snotty" (well, that's not very nice! *wah wah waaah*). But since the New York life has begun, I found out that I was wrong about us! Not all actors are outgoing. We're still human with real human emotions. And I have met only a few actors who I would say are.....well, let's put it this way, they need a big slice of humble pie!
I will say, there are just some actors who have that spark or personality that draws people to them like flies, and as I observe that, I notice that the person they are drawn to has personality! One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten came from Matthew Sussman, who did my headshots back in 2009. He told me that you have to be courteous, and I totally get what he is saying! An actor with polished manners is a good thing, which goes to my explaination to why networking IS important!
I am surprised and actually pretty saddened to hear my actor peers say they hate networking. I don't get why, either! Okay, so maybe you're a painfully shy actor, so networking must make you feel uptight, right? Maybe some actors fear that self-promoting themselves is making them seem like arrogant? Maybe some actors just don't want to be bothered by the business side of our industry and rather dive into the performance part? The actors who don't care for networking say they don't like to "sell themselves" or "kiss butt" or anything along those lines. I, on the other hand, LOVE networking! I don't see it as creating a fanbase or promoting myself at all. I don't know if that's what networking really IS about, but I sure in hell don't see it that way. I see it more as making a new friend, a learning experience, learning about life, because you're meeting somebody new and someone who is different than you, in that matter, who has the same interest as you.
Also, I love to find like-minded people such as myself, people are high spirited! One of my personality traits is that I'm usually very optimistic, very determined, and very driven. Take my last monologue session for example: I didn't nail it the way I hoped to, so I really bummed, but at the same time, I thought, "Well, next time, I'm gonna do better! Just gotta work harder!" *crosses fingers* So, I always try to find positive people like myself to mix and mingle with! Luckily, I have been successful in that deparment! =)
I'm not going to lie, I often do wonder if me being lighthearted and positive all the time is a flaw or makes me sound too naive, because this IS a very tough business to be in. I understand what I'm putting myself into, no doubt, and I've heard the stories. I do come off as open with lots of childlike enthusiasm, but the truth is, I am also very, very shrewd, too. (Believe me - if I don't have a good feeling about something, I do say no and I do walk away from it). However, that, I guess, sets me apart from most actors. Positivity does help as long as you're still realistic! Also, it helps you pull through, doesn't it? Now, you see why I'm listening to this song, too! =D
That's what sets ALL of us apart from each other - our personalities - and as an actor (even at the beginning stage like me), it is my job to apply elements of my personality not only as a performer, but also as a business person as well! So, I use my personality as a marketing tool for myself. In many ways, you have to! I enjoy networking very much, but also, it's my job! That's why I do it! I don't think of it that way, but I also don't think of it as a huge party as well. Either way - it is my job! *shrug*
Actually, everything I do in my career IS my job, including updating my website and doing blog entries for this, but it's the job I actually enjoy doing! Pretty cool, huh? =D
So, after the THE SAVVY ACTOR seminar and a hot cocoa at Cafe Grumpy in Chelsea, I roamed the city, had chicken Caesar salad at Cafe Metro near Grand Central Station (that made me feel like I wanted to explode afterwards -- romaine lettuce really stuffs you!), changed my make-up from daytime look to evening look, I went to my fourth New York Actors' TweetUp event at Pig & Whistle on 36th near 7th and 8th Ave., which is hosted by Erin Cronican, my business coach, and Marissa Mutascio. This is actually a HUGE networking even that Erin and Marissa came up back in June of last year, and is always a fun thing to be apart of, especially if you're a social butterfly and networking lover like me!
I was really excited to be at this one, because there was like sixty people or more at this one, and we took OVER the ENTIRE Pig & Whistle! I swear, it was packed, because of us! I even tweeted one point on my Twitter page and even on Facebook that I was (quote):
Oooooooooh, I am having fun tonight!!!! But I feel like I'm in a can of sardines! =D
It was such a great event, and I really loved introducing my colleagues to each other and to Alan, my acting coach, and telling them a little bit about my experiences working with both him and Erin! I also loved meeting new people, of course, and hearing what they had to say about acting, their personal projects, and their love for the industry! Real magical night! Loved every minute of it!
And to tell you the truth: That's what networking REALLY is and should be about! Simple and straight to the point with lots of passion, enthusiasm, and excitement!
Now, since I really don't go into great, great, GREAT details about the TweetUps, I am going to give direct you to a couple of links:
If you're on Facebook and want to view photos of the past TweetUps, join the NY ACTORS TWEETUP FACEBOOK GROUP, by clicking here! Also, if you join, you will be able to be invited to future TweetUps by Erin and Marissa.
If you're on Twitter, you can follow them via Twitter @NYActorsTweetUp
No website yet!
Now, no worries, there's also one in LA, and you can view their website at http://www.laactorstweetup.com/ and follow them on Twitter @LAActorsTweetUp
And if you're in London, you can go the London Actors TweetUp @UKActorsTweetup
I highly recommend this and I know, whoever is reading this, will have an amazing time!
Okay, I gotta go and work on my monologue! Can't wait 'til Thursday - hope you all join the groups and follow the Twitter pages! Oh and before I go, just one more thing: If I met you last night, I AM on Twitter, so please follow me @cristina_cho - I promise to reciprocate!!!!! =D
Reeeeeeally I do! XD
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
TIME: 4:52 PM
*ahem* I am actually playing this song for a reason for this blog! You will see why! =)
New York Actors' TweetUp Feb. 07, 2011
Okay, yesterday, I had two networking events. Well, the first one wasn't so much a networking event - it was more of a seminar, but hey, seminars and workshops also require a little bit of networking, don't they? And the great thing about seminars and workshops: MOST of them are free! =D Well, at least the ones I've been to by far in New York are!
A friend and colleague of mine invited me to a free seminar earlier in the day called FIND YOUR MISSING LINK by THE SAVVY ACTOR, which she found on ActorRated.com. At first, I thought it was going to be a small, free networking party, but it happened to turn out to be a seminar and introduction to what their business was all about. THE SAVVY ACTOR is run by Kevin Urban and Jodie Bently, and basically what they are are...business coaches. It was a nice small event....with only a small amount of people, including myself. I thought it was good, but not for me, personally, because I am very happy with working with Erin Cronican, so I'm going to stick with her.
During the small seminar, Kevin went around and asked questions, and one of his questions was, "What do you think is your greatest strength?"
I often wonder if personality is what helps you most in the business, and I don't mean strutting around New York as if you own the city. I mean, no one should be allowed to get away with that unless they're Donald Trump or Jay Z or Diddy. My personality is actually kind of complicated to figure out sometimes. People who know me well know that I LOVE meeting new people and that I am a social butterfly. Even down in Jersey, when I'm with my personal friends, I'm always up for a good time and to meeting new people! I just LOVE it! However, at the same time, I'm actually pretty shy. It doesn't take me long to warm up and feel comfortable in big crowds, but I still have that introverted streak in me. Sure, I do go into networking events wondering if others will like me, but I don't expect to win fans or anything like that.
New York Actors' TweetUp Feb. 07, 2011
Besides that, I like to learn more about others from all different walks of life, which is one of the reasons why I became an actor. I enjoy exchanging conversations with others about the things we are passionate about like older movies, plays we love, projects we are working on, etc. Believe it or not, I'm not always comfortable talking to my colleagues about projects I am working on all too much, but others DO ask, and I ask them, so....sharing is caring, people! =)
When I was younger and when I was studying acting in college down in Jersey, I always thought that actors HAD to be outgoing, loud, and never shy. I used to think that being "thick skinned" meant not being vulnerable or hurt. I was even told by someone that all actors are "snotty" (well, that's not very nice! *wah wah waaah*). But since the New York life has begun, I found out that I was wrong about us! Not all actors are outgoing. We're still human with real human emotions. And I have met only a few actors who I would say are.....well, let's put it this way, they need a big slice of humble pie!
I will say, there are just some actors who have that spark or personality that draws people to them like flies, and as I observe that, I notice that the person they are drawn to has personality! One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten came from Matthew Sussman, who did my headshots back in 2009. He told me that you have to be courteous, and I totally get what he is saying! An actor with polished manners is a good thing, which goes to my explaination to why networking IS important!
I am surprised and actually pretty saddened to hear my actor peers say they hate networking. I don't get why, either! Okay, so maybe you're a painfully shy actor, so networking must make you feel uptight, right? Maybe some actors fear that self-promoting themselves is making them seem like arrogant? Maybe some actors just don't want to be bothered by the business side of our industry and rather dive into the performance part? The actors who don't care for networking say they don't like to "sell themselves" or "kiss butt" or anything along those lines. I, on the other hand, LOVE networking! I don't see it as creating a fanbase or promoting myself at all. I don't know if that's what networking really IS about, but I sure in hell don't see it that way. I see it more as making a new friend, a learning experience, learning about life, because you're meeting somebody new and someone who is different than you, in that matter, who has the same interest as you.
Also, I love to find like-minded people such as myself, people are high spirited! One of my personality traits is that I'm usually very optimistic, very determined, and very driven. Take my last monologue session for example: I didn't nail it the way I hoped to, so I really bummed, but at the same time, I thought, "Well, next time, I'm gonna do better! Just gotta work harder!" *crosses fingers* So, I always try to find positive people like myself to mix and mingle with! Luckily, I have been successful in that deparment! =)
I'm not going to lie, I often do wonder if me being lighthearted and positive all the time is a flaw or makes me sound too naive, because this IS a very tough business to be in. I understand what I'm putting myself into, no doubt, and I've heard the stories. I do come off as open with lots of childlike enthusiasm, but the truth is, I am also very, very shrewd, too. (Believe me - if I don't have a good feeling about something, I do say no and I do walk away from it). However, that, I guess, sets me apart from most actors. Positivity does help as long as you're still realistic! Also, it helps you pull through, doesn't it? Now, you see why I'm listening to this song, too! =D
That's what sets ALL of us apart from each other - our personalities - and as an actor (even at the beginning stage like me), it is my job to apply elements of my personality not only as a performer, but also as a business person as well! So, I use my personality as a marketing tool for myself. In many ways, you have to! I enjoy networking very much, but also, it's my job! That's why I do it! I don't think of it that way, but I also don't think of it as a huge party as well. Either way - it is my job! *shrug*
Actually, everything I do in my career IS my job, including updating my website and doing blog entries for this, but it's the job I actually enjoy doing! Pretty cool, huh? =D
With Zach Woobensmith @ the New York Actors' TweetUp on Feb. 07th, 2011
So, after the THE SAVVY ACTOR seminar and a hot cocoa at Cafe Grumpy in Chelsea, I roamed the city, had chicken Caesar salad at Cafe Metro near Grand Central Station (that made me feel like I wanted to explode afterwards -- romaine lettuce really stuffs you!), changed my make-up from daytime look to evening look, I went to my fourth New York Actors' TweetUp event at Pig & Whistle on 36th near 7th and 8th Ave., which is hosted by Erin Cronican, my business coach, and Marissa Mutascio. This is actually a HUGE networking even that Erin and Marissa came up back in June of last year, and is always a fun thing to be apart of, especially if you're a social butterfly and networking lover like me!
I was really excited to be at this one, because there was like sixty people or more at this one, and we took OVER the ENTIRE Pig & Whistle! I swear, it was packed, because of us! I even tweeted one point on my Twitter page and even on Facebook that I was (quote):
Oooooooooh, I am having fun tonight!!!! But I feel like I'm in a can of sardines! =D
It was such a great event, and I really loved introducing my colleagues to each other and to Alan, my acting coach, and telling them a little bit about my experiences working with both him and Erin! I also loved meeting new people, of course, and hearing what they had to say about acting, their personal projects, and their love for the industry! Real magical night! Loved every minute of it!
And to tell you the truth: That's what networking REALLY is and should be about! Simple and straight to the point with lots of passion, enthusiasm, and excitement!
Now, since I really don't go into great, great, GREAT details about the TweetUps, I am going to give direct you to a couple of links:
If you're on Facebook and want to view photos of the past TweetUps, join the NY ACTORS TWEETUP FACEBOOK GROUP, by clicking here! Also, if you join, you will be able to be invited to future TweetUps by Erin and Marissa.
If you're on Twitter, you can follow them via Twitter @NYActorsTweetUp
No website yet!
Now, no worries, there's also one in LA, and you can view their website at http://www.laactorstweetup.com/ and follow them on Twitter @LAActorsTweetUp
And if you're in London, you can go the London Actors TweetUp @UKActorsTweetup
I highly recommend this and I know, whoever is reading this, will have an amazing time!
Okay, I gotta go and work on my monologue! Can't wait 'til Thursday - hope you all join the groups and follow the Twitter pages! Oh and before I go, just one more thing: If I met you last night, I AM on Twitter, so please follow me @cristina_cho - I promise to reciprocate!!!!! =D
Reeeeeeally I do! XD
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
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