MUSIC: "I'm Gonna Getcha Good" by Shania Twain
TIME: 8:36 PM
So, March is here, and the last time I blogged was back in February, which was fun with the last TweetUp, but March has been REALLY cool! March actually has brought me some small, but pretty interesting changes for me career-wise and in a way, has placed some deep thinking and some decision making onto my career plate.
For starters: I've been on Actors' Access for quite some time now, but I haven't subscribed to Showfax until just recently - Sunday night as a matter of fact! And as cheesey as this may sound, I am really excited that I did finally! And it's funny, because it wasn't as expensive as I thought it was going to be, it's actually very affordable, but me, I'm like extra cautious with money since I don't make buckets of it at my day job - enough to get me to New York to do my career and my sessions, though, and to pay my much-need bills. So, this is exciting for me! Yet at the same time, I really don't know how to navigate around the site all that great just yet, so I'm learning to do that! And I'm so totally digging the daily emails I'm getting from them for projects that match my profile.
Actors' Access is like the little black dress for actors - well, at least the actors I know. Every girl has a little black dress in her closet - every actor I know, by far, finds projects on Actors' Access. Showfax helps a huge great deal, because I can submitt for free since I'm a subscriber. It totally beats whipping my credit card out every time I submitt my headshot and resume! I love it!
So, now, I have a new agenda on my list: everyday, after work, I have to audition hunt or at least submitt my headshot and resume. Not sure where it will lead me, but I'm just so happy to be on there and to be subscribing to Showfax!
Class update: That's going REALLY well! I now officially have three monologues in my pocket! We are still working on the "Jenny Chow" monologue, because this is truly a very challenging monologue, and I try my best to lose my inhabitions by moving around. It's really awkward to move, but the key is not to be in my head and to go with my instincts. It sounds and it looks really easy, but it's not easy at all. Don't get me wrong, I love the learning process. For those who are connected to me on Facebook and on Twitter, you know how much I love rehearsing for class and how much I enjoy my work. I'm always ranting and raving how much I enjoy this part of my job. I think what it is is a matter of allowing myself to follow my instincts as a performer.
I also have to watch out getting caught in the habit of "face acting" - you know, when someone makes a certain facial expression just to show that they are mad or sad or annoyed or disgusted. I actually get irritated when actors do that. Not that I do that - thank goodness!
Another thing I need to work on is not sounding whiny. My last session, we started working on a scene, and the scene I chose was the one between Stuart Framingham and Prudence in "BEYOND THERAPY" by Christopher Durang, and, even I noticed this, I was sounding really whiny, but it was the first time we were giving the scene a shot together. So, I still need to work on it at home. Truth is, I can't stand whiny actors. You can complain in a scene without being whiny - really you can! I, seriously, wish I can physically remove my eardrums when I hear a whiny actor perform. It's really annoying.
I wish I can show you an example of what I'm trying to say here, but I can't right now at the moment. Maybe someday I will, once I figure out SoundCloud. But really, when I do this scene without the whiny, it sounds more authentic, and I actually have to so, I feel more human - more like a woman in her early thirties trying to have a normal therapy session than a bratty teenage girl talking to her BFF on the phone like, "Oh-mi-gawd...he was like a jerk...he commented on my breasts, he cried, and he has a boyfriend. It was really ridiculous!"
Actually, this is great! (I just realized this, too!) I am now able to point out my own weak spots in my performances! WOW! This is amazing! WHOO-HOO! Don't get me wrong, I still need my acting coach like any aspiring, new actor does, but to be able to spot your own faults in a performance -- oh my goodness, this is awesome! Far cry from when I first started out, too!
**SO, SO, SO, SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!**
Then again, my acting coach IS the best in the city, so he deserves the credit for that!
Another note on class: As you may know, I am a Meisner actor. Ever since I stepped foot in New York, I've been studying Meisner and I swear by it as a performer. Great technique - love, love, LOVE Meisner! Apparently, I am doing better and improving in class that I was asked to start taking the technique classes on Tuesday nights. I think it's a beginners' class, which works good for me! But before I make a final decision (not that it really IS a big decision in general), I was recommended this book called THE SANFORD MEISNER APPROACH by Larry Silverberg, who is a well-known Meisner acting coach. I'm not sure where he is located, though.
Anywho, he wrote this series of workbooks that focus on the Meisner technique, and it's really cool! Workbook One is the one I'm reading now and it goes over the lessons what my coach does in the beginner's technique class. Now, I've done technique before with my coach, but since I took time off, it's nice to have my memory refreshed. Like, "Oh yeah...I remember that!"
See, a lot of people outside of the industry don't realize this, but training is essential as an actor, and the training we do is constant. It never stops! Even seasoned actors need to be in training, because performing is an exercise. You need to have a basic up-keep on it and if you don't, you will lose out on so much. Actually, I'm not sure even if people within our industry realize that!
I love the part of my job. I love the learning process, and I guess I showcase that a lot in my blog. Aaaah, the enthusiasm of a beginner! Right? =)
Well, I'm not sure how great of a performer I am, but I am doing better. Slowly, but surely, but that's the pace I move. I do take my time, but I don't slack off. Sometimes if you do take your time, you learn faster than you think you do. Whereas when you rush, you miss out, and the learning process becomes more painful and takes longer. Believe me - I'm talking from experience on that one, too! But going back to the Larry Silverberg books, I am willing to read all of them once I'm finished with the first workbook.
I LOVE being studious! =D
Final note: I am wondering about my website right now. I have been comtemplating on getting photographs solely for my website, but I'm not sure if it's something I truly need to worry about at the moment. Someday, though. I do have a photographer in mind for the job, too, and I absolutely like this photographer's work. Not giving the name out yet. I think I even talked to this photographer about the idea last time I networked. Not sure.
Also, along with figuring out Actors' Access, I am going to someday jump aboard the FLICKR train -- it will sure in hell beat manually doing the photo gallery on my site with the codes and whatnot. Not that I'm lazy, but it will do me good, I think! It's also a matter of finding the time to actually do this, too!
Also, I'm thinking of starting a second blog, because I do enjoy reading, and I figured that I should probably start a blog doing book reviews. See, I think it's REALLY important for actors to read, especially books about the people who've helped shaped our industry, different crafts, the business, etc. It makes me really sad and kind of pisses me off when I hear people say they hate reading and that they find it boring. But as actors, we need to read! MUST read!
So, when I find the time, I think I'm going to start a book review blog! =)
Ohhh....
ONE MORE THNG: I'm OFFICALLY saving money to move up to New York City! YES! I am going to leave Jersey for good! I'm not sure exactly when I'm moving to New York, but hopefully, within a year, I will be up there!
April 4th, is the next NY Actor's TweetUp! I can't wait for that! Not sure what the TweetUps are? Check these two past blogs out: MIND CANDY 031 and MIND CANDY 024.
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
TIME: 8:36 PM
I love this song! *points up* I think it's sexy and tasteful at the same time! *giggles* Very rare combination now-a-days, don'tcha think? I am a HUGE music lover! I love all genres, although country isn't on the top of my list of favorites. And in all honestly, I can never blog without music playing. It's great!
So, March is here, and the last time I blogged was back in February, which was fun with the last TweetUp, but March has been REALLY cool! March actually has brought me some small, but pretty interesting changes for me career-wise and in a way, has placed some deep thinking and some decision making onto my career plate. Actors' Access is like the little black dress for actors - well, at least the actors I know. Every girl has a little black dress in her closet - every actor I know, by far, finds projects on Actors' Access. Showfax helps a huge great deal, because I can submitt for free since I'm a subscriber. It totally beats whipping my credit card out every time I submitt my headshot and resume! I love it!
So, now, I have a new agenda on my list: everyday, after work, I have to audition hunt or at least submitt my headshot and resume. Not sure where it will lead me, but I'm just so happy to be on there and to be subscribing to Showfax!
Class update: That's going REALLY well! I now officially have three monologues in my pocket! We are still working on the "Jenny Chow" monologue, because this is truly a very challenging monologue, and I try my best to lose my inhabitions by moving around. It's really awkward to move, but the key is not to be in my head and to go with my instincts. It sounds and it looks really easy, but it's not easy at all. Don't get me wrong, I love the learning process. For those who are connected to me on Facebook and on Twitter, you know how much I love rehearsing for class and how much I enjoy my work. I'm always ranting and raving how much I enjoy this part of my job. I think what it is is a matter of allowing myself to follow my instincts as a performer.
I also have to watch out getting caught in the habit of "face acting" - you know, when someone makes a certain facial expression just to show that they are mad or sad or annoyed or disgusted. I actually get irritated when actors do that. Not that I do that - thank goodness!
Another thing I need to work on is not sounding whiny. My last session, we started working on a scene, and the scene I chose was the one between Stuart Framingham and Prudence in "BEYOND THERAPY" by Christopher Durang, and, even I noticed this, I was sounding really whiny, but it was the first time we were giving the scene a shot together. So, I still need to work on it at home. Truth is, I can't stand whiny actors. You can complain in a scene without being whiny - really you can! I, seriously, wish I can physically remove my eardrums when I hear a whiny actor perform. It's really annoying.
I wish I can show you an example of what I'm trying to say here, but I can't right now at the moment. Maybe someday I will, once I figure out SoundCloud. But really, when I do this scene without the whiny, it sounds more authentic, and I actually have to so, I feel more human - more like a woman in her early thirties trying to have a normal therapy session than a bratty teenage girl talking to her BFF on the phone like, "Oh-mi-gawd...he was like a jerk...he commented on my breasts, he cried, and he has a boyfriend. It was really ridiculous!"
Actually, this is great! (I just realized this, too!) I am now able to point out my own weak spots in my performances! WOW! This is amazing! WHOO-HOO! Don't get me wrong, I still need my acting coach like any aspiring, new actor does, but to be able to spot your own faults in a performance -- oh my goodness, this is awesome! Far cry from when I first started out, too!
**SO, SO, SO, SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!**
Then again, my acting coach IS the best in the city, so he deserves the credit for that!
Another note on class: As you may know, I am a Meisner actor. Ever since I stepped foot in New York, I've been studying Meisner and I swear by it as a performer. Great technique - love, love, LOVE Meisner! Apparently, I am doing better and improving in class that I was asked to start taking the technique classes on Tuesday nights. I think it's a beginners' class, which works good for me! But before I make a final decision (not that it really IS a big decision in general), I was recommended this book called THE SANFORD MEISNER APPROACH by Larry Silverberg, who is a well-known Meisner acting coach. I'm not sure where he is located, though.
Anywho, he wrote this series of workbooks that focus on the Meisner technique, and it's really cool! Workbook One is the one I'm reading now and it goes over the lessons what my coach does in the beginner's technique class. Now, I've done technique before with my coach, but since I took time off, it's nice to have my memory refreshed. Like, "Oh yeah...I remember that!"
See, a lot of people outside of the industry don't realize this, but training is essential as an actor, and the training we do is constant. It never stops! Even seasoned actors need to be in training, because performing is an exercise. You need to have a basic up-keep on it and if you don't, you will lose out on so much. Actually, I'm not sure even if people within our industry realize that!
I love the part of my job. I love the learning process, and I guess I showcase that a lot in my blog. Aaaah, the enthusiasm of a beginner! Right? =)
Well, I'm not sure how great of a performer I am, but I am doing better. Slowly, but surely, but that's the pace I move. I do take my time, but I don't slack off. Sometimes if you do take your time, you learn faster than you think you do. Whereas when you rush, you miss out, and the learning process becomes more painful and takes longer. Believe me - I'm talking from experience on that one, too! But going back to the Larry Silverberg books, I am willing to read all of them once I'm finished with the first workbook.
I LOVE being studious! =D
Final note: I am wondering about my website right now. I have been comtemplating on getting photographs solely for my website, but I'm not sure if it's something I truly need to worry about at the moment. Someday, though. I do have a photographer in mind for the job, too, and I absolutely like this photographer's work. Not giving the name out yet. I think I even talked to this photographer about the idea last time I networked. Not sure.
Also, along with figuring out Actors' Access, I am going to someday jump aboard the FLICKR train -- it will sure in hell beat manually doing the photo gallery on my site with the codes and whatnot. Not that I'm lazy, but it will do me good, I think! It's also a matter of finding the time to actually do this, too!
Also, I'm thinking of starting a second blog, because I do enjoy reading, and I figured that I should probably start a blog doing book reviews. See, I think it's REALLY important for actors to read, especially books about the people who've helped shaped our industry, different crafts, the business, etc. It makes me really sad and kind of pisses me off when I hear people say they hate reading and that they find it boring. But as actors, we need to read! MUST read!
So, when I find the time, I think I'm going to start a book review blog! =)
Ohhh....
ONE MORE THNG: I'm OFFICALLY saving money to move up to New York City! YES! I am going to leave Jersey for good! I'm not sure exactly when I'm moving to New York, but hopefully, within a year, I will be up there!
April 4th, is the next NY Actor's TweetUp! I can't wait for that! Not sure what the TweetUps are? Check these two past blogs out: MIND CANDY 031 and MIND CANDY 024.
That's enough candy for now!
Cristina
http://www.cristinacho.net/
