As I leave to go to an audition in the Burg after 2 solid days of festive parties and slutty outfits and alien duct tape hands and wild passionate events, I looked at an old LJ entry from 2005.
And what stood out was that a long time ago, when Facebook was merely a shadow of its current abominable form, I made a fan group for my favorite movie of all time, "Moulin Rouge." It was called "Moulin Rouge is like sex, but less depressing." And one day as I was doing adminish things, I noticed a new group member, who had blocked all their profile information. Now this was before you could join groups from other schools. So when I saw this person's name, it could really have been no other. Yes, that fateful day Ashley Olsen joined my Facebook group.
Just thought I'd share that important story with the world. Off to show some people some acting.
Oh, and tomorrow I'm background in a movie and we're shooting in a cemetery, and our holding area is a mofo-ing CRYPT! Awesome/creepy/blasphemous.
Showing posts with label extras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label extras. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
T.A.B. at the Manhattan Rep!
Where have I gone, you say? I have been balls deep in rehearsals for T.A.B. and it opens tonight! So I have resurfaced to give some details to those on the Internets who would like to come.
Presented by the Manhattan Rep, T.A.B. is a surreal examination of a true story. In 2000, an MIT student named Elizabeth Shin was found burning alive in her dorm room and suicide by self-immolation was discussed as the cause. Like so many Korean-Americans and people of all ethnicities with immigrant parents, Elizabeth suffered from an inability to reconcile her parent's heritage with the American society that consumed her life. After having mono in high school, she missed a Physics test that contributed to her only being Salutorian, not Valedictorian--something her parents also attributed to racism and Elizabeth's laziness. One day after her family visited her at MIT with groceries and stories of home, Elizabeth lit some candles, wrote in her journal a macabre entry about how yoga is the only way she was able to feel relaxed, and the next minute she went up in flames. Like a Buddhist monk she became an offering, a sacrifice.
Playwright Susan Pak read a NY Times article about Elizabeth and it prompted her to write: about Elizabeth, about Koreans, about Americans, and the imagery and words flow on the page like a stream-of-consciousness from someone on the verge of a great discovery.
It's fun. It's insightful. It's heartbreaking. But most of all, it's something that I don't think has been done in theatre before. If you want to argue that point with me, why don't you come see for yourself? (see what I did there?)
Also, you might be wondering why myself, as a Whitey McWhiterton, is anywhere near this play. As well as Erin the producer, I've been with this project since its first New York premiere playing this part of the semi-retarded and totally clueless roommate. Growing up with 60% of my friends Asian really informed how I worked on this character...I was indeed the white friend, but I can only hope I treated my friends better than Kathy treats Victoria. And the worst part is that Kathy's insensitivity is never intentional.
So go to manhattanrep.com to find out more and to listen to a podcast our director Tracy recorded with the Artistic Dir of Manhattan Rep. For tickets you can call (646) 329-6588. We go up tonight at 8pm, and tomorrow and Friday at 6:30pm. Seating is VERY limited, it is black to the box. And if you're industry and wanna come, first of all, hey! And second of all, just call the number and mention you're industry and you should be able to get comps. One caveat: apparently they check business cards when you show up to get a comp ticket. Sketchy much?
In other news, I shot a short little piece for a Columbia grad student a few days ago about...dun dun DUN....abortions! That was a lot of fun, actually. I got the call to do it last minute so I went from eatin nachos on my couch to crying on a stranger's bathroom floor in about an hour. Ah, the actor's life.
Finally, I was an extra in a movie with a star type person last week, and it was my first experience with a name actor being a total douchebag to everyone. She was such a bitch. And we weren't paid, and kept there hours longer than we were promised we would be out by, and they ran out of food. Serves me right for working on a non-union, unpaid job. I learned my lesson though. But luckily I was able to make friends!
The End?
Presented by the Manhattan Rep, T.A.B. is a surreal examination of a true story. In 2000, an MIT student named Elizabeth Shin was found burning alive in her dorm room and suicide by self-immolation was discussed as the cause. Like so many Korean-Americans and people of all ethnicities with immigrant parents, Elizabeth suffered from an inability to reconcile her parent's heritage with the American society that consumed her life. After having mono in high school, she missed a Physics test that contributed to her only being Salutorian, not Valedictorian--something her parents also attributed to racism and Elizabeth's laziness. One day after her family visited her at MIT with groceries and stories of home, Elizabeth lit some candles, wrote in her journal a macabre entry about how yoga is the only way she was able to feel relaxed, and the next minute she went up in flames. Like a Buddhist monk she became an offering, a sacrifice.
Playwright Susan Pak read a NY Times article about Elizabeth and it prompted her to write: about Elizabeth, about Koreans, about Americans, and the imagery and words flow on the page like a stream-of-consciousness from someone on the verge of a great discovery.
It's fun. It's insightful. It's heartbreaking. But most of all, it's something that I don't think has been done in theatre before. If you want to argue that point with me, why don't you come see for yourself? (see what I did there?)
Also, you might be wondering why myself, as a Whitey McWhiterton, is anywhere near this play. As well as Erin the producer, I've been with this project since its first New York premiere playing this part of the semi-retarded and totally clueless roommate. Growing up with 60% of my friends Asian really informed how I worked on this character...I was indeed the white friend, but I can only hope I treated my friends better than Kathy treats Victoria. And the worst part is that Kathy's insensitivity is never intentional.
So go to manhattanrep.com to find out more and to listen to a podcast our director Tracy recorded with the Artistic Dir of Manhattan Rep. For tickets you can call (646) 329-6588. We go up tonight at 8pm, and tomorrow and Friday at 6:30pm. Seating is VERY limited, it is black to the box. And if you're industry and wanna come, first of all, hey! And second of all, just call the number and mention you're industry and you should be able to get comps. One caveat: apparently they check business cards when you show up to get a comp ticket. Sketchy much?
In other news, I shot a short little piece for a Columbia grad student a few days ago about...dun dun DUN....abortions! That was a lot of fun, actually. I got the call to do it last minute so I went from eatin nachos on my couch to crying on a stranger's bathroom floor in about an hour. Ah, the actor's life.
Finally, I was an extra in a movie with a star type person last week, and it was my first experience with a name actor being a total douchebag to everyone. She was such a bitch. And we weren't paid, and kept there hours longer than we were promised we would be out by, and they ran out of food. Serves me right for working on a non-union, unpaid job. I learned my lesson though. But luckily I was able to make friends!
The End?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I have a few updates.
First off, and I am the last person to get on this, but Michael Jackson was amazing and I'm still speechless that he's gone. My first memory of him is watching the "Thriller" video around age 5 and being too scared to move. And also, being strangely awed by the zombie dancers. It will now officially be my wedding dance (should I ever tie the knot) (hint hint Jason!)
Okay so I guess I'll break this down by shoot, since I've done THREE in two days. Oy!
Sunday I played an office worker in "Happythankyoumoreplease", a from-what-I-could-glean-off-the-two-scenes-I-saw delightful movie involving the most adorable little boy EVER TO EXIST. We were kinda buddies and chatted about Teddy Grahams....I hope he gets famous. Although it was a long shoot, we were fed very well (FREE SHAKE SHACK OMGGGG) and were treated so nicely by the production people. Seriously, they were all equally awesome. Especially Pooch, one of the ADs. Pooch is the man. And me and the other 4 extras had our own special adventures since we were basically left to entertain ourselves all day. Good times. And hopefully, as long as the sequence isn't cut, I'll be in a movie! Look for a lame girl filing papers and typing on the computer as the little boy roams around the office. Or just go see the movie with me, I'll squeal at the appropriate time.
Then Monday I went to a shoot for a movie called Bitter Feast which was admittedly not as awesome (which you can't fault them for, it's just that I didn't have a brief run-in with Richard Jenkins like I had on Sunday). They also paid me, which, I mean, money, cash money!!! I'm poor. THE James LeGros was the lead in that and heartily entertained us while we pretending to be watching a cooking show.
Then, oh then....I headed to the shoot for the pilot of "Bartender Wars", premiering in a few months on the Fine Living Network (WTF). I was there from 2-11:30, and was constantly drinking and eating free food. Actor's paradise? Perhaps. For fear of ruining the fun, just watch that episode. Me, Sarah G, and K Hoff are basically the stars. We were front and center of the bar the whole shoot! And I got into a "confrontation" (not completely staged in any way at all). Besides the warring bartenders of course...all of whom were great sports and fun/interesting people, as you would expect NYC bartenders to be. AND 2 of my extra buddies from Sunday were at this shoot too! Getting drunk for the sake of sacred, sacred reality tv. Oh and Egypt (the host) LOVED Sarah. It was hilarious. And whaddya know, I actually remember it and didn't have nary a headache the next day (a big deal for me, 2 Beer Giolzetti)
Yesterday I stopped by the Apollo to take in the madness. It was surreal, "Beat It" was blasting from the heavens it seemed, and I was shoved and given "why is this white person here" looks...but it didn't matter. I walked by it, looked up at that iconic sign, and waved goodbye to one of my idols. RIP everyone.....even poor Billy Mays.
My next blog will hopefully be from sweet home San Diego, where I am going to recharge and de-stress--much needed after a string of very painful rejections. Speaking of rejection, my last audition before vacation is tomorrow!!! Woohoo. No I really am excited, just...tired. Obviously. Look at my last few days--sheesh!
OH! And check out the episode I shot for Z Rock this Sunday at 11pm on the IFC!!! I'm the blur of a person walking by.
Okay so I guess I'll break this down by shoot, since I've done THREE in two days. Oy!
Sunday I played an office worker in "Happythankyoumoreplease", a from-what-I-could-glean-off-the-two-scenes-I-saw delightful movie involving the most adorable little boy EVER TO EXIST. We were kinda buddies and chatted about Teddy Grahams....I hope he gets famous. Although it was a long shoot, we were fed very well (FREE SHAKE SHACK OMGGGG) and were treated so nicely by the production people. Seriously, they were all equally awesome. Especially Pooch, one of the ADs. Pooch is the man. And me and the other 4 extras had our own special adventures since we were basically left to entertain ourselves all day. Good times. And hopefully, as long as the sequence isn't cut, I'll be in a movie! Look for a lame girl filing papers and typing on the computer as the little boy roams around the office. Or just go see the movie with me, I'll squeal at the appropriate time.
Then Monday I went to a shoot for a movie called Bitter Feast which was admittedly not as awesome (which you can't fault them for, it's just that I didn't have a brief run-in with Richard Jenkins like I had on Sunday). They also paid me, which, I mean, money, cash money!!! I'm poor. THE James LeGros was the lead in that and heartily entertained us while we pretending to be watching a cooking show.
Then, oh then....I headed to the shoot for the pilot of "Bartender Wars", premiering in a few months on the Fine Living Network (WTF). I was there from 2-11:30, and was constantly drinking and eating free food. Actor's paradise? Perhaps. For fear of ruining the fun, just watch that episode. Me, Sarah G, and K Hoff are basically the stars. We were front and center of the bar the whole shoot! And I got into a "confrontation" (not completely staged in any way at all). Besides the warring bartenders of course...all of whom were great sports and fun/interesting people, as you would expect NYC bartenders to be. AND 2 of my extra buddies from Sunday were at this shoot too! Getting drunk for the sake of sacred, sacred reality tv. Oh and Egypt (the host) LOVED Sarah. It was hilarious. And whaddya know, I actually remember it and didn't have nary a headache the next day (a big deal for me, 2 Beer Giolzetti)
Yesterday I stopped by the Apollo to take in the madness. It was surreal, "Beat It" was blasting from the heavens it seemed, and I was shoved and given "why is this white person here" looks...but it didn't matter. I walked by it, looked up at that iconic sign, and waved goodbye to one of my idols. RIP everyone.....even poor Billy Mays.
My next blog will hopefully be from sweet home San Diego, where I am going to recharge and de-stress--much needed after a string of very painful rejections. Speaking of rejection, my last audition before vacation is tomorrow!!! Woohoo. No I really am excited, just...tired. Obviously. Look at my last few days--sheesh!
OH! And check out the episode I shot for Z Rock this Sunday at 11pm on the IFC!!! I'm the blur of a person walking by.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Does Having A Giant Picture of My Face on Here Make Me A Megalomaniac?
So while admitting defeat is not my strong suit, *sigh*, I'm leaving New York. It's too much right now.
Okay I'm only leaving for two weeks but still, for me, that's a while.
It's not that I'm not working. Work comes in waves, is unpredictable, and most definitely has a lot of downtime in between. And it's not constant rejection because let's be honest, at this point, when I've been acting competitively for 15 years, I'm used to being judged on the spot and rejected on the spot. It's the close calls that are killing me right now. I just can't seal the deal. I had a terrible audition yesterday and the people had nothing to do with it, they were so pleasant and encouraging and nice...I just wasn't doing it right. And I could feel myself sucking and couldn't stop. No do-overs. The least I could do was smile and hope they saw something of my craft in the proverbial dump I took and call me back for another chance. And, of course, today came and went with nary a call.
I AM GETTING SO CLOSE! What's wrong with me?
I would be a lot less sad if I hadn't received a hefty commercial check in the mail today. Seriously how would I have survived this last year without that job? God bless you House Production & Casting! One day of work literally paid my rent for a year. Well, two auditions, a whole lotta luck, and a 12 hour shooting day starting at 2:30am but who's complaining? Seriously House, I love you. Call me sometimes? I owe you dinner. Yes, the whole office.
Speaking of phone calls, where is my freelance agent lady friend? Has she gone away? Or have I done something egregious?
Here's a thought: stop waiting for something to happen to you and do it your freaking self, you drama queen. I said to myself.
I would be at the Gay Pride March tomorrow in some horrendousfierceinappropriate getup Sunday but alas, I have a JOB in a MOVIE! A real live movie! An unpaid, extra job in a movie but still, this is gonna be my first time on a big movie set and I'm gonna take it all in/get bored and read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (thanks Jason!). More details after the shoot, in case, you know, they see me when I show up and determine I am in no shape to be in a real movie.
And how about that storm today? Hoo baby! And there's a giant hole in the ceiling where water poured out! That's hilarious and fun to deal with! Especially when water is pouring out of it at a comically fast rate! I'm being sarcastic! It was Terrible! I couldn't cook cause I used all my pots and pans for the leaks :(
Not that I would cook anyway, ha.
Okay I'm only leaving for two weeks but still, for me, that's a while.
It's not that I'm not working. Work comes in waves, is unpredictable, and most definitely has a lot of downtime in between. And it's not constant rejection because let's be honest, at this point, when I've been acting competitively for 15 years, I'm used to being judged on the spot and rejected on the spot. It's the close calls that are killing me right now. I just can't seal the deal. I had a terrible audition yesterday and the people had nothing to do with it, they were so pleasant and encouraging and nice...I just wasn't doing it right. And I could feel myself sucking and couldn't stop. No do-overs. The least I could do was smile and hope they saw something of my craft in the proverbial dump I took and call me back for another chance. And, of course, today came and went with nary a call.
I AM GETTING SO CLOSE! What's wrong with me?
I would be a lot less sad if I hadn't received a hefty commercial check in the mail today. Seriously how would I have survived this last year without that job? God bless you House Production & Casting! One day of work literally paid my rent for a year. Well, two auditions, a whole lotta luck, and a 12 hour shooting day starting at 2:30am but who's complaining? Seriously House, I love you. Call me sometimes? I owe you dinner. Yes, the whole office.
Speaking of phone calls, where is my freelance agent lady friend? Has she gone away? Or have I done something egregious?
Here's a thought: stop waiting for something to happen to you and do it your freaking self, you drama queen. I said to myself.
I would be at the Gay Pride March tomorrow in some horrendousfierceinappropriate getup Sunday but alas, I have a JOB in a MOVIE! A real live movie! An unpaid, extra job in a movie but still, this is gonna be my first time on a big movie set and I'm gonna take it all in/get bored and read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (thanks Jason!). More details after the shoot, in case, you know, they see me when I show up and determine I am in no shape to be in a real movie.
And how about that storm today? Hoo baby! And there's a giant hole in the ceiling where water poured out! That's hilarious and fun to deal with! Especially when water is pouring out of it at a comically fast rate! I'm being sarcastic! It was Terrible! I couldn't cook cause I used all my pots and pans for the leaks :(
Not that I would cook anyway, ha.
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