15 posts tagged “the agency”
weird submission letter #324:
Hello. How are you? My name is Sarah* and I am a professional actress in search of a wonderful management team. I can also cook a great meal!
Thank you in advance,Sarah Smith, actress
Because the key to an Oscar's heart is through its stomach.
Listening to: Deftones - Simple Man
Last night: Go see midnight showing of Romero's latest, Diary of the Dead. Since the 10pm showing had gone on late, didn't end up getting home til 3am or so.
This morning: Woke up at 830am to get to The Agency's anniversary breakfast at 10am which lasted until 1 bloody pm (Coincidence! The waiter who served us was one of the guys I used to work with back at The New Restaurant! Small world....and I'm not going to lie and say I didn't feel a tiny bit of relief/satisfaction that I'm no longer working in the service industry to supplement my creative career), went by Lush to pick up the fabulous face masks that work wonders for my roseacea-prone sensitive babyface, dropped off clothes/shoes at Salvation Army, and am currently debating napping/cleaning or going to the gym before going to a client's ex-boyfriends music label launch party, then driving up to The Mountain for some snowboarding tomorrow as well as watching Giles compete in a boardercross event on Monday.
I'm tired.
Ooh! But I'm on avails for the Cable One spot! Wee!
First off, Happy MLK Day!
Not working at The Agency today, although we are still officially open. The Boss emailed the schedule out for the coming week, and there was a curious anomaly: SideDesk wasn't anywhere to be found. Assuming perhaps that she had a trip out of town I had forgotten about, I didn't think too much of it til I got messaged by MiddleDesk today:
I'm wondering how this is going to affect my trip to New Orleans later in February, and the fact that now I can't take MiddleDesk snowboarding for the Snow Day planned for this Friday. I'm glad that SideDesk can get benefits like health and dental insurance from her place of business, and now officially confirm that not all Agencies use Post-it's to keep track of their clients' auditions.
Listening to: Kevin Devine - Longer Than I'm Out Here
Well, things at The Agency have just started to speed back up. Not quite so much with film or TV, naturally (despite Actorsite's emailed mission statement this morning that "Films and TV Movies are CASTING like CRAZY"....um, really? what breakdowns are YOU reading?), but commercials have been damn busy. Despite that, I haven't had My First Audition of 2008 yet. Naturally I'm hoping it's because the gods know to turn that into My First Booking of 2008, and they want just the right job.
Sidedesk and Middledesk are back in town and in theory, we'll all be back to work this week. I'm still trying to convince The Boss that moving to a system more technologically current than sticking Post-it's to a wall is a better way to keep track of all our clients' auditions. Just a thought.
The Boss, however, being the typical control freak that he is, balks at anything that isn't his idea. This is a typical exchange, that occurred yesterday ( FYI, a "hard copy" is what we refer to when a project comes out that wants actual headshots delivered to them as a submission instead of the far easier electronic submission. So we group together our clients' headshots in an envelope which is usually picked up twice a day by a messenger service to bring to the various casting offices around LA).
I was washing out the remains of my homemade fruit smoothie from my thermos at the office sink when The Boss walked up. "MAW, those hard copy packages were never picked up yesterday because we canceled the messenger service for two weeks," he said, standing at the entrance of the kitchenette.
"Two weeks?" I replied, glancing up at him in surprise. "I only told them to cancel it for the week of Christmas."
"Well, they obviously thought it carried over into this week, didn't they," he said. "Get some stamps on them and bring them to the post office."
"Ok," I replied, rinsing out the thermos and putting it upside-down on the paper towel next to the sink to dry. I glanced at my watch which read 2:34pm. "The mail hasn't come yet today, do you want to leave them outside to go out with the rest of the ----"
"No, I want them going out now. The mail doesn't come until 3 or 4 and I want these out."
"Ok," I said, walking over to the door where the hard copies had been left since yesterday. I duly stamped them, grabbed the rest of the outgoing mail (may as well take care of it all at once), and walked back to The Boss's office to let him know I was leaving.
"I'm heading out to drop these off, see ya in a bit," I said, waving and walking back towards the front lobby. His voice called me back.
"Just go to the post office on Fairfax."
"Oh, there's one there? I was going to the ---"
"No, go to the one on Fairfax," he said, gesturing with his pen. "It's on the east side of the street, go up the alleyway, park in the lot behind the post office."
"Sure," I replied, walking out the door.
"Just go--" I sighed inaudibly and walked backwards into his office. "--up the street, make a right, it's right next to the Subway."
"Ok," I walked towards the lobby again.
"I think ---" I walked back into his office. "--there's a travel agency right next to it also."
"Ok."
"Just go to that one. It's only after 5pm that we need to go to the other one. This one is fine."
"Ok."
"You won't need to stand in line, those stamps should be fine. You should just be able to drop it off."
"Ok."
This happens a lot. The usual modus operandi with him is either to order you to do something and then give you FAR too much detail in exactly how to do it, or to order you to do something and leave you with no earthly idea how to accomplish it.
Is this normal?
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Still haven't heard a definitive answer about The Pilot I shot way back in November. Last I heard the response was extremely favorable, but that we wouldn't know anything until February. Again, I'll be wicked excited if it gets picked up, despite my still (albeit slight) feelings of trepidation that it is a reality show of sorts. My passion is *acting*, is getting to be *someone else* for the day, not worrying about how I'm going to look as my li'l ol' self on the small screen.
Still. TV Show. Me. Not complaining. Promise!
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In other not-me-related news, SAG has deemed that No Actors Will Appear At The Golden Globes. Hoo boy.
This is after the declarations that, in addition, no film clips are being allowed to be shown and no monologues/presentations are allowed to be written.
So....what, exactly is going to happen to the awards show? The networks already said The Show Must Go On, but that was before SAG threw this whammy on them. Enjoy losing more money over this strike, bitches! Because I know I'm enjoying apologizing to my landlord that rent is going to be late. Again.
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Despite the doomsday predictions that California was going to be hit by non stop rains, flooding and the utter chaos that follows such an event, there hasn't been too much actual water falling from the sky. Currently? Cloudy. I'm merely perturbed that it doesn't seem to be cold enough to be converting this lovely precipitation into snow in the mountains. Planning on going snowboarding on Tuesday, regardless. If I'm going to have a boss-mandated day off, I'm going to enjoy it, goddammit.
Audition - T-Mobile @ David Kang Casting
This was one of the few times where working at my own agency has gotten me into a kind of ethical dilemma.
When the last-minute breakdown ("Submit ASAP! Going straight to callbacks TONIGHT!") came out, I didn't really forsee this problem coming. Despite this being a non union job and SAG's threat of roasting your chestnuts over an open fire should you even LOOK at a non union job sideways, it paid well enough that I submitted myself as well as our usual slew of non-union actors.
When the audition notification came back for another of the girls I submitted instead of me, I felt a tiny tiny twinge of disappointment, but it was gone before I could blink as I forwarded the info onto her and called her to let her know of the last minute appointment.
When she told me she couldn't go because she had taken a last minute trip to Washington to be with her father for his first prostrate cancer treatment, I expressed sympathy for his plight and admonishment for not telling us to book her out while my mind went to calling the casting director to cancel the girl and suggest a possible replacement.
When the casting director said to "just pick someone", which I've never, EVER heard a casting director tell me to do before, I finally paused.
I ascertained that there were no requirements or restrictions (did they need brunettes like the girl? Did they need short people like the girl?...No, no and please just send us someone with good comic timing), and then hung up the phone.
Ok. So, in theory, I needed to send another girl. Despite what they had said, I did want to send someone physically similar to the girl, which, despite the height difference, left it down to myself and one other girl out of the 8 or so submitted. I couldn't bring myself to just choose me over her and to just go.
I talked it over briefly with Sidedesk. She agreed we should consult The Boss, as, really, this was again a slight case of covering your ass, and I wasn't really going to take offense if he determined for some reason that the other girl would be a better replacement than myself.
In this business, you don't take things personally. Ever. Or you'll drive yourself completely mad.
In any case, he did agree I should go to the audition, I went and read with the cutest volleyball player from UCLA.
I'm glad I went to the audition, but again I'm grateful for working at The Agency. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been submitted let alone allowed to go to the audition. Most likely.
On the other hand, I think I should see opportunities like this as the other side of the coin for putting up with the INSANENESS of The Boss. None of the other clients do, so I suppose this could be considered another job perk? Ah well. We'll see if I book it, I can feel all happy then.
Audition: German Death Brochure @ Armstrong Casting
Audition: Ford @ Lien/Cowan Casting
First off, yeah you read that first one right. Apparently (and this is in the words of the casting director), apparently in germany when someone passes away they send out a brochure notice. this is an ad for those brochure notices.
So...I'm auditioning to be someone dead? Or someone who's sad someone else is dead? Or someone who smiles because...being dead ain't so bad!
?
The Ford one was good only because I haven't been into Lien/Cowan Casting in months and months, and they used to be the only office that called me in! So I'm glad I got an opportunity to go back, even if it was only because I'm a San Diego resident :)
(...What? My mom and sister still live there, i can TOTALLY still claim residency in the lovely truth-glossing world that is LA)
The Agency is slow enough (Damn you strike!) that they didn't need me back into the office, so I'm heading to the Arclight for my first cinematic experience there with a new guy whom we shall deem Roosevelt (met him at the Roosevelt Hotel at Halloween), then off to the new Katsuya location in Hollywood. Woo being treated like a princess! I could use some of that.
Yay! The drought of auditions is over, I had two today:
Audition: ASICS @ Eastside Studios Casting -- This was easy print job audition, just a picture pick; no way to do well or badly. A skirt or shorts were demanded as they needed to see my legs, they may add a tattoo. Hee.
Audition: Global Giving @ Judy Elkinds Casting -- Global Giving is apparently a charity that enables you to pick exactly where your money goes to when you donate. It's a great charity, and a fun spot that had me paired with a guy where I was part of a "hipster, artsy couple". I watched somewhat warily as guys were walking up and getting signed in, and right when I was sure that I was going to be paired with a guy who couldn't have been more than 5'8 (I'm 5'10), another one signed in before him. When we went into the room for the group explanation of what they were going to want from us for the audition, we were joking because first the usurper accidentally grabbed my hand, then bumped into me on the way out, then stole my seat when we went back into the waiting room. So naturally, that's who I was paired with. Lovely guy named Sean and I think the previous hijinks only helped our chemistry in the room.
Added bonus was that Nissan was casting right next door and clearly had asked only models to come and show up. Tons of tall male eye candy was paraded by as we were sitting there waiting to be called in. Especially amusing was the waffling dance most of them did while trying to find the room they were heading towards.
The Agency has been going insane today with organizing a charity auction that is all set for tomorrow. During the day I am to remain behind in the office taking care of submitting actors/taking phone calls as best I can (ALL ALONE! The radio is MINE!) while The Boss and Sidedesk/Middledesk are setting up the auction itself, while taking care of a 3 month old puppy. Oh yes, we're auctioning off a puppy. Eek. Then it's off to the night time event after getting all prettied up and doing god only knows what until we are released.
Again, eek. We may just bring hip flasks to the event to keep us sane.
Stuff has calmed down on the boy front. Playboy is still being a bit standoffish, Producer is ALWAYS standoffish, and I was a bit excited at some attention from a drummer from a band I saw the other night, til he friended me on myspace and half of his myspace pictures feature him wearing stilettos. Heels. High-heeled shoes. Hee. My roommate still wants me to go out with him because we have a running bet that he owns a sex swing.
Still, made me feel better.
I'm planning on going to see my friend's band perform at The Knitting Factory tonight in Hollywood, hooray for metal music!
I just finished reading High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (on recommendation from The Hipster's Handbook, I'm embarrassed to say; I do realize that book is meant a tad satirically, and the entire point of the book is that if you're really a 'hipster', you would sneeringly toss the book aside. But it is a fun read, and I'm a sucker for the '1000 movies to see before you die' type lists, or '5 books you must absolutely read if you enjoy life AT ALL' thing. And why am I sounding so damn defensive? When did I get to a point in my life where I feel like I should be embarrassed or apologetic for how I choose to live/find books/find movies? Huh?)
Ahem, moving on.
High Fidelity was was one of those movies where everyone INSISTED I watch it, but apparently, even though it came out when I was 20, I had still not built up the necessarily life experienced-angst to fully enjoy or appreciate it. I adored John Cusack, but I still remembered him attempting to take on the K-12 for the love of a bitchy blonde girl. While I had a vague liking for the movie, evidently I've now built up a whole huge plethora of angst, because the book is fucking brilliant, people.
It's funny, it's pathetic, its so ridiculously strange and relatable at the same time. It has heart-stinging quotes sprinkled here and there where you skim over them the first time, but thankfully a couple words make you go back and fully process the sentence. And you just think: yes. Yes, that's exactly how that feels.
I'm also enjoying a CD put up by Jen: Rachel Yamagata. Or rather, I'm listening to the 'play all' option off of Amazon where you're subjected to tinny snippets of each of the songs and then proceed over to Limewire to download the four or five you enjoyed 30 seconds of to see if yes indeed, you like the complete songs enough to actually put down the money to incorporate the disc into your collection for all time.
Technology had made everything such a PROCESS.
If something new happens in my life, do I blog about it? Do I choose my vox blog, my myspace blog or my Facebook blog? Do I change my little 'update' status on either of those pages? If I've taken some new photos, where do they go up? Do I email them out? Share them on Flickr? Tag them on Facebook?
Aiyee. This digital life each of us meticulously tried to keep up with is exhausting. And yet, I do love going over old entries; old thoughts written in my old thought process. Old jokes that still make me grin, old naive statements that make me grimace. It was work putting actual printed photographs into an album, but the precious gem is when I took the time to write out little captions for each and stick them between the photo and the plastic cover. Old feelings I had for friends and situations, they're still alive in there.
So I guess, in the end, it's worth it.
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A quick word about the writer's strike. Obviously, this affects me. Not only does it mean that any work I'd get as an actress is now pretty much shot (except for commercials; my boss tells me these still go on as planned), the work load at the Talent Agency is going to slow down immensely as well. At least for this upcoming week, there's been no change in the regularly scheduled programming; Myself, Sidedesk and Middledesk are all still working as previously done. But there's tons of cutbacks in all the major agencies, the workload just doesn't justify the number of workers. We're all hoping that doesn't trickle down.
As a SAG member, I'm fully in support of the WGA's decision to strike; not a tiny bit of that because well, we have our own contract negotiations coming up in June, and figuring out just how much of the internet sales we get a piece of is a major concern. As the strike carries out; nothing happens in Hollywood without the writers, and while this is going to be tough for a lot of people; I think their decision to strike was a necessary one. I'm keeping tuned to an aspiring writer's blog, If a TV falls in the woods...., as well as various news channels. I was hoping some negotiations were going to happen this weekend, but it looks like the strike on Monday is going to happen as planned.
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Had my birthday party this Friday. Just about every girl friend I had flaked out for one reason or another, although The Old Roommate did show, nicely enough, and luckily Guardian Angel thought to invite some of the girls I had met through him previously. Shandra did want to come, but she was on the Ugly Betty set until 1:30am. Anyone else I might have assumed was lying, but since Shandra is honestly one of The Nicest People In The World, I believed her.
Most people showed at the bar during the second portion of the evening (which was held at Big Wangs). There was falling into comfy couches, a distinct lack of drama, and a only-slightly disturbing blending-of-the-worlds. As I said, there was Old Roommate, a world unto herself, Nando from the swing dancers was there, but since it was only him it's hard to say that was a true blending. There were all the old floormates including Boy-Next-Door and his brother as well as the rest of the bandmates. Playboy came, as did Producer and his friend Ed. Besides an initial introduction, neither one was interested in the other. Playboy was absorbed with figuring out The Roommate, because as I could've told him, all you really have to do is ask her a few leading questions, and she takes care of the rest, and Playboy, being a Scorpio, loves to get to the bottom of people. Even fundamentalist Christians. I might have been offended if he'd been eschewing my presence for hers, but I forgot the worst part about being a hostess and knowing everyone at a party; you can't possibly TALK to everyone at a party for very long. I mostly sat and talked to Producer and Ed about nothing in particular. Producer said he was waking up the next day for a friend's mother's memorial the next day and then going out for drinks afterward, I stupidly asked him to call me (he didn't), he did offer to take Roommate and I home (I declined).
Playboy drove Roommate and I back home while he continued to quiz Roommate about her various opinions. When she made a reply Playboy knew would offend me, I took a breath to say something but decided to hold my tongue at the same time Playboy made a cautionary sound to me; this was not a time for a debate. Roommate is very good at deciding when she's right in something, and is not the type to listen to other sides. It's one of the few things I can't stand about her. But there are only a few, and for a roommate, that's not bad.
Playboy did spend the night. Nothing happened. He invited me It is a bit of a shame, but the sparks just aren't there. He is such a good friend though, and great to be around. I'm going to his place a little later on today to watch the Pats/Colts game and I anticipate having a great time. It's just not enough. Ah well.
On the plus side, I found out that going out on Friday nights is excellent for prolonging the feeling of a weekend. You wake up on Saturday morning not quite believing it's not Sunday and you have TWO WHOLE DAYS to do whatever you want.
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On the acting side, I shot a pilot all last week for The History Channel. I don't want to say too much about it in the interest of anonymity, but it's a great thing for me, even if it's not precisely what I had in mind for my acting career and even involves me going fi-core. Still, it was too perfect to turn down and my parents are pretty excited my acting and schooling have finally combined (Goooooooooo Planet!). The shoot went great, and I found out that there's no where on earth I'd rather be for my birthday than on set. Everyone's nice to you anyway because you're Talent, but you also get cake at lunch!
I then got taken out to see Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D (courtesy of Playboy, my choice of film, but he really enjoyed it; having never seen it all the way through), and then was cooked dinner (also courtesy of Playboy) while watching a football game (again, my choice).
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Today was spent enjoying a peaceful Sunday. No alarms, no rules. Leaving in a few to watch the game.
Attempting not to overanalyze my life as of yet ;)
Don't get me wrong. I love this.
I love working in such a fast paced environment. I love being surrounded by the entertainment industry every day. I love being immersed in the thing that I want to do for the rest of my life. I love that I have my very first episodic producer's session tomorrow for Greek. I love that I'm booked to be one of the hosts of a show that by all accounts is going to be pretty fucking cool.
But I kind of hate this. I hate that I wake up at 7am to make sure I go to the gym before work because I know I'm going to be too tired to go when I get home. I hate that I deal with my sometimes insane boss and the never ending workload and the newly added burden of coordinating fundraising donations for a charity auction. I hate that when I do get home at 830pm if I'm lucky, I can barely derive pleasure out of watching Jim and Pam (finally!) together because I have a deadline of an 11pm bedtime looming over me before I have to go to sleep and start all over again.
I hate that I'm too tired to explain to you guys what a producer's session for Greek actually means.
I hate that I'm feeling trepidatious about hosting this new show because I'm terrified I won't come across the way the network wants me to. I hate that I'm kind of realizing I can only talk about this stuff up to a point in order to still stay anonymous. I hate that the boys in my life serve only to stress me out more instead of less. I hate that my best friend is so far away and it costs money I don't have to call him up and try to catch up on months of things not shared.
My roommates and I are planning on going to Disneyland this Saturday. That should help.
Sorry I've been so lax lately, guys. My brain goes so fast during the day that it just sort of shuts off when I get home.
Although....how funny was Dwight's conversation with DunderMiff/sys? hee!
Audition: Leona Lewis Music Video @ Kari Peyton Casting. I don't know why I submitted myself for this; I'm a little over going out for music video auditions. Ok, that's not entirely the reason; I was frustrated having to leave work after only 2 hours when money is so tight lately in order to go to an audition for something that won't yield much money even if I do book it. Because when there's still 2 people on at the office, there's not enough work for me to do to warrant going back.
The audition itself was easy; 'look at a photo album and look sad.' Wardrobe notes were given out pretty late, the day beforehand actually, and I saw another client go in right before me for the same role who apparently hadn't checked her email that morning. To be fair, we probably should've called her as well as emailing out the change in wardrobe. Damn, why am I just thinking of this now?
At any rate, I walk in with my appropriate wardrobe, which was 'men's button down shirt, shorts and a bra (because normally girls come in without proper boob support?)' I was also apparently at the tail end of the audition time frame for my role, because the room was filled with boys and girls who clearly weren't that many months out of high school all wearing cute partying clothes. I fought back my feelings of self-consciousness and affected a wordly, vaguely amused air. Pretension, thy name is MAW. In any case, the usual feeling of 'Sure, that went well' accompanied the audition.
I went back home, checked my email a few times to see if that casting director I may intern with emailed me back (No. Grr. Argh), noted I got a couple more auditions for this week (Still no episodics. Argh!) and caught up with Colin Firth's wonderful and gorgeously sexy Mr. Darcy.
Playboy had had to leave town for his grandmother's funeral. Which, naturally, meant that he got an audition for the same day for an episodic TV show. His original plan was to park at the lot next to the airport, race off the plan and attempt to make it to Culver City from LAX in 25 minutes. Anyone who lives in LA and understands what that means, you are no doubt laughing hysterically or shaking your head in bemused pity. It ended up being moot, his flight was delayed by two hours. I woke up from a nap when he called me on the way home from the airport.
Playboy - "What a crazy day!"
MAW- "Yeah? What, the flight getting delayed?"
Playboy: "Are you at the office still?"
MAW: "No, I had to leave for an audition"
Playboy: "Did you hear about the job I booked?"
MAW: "What?? Seriously? That's great! What was it??"
Playboy: "Yeah, they called me and said I had booked this tv show, but I'd never heard of it!"
MAW: "Wait, you never auditioned?"
Playboy: "No! And I shoot tomorrow! I told them I'd never auditioned for it, and they kind of paused, asked me if I knew the casting director, which I didn't! Totally confusing!"
MAW: "Yeah, but.....well! Wow, congrats! See what happens when you leave?"
Playboy: "I know!"So I guess he's shooting Talk Show with Spike Fernstein tomorrow, which a bunch of our clients have gone out for, and looks to be pretty funny.
Playboy: "So what are you up to?"
Unsuspectingly naive, I told the truth. "Just curled up on the couch watching the miniseries Pride and Prejudice for like the third time."
Playboy: "Oh..Ok"
What?? Hey! You were reading poetry! You don't get to judge!
Playboy: "No Monday night football for you?"
MAW: ...Oh right, I'm supposed to be into football (Truth is, I am, but not college football. I loved watching the UCLA game on Saturday, but I don't follow the rest of college sports). "No, catching up with all the new premieres. There's Chuck, Big Bang Theory, Journeyman, Heroes...must get informed about all the new shows, you know."
Playboy: "So you don't know the score?"
MAW: "...nope." I attempt to change the channel to check, after an embarrassing reminder it would be on ESPN, only to find my DVR too stuffed with taping two shows to switch.
The whole conversation made me feel vaguely ashamed I wasn't sitting by a cozy fire reading Hemingway and drinking a snifter of brandy, but dammit! I HAVE to watch the new shows, it's my job! And his, too, to be honest.
Speaking of, here's my synopsis of last night's lineup:
Chuck: Hah! Cute. A little derivative of Jake 2.0 for my taste, a show with I loved for more than just Christopher Gorham's beautiful brown eyes, but looks like it'll stay the rest of the season at least.
Big Bang Theory: Yawn. Yes, we get it. Nerds + Cute girl equals ridiculous, penis-driven babble with a lot of multi syllabic words thrown in for spice. It's getting to the point where I just loathe half hour comedy.
Heroes: I admit, I'm not hugely into this show. I like it, it's a good show, but I'm not fanatical about it the same way I never got fanatical about Lost. Still, great premiere and even though I grinned at David Anders's name in the opening credits, I was still surprised when he showed up. Nice job, show! Good premiere, but I'm still not sucked into the show.
I fell asleep before Journeyman. It's taped and I'll watch it, just couldn't face any more TV last night.
As a side note to anyone who watched The Bachelor; one of those girls just came into our office last Friday for representation, which is not quite the thing we do and I have yet to know if we're taking her on. I think we left it up to her; she was looking at a couple other management companies.
