Operation: Household Name: OpHN

Showing posts with label OpHN. Show all posts

Thursday, February 12, 2015

An Actor's Rant

I've been training in acting seriously since 2003: SPARC, CFA, ComedySportz, AMDA, LACC, Killian's Commercial Workshop, DFAS, Carnetta's Journey to an Oscar, and Playhouse West (if I forgot anyone I am sorry.) I have over $30,000 in student loans, but I've loved every single minute of it, because if you want to be a great actor, you have to study. So I study.

I've spent countless of dollars on postcards; casting services; headshot printing, uploading, and shoots; business cards; mailings; and a website because those are the tools that will market you to agents and casting directors and they get you the jobs. So I market.

I was finally brave enough to take a short film script I kept hidden for years and share it with others. I couldn't find a producer to guide me through filmmaking so with a few tidbits from friends and God I stepped up and became my own. I hired a cast and crew of 30 people and together we created a beautiful film, because I've been in LA for 8 years and I came to LA to act. So I made an opportunity to act.

They don't tell you about this stuff on TV. About the time. And the money. And the tears. It's lonely, and terrifying and everyday I wish God would've made me a doctor. Nothing about this business is guaranteed, I've been here for 8 years and still can't even pay my phone bill consistently on acting alone. I could be here another 8 years to no avail... but I've got mama. And I got my heart. And I've got a desire, and when I'm in "it", like really so deep in a character, in a zone... it's God. And I can't, won't stop. And as long as I've got my imagination, God and a keyboard, I'll never be unemployed. I'm an actor, you can keep your "aspiring", I've paid my dues.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Operation Household Name: Quick Testimony

Friday, February 17, 2012

Be Humble or Be Humbled

⁸ “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹ If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. ¹¹ For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 14:8-11

As an up and coming actress I'm often working in various areas of the industry. I think it's important to be familiar with every component of acting. I've been a casting assistant, production assistant, 2nd A.D., and receptionist for a smaller independent studio. I've worked at several events such as the New Music Seminar, an Oscar viewing party, The Showbiz Expo, and most recently the Kelly Price Grammy Party.Working in these various positions and seeing celebrities, interacting with them, is a jewel. I get a glimpse at their real personlities. I'm not famous or a fan at that moment, to them I'm just a lowly assistant so there's no facades or performances put upon. I've come to realize the truly successful people, the game changers; the bar setters; record breakers, handle themselves with such grace and humility. More often than not it's the C-List celebrities, the one who's done maybe one or two big films or has been in a television show a while back; they look familiar but you can't place where you know them from, that are the absolute divas. A lesson to be learned there... Is humility a huge factor in your success?