Getting my life back...(for awhile)...

I've meant to post every weekend for the past month, and it hasn't happened.  Why?  Because life has been happening.


Some of the highlights:

New headshots/photos which are now on my photo page.


Workshop with C&J Casting.  I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to it.  It was literally about the 5th workshop I'd been to in just over a month, and I was workshopped out.  However, Paige Johnston was a fabulous speaker and it ended up being very fun and informative.  I loved how "real" she was about what goes on behind the scenes - even if it's not what we want to hear.  I'd rather know the honest truth than hear fluffy fantasies.


Mariana is in the middle of her Wizard of Oz performances at Matthews Playhouse - she's got a matinée today and one tomorrow.  She is a little Poppie, and for her first role in a musical, it's probably just the right size for her.

I have one performance down and one to go with the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte as we sing an All Brahms concert with the Charlotte Symphony.  So far, it's gotten great reviews.  There is another performance tonight at 8PM, and I'm sure there are still tickets left!  Maestro Christopher Warren-Green, director of the Charlotte Symphony has also been asked to conduct the Royal Wedding at the end of this month, so it sort of makes me feel famous by association getting to sing under his direction.


I also did a day of filming on In the Interest of Justice with Flatshadow Productions.  We didn't get through everything we wanted to, but I'm really glad that the director and producers are going for quality over quantity of filming.  It may take us a little longer to get the film finished than what they had originally wanted, but I'd rather have a great movie that took awhile to put together than something we rushed through.

So, what's coming up for us?

Well, we're all (Mariana and I, and even Ernesto!) auditioning for Matthews Playhouse's production of The Sound of Music.

I am once again singing with the Chamber Singers (which is a smaller group from within the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte) in the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC Memorial Day weekend.  Last year was a blast, and I'm looking forward to this year.  Our program is "American Hi-Fi" and the music is all challenging, but really fun!  We'll be doing a free preview concert here in Charlotte, and I'll post details when I get them.

Other than that, we're not filming any scenes that either John or I are in, so no trips to Asheville this month.

I think we're going to keep it in low gear for a little while - unless something comes up...which usually happens. So...until the next big thing....

Modeling Job

So....the modeling job last Tuesday...

Interesting start to a modeling career.  It was kinda what I thought it was going to be when I first heard about the job - a training manual for Acosta Sales & Marketing's new employees.  I was a "merchandiser", which means one of Acosta's employees.  I had a nametag with my name (that was kind of weird) and everything.  Lots of pictures stocking and unstocking shelves.  I also was the "employee" to be photographed with the company big-wig, "store manager", calling in sick (yay for acting skills!), and walking in to work.  Have you ever had to stay perfectly still and yet appear to be walking at the same time?  I can now say I have.

One of the great parts about this job was getting to work with some of Carolina Talent's finest models...Bill Sykes (who is also in the movie with me), Li-Lun Chen, Nyquell Terry, Mike Cross, Stephan Soper and more.


So, what's next for me?  I've got an ITS workshop this morning.  Runway and Monologue and Commercials, oh my!  Also, sometime this weekend I'll be videoing an audition for a movie that's filming in Winston-Salem.  Cross your fingers for me on that one - it looks like a good one.

Time to Update the Resume

Carolina Talent uses the 800casting system for their clients and talent.

Here is my 800casting profile...

As you can see, it has a space where you declare that you're an actor, singer, stage actor, etc.  If you notice on mine, I checked the "model" box as well. I've got some decent pictures up....what can it hurt?

I booked the very first modeling job I was submitted for!

Now, I'm not getting whisked away to NYC to take pics on top of the Statue of Liberty in an American flag floor-length sequin gown with hair that could get caught in a ceiling fan and day-glo makeup. This isn't ANTM.  I'm doing some pictures for an internal project for an international marketing agency's Charlotte operations.  I'm not exactly sure what all it will entail, but I do know it's being shot in a grocery store.  Glamorous? No. But it's a paying job and credits, and seeing that the "model" box was checked "for the heck of it", I'm not complaining.  Far from it.  Work is work, and I am excited for this new opportunity!


Also worth mentioning:

The Cast List for In the Interest of Justice

The cast list for the movie John & I are doing is posted!  So great to get a look at all the other actors I'll be working with!

ITS Workshop - Aaron Marcus

Yesterday's ITS Workshop featured Aaron Marcus - professional actor and commercial model. One of the coolest things about Aaron is that he does make his living as an actor/model, but chose NOT to make the move to LA or NYC and instead resides with his family in Maryland.

Aaron also gives seminars all over the country on HOW to do what he does.  He's written a book, has a monthly news letter, and a website, but he is about the most down to earth guy you could ever meet.  He answered all kinds of questions (even from the kids), and gave invaluable advice regarding auditions, go-sees, what to do when you get a job, what NOT to do when you get a job and other important industry "stuff".  He also treated us as if we were starting from scratch, but without talking down to us.  It's easy for people to forget that the only way to gain experience is by doing jobs, but in your first few jobs, you don't have that experience, so you don't know what you're doing. Double-edged sword.

Anyway, if you have any interest in "the business" and every get a chance to hear Aaron speak, it would be well worth it.

Aaron's IMDb Page

Aaron's Website - How to Model

Aaron's Facebook Page

Happy 2011...Almost

Remember how I said that sometimes it would be awhile between posts?

I wasn't kidding.


I really don't have many updates, except that 2010 is coming to a close, and I'm looking for BIG things to be happening in 2011.  Carolina Talent has many exciting workshops planned for the ITS people throughout the next few months...Aaron Marcus (a working actor with many roles to his credit), Maxann (a casting director and producer with some BIG movies under her name) as well as some yet to be announced.

I also just had some family pictures taken, and some of them came out pretty good - I'll be adding some to my Photos tab.


Have a great 2011 everyone - and I look forward to finding out what this new year holds!

Getting In On The Act

Auditioned yesterday for a movie, and brought along.....my son.  There were no parts for my daughter, but there were two parts for four year old little boys - one of them being the son of the character I was auditioning for.  I wasn't sure what to expect out of him, because it was his first experience.  Also, if the casting directors were stand-offish, he might have been closed off as well.  Turns out the casting directors were great with him.  They made him feel welcome, and he in turn opened up a bit more than if they hadn't been so receiving.  Overall, I think it was a great first experience for him.  On top of that, the agency director invited me to send in his photos for representation.  So, I guess we're all now "in on the act".

As for my audition - I think it went fairly well.  I wasn't as expressive as I would have liked to be, because I was fighting through the flu and I didn't have full control of my vocal range.  I decided to play it safe and go with a little less vocal power and range in favor of not squeaking or cracking from the junk in my throat.

Casting happens in January - so we'll have to wait and see what happens. : )