Went to the callback for “More Moments on the Go”. Call me nuts, but I love the energy in the waiting room; the nerves, intensity, anticipation. I’m still working on how to politely pass on conversation and catching up with other actors while waiting. Most seem to be preparing and working, but there are some that I think deal with their nerves by talking and socializing. I tend to try and get physically removed while preparing and staring at the sides instead of acknowledging anyone else.

In Mona’s class Mike and I did the coffee shop scene from “Heat”. Pacino and De Niro are impossible to erase from my head when reading that text, so it was a wonderful exercise in “making it our own”. This week I am moving to a new scene from “The Loman Family Picnic” with Linda. It’s a very bizarre scene that pushes me into some uncomfortable places.

Wednesday was the Network Mixer featuring speaker Marta McGonagle. I’ve made it a goal to go to all of these and meet a new person each time. This week it was Sarah, and actor just arrived from Alaska. Marta’s work ethic is really inspirational. Somewhere I once read and analogy comparing working as an actor to being in a car on the freeway. If you slow down or stop, even for a moment, others that don’t stop will just pass you by. Makes me want to put the pedal to the floor…

I also took some time to brush up on my comedic and dramatic monologues. Man, if you don’t practice those they do begin to fade.

Tomorrow will be my second session with Mona at Brite Lites. I’ll be doing a scene with Mike Price. I’ve made some choices about my character and have the dialog down and Mike and I will be rehearsing our scene shortly. I’m really excited to be in this class pushing myself, learning, and watching other actors do the same.

Saturday was an audition for a TV pilot. It was a really fun time in the room and I got to try out my Russian accent. Last week I also had auditions for “Ruby Mae” and “The Gold Coin”. Maybe this makes me a freak, but I just like auditioning! It’s like doing a little mini-play.
Also I just got my copy of the Vietnam Letters project in the mail. I LOVE filmakers that deliver on the goods, particularly when a copy is the only pay. I’ve been very fortunate that almost everyone I’ve worked with has given me a copy of the work. I’m getting closer and closer to constructing that all important reel…

Just got invited to a callback for “More Moments on the Go”, a feature by Eric Frodsham shooting here in Austin. The first round of auditions was two months ago, so I had already assumed they were going another direction. What a pleasant surprise!

Went to Mother Egan’s for the Network Austin Mixer to hear Kat Candler and Stacy Schoolfield of “Jumping Off Bridges”. Networking is one  of the hardest things for me to get pumped about, but I’m finding the more I do it the easier it gets. Tonight I got reconnected with a few people I already knew and added met a few new people. It gets easier to do when I realize that I’m not the only one there that is trying to network, so putting something out there and giving is always reciprocated.  And the place has freakin’ great fish and chips. Follow that up with a Spaten.  I can’t wait for the next one…

Today on Paul Bright’s latest project was a new challenge that I’d never done before; I drove a police car onto the scene, stoped on the mark and then get out to go through the rest of our blocking and dialog on foot. Took me a couple of tries to get it all right (like forgetting to turn off the ignition when I got out). At first I kind of came to a slow rolling stop, but by take three I had it down, like a cop that has arrived to kick ass and take names.
Another growth experience was training on cuffing people the way a cop would. Seems like a no brainer, but when you actually try it the process can be kinda awkward. I wonder if I can put these two new skills on my resume.

I had a blast being on the set with these people and making this film. As an added bonus it was my first time in front of the Red. The camera is so freaking awesome it must be based on alien technology or something.