Two Gigs As An Extra!

More good news!!!

I was contacted a couple days ago about being an extra for a low-budget feature film. I looked it up on IMDB and there are some famous names in there ;) I'm excited. I'm on call tomorrow (Friday, Feb 1). I can't wait to get working!

The second is Be the Church. If you remember, I mentioned that I auditioned for this pilot a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I didn't get the part. However, I got an email asking me if I would be a featured extra for them. How cool is that?! I searched what a featured extra is:

Featured extras stand out from the crowd. They may hand the actor a newspaper, pour him a cup of coffee, trip over a sidewalk and block the hero's way or catch a fly ball in a stadium. The featured actor's part is short and generally not repeated more than once during the film. While all types of people are hired as background actors, casting directors are often looking for a certain type for a featured extra role.

Read more: What Is a Featured Extra in a Movie? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12155796_featured-extra-movie.html#ixzz2JcEvvypv

Cool huh?! I'm excited! I'm booked for that for three days next week! I can't wait!!!

 

Opening Night: Dark Side of the Moon

Opening night was great. I think our performance was amazing if you based it on the standing ovation from the audience :) I don't really know what else to say. :)

Hope to see you there sometime! If you do make it, make sure to tell them at the door that you are there to see me. And then, come say hi after the show!

Below is a picture of the makeup I ended up doing. This was the night before when I was messing with my makeup :)

Last Day of Rehearsal: Day 14

Today was our last day!!!

We ran the whole show and it was AMAZING. We are hoping to do better on Sunday when we open for the first time. I'm so excited! I will be watching the 8:00pm showing to get an idea of the show itself before we go on at 9:30pm. Hope to see you there if you live in the Los Angeles area!

Below is the flyer that our Magistrate (Devix Szell) created.

I got new bruises today. Theatre is a serious occupation. Injuries do occur. They were all accidents and my body suffers. Ah well... It's all fun.

Finally, here's an idea of my makeup.

Rehearsal: Day 12 and 13

I completely forgot to blog yesterday!

Anyway, yesterday we had former magistrate, Josh, visit us again. If you remember, I mentioned him in one of my other entries. Did I mention he's super cool? As shy as I am, he was able to push me and inspire me to be better. Of course, I didn't really show it to him, but I was so pumped, I was making faces the entire 2-hour drive home.

When I got home yesterday, I went and bought my black T-shirt and white table cloth from two different stores so that I can start rehearsing with my costume. I was so excited after I figured out how I wanted to wear them, I even experimented with makeup. Let's just say it took so many takes and weird angles for me to even get two pictures I liked. Unfortunately, I am in Santa Monica right now, so I don't have my cable to connect my camera to my computer.

Anyway, Josh said that he could see why the director chose me to play the original minion girl. Not sure what he saw, but the magistrate in our cast told me the same later that night. Well, if that didn't boost my motivation meter, I don't know what could have.

Today...was so much fun! It took me 2.5 hours to drive from where I live to the rehearsal because of rain and my quest to try and find a faster route - I don't think I did, by the way. I just paid $5.50 in a toll road and I still got to rehearsal at 10:30 instead of my preferred 10:00am for the 11:00am call. Anyway, I'm weird. Moving on to the actual rehearsal.

I was so hyper and excited, I changed into my costume and everything. I already did my eye makeup before I left the house, so I just needed to put on my lipstick and black eyeliner to line my lips. Loved it.

While we were waiting to start, one of the cast members looked at me and decided to give me a suggestion. He said I was too cute, just like what Josh said yesterday. He said my hair in a ponytail makes me look cute, not-at-all scary. Shucks. So, I let my hair down, shake it a little, and try for a scary face. Other members said it worked so I went with it.

When rehearsal finally started, we didn't start from the beginning. I was dressed for the beginning, so I came as I was. The director said I was too cute, and looked like a middle eastern something. I don't quite remember. Well, I was supposed to be a minion in the scene we were doing. I finally decided to strip my white clothes and be "bad." It's so amusing how I just seem to entertain them. The simplest thing seem to fascinate them, maybe because they keep saying I'm too "cute". *Sigh* I can't help nature, peoples ;)

Finally, we ran the show from the beginning and I felt great. We needed to work on some parts, but overall, I was better than yesterday. I think I still could look scarier, but the hair in front of my face definitely help with that effect.

I'm so excited for tomorrow's rehearsal! I'm hoping we would get to run it TWICE! Then, after that, it's SHOW TIME this Sunday!!!

This is from the Grudge movie. Imagine my face in it with all those hair and a much meaner, uglier face :)

Reheasal: Day 11

Day 11: Great day!

The show is coming together! It's great to see that it is flowing the way it should be. I'm also getting the hang of doing my parts, and trying to remember where I'm supposed to be. I'm planning on wearing my costume on Thursday so I can start practicing the movements.

Overall, it was a fun rehearsal. Still needs some work, but I believe we can do it in three days, given that we stay productive. The Magistrate had some ideas for me after rehearsal so hopefully we can try that out, either tomorrow or Thursday when I have my costume with me.

Rehearsal: Day 10

Day 10: New cast members

We had new cast members today. They were a quick study, we're almost done blocking the whole show. Hopefully, tomorrow we would block the whole thing with the newbies ;)

As for me, well, I need more practice snarling at people and being menacing. I'm sorry, but this face is just not naturally mean, unless I'm mad at something ;)

Just 4 more rehearsals left and we open this Sunday! Hope you will all come and support. Contact me directly if you want a discount ;) Of course I'd prefer you pay the full price so I can get paid, but having you there is more important.

Tomorrow, I think I will learn how to eat a person. It just keeps getting better and better for my character!

Filming of Double Crossing

Sorry this is a bit late. I was really sick yesterday when I finally got home.

Anyway, I filmed my scene for Double Crossing yesterday. We did the scene in 5 hours with different angles, close ups, and then an audio recording at the end. Overall, it was a fun experience.

I got there at 6:30am. They put us in hair and makeup a little after 7am. It was really cool how I was tended to. I felt really special. They treated us very well on set and it was overall a wonderful shoot. I'm looking forward to the finished product and to doing more films in the future.

Here are some pictures I took.

This is what I look like with very minimal makeup on.

From left to right: Akiko (makeup artist), Sherri (hair stylist), Chris (on-screen boyfriend) Sorry if I misspelled names!

Tomorrow is the start of a new week. Back to rehearsals for me. We open a week from now (Sunday, January 27). Hope you will come and see Dark Side of the Moon!

Rehearsal: Day 9

Day 9:

I've been promoted...

To the main minion girl! I get to be the devil's first child :) I get to bite someone's neck and rip another's heart out. I'm living out my vampire dream! I also get to snarl and contort my body in obscure ways.

I'm excited to be given this opportunity. I will try my best to not let anyone down. I will do my best to not let my shyness hold me back.

We open on January 27, so I hope some of you will come and watch :)

Rehearsal: Day 8

Day 8:

Yet another awkward day, but we were able to finish blocking the entire show. I won't go over the issues, but let's just say it's best to stay professional and to commit when you said you would.

We learned the "Hippie Dance" today. Basically, glide around the stage and high-five people as if we were all high and happy :) Good stuff!

I believe the show will open on January 27. I will confirm when I know more. I hope some of you can come see the show. The ticket is $20/person.

Lastly, I'm staying in Santa Monica until Saturday with an acquaintance. She was nice enough to offer me her apartment while I'm in LA so I don't have to drive back and forth so much. I'm very thankful because the drive is starting to "drive" me crazy. I don't know if I can do it much longer, so I'm also looking for a new place to move to.

Rehearsal: Day 7

Day 7: -_-

Rehearsal was cancelled today. It's probably best if I don't explain why.

Good thing about it being cancelled was I that I got to network. I "met" a fellow cast member and we talked for almost 2 hours at Starbucks. We exchanged numbers. She was a PA at the People's Choice Awards and she went to the Golden Globes after party. She met Jennifer Lawrence, Adam Levine, and MATT BOMER. Oh my goodness.

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow would be better and back to normal.

I also would be staying in LA for three days so I don't have to drive back and forth. Hopefully it works out :)

Rehearsal: Day 6

Day 6: My pleading prayer last night was answered...

I met traffic this morning so I arrived on location a little later than usual. I stayed in my car and sang along to my favorite song, Payphone by Maroon 5, while attempting (and failing) to braid my hair. Seriously, I don't know why I can't braid my hair anymore. It's so frustrating.

Anyway, I went into the rehearsal room 10 minutes before 11am which was our call time. Technically, we don't even start until 11:30am. Anyway, the door was not open yet so I started playing Payphone on my phone again. I watched the video until the end and felt energized. Then, I asked someone how I could get to backstage from the dressing room. Someone showed it to me, and then someone else asked where it was and I tagged along. After that, conversation started and my day was going great.

When we were finally rehearsing, the director said something about my smile so I smiled bigger. Then, he gave me a crucial part of the play: I got to beat someone up and pretend I was a she-Hulk. Oh dear. Can you imagine? I punch like a girl and I can't even imagine being the Hulk. I tried my best, but still self-conscious. I'm going to try and practice my swing and my silent growl for tomorrow's rehearsals.

The play is turning out to be so interesting. My favorites are the devil scenes. What can I say? I like the evil things on stage ;)

Fun fact for today: I got a casting notice from LA Casting for a Sexy Bad Boy. I guess I'm now considered a sexy bad boy? Haha! That notice was immediately deleted after I announced it in the rehearsal hall.

So, that's my day. I have an audition tomorrow at 2:30pm and a meeting with an acquaintance. I hope my energy would still be high by tomorrow. So help me God.

P.S. Thanks to Lisa Kessler for such an inspiring advice/comment to yesterday's post. You're amazing.

Rehearsal: Day 5

Day 5: Weird

Today was just strange for me. Something felt different. Might have been that everyone seemed to be more talkative than normal, or that a lot of people were still missing. I don't know if they quit or just going through some things and couldn't attend rehearsals.

Anyway, I feel like I'm losing focus. I need to concentrate harder and work harder on this play. I feel like I'm just there and I shouldn't just be existing. I'm being really insecure lately. I'm getting too critical with myself and I need to reaffirm why I'm doing this and why I belong in this play.

I'm too self-conscious and I really need to work on that. I know for a fact that I stand out more when I freeze up on stage, yet I'm struggling to get over my shyness and self-consciousness. This is frustrating.

Movie Rehearsal and Audition Day

Today was such a long day. I feel like I've been all over Los Angeles.

I got to the location for the movie rehearsals at 9:30am and I wasn't supposed to be there until 11:00am. I tried to take a nap. I think it might have worked for a little bit...

At 10:45am, I decided to go in and maybe we'll get started early. I was given the script and I read it over and over again, saying the lines a little differently each time. Just a couple minutes before 11:00am, a guy walks in. I figured, he must be one of the characters. Turns out, he was Jack - my boyfriend.

We started rehearsal and I thought we were just going to read the script. I was wrong. We did the scene as if it was the real deal minus the costume. Chris plays Jack and he was quite comfortable. The director told us the back story. My story was that I met him at a club and I'm absolutely in love with him. Imagine that :)

I think we both did great in rehearsals. Chris was funny and made the mood light, which I really appreciated. When we were given a break, he told me he researched me online and found my blog. Which he found, I didn't find out. How cool! So, of course we talked about Matt Bomer and 50 Shades of Grey... We both couldn't finish the book.

When we finished rehearsal, I brought out my robes and big T-shirts so the director can pick which of the pieces he liked. I'm excited to be doing this film, but also nervous about the scene itself. It's another demand that is out of my comfort zone. I found that it's actually satisfying to step out of my box and try something new. I feel proud of myself afterwards.

After I left, I went to my second audition. I was TWO hours early, and it was so cold! I had some Carl's Jr. in my car and then read a book on my Kindle app while I waited. Then, a little before 2:00pm, I made my way over to the audition area.

I read the side twice, and they gave me one more page to read. I really did not feel good about that audition, but they did laugh. Then again, I didn't feel good about most of my audition and I've gotten cast in all so far. So, here's to hoping I get cast in this pilot as well!

I cancelled my second audition.

I'm going to go and have dinner now. Check back here on Monday for updates on rehearsal for Dark Side of the Moon :)

Rehearsals: Day 4

Day 4:

Our director was not in attendance again today. I hope he's okay. We did, however, had the pleasure to be directed by Josh. He is the current actor playing Magistrate in a different cast for the show. This Sunday is their last show. He was really good and easy to understand. He was also very hands-on and filled in for missing people. I think if he ever decide to direct someday, he would be great at it :)

We worked on the "Money" scene today. We all got to "fight" with our money. It was a very fun scene indeed. I enjoyed watching everybody.

Today, my "traveling" was also revealed to some of my co-actors while we were waiting to get started. Seriously, when people finds out I drive 2 hours just to get to rehearsal, it's like you can almost hear a collective gasp. Their eyes get big and they have a face filled with shock and disbelief. It's just something normal to me. This is what I want so I'm making sacrifices and working hard for it.

I also got to do the dancing scene and "mounting" scene with my new partner. He caught on fast. He also taught me the quick and basic way to dance the Waltz. I was so proud of myself :)

Tomorrow is the big day!

• 8am - Leave for LA - I always allow an extra hour just in case there's some unavoidable circumstances on the road
• 11am-12:30pm - Rehearsals for Double Crossing
• 12:30pm-2:00pm - Drive to my first audition and probably just hang out in my car
• 2:30pm - Audition for Be the Church
• 3:00pm-4:00pm - Look at an apartment in Santa Monica inhabited by an acquaintance I met at an audition. She offered to let me crash on their living room.
• 4:00pm-5:00pm - Drive to my second audition
• 5:30pm - Audition for The Curious Savage
• 6:00pm - Either go home or stay at the apartment in Santa Monica

There's my schedule for tomorrow. Crazy busy. I wish there was someone to accompany me, but since there's not, then I'll just have to make the best of it. Here's to following your dreams and not letting anyone or anything hold you back.

Rehearsals: Day 3 + Movie News

Day 3:

There were so many people missing today, including the director. We were basically lost on stage. Not to mention I was divorced and remarried today. Let's talk about that...

We were running the show and it was the dancing scene. My partner disappeared so I stayed behind the curtain so to speak. We ran the scene again and I found myself alone once again. During the dancing scene, I was informed by my new "husband" that my partner had replaced himself. So, this was the day I was waiting for. I'm not gonna lie, my heart was a little broken. I knew it was going to happen, I just felt like I was dropped unceremoniously.

Anyway, on to the good news... OH MY GOODNESS.

I was driving home just after rehearsals and I got a call from the person who called me last week to audition for the student film, Double Crossing. I was thinking to myself, she's going to tell me that I didn't get the part, but thanks anyway for coming. Boy, was I wrong!

I GOT THE PART!!!

I get to be Susan, the cute, but not so smart character who gets to scheme with her boyfriend to steal money from another woman. How cool is that?! I'm so excited!

So, there's a lot of things going on this Saturday. First, I have the rehearsal for Double Crossing. Then, I have an audition for a show called Be the Church at 2:30pm. Finally, I have an audition for The Curious Savage at 5:30pm. Wow, I sure got a lot on my plate! I'm SO excited!!!

No more supposed broken heart. I'm too excited to care! :)

Rehearsals: Day 2

Day 2

Today felt a lot less terrifying than yesterday. I actually enjoyed the sensual scenes that we did yesterday. Partly because I got to keep my partner for today. I'm still dreading waiting for that day when the director would tell me that I would be getting a new partner.

Anyway, today wasn't that eventful. I just got to be an animal and had to get down on all fours. Quite uncomfortable on the knees but it was fun. I just hope I can remember the sequence for tomorrow. Looking forward to another day of rehearsals, but not looking forward for a total of 4 more hours of driving yet again.  Let me tell you, my back is screaming at me even as we speak. It didn't even let me sleep last night!

Enough complaining, check back again tomorrow for more updates!

P.S. I visited the theater's website, the show is priced for $20. Start saving your money so you can come see us! For more information, visit Next Stage Theater at the Berubian Theatre Company website.

Here's a model while you wait for tomorrow's updates :)

Rehearsals: Day 1

Day 1...

We started at 11:30am. We started with some basic stretches and then we screamed at the top of our lungs. After that, the people who were there yesterday performed what they learned. Then, the director added some more scenes, which I got to be a part of. It was nerve wracking to say the least.

What I found out about this show...

It is a movement performance. There is no script, just movements, facial expressions, and music. Easy enough? Not quite. Some of the movements were out of my comfort zone, specifically, dancing. We had to do a dance with our partner, it could be waltz or anything basic. When the music changes, we had to do dirty dancing. Let me tell you...

Dancing is not my best friend.

I have no idea how to waltz or even slow dance. It's a given I don't know how to dirty dance either. Thankfully, I was partnered with an awesome actor. He helped me out, literally gave me directions when we were on stage. He taught me something super simple, but I still have to work on it.

Now, the big "Woah".

The director wanted to stage a clean orgy of some sort. Basically, one of us had to be lying down while the other would be sitting on top. Then, to make it look believable, we had to do a "shampoo commercial" effect. It was weird but I got through it. There was actually no interaction between the partners. That was NOT allowed. No ma'am.

Honestly, I was ready to give up because I was terrified. But now, I have a new perspective. If I can't get through something like this, then I'm not meant for the industry.

Anyway, that's day one. Come back tomorrow for Day 2!

My First Rehearsal

Today is my first rehearsal! By the time this is posted, I'm probably making my way out the door. I'm so excited, but also a bit nervous. I don't know what to expect. I do hope that with I learn a lot from this experience and that I would greatly improve. I will continue to think about my past experiences and what I've learned from them, and hopefully apply it to this production.

I will let you all know either later today or tomorrow how it went! *happy dance*

Talk to you later!

-Arianne

I've Been Cast!!!

This just in! I've been cast in a different production than the one I auditioned for yesterday. I'm so excited! Rehearsals would be Monday-Friday 11am-1pm. That means I have to commute about 2 hours every day to get there, and then 2 more hours to get home. I'm willing to sacrifice gas money for my dream.

If you're in the area, I hope you will see the show one day! :)

How My Auditions Went...

I had fun!

I arrived at my first audition an hour early. It was for a student film called Double Crossing for the role of Susan. She was cute but didn't look very smart. I was asked to read three times, with three different instructions. I was there for a very short time, and then they said they will call me if I get chosen.

My next audition was not until late afternoon so me and my mom drove to Hollywood Boulevard and did some sight seeing. We ate at Popeye's for brunch before starting our adventure. After an hour, we found the shopping area deeper into Hollywood Blvd. They had such a big Sephora there, and if I had any budget to spend, I probably would have bought something.

When we left the shopping area, we found impersonators. They always fascinate me. Very believable indeed. I candidly took some pictures of some of them, including someone taking a picture with a statue of Shrek :)

I also took a lot of pictures of the names in the Walk of Fame.

This was one specifically for my friend Lisa Kessler - Ray Bradbury is one of her heroes :)

Then I took some random pictures including the room in the motel that we were staying at for the night.

Finally, it was time to go to my second audition. It was a play called End of the World (as we know it). I was there for an hour. The director was funny and made us all feel comfortable. Basically there were a size of a class in that audition! Then, we went up to the stage to warm up. We were put into groups after that, and then it was time to audition.

Thanks to Matt Bomer and my crazy obsession with him, my audition went well :) The instructions to us was to picture something massive coming at us and we had to react. I just pictured a giant Matt Bomer, and you can just imagine a fan-girl face :)

Seems like I made an impression to the director because he said: "You! You're so soft spoken, but then you get on that stage and..." I don't exactly remember what he said in the end, but it was good :)

Overall, I had fun! Check out these video clips I tried to take while we were walking down Hollywood Blvd.

I Have Two Auditions Today..

Last Thursday, I was notified that I have an audition in La Brea in Los Angeles today. It is for the part of Carol, a quirky single woman who has a million dollar smile.

Yesterday, while I was working a temporary job, I got another call saying they wanted me to come in for an audition in Torrance for the part of Susan. She is Jack's girlfriend and they are planning to steal some money.

Both parts are very different. I'm guessing both auditions will be cold readings, as confirmed for the part of Susan. I really hope I do well. I know I'll do my best. Whether they like what they see or not, at least I'll know I gave it my all :)

My mom also decided to come as an added treat! Maybe we'll get to do some sight seeing in between!

I wonder what part of the city this is....