I always think of what I want to write on my blog while I’m driving. Or maybe its that I’m always driving and I think about things I end up wanting to post about. Either way, I usually forget by the time I get home. (When you live in LA, there is a lot of traffic-time to forget things along the way).
Anyways. I was in Hawaii, Kaui to be specific, last weekend with the fam. The trip was an awesome (and much needed) little rest break in one of the most beautiful, greenest, nature-y-est places in the Pacific. 30 mosquito bites, lots of beach time (with 50 SPF!), and one long hike later, I was back in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning and had an eventful 3 days.
After much deliberating, I finally decided on a few of my favorite headshots, which you can see here. I shot with the absolutely amazing, super talented Dana Patrick on November 29th. My agents, manager, and myself are all super happy with the shots and I totally recommend her to any one in Los Angeles. Dana is worth every penny, and her MUA/hairstylist, Theresa, is just as kick-ass.
One of my favorite new shots by Dana!
After recording my first VO gig for an X-Box Live game two weeks ago, I recorded the script for a short animated film I booked called “Interrogation” from my cute little home studio on Thursday. I get to play a short stubby red-head boy with a lisp. Pretty fitting, huh?
Concept drawings for my new character!
Yesterday, after an awesome 3 hour class with the one and only Margie Haber, I had 2 auditions. The first was for an upcoming feature film, which would shoot out of the country (um, yes please!). I felt super solid and the casting director worked with me and we tried a few things, which is always super fun and the good feedback is always nice to hear.
Afterwards, I had a callback for a commercial. The director gave me 4 different notes to try. Oh man, how good does it feels to have people give you adjustments in the room? Great. Because you know they want to see more and if you can take direction.
And the auditioning is not done. Tomorrow evening, I’m going out for a 5 part comedic web series. The script was very entertaining, and the part is right up my alley. Should be fun as well.
So, this brings me back to sitting in my car (luckily, not in traffic, since it is Saturday). After this eventful and exciting week, I had a realization (one that stuck with me long enough to now post on here):
I’ve been reading a book called “Nothing To Do, Nowhere To Go” by Thich Nhat Hahn, an amazing Buddhist teacher who I had the pleasure of meditating with at Plum Village Monastary located in the beautiful Southeast of France two summers ago.
In the book, there is a quote which reads;
“If we search for something outside ourselves, we will never find it.”
And it just sort of clicked. Even though I may not have the thick list of TV credits I want, I am already doing what I love, and I am loving doing it.
A lot of times as actors, we feel that we must do more or be something else so that we can get there, that magical place where jobs seem so much easier to come by.
But why live wanting to be there when you are here? You are already enough. You have your own unique personality, which makes you special and valuable.
And I like this way of looking at things. Because there is no pressure. And why should there be? I act because I love it and it’s fun. Every audition is just another opportunity for more chances to do what I love and bring my skillz (yes, skills with a ‘z’) to the table. As Margie Haber would say, “It’s another chance to live the life”.
End Teresa’s Hippie Moment.
(Yes, I am a Hippie. I’m from Oregon, I drink Kombucha, and walk barefoot as much as possible– what else do you expect?)
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