Today was errand day. I had a lot I needed to do and, surprise, surprise, I didn't get everything I wanted accomplished.
First off, I had to go and purchase my Chicago city sticker. I have absolutely no idea how I knew about this requirement. In fact, I'm rather certain I stumbled upon it while checking out parking options. If you park a vehicle in the city of Chicago for more than 30 days, you have to have a sticker. This sticker has to be bought within the first 30 days of moving here or purchasing a car. If you fail to do so, it's a $60 fine when you finally figure out you have to register. I've also heard that they're going to ramp up ticketing for those without stickers. I wish there was some sort of packet that you got when you arrived in the city. Maybe I'll make one. I bought mine at a currency exchange. Make sure you bring in your lease and the VIN number.
Second, I needed to head to J&S Photo Service to pick up my headshots. I did a lot of research online to see who did a quality job and their name kept popping up. I am very pleased with the prints. The colors are vibrant and the thickness of the photo paper is great.
On my way to J&S I had to catch my second bus. I get on and my Ventra card, which I loaded up today and had just used to get to the currency exchange, didn't work. I stood there, baffled, and held it up to the scanner repeatedly. The messages Sorry didn't work scan again, insufficient funds, played on a loop. The very nice bus driver told me not to worry about it. Thank heavens. And people say Northerners don't do chivalry.
Third, LIBRARY CARD! I'm super excited about this, mostly because when I got there I immediately found three books that are currently on my amazon wish list. Their YA section is great. When you go to sign up you need your ID and two pieces of mail, a bill and another letter will work.
Finally, I want to see Venus in Fur. However, the tickets for seats I would want to sit in are expensive. But, they have this great program where, on the day of the show, you can enter in the promo code MEZZTIX, and some of the seats remaining in the Mezzanine will be half off! That. Is. Awesome. I ended up not going today because I'm saving this well reviewed show for when a friend comes to town.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Methods of Rejection: The Fade Out
 |
| I Am Waiting by George Hodan |
A Fade Out occurs when there has been ample communication between parties and then that contact starts to slow down, then it trickles, then it stops all together. It's a slow process leaving the non-fading party slightly bewildered and a little upset. Be a (wo)man and just break up for heaven's sake. Relationship wise I have been faded out once, in college. Confusing to say the least and a very undergrad (read immature) thing to do.
What I'm talking about in this post is, however, a type of rejection that performers experience. It's not a perfect analogy to a relationship Fade Out, but it's close enough. The scenario I'm describing is when a performer has made it through the first round of auditions and has been called back. After completing their call back the casting director/director/etc. says that we'll let everyone know either way by such and such date. And then, the wait begins. No Facebook posts on their page hint at their decision, no emails are forthcoming, no telephone calls congratulating or explaining that they went in another direction. Instead, it's as if the audition never happened. A few weeks later they post the cast list on Facebook, you're not on it.
Most of the time, I fully expect that if I'm not cast I won't hear from anyone about it. I'll find out who's cast on Twitter or Facebook. That's the Silent Rejection, which isn't as good as the Band-aid Rejection, but is preferable to the Fade Out. The only time I expect to hear that I didn't get cast is when I am specifically told that I will be informed either way. Then, once the deadline has passed and I haven't heard I still wait. Maybe I got it, maybe they're just slow, maybe, maybe, maybe...
What do you all prefer? Band-aid? Silent? Fade Out? Let me know in the comments.
PS Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Chicago Shakespeare Theater and $20 Tickets
This is going to be short and sweet. Cool thing to do in Chicago: $20 Chicago Shakespeare tickets for those under 35.
Making live theatre more accessible to people is a fantastic initiative. There's a stigma about theatre being snobbish and elitist. I will admit that, especially in today's economy, ticket prices for good theatre are often prohibitively expensive. This offer, which targets students and young professionals, puts world class theatre ticket prices in the same ballpark as movie tickets. Score.
You can get them HERE.
Making live theatre more accessible to people is a fantastic initiative. There's a stigma about theatre being snobbish and elitist. I will admit that, especially in today's economy, ticket prices for good theatre are often prohibitively expensive. This offer, which targets students and young professionals, puts world class theatre ticket prices in the same ballpark as movie tickets. Score.
You can get them HERE.
Monday, March 10, 2014
My First Week in Chicago
What a whirlwind of a week it's been. Moved, auditioned, unpacked sporadically, had a callback, went out with friends, saw a show, and said goodbye to my mom one week later.
Saturday 3/1
The move turned out to be a lot less stressful than I was anticipating. (This is, in large part, thanks to New City Moving, who I researched and read about on Yelp! More about them later.) I might have mentioned it before, but I'm a worrier. I constantly envision things that could go wrong in a scenario. I'm talking events ranging from things that could happen to horrible freak accidents. (I blame the latter on seeing Final Destination as a child.)
Anyway, the plan was to meet the movers at a giant block store about 18 miles away from my apartment. Me being me, was stressed that security guards were going to swarm my vehicle and tell me that a dirty loiterer like me couldn't be there, get out, etc. Luckily, that didn't happen. What did happen was a blown out tire on the trailer that my dad was driving.
We were pretty close to the meet up spot, around 5 hours into our drive and about an hour out, when I noticed that little black chunks were flying at my car. (I was driving behind Dad). Damn trucks, I think. It's super lucky those black rocks they are throwing up aren't busting my windshield. Then, the chunks get bigger. I realize what's happening and frantically try to get my blue tooth going to call Dad, since ya know, handheld cell phone usage is now illegal in Illinois. Siri doesn't cooperate, instead asking whether I wanted her to look up an article on something. NO! Siri, obviously not! By the time I get her dialing Dad the tire has blown out. Luckily, it just kind of rolled off the wheel frame rather than exploding and sending the truck careening into anything. Also luckily, we have a spare and Dad has important life skills, like knowing how to change a tire.
Once we're back on the road I get a call from the movers. They're about an hour out from the location. How convenient I tell them, I am also about an hour out.
Nothing else of note happens, thank heavens, and we arrive whereupon the movers unpack a trailer that took Mom and I about 6 hours to pack (at least) in about 20 minutes. Color me impressed.
I say a tearful goodbye to Dad, who is driving back the same day to try to beat the impending ice storm scheduled to hit our area, get in my car, and hit Chicago traffic.
The truck beats me. I try to find parking. I attempt to parallel park. Let's hope I get better at that real fast.
By the time I make it to may apartment the movers have already unloaded a bunch of boxes. Things progress pretty smoothly until they try to get my seven foot couch through the door and around an exceedingly tight corner. Initially they're like, it won't go. And I'm like, No! I cannot tell my dad that he was right about the couch.
Them: We'll take off the legs.
Me: Great.
Them: Well, that didn't work because you see this back leg, it's like glued to the frame, not just screwed in.
Me/Mom: Give us a hammer, we'll rip it off.
Them: Let us try it again at a different angle.
Me/Mom: Thank you.
Them: (Grunts, groans)
Me: Yay!!!
They got it through with some impressive twisting. If not for the couch they would have probably been finished a good half hour earlier. As it were, they came in over $300 dollars UNDER the estimate that they sent me. Moreover, with all the stuff that I had the only thing that broke was a single piece of stemware. Granted I'm not thrilled about that, but in the grand scheme of things I was extremely happy with what they did for me. Everyone was incredibly polite and efficient. Thus, if you're considering moving to Chicago, I recommend New City Moving to get you settled into your new place. I have no regrets in hiring them. (Note! Nobody paid me to say that. My blog's not that big...yet.)
The rest of Saturday was spent putting my bed together and crashing.
Sunday
Sunday Funday was largely spent unpacking. My apartment is rather small (studio) so it was a bit of an issue trying to place things when Mom (who graciously agreed to stay for the week to get me settled in) and I were crawling over boxes, the dog, the cat, and each other. Slow going to say the least.
Sunday afternoon I had my first audition since moving to the area. I was a tad bit frazzled. I left my apartment with what I thought was plenty of time to spare. I was wrong. I was about five minutes late. In fact, the auditionors were walking out of the theatre when I was signing in. They filed back in when the proctor told them there was one more. Despite my tardiness, I felt good about the audition. The director worked with me a bit on my monologue and we chatted about my recent move. I was asked if I was available for Wednesday night if I happened to be called back. Yes.
Monday
.JPG)
More unpacking. Still can't really see the floor. It's like playing hot lava all the time. Get a lovely surprise that makes my day.
No word about the audition.
Tuesday
Unpack. How do I have this much stuff! I cut down!! Get an email inviting me to the callbacks.
Wednesday
Unpack. 3M Command Hooks are possibly the greatest home organization invention ever. Other than, like, nails, which I can't use...a nail that is.
Callback! For which I am incredibly early since this time I overestimated the commute.
Thursday
Unpack. I get my Comcast box. I set it up. I get internet and cable and proceed to watch 3 episodes of House with Mom. Then I spend an infuriating two hours putting together a breakfast table. Pretty sure that I pull my bicep trying to force the castors into their designated slots.
No word about casting.
Friday
Unpack. Then, joy of joys, we leave my apartment and go see Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier.
It was awesome. I'd never seen the show before. I loved the music, I loved the costumes, I loved Herbie, Louise, and the real live lamb! Performances were beyond solid from ensemble to Mama Rose. It was a very enjoyable show and both Mom and I liked it.
Take a cab back. Pull onto my street and see the flashing lights of a fire truck. Proceed suspiciously. They're at my building. Someone's trapped in the elevator. This happens a lot according to a neighbor Mom and I meet in the stairwell. Hell. I suppose if I'm being honest my quads can use the strength training climbing stairs provides.
No word about casting.
Saturday
More unpacking, I feel like the end is kind of in sight?
Later in the night I go see Tim Ipsen, the boyfriend of one of my best friends, play bass at a cafe. It was a really nice evening. Great music, good food, and wonderful company.
No word about casting.
Sunday
Sleep in a little late. Walk to a restaurant to get lunch with Mom before she leaves. Another tearful goodbye. This growing up stuff isn't always so fun.
Still no word about casting.
Monday 3/10
Friend in town. Pretend I know more about Chicago than I do.
As of this post, no word about casting.
Saturday 3/1
The move turned out to be a lot less stressful than I was anticipating. (This is, in large part, thanks to New City Moving, who I researched and read about on Yelp! More about them later.) I might have mentioned it before, but I'm a worrier. I constantly envision things that could go wrong in a scenario. I'm talking events ranging from things that could happen to horrible freak accidents. (I blame the latter on seeing Final Destination as a child.)
Anyway, the plan was to meet the movers at a giant block store about 18 miles away from my apartment. Me being me, was stressed that security guards were going to swarm my vehicle and tell me that a dirty loiterer like me couldn't be there, get out, etc. Luckily, that didn't happen. What did happen was a blown out tire on the trailer that my dad was driving.
We were pretty close to the meet up spot, around 5 hours into our drive and about an hour out, when I noticed that little black chunks were flying at my car. (I was driving behind Dad). Damn trucks, I think. It's super lucky those black rocks they are throwing up aren't busting my windshield. Then, the chunks get bigger. I realize what's happening and frantically try to get my blue tooth going to call Dad, since ya know, handheld cell phone usage is now illegal in Illinois. Siri doesn't cooperate, instead asking whether I wanted her to look up an article on something. NO! Siri, obviously not! By the time I get her dialing Dad the tire has blown out. Luckily, it just kind of rolled off the wheel frame rather than exploding and sending the truck careening into anything. Also luckily, we have a spare and Dad has important life skills, like knowing how to change a tire.
Once we're back on the road I get a call from the movers. They're about an hour out from the location. How convenient I tell them, I am also about an hour out.
Nothing else of note happens, thank heavens, and we arrive whereupon the movers unpack a trailer that took Mom and I about 6 hours to pack (at least) in about 20 minutes. Color me impressed.
I say a tearful goodbye to Dad, who is driving back the same day to try to beat the impending ice storm scheduled to hit our area, get in my car, and hit Chicago traffic.
The truck beats me. I try to find parking. I attempt to parallel park. Let's hope I get better at that real fast.
By the time I make it to may apartment the movers have already unloaded a bunch of boxes. Things progress pretty smoothly until they try to get my seven foot couch through the door and around an exceedingly tight corner. Initially they're like, it won't go. And I'm like, No! I cannot tell my dad that he was right about the couch.
Them: We'll take off the legs.
Me: Great.
Them: Well, that didn't work because you see this back leg, it's like glued to the frame, not just screwed in.
Me/Mom: Give us a hammer, we'll rip it off.
Them: Let us try it again at a different angle.
Me/Mom: Thank you.
Them: (Grunts, groans)
Me: Yay!!!
They got it through with some impressive twisting. If not for the couch they would have probably been finished a good half hour earlier. As it were, they came in over $300 dollars UNDER the estimate that they sent me. Moreover, with all the stuff that I had the only thing that broke was a single piece of stemware. Granted I'm not thrilled about that, but in the grand scheme of things I was extremely happy with what they did for me. Everyone was incredibly polite and efficient. Thus, if you're considering moving to Chicago, I recommend New City Moving to get you settled into your new place. I have no regrets in hiring them. (Note! Nobody paid me to say that. My blog's not that big...yet.)
The rest of Saturday was spent putting my bed together and crashing.
Sunday
Sunday Funday was largely spent unpacking. My apartment is rather small (studio) so it was a bit of an issue trying to place things when Mom (who graciously agreed to stay for the week to get me settled in) and I were crawling over boxes, the dog, the cat, and each other. Slow going to say the least.
Sunday afternoon I had my first audition since moving to the area. I was a tad bit frazzled. I left my apartment with what I thought was plenty of time to spare. I was wrong. I was about five minutes late. In fact, the auditionors were walking out of the theatre when I was signing in. They filed back in when the proctor told them there was one more. Despite my tardiness, I felt good about the audition. The director worked with me a bit on my monologue and we chatted about my recent move. I was asked if I was available for Wednesday night if I happened to be called back. Yes.
Monday
More unpacking. Still can't really see the floor. It's like playing hot lava all the time. Get a lovely surprise that makes my day.
No word about the audition.
Tuesday
Unpack. How do I have this much stuff! I cut down!! Get an email inviting me to the callbacks.
Wednesday
Unpack. 3M Command Hooks are possibly the greatest home organization invention ever. Other than, like, nails, which I can't use...a nail that is.
Callback! For which I am incredibly early since this time I overestimated the commute.
Thursday
Unpack. I get my Comcast box. I set it up. I get internet and cable and proceed to watch 3 episodes of House with Mom. Then I spend an infuriating two hours putting together a breakfast table. Pretty sure that I pull my bicep trying to force the castors into their designated slots.
No word about casting.
Friday
Unpack. Then, joy of joys, we leave my apartment and go see Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier.
It was awesome. I'd never seen the show before. I loved the music, I loved the costumes, I loved Herbie, Louise, and the real live lamb! Performances were beyond solid from ensemble to Mama Rose. It was a very enjoyable show and both Mom and I liked it.
Take a cab back. Pull onto my street and see the flashing lights of a fire truck. Proceed suspiciously. They're at my building. Someone's trapped in the elevator. This happens a lot according to a neighbor Mom and I meet in the stairwell. Hell. I suppose if I'm being honest my quads can use the strength training climbing stairs provides.
No word about casting.
Saturday
More unpacking, I feel like the end is kind of in sight?
Later in the night I go see Tim Ipsen, the boyfriend of one of my best friends, play bass at a cafe. It was a really nice evening. Great music, good food, and wonderful company.
No word about casting.
Sunday
Sleep in a little late. Walk to a restaurant to get lunch with Mom before she leaves. Another tearful goodbye. This growing up stuff isn't always so fun.
Still no word about casting.
Monday 3/10
Friend in town. Pretend I know more about Chicago than I do.
As of this post, no word about casting.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
First Year Goals
 |
| From Zazzle |
New Year's Goals (My new year starts March 1.)
I read somewhere that it's important to share goals. Something about accountability. Mostly I think it works because if you tell people you want to accomplish something, and then don't even attempt to put in the work required, shame pops up in uncomfortable places.
So, if you talk to me and I'm doing nothing to pursue these goals, "for shame" me.
I'll update as I think of more and achieve or fail the goals.
[Note, not all of these goals are acting/career related.]
In no particular order:
1. Move to Chicago --> One week and two days out.
2. JOB! I need a job.
3. Take some acting classes. (Preferably On Camera and Voiceover (VO) classes to start. I have less experience in these mediums.)
a. Other classes I'd like to eventually take, finances permitting: Sketch Writing at Second City; Dance (ballet, tap, hip hop); Scene Study; Improv.4. Find a reasonably priced voice teacher.
5. Finish screenplay.
6. Hold reading of finished screenplay.
7. Revise screenplay.
8. Develop pitch for screenplay.
9. Start pitching screenplay.
10. Audition, audition, audition.
11. Book it.
12. Agent.
13. Take boxing classes.
14. Network. (I'm an introvert. I'd much rather be at home reading a book than trying to talk to people, but I realize connections are important. So it's something I'm going to struggle with, but I'll hopefully get there.)
15. Finish novel. (Current count is 44,000 words. Half way there!!)
16. Visit the major museums in the City.
17. Take Ki to the doggie beach.
18. See some great theatre.
19. Find a Swing Dance club.
20. Find a Ceili group.
21. Brush up on my accents and dialects: German; Irish; RP; Various Southern
22. Teach myself some new accents and dialects.
a. Accents: French; Russian; Italian; Polish; Indian; Jamaican
b. Dialects: Australian; Cockney; Scottish; Bostonian; New Jersey; Brooklyn
23. Keep up with this blog!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Moving Action Plan
I thought that posting this might help me be accountable and stay on top of my timeline.
One Month Out
1. Hire a moving company.
This may not be necessary for everyone. However, I am going to be living on the 5th floor of an apartment building. Not really a big deal because there's an elevator right? Wrong. The lease states the elevator is not to be used for moving. There's simply no way that my dad and I can carry my furniture up five flights. The last time I moved I got my hand smashed going from first floor to the moving truck.
Also, the parking around my building is horrendous. There's no way that we could find a parking spot, let alone maneuver my dad's truck through the rather narrow streets, with a trailer attached. We are not professionals. We're going to meet the company outside the city at a box store parking lot to transfer my stuff.
Enter, the internet. I used Yelp to find out what three moving companies were rated the highest. I contacted those companies to receive an estimate. I ended up choosing the one with the highest rating because not only did they receive the highest rating, they were $20 an hour less expensive and were going to send one less guy than the other company that responded to my inquiry. We'll see how it goes and whether or not I can recommend them.
2. Gather supplies
I've been accumulating moving supplies. Luckily, my mom saves bubble wrap so that's not going to be a problem. I've also been collecting boxes from my friends and family.
I bought some boxes from Home Depot as well. They ranged in price from $.69 to $1.29.
Three Weeks Out
Think about packing. Meh, I'll do it later.
Two Weeks Out
1. PACK! and take inventory of the items I'm bringing along.
2. Get renter's insurance based upon the inventory I have taken whilst packing. (closer to the end of the week.
3. Redo my furniture. I've picked up a few pieces over the past couple of years that I've been meaning to refinish.
a. $10 end table to be decoupaged with music??? old book??? Haven't decided yet.
b. $10 two drawer filing cabinet to be decoupaged with free copy of a mythology text.
c. Restore my grandparent's old bed to its former glory.
d. stain a night stand that I got for free.
One Week Out
1. Pack up the trailer.
2. Call my building manager. I called him as soon as I signed the lease, but he wanted to deal with me closer to the time of my move in.
3. Set up my utilities.
4. Get my car tuned up.
5. Going away party.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Auditioning for Shakespeare
 |
| Will Shakespeare...maybe? |
This audition is for a couple of Shakespeare plays. I'm to have a verse monologue prepared. I haven't done anything but contemporary auditions for some time so I'm slightly nervous. But, I'm never not nervous about an audition so that's par for the course.
How I'm going to prepare:
When I have a classical audition, I always start with: Soliloquy: The Shakespeare Monologues. I have the women's version, which, for some reason, is a little harder to find than the men's version. Not only does the book have the monologues, each entry contains a mini-dictionary explaining unfamiliar terms. Also included is a valuable description of the character. The character profile is helpful not only if you are in a pinch and don't have time to read the play (NOT recommended) but also to provide you a reference point before diving into the play.
I've also recently found Shakespeare's Monologues. It's divided into men and women. The monologues are presented in chart form and it denotes whether the speech is in verse or prose.
I try to match the character of the monologue to the character that I'm most appropriate for in the show. Shakespeare's writing contains some rather similar ladies so, thus far, it hasn't been an issue.
I will memorize the monologue through the process I described in my post on How to Memorize a Monologue.
If you're pressed for time:
If you don't have the time to read the play, the following websites provide plot summaries.
Shakespeare Online: Comprehensive summaries on the plays. Also contains some articles ranging from Shakespeare's language to information on the Globe.
No Sweat Shakespeare: Super short summaries.
Absolute Shakespeare: Summaries and commentaries on the plays.
Any resources and/or tips that you suggest? Comment below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)