I picked my headshots up from Isgo Lepejian on Thursday afternoon, just in time to use them at the workshop I attended that night with Casting Director Monica Swann.
My original plans involved my hubby and I checking out a screening of the new flick SOMETHING NEW (sponsored by SAG) with a Q/A with some of the cast members to follow. However, all that changed when I got an e-mail notice on Wednesday afternoon titled What Every Actor Should Know about Casting with Monica Swann, a workshop that was being offered at the Learning Annex. (Monica Swann is one of the top CD's in Los Angeles.) At first, I didn’t want to break my plans, but when I forwarded the e-mail, a couple of my fellow actor friends Tanika Brown McKelvy and Tann Moore, convinced me otherwise. Thanks girls! My hubby was also very encouraging, saying that he didn't mind if I changed my plans.
Both Tanika and Tann brought along some of their actor friends with them, so I was happy I was able to pass on such a valuable piece of information. One of Tanika’s friends was an actress named Tasia Sherel who, turns out, I’d read with at my callback for LET’S TALK back in November. (If you remember, I bombed really bad at that callback.) I was so embarrassed when I saw her there, but in my effort to get past that, the first thing I asked her was did she book the part (because she was phenomenal at the callback) and sure enough she had. I congratulated her, and she informed me that the film is slated to screen sometime this month. I hope I can get a hold of that information. I’d love to check out the final product.
So, okay, back to the workshop, Monica Swann was very sweet, and personable, and she answered everyone’s questions fully. We went ½ hour overtime because of it. Her assistant Alpha also came along and answered a few questions. During the 3 hour workshop Monica covered everything from, How to Prepare for an Audition to What Casting Directors are Looking for in Talent. She even brought sides, and let a few people do cold readings in front of the group.
The small room was packed, the temperature varied between hot and cold at times, my feet were swollen, and the workshop cost $40, but I’m happy I went. I got to talk to Monica personally about being a reader in her office, and the likely hood of a pregnant woman being cast in a non-pregnant role. Neither answer was what I wanted to hear. She said “Sorry, but I do my own readings AND it’s very unlikely because of insurance reasons. I have pregnant stars calling me all the time begging for roles."
I’d heard the insurance response from my talent manager (at the time) when I was pregnant with my first child, but I think I needed to hear it from a CD for it to sink in. Okay, yeah, I’m stubborn! I get it now. I have to wait.
My original plans involved my hubby and I checking out a screening of the new flick SOMETHING NEW (sponsored by SAG) with a Q/A with some of the cast members to follow. However, all that changed when I got an e-mail notice on Wednesday afternoon titled What Every Actor Should Know about Casting with Monica Swann, a workshop that was being offered at the Learning Annex. (Monica Swann is one of the top CD's in Los Angeles.) At first, I didn’t want to break my plans, but when I forwarded the e-mail, a couple of my fellow actor friends Tanika Brown McKelvy and Tann Moore, convinced me otherwise. Thanks girls! My hubby was also very encouraging, saying that he didn't mind if I changed my plans.
Both Tanika and Tann brought along some of their actor friends with them, so I was happy I was able to pass on such a valuable piece of information. One of Tanika’s friends was an actress named Tasia Sherel who, turns out, I’d read with at my callback for LET’S TALK back in November. (If you remember, I bombed really bad at that callback.) I was so embarrassed when I saw her there, but in my effort to get past that, the first thing I asked her was did she book the part (because she was phenomenal at the callback) and sure enough she had. I congratulated her, and she informed me that the film is slated to screen sometime this month. I hope I can get a hold of that information. I’d love to check out the final product.
So, okay, back to the workshop, Monica Swann was very sweet, and personable, and she answered everyone’s questions fully. We went ½ hour overtime because of it. Her assistant Alpha also came along and answered a few questions. During the 3 hour workshop Monica covered everything from, How to Prepare for an Audition to What Casting Directors are Looking for in Talent. She even brought sides, and let a few people do cold readings in front of the group.
The small room was packed, the temperature varied between hot and cold at times, my feet were swollen, and the workshop cost $40, but I’m happy I went. I got to talk to Monica personally about being a reader in her office, and the likely hood of a pregnant woman being cast in a non-pregnant role. Neither answer was what I wanted to hear. She said “Sorry, but I do my own readings AND it’s very unlikely because of insurance reasons. I have pregnant stars calling me all the time begging for roles."
I’d heard the insurance response from my talent manager (at the time) when I was pregnant with my first child, but I think I needed to hear it from a CD for it to sink in. Okay, yeah, I’m stubborn! I get it now. I have to wait.
So anyway, Monica accepted everyone’s headshots and resumes, which was cool. I am going to e-mail my agent and ask her if she can try to setup a general appointment for me to go in a talk with Monica further, one on one. I really liked her vibe (she reminded me of my mother) and I most certainly want to be one of those actresses she “thinks about” when casting.
I still got to see the movie this weekend! On Friday night, seven of my girlfriends and I, went to check out SOMETHING NEW, and boy what a great film it was. I thought both the story AND acting were superb, and the chemistry between Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker was untouchable. Check it out if you can!
Tonight I will be up putting together all of the mailers I wanted to do “as soon as I got my pictures back.” I’m sure many of you know the drill, daunting work indeed! Also tonight, I am going to try to (tearfully) sit through the series finale of STRONG MEDICINE.
Tomorrow night, I will be attending a two-part Cold Reading Workshop (sponsored by AFTRA) with CD Clair Sinnett. (I plan on asking her about being a reader as well.)
Also on deck this week is a call to a prominent Hollywood talent manager a friend of a friend referred me to. After months of probing on my part...:P...he showed her my headshots and resume two weeks ago, and she told him to have me call her cell phone sometime this week. Cool, huh?!? I’m very excited about this development, because all of the work I did looking for a talent manager earlier this year never panned out. I ended up being subjected to unreturned phone calls and unread e-mails from managers who’d expressed interest at first, but didn’t follow through with me. I’m sure they are very busy, but to that I say: Oh well, their loss. At any rate, wish me luck with this talent manager. I’d love to be on her roster.
Lastly, thanks to all of you who checked out BROOKLYN'S BRIDGE TO JORDAN last week. It was great to receive all of the wonderful, supportive e-mails!
Shenita.
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