Am I a Thespian at Heart?

Print Audition - FISHER PRICE/MATTEL - 11/28/07 (Kenyah)

Finally scheduled my new photo shoot. Unfortunately, it's not until mid-January because of the holidays. That should be alright though, considering that in this day and age of digital photos, you can get hard copy headshots in your hands days after a photo shoot. So, I think I'll have enough time before Pilot Season 2008 arrives.

As 2007 draws to a close I have to go back in to the booth to re-record my VO reel again. AGH! During playback we discovered I was slightly nasally the day we recorded.

I'm currently preparing more of my current headshots to take in to my Theatrical Agent. It feels nice to know that they're making every effort to get me out there, even with the strike slowing things almost to a standstill. Speaking of the strike, I still haven't made it out to the picket lines. Between going to the gym 4 times a week these days, on top of my already existing schedule, my life has been madness. I'll get out there as soon as I can though. It's important to me that I show my support.

This weekend is all about RAY CHARLES LIVE! I can't wait...:)...I wanted to go see THE COLOR PURPLE for my birthday next month, but at $100+ a ticket, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

I love theater. That's where I got my start. But I wonder sometimes if I could still do it. If I can still hang with the thespians. Is it like riding a bike? Or would my nerves get the best of me? I've gotten comfortable being in front of a camera these days rather than a large audience. Who knows, maybe one day I'll find out.

S.

Audition and I MET...

Print Audition - INNOVATIVE BABY - 11/20/07 (Kenyah)

Last week's trip to NM lends itself to a special (and comical, I might add) I MET. While there, I stumbled across one of three fan letters I wrote as a teenager. If I remember correctly, number one was Spike Lee, (who I've met by the way, I'll share that story at another time) number three was Jared Leto, (who I've also met, I'll share that story at another time as well) and this guy, he was number two.

So, my school girl infatuation with Benjamin Bratt started in 1993, when BOUND BY HONOR aka BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT hit movie theaters. I saw the trailer on TV, and was immediately convinced I needed to go see it because my future husband was in it. (Hey, give me a break, I was 16 for crying out loud!...:)...) After that day, anything that had Benjamin Bratt in it, I HAD TO go see it.

Fast forward to 1996, I was 19 years old, and it was the year before I moved to L.A. I'd just signed with a new personal manager, and she invited me to tag along at a press conference/screening of a movie a local producer had brought to Albuquerque: FOLLOW ME HOME. Since I was convinced I was a budding starlet in my own right, you know I had to go. She handed me the invite, and I was scanning down, I thought to myself: "Hmmm, that's mighty weird that this Writer/Director (Peter Bratt) shares the same last name as 'my man'...:)..." As I continued to scroll down, I saw that Benjamin Bratt's name was listed as cast. Lord have mercy, I almost hit the floor. I don't think I've ever screamed that loud in my life. As for my manager, she didn't know about "my thing" for Benjamin Bratt, so I'm pretty convinced she thought about un-inviting me in fear of embarrassment after that reaction.

The screening couldn't come fast enough. Needless to say, what I remember about that day, is that it was one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life!...:)...When we got to the theater, I didn't sit with my manager during the film, I had to get close to the action! You know, sit down front. I sat next to this pretty young woman, and we struck up a conversation. I remember going on and on to her about how much I loved me some Benjamin Bratt, and how I knew I would marry him some day. She just laughed and giggled, and kept asking me questions about why I liked him so much. So, you can imagine my surprise as The Bratt brothers took the stage after the film, and started giving thanks to their family and friends for their help with the production. As they introduced their sister, my neighbor, Nadia Bratt, stood to her feet! I don't even have to tell you what my face looked like! Since I know I would have, I'm sure she teased him for many, many days after that: "Hey Ben, remember that crazy black girl in New Mexico?!?...:)..."

After the screening, I finally got to meet him in the lobby. I was most certain to keep everything low key after what had just happened. I got to met Jesse Borrego that day too. I remember them being really nice, and not at all "Hollywood" at the time.

In the end, I credit Julia Roberts with ending my Benjamin Bratt crush.

P.S. If you look closely enough, you can see me standing in the background staring at Ben in the second picture. For another laugh, notice what I'm wearing! It was probably 100 degrees that day, and I had on a wool two piece suit, with black panty hose. I just knew I was looking good.

Shenita.

My week in Review (11/8 - 11/16)...

VO Audition - PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO (DENVER) - 11/13/07

My VO auditions last Thursday (11/8) went great! The booth runner commented on how strong my voice and choices are these days. The credit for that definitely goes to my work with Precision Talent. Actually, on that very day I came thisclose to booking a small recording job through Precision Talent, but I couldn't get were they needed me to be fast enough, so they had to go with someone else. It's all good. I also sent out a batch of headshots to NM Agent that day.

Last Friday (11/9) I got the 3rd issue of my guide out. It's a trip because I'm getting great feedback from the industry in New Mexico about the guide. I mean, just the other day the Creative Services Director for New Mexico’s CW station requested a copy, saying he wanted to use it to help cast local commercials. The problem I seem to be having is the lack of trust that I'm getting from the acting community in New Mexico. Some people are really bitter saying I'm a ripoff, etc. when all I'm trying to do is help get them out there. I don't charge very much as it is to be listed, so I'm not going to apologize for wanting to be compensated for the time it takes me to compile and cross check the e-mail database I use, nevermind the job of putting the book together every couple of months. I won't even get into the level of exposure I'm offering, etc. etc. At any rate, I'm just proud to be able to help the folks that are listed get the exposure they need, so I'll just keep forging ahead...:). No awesome booking stories as of yet, but I'm sure they'll be coming soon. I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of New Mexico, on Saturday (11/10), I took a quick flight there for two days to handle some personal business. It felt great to be back in NM. Even if only for a minute. It was also nice to have some downtime from L.A., the hubby, and the kids. Sometimes mommy needs a break, ya heard?!?...:)...

This past Tuesday (11/12) I had another VO Audition, this time with Precision Talent, again I thought it went well.

Wednesday (11/13), Kenyah and I had lunch with my new "writer friend." Very cool woman, and she's got some really great projects going on. I sure hope this strike ends soon! Man, I feel very bad for the writers out there who are struggling right now because of this strike. Hopefully the studios will get their acts together soon. Speaking of soon, as soon as I can catch my breath, I'm going to hit the picket lines. Maybe next Monday.

So, on top of all that, I've been working out like crazy lately! Getting Ready and Staying Ready! I also have some pretty good leads on photographers. I hope to shoot right after the Christmas Holiday.

Dats it for now.

Shenita.

Cute Clip of the Week!...:)...

VO Audition - NIKE & GUARANTY BANK - 11/7/07

This is so cute, I just had to share:



S.

Yes, it's me again...

TV Audition - THE SHIELD - 11/2/07

Yes, I said THE SHIELD...:)...It went very well. It was improv, extremely emotional improv, in other words I was kicking, screaming, hollering, and crying. So, as always, we'll see. I have strong feelings about this one, but ummm, how many times have I said that before? 10? 15? 20?

On Halloween night I took my kids to Hancock Park to trick-or-treat, anyone who has ever been over there on Halloween night knows how crazy it can be! Lo and behold we see Justin Chambers with his family, at least I think it was Justin Chambers. I most definitely was headed over to speak to him, until my 5 year pointed out with a yelp that he was headed to the scariest haunted house on the block, and there was NO WAY in the world that I was going to take her in that direction. Oh well, I'll talk to him on the set...:)...

Spoke with the writer the other day, we're on for lunch next week. That is if we don't meet up on a picket line somewhere!

Ordered more of my old headshots, just enough to hold me until I get the new ones taken. This month, or next. The shots I currently use were taken in Spring 2004. I don't look extremely different, but I think it's time for an updated photo.

Peace Out.

She-She.

Happy Halloween!...:)...

VO Audition – DICK’S SPORTING GOODS RADIO – 10/30/07

All last week I just wasn’t feeling myself. I’m not sure if it was the wildfires and the havoc it reeked on my asthma (fortunately my family and I weren’t in the path of any of the fires, but we know people who where), the tension and the stress over the amount of work I knew I had ahead of me, or just the every day reality of being a wife, mother, actor, and entrepreneur, etc., etc. At any rate, by Thursday (10/25), I was ready for a much needed break. You see a friend of mine was screening her film: DOING THE L.A. THING at the American Black Film Festival, so I decided to be supportive and attend. HOWEVER, due to an unfortunate series of events, (i.e. getting stuck in rush hour traffic behind the slowest driver in the northern hemisphere!, losing the $12 movie ticket I’d just purchased minutes before, and then sitting in the wrong film for about 15 minutes-which wasn’t too bad of a thing because Lamman Rucker’s face appeared on the screen just as I took my seat...:)...) I wound up missing the first ½ hour of her movie. Doggone it! Needless to say, things ended up being somewhat stressful in the beginning.

At any rate, Jamie did a wonderful job with her film! It’s amazing how many people I know who’ve managed to make their own projects. If I wasn’t so broke, and had more time on my hands, I might try to doing something like that myself. Hmmm...maybe one day. I also got to chat with some old acquaintances while at the festival: Angela Nirvana, Adetoro Makinde, and Carl Gilliard. I also met several new ones. I spotted Idris Elba in the crowd too…

In other news, my agent called the CD’s at GREY’S ANATOMY last Friday (10/26) to see if there was any interest in bringing me back. I was telling her that I think I’ve officially seen all of the recurring folks back on the show, all except me...:(...They told her there was nothing for me at the current time, but to keep in touch. I suppose that’s promising to hear. She also called the OTIS CD’s to see if they could help in the pursuit of getting my credit added on IMDB...that’s still developing.

After church on Sunday (10/28), I met with my New Mexico agent, who was here for the weekend, to discuss how things were going out there. He explained that there was little else I could do from here, but he’s been submitting me like crazy. That’s always good to hear, and I really feel like he has my best interest at heart. I’m confident that something will develop out there very soon.

So that brings me to yesterday morning (10/30). Hallelujah, my mojo is back! Two hours, twenty commercials, and a mild case of claustrophobia later, I finally got my new VO Reel recorded. (All in all, 2 out of 3 October goals ain’t bad. Right?) For November I’m adding 1 more: New Photography. I REALLY need it! I’ve been hitting the gym and TRYING to diet lately, so we’ll see how much of a difference I can make by year’s end. I feel that if I can get those last two things accomplished in time for Pilot Season 2008, it’s sure to be my best one yet! As you can see, I already have some reps in my corner, so I just need to step my game up it seems.

Speaking of Pilot Season, I almost forgot. I discovered on Saturday (10/27) that a fellow Christian/Mother I met over the summer at a church picnic, is also an up and coming writer who just sold a ½ comedy to Disney. The show already has a VERY BIG show runner attached, and they're gearing up to shoot the pilot. (That is, pending the looming writers strike.) Pretty cool huh?!? We exchanged cards, and will be doing lunch very soon.

P.S. Lastly and certainly not least, yes, it’s that time of year again: Free SAG Screenings. Did someone say Free? I’ve been RSVP’ing for stuff, but things keep coming up, so I haven’t been able to attend one yet. There have been many, many great ones to come through so far, but I’m the most sad about missing John Travolta and Halle Berry. Darn It!

Closing out October 2007...

Shenita.