The Not "Quite" Skinny Enough, Pretty Enough, Talented Enough Actress.

Shut Up and Listen

Lately, when working on set, I've found that not only do a lot of actors like to talk about themselves (that's inevitable....and I've gotten used to it.....plus I'm sure I do it myself to a certain degree) but they talk over me when I start talking about the business or completely discredit what I say. This is without asking me any questions about myself, my past, what I've done, where I've studied etc. It's gotten to a point where I just sit back, relax, and watch someone dish out exaggerated or inaccurate information to another naive actor. Sometimes another actor will sit down and talk to me about what I should do with my life before even asking me how I've gotten to where I've gotten and where I'm currently at! It's extremely rude and condescending!

The other day a fairly successful actor friend of mine (fairly successful meaning has had multiple guest star roles on network television shows) that I look up to, vented on Facebook because she was having trouble making all her auditions AND paying her bills. A totally validated rant because it's one of the hardest things for us actors to do and something I'm currently unable to do. One of her friends wrote underneath her post that she should "learn from her peers" and that THEY don't "pay to play" (she never mentioned that in her post) and auditioned regularly for all network shows.

I'm sure this individual only meant to help my friend but they completely ignored her post and unknowingly put themselves above her!

Moral of this blog post! Start listening to other people! Really listening! You could actually learn from someone else. If you're not willing to listen and think you are better than someone or know more than another person.....just shut up and don't talk until you are asked a question because no one likes being talked down to!

Freaked out about 2014!

Twas the night before New Years and I realized I barely posted any blogs this year...and 1 thing that has been on my mind the past couple of days is fear for the new year. I am not trying to be negative but...I'm nervous! Tony Robbins says that humans are not happy unless they experience progress. I just had a great year...and I am afraid I will not be able to top it next year and...well...pro-gress. 

This past year I made a good solid middle class living doing ALL fun "actor-y" jobs! I got to work on a web series and I did voice over work for a full length feature film. I topped it all off by getting to perform in an equity show in sunny warm Florida while it was 20 degrees in NYC! I worked my butt off but I also just had a lot of good luck! 

With all other jobs it's easy to move up the ranks...but with acting sometimes the connections you make or the work you do goes nowhere. There's a huge turnaround in casting, or maybe no one will watch the work you've done. You never know where your next job is coming from.

I'm definitely starting off the New Year right! Going on a 10 day cruise with my hubby. When I come back I feel like I am starting from square 1 and have a mountain to climb if I am gonna make 2014 better than 2013! I guess it's time to put my fears aside and just enjoy what I've accomplished to this point, enjoy the moment, and breath!

Two friends that inspire me like crazy!

I haven't written a blog in.....how long? Why? Cause I'm not often inspired to write. So when two of my closest friends not only write their own webseries/screenplay but raise money for it, produce it, and star in it....I have to take a step back and go "whoa!"

First off is Brooke Hoover. My friend Brooke has 2 adorable Pomeranian doggies. She loves them so much she decided to star one of them and all of her closest friends in a little webseries called Pageant Pom Moms (The journey of a Pomeranian, Precious and her loving mom, Rowena to pageant stardom and all the friends, foes and fiascoes they meet along the way!) I haven't had time or money to focus on my craft lately (aka acting) and I feel so lucky and honored to be a part of this show. It's kind of like Curb Your Enthusiasm meets Toddlers and Tiara's and then goes on a double date with Dance Moms. I get to practice my improve skills, my southern accent, and she even wrote in a little singing part for me. The show will be airing online in a few months and for all the latest updates and information you can check out the site:

http://www.pageantpommom.com/index.html

like the facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/PageantPomMom

or follow on twitter: https://twitter.com/pageantpommom

Next up is my dear friend Jeffrey Johns. About...3 years ago I'm talking to Jeffrey on the phone and he says to me "Laurie...I'm not very castable...I think I need to write my own movie." In my head I'm thinking "Yeah Jeffrey, whatever, you do that!" A few months later I get a phone call from Jeff again "Laurie, I'm in the middle of writing my screenplay and I shared it with some industry people and they think it's good!" Ok Jeffrey...mmm hmm. Next I get a call: "Laurie, my screenplay is complete and I just took a 2nd mortgage out on my home and borrowed $100,000 from the bank to produce it with." Shit Jeffrey! And finally I get a call "Laurie! Lee Meriwether and Sally Struthers are on board to appear in my film!".....well, finally after many more crazy phonecalls from Jeffrey he has a completed preview of his film: 

 

 

I don't live in Los Angeles so I was unable to appear in it but that didn't stop Jeffrey from including me! I did some voice over work from across the country. I also had a small featured role in his NYC pickup shots.

Jeffrey has put everything on the line for Waiting in the Wings the Musical and I believe in him so much! You can donate any amount of money to the film ($1-$100,000.00) at his crowdfunding campaign:

http://greenlightcrowdfunding.com/view/9/waiting-in-the-wings-the-musical

Visit the website: http://www.waitinginthewingsthemusical.com/

Like the films facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.johns2?fref=ts

Or follow on twitter: https://twitter.com/WITW_TheMusical

Both of my friends have proven to me that perseverance and hard work pay off and we can make anything we want to happen...happen!

 

My life in the background!

The first TV show I ever worked on was Boston Public! I was a a core highschool student! Since then I've been doing background work on and off! I guess this cold weather is making me nastolgic for my time on the West Coast so I went back, looked up some older footage, and edited it with some more recent work I've done to make this little video montage of my life in the background!!! Enjoy!

 

 

 

2012....Rough Start...Great Finish!

I just read my New Years Blog from last year! I am a great believer that if you put things out into the Universe you have a tendency to accomplish them and I wanted to know what...if anything...I had accomplished from last year.

 

Goal #1: Get AFTRA medical insurance. DONE! I did it...but I may lose it for next year unless I earn about $6,000 through AFTRA contracts by late February. Nothing is impossible...but it's kinda sucky I'm in this position. There was a union merge this year that promised to combine SAG/AFTRA and make medical insurance more attainable. So far the merge has had the opposite effect on my career. It's harder to book work. More competition! Hopefully in the New Year things will settle down. People will drop out of the biz (I already know 3 people that bought their AFTRA cards so that they could be SAG that couldn't handle the competition and either moved away or stopped acting.) And I will requalify for insurance!

 

Goal #2: Lose 10 pounds. OK....I lost about 5! That's 5 solid pounds. I also started toning more on a regular basis and I'm beggining to see more definition in my arms. There are things in my diet that I've completely changed. I have not had a drop of coffee in 5 months. I haven't had any chicken or meat either. My workouts are strong but WHITE SUGAR remains my evil enemy! This year I will continue to conquer my sugar cravings and decrease my portions! 120 is my goal weight and I'm about 132 right now. 

 

Goal #3: Take more acting/musical theater/dance classes. I took a few dance classes in the later half of the year. I found a teacher I love in FL who will hopefully be teaching in NYC soon! In the meantime I have a partner in crime with my girlfriend Jenn to take class at BDC. Money was tight this entire year and I never felt comfortable spending the $200 + on an acting class. I hope to have the disposable income this year, and the time, to just sign up for a class. It's hard to feel like an actress when you are so out of practice!

 

Goal #4: Get a commercial agent and start auditioning. Epic failure on this one. I didn't even try! Must continue trying in the New Year.

 

Goal #5: Do a forearm stand center floor in Yoga. I still can only do this one at the wall. I was in FL for 2 months and their were no yoga classes at the gym I went to...but I could have worked on this goal alone. Recently I found a very hands on teacher in NYC and I hope to continue taking her class on a regular basis and get this forearm stand DOWN!

 

Goal #6: Get a performance job on a cruise ship. I put a lot of energy into this goal and went to every single Disney Cruise audition this year. I always felt like a I did a great job (I am a huge critic of myself...so if I say that...I mean it!) Finally, at about my 10th audition the CD pulled me over after the audition and told me "Thanks for coming, you always do a great job, but I have no openings for anyone your height.".......This dream isn't dead yet, but most definitely needs to be refocused. I need to work harder on my dancing....and of course...my body. I also need to continue improving my voice!

Goal #7: Pay off my high interest student loan. I have about $400 left in that loan. I think it was at about $2,000 last year. I keep throwing money at it but it won't go away! At least....even if I make the minimum payments this year....it will be paid off! 

 

So...I sorta accomplished some of my 2012 New Years resolutions. The year started off slow, I didn't work a lot, I had no money, I went brunette...but in September I booked my first equity show in FL. I was able to perform for 2 months in a great production with amazing people. December was filled with auditions, fun background jobs, and a wonderful Christmas with my boyfriend. I'm blonde again, I'm motivated, and I'm ready for 2013!

Life isn't fair?

My whole life, whenever I whine about something or complain...people, specifically family members always comment: "Life isn't fair!"

This morning I was listening to a podcast entitled Patricia Raskin's positive living, and she was interviewing a man named Derek Rydall. Derek said something that really rang true to me and it was: Everything that happens to you in life is completely fair because it is to help you evolve into a better being. 

For example: My arthritis in my butt.....seems so unfair! It prevented me from touring with Sesame Street one year and causes me a tremendous amount of pain. BUT, it has helped me evolve into a stronger person. Because of my butt problems I went back to college, got a degree, started to eat healthier, do yoga on a regular basis, met Gary, appreciate my ability to dance so much more, and who knows what other good things that I don't even realize have happened to me? 

Next time someone you know says: "It's not fair!" Don't say: "Life isn't fair!"....talk about why it IS fair instead!

Oh, and this Derek Rydall fella wrote a book. Check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Business-Like-Soul-Screenwriting/dp/B006CDSTU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340109792&sr=8-1&keywords=There%27s+no+business+like+soul+business

1 Union

It's been a little over a month since SAG and AFTRA merged into 1 "stronger" union...and it's become extremely hard to book work and get auditions. At the few jobs I have gotten the climate on set has been extremely unprofessional. People showing up late, not bringing proper clothing options, not arriving hair/makeup ready, chatting DURING a take. It's embarrasing. Being a union member no longer means being a "professional" actor because a large percentage of the current members did nothing but fork up some cash to achieve their union status. 

This oversaturation of people will no doubt even out in a few years as actors learn that buying your card doesn't automatically turn you into an overnight success. The #1 question agents and managers always ask me is: "How did you earn your SAG card?"

In the meantime I've gotta come up with more clever ideas to make money in this biz...or else it's back to waiting tables!

Website Woe's

Hey All,

I haven't blogged in quite some time because I've been bad! Lazy! It comes from depression which comes from not working enough. This past week I basically said "fuck it" and got back in the game. I worked my butt off at the gym, saw a bunch of Broadway and Off Broadway shows, and started auditioning again! I also have 3 background jobs lined up for this Friday-Sunday which once again proves that as long as you are active...the universe will work with you!

One of the things I did this past week was take a cold reading workshop with a Casting Director who basically said it was "Unacceptable" for an actor to NOT have a website in this day and age. So, I put down $100+ on an "Easy" to make website! Well....easy my %$&*!!!!! After nearly 48 hours of staring at my computer I hardly got anything going....and what I did get going....I am not happy with!!!! 

I have some friends who are pro's in this field that have offered to help me work on my site. You can follow my progress and let me know what you think:

www.Lauriebloom.biz

Fellow industry folk....please help me make an important decision!

To remain blonde...or not to remain blonde...that is the question!

Hi everyone. I am a happy highlighted blonde! I enjoy being a blonde. I feel flashier, prettier, and sexier. Lately though, it seems there are some very valid reasons for me to return to my natural brown color. I sincerely need ALL of your input in helping me reach a decision.

Here are my reasons to go Brunette:

1. I currently make my living doing mostly background/extra work on film and television sets. There are 3 projects shooting in NYC that I will simply NOT be able to work on as a fake highlighted blonde. They are: Boardwalk Empire, Lowlife, and a new period movie shooting here. I hate to change my hair color for background work...but working on set, especially period pieces, is a great way to make MUCHO DINERO!

2. I can't afford to stay blonde! Not time wise and not financially. It's about $200 every other month including tip. It usually takes a huge chunk of a day which means I cannot book work the day of my appointment.

3. My roots grow out quick and my hair starts to look a little ratty after just 3 weeks.

4. I do have some older brunette headshots which I believe to be passable until this summer when I can afford to get new ones.

HERE are my reasons to remain blonde:

1. I worked a LOT last year...as my hair is now. A lot of principles are blonde and I stood in on set..often. Right now I worry that the reason I'm not working a lot is because of my hair color...but it's slow. Perhaps changing my hair will make no difference...or even worse, hinder me as it will irritate CD's that have used me as a blonde.

2. Hundreds of blonde headshots left...that I LOVE! They cost me a ton of money...and even though I have some passable brunette shots...I'll have to spend more money as soon as possible for updated shots.

3. Again, I think being a blonde helps me stand out and look different. I see a lot of brunettes at open calls but very few blondes.

It's all so very confusing!!!! Below I posted my current shots and my brunette shots that I will use if necessary. Please either facebook me, email me ([email protected],) or call me with your honest opinion!!! I know some of you reading this have casting experience and valid idea's of why I should go one color or another. Let me know!

 

MY CURRENT FAVORITE BLONDE HEADSHOTS!!!!

 

 

 

MY BRUNETTE HEADSHOTS THAT I WOULD USE IF NEEDED:

 

 

 

Some words from Dr. Wayne Dyer

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." By Wayne Dyer

I was creeping my facebook newsfeed today when I came across the above quote posted by the page: PARADIGM SHIFT.

I love this quote because I am the biggest offender of judging others! As an actress/performer all you are is judged. You are judged by critics, casting directors, and most often your fellow actors. Because we are judged so often, we justify ourselves judging others. But when I do judge others it is usually for having something that I don’t have myself. Maybe a look, maybe a singing talent, maybe an acting talent, maybe a free spirit. Whatever the case may be the bottom line is- Who am I to judge someone else? Who are you to judge someone else! I promise all my friends…and random people I don’t know (but judge)…I will try harder to stop myself when inner thoughts of criticism appear in my brain. Everyone is on their own path and it is not my job to worry about them…only myself.