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

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!

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 

A Year In Review!

As the New Year is approaching, I've been reflecting a lot on 2011. In this moment, I feel way behind on all my goals and dreams...but if I go through my year bit by bit in my mind I'm realizing I've accomplished quite a lot. 

New Years Eve a year ago was spent with my dear friend Sheryl at a family friends party on Long Island. We were both unemployed, I was flat broke, living at home with my family, in a horrible school situation, and just plain miserable. One of my first accomplishments in the new year was to get a job at the Olive Garden. That turned into a nightmare for me...possibly being one of the worst jobs I have ever had in my life. The heavy dishware full of pasta and soup were just not meant to be carried by a girl with a proclivity for arthritis. The customers tended to be the cheapest of the cheap and the most unhealthy people (mind and body) I have ever had to deal with in my entire life! But the job did enable me to pay a portion of my bills. I also had to suffer through the last semester of school. School SUCKED. But I graduated. And in order to graduate I had to co direct a play. Something that I did not enjoy, but I'm glad I did. I started dating Gary in February and he has opened up so many opportunities to me. He welcomed me into his home. Upon graduation I was given the luxury of living in the heart of Manhattan. I have been able to easily get to auditions. When I first graduated I was financially screwed! But I started booking so much background work, and I got a job I love for a theatrical promotion company. During the week I am in the film and television world, and on weekends I am surrounded by Broadway and the Theater! I have been making a great living, I was able to afford Christmas gifts for my family this year...plus lots of STUFF for myself. I was also able to pay off a large chunk of 1 of my student loans and my car payments. Earlier in the year my sacroilitis was acting up...but since I have added certain supplements to my diet I've been feeling stronger and healthier than ever before. So, I need to stop feeling behind and not good enough and just continue to plug away at my goals.

I have a few small goals that there is no question MUST be accomplished next year. They are: Obtain Medical Insurance through work in the Industry. I am so close to qualifying for insurance through AFTRA, one of my unions. In 2012 I must dump my current overpriced insurance and switch over. Another goal is to lose a solid 10 pounds. I love working out and going to the gym...but I also love eating. My habits have improved and some weight has come off...but not enough. I need to pay off my high interest student loan. I also want to take a few acting/musical theater/dance classes. Unfortunately, due to my schedule it is impossible for me to study somewhere on a regular basis...but at some point this year I need to at least take a 1 day workshop. Later this year I'd also like to get a commercial agent and start auditioning. And lastly, I'd like to be able to do a forearm stand center floor in Yoga. I have the strength, I have the flexibility, and I can do it against the wall! I need a teacher to work with me so I feel confident enough to do it without help.

I also have a few goals that seem more far fetched to me...but I must still work for. One of them is to book a performance job on a cruise ship. I don't care if it involves wearing a Mickey Mouse costume for Disney. I want to be someplace that allows me to save money, pay my bills, and have fun! I also went on my first cruise this year and LOVED being on the water. A cruise ship job would be a dream job. 

I believe 2012 is going to be fabulous. I'm going to make it fabulous. I hope everyone else has a Happy New Year and achieves their dreams too!

YAY RUDY!

If you haven't seen the movie RUDY, and you enjoy being inspired...get thee to thy netflix and put it on the queue ASAP! Rudy is the true story about Daniel Ruettiger who against all odds and all the negativity that he experienced in his childhood, achieved his dream of playing football at Notre Dame. I rewatched Rudy the other night with my boyfriend, Gary, and was freshly inspired! I'm on a kick of watching motivational/spiritual youtube videos in the morning to help me start my day right and this morning I did a youtube search for Daniel Ruettiger. I found the video below...set up my ipad in the bathroom (and then the kitchen,) cleaned, and listened to what he had to say. He is a powerful speaker and more than ever I feel confident that I will succeed. It might not be immediately, and it might not happen the way I imagined, but as long as I don't give up my dreams I know I will be a success! Watch the movie, and then watch this video! If you're an actor, I strongly recommend putting this video on while you are doing tedious mailings, or the annoying stapling of headshots and resumes! It will make you staple with gusto I promise!   

My very first video blog!!!!

Hey Everyone!!!!

Sorry it's been awhile but I've been working like a crazy girl! Please watch my very first video blog and see how much I love my new juicer!

 

 

A little Inspiration...Will Smith Style!

I know I know...long time, no blogging! I've been mentally all over the place these past few weeks. I haven't been as focused as I should be on working on my craft. OK, I haven't been very focused at all. What I really wanted to do was use from now til Christmas to make money. I've been slightly successful at that, but things, obstacles if you will, get in the way! I only ended up working 1 day of BG work this week because a certain company that shall remain nameless put me on hold for a commercial and then did not call me to tell me I didn't get it so I had to turn down a ton of other work offered to me while I was waiting to hear from them. I need to add that this was the 2nd day of work this month that I had missed because of this company! The first day was because the casting director had mixed up the date. Anyway, that CD is going to have crappy karma, so it's all good. The thing that bothers me is that I'm not making much money AND I'm not working on my craft! I'm so stressed about that, that I'm basically just sitting around the apartment and not visiting with friends with this free time I have. I've got a long list of people I need to spend some time with! I feel like I'm in a bubble with my boyfriend. I love my boyfriend, but I love my friends too! 

I've seen this video on youtube before. I'm not much of a Will Smith fan. I like some of his movies and I think he does what he does well...but he's very inspiring in interviews I must say. He's definitely an example of a strong individual who does not let anything get in his way! I decided to rewatch this video this morning and I'm glad I did! I'm feeling motivated again! I texted my boss from my Times Square job, picked up a shift, practiced my voice lesson, made a big healthy breakfast, and now...blogging! Check it out if you're feeling a little down:

 

 

I am here but I'm supposed to be THERE!

I feel like I've been run over by a tractor trailor, 2 trains, and a Porsche. Yesterday I had a 6am calltime for background work in Montauk Point. Despite my best efforts I only got about 3 hours of sleep. I took the job in Montauk because I thought the extra driving time would allow for me to work on my singing voice, go over exercises, and learn new songs (by repetition.) But I couldn't even move a muscle driving there or back for fear of falling a sleep at the wheel. I just slept 11 hours and I have another job today in the city that I must start preparing for in a bit. I still have big dreams of being a Broadway singer...but my voice is not nearly strong enough and I am not nearly brave enough to make that dream a reality right now. I keep having fantasies of having the opportunity to do nothing but sing/dance/and act for 6 months straight and coming out the person I know exists inside somewhere. She just needs a chance to study! Really study without interruption! With people that believe in her! That was what $40,000 worth of college was supposed to be...and did not happen for me. Being in this debt has pulled me further away from my dreams as I feel that I am nothing but a mean lean background working machine. I haven't even been able to get it together to take 1 On Camera Acting Workshop. I have a new idea for a REALITY TV show. It should be called "I'm Running Out Of Time." It can be a little bit like the MTV show "Made" but instead of teenagers, take 30+ adults that are pursuing careers in the arts that have a trillion distractions elsewhere, and pay for them to go through a boot camp in their field that allows for them to just focus on THEM. Get them the teachers/support they need to make their dreams come true, and see what happens. I bet it would be the most highly rated TV show ever because unless you're Sutton Foster or Natalie Portman....I'm sure you can relate!