Monday, April 26, 2010

All is Not Lost

So I had to hop back on tonight to give you guys a follow up on the casting/callback ordeal I was dealing with last week. You know the one I went through hoops to get them pictures of me with different hair looks because I couldn't make the callback because I was booked for the same day.

Anywho. The client was Celebrity Cruises. It was a two week cruise to Europe. So of course I'm trying to book this one. It's a paid vaca basically. I booked a 7 day job in January for Starwood Hotels/Sheraton in Puerto Rico, so this was right up my alley. I haven't travelled in a while so booking jobs in other countries is sweeeet! And on these trips you have down days as well. So not only would I be doing what I love, I'd be enjoying a nice cruise and the sites in Europe!

Last Tuesday, I get an email from my agency saying that apparently they were still considering me and they wanted to make sure (in general) that all submissions were open to the images being used for another division of the Cruise company. So I obliged and was possibly still in the running. Wednesday, I get an email saying that they would like to put me on hold for the project dates. Which means, for those who don't know, they want me to hold the dates for the project. If another client wants to put me on hold for those dates, they would basically have to get in line. Celebrity Cruise has the first option.

So I'm excited. I'm like all the work I put in to still be considered may actually pay off. My agent let me know that the casting director was really pushing me. She told my agent that "Monique is exactly what they are looking for, but just don't know it". WOW. That's alright. I come across the same casting directors all the time. This was the first time, that I know of that I've ever met Liza. But she obviously saw something shine in me. So Liza, if you ever come across this blog...thank youuuuu! Her persistence in my favor really means alot and shows me that I am truly growing in my career and that my hard work is starting to pay off.

Well there was still hope for me ... until today. I got the email saying that I did not book it. : ( I'm OK with that. Because as I always say, what's for me is for me. Although the rate was pretty good, I would have been gone for 2 weeks. I believe there's a bigger and better job waiting for me during that period. So I have to be available to shoot for it! So no biggie But then about 30 minutes later, I get a call from another agency saying I booked a casting I went on a couple weeks ago for Citibank. So all is not lost.

If you continue to have hope in the midst of disappointment, good things STILL happen. So don't ever get down because things don't go as YOU wish. They go as GOD wishes. HE is the only one who can work it out.

Until next time ... GO GET IT!!!!

On the Road Again

I thought I'd have at least 3 days to chill out a home since I didnt have any castings lined up for Monday. But then on Saturday at 12:51p I got an email for a casting on Monday. I really thought about passing on this one. Because of all the driving I did last week, from NYC to NC, I was just exhausted. Plus, I had so much to do around the house. I still hadn't unpacked from all the travelling I did last week. But my ambition took over and I'm on the bus on my way up to be there.

It's like I never want to stop. I mean I wanna break from it all sometimes. SLEEEP PLEEEEEASE! 3 days, a week even? But I know that I can't stop. I have to keep taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented. Besides it was a request. Which means the casting director specifically contacted my agency for me to come in. So I gotta go.

At first, I used to just be all about making every audition because I'm thinking about the money. And TRUST, every job is not always paying a lot of money, but you want to take advantage of every casting/audition because you got bills to pay. It's a potential job. I must admit, 3 years, 1 month and 17 days into this, I do turn down some castings especially if I'm not already in NY. Some aren't just worth the travel and time for a possibility. If I'm already up, then of course I go to every one. But I am in this because I love what I do. You can't love the money, because #1 the money doesn't love you and #you can't always count on it. You gotta love what you do and who you are outside of money. It comes and it goes. What you want to stick around is the JOY you recieve when you're working or just being the person GOD made you to be.

I didn't get much rest this weekend. I didn't even get to see my family but I did make calls to everyone. Checking in and checking up. It was so good to hear from everyone. Taking in the support and love they always give.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Today...cool and rainy. It's supposed to be that way in NYC also. But rain or shine, I'm so thankful that GOD woke me up this morning to keep moving on with this journey. Not too many people have the faith, courage or opportunity to pursue the one thing they want to do most in life. I'm not saying this is the end all be all for me, but you get what I'm saying. I'm so glad that I was born into the family I was born into. They are so supportive and truly believe in me. That feels so good and makes this journey so much more easier to continue.

Thanks Fam! You are truly the best!!!

Until next time ... GO GET IT!!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Hurry Up and Wait

Well the 3 to 4 hour shoot turned out be hours of waiting. My agency sent me a call time for 8am, however when I get to the studio, I got a warm NC welcome and a "you're early." Say what? I could have slept an extra hour? As you get older, sleep becomes extremely essential.

They tell me my call time was actually at 9am. Ok so, I decided to go down the street to get me some breakfast. I hit the Food Lion for some fruit, get a steak bagel from McDonald's and fill up the tank for the ride home. As you can figure out, there was no craft service provided. No biggie ... I'm lying! Yall know I gotta have me some food. Had I known the call time was at 9a, I could have eaten breakfast back at the hotel for FREE.

They did ask me if I needed anything ... water...coffee. How bout a buffet sir, ma'am? Some turkey bacon, eggs and maybe some potatoes. UNH UH! SMH.

Anyway this day turned out to be what seemed to be the longest day ever. The client was not in-house. So this is how it went. We are NC. The client is in Atlanta. They have an office in NYC and an office in Indiana. We take the pictures and they are sent off to those offices to be approved. The pictures are assessed/approved by 16 people. HUH? If things on the set needed to be adjusted ... we took more pictures. If my wardrobe needed to be tweaked ... we took more pictures. If they wanted me to be doing something different ... we took more pictures. We took about a total of 16 pictures ... if that and that's nothing compared to the amount of pictures I've taken on other shoots. But the turn around was 2 hours in between each session. It was totally ridiculous. Even the photographer and set designers were extremely surprised at how long this process was taking.

I should have been out of there at least by 1p. Around 2p, they asked if I was hungry and wanted lunch. Uhhhhhh...HECK YEAHHHH! I ordered a spinach and shrimp salad from some Italian place the owner of the studio was raving about. After I ate, there was more sitting and more waiting. I read magazines, took quizzes, wrote notes, grocery and to do lists. Killing time any way I could. I even stared out the window taking in the birds, trees and the sky.

After a 2nd or 3rd 2 hour waiting session, I'm back on the set. This time they wanted me to remove the belt from my sweater, which didn't actually go to the sweater. I was being creative and the woman who approved wardrobe loved it. But it may have been a little too stylish. We are talking Home Depot. Anywho, after 3 or 4 shots, I'm back to sitting and waiting. Praying for a stamp of approval.

Finally at about 10 minutes to 6 people!!! We get approved and finally I get my get out of jail free card. Deep breath and I prepare for my 5 hour drive back to MD. It wasn't too bad. But I was tired when I got back to the house. It didn't take long for me be passed the heck out. This weekend...I'm chillin'. If someone wants me to go somewhere, they're gonna have to come pick me up. I'm done driving for at least the next 3 days.

Until Next Time ... GO GET IT!!! And Ima GO GET some rest! ; )

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Turned Around to NC Bound

So last night, I got on the road from NYC about 8p. It was smooth sailing until I got to the Delaware Bridge. MAJOR TRAFFIC. Four lanes turned into one. But did I trip out ... NOPE! (pat on the back) Just dealt with it. Besides once I crossed over the bridge it was smooth sailing ... NOT!!! About 15 miles down the road 95 S was shut down. Picture the look on my face. I had to go through Dover to pick up 95 somewhere along the line. So with both the bridge and detour dilemmas, my arrival time home was pushed back 30 minutes or so. But, I made it home safely. AND soon after I was KNOCKED out.

Yesterday was slow. No castings/auditions this week. Just work! I could look at it as good and bad. I mean I still want to continue to be seen for future jobs, but I'm totally blessed and thankful for the 2 jobs I booked this week. Besides, as much moving around as I do, its always a breath of fresh air to have some down time. Just a little. : )

I did go to the city and have lunch with one of my girls and then we met up with another friend and just kicked it until it was ready for me to hit the road.

Today ... I hit the road again. I made it to North Cackalac. Right now I'm watching the Project Runway Finale and soon, will hit the hay. My call time is 8am. I'm booked for an 8 hour day, which is pretty standard but my agency said it'll be more like a 3 to 4 hour day. Niiiiice. It's just me so I can knock it out. Get back on the road, and prepare for the weekend, which will include cleaning, visiting family and admin work.

I'll look into some casting sites, register and update profiles. Just because I have agencies, doesn't mean I can't submit myself for projects. I don't just rely on the connections the agencies have. I have to build my own as well as increase my opportunity to be seen on projects that an agency might not submit me for. This is why it has been effective for me to have a list of agencies that I work with. And not just in NYC.

Why might an agency not submit you? Well the reasons could be numerous. A casting office may only request certain people to the audition or the agency may only have a certain number of talent they can send. Those are just a couple. But you can't be concerned with the why. You have to stay on top of your game and if necessary, submit yourself! Yeah... you can actually do that.

Well peeps, I'm missing the juicy drama going on on Project Runway. I don't have cable, so when I can catch a show I used to watch when I did, I'm tuned in.

So until next time ... GO GET IT!!!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

TLC Shoot/Oh Well

I really thought about writing an insert last night, but I was exhausted from the shoot. It was a long day but I had a great time. Sometimes when we book jobs we don't always know exactly what we are shooting. If you are familiar TLC (a discovery channel network) you know they show a lot of how to's, baby, and makeover shows. The list is longer but just wanna give you the jest. We di a promo to air inside the show "Say Yes to The Dress."

We are portraying "real" brides who are learning make-up tips to get ready for our big wedding day. My name is Trish...lol. So if it looks like me ... it probably is ... lol. Keep in mind I am an actress. But it was fun. We worked with celebrity make-up artist Ashunta and we got to wear some really beautiful gowns. Sidebar: craft service was darn good! For those who don't know what craft service is...its the food provided on the shoot. Sorry, people that "really" know me, know food is my favorite. : ) Anywho, the other two girls on the shoot were great.

Commericals/Promos are usually more time consuming than print shoots as we have to shoot from so many angles for editing.

During the shoot, I got an email from my agency that sent me on the big casting I told you guys about last week. You know the one you were suppose to stay tuned in for the result. The one the client switched the callback date. Well, on last Wednesday before I got the callback the client contacted my agency to see if I had any images with longer hair. I only had a few on my laptop but more on my desktop at home. I wouldn't be home until Friday. So as of course you know, I got the callback. My agency was communicating back and forth about how they could accommodate me for the callback...since THEY changed the date. They considered Skype, but apparently the photographer on the shoot wasn't feeling the idea. They went ahead and scheduled my callback time for 6:25p on Monday ... that was the latest they could see me. Well, the TLC shoot was scheduled to wrap at 6:30p, which it didn't til after 7p, and I was 20 minutes away in Montclair, NJ. So with that information, we knew it would be impossible for me to make this callback. But we never let go of any hope that SOMETHING would work out.

So I thought, when I get back to MD, I'll just take pictures of me in different wigs (I have a gazillion but I only did 5), dress how they want me to dress for the callback and send those over. I even made a sign that said "BOOK ME PLEASE!". I mean now that's effort. Not to mention, I didn't have a lot of time once I got off the bus (which arrived an hour behind schedule). I had to take care of a few errands before I even got to the house and then I had to meet up with one my counterparts to carpool to the event I was working that evening. I mean we (me and my boyfriend) jumped through hoops trying to get those pictures taken and out on that day. I didn't want to wait until the weekend. I wanted them to see how dedicated I was to getting this potential job.

So back to the email my agency sent yesterday while I was shooting. "How's it going?" I wish I could have given him some good news. I even asked him what they thought about the images we sent over. He said, "the casting director said they were good but the client is big into meeting you in person and seeing your personality." I mean I did a sign, which my agency loved, took like 60 pictures in 5 different wigs, had a valid passport, which by the way I forgot to mention, they said it was between me and one other woman that was having issues with her passport ... HELLLLLOOOO PEOPLE ... IM YOUR GAL!!!!! ME OVER HERE. *long sigh*

In addition to being scheduled to wrap at 630p, the TLC shoot was running a little behind. The callback just wasn't going to happen for me. I couldn't even worry about it. The casting director and the client knew that I was booked for the day. So I had to let that thing go.

OH WELL.

Today, I'm moving on. Think I'll go jog it out, work it out, take 2 of these and walk it out .... lol

No castings/auditions today. Pretty easy.

Until next time ... GO GET IT.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

All Rested Up and On the Road Again

Well as you can see, I didn't make it back on the blog last night. I ate, showered and was down for the count. I slept for a couple of hours. Then, managed to muster up the energy to wash my hair...forget about doing it. That process would have to wait til the morning. So after the dryer...I was back in la la land.

I woke this morning about 730a, somewhat ready to tackle the day. I was planning to get on the road to NYC about 3p. So I needed to get the "do" in order, finish up what needed to be done at the house and then I had prepare the royal baggage. ; )

Everything went as planned and I was on the road by 251p. But before I hit 95, I stopped at Panera to pick up some lunch for the road and I was off. I ran into traffic twice ... congestion ... FOR WHAT?? I don't understand congestion. Just drive people!!! But my shoot isn't until tomorrow ... I'm in no rush ... so just chillax Mo! But when you're booking it and you roll up on this congestion business it can blow you a little ... I guess if you let it. So I get over it quick! Just want to get to my destination safe and sound.

Which brings me to now. I MADE IT! A little tired, but ready to tackle the TLC shoot tomorrow. It's going to be an early and long day... 5am I'll be getting up! Call time is at 7am in Montclair NJ. Soooo not too much to puff about this evening. I'm sure by the middle of the week I'll have more exciting stories to divulge. So stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by and ....

Until Next Time ... GO GET IT!!!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Friday Blues Saturday Moves

Patience is a virtue but DAYUMMMMM sometimes you feel like smacking the HECK outta somebody.

I mean I'm working on patience and boy have I improved. BUT all day I was tested. I'm sure by the time you read this, I've let it go. But people can surely take you "there" if you allow them too.

I mean I find myself talking to myself. Trying to talk to myself out of really going off on somebody. In NY, it seems almost normal that people talk to themselves, so I fit right in. LOL. The look I get from other's is more like "now what's this one talking about." instead of "is she crazy?" LOL.

But along with everything else you deal with in life, you take the good with the bad and you try not to dwell on the bad. DON'T LET OTHER PEOPLE'S NEGATIVITY, INCONSIDERATION, INABILITY TO FIGURE OUT THAT THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND THEM and anything else that totally BLOWS you ... DRAW YOU IN. Take a woo sawwww moment and move on.

Man ole man ... Friday... *sigh* was just whole lot of "not going my way" going on and it wore me out. Not to mention, I had to prepare to work two promo events that evening. I had to take a deep breath and pull it together.

I did manage to get through both events without passing out. LOL. I don't get home til after 1am and am beyond tired but I still go through "my process" to get ready for bed. I hit the bed about 2am and now here I am sitting in the office at my friends body shop getting brake pads and a oil change.

I woke up at 630am this morning. Everything in me wanted to stay in that bed but I had so much to take care of before going back to NYC tomorrow. And this go around I'm driving so I had to make sure the car was good to go. I was planning to go to Midas to get my oil change with my bright yellow coupon but it was way too many people waiting ahead of me. I knew I still had to get my car serviced, but I had to think about this. Was I gonna go back to the Midas, try another location, go to another shop or what? So I decided to hit the grocery store and Target.

TI-YERD!!! My eyes are burning like something terrible, but I have to take care of all the things on my list ... TODAY. A few days ago I let my friend know that I wanted to come by and have them take a look at the car, but he's so hard to catch sometimes. I like to go through him as opposed to just taking it up there, even though the guys know me. I get even specialer (lol) treatment when he's there cause he's the boss.

So obviously, I made it to his shop. And that's where I'm sitting now...wanting to just go lay in a bed somewhere. But after this...the mission continues. Car wash, wash hair, do hair, pay some bills, pack and somewhere along the line, a NAP!

I'm just imagining how much stuff I wouldn't have accomplished had I not got my butt out of that bed. Mind over matter, I guess.

Well, Until Later... Can somebody GO GET me some sleep?