60 degrees in December

Ok, definitely no complaints about the weather here. Although, it is a bit scary for it to be 60 degrees, with winter just around the corner.

Despite what's going on outside, it definitely feels like spring in regards to my career goals & dreams.

I've been back in NYC for 6 1/2 years, and I can't believe I hadn't learned before what I've learned in the past few months.  Man, if I had known then what I know now -- Woo!  Total cliche', I know. And I also know nothing happens before it's time.  Maybe it's an extra boost of confidence and determination that wasn't there before.  Whatever it is, it's got me on fire.  I have 3 steps to complete before getting to the next level.  I know there's quite a few actors who don't realize the work they must do on their own outside of their agents and managers.  I also know some actors who don't feel that they must invest in their career.  I heard an actor say they weren't gonna pay to see any agents, managers or casting directors, and that all the workshops, classes and seminars were scams.  Just how some actors need "day jobs" to supplement their income, agents, managers and casting directors teach classes, workshops, and seminars to supplement theirs.  After doing a LOT of research, I learned it takes more than just having a headshot, resume, website and reel, it also takes one-on-one, face-to-face time to build strong working relationships.  Make yourself known.  Let people see the real you.  If you're likable and pleasant to work with, you'll have a good chance of getting cast.

I had some awesome meetings last week.  I met with Josselyne Herman-Saccio and Emily Gipson of JHA Management, and David Bellantoni (Beth Melsky Casting), Erica Palgon (Erica Palgon Casting & Beyond) and Scott Wojcik (Wojcik/Seay Casting) at the Diversity Fest at The Network NYC.

I was terribly nervous when I met with Josselyne and Emily, and I'm sure it was pretty obvious. They asked me questions, and I asked them questions, and I left the meeting knowing that I was on the right track, but still had quite a bit of work to do.

One of the things that stuck with me that Josselyne said was, "less is more". I have all the links to all the sites I'm on in my email signature, on my business cards, and on my postcards.  All I need is a one-stop shop for people to go to if they want to learn anything about me.  Thanks to Uncle Scottie to telling me about http://about.me.com. It's a one-page website where I can link to my pics, videos, resume and other sites, until I get my full website going, which of course I can't wait to do.

I FINALLY found the last piece of footage I was searching for to add to my reel. After months of going crazy trying to figure out what happened to it, I found the DVD while looking for something else all together, wedged in between two DVDs on our shelf with all the others. Well, everything does happen for a reason.

Another thing I learned from Josselyne and Emily was to increase the number of casting directors in my "roster". In the past, I've heard some people say just focus on 5. Josselyne said I need to know 10-12. I'm half way there.  She said if TV is my goal, then I need to get in front of the heads of networks, and make them part of my fanbase.  And of course, I need to build my credits. I want to get into comedy, but most of the comedies are out in LA. Since I don't want to go out to LA just yet, I need to focus on getting in front of the casting directors out here, build the relationships, build my credits, and then go out there when I have to. The first network CD I'll be meeting with is Janet Murphy-Butler at The Network NYC on the 8th.

I'll just continue my course on this track, and they'll be no place else to go from here, but up. :-)

The world is changing. The election is over (Yayy, Obama!).  Hurricane Sandy devastated the caribbean and east coast.  And the Nor'easter added to the mess and frustration.  Through it all though, there seems to be a since of calm in the air. Despite divisions, separations and differences, people are pulling together. The stress of what could have been has been lifted, and people are embracing the possibilities of what's to come in the future.  

People are still worried about the end of the world. But as I see it, it's not the end of the world, but the end of a cycle.  In a statement released by Oxlaljuj Ajpop, the end of the cycle simply "means there will be big changes on the personal, family and community level, so that there is harmony and balance between mankind and nature."

It's a growth period for us all. Time to move on from the past into the new and Unknown.

Along with the changing of the leaves, came changes in my life and career.  Both my husband and I got positive boosts in regards to our careers.  His accessory company garnered more attention from some pretty influential people, and he has some good leads on better jobs. His previous job was toxic in so many ways. Now that it's over, his outlook on life and his career goals have changed.  I can see and sense how his spirit has been uplifted after leaving such a negative environment. He's truly coming into his own, and seeing the light in his eyes gleam brighter when he talks about his goals, his abilities, and all the possibilities that can occur in the future, is a wonderful thing to see. I'm so happy and proud of and for him.  It's a wonderful feeling to be on this journey with him.

As for me, it's better if I just bullet point all the things that have occured this season:

• I performed in the Manhattan Monologue Slam
• I did a photo shoot for Bridal Tribe magazine 
• I auditioned for a slew of commercials and films
• As a result of auditioning at Jennifer Euston Casting, I was called in a second time to audition for another project.
• Met talent manager Josselyne Herman-Saccio and producer Joe Kramer at Lisa Gold's networking party.
• I was contacted by Josselyne's office to set up a meeting (yayy!) at the end of this month.
• I was called in to audition, got a call back, and am now a cast member of Joe Kramer and Deepak Ananthapadmabha's Fighting Laughter Warrior improv game show.
• Had a consultation with Paul Michael at The Network, who gave me some wonderful insight on how to move forward the way I've really wanted to in my career, i.e., finding the right audition material, meeting the right people, and getting involved in projects that will truly benefit me, and give me the boost I need to succeed.
• I will be meeting with David Bellantoni, Elizabeth Gans and Erica Palgon at The Network's Diversity Casting Director Fest.
• I enrolled at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and will begin improv classes there later this month.
• I performed in Arthur French III's short play, "Negative Vibes", part of John Chatterton's Short Play Lab.
• I got cast in the staged reading of Duncan Pflaster's "The Tragedy of Dandelion", part of Oberon Theatre Ensemble's original reading series, where I'll be playing 5 different roles (I always love exercising my character voice and accent skills). 
• Lastly, and absolutely not least, I created an indiegogo campaign to help fund the production of the pilot episode of my webseries, "Velma Doesn't Get It". I'm super happy, excited, and blessed at how it's all going. 

Writing all of this, I realize just how grateful, thankful, and blessed I am to be doing what I love, and to have the love and support I have in my life. 

The year isn't even over, and I can't imagine nor wait to find out what blessings and possibilities are in store.

La Vita E' Bella!