Two Auditions and Counting

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So glad that it is a slow Sunday. I am getting reading to watch the HBO version of Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslett. I have been looking forward to this. I went out for brunch, returned some shoes that I purchased for a film but never used and stopped by Barnes & Noble. I picked up a book for my Mom as a belated birthday gift. I swear every time that I won't miss her birthday but I was filming and couldn't get a gift. I feel like I need a personal assistant sometimes. Anyway, I know that she will love her book and I sent her some other goodies too.

My sister, Mary also has a birthday too and I am sending her some goodies too. I decided to send her some skin care products. I was going to send her a gift card but decided on something that she could use everyday. I picked up some lovely birthday cards too.

I had two auditions and I sure hope I get the major role which is being a part of the NBC Showcase for diversity theater. I will keep my fingers crossed.

I have a print interview with our local newspaper coming up. It was originally scheduled for last week but I had to postpone because of the big audition. Will keep you informed.

I can't believe it is the end of March already. Several film project opportunities for April. I am excited about working again. Oh, Mildred Pierce is so good already. The costumes, the set and the old cars. Oh, I'd love to work on a period piece. Just once I 'd love to get hired as something other than a Mother, housekeeper, cook or Nanny. I can be so many more characters!!!

Beware of Attack of the 30 Ft. Chola

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Happy Saturday one and all. I am filming an independent film called Attack of the 30 Ft. Chola. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787TbjZkTxI

I play Rosalinda, mother of one of the Chola girls. A Chola is a bad ass, gang girl who lives in East L.A. Rosalinda was a Chola girl in her younger days and still thinks she is cool. I can't wait till they are finished with production.

I forgot to mention this film when I did the radio interview the other day for Disabled Radio with Rob Pritts. If this link does not work please go to You Tube and in the search area type in Attack of the 30 Ft Chola teaser and you can see a short film clip. Turn up the sound and enjoy!

I am having an awesome Saturday so far. I have been reading a book, Acting is Everything by Judy Kerr. It's got so much information that you have to read through slowly. There are some good websites that she refers to and you can even download an updated version of somem of her recommendations.

Leftover chicken noodle soup for lunch today. I made a big pot yesterday for dinner and it was so yummy. I make it homemade just like my mother-in-law taught me. This is the best receipe to get over a cold. Works every time.

Well, I have to run. I am off to listen in on a conference call.

A Crazy Week

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I had an audition on Wednesday for a short film. I messed up on the address and was delayed a bit. After my audition (which went pretty well) I told them about the address mix-up and they started laughing. I have learned to always get a phone number and correct address. So once I realized I was at the wrong place, I called the casting director and she gave me the right address.

Then the next day I had a big audition for NBC. I always get so nervous when I have those big auditions. So we shall see what happens with both projects. I will keep you informed.

So on Wednesday night I had the radio interview and that was fun. To tell you the truth I was a bit nervous so I had a glass of wine to calm my nerves. Rob was so nice that before you know it, the time just flew by.

Next week I am doing a print interview. My Starbucks commercial is still running -- and I did stop and pick up a CA Lottery ticket. The prize is $312M -- do you believe it? I only purchased one ticket. I work too hard for my money to play or gamble with it. But one ticket for $1 is not bad.

Tomorrow I have a conference call -- and next week I have an acting class. Whew! My legs are hurting today because I think I overdid it the last two days. So back to the couch, my laptop and a nice fire going in the fireplace. Got to stay warm and rest my legs.

A telephone call from a friend this morning -- possible clown jobs in our future? We shall see. That's what I like about life. You never know what awaits you around the corner.

I Was on the Radio!

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Wow, I am coming down from my high on being a guest on the program, Disabled Radio. It was my first radio interview and if you listened in, thanks so much. My thanks to Rob Pritts who is the host of the show and to Vince Staskel who is the producer in NY.

I have to admit I was a wee bit nervous and had a glass of wine with me. Before I knew it, the hour program was over. I am hearing good things on my Facebook page so I guess I did okay.

I wanted to reiterate that being a Latina -- being a disabled person can be challenging but not impossible. There are opportunities out there but you have to work really, really hard. You have to believe in yourself. You have to know that as an actor or a performer if you are lacking in some area, get more training. Be confident and go after your dreams.

I have to give a shout out to the folks at Polio Today.org for their efforts in educating those with polio and their caregivers. They are on the web and on Facebook. Their web address is: www.PolioToday.org and they are there to help. I also have to thank my local polio support chapters in Hemet, CA and Riverside, CA. The folks down in San Diego, CA were also very helpful.

I want to thank my Editor, Abelardo at Latino LA for giving me an opportunity to write for the magazine and becoming a Contributing Writer. I love every minute!

I want to thank my mentors, Herbert Siguenza (Culture Clash member) and actor Hector Luis Bustamante for their support.

And finally to my family and friends for your support and love. I hope I am not too much of a pain in the behind.

And to those who listened in and sent in their questions, thank you so much. I have a huge audition tomorrow for NBC. So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Do we need to see more actors with disabilities on television -- internet -- and film? Absolutely!

Disabled Radio Guest

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Hey there everyone and good evening one and all! I just spoke with Rob Pritts who is the man behind the microphone at Disabled Radio. He has asked me to be his guest this Wednesday, March 23 at 6 pm PST/8 pm CST. This program is an Internet radio show for and about disabled folk. Their website is http://www.disabledradio.com/

I hope you have all had a chance to see the Starbucks commercial. It was great fun to film although it was a cold and rainy day. I always get a kick when I see it on television or on the Starbucks website.

It was quiet last week and I was under the weather so I needed the rest. Getting over a cold and persistent cough.

LA was getting drenched with the rain and believe me, we need it. I am hoping that by April 1 we start getting some warm weather.

Working on the film White T was fun and it will be so cool to be invited to the wrap party and to go to the premiere. I wonder if it will premiere in LA or New York? Guess I'll have to wait and see.

I have been invited to several interesting events. An art gallery party in Palm Springs, a screening of a new film and a chance to meet and hear Phylicia Rashad. Also, my friend Herbie Siguenza will be performing in his one-man show, An Afternoon with Pablo Picasso at the Los Angeles Theater Center. I saw his show when he performed in San Diego last year. He is simply amazing.

Well, I should get some rest. I must prepare for two interviews on Wednesday. Goodnight Moon!

Lazy Sunday

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Today is Sunday! I don't have a 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday job anymore but I still love Sunday. You can sleep in late. You can go to church and then out to eat. You can do whatever you'd like to do. I love Sunday!

It was a slow week and that was fine with me. Nothing going on and no auditions. I needed the rest. So now I will be ready to go back to work. I have an interview scheduled for later this week. I am being interviewed by a reporter from another local newspaper. And then later the same day, I have a radio interview to do.

I am a little nervous because I am accustomed to doing the interviewing. I do the research and ask the questions. But this time around, I will be answering the questions. I am pretty excited actually. I just want to represent well and not flub up like Sarah you know who. I guess I will just try to relax and just be me.

I completed Attack of the 30 Ft Chola and I filmed my scenes for White T. They should both be released later this year. And my national commercial started airing last week. Yay! I was offered a new role in a film but I am still waiting to get my contract. So until that happens, we shall see.

I have a few errands to take care of tomorrow. We are supposed to get rain all week long. So we shall see what happens. Tomorrow is tomorrow and today is today. And I am resting today.

Feature Film: White T

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Everything has been happening so quickly that I am having a difficult time keeping up. Thank goodness I am an organized person. I am in the habit of bringing pen and paper, and my digital camera with me everywhere. Not to mention make-up, tissues and of course a toothbrush and toothpaste.

So last week I worked on two films. On Thursday I worked on a new feature film, White T. Look it up on www.imdb.com and you can see the poster. So I report to the 2nd Assistant Director and he tells me he will take me to my trailer. What? My very own trailer? Yes! It was so exciting. My character is described as Old Mexican cleaning woman. Name: Lupita

Here is a photo of me in Wardrobe outside the door. The sign says Lupita! I walked in and there was a sitting area, sink, stereo, lavatory, mirror. And on the sink, bottled water and some food goodies. I went to my car and brought a few personal items. Then I started to think that the next time I have my own trailer, it should include the items I had in my trailer such as:

bottled water, tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, make-up remover, moisturizer, socks or footies, thank you notes, stamps, a book and of course, my call sheet.

I really felt like a professional actor. I reported to makeup and wardrobe. The director said I looked too young and wanted the make-up lady to put my hair up and to make me look older. My uniform was a rental and I really liked it. It was a soft blue with white piping around the short sleeve. My shoes were soft white slip on flats that I saw at the Rite Aid store for $6.99. They were actually quite comfortable.

So I stripped down to my undies put on a robe and just rested because my scenes wouldn't be filmed for at least another hour. It gave me some time to rehearse privately and unwind. We were shooting in a busy area in North Hollywood.

I completed my two scenes and I think I did pretty well. One scene involved some hysterical acting and crying. And if you know me, you know I can be a drama queen. I was told I would be invited to the wrap party and of course the screening of the film. My first red carpet! Unless of course, the Chola films wraps first. Then that film will be my first red carpet. I'll have to worry about what to wear. But of course, I have awhile to think about that later.

So now a slow week -- thank goodness -- and back to auditioning again. This is the life of an actor. But you know what? I love it! This is Lupita signing off.

Starbucks Espresso Commercial - Sue

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This is my Starbucks commercial. Don't blink or you'll miss me!

On the Chola Set

What a busy week -- we filmed for a very long day and this is a photo of me with Alicia -- two Cholas from back in the day. I love the make-up and the costumes. I am always in my curlers and my pink robe. We are very close to completing Attack of the 30 Ft Chola. I only have one or two more scenes to film.

Kieron Estrada is our director and he does so much and is so knowledgeable. It is my thrill and pleasure to work with him. I am hoping that this film will get into the indie circuit.

It was a hectic week and now I am relaxing. Yay! Glad that the weather is better. I plan on catching up on housework, laundry and eating some good homecooked meals.

I just received an email this morning from a fellow co-star on our commercial. The commercial is for Starbucks and now that it is being aired I can talk about it. It was very exciting to go to the audition. I did a good job and the very next day my agent called me to let me know I was on avail. Then the following day she called me to tell me I booked the job. It is such a great feeling of accomplishment to know that I did something right.

I am reading a book right now about acting and so much is just trial and error. I have had some bad auditions but I learned from them. And I have had some auditions where I booked the job and I don't even know what I did right. And now I am to the point where I know I did well, didn't do well or could have done better. But I am feel that this job has put me into the category of being a professional actor. It's a wonderful feeling. I don't know anyone there, this job was not a favor for a friend. It was auditioning and being professional and doing a good job.

They were so wonderful on the set, I can't even tell you. The staff was professional. The food was good, everything about this job was amazing. And to think that I was very close to quitting at Christmas time. And as low as I felt, I kept thinking to myself that the next job could be the big job and it will go to someone else. So I swallowed those feelings of rejection and negativity and just knew that tomorrow would be a better day.

And here I am with a national commercial, an indie film and a feature film all in one month. Needless to say, my agent is happy with me. And I am thrilled to have her in my corner.

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Happy Birthday to Me!

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Oh my, I thought it was like 11 pm but it just turned midnight which means today is my birthday! It has been an incredible year so far. Truly incredible. It started out a little slow and then things started picking up and it has been a whirlwind of activity since mid January.

This week I had no auditions and that was fine with me. I really rested my bod all week. I caught up with paperwork, did some house work. I haven't really watched any movies but have watched a little television here and there.

I'm filming next week and it is really important to focus and be on my game. So I'm glad that I didn't have any distractions. Friday was the most amazing day. Had a wonderful breakfast and I got some wonderful birthday gifts. My brother called me and we had some chuckles. He always has me laughing. He wants to fly Mom & Dad out west to come see us. I can't wait to see them. I haven't seen them since October and I know they would like to get out of that cold weather.

I was offered a role in a new film and I get the script tomorrow. And, I spoke with a casting director earlier in the week. Things are happening in my career!!! It's so exciting to see some fruits coming from all my labor these past 7 years.

I hope to see my son and my nephew for my birthday too. It's not the same without family around to help you celebrate. I used to hate birthdays but now I love them.

As I get older, I realize what is really important and that is family, friends, work, laughter, spirituality and giving back. I hope to become a better person with each day that I am given, because everyday is a blessing. Everyday is a gift from the creator, this gift of life. And for that, I am truly humbled and grateful.

In Like a Lion

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Happy March 1 -- I like March, I like the saying In like a lion and out like a lamb. My birthday is in March so I've always looked forward to March. However, growing up in northwestern Ohio the weather was always horrible with snow and ice everywhere. How is a kid supposed to have a nice birthday party with snow everywhere? Oh well. There are many famous people born in March such as Liza Minnelli and other famous Pisces are Elizabeth Taylor. I think she was born in February,though.

So March is here and before you know it, it will be June. Trust me that is how quickly time flies by. So in March I will be filming two movies: One is my final scenes for the indie flick, "Attack of the 30 Foot Chola" and the other is a small role in a feature film, "White T". You can look me up on www.imdb.com

I look forward to more auditions in the month of March. I was interviewed yesterday for an online local publication. And I will be doing a radio interview for Disabled Radio on March 23. I am enjoying being a part of the disabled community and I working towards being an advocate for hiring the disabled. My agent has several disabled actors that she represents and that is a wonderful thing. I don't know if I can help anyone but I hope to inspire folks to concentrate on what you can do and not what you can't do. My goodness, if I worried about all the things I can't do, I would never even get out of bed in the morning.

I really enjoy being a writer, sitting at my laptop and conducting telephone interviews. It's great. I can do my research, set up interviews and connect everything for telephone interviews. When I did my personal interview yesterday, I was thrilled to go back to the theater where I had so many beautiful memories. I remember hearing about the building of the theater and what groups would be allowed to perform there. And I knew that I would be performing there someday and I did. Such happy times!

Well, off to start my day on this first day of March. Like a lion, I am ready to roar -- start my day -- and head off into the jungle.