Oh My Goodness!

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Well, it has been a sad day watching all the events from 9/11 all over again. After watching for most of the day, I had to change the channel and watch some HBO. I also wanted to just thank God for all his blessings, most especially for my family and to get the chance to enjoy living! We had a lovely barbeque and afterwards took a dip in the pool under the full moon. It felt great!

I decided to stay off the computer today and in the evening checked my email. I received an email from a photographer that I know. He wanted to know if I would be interested in shooting some pix for a LA designer. Would I? You bet. Now I do not consider myself a model. I am an actor. But for this photographer and this designer, yes I could certainly model for you. So we shall see what is what. It was too late for me to call him on a Sunday night but perhaps we can talk tomorrow.

I still have to review my contract for the Wizard of Oz. I looked at it briefly but I have to review it in depth before I proceed. I had a costume fitting on Saturday. I went a little early and got to meet our Tin Man. He was really nice. We were both frantically trying on our various costumes. He looked great. And I had to have my dress taken out a little due to boobage. I guess whoever wore this costume before me did not have that much on top. But me, oh sometimes I wish there was a little less boobage, but what can you do?

Tomorrow is Monday which means voice lessons in the afternoon. Early dinner and swimming laps in the evening. I'm really not a morning kind of gal. But that's okay.

I'm hoping to go to Las Vegas sometime soon but now that we are starting rehearsals very soon, that may not be possible. Darn!!! I haven't been there for awhile and I really want to see my brother soon. And now that the temperature has gone down, I'm ready to go. I will keep my fingers crossed cause once rehearsals start, I won't be going anywhere. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself. My goodness, two Lisa's running around LA? That would be crazy, indeed!

The Land of Oz

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Yes, the musical production "Wizard of Oz" is being put on once more onstage. I auditioned on August 2 and did not hear anything for two weeks. Then the Ex. Producer called me and offered me a role as one of the Munchkin Royalty. I sang a song from the show for my audition. I sang, "It Really Was No Miracle". In the movie version, Dorothy actually starts the song and the munchkins join in. Well they must have liked me because I do have a contract in my hands.

We begin rehearsals on September 19 and the show is the last 2 or 3 weeks of October. I'll have to double check those dates. I know it will be a lot of work in rehearsals and then actually putting on the show. I have a wardrobe fitting next week. Yay!

I was called into audition for a film on Monday but as I looked at the audition it was for a deferred payment. That means you work on a project and if anything comes of the project, then you get paid. If nothing comes of it, meaning it does not get picked up at any film festivals, then you never get paid. Forget that. I have worked too hard and too long to not get paid for my work. You want me, then pay me. Simple as that.

I saw a very interesting article and subsequent video. It was called "F*ck you, pay me! They talked about the importance of having contracts and how everything is spelled out in the contract so there is no misunderstanding as to who does what. If you work hard on a project and complete the project you should be paid. If something occurs and the project changes somehow, you either renegotiate the contract or get paid and then this new change is written up in a new contract. Makes sense to me.

There is nothing wrong with paying your dues. When you are in a learning phase, the knowledge you gain is essential for future projects. If you have a mentor, even better. There is nothing like being on the set of a film and just learning. But after awhile you want to have an actual role with lines, blocking and actually working. It's so rewarding when you do get a chance to perform. And then when you get paid, then you know that you have moved up to that next level.

My friend, Andy already told me that he plans to be in the first row! So sweet. Well in the meantime, I just finished another round of head shots with a new photographer. It was fun and can't wait to see the final two that I have chosen. There's so much to do and not enough time.

Rebecca and I are going to see the movie, The Help. Great book and a good movie. Yes, I saw it already but it is so good that I want to see it again. And I have to call Sweden and see her in Pasadena. I have to tell them both that my film, White T is being released soon and we have the premiere on September 29 in Hollywood. Yes, I get to walk the red carpet again but may choose not to. We'll see how it goes.

No voice lesson tomorrow because of Labor Day but I resume the following Monday. Hopefully, a quiet day today resting, cooking out in the backyard and swimming. Love long weekends. Do I miss being back home? Yes -- occasionally but most important are family and I do miss them. Our niece, Melissa was married yesterday. I hope she had a lovely wedding.

Times continue to be tough for our country, the economy. But we have gone through so much and I know that we will all get through these difficult times. It takes patience and resilience and thinking outside of the box. But every time I try to get away from show biz, I get pulled back in again. So someone up there is trying to tell me something.

Do Re Mi

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Well, I was a little nervous because I haven't taken private vocal lessons in quite a few years. But, it is like riding a bike. You get back into it and I was on my way with my vocal warm ups. I had a free half hour class today and it went really well. I told my instructor that I have not had a principle role in any musical theatrical productions but I have auditioned and been placed in the chorus. And, lo and behold, I did remember some of my previous training.

I am really impressed with my instructor and am looking forward to my classes. I don't want to just do songs from the show because before you know it, that's all you hear day in and day out. And then by the time the show comes around you get sick of the same songs over and over. That is what happened when we were doing Camelot. I love the show and love the songs but I never wanted to hear "in short there's simply not, a more congenial spot for happily ever aftering than here in Camelot" again!

But it was a great time and a great show. I occasionally think about the other cast members. You get to be like family because we see each other so often. I honestly don't know if I'll be able to do this new show but all I can do is try. I saw that my black tap shoes need a little repairing, so off to the shoe repair store tomorrow.

Well, getting sleepy so off to bed I go. Another good day with great information that I downloaded. Some good tips from some of my online friends. A good lunch of leftover chicken enchiladas and a prayer for my son who is going through some difficult days right now. But otherwise, I am so grateful for the many blessings I have received like having a great family, new opportunities and a chance to do what I love, which is acting and singing again.

Whew!

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Today has been a blur to say the least. But, dear readers all is well so don't worry. I had a very busy day today and when it gets to be extremely hot outside, it feels like I'm melting! Not good especially for my brains. I had paperwork to fill out, I had to find my passport which expired but now I'm getting a new one. And did I tell you that I had an audition? Yes, I did have an audition earlier this month.

The audition was for a musical. Now it's funny because I actually started my acting career doing theater -- and then musical theater. I do sing and dance but I would not call myself a professional singer or dancer. I have always been relegated to a supporting role or a chorus member. I actually like being part of an ensemble. I have been a shark girl in West Side Story. I have been a lady in waiting in Camelot. I have been a phone operator in The Bells are Ringing. In all of these productions I have had entrances and exits, dancing routines to learn and chorus lines to sing. I have had a blast.

And then I moved out west and started doing background extra work in films, supporting roles in student films, background work on television, supporting roles in indie films, working as a volunteer in film festivals and then started getting supporting roles in television and now in feature films too. Exciting stuff. And today, I received a phone call from the Producer that I have booked a supporting role in...(drum roll, please). Oops, I can't tell you!

Sorry but I have to wait until I receive my contract. Actually my agent gets my contract first. She makes sure it is okay and then sends it to me for my signature. But the assistant contacted me for my photo and my bio. As soon as I get the contract than I'll know it is real.

But in the meantime, thank you for your support and kind words. And yes, people -- don't ever give up on your dreams because dreams do come true! I told the Producer that I am so excited because I have always wanted to be in this show and now I can cross it off my bucket list. And he laughed. I can't wait for rehearsals to begin. So I will have to dust off my dancing shoes and contact my voice coach and get back in there to get my voice in tip top shape. We begin rehearsals in one month!

Hello Again!

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Hello again from la la land. Well in case I have any new followers out there, this is for you. I have been writing for about four years for an online magazine called Latino LA. My first assignment from my editor was to interview Dexter star, David Zayas. It was a telephone interview and it went great. Then I met him in person when I was sent to cover the red carpet for Lifetime: Little Girl Lost.

At that time I met stars Marlene Forte, Hector Luis Bustamante and David. I also met actor A. Martinez. He was very nice. If you want to see my interview, you can watch it on You Tube. It has over 16,000 hits! Not bad for my first interview. Of course I had no camera man so I took many photos. And put together a video of the event.

This blog was started because I know how difficult it is to start in show biz. And believe me when I first started going on auditions in Hollywood I made many mistakes. But I learned. And I started taking acting classes and I started networking and making friends. Now granted, my friends are actors too so we all struggle together and support each other.

So when you hear that Latinos don't support each other -- consider the source. It is not true. I have also watched Herbert Siguenza perform onstage many times. He is one of the founding members of the group, Culture Clash. They are wonderful!!! I have taken some classes from Herbie. I have interviewed Herbie. I have gone to many of his performances and he always blows me away with his intensity.

There are many people who have helped me along the way. Folks who have given me tips on head shots, acting teachers and even my agent. I have been very blessed. And performers are like gypsies. Every time you get a job, we rejoice. And then we are back to looking for another job through the audition process. It's nerve wracking but essential. And the sooner you learn how to make your nerves work for you instead of against you, then the sooner you can go about the process of doing a great audition and booking the job.

And there is nothing like getting that phone call from your agent to tell you that you booked the job!!! Even beyond a paycheck, it is about knowing that you went in there and did your best and they chose me!

So the best advice I can give right now is, look at the trades. Read what is going on in this industry right now. Not what was going on last Fall or last year. What is going on right this minute and in the next few weeks? What show got cancelled? What do you want to do? Theater? Television? Commercials? Film? What can you do? What skills do you have? Do you need more training? Are you getting auditions but not booking anything? How old are your head shots?

Whew! I'm tired already. So believe me, I have been there and done that. I have learned what to do and what not to do. And if you would like more assistance, then leave me a comment and let me know how I can help. Good luck or as we say in Espanol, buena suerte!

Dear Shaun

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It is with sadness that I must say that a friend has passed away. His name was Shaun and he lived across the street from us. He was the same age as my daughter. Shaun was born on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. He was tall and thin and had an easy smile.

I have come to know many if not all of my children's friends and I always remember them just like when they first came into our lives. When his family moved into the neighborhood, I think he was happy to find that he was not the only teen on our block. And sure enough, he started to attend the same school as my daughter.

They became fast friends and he was always coming over and frequently had dinner with us too. To me he was like a beautiful little puppy, just wanting to be loved. He fought frequently with his new stepmom and I think he would have been very happy if I adopted him. I did call him and several other boys, my "other sons". I think he liked that.

He ran away frequently and I heard that for awhile he was living under a bridge. I don't know if he got involved with drugs and drinking, but he probably did. I heard that he joined the Army or the National Guard. He was sent overseas and fought in Irag. I wrote to him several times and he wrote back. He seemed so lost and lonely. I often wondered if he joined so he could have some clean clothes and a meal every day. It broke my heart to see that he was so lost.

As life goes on, I cared for my own children and I truly don't believe they understand how hard life is until they are on their own. I have always tried to be here for them and have always told them they could talk to me about anything.

My daughter and Shaun lost touch with each other over the years. About two months ago, we were in the car. I was driving and not really paying attention to what was going on around me. There was a young man holding up a sign at the end of the freeway. As I proceeded into the intersection my daughter said, "oh my God, that was Shaun". I said are you sure? And she said yes, that he looked right at us and then lowered his head. I said, should I turn around and go back? And she said, no -- he probably wouldn't want us to see him like that. I was confused because I wanted to see him and talk with him. But then, what if he were on drugs and what if he was a potential threat to my daughter? Well, I have to keep her safe and her safety was my main concern. I kept driving.

I should have followed my instincts and turned the car around. I should have taken Shaun home with us. I could have given him a hot meal and a hot shower. I could have maybe guided him in a better path than the one he was currently walking through. I'll never know if I could have made a difference.

A month later Shaun died somewhere in Maryland. How? We don't know. My daughter received word just the other day that Shaun was gone. She looked up his obituary on the internet and there was his photo. He was in his military uniform and he looked, well, he looked scared. The article did not say how he died and so we will never know.

There are some days in your life that you wish you could take back. I wish with all my heart that I could take back that day. I wish I had turned that car around. I wish I could hold him in my arms again. I can't imagine not seeing Shaun again. I always imagined that he would finish up his 4 years in the service and come back home again. I always thought he would be a part of our lives again. I miss my "other son" and wish I could tell him how much I cared for him. Rest in peace, dear Shaun. You may not have known this, but you were deeply loved.

What a week!

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Well I had a fabulous weekend!!! On Friday evening I was invited to a comedy show at the 4th & B in downtown San Diego. My friend Rick was the host. He is a co-star in the film, Attack of the 30 Foot Chola. He set me up with VIP seating and I even walked the red carpet. It was great and I was interviewed as well.

Saturday was a quiet evening at home and on Sunday I was in LA attending a comedy acting class. It was 3 hours of great training. I don't want to be a comedian but I do want to be a better writer. And we learned the difference between being an actor vs. being a performer. Such great information and we watched video clips of great performers like Charlie Chaplin, Red Skelton and Jim Carrey.

I saw a guy yesterday who worked with me on the Starbucks commercial. He looked so familiar and I remember seeing him when we went to wardrobe. I asked him if he was a principal actor and he said yes. I didn't know that I was a principal actor too. When we got to the set they put him in the background and downgraded him. I don't think he was too happy about that. He told me that they upgraded me to a principal role. But that wasn't true. I was all set to be a principal all along I just didn't know it until I was handed my contract. It's funny how you read all this stuff about being an actor and then one day it all comes together and makes sense. Yup, this is my life now -- being an actor, going out for auditions, taking acting classes and always networking.

I spoke to my parents and they are doing great. I may have to fly home for a visit. I am missing my family and friends. But every time I try to plan something, another film comes up!

Well, hungry already and so I'm getting ready to go out for breakfast. Can't wait till the film The Help comes out later this week. Gonna check with my girlfriends and see who want to come with. Have a great week!