Can't Sleep

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It's funny how sometimes when you can't sleep the weirdest things pop into my head. Right now I am thinking of redheads. You know, like Annette O'Toole, Ann Margaret, Rita Hayworth, Julianne Moore. Remember Bridget Fonda in Single White Female? Loved her cute little bob haircut. I do not look good as a redhead. Just doesn't look good with my skin or eyes and there are only certain clothing colors you can wear. Nope, don't want to be a redhead.

Big weekend planned. Palm Desert, Palm Springs for the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project. I am looking forward to art all weekend! Concerts and parties, workshops and meeting Janis Ian! I will take photos and upload them when I return.

Haven't heard anything more on the recent auditions. It was cool auditioning at CBS. And my Agent has submitted me for many upcoming projects. Oh, I need a national commercial big time! The commercial I did last week was just background. So I need a leading role in a national commercial. That would be awesome.

I saw an old movie today that I really liked, The Turning Point with Anne Bancroft and with Shirley Maclaine (another redhead). Why aren't there more roles like that with two women friends? The dialogue is great and the ballet dancing. Ah!!! I never tire of that film.

Did you ever dream of meeting someone really famous? I mean, like really pined over someone and read every interview, knew their birthdays, their favorite color, their favorite food? And then you pray and pray that someday you'll meet that person? And then wonder of wonders, you actually do meet them? Well that is what happened to me on more than one occasion. And each time, I was not prepared. Because it seems to happen as a fluke and you are not prepared. But maybe you wanted it so badly that the universe just opens up and gives it to you when you least expect it. I met Joel Gray. I met Esai Morales. I met KD Lang. I met Keiko Matsui. I met Jay Leno. I met many more show biz folks! Sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe! Breathe, Lisa! And they are just folks like us, well maybe not exactly like us.

So anyway, I guess my point is this. Believe in yourself. Believe that you are worthy of good things happening to you. Because what you think about, you will bring about. Now I am thinking of writing the next great screenplay that actors will fight to be in my first film. How's that for thinking big? It wasn't that long ago that I was riding around in my police car writing parking tickets in Ohio. I knew that I was wasting my time. I knew that I should be in California. I knew I was an actor and should be acting. I would carry yellow legal pads in my trunk. I would take my 30 minute lunch time and pull under a shady tree and park. I would write and write. I didn't know how I was going to get from Ohio to California. I just knew this was where I belonged. And lo and behold, here I am. Again, the universe opened up and gave me this opportunity.

Did it just happen? Or did I bring this about? You know the mind is a very powerful tool. That is why we must stay positive. If you think negative things, then that is exactly what will happen in your life. If you think positive things, you will get positive things. I am very picky about my friends. I am very picky about how I spend my time, the books that I read, the films that I watch. There is so much negative stuff going on and I refuse to be around it. So I know, I just know that this weekend will bring about some very positive things in my life.

I am excited, so excited in fact that sometimes I can't sleep. Okay, glass of wine I know you want me to drink. And so I shall. You are cool and tart, light and aromatic. You beg me to drink more and so it will be. We have shared many a lonely night together. You have helped me through some tough times and sad times. You have kept me home when I felt like wandering. You have kept me sane when I wanted to scream. You have filled my belly when I wanted to eat something. You have calmed the little girl in me that screamed out for revenge. You have given me balls when I was scared. Yes, I can say you have been a loyal friend. And loyal friends are hard to come by, especially in Hollywood.

Copyright 2010

Audition in Beverly Hills

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I was notified yesterday that I had an audition early this morning in Beverly Hills. The role called for was a Mom. I think they are casting only two Moms to be in a music video for a Disney show. It was fun. It was difficult finding something to wear. When I arrived the lobby area was full of folks. There were a few younger Moms but most looked well over 50, 60 and up. So maybe they will choose me (fingers crossed). I would say more but you know these auditions are hush hush so I can't say more.

I called my friend, Andy Arias to see if he wanted to grab a quick lunch but he said he was currently working on the set and couldn't talk. So we will talk later and I will get the chisma on what that young man is up to. As you may recall, I interviewed Andy for Latino LA. He is moving up in his acting career. He will appear in the new Tom Hanks film, Larry Crowne.

So I drove home and stopped at one of my favorite restaurants, The Lone Star. They make the best chili. I'm trying to lose some weight and I love food so I'm trying to make better choices. I'm cutting down on portions and trying not to eat red meat. Difficult because I love tacos. What to do?

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project is doing a big weekend of women who are writing, acting, directing and putting on live theatre in Palm Springs. And the fabulous Janis Ian will be performing a concert. My friend, Donna was lucky enough to get two passes for the entire event, including a VIP pass to the after parties and she invited me! Yay, so I know we will have a fabulous time. Palm Springs, here we come.

And I was invited by Stacy Codikow, executive director of POWER UP to their annual event November 7 in Hollywood. All kinds of fabulous women will be there and maybe even some from The L Word. Ugh, I can't be at two places at once. If only!

Guess who got asked to review the new Harry Potter film to be released November 19? That's right, me! The first two screenings are coming up very soon at Warner Brothers studios. And I get to go to the final screening. I am so excited as this film is Part 1 of the final Harry Potter film series. Sadness!

So much news today!!! I hope you all took the time to get out to vote. Democracy is a wonderful thing. So with that, I am signing off for now.

Auditions & More

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Well, I hope everyone had a nice Halloween weekend. I went to LA to audition at CBS studios in Studio City for a short film. I received an email invitation and got a copy of the script. I had to memorize 8 pages of dialogue for the audition on Saturday. I prepared mentally, got up early on Saturday. Got ready and went through my wardrobe. As the role called for a teacher, I found a lavendar long sleeved shirt and wore that along with a navy blue jumper. I wore black stockings and black shoes. Now that I looked the part, onto the studio!

I arrived on time and checked in with the security officers. Parked the car and walked in the building. Found a ladies room for a quick look see to see if I looked okay. Found a seat outside the waiting room and there was a young Asian woman. I thought the role called for Hispanic? Yes, but this is what I am running into lately. Jobs are so hard to find that this is occurring more and more often. Oh well, whoever is the better actor gets the role. So I think I did a good job. I read through it once with the director/writer and he said very good. And then I find out that the job is non-union and non-paying! WTH

And then on Sunday, I get a phone call to come audition on Monday morning for a theatre project that I submitted myself to on Mandy.com This role was for a Mom. It is theatre and musical theatre at that. Well, I do have a theatrical background but haven't done musical theatre in awhile. So I did some research on the project and it actually sounds really interesting. Today I had second thoughts on this theatre project and decided not to go after all. When I left a message I was a little worried but I think I made the right call.

I spoke to the artistic director of the Breath of Fire Latina Theater in Santa Ana and she wants me to reprise my role of the Latina reporter, Gertrudis Hernandez in the play, the Medea Complex. This time we are doing the play at the South Coast Reperatory theater in Orange County. I am very excited because she asked me to play the role again, and secondly, because the South Coast has a very good reputation. We will do the play at the end of February and the early part of March, 2011. Yay! It's a great role and approximately 65 pages of dialogue. If you have ever done live theatre, you know how challenging it can be. But it is the best training for an actor. If you can do live theatre, you can do television!

I have to be very picky and choosy right now when it comes to the decisions I make on my career. I have paid my dues and now am ready to choose professional acting gigs. Come on, universe. Bring it on!

New Commercial

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Yay! I am booked on a regional commercial! Although I will be background, it still is a paying job. I will be a customer in a Sizzler commercial that we are filming in San Diego. The commercial has a run date of 2 years. And lunch is included! I love Sizzlers and we were just there for lunch last week. I love the 6 ounce steak with the salad bar. Yum!

Well, I haven't heard anything yet from the film which I auditioned for on Saturday. I thought I did a great job. The film shoots the second week of November which is just around the corner so I hope I hear some good news soon. I will keep you posted.

I sent some new photos including this one on this site to my Agent. She liked them (I sent two different photos). And I am hoping that they will land me some elf jobs soon. A girl has to eat, right?

I'm hearing more and more about how artists really need to write their own material and cast themselves and I think this is true. But, I am at a writer's block right now. I hate that. Can't push it, though. I do think I am a good comedy writer and perhaps should think of writing for someone else. Hmmm, just a thought.

I am looking forward to getting together with some of my girlfriends for lunch, movies, wine and some laughs. You know who you are, Paula, Susan and Rebecca! I miss my friend Pam who moved back to New Orleans. I've never been there but when I go, I am looking forward to that southern cooking.

Well, I'm trying to shake this head cold that I've had for the last week. Nothing worse than showing up on the set when you're ill. I have cold tablets, throat lozenges and tissues ready to throw in my purse.

Do you believe Charlie Sheen is in trouble again??? What is wrong with that guy? I think he is a drug addict big time and someone should commit him before he self destructs. Finally, someone says it like it is. As long as the studio keeps looking the other way, he is going to continue his self-destructive behavior for the real cameras that are rolling. What a waste of time to continue filming his antics. At least Robert Downey, Jr. had some real talent. Charlie Sheen is going down the toilet and it is his own fault.

Speaking of drugs, I worked with actor Tom Sizemore once. Okay, he was the star of Robbery/Homicide and I was just an extra on the set. But I did get to talk to him between scenes and told him how much I liked his work on the old film, Heart & Souls. He was so good. And he laughed and said that was a loooooong time ago. And then when I was working as a Production Assistant at Movido TV, he worked with us on a short film project. He is trying to get his career back. And I hope he does, because he is a big talent. I said Mr. Sizemore you probably don't remember me but we worked together once. He was so sweet and we took a photo together. I would add the photo but I worked on the set all day and was exhausted and was not wearing makeup. So see if you have talent and ask for help, folks will help you. But if you continue to blow all the chances you get and abuse your body, you will get flushed down the toilet. Are you listening Lindsay Lohan???

Some of us actually have to work really hard and get training and pay our dues to get a chance to work in show business. It is not handed to us like Paris Hilton. And I don't mind working hard and I don't mind paying my dues. Because I won't compromise who I am to get a job in Hollywood.

It's Elf Time Again

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Whew, what a week. Busy as always and guess what? It is Elf time again. Took some new photos in elf attire and hoping to land some SAG commercials. It's a great time of year to hire some elves to help Santa!

I had an audition on Saturday for a short film. The role called for a woman to be either homeless or in a shelter. And she may or may not be crazy. Right? So guess what? I killed it. I had two pages of sides. Not memorized but I felt pretty good about the lines and the character. I went in dressed on the dowdy side and no makeup at all. If you are homeless, you don't care what you look like. There were about 5 people in the room but I didn't let that throw me. I asked a few question about my character then proceeded. Next thing I know the director asked me to do it again but this time standing up and I read with the writer. I think it went really well and I could tell they were very excited. I haven't felt that good about an audition since I auditioned for the play, The Medea Complex. I was thrilled driving home and I sure hope I get the role. It starts shooting in November which is just around the corner. I will let you know...

The episode of Dexter that I auditioned for was on tv today. It's funny because I freaked myself out and did a terrible audition. There were 4 lines in Espanol and I totally flubbed them. And to top it off, when I saw the episode tonight the woman who got the role only said 2 lines. Now whether they cut them because they changed the dialog or perhaps they cut them because she couldn't speak any English, I don't know. But to think I came this close to landing a part on Dexter. ugh! Oh well, that job was not mine. It's too bad too because that would have given me an opportunity to work with David Zayas whom I interviewed awhile back. He is very nice and it would have been great to share some screen time with him.

Everyone I talk to tells me how slow it is right now. I am actually thinking working as an Extra right now just for the cash. My friends tell me I shouldn't do it but hey acting is acting. And some money is better than no money.

Trying to keep my attitude positive and I do feel like there has been a shift in the planets or something. Good things will come my way soon, I can just feel it. I just want to be able to pay my rent, eat at a nice restaurant once in awhile, see my friends and perform on stage. I don't that is asking too much of life right now. Oh and a job. I need a job!!!

I saw an old film with Edie Falco today. She looked so young and you know, she just filled the entire screen. Just love her and look at her fine work in The Sopranos and now in Nurse Jackie.

What is happening in Las Vegas? Well, I was supposed to go there 2 weeks ago but then my plans fell through. But I've heard that no one was winning on the casino floors. And hotel prices are plummeting, trying to get folks to come to Vegas. Unemployment is still bad and folks are still losing their homes to foreclosures. Is anyone winning in Vegas? Doesn't look like it. So my advice is this. Hang onto your cash. You'll thank me someday.

Watch It

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Wow, my friends are booking gigs left and right and I can't wait to watch them. Andy booked a role in the Tom Hanks movie, Larry Crowne. Karen booked a role on No Ordinary Family. Jonathan booked a part on Big Time Rush. Well, I have some things coming up too. I did two days work on Nickelodeon's Gigantic. Don't know when it will be on TV but hopefully soon.

And, I have another audition!!! It's for a commercial and that is really all I can say for now. Many times we cannot speak about the project so wish me luck!

This is a strange business. We all go out for roles and some roles are perfect for us and some are not. I am accustomed to doing plays so commercials are quite a bit different. They are usually only 60 seconds. When we haven't worked for awhile or taken classes, you can get rusty. So it is up to me to keep working, keep training. I am working on losing weight, eating healthier, exercising in the pool and drinking plenty of water. I am also working on my Spanish. There are more and more roles lately for bilingual people and any language fluency is a great skill to have.

I am also becoming a more rounded person by reading and writing. I enjoy reading so much that I usually read one or two books at a time. I was going to Barnes & Noble but now since I haven't been working, I have been going to the library.

Well I heard yesterday that one of my favorite journalists, Rick Sanchez was fired from CNN. I am so disheartened. How many Latino anchors are there on TV? Giselle Fernandez, reporter John Quinones, Geraldo Rivera. Anyone else??? Just goes to show you really have to watch what comes out of your mouth. It sounded as though Rick was really jealous to Jon Stewart. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Green envy is a terrible thing. This business is so competitive that we cannot waste time being jealous of other people or their success. It makes you want to work that much harder on yourself to be better. I don't compete with others, I compete with myself. And if I have a bad audition or take a bad head shot, I learn from that experience and I work harder to make it better the next audition or the next head shot.

And I was hurt by the fact that my parents didn't really care to spend time with me but I cannot let that stop me. We have a dysfunctional family and it will probably always be that way. I won't be side tracked by their drama. I need to stay focused on my dreams. It's easy to give up. It's easy to blame other people. What is hard is keeping a stiff upper lip when you go on audition after audition after audition and you still keep professional. I like to read stories of how others have gone through tough times and didn't give up. Throw in the towel, no way! Do I always have the support of my family? To be honest, no. But I know that I have to be true to myself and I do think I have something to offer. And even if I don't get the job, guess what? I still win. I win because I gave it my best and I put myself on the line and another casting director who didn't know me yesterday, knows me today.

Silly Me

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Well, as mentioned in a previous blog my parents are now in Las Vegas. They are staying with my brother who lives there and is an entertainer working at the Imperial Palace. My sister and her boyfriend have just arrived in Vegas too and they are talking about going out to lunch, shopping, etc. Now my sister Mary lives in Ohio with my parents and they all see each other every week. I live in CA so I only see my parents when I visit Ohio or when they come out west.

I told Mom that I can come to pick them up and bring them back to my home but they didn't sound interested at all. Isn't that nice? I have a beautiful guest bedroom all ready for them but they want to stay in Vegas. They live on social security so I know they don't have much money with them. Nothing worse than being in Vegas with no money but yeah, let's stay there in Vegas. Maybe I'll see them next year sometime cause I am not going to go to Vegas. Silly me for thinking that they wanted to see me. Now back to the slot machines!

Audition at CZAT on Formosa in LA. The job was for a Host. I do have some hosting experience but not a whole lot. It's funny because the job did not specify that they wanted someone with a ton of hosting experience. Sometimes I don't think they know exactly what they want. Oh well, moving along. Next!

Did you hear that another young person killed himself just for being gay? What the heck is going on in these small towns? This is a shocking week. For heavens sake, we must help our young people come to terms with who they are. When we had all the ridiculous posings over Prop 8 I realized that our small town is also not very tolerant. Hate filled signs everywhere, people using their children to wave Yes on Prop 8 signs everywhere. I decided to do something about it. So I marched into our local PFLAG office and decided to sign up as a volunteer. I got tired of all the bull I was seeing. So if you are also outraged at the recent suicides, please stand up and do something about it. PFLAG could use volunteers -- gay and straight. All are welcome.

Silly me for thinking I was missed by my parents. Silly me for being worried that I didn't get a part. Do I have a wealth of experience from which to draw emotions as an actor to the stage. Oh yeah, you bet!