upright citizens brigade: improv 101

So yesterday was my first day of class at the Upright Citizens Brigade! I'm in an Improv 101 class taught by Betsy Stover. Guys. I had SO. MUCH. FUN. I'm in a class of 14 people, I'm pretty sure I'm the youngest one there, and for the most part people are already making me laugh and have fun. I'll dive more into details of what we do in class as the weeks go on but here are the logistics:

- $400
- 8 weeks, one three hour class a week
- one graduation show at the end of the 8 weeks
- you can be anyone over 18--there are moms and dads in my class
- seems like so far there are maybe 5-8 of us wanting to pursue acting and the rest seem to be there for fun

When I was looking for places to expand my education and hone in on my skills I knew I wanted to go somewhere that's rooted in comedy. As of now I don't really see myself as a dramatic actor. I like to make people laugh and I've been told I'm funny (feel free to disagree).

Anyways, I heard GREAT things about UCB and when I did more research I saw that my comedy queen AMY EFFIN POEHLER started this brigade with a few other really funny dudes. Upon further research I found there are so many hilarious people that have gone through UCB and are now working actors. This was all very enticing to me because obvi I want to be a working actor. Finally I jumped the gun after reading Amy Poehler's Yes Please (highly recommend) and she dedicated a whole chapter to how UCB and improv changed her life.

So here I am, diving into somewhat unknown territory and so far I LOVE IT!!! I am excited for Wednesday mornings everyday--it's like my Friday now. And my mom is super excited too! She fell in love with Parks and Rec, and when I told her this is the type of show I want to be on she was like YES. I CAN SEE IT. And then I told her about UCB and she was like YES. YOU HAVE TO GO THERE. So I have the full and also excited support of my mama, my queen, my everything.

And in other unrelated news:

GO WATCH SHORT TERM 12. It's on Netflix and it is amazing and heartbreaking and heartwarming and gut wrenching and breathtaking.

TTYL,

olive 

Audition at Buzzfeed

6/30/15

Hi friends! Today I had an audition for what was described as "Scripted TV & Video - Multimedia" for the role of "Girl". It was, as you can see, a super vague casting notice on Backstage but I submitted nonetheless, thinking that I could fit the description given: to play 19-20, smart and clever - she's kind of plain looking. In high school, she was invisible and hated how the popular kids treated her and her family. In lieu of college, she works in her family's coffee shop. 

I submitted myself on 6/24 and was contacted on 6/25 by who I believe to be the casting director and set up an audition time. She sent me the script and audition location on 6/29 and that's when I found out I would be going to Buzzfeed to audition! I still wasn't sure what exactly I was auditioning for, but I was super excited! I love watching Buzzfeed videos and respect them as a content creator and huge voice in the online world.

So here's a little summary of the before, during, and after of the audition:
- I was given two scripts, one for each episode; I memorized both and ran lines with my sister (I was only given a night to prepare but c'est la vie)
- After reading the script and description of my character I decided she was dorky, sassy, pretty hip, and cool without trying. She kind of has a DGAF attitude and isn't afraid to speak her mind
- From there I had to decide what to wear in order to portray the character. I went with baggy-ish jeans, a graphic tee that says "don't mess with Texas", and high-top converse... converses.... convi?
- I was schedule to audition at 10:30 AM; I got to the office at 10:20 and was taken upstairs immediately for my audition
- The audition started right away! Yay for punctuality :D
- I got to read with the casting director and my audition was recorded; I read each script twice and was given notes; she told me that she thought I captured the essence of the character and pointed out things that she loved as well as things that she wanted to see from me, which I would add in during the next run
- After we were done reading she thanked me and told me I would be getting an email from her in the next couple of days

I had so much fun at this audition!!! It was a great experience overall and the people at Buzzfeed were so welcoming and kind. I won't get my hopes up on landing this role--because there are probably other people auditioning. As far as the Chinglish play audition, I didn't get a call back, which was definitely expected. I am not discouraged though, because I know I really wasn't right for the part, and still had an amazing time auditioning for the role! Anyways, I'll be back in this post in a couple of days to recap and see if I am actually contacted about the part!

7/06

So I haven't heard back about the part, which means I didn't land it, but that's ok! Tomorrow (Tuesday 7/07) I have two auditions. It's going to be CRAY. My first audition is around Irvine at 1:50 and my second is at USC at 6:30. I'll be driving all over the place, but I'm very excited! In other news, my headshots are being taken on 7/14, and I feel like I can REALLY get the ball rolling once I have my professional headshots. Like I said, people won't take you seriously if you don't take this business seriously. I have to stop bringing in my little home-taken headshots to auditions heh.

Anyways, thanks for reading and keeping up with my journey! It's been almost a month since I graduated and I'm so far happy with the experiences and progress I've made. I still have a lot to do, but I'm slowly chipping away at that list. Oh, and happy belated 4th of July!

- Olivia

Meeting With a Former Talent Manager

Hi friends!

Today I had the privilege of meeting with a super sweet woman named Flo from my church who used to be a talent manager in LA. Whenever I would talk to someone from church about my career path, they suggested I try to get in contact with her. They weren't sure exactly what she did, but did know that she used to be in entertainment. The major selling point people would say whenever they encouraged me to reach out to her was that she used to manage Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family. Flo and her team were the ones who put him on the show. Um... that's kind of a big deal! I finally gained the courage to ask her to meet with me (I didn't want to seem like some leech who was trying to use her) and she was kind enough to set up a time to meet with me despite her busy schedule.

Boy did I learn a lot...

1. I need professional headshots A S A P. Flo recommended spending anywhere between $400-700 on my headshots showing different ranges of character in 3-4 looks. The one headshot photographer she recommended was Theo and Juliet--I looked into their work and they have done headshots for so many working actors today (Emma Stone, Julie Bowen, and so many more). Unfortunately, they offer one headshot package that does include a LOT, but costs $1385. WOO. One thousand three hundred and eighty-five dollars. BRB. Crying. However, call me crazy, but I'm seriously considering going to them. I want the best as I go into the industry full force and well... they seem like the best!

2. I need a reel. And not a reel done by myself with my camera in my room. But a professional reel that shows a range of emotions and characters. She told me that whenever she sifted through piles and piles of headshots, resumes, and reels looking for new/undiscovered talent, what really set the actor apart was his or her reel.

3. I need to get footage to compile a reel. So obviously in order for one to have a reel, one needs to be on camera somehow. I have thankfully done a couple of shorts, and can (I say hopefully) get my hands on copies of them. She recommended looking into USC student films, filming a class that I am in, or--worse comes to worst--professionally record a monologue I'm very confident with. Managers and agents can tell when you're just in your room reading a monologue from your computer. You need to take yourself seriously and remember that this is a business and a career, albeit not a 'traditional' one, but one to be taken seriously nonetheless.

4. Build my resume, work on my craft. My resume right now with the 4 student films, 1 play, and 5 UCSD acting classes does not come off as impressive. She warned me that sending in a premature resume might hurt me, because managers/agents will remember me when I try to send in my information again and will automatically disregard me. I have to continue seeking out opportunities for me to work, as well as continue to hone in on perfecting my craft. Adding to my experience and my training will make for a better resume. And if these managers/agents recognize the acting coaches under my training, they may even give them a call to get their opinion on me.

5. Be selective. I thought that as an actor starting out I would need to seize every opportunity that came my way. However, Flo told me that everything I do in this industry will follow me, and that I need to be selective in the projects I work on, making sure they represent the characters I want to be. She also discouraged being an extra, because though I may get some money, it will not further my career AT ALL.

I could probably write about 50 more points, but those struck me as the 5 most important. Flo warned (I don't know if this is the best word) me that it's not going to be easy, and that it may take up to five years for me to see even any sliver of success. But this is something that I am well aware of! I am fully prepared to take on the role of poor aspiring actor and pay my dues.

However, I have a lot to be thankful for: I don't have student loans to pay off, my family is not in a financial crisis where I need to have a job and make money right away, and I have a support system that believes in me through my mom, sister, boyfriend, and many friends. I feel so extremely fortunate and thankful to God that I have the luxury of pursuing my dreams. And that I even have a dream to pursue in the first place! Like I said in my last post: after auditioning for Chinglish my love for acting was solidified, and I knew that this is what I want to be do and what I'm meant to be doing.

Flo's warning didn't scare me as much as excite me. I feel very excited to hit the ground running! How will I find $1385 for headshots and like 2000 more dollars to take acting classes? I HAVE NO IDEA! But I'll find a way, and praise JESUS through it all ~

Thanks for reading friends, and see you next post.

Peace,
Olivia

Welcome Pt. II

Hello friends, and welcome to Candidly Olivia.

I wanted to fill you all in on the changes that will be happening to my blog. As you may or may not know, this blog was previously A Thread for Thought, and was mainly an outlet for fashion. ATFT was birthed nearly three years ago after my freshman year in college as a tangible thing for me to put on my resume. I thought it would set me apart as I applied for the jobs that all other college students and graduates would be gunning for--and it did! The bits of success I was able to achieve through ATFT were amazing, and the blog will always have a special place in my heart. However, over the past three years I have found myself tired of writing about just clothes and fashion, and found this blog to be more of a job than a fun and creative way to "be different" for employers. I want to write about more than just what I'm wearing!

Now that I'm graduated, the obvious question is what next? And for me, that will be pursuing acting! And I am so incredibly excited about it!!! (I will probably get into how I got to this point in another post) Amidst my excitement though, is a lot of where on earth am I supposed to start? I don't come from a family of artists, or even know anyone who comes from a family of artists, so this whole acting thing is new for everyone. Yes, my mom was freaked out but after 4 years of convincing, she's finally on board and fully supportive of my dream! But I couldn't help but think about all the other people out there like me who have no idea where to begin with an acting career. And so Candidly Olivia was born.

I want this blog to not only be a blog for fashion, which it still will be because ya girl loves clothes, but also one for lifestyle, DIY, and most importantly what it's really like to be 1. a funemployed college graduate, and 2. an aspiring artist. I want to take you all on my journey of post-grad life as well as my journey in pursuing acting. I am hoping to be informative to all you out there who want to get into the biz, just like me, and promise to speak candidly on my experiences as they happen.

So welcome to my "grown-up" blog, and I hope you'll join me as I chase my dreams :)