SLEEP, SHOWER, EAT, WORK, AUDITION / FILM, AND REPEAT

The last couple weeks have consisted of the above at a fairly steady pace. During this somewhat difficult time in the acting industry and with the economy, I am thankful to have any work, particularly when part of it consists of work that involves acting! Therefore, getting to be back at CBS filming “The Young and the Restless” is a true delight for me. Additionally, I have the gift of receiving super flexible hours of side work through a friend who currently has multiple successful companies. All this, while having little adventures and fun gatherings with friends here and maintaining from afar the close friendships I have had with friends for over a decade, provides me that extra bit of refreshing energy to push forward.

I think the best thing for an actor, or anyone for that matter, who is lacking stability on the work front, is to keep as busy as possible, make a plan, and create something to accomplish or work towards each day. It’s especially true when you aren’t getting work in the area you desire, which for many actors is often the case. Keeping busy allows you to be out there meeting people, interacting, and making yourself feel more productive, than if you are just sitting around waiting for the next audition or next possible booking to happen, while working a job you might not like, but need to keep afloat.

Financially and opportunity-wise, this is a slow and difficult time for most. This is something I am actively seeing among my friends, especially those in the industry, and myself. It is somewhat of an odd feeling for me personally, because I find myself wanting to reach out and help them, whether I know them well or not. However, I realize that I can’t do as much as I would like - aside from being supportive, offering a listening ear, and/or sending a card covered in stickers to hopefully brighten their mailbox and day. All this could be nice in theory, but I suppose doesn’t help as much as needed when someone can’t find a job, is going through a truly difficult time, can’t pay all their bills, or even really buy groceries.

Current times have contributed to my finding joys in strange places. Like seeing how much I can save when I go to buy groceries for the week by turning it into a bit of a game, something my marvelous mother used to do when she lived in Paris, before she married my extraordinary dad. I now cut out coupons, search online for additional discounts before going to purchase my items for the week, buy what is on sale, and opt for non-name brand items, etc. I am amazed at how much one can truly save with just a little extra time and effort! I probably should have been doing this for years, but in all honesty, my situation didn’t require me to do so up until recent times, a fact that I never have, or ever will, take for granted! However, I see more clearly now the significance of it, regardless of whether you need to do it or not. Ultimately, small savings, where one can save, just makes sense!

I am beyond lucky to have constant support from my loving family, financially and emotionally, whenever I need it; something that many I know do not have. There is so much I still hope to accomplish, as well as to “give back” financially and through a charity. Even though this seems far away for me in this moment, I continue to stay as positive as possible, and plan to do all I can to make it happen one day. Which for now means I need to sleep, shower, eat, work, audition / film, and repeat!

“These are not tough times. They’re tremendous times for tough people.” - Anon

“SO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T WANT TO BE FAMOUS?”

Last week, I was out with some friends in downtown LA, and someone from NYC approached us and struck up a conversation. Turns out he works in the industry, in marketing. He then asked me what I did for a living stating, “you have a great look, are very commercial, and should be the face of Neutrogena or something.”

The reason I decided to bring up his thoughts in this week’s blog is because during the course of our brief conversation, after he discovered I was an actor and had expressed the above opinion, he touched on something that struck me. He asked me what I wanted in reference to the entertainment industry. I expressed that I would love to have a successful career as an actor, where I can make a living doing what I enjoy and ultimately pick projects, preferably films, I am passionate about and that challenge me. I told him how much fulfillment I get from Independent film projects and having the ability to play characters that require true acting, not just my playing what I am most often type-cast as or what comes easy for me: the girl next door, football players girlfriend, cheerleader, etc. I explained that those involved in smaller, Independent projects are often more willing to take a chance and think outside the box.

However, it was not his question, but his reaction to my answer that caused me to think. He looked at me with a bit of a perplexed look, paused, and then said with a rather baffled tone, “So you mean you don’t want to be famous?” It was at this moment that I was caught a bit off guard, because I did not get into this industry “to be famous.”

Yes, we all want to be successful, and others knowing who I am, on some level, in the industry is welcome. Yet, success is valuable to me more so that I can get work, be able to pick projects that interest me, and ultimately have a solid platform to start my children’s charity foundation to be able to begin giving back, all while hopefully being a positive role model. It’s not to be famous.

Therefore, my answer, without hesitation, was, and still is, “No.”

Still a bit stunned by my response he seemed unsure of what to say next, almost as though there was no real point in my being an actor if I didn’t want “fame and fortune.” That said, and even though I am not in this for reasons he thought, he remarked that my getting just one starring role in a great independent film with a good director, that goes to some of the big film festivals, would be all I would need, and I would “take off.” He suggested I follow the path of Evan Rachel Wood, or someone like her, since I am “her type.”

He then quickly and somewhat dismissively said, “well good luck with that!” Although appreciative of his time and insight, I’ll admit I was left a bit unsure after our conversation and started thinking about whether people associate being an actor with solely wanting “fame and fortune.”

For me, I became an actor for the creative freedom I get while developing other characters and personally getting to take on qualities, which I myself do not possess. In a round about way, being an actor welcomes the shy qualities I hold at the core, and allows an inner confidence to emerge, which I find to be a unique fortune, in an of itself. Thus, I suppose I crave the spotlight shown on an actor, but simply for different reasons.

“To a lot of actors the more attention they can command the better. Their egos can become out of control, and they crave adoration and demand attention. Fortunately, I am amongst the small minority who enter the business with our main priority being getting involved because we love telling stories in whatever way we can, and we love the creative industry…I am actually shy, believe it or not.” – Virginia Hey

SIDE NOTE: The biopic style documentary “Kreating Karloff” I starred in, playing Zita Johann as Helen Grosvenor alongside actor Conor Timmis, was just reviewed in the March/April Issue (#87) of Rue Morgue Magazine and is available now on new stands and at your local Borders and Barnes and Noble, if you are interested!