It's been a YEAR. Still Searchin'

Hello Friends, Family, and Lovers!

Today is my LA anniversary! One year ago my dad and I stood on Santa Monica pier. I had finally made it to Los Angeles. It has been a roller coaster. I have made so many new friends, new acquaintances, new business contacts, new memories. I feel like I'm finally starting to figure out the adult thing. I'm not any where close to my goal, but I'm just as determined as I was 365 days ago. It is honestly pretty hard to keep going, but I cannot imagine being anywhere else in the world...except for maybe Paris ;) I love LA. It's a beautiful city. There are an infinite number of things to do. An infinite number of dreamers. An infinite amount of heartache. But, an infinite amount of life. Los Angeles makes you, or breaks you, and I can't imagine myself anywhere else.

I had a few auditions this week. The Haunted House one went well :) But everyone in the audition room was great! We just sang a few lines of any happy tune we wanted and then did a Southern Baptist preacher monologue that was spooky. I think I would be a part of a haunted gospel choir, so I wouldn't have to scare people. Yay.

The 90s rollerblading video is up and SO great! CHECK IT OUT!--> SOLAR HEIST SEARCHING

Short again this week, unless you want to hear about my boy drama. What's new?

LAism of the Week:
So many transient beings. "They" say it is hard to make friends in LA. I was blessed by having a super friendly apartment community and great co-workers at my day job. But, so many people move to LA for a year, or five and then leave. It's hard to make friends because so many people just pass through. They are here for a few months and don't find work and leave. They aren't American and they can't get a green card or a work visa and they leave. Money runs out, they leave. LA is a hard nut to crack, but full of amazing people, even if they are only here for a drop in the ocean of time.

Fairies and Unicorns

Hello Frans!

Disregard the title. I just couldn't think of a better one.

This week has been rough for whatever reason. Mood swings. Money. Men. And nothing has been super exciting on the acting front. I did some more audience work on the Kris Jenner show. I'm out of the loop, so I didn't know who she (or that she was a woman) until I was on the show. But her coy "kids will be kids" comment about the silliness of the name North West and her fake tan and black hair cued me: the woman who spawned the Kardashians. AHH! All that aside, her show was awesome because not only did we get paid, we got prizes!!!! I'm not allowed to disclose what we received, but watch Kris' show next Monday and you'll find out. One is going to make me gain 5 lbs, but I don't get cast as the bikini girl anyway.

I have an audition next week to get paid $75 to sing at a Haunted House this fall. Dotty is auditioning to be a "scare-er" so fingers crossed we get it and we can carpool!

This morning I spent about three hours f-ing around with Brittany and Mahmoud working on the cups song. Here's a little Vine teaser. I'll put the full video up when Brittany uploads it :)

Vine Teaser-Cups

I was cast to be in a magic show this coming Monday, I'll let you know when that airs so you can see my silly expressions. That's all I've got to say about that.

LAism of the Week:
Part of my work has become to chase paparazzi away from getting pictures of people trying to leave their workout in peace. I don't know how many pictures US Weekly needs of sweaty celebs, but they must be paying the big $ for the photos because these paparazzi are ANNOYING!

Actually wait. This is a mural near where I live. Re-regard the title

Bring on the Men!

Hello Loverlies!

Not too much to report out here in LA.

I had a callback last week for the thing I auditioned for the previous week about the single mom. It went really well, but the casting director called me in for another audition the next day. The first single mom was a mother of a two year old. I could be the mother of a two year old. This guy called me in again, because he liked me so much, for the role of a mother of a 16 year old...wait...do I look like I'm the mother of two boys, one 18 the other 16? Nope. That audition did not go well and I think it hurt my chances for the callback. Thus is life.

I was cast in a music video which should be released within 3-4 weeks, according to the director. The concept of the video is that this magical girl is riding in a vintage car through the streets of LA. As she drives by people they are inspired by her love and peace to pass on love by kissing the first person they see. It was a fun afternoon of kissing a stranger, and I think the video is going to turn out really well. I think it's a beautiful concept. Pass on love.

I have an audition next week for a web series about a girl dealing with the sex change of an ex boyfriend. Should be interesting. Other than that, I'm just trying to save a little change to take some classes to beef up the resume. Still waiting on footage to put a reel together as well. Actor business. What have yous.

LAism of the Week:
So, I am sworn to secrecy about the comings and goings of celebs at my place of employment. I can only say that celebrities think it's cool when they are friends with other celebrities. It was so mind melting! My conversation with said celebrity was so fun and cute. Fingers crossed you'll see me in the tabloids. haha!

Women's Self-Defense Classes Please!

Hello Friends!

First, I forgot to mention that the HOME concert went swimmingly. Our next show is July 27th :)

My week after my staycation started off with a bang. I had three auditions. We'll skip the first for now, but the second was for a short film where I would play a frustrated single mother. The third was a waste of my time. I drove to Burbank to audition for another student film at a school that just really does not produce quality work and I don't know why I keep submitting for their stuff. My friend Brittany gave me a pep talk and told me I'm better than that and I need to bolster my self confidence. Thanks Britt :)

Okay, so this next story is a scary one. And this goes out to all of my LA actresses as a warning and a thank God nothing happened to me. I had an audition for a short film on Tuesday morning and originally I was meeting the director/writer/producer in a park in Echo Park. It's an odd place to have an audition, but it was a public place, so I didn't really think anything of that. Then this person named Robin (so I assumed it was a women) moved it to an address the day before. When I drove up, it was an apartment. I have a hard and fast rule that I do not do apartment auditions especially ones I have submitted myself for and especially in East LA, but I called the number when I was outside. A man answered. This is where I should have said I couldn't make it, but instead I went around to a side gate to be let in. The man who let me in was very creepy. A little shy of 6 feet, long brown hair, scraggly beard and glasses. Not in great shape. And the monologue he sent me to prepare, which he had written, was very odd. I shook his hand and he said, "It's in through that door." Instead of leading me he walked behind me and I was completely on edge. We walked through this back door to a lower level hallway and he said it was the last door on the right. It was not a long hallway, but all the doors were numbered to I thought I was walking past different apartments. I turned into this room, which was a bedroom. No equipment, no crew, no script and it smelled like B.O. He was standing in the doorway and said, "Would you mind undressing for me?" I cannot even imagine what the look on my face was when I turned around. Probably pure terror/fury/shock, but I was ready to fight this guy. My body temperature spiked and I was ready to spray him right in the eyes with my mace. I said "Excuse me?" and he repeated the question. I said, "NO. Is that a part of the role?" As I made my way passed him to get out the back door. He said, "No, but let me show you around." I just said no thanks, I'm going to leave and I walked right out and walk-sprinted to the side gate to get out of the backyard. I didn't hear him follow me out, but he told me to have a safe drive. The sound of his voice scared the shit out of me, so I jumped and turned. He wasn't close to me, so I just went through the door and left. I flagged him on LA Casting first and then I went to the police station. I didn't even know what to call it. Attempted sexual assault? But, the police officer said they couldn't do anything for me. He didn't touch me, or pressure me to do anything. He asked, and I said no. Even if I went under false pretenses. For all my LA ladies; his name is Robin Wyatt Dunn. He often posts short films or feature films on LA Casting. They are no pay gigs that have barely any information. He lives in Echo Park and if want to know his address, if you have an audition there, I know it. Just, seriously, DO NOT GO INTO ANYONE'S APARTMENT. God. I'm so thankful that nothing happened to me and that I'm in good shape to defend myself. Mace is $10 at the Army Surplus Store on Vine and Santa Monica Blvd. Get some.

I'm going to let that story be my LAism of the Week too, because let's face it. A lot of girls out here just want to get famous and they will do that any way they can/ they don't know that "no" is an option. The police officer said to me that I was smart and said no and got out of there, but it's something they call "Couch Casting." It happens all the time. I was shocked because there was no ruse. No money offer, no explanation of a fake project and then asking me to get naked. But he knew exactly what to do not to get in trouble with the law.

Sorry this post wasn't about the glamor of Los Angeles...are any of my posts about that? Next week, I'm sure I will have better news and hopefully some fun stories to tell. I am going to my first California beach front wedding this weekend!! Congrats to Michelle and Ramsey for starting their new life together, in two days!

One last note. My private violin teacher passed away this week from cancer. She was only 63 and the sole caretaker of her elderly mother. Miss Sgro taught me so much. Not just about how to play the violin, but about discipline, setting goals, performance etiquette, etc. She was an amazing violinist, teacher and woman. I miss her.

Staycation

Hello Lovers :)

My parents have been here for the last week, so there isn't much to report. I did go to meet with the pageant people this morning and guess what....they weren't there. I called and the organizer said I should have received an email...I didn't. So, it's next Saturday. The Miss Manhattan Beach adventure continues.

Here are some awesome pictures of me and my folks on their LA visit. We kind of did a Caitlin's LA theme with some things I haven't done because they cost money.

First Stop Venice Beach...

Too Much Crab

The Getty Center

LA Zoo

Thanks for coming to visit Mom and Eric!

Coming up this week, I have an audition on Tuesday for a short film about a terrorist. And I'll be hitting the pavement looking for perhaps another job, so I can live this LA lifestyle.

LAism of the Week:
Traffic dictates your day. I know EXACTLY the times I should not be driving and I refuse to drive then, or at least in a certain direction then. I showed Eric just how awful traffic can be by driving the opposite direction of traffic during rush hour on our way home from the Getty. We went to dinner instead of driving home. 

Present Tense

Why hello there! Jumping right in,

I had an audition last week for a medical industrial about allergies in adults and children. Ironically, the kid that was in the Literal Enforcer video of my last post was there on the wrong day and needed a "mom" to read with him so I volunteered. LA is a big city, but a small world!

I had a callback on Sunday for the webseries I auditioned for the previous Sunday. They had me read for three different parts. Two of them were bigoted bitches and the other a sweet art teacher. I loved it! I love putting on the skin of those so different than me. (You guys can guess of which I'm speaking...I hope!)
        This morning I got to miss some audience work to audition with the lovely Brittany Belland and the dashing Mahmoud Osman for a print ad about friends. I think we nailed it! The camera guy was from Ohio and we submitted these pictures...

Come on! How adorable are we? Frans!

This weekend is my first show with HOME. I have a link in a previous post to their music on Reverbnation. Check them out. Also here is our poster! O yea!

As far as regular outside of industry LA life goes, it's been one thing after another. Good vibes sent this way for my roomie who has been struggling with a myriad of issues and my stress worrying about my 210 sister. It's hard to stay present here in LA. Everyone asks you about your plan, what's coming up, etc, etc. Of course one wants to have an answer for these things, but one also needs to realize how beautiful the sunshine is here or how sweet the cupcake is someone leaves behind after a birthday at SoulCycle :)

Last week on one of my days off I read The Alchemist. It was wonderful and such an encouragement. The whole book was about a man who knew his destiny, all he had to do was focus on present moments to lead him to his goal. He was advised:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” 

I'm going to keep this quote in my back pocket for when I get discouraged or bogged down by the daunting task of becoming a working actor. I don't think anyone moving out here expects that the simple desire to bring entertainment to others and/or change minds and lives through the art of film-making is going to be difficult...but it is.

Create your own work is what I hear very often, but I've become so crazed that I went to interview to be a contestant for the Miss Manhattan Beach pageant. Last Saturday I went to a casting office to sit through a convincing presentation and most of an off dubbed Miss Congeniality, only to have to leave before being interviewed because I was going to be late for work. I ran into work just in time, but not before having a complete meltdown walking though Beverly Hills barefoot with blisters all over my feet holding my heels, dressed to the nines, sobbing on the phone with my mom about this amazing missed networking opportunity. After that spectacle, and convincing myself that it's not worth it anyway, everyone would laugh at me if I said I was doing a pageant, (come on, I am Gracie Lou Freebush.) the coordinator of the pageant called me today and said they have two more days of interviews. They saw me at the presentation and they really want to meet with me. So, yay! My dreams of becoming a pageant queen may still be fulfilled! But really, the networking (and perhaps a little self confidence) I would gain from this would be really amazing.

One last thing I've been doing to survive what we like to call out here, the South Land. Audience work. Some of you may think! Wow, cool! Being in the audience for Ellen or the Price is Right would be so fun...maybe those shows. But did you know Marie Osmond has a talk show? Neither did I! Until I was on it as a seat filler. AH! We sat in chairs clapping like monkeys and laughing like hyenas for 8 hours, without a lunch break and not allowed to go to the bathroom...not worth $66. Marie was VERY nice, but ugh. Working audience on up and coming new ABC Family Spellmageddon was slightly more bearable. Mostly because Dotty and I went together, also because what we were watching was a game show and it was little more entertaining. She also participate in a dance off and I participated in the Dating Game. I was a blindfolded bachelorette and I had a man sing to me, one spoke to me in Russian, but I went with the one who sexually objectified me least. Cuz' that's how I role...We were there for 10 hours. Again, not fed (except for an exorbitant amount of candy that had me sprinting to the bathroom the entire next day). And no bathroom breaks except two hours in, unless we begged. We got overtime and a bump for lunch on that though. Whoot! Obviously it is not too horrible because I was about to do it again today if not for the audition I had earlier. But maybe Dotty will have an entertaining Facebook status about it later. Stay tuned.

LAism of the Week:
I think being a ninja is part of the training in becoming famous...unless you're famous for no reason...Kim Kardashian... Celebrities are very good at being neither seen nor heard. There are a few that will remain unnamed that come into where I work, also unnamed ;). Among these few, there was one actress that I saw on the list 4-5 times before I actually saw her, and only because she was late and I needed to run her in the room. Also this morning I went in to ride, and only recognized that one of my favorites was there because I know exactly what he looks like and how he sneaks in and out. The person I was talking to did not even detect the celebrity presence. Ninjas.

P.S. My mama and step dad are coming to visit this weekend!! I'm so excited!

June Gloom

Hello my lovlies!

Welcome to LA June gloom, where every morning is not the taken for granted sunshiney wonderfulness I have come to expect. Sure, it may be sunny by the afternoon, but the mornings have been cloudy and sad. I attribute my past two weeks attitude to this (and hormones), so to June Gloom I say BE GONE! Life has been pleasant. At least.

To begin, I booked a YouTube short. I know, very exciting!! VERY Professional, Very on my way to being a movie star. But really, this guy is pretty funny. I don't want to give my sketch away, but it goes something like this one. I'm the next installment of THE LITERAL ENFORCER. Don't worry I'll post mine when it's up. It's pretty much like this, just, yes.

Indeed.

I have had a few auditions around town. A short about kickball where I could not say the word "pubescent" for the friggin' life of me during the audition. I had one where I would play three characters. One had a cockney accent! (Thank you My Fair Lady in high school!) This Sunday I have an audition for a web series where I would play a conservative Republican. I'm going to have to dig deep guys. Wish me luck.

I booked a gig singing back up for a band who just released their first album HOME <<check out their album! It pays and Greg and Dee are GREAT! Our first show is June 29th. Details to come!

Lastly, the Margie Haber Beginner Intensive is over. Sad face. But great news! I was one of three moved up to the intermediate from our class of 13! Yay!! But alas, money doth not grow on trees. I'm going to try to apply for their work/study program, but they don't have any openings right now, so I'll have to wait a bit to take the intermediate level. Still, I was extremely pleased by that!

And, HOLD THE PHONE! Did you watch Game of Thrones?! It literally broke me. I audibly screamed and then sobbed through the end of the credits and beyond. I'm sorry. I just had to mention it because of the emotional mountain of sadness I had to clamor down from to get on with my everyday existence after the Red Wedding episode. I just, I had to contribute the voices of internet woe.

LAism of the Week:
Free food is not readily available like it is on Ohio State's campus during all the sunny school months.