Reality of Doing

Karma and Kibbutzim, Roller Coasters and Races

Posted on 01. Jul, 2008 by sethcaskey.

This is a re-post of my Backstage Take 5 column from July 2008

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July 1, 2008
by Nicole Kristal

In June, our Take Five actors in Los Angeles had to face the summer. There was eye-opening travel, good fortune meeting good preparation, and a bit of looming burnout.

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May We Have Some More?

Posted on 01. Jun, 2008 by sethcaskey.

This is a re-post of my Backstage Take 5 column from June 2008

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June 1, 2008
by Nicole Kristal

In May, our actors geared up for union membership, read around in this year’s unusual pilot season, stealth-networked at parties, and learned some ‘Idol’ lessons.

I’ve Got a Golden Ticket — Two, Actually: June is already here, which means the year is halfway over and it’s time to look back at the goals I set for myself in January. One was to become SAG-eligible. This happened last month when I was hired to work two days as background, securing the last two vouchers I needed. It was also my first time working on a sound stage in L.A. There I was, working on a dead body, surrounded by three well-known actors on one of the top-rated procedurals of all time. I was totally playing it cool on the outside but inside was as giddy as a schoolgirl. At one point one of the series regulars said, “Do we have a show on tonight? How cool is that: We’re on TV and we’re making TV at the same time.” Now I won’t give away names, but it was awesome to see someone who has been in the business for almost 30 years and still has that kind of love for what he’s doing. I have waited a long time to join the fraternity of SAG actors and am thrilled to now have that opportunity.

Demo-Lition Man

Beefing up my demo reel is also a goal for this year. I was asked to help a friend screen-test for a feature for which she is being considered. We shot a fully produced scene with an amazing professional crew. Our work is still with the editor, but I am confident it will be a nice addition to what I have. Also as part of this shoot, I worked with and was directed by a top acting coach who has many students currently working in television and film. It was quite surreal.

Olympic Training

I volunteer at the SAG Foundation. It recently hosted a panel — featuring Margie Haber, Gary Zuckerbrod, Marc Bass, and others. In response to the question “What is one characteristic that you look for in potential clients?” Bass, president of Marc Bass Agency, answered, without hesitation, “Training.” He added that as professional actors in Los Angeles, we are “Olympic athletes in this profession” and therefore must approach our training as such. To go to a class once a week or once a month is not going to cut it. Hearing this was confirmation that I am doing the right thing by getting back into scene work on a daily basis. It’s exhausting, but I’m sure Michael Phelps gets tired too.

Audition Report

This month I was brought in to read for a sitcom pilot, did some chemistry reads for a lead in a short film, and was cast in an original play called Refuge From the Storm. The play opens June 27 at the Actors Group theatre in North Hollywood. It’s a great script, and I am looking forward to creating this role and working with each person in our cast.

Run Baby, Run

As if my schedule is not packed enough, my wife and I began training for the Disneyland half-marathon, which is Aug. 31. We joined the Train to End Stroke program sponsored through the American Stroke Association. In September 2006 my grandfather passed away from complications related to several strokes. This race is for Paw Paw.

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Stops and Starts

Posted on 01. May, 2008 by sethcaskey.

This is a re-post of my Backstage Take 5 column from May 2008

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May 1, 2008
by Nicole Kristal

In April our actors missed opportunities, assuaged their bitterness, and knocked down doors with their overwhelming talent.

‘Italian’ Inspiration: Last month I admitted to having a mild case of bitter actor syndrome. Fortunately, I have fully recovered from that minor setback, and April was a month of putting focus on my work and keeping my acting chops sharp.

I once read a story about Charlize Theron and how even during the filming of The Italian Job she still found time to do scene work with her acting coach. Well, if an Academy Award-winning actor can do it, then so can I. I realized that I spend a good amount of time and energy every day working for the opportunity to act — submissions, auditions, networking events, meeting casting directors, etc. — but very little time daily exercising my craft. So I decided to get back into scene study on a daily basis. I am currently working four scenes with different partners. They are all challenging scenes that are stretching and growing me as an artist. Man, that feels good.

It’s a Small World, After All

I had a number of small-world encounters this month, including one with a known TV actor whose mom I know from Virginia. Weird. With each one I was inspired that as big as Los Angeles is, it’s so much about the relationships we build each day. I was reminded to stay open to connecting with new people, because I never know who I might meet in line at Trader Joe’s or even in the bathroom at the movies.

Extra Drama, No Thank You

“You don’t have to be here.” That’s what I kept screaming to people over and over in my head while working on a pilot as an extra a couple weeks ago. I seriously don’t get it. Why would actors go through all the hassle of booking a job as an extra just to complain the entire time about being there? I know this may sound like a bit of hyperbole, but this one group complained the entire time (14 hours) about the food, the smoke (we were working on an explosion scene, something everyone knew before accepting the job), the makeup, the bathrooms — you name it. It really upset me. We have all chosen to be in an industry that is not always easy and not always fair. But we are here because we love what we do. I would love to see actors of all levels appreciative for the opportunity to work in whatever capacity they are hired (and give one of the nonunion folks your voucher if you don’t want it that bad).

Audition Report

To end on a positive note, here is what I was up to in the realm of auditions: a callback to producers for the leading role in an independent short, four generals with targeted casting directors, and my first reality-show audition (worthy of a column all its own). Next month I’ll have bookings to report. How’s that for putting out the positive intention?

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Spring Flowers

Posted on 01. Apr, 2008 by sethcaskey.

This is a re-post of my Backstage Take 5 column from April 2008

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April 1, 2008
by Nicole Kristal

In March, opportunities bloomed for our fabulous five as they honed their craft, landed crucial auditions and roles, and battled post-writers strike malaise.

Mild Case of BAS: Otherwise known as bitter actor syndrome. Even as I say that I want to smack myself in the face. “Snap out of it, you schmuck,” I want to say. But the truth is, that’s how I feel. This month has been a series of ups and downs for me.

I’ve been working hard this month to get my actor brand in order. I’ve been hearing more and more about the importance of actors understanding and promoting their unique brand. So new photos, a new demo, and the launch of a new website — all that showcase my unique brand — will take place April 15.

Seriously Unfunny

A realization occurred after five comedic auditions this month — all of them not funny. Seriously. During one, I swear I heard crickets. Give me a dramatic scenes, and I can bring the emotional life in a second; give me a scene from a half-hour comedy, and I’m a deer in headlights. So as an antidote to BAS and to strengthen my comedic muscles, I have been researching comedy and improv classes and will begin auditing them next week. I would like to be enrolled in a class no later than the end of April.

Drop-Off Dud

Does anyone really do drop-offs? Really? A group of us decided that to be proactive in generating more commercial work for ourselves, we would schedule an afternoon to do drop-offs at commercial casting studios. Apparently, none of us had done our due diligence as to exactly how this drop-off system works. Result: an entire tank of gas, several hours hanging out with friends, some crazy looks and odd responses from personnel at the studios, and five — yes, five — headshots distributed to commercial casting directors. (Aside: If there’s anyone out there who’s successful with drop-offs and willing to be my drop-off mentor, email me — please.)

Union Matters

“You really need to get in SAG.” “SAG makes it so difficult for us to Taft-Hartley that we never do it.” “We won’t even bring in nonunion actors for prereads.” Some variations of these comments is what I heard from every CD in March. I’m so well-versed in it I could give the spiel myself (oops, there goes the BAS again). So after much thought and with the recommendation of a trusted mentor, I have decided to join AFTRA. “What are you waiting for?” she asked. Good question. I waited 30 years to get this career moving; why waste any more time? So by the time you read this article, I will be a card-carrying member of AFTRA. I am going to put a concentrated amount of energy into booking work under that contract, continue to get in front of CDs and pursue SAG work, and will be a member of SAG in just 52 weeks (if not sooner).

Training Days

I started an on-camera audition class that has been invaluable. Solid, practical training and practice in this discipline is important. The audition room is such an artificial setting in which to live truthfully that without a solid technique to work with, you often do more harm than good. Having trained primarily in a theatre environment, it’s exciting to learn how I can apply that technique to working in front of a camera.

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The Ide(a)s of March

Posted on 01. Mar, 2008 by sethcaskey.

This is a re-post of my Backstage Take 5 column from March 2008

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March 1, 2008
by Nicole Kristal

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