Unscripted - A Blog for Actors - Backstage

Going Deep

The Sugar Syndrome, the show I am producing as well as acting in is what I like to call a spine punch play. Billed by Playscripts as a "dark comedy" some of its running themes include pedophilia, bulimia and sex addiction. We began rehearsals this week and my rock star director lived up to all expectations. This woman shies away from nothing. We are digging in, around, inside and under every addiction and psychosis these characters have. On the day we looked at pedophilia, I went home and cried for an hour. 

Oh Lordy, One Of Those Posts

I cried so hard last night.

I cried because New York treated me so well this week and I’m going to miss it, because the thought of being away from my boyfriend for indefinite periods of time is so upsetting, because while I still live at home, I have a dozen friends who are moving into new apartments this week and I am so jealous of their independence, because I have a dozen friends who are on wonderful vacations in Italy/Paris/Amsterdam/Cape Cod/Hawaii and I am even more jealous of their ability to afford that luxury, because I am unemployed and desire to do work that is meaningful and yet pays well, because my health insurance runs out in 2 weeks and I’m ill prepared for its finality, because I’ve subtly but unsuccessfully been dropping hints to my grandmother in Brooklyn that I want to move back and might need somewhere to stay for a little bit until I’m on my feet. She hasn’t caught on.

When in doubt, make a movie!

I had the pleasure of being a part of a wonderful film project a buddy of mine dreamed up: 12films12weeks! I came across his actors access break down a month or two ago, realized that he was the same Keith I'd gone to college with, went and auditioned, rocked it, and the rest is history!
    It was awesome to be on set again, to be able to contribute my own ideas and sparkling wit to the dialogue. It was also pretty miraculous that we actually shot it all in roughly eight hours. Seriously, that is amazing. I got there at noon on a saturday, rehearsed a bit, broke for food, came back together as the sun was setting and shot the hell out it. The DP was working up a sweat with his steadicam action. The actress I was working with was awesome and rather funny. It was all-in-all a total pleasure! I even made it out in time to go to my friends party at 930!

    And the film itself looks great, I'm very happy with my performance. It's something I can actually use.

They're Not Lying!

Auditions for the film ended after two looong days. It was so refreshing and wonderful to see how much great talent came in, and how prepared and on point everyone was. It was even more refreshing to watch how much my director loves and respects actors. Even when someone who was not right for our project, or needed more training or was having a terrible audition walked in, he gave them all their full 10 minutes, worked with them and made it a good

Legal-ease

A couple years back, a manager I'd been working with asked me to sign with him.  I was flattered and scared and wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into - especially since managers aren't held to certain legal standards like agents.  I called one of the pay-to-be-seen venues I'd worked with many times, and asked if they had anyone on their staff who I could talk to regarding this issue.  In the end, I had some answers to my questions and was able to have a better-informed dialog with this manager - who was happy to be engaged and questioned and we met halfway on some issues.  I was lucky.  Some people, however, are not.

Ensemble Trust

I've been home a week now, and since I've been back in eastern Kentucky I've had a lot of opportunity to see really great regional theatre and a lot of time to assess what I learned, which is:  Acting is a lot like dating.

Today, I saw a musical that I was really unimpressed with; the performers were outstanding musicians and vocalists, but the story was lacking in a major way.  During intermission I didn't get up and mill about and go to the restroom....I sat in my seat and tried to decide why I was tempted to leave...finally I put my finger on it: this was a story about a family unit, with each member trying to find their place at the table - but there were no relationships on stage.  No sense of ensemble.  I had no idea how any of the family members felt about each other, or that one relationship was different than another.  Since I have a mom, dad, and sister I know that my relationship with each of them is specific and different, that I don't treat them the same. 

Post Production & Sock Puppets.

A former classmate of mine recently blasted all of her actor-buddies with a project she had just written/directed.  Now, usually self-produced stuff (not always, but usually) has at least one lip-biting flaw that you'd never have the heart to voice to self-producing-actor-friend.  Lack of money for post production, bad acting, cheap we-got-it-for-free-and-it-shows location... the gamut is pretty darn unrunnable. 

However : watching this particular short, I feel like all the elements came together.  A good example of something to shoot for, so I'm posting it here.  Written and directed by Daryn Strauss.  You go, girl.

-- Ashley Avis

The Boyfriend Who's Going To Put Me In His Film

My boyfriend is a film major at NYU. With one more year to go, he’s preparing to write and direct his advanced film.

I received a draft of his newest script and was floored. It was great! There were so many real moments between the characters, the dialogue was believable, and I saw traces of his own personal life embedded throughout the story, which made it really interesting to read. At the end of the story, I just wanted more.

Shameless plug....one of many to come!

I had my first rehearsal for 'Tales...' this evening. Well, its technically the 2nd rehearsal, but my flight got delayed last night and I missed the first rehearsal. Can you believe it? Today was mainly monologue work, and some scenes, which means that I still have to meet my fellow cast mates. Can't wait!!!!

So here's why you want to stay informed about this show. Its based on true stories and experiences that people have on the New York City subway. And here's the fun part - if you go to their website and click on 'Submit your story' you have the opportunity to win two tickets to the show!!! And if you're reading this from any where in the Big Apple, you know you have a story to tell!

As we were rehearsing, the fun memories of last year's reading came flashing through! Can't wait to share it with you!

-- Farah Bala

HBO Pilot Proposal : A Tad, Er, 'Unconventional'

So I'm shooting a pilot in New York, which is going really flippin' awesome, but I haven't had nearly a moment to sit down and check email... much less properly write about the experience.  I can say, however, it's with the fabulous Nelson George, and my character's name is Faith.  Delightfully more to come soon, as soon as I can nab a vat of coffee and pen my adventures with justice.

However!  Another project opportunity came up -- a scripted 'reality' series, with a Very Influential Producer named Marc*.  Essentially, the person in question (this would be for HBO) would break into a specific abandoned loft space (not "really", this would all be contractual) and take up illegal residence.  From there, debauchery would consume her addled little life.  My coach, Peter Kelley, knows Marc* extremely well, which is why I even got to meet the production team on the project in the first place.  Encouraged to do something unconventional, I submitted (in hard copy form) a Case Study.  If curious, click the link below.  Everything written in this study is completely, 100%, true.

A Case Study:  Why Marc Should Hire Ashley to Live in the Loft of Future Creative Debauchery.

-- Ashley Avis