Unscripted - A Blog for Actors - Backstage

Super Sleuthing

Sooooo....remember how I was maybe/sort of/kind of/definitely asked but not getting too excited in advance/ offered a role in a major feature film?  That was just a couple of months ago.  The film was still in pre-production and films can take a long time to get up and running.  But when it's your first major feature film offer, a few months can see like a really long time.  I feel like I've been waiting forever!    

Another First

As many of you know from previous blogs, I love to celebrate "firsts."  I think it's something you've gotta do to mark your progress and success in a business that can, at times, seem thankless.  Sometimes, just opening a door that you've been trying to open for years--and doing it--is a reason to kick back and pat yourself on the back.  You've got to celebrate things like your first agent, first commercial, first pilot, getting your SAG/AFTRA/Equity card, first TV or feature film audition, first play, first lead role, first glowing review...just to name a few.  Sometimes you've gotta celebrate the little victories, like getting through an audition without passing out from nerves or taking the time and having the guts to ask a CD a question that may help your audition, even if the CD is in a bad mood or you feel like your audition is being rushed. 

This week I'm celebrating my first audition for a lead role in a Broadway production!  "But Stacey," you say, "it's just an audition.  Don't celebrate too soon."  Oh, you silly naysayers.  I've dreamed of auditioning for a Broadway musical since I was three.  I'm gonna take the time to celebrate this opportunity in style.  And not because I think I'm gonna land this part, because that's highly unlikely, but because it 1. happened and 2. holds the promise of more auditions in the future.  The door has been opened.  Somebody thought I was good enough to have a shot and somebody else will in the future.  This is how I choose to think.

The SpokesWoman Spot

When you take a commercial class, the teacher is bound to load you up on spokesperson type copy, which makes for good workshop material because those spots are usually dry and difficult to make both personal and technically good.  In reality, the spokesperson audition is quite rare.  Buyers are pretty hip to hard sell advertising tactics, so when you see the spokesperson approach, you tend to see it more in low-budget local commercials and regional spots.  Which doesn't mean that commercial students shouldn't study the mechanics of them, but it's maybe not the best use of time and money considering commercial auditions tend to be more diverse and way less text heavy.

That said, in the last two years, I've been called back for a couple of big commercial spokesperson gigs.  I wouldn't say that I "got close" to getting them since I wasn't put on hold for the jobs, but the gals that did?  Cha-ching.  You know them.  You love.  And you will probably always associate them with a certain product.  Which makes me wonder, how would I feel about being the face of a product (a la "the Verizon dude") as opposed to being "just an actor" seeking a little commercial money and exposure on my way up to the "real gigs?"  

In any case, I think my agents now think of me as a spokeswoman player, and I've got a big ol' audition tomorrow for a guaranteed 4 spot (and maybe more) spokeswoman character directed by a super cool film director.  

What Is All This Burpin' About?

A few years ago, I did a play with an insanely talented and recognizable working actress who was plagued by pre-show burps.  I'd waltz in early, do some pre-show stretches and vocal warm-ups, set my props and say hello to everybody in the cast while she'd be hiding under a table backstage belching away.  We'd get our final call for show time, the lights would dim and she's still be under that table belching away, and alternately laughing at herself and then insisting that she was too fearful to do the show.  Of course, she would always go on and be her brilliant, confident (sans burps) self and this pre-show performance remained endearing, if rather bizarre.

Well guess what?

I've started burping like a mad woman before I perform!  OMG!  What is this burp bandwagon and what does it mean?  I'm not a belcher in real life.  No, no!  I'm quite lady-like.  I would never burp in public on purpose.  

Just today I found myself in an audition situation more than 3 hours after eating breakfast which certainly did not include the consumption of carbonated drinks, belching away and wondering what the heck I would do if I got into the room and still couldn't stop.  Of course, they stopped when they needed to but...

What the heck?!?  This is happening with alarming frequency.  Does this happen to anybody else.  Oh, acting...

--Stacey Jackson

For My Mom

Sometimes, I don't know whose life I'm living.  Just today on my morning hike I passed Laurence Fishburne and I swear to God we did a little heeeyy nod to each other as if he were saying, "Yep, it's me."  I'm not particularly enamored with celebrity, but occasionally I will meet a well-known actor who rocks my world because they seem to be in the business for all of the right reasons and they use their celebrity status for good.

When I was a teenager (you know, like two years ago? ha. ha.) I couldn't seem to find my place in the world.  Does any teenager?  I didn't have a lot of friends, I was horribly picked on, I was brainy and a little too serious, and I felt suffocated and limited in options in my tiny town of 1,000 people.  On top of that, I wanted be an actor.  My mom recognized all of my dreams and struggles and honed in on this interview that Geena Davis did for Parade Magazine or some-such at the height of her career, cut it out and told me to keep it for inspiration.  "This is you!" she said.  Bless my lovely mom!  I wish I still had the article, but the gist of it was that Ms. Davis had also felt suffocated, misunderstood, picked on, left out, too brainy (she is a Mensa member, after all) and she suffered from low self-esteem.  Point is, she overcame all of those obstacles to win an Oscar and that was sweet music to my angst-y fifteen year old ears.

Group Work

There was this whole teaching movement when I was in grade school--and maybe there still is--that hinged on a little idea called Group Work.  Suddenly, every teacher was structuring their entire curriculum around Group Work.  Can't figure out a mathematical equation?  Don't ask the teacher!  Ask your Group.  I think Group Work was supposed to prepare our young minds for the practicalities of the real world and force good interpersonal communication.  

I hated Group Work.   

Group Work was the bane of my young existence.  I was always paired with the remedial kids who needed help that I could offer.  I would do the work and they would write down the answers.  I raised their bar and nobody raised mine.  I ended up doing all of the work because I couldn't stand turning in a sub-par project.  Do I sound like a snob?  I was.  I am?  No no.  I think I have evolved.  I'm pretty sure I've learned how to work with people in a normal and healthy way.  Sometimes.  

Maybe this is a personal problem?

Lessons Learned This Week

Every time I audition, I learn something about myself, my character or my audition technique.  I auditioned a lot last week, so I had plenty of opportunities to analyze and process what I did right and what I can still improve upon.  Wanna hear some of things I want to do better?

Auditions! Auditions! Callbacks! Callbacks!

Holy cow, I don't remember the last time that I had so many auditions and callbacks in one week!  Lots of commercial opportunities and even a TV audition too.  And what's even more odd, is that I'm not obsessing about them and they're going well!  I'm relaxed and focused, but I'm also having fun.  I'm not getting all of the lines "right," but I'm making stronger relationship choices and it seems to be working.   

I lost my 11th avail in a row last week (As Ann Hu might say, "Susan Lucci'd again!") and I had to turn down an opportunity to perform in a show at the Disney Concert Hall because it was non-union (a good story tho for another blog).  And while there were no tears shed, I do think it kicked my competitive nature into high gear and perhaps reminded my agents that I was somebody they should send out again with a little more vigor and imagination--I even had a "pretty girl" audition this week!

A quick story about a callback I didn't think I was going to get but did:

For Those Who Question the Arts

"The arts provide a more comprehensive and insightful education because they invite students to explore the emotional, intuitive, and irrational aspects of life that science is hard pressed to explain."

--Charles Fowler

Most of the people who peruse these blogs are probably actors, but on the chance that you're not an actor or an artist (hi Dad!), this one is for you.

We all know that the arts are often expendable when economic crises occur.  Arts programs in schools are the first to go as well as government funding and grants and, on a more personal level, is probably the first thing to go when disposable income is low.  And I get it to some degree.  If there were a contest between math class and music class, you'd take the math class because you need it to graduate from school.  And who can afford to take their entire family to a Broadway show these days?  Heck, it's hard enough to get myself to these things without discounted rush tickets or a comp.  Should I buy a new shirt or go to a show?  Should I take an acting class or pay my cable bill on time?

Some people probably don't understand why they or their children should study the arts if they have no intention of pursuing a career in the business.  Maybe the arts are not valued in your particular culture.  Maybe you're just plain shy and feel like the spotlight is too bright to bear.  Whatever the reasoning, consider this:

Avail Curse Be Gone!

Sooooo...I'm on avail for the Big Hair Sarah/Stacey commercial!  What does this mean?  1.  I had a great callback and 2. absolutely nothing.  I'm not ashamed to say that I've been on an "avail" or "hold" losing streak for at least ten different jobs in a row to date.  In the past when I've been on avail, I've been really excited.  I may have started to spend some extra cash in my head.  I may have lost some sleep in my excitement.  I may even have called my mom.  *Gasp!*

But here's what happens:  you tell everybody, and then when you don't get it you have to also tell everybody you lost out...and that part sucks.  But you know what?  I'm sharing this time, because I want to break this bloody avail curse!  And if I don't?  Well...I'll be sure to share that as well.  It's just part of navigating the business and that's why we're all here, right?