Friends are the Best!

I recently sent this email to friends, co-workers, peers, old contacts

"Hey Folks, I made a big leap towards doing what I want to do...I quit my soul sucking job! Yippee.
All, in the hopes of following my dreams. But, I need income...
I want to get back into acting, and commercials -I want to take classes and study more...but for now I would be ok with extra work just to get my foot wet and get back into the industy and make some extra cash to help pay the rent.If you have any acting career advice for me -resume, classes, headshots, etc ( I have attached a copy of my H&R) please let me know.
If you know of and agents/managers you think would accept my H&R with your reccomendation please let me know.
If you know who to call to do extra work, please let me know.
If you know of any acting gigs or part time work please let me know that too!
I thank you in advance!
PS: I am in a play right now at the Metropolitan Playhouse, In a show called "A Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War" in the festivals Program D. (it is historical yes, but also actually very witty and funny) I am playing the role of Charlie Compton. Check it out http://www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/

Check out my website -Staigepatchy.com
Check out my youtube channel-www.youtube.com/staigepatchy
Check out my radio show-www.blogtalkradio.com/staigepatchy

Love and Thanks, Paige"

And I have had an amazing response! I am so grateful for the advice and the feedback!

Some Great Tips I received that I thought I would share:

•  www.nycastings.com for all kinds if work. $5 a month
• Also call Grant Wilfley casting, they have an extension you dial to let you know what they are casting. 212-865-3537-Meet PA's at these shoots.
• Volunteer to usher and see as much work as you can.
• Put yourself on YouTube
• take on-camera commercial class with Brooke & Mary at House Productions.
  
•  on-camera - esp commercials - are so different. And before you really target commercial agents it's good to be as infomred as possible before wasting their time & yours with the learning curve - know what I mean? It's nothing complicated - trust me - but it helps to get this experience first.
  
• Take a class with Beth Melsky (one of the biggest commercial CDs in the city) used to have classes and might still.
  
• After subscribing to Backstage online (go in on a subscription and share a password with friends if cost is an issue) and picking up a copy of the Ross Reports (who's casting what and where you can send in your stuff)
  
• I recommend checking out Breakthrough Studios. It is a great place where actors can meet agents and casting directors and get real information about the business. They offer a range of industry seminars some of which have a group Q&A followed by a one-on-one where you do a monologue or scene w/reader for an agent or casting director and some are master class style.
  
• Breakthrough Studios- http://www.breakthroughstudios.com/
  
• The owner of Breakthrough Studios-Anthony and his wife Diane are super nice people and Anthony is a working actor who will tell it like it is. He also teaches a 6 week on camera class which you may find helpful. I took it 3 times.
  
• Also don't rush into getting or worry about not having an agent. I didn't have one but because of Breakthrough, I was able to meet casting directors who called me in directly and didn't care that I didn't have an agent.
  
• As far as extra work goes, send your stuff to Grant Wilfley and any other extras casting agencies there are. Barbara McNamara? Kee? There may be others If you're willing to pay $40 a month (there may be a $40 joining fee), you can send your stuff in to Extra Mile. They got me a ton of work (Devil Wears Prada, Spiderman 3, Music and Lyrics, all the Law & Orders and a few pilots) which covered the fee and I got a SAG waiver out of it (they only book you if you are non-SAG). Most people disparage extra work, but I found it to be a generally positive experience. If you have realistic expectations and look at it as a way to make extra cash and get experience on set, then go for it. You might meet some cool people (you will definitely meet negative ones who complain about the long hours, low pay and bad food and wonder why they are not the ones getting the close up) and have some fun stories to tell. You may want to wait for warmer weather when more projects are shooting and they need more people.
  
• http://www.extramilenyc.com/
  
• Asking for advice from everyone may be your first mistake. Everybody has a different opinion, whether they actually know anything or not.
  
• For part time work, are you familiar with the Actor's Work Program at the Actor's Fund of America? Its over on 7th avenue in Mid-Town.
  
• Soap extra work is the best, because they need to wrap on time, and it is also indoors and pays better. Also, call the AFTRA hotline weekly at 212-532-2063 to find out about principal work as well as extra jobs. And whatever you do, do not give up your excellent stage work to get bogged down in the extra work trip to nowhere.
  
• the website: http://www.nycasting.com/ny_home.asp it is well worth the fee as you can submit yourself DIRECTLY to real jobs-submit yourself to the following casting offices that do primarily background work, and then postcard them often because usually if they happen to have something that very day and you happen to fall on their desk they will call you.
  

• Background work-
• Central Casting
• Grant Wilfley
• Kee Casting
• Background Inc (mainly does commercials and it's harder to get calls from them)

• you are interested in doing student and no budget films you can find them on http://www.nycastings.com/public_s/defaultmodeall.asp (for a fee, but it is fairly worth it), on craigslist, or on mandy.com, and of course backstage
  
• summer intensive program at Circle in the Square which was really great, and I think one of the teachers there does an evening scene study class which based on his summer class I would assume is really good (as long as you don't mind BRUTAL honesty).
  
• For a listing of TV Casting info in NYC, http://www.utdtheatricalservices.com/casting_hotline.htm, keeps a pretty up to date listing for both principle and BG
  
• Go to the Mayor's Office For Film Theater and Broadcasting for general info: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film
  
• Website-There are a couple of great articles on The Actors Voice on the topic: http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000651.html & She also has (at least) one article on resumes, too: http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000932.html though yours looks great
  
• Also on websites: there is a free website generator at wix.com with fun ideas (some are too busy, too.) If you go on any of the forums anywhere or HHH, check out people's signatures where their own websites are listed, Is good to see what others are doing, get ideas and take note of what some do that is not recommended (any page that takes too long to load, or has to redirect the visitor is a turn-off, etc...)
  
• Ms. Gillespie has SO much information from over six years of weekly columns, you could probably answer all of your questions just by doing a Google search starting with - site:http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice - and then whatever topic you are interested in
  
• Yahoo Group "Hollywood Happy Hour" (aka HHH) several years ago and it now has almost 2K membership (with both performers and industry people on it.) nationally (mostly LA) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hollywood-Happy-Hour Great place to feel connected, search through archives...
  
• For additional income, you might consider doing event work as you are friendly like me so would do well as a Brand Ambassador. Check out Eventspeak.com for a directory listing of agencies nationwide (nearly all operate nationally) and there is a great forum there, too, to help you avoid the "negative" agencies. Event work might be just selling a product in a store or handing out samples on the street. It is as fun as you make it, or as miserable, too.
  
• Another way for actors to make money (definitely warm weather dependent) is The Go Game which saw me dressed as Batgirl, an annoying tourist or a Girl Scout many an afternoon in Times Square or the West Village frolicking with corporate raiders. http://www.thegogame.com/
  
  
  
  
  wow. i am so blessed to have so many wise friends willing to help me! thanks everybody, i have so much research to do now!

xox

Ahh, Being on Stage Again...

What a rush. That rhythem, heart beat, of the stage. There is just something magical about it. The show is going really well...only 2 more performances left!! Quick come check it out!!

Program D:


A Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War

by Andrea Pinyan

A Brief History of Crossdressing in the Civil War


by Andrea Pinyan. A Radio Hound Production:

A modern and humorous fantasia of heroic transvestism during our nation's bloodiest conflict. Follow our real-life Heroines Bold Sarah Emma Edmonds, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman through their unlikely and little-known exploits in the "men-only" world of war.

Only 4 performances, 2 left...
Wed the 27th @ 7pm and Sat the 30th @ 7pm

Rehearsal to Tech to Show.

We are getting closer to opening night for the show I am in. A Brief History of Crossdressing in the Civil War by Andrea Pinyan--a Radio Hound Production. The shows blurb describes the show as "A modern and humorous fantasia of heroic transvestism during our nation's bloodiest conflict. Follow our real-life Heroines Bold Sarah Emma Edmonds, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman through their unlikely and little-known exploits in the "men-only" world of war". I tell you, it has been very interesting to play a girl, passing as a boy in a time of war. We have been rehearsing and running and working, and tonight it really came togehter. I love that feeling. That thrill of seeing it all gel. Being part of something. I am really excited for this show.

flowing with the go

Sounds easy doesn't it? Go with the Flow. I am trying. I have been out of work for a month now, which is what I wanted, needed, begged for. Be careful what you wish for folks. The good thing is I realize how much I love working. Not, to say I didn't make the right decision, becuause I did. But, I hate being lazy, sitting around...now for some people this may be heaven but for me, nu-uh.no.nope. don't like it. I LOVE being busy. LOVE organzing, detaling, getting things done. I am trying to stay positive, and ENJOY the time I have. Doing things for me. Like yoga and taking walks. Oh, and cleaning the house (O, joy.)

Signature Theatre, The Orphan Cycle Part 3

Last night I went to The Signature Theater for "The Orphan Cycle Part 3" by Horton Foote. I loved the show. I missed Part 1, and 2. But 3 stood beautifully on its own.Some points may have been lost plot wise because I missed the first 2 cycles. This series was done for love, you could see the passion on stage. The first act was amazing, and could easily have stood alone as its own production. The opening sequence took my breath away. I love theatricality and the way theater artist paint a picture. The Lights, scenery and costumes blended seamlessly together to paint a beautiful canvas that I just folded into. The acting was strong, and believable.

Last night also left me walking down memory lane. I used to work at Signature, as a house manager. At the time, I did not appreciate the role I was playing. I have this tendency for my ego to think that nothing is ever good enough. I wanted to act. I self sabotaged. I did not leave on bad terms, but I did not leave on the best of terms. I was young 20 years old and dying to be on stage, now I am 30 and dying to be around the stage in any capacity. For the last 5 years I have stepped away from the theatre working in sales and paying bills, but no matter what I miss the theater. I had a blessed life and did not value my role in the theater as house manager because it is true in the theater no part is small. Stage, Crew, Box Office these are all roles that must be played for a production to happen. And, Here The Signature send me an email that they still consider me part of their family, their alumni and invited me to see this show. I was touched and sitting in that theater, watching this play made me realize how blessed I am, how far I have come, and it reaffirmed how much I love the theater.

In Rehearsals...

SO far 2010 is going well! I am in a play which will take part in the 2010 living literature festival at The Metropolitan Playhouse down in the Lower East Side. The Play is a Brief History of Cross Dressing in the Civil War. No, Really that is even its title! I am playing a composite role of women in the civil war named "Charlie Compton". The festival will run Jan 18-31. We are in Program D. For more info go to http://www.metropolitanplayhouse.org

Quater Goals

Why is a New Year both a good thing and a bad thing? Well, mainly it's good because everyone get's all motivated and inspired to "make this new year___" somehow better, wiser, more abundant, healthier, cleaner, shiny, etc. But that is a lot of pressure. Do everything BETTER. NOW> START NOW> Oye, it makes me want to go back to bed! But,

My husband works in financial quarters,
Jan, Feb, March=1 quarter.
April, May, June=2 quarter.
July, Aug, Sept=3rd quarter.
October, Nove, Dec=4th quarter.

I am proposing this for myself. Look at goals via quarter not year. It is the whole baby step thing.

So each quarter I have a goal for my career.

I had a friend tell me once she looks at acting as a full time job, thus she puts 40 hours of work into her career each week. awesome. And, then I look at me...Yes, I have done a lot of really cool things. I have done all kinds of theater, children's theater, shakespeare, performance art, experimental dance, movies, commercials, sketches, stand-up, long form improv, short form improv, promotions,

SO, since i rarely use this blog....and honestly 2009 i barely did anything substantial acting wise. I have to ask myself..."is this the right career for me?" I hate asking it, because I want to fight to the death to prove it is, but I have to be sure. No doubt. No fear.

So.
My goal for this first quarter of 2010 is to use this blog weekly...and to keep track of my acting hours.
so then i can see....how much time do i really commit to my acting....
what counts as acting creative log hours?
*submitting myself for acting or theater/film related work
*exersize
*auditions
*rehearsals
*writing
*performances /gigs
*filming video
*editing video
*painting/drawing/crafting
*reading
*watching movies, tv, etc. commercials for research

seems easy....but is it?