What happens at Open Auditions?

So I thought I'd do this post as I've been to a few open auditions and thought I'd share my thoughts and insights with you on what happens and what to expect.
( I apologise for the poor state in which this blog is written by the way, since I'm extremely tired but thought this is probably a necessary topic for you all to read!)

I have attended 4 open casting auditions in my life time, 2 in London and 2 in Ireland. In London I attended the open casting for Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix. And also for Lavender Brown for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. So lets discuss these two first.

So, Harry Potter certainly attracts attention, and both auditions went very similarly. Firstly, there is a lot of waiting involved. Approximately I waited for about 4-5 hours to be seen in each audition. And they were both the same, you end up in a room, where you are asked to fill in a form, they take a polaroid photo and attach it. Once that is completed they call you into a different room in groups. In this room, you stand in a semi-circle and essentially get crossed of their list by appearance. They say to certain people 'please step forward' and then those who have not been asked to do so, can leave and thank you for your time.

So that was a waste really... but not entirely. In the Lavender Brown audition I was sent straight home. In the Luna Lovegood audition, I was asked to step forward... so this is what happens should this happen to you!

I was taken to a room with a few other girls inside, and was given a page of the script to read over, and then once I was ready I could go and read it to a person with a camera. If you've seen the film, the scene you were asked to read is the one in which Luna is petting and feeding the Thestral and talking about how her mother died. So that was an interesting experience!

After all that I learned from the newspapers that I was one in 500 that were asked to read from the script so I guess that was a little achievement in itself.. but really these auditions are all based on looks.

Ok so lets move on to the next two auditions I attended here in Ireland...

Star Wars.. if you lived in Ireland and you are in any way interested in acting, you most likely attended these auditions or sent in a tape! So this was a great experience! Again, a lot of waiting, about 6 hours maybe.. in total.. I think I was there at 6am and got seen at around 12 or 1...

This audition was very different from the Harry Potter ones I had attended before. They asked you to bring a headshot, on which I wrote my agent's contact and my own contact on the back. I also included my height, hair and eye colour. And this is essentially how they judged you. Yet again people, these auditions are primarily Superficial auditions!!

I was asked had I any acting experience, and she recognised that I had a good quality, professional photo and she recognised my agent... and this is how I got through to the next round. If you didn't have either the looks, the experience or the correct kind of photo, they were more likely to dismiss you straight away, and your photo was put into a large storage container on your way out.

In the next round I was introduced to a casting director and had a small discussion about myself, my experience, and what I had attended for... And I must have impressed them, as I got a 'side' (that is a small section of script to read) and an arm band, and was told to come back at 5pm... WOOHOO! I got through! I was over the moon!

Anyway, round 3, you attended an audition, in a room where another audition was already going ahead at the same time. The room was quite large though and so their audition didn't affect yours at all.. except mentally... Anyway, you were asked to introduce yourself on camera and then read opposite the casting assistant. Also, you were standing, not sitting...
Anyway, what can you do but wait, and sadly, nothing came of it! But at least I had auditioned. I had met a new casting director and had the opportunity to perform, so all in all, I thought my day was pretty successful!

The most recent open audition I have attended was for 'Red Rock', a new soap opera currently under pre-production here in Ireland. So, the waiting was much less for this, as I arrived at 7am and expected a group of over 100 people to be there already, since the auditions started at 10am... there were 50 people ahead of me. Over all between the time I arrived, and the time I left (11am), I think there were about 200 people who were there, most of which had already been seen. But I believe more people came out after 11am.

In this audition, you were asked to prepare a monologue of no longer than 1 minute long, of which the character needed to be the same age and 'type' as yourself. And this, is incredibly difficult if you're in your twenties and a female... It also needed to be from a film or tv series. I chose a scene by Lexi Grey in Grey's Anatomy in which she discusses how her father is an alcoholic.
At the top of the queue, you were asked to fill in a form, and they filled a piece of paper for you to hold up for the camera. The information on this form was your name, mobile number, age and contact email.

There were 5 rooms in which were one casting director each and a camera. You entered, Said your name to camera and answered a small question about your monologue, and held your information sheet up in front of camera.

Once it was over, that was it. Done and dusted. So overall, my experience with these open auditions is that the wait is incredibly long, for little less than 5 minutes in a room to prove yourself...

These auditions are mostly superficial and everything about you can factor or alter your fate.. you're too small, you're too blonde, etc..

But these auditions are fun! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people, and the people in the queue are amazing! And we're all there for the same reason, there isn't much of a 'competition' atmosphere because it is mostly superficial.

So if you go, have fun! You could bring a book or headphones but you'll find that talking to people in the queue is a way more effective way to pass time! Bring food, and also always bring your headshot just in case, some productions take them, some do not. But better safe than sorry.

Don't be put off by the amount of people there, if you're going... Have fun! Just go with it and enjoy the experience!

Again, I'm so sorry about the poorly written state of this blog, I'm pretty exhausted! But I thought I might just take the time to express my thoughts on open auditions, so I hope this helps! And now there is nothing you can do, except to play the waiting game...

So in reference to 'Red Rock', it was so recent that I'm still currently playing that waiting game.... so... I'll let you know :P

Thanks for reading...

Peach Out!!!

Jealousy

So this business is tough...
Ha.. NEWS FLASH!

I know, you already knew that. I'm wondering if anyone reads this blog any more? Hmm. Oh well, It's probably more for myself that I write it now, but you never know!

Anyway, So this business, as previously stated, is tough. You get nowhere, and you get there very feckin quickly. The thing is, when you're in this business you're bound to know someone who is more successful than you, no matter how little the success, you still feel as though a sharp little knife is driven into your heart.

Actually, more accurately, you feel as though you've been marked across the face. Because the ever tormented voice in your head won't let the idea that there is something wrong with you go.

For example, recently there have been actors who have come into my work place and their production has paid for their gym membership. And my little heart breaks each time I get a phone call from production to sign a new member because honestly, I feel I should be the one having my membership paid for.. not the one writing the receipt.

So I've decided again on LA or London. I think there are definitely highs and lows of being an actor, and in the low times I always think 'I need to get out of here'. But many have 'made it' and are successful here too! Such as Domnhall Gleeson, Brendan Gleeson, Cilian Murphy, Liam Neeson and so on...

The pond is smaller here, and there is a lot less competition, and maybe one day when I knock on the same doors too many times maybe they will eventually cast me in something!!

But that's not a guarantee is it? I mean I know the pond is massive (more like an ocean) in LA and in London or New York, but at least there are enough people that could potentially hire you, rather than say, the top 3 casting directors here in ireland would. There are more auditions in these places, more acting classes, more of an acting community (i'm assuming)...

So now I wait..  Come the end of this month, I will have decided if the move to California is realistic and doable.

Sorry, I got a bit side-tracked there... anyway, jealousy.. the title of this blog. I can't help but feel bogged down by other people's success, no matter how little, it's still more successful than anything I got going right now...

Bottom line is, I have to grow up.. and if anyone else is in the same boat then GROW UP! We cannot measure ourselves against someone else because everyone is different. And bottom line is, someone will always be more talented or skinner than you and you will always be forever envious of what they have, instead of trying to move on and enjoy your own life.

So get a grip people! Hakuna Matata and all that!

Peach out.

Cutting Room Floor.....

Yikes....

So.. as you have all probably recently discovered (or not), I've been cut from vikings. Now, I kinda knew this would happen as it was a one line character, and it was basically just repeating what someone else had said a moment before.. Still, it's not the greatest feeling in the world to end up on the chopping block.

Naturally all sorts of negativity scrolled through my head, insecurities and what not. But at the end of the day I think it's important for me to remember, that it's probably not personal. In the meantime I just need to keep trucking on with whatever I'm doing..

So. Here's an update. I think other than auditions from my agent, I'm putting acting on the back-burner for now till I can save some money. I have acquired a job as a part time receptionist in a gym and have decided to work hard, save earn some money and work on my body image. I think this is a healthy way to channel all the acting stress, negativity and paranoia. So I'm eating healthy (which costs a tonne by the way!!) and I'm working to get myself in shape.

Once I've all that completed I'm going to start working on a two-actor piece of theatre and hopefully do it well and travel with it. But as I've said, for now.. it's on the back burner for a while. Perhaps a few short films here and there but lets focus on getting healthy, learning accents, reading plays and screenplays, watching movies and just generally being happy.

So stay happy folks.

Peach out! xx

Oscars 2020?

What do you think? Realistic Goal? Well I'd like to put it up there, that this is my goal for the next 6 years! Get to the oscars or any hollywood award ceremony by 2020!

So in other news, I was recently nominated for Best Actress in a Web Drama in the Las Vegas Ceremony of The International Academy of Web Television Awards in Jan! So that was amazing and such an honour! The nomination was for my performance in Cuckoo, the RTE Storyland series I did back in 2011-2012.  Sadly, I didn't win, the award went to Julia Stiles for her role in Blue, but just to be nominated in the same category as her was such a privilege!

And other than that.. haven't had many jobs since Vikings sadly! Although I got a call from my agent today, so things could be interesting.. watch this space??

What are you all going to do for 2014? Any goals that may seem unachievable?

Vikings!

So as you know I got cast as a minor role, and it was on the history channel television series called Vikings!

And as you will obviously know, I can't say anything about what we shot or the characters or any plot give aways! However, I will tell you that is was possibly the greatest day and a half of my career!

On tuesday, I got picked up for my costume fitting and then I got brought down to the set to see the hair and make up teams to assess what they were going to do for Wednesday's shoot! x

And it was amazing! I was just visiting the set, but it was soooo beautiful! It was really gorgeous and so surreal after watching the first season and now to be on the set! It was just crazy!

I got to meet all the lovely mains and I got on extremely well I think. Everyone on set was so so nice, and when we were shooting on Wednesday everyone was superb! The cast and crew were so lovely to work with! I can tell you honestly, that I think Nathan, who plays Bjorn, is going to have an amazing career ahead of him! And that Jessalyn, who plays Siggy, is possibly one the nicest and most talented people I have ever met! Katheryn, Clive, Jefferson and Travis were all really lovely too! And I am so grateful that I had the pleasure of meeting them and working with them.





It was an amazing day, and so funny really, as we were all in heavy clothing on the hottest days of the year! (as we were supposed to be in Scandinavia in winter).

It was truly remarkable and I loved every single second of it! I didn't want it to end!!!  A long day, as I was collected at 6am and we finished at 6pm approx... but I was dreading the call of 'thats a wrap'...

Hopefully somewhere along the line I could get called back!

Thank you for reading!

Peach out!
xx

I got Cast!!... as Another One liner!!

Woohoo!! Lets hear it for ME! ok no seriously though, since my one line ("Message for you sir") on Titanic Blood and Steel, I have not had a day to top that experience on a professional set. There is something so amazing about being on set and being a minor cast member! (sooo looking forward to the day where I'll become a primary cast member but hey-ho! one step at a time!)

So today I got news from my agent that an offer of a one-line part has been made to me for a tv series that will air on the history channel!! So friggin excited! and I'll take some pics (if i can) and then put them up here once the series has aired and everything is no longer a big copy-right issue.

So excited! How did I get this you ask? Through my agent! A while ago, I was asked to submit an online audition for two minor roles in the series and I hadn't heard back from them in a while! Ah! So naturally I was sad and doubted myself, but overall got over it and realised it wasn't for me!

This is exactly the same as what happened for Titanic Blood and Steel, I auditioned for a role, didn't get it and then some time later got called on for a one-line part!

So now I know that I can at least be trusted to deliver a line! woohoo!! so excited!

Believe in yourself, and always do your best! Because the casting directors will remember you! xxx

Peach out! x

'Godbod'... insanity!

So I decided, in order to get to where I want to get to in this industry i would have to start earning the 'Godbod'....

So what do I mean by "godbod", well, this industry is incredibly shallow. It's all about how you look, and I have definitely learned this! That is why it is soooo hard to be positive in this business, because when you're not cast in something, it is more often than not down to your look and not your acting ability.

I read somewhere that 80% of your audition is simply walking into the room. So I know I want to look my very best, and currently, I don't. I need a few things done before I can ever venture into a room, confident that my body is in tip-top condition! So.. I need to achieve the 'Godbod', so that I know that whenever I am not cast, that it won't be because I wasn't skinny enough..

Now 'skinny' is a term that i very rarely use, and actually what I mean to say is 'healthy' enough. I really don't think this industry should be promoting those very skinny actresses, that look like dolls that would just shatter and break if you touched them.


I would much rather achieve the 'godbod's of Jessica Biel, Candice Swanepoel and Beyonce! Healthy, slim and attractive!

I think more and more of the people out there trying to break into this industry is falling into the trap of trying to be extremely skinny, and taking drastic measures to get there, like surgery or extreme dieting.


Well, thats not me! I absolutely love me food and although I know I should put down the carbs and pick up some veg, I just can't! I'm not a veggie eater, and much prefer fruit and carbs way more. I'm extremely picky when it comes to food, so eating a very healthy strict diet, is definitely something that doesn't really appeal to me (even though one day I know I will have to force feed myself a salad!)

So how to achieve the 'Godbod'?...

well I started looking at some fitness programmes online, and a friend had recommended Insanity Workout Series. He's in the army and gave me a lend of his copy and told me this would be intense!!! Ah!! And he was very very very correct!

Even though I love Casey @ Blogilates, and I definitely saw results working her calendar, i wanted more. And I got it through Insanity! I am now on day 23, and I am definitely seeing results! So if anyone is in doubt, don't be! the results will surely start coming!!

My biggest result has been around my stomach and love-handle area! I'm much slimmer now and can wear a bikini without thinking about any unattractive folds or love-handle muffin-top disasters! I have noticed a little bit of a difference in my arms and backside too, however I do feel that with Casey's blogilates calendar i noticed far better results in my booty than i do with insanity! But hey, my 60 day series is not over just yet!!

I have not lost weight on Insanity, I've stayed roughly the same at 54kg (which is correct for my 5'4" height), but I don't judge by the scale anymore! It really is just a number, because even though 23 days ago I was still 54kg, I can definitely see how then and now differ completely by just looking at my stomach!

I'm so proud to be on this workout series! And no, I don't stick to their diet plan, which is probably something I should be doing, and I'd probably see more extreme results. But I just can't force myself to eat leaves, and tomatoes or anything just yet. So I try to stick to 1200 calories most days, but try never exceed 1800 cals. I eat cereal every morning, I also try eat at least two pieces of fruit a day, I eat peanut butter on wholegrain toast and bananas, and my dinner is usually harder to control as I live with my parents. So basically, whatever they have made or prepared is what I eat, but just less of it. I try to make lunch my biggest meal of the day and just have something small for dinner. And I always try and have a dessert of a low fat, low cal mouse or yogurt! Because life is just no fun without dessert!

Anyway, I hope this helps any of you who are thinking about doing this workout series! I do also recommend Blogilates workout Calendar which you can find through her website here!

http://www.blogilates.com

Also I am not taking any kind of protein supplement with my training... should I be? I've heard different answers everywhere but if anyone here wants to offer some advice I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks again for reading!


Peach out!
xx