About Me

Hey! I made this video today, for new people to my blog and youtube channel. It just has a little bit of background info and whatnot.

Thanks!

Robin

Hello! So in the book Auditioning by Joanna Merlin, she talks about how it is almost impossible to tell whether or not you will get a part. You may feel like you had a great audition and never hear anything, or you may think you have a terrible audition and get the part. I had never had an experience with this. For the first two films I was cast in, and all of the films I wasn't cast in, my guess was usually pretty close.

However, I am pleased to announce that I WAS cast in the role of ROBIN in the student film in Chicago!

I really did not think I would be cast, so this is quite exciting for me. It is a much larger role than I have ever played before. I am actually nervous about memorizing my lines because I am out of the habit.

Right now I am still waiting to receive the script, but they hope to start filming soon. I have FINALLY finished reading the first half of The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck, so I am excited to analyze my script using her 12 steps.

ANYWAY,

I have a habit of watching my videos OVER AND OVER again.
In some ways I think this is a good thing, especially when it comes to performances. I think it is important to critique my own work, to be both my own biggest fan, and my own biggest critic. Watching my Transfers audition for the 1000th time I see which parts of my performance worked and which parts really didn't. I have also learned more about filming my own audition. I am both super proud of my performance, and super mortified. I think it is great... and I think it is horrible.

No matter what though, I plan to post more videos of me doing scenes and monologues, not to show off my talent, but to discover my weaknesses.

I have watched a LOT of Youtube videos of readings by others. There are some people who have posted several videos, but don't seem to have improved in their performance over the years of performing. Their performances fall flat, meanwhile, their video blog posts are completely engaging and make me want to watch more of them. I hope I don't fall into a rut like that. I want to look back at old performances and see how I have improved as a performer. I want to make progress.

I wish I had videos of myself performing when I first decided to be an actress. I like to believe my performances have improved. There was one particular Youtuber who reminds me of myself when I was younger. She managed to move to LA and pursue an acting career, and she is doing a great job going to classes and putting herself out there. Part of me is jealous that I wasn't able to do that when I was younger, but another part of me thinks that staying at home and dwelling on the craft has been good for me. Now I know, because of my 8 years of devotion that this is something I really want to do, for both good and bad reasons.

Good reasons:
-I love acting
-I love the abandon I experience when being someone else
-I love how each role teaches me about myself, as a performer and as a person.
-I love reading and learning about acting almost as much as I like performing itself.

Bad reasons:
-..ok so I love attention
-I would love to date one of todays many dreamy actors

So I will talk to you later!

Self-help must precede help from others. Even for making certain of help from heaven, one has to help oneself.

-Moraji R. Desai

Transfers Audition

Hey, so it turns out I can post the video! So here it is... there are a lot of issues with it, but I think it is a pretty good performance in general.

Taking a Break

Hello

So, I am going to take a break from talking about acting just for one post.
I HAVE to talk about Wisconsin.

As you may know, I grew up in Wisconsin, moved to California for a semester and was forced to move back to Wisconsin for financial reasons.

At the time that seemed like a horrible thing, but now, I am so glad I am not missing this school year at Madison.

First, earlier in the year President Obama came to the UW to give a speech, which was so exciting.

Second, the "Teach Me How to Bucky" video was created which is hilariously awesome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVAZXZfIlNk

Third, Badgers went to the Rose Bowl, we didn't win, but still.

Fourth, the Packers WON THE SUPER BOWL!

Fifth, I voted for the first time, and in an election which turned out to be very significant, not only for Wisconsin, but potentially for other state policies as well. Scott Walker has created a bill that will cut out "collective bargaining rights" for public employees. If you haven't heard about it you probably will soon. The Democratic representitives LEFT THE STATE to prevent the vote from taking place yesterday. Schools have been closing left and right because of teacher and student walk outs, the Madison school district has been closed for three days now. Also, I work right next to the Capitol and so when I look outside the window in my office, from ten stories up, I can see thousands of protesters and I can hear their music and their speeches. It is crazy!!

So I thought I would comment on all of that just because I am in awe, I am glad I am here to witness such an exciting year for Wisconsin.

I know I said I wasn't going to talk about acting.... but Im an actor... so I can't help it, so:

Tonight is opening night for Guys and Dolls eeeek. I will try to post pictures of me in my costumes!

Also, I am submiting a filmed audition for a pretty big project. I know for sure that it will be viewed by the producers, but I am not exactly what the description for the part was looking for. I think I am close enough to the description that they would be fine with that. I REALLY wish I could post the video for you, but I am not sure if there are legal issues with that for a bigger project like this. I think my performance was pretty good though. I mumbled a little at points and I realized I talked in the back of my throat a lot, if that makes sense to you. Anyway, I think it is a cool oportunity just to be seen by people who are higher up in the industry so I am excited about that.


OK, this is the longest post I have done in a while! I hope you enjoyed reading it.

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.

-Dag Hammarskjold

Wade Bradford's Tomorrow's Wish

Hello!

I am sick of feeling unproductive! SO I recorded me performing Juniper's monologue from Tomorrow's Wish by Wade Bradford. I had to cut down the monologue a lot, because you are usually given about two minutes to perform a monologue for auditions.

I hope you enjoy!

Stuck in a Rut

Hello!

Happy Valentines Day!

Well... I have been doing a few things lately.

First of all, rehearsals for Guys and Dolls are going well, I think it is going to be a great show. Tonight is the first dress rehearsal and we open on Friday night! The hot box dances are very cute, plus I get to wear a red wig for one dance and a blond wig for the other... its crazy!

Secondly, I had been auditioning for a student film in Chicago. I got two callbacks which is really exciting, but judging from the atmosphere at my last callback, I am not going to get the part. However, I haven't heard back, so maybe I am wrong.

So I have gotten myself into an aggravating situation. I REALLY want to be part of another film, but that just doesn't seem like it is going to happen because I will be going to France for a study abroad program from May 18 through the end of June. Most projects that are auditioning now are set to film during that time period. :( Also I am hoping to do another study abroad program for the fall semester in England. We will see about that.

As of right now, my plan is to study abroad in the fall and then graduate at the end of the fall semester of 2012. I will then work and save up money for 6-12 months in Wisconsin, while trying to get jobs in Chicago. When I have enough money saved up($5-10,000), I will move back to California. There is a light at the end of the tunnel my friends!

I hope all is well with you.

Never give up. Keep your thoughts and your mind always on the goal.

-Tom Bradley

Oh and also, GO PACK GO! Superbowl champs!