Hello, my fellow artists! I recently looked at my DOIN (Declaration of Independence aka business plan) to see what to tackle next on the writing side of my career. And currently, I’ve been submitting a feature film script and a half-hour pilot script to well-established, legitimate writing competitions. So now, it’s time to go on a new literary journey! And one of the career checklist items within my DOIN says to “Generate story ideas using the exercise provided at the end of chapter one of ‘My Story Can Beat Up Your Story.'” This book, by Jeffrey Alan Schechter, is designed to help writers understand how to craft a strong and compelling story structure for feature film scripts.
I read chapter one again, and I’ve decided to generate one story idea each day for the next seven days. I’m not going to judge my impulses and instincts. I won’t critique them. I will be “on go” and allow myself to generate and write these ideas down. And then, next Sunday, I will provide an update on how it went. I will also reveal what part two will be (yes, there will be a part two!) I want to generate several ideas because I am eyeing a couple of writing courses I’d like to take through Sundance Collab (this is another item on my career checklist I want to tackle.) I want to take one of these ideas and develop them into a feature film script in one of these writing courses. Keep reading below.
Until next week! Oh yeah, on the theatrical acting side, I am still researching movies and TV shows for potential scenes to perform in scene study class. Next up, I am going to watch “Raising Arizona”, “A Fish Called Wanda”, “Dead Poets Society”, and I will continue watching season one of “Yellowstone” to keep exploring the role of Jamie. On the commercial acting side, I set a three-month goal at the beginning of the year to secure commercial representation. I diligently crossed things off my career checklist in that pursuit. And recently, my agency decided to expand their commercial footprint. I jumped on the opportunity and am now represented theatrically and commercially under one roof. Securing commercial representation has now been accomplished and checked off my DOIN. The next step is to take classes with commercial casting directors.
I found myself getting into a little bit of K-SHIT FM recently. K-SHIT FM is a term that we use at the Richard Lawson Studios to determine which radio station we are listening to. K-SHIT FM is the station that plays all of the negative voices, doubts, fears, considerations, etc. that make us less effective as people and artists. K-SHIT FM plays very loudly and minimizes our creative genius and our ability to be causative, powerful individuals.
And then, there’s K-ART FM. This is the station that plays all of the affirmations, wins, celebrations, cheerleaders, etc. that make us more effective as people and artists. This is the station we want to turn up loudly and listen to instead.
So I found myself in a bit of K-SHIT FM with my blog. I felt that unless I was blogging about how I landed a series regular role or how my series got picked up by a major streaming network or how I won an Emmy or Oscar, that my blog wasn’t valid. That what I was sharing wasn’t important. But because of my training, I got off that bullshit really quickly. This career is a journey. Not every week of my journey is going to be an Oscar win or a series pick up. It’s about all of the little things in between that contribute to and lead me to the Oscar win or series pick up. It’s the little things and details that will get me closer to the top of my personal Mount Everest. Step by step. Keep reading below.
This is my journey, and I won’t minimize it in any way. I’m in the fucking trenches every day moving things forward. My career administration group recently acknowledged me for the way that I systematically, specifically, and methodically go after my career administration. It’s March 12th, 2023 (Happy Academy Awards day by the way!) I have done a lot in 71 days on both the acting and writing sides. It’s the little things and details that add up. Little things I’ve been doing like:
1. Now that I am back in Scene Study, what exercises do I want to do first so that I get used to working on a stage again? Song and Dance? Improv? Laugh/Cry exercise? Keep reading below.
2. Great, what scenes do I want to work on to work out my acting chops again? Jamie from “Yellowstone”? Dr. Berger from “Ordinary People”? Kendall Roy from Succession? James Novak from Scandal? Keep reading below.
3. Asking questions in class to expand my knowledge as an actor and storyteller. Keep reading below.
4. Submissions of my pilot script and feature film script to established writing competitions to get my work out there. Keep reading below.
5. Relationship map outflow to support others and put myself out there. Keep reading below.
6. Reading up on writing emails I receive to expand my knowledge as a writer. Keep reading below.
7. Signing up for Casting Access classes to get in front of TV and film casting directors. Keep reading below.
8. Looking at which commercial classes to take so I can book commercials. Keep reading below.
9. Looking at new ideas for my next pilot or feature film script. Keep reading below.
10. Social media posts to engage with others, to share my career wins and journey, and to share my interests. Keep reading below.
11. Attending my weekly career administration group meetings so that I’m held accountable for the things I say I’m going to do for my career, and to hold my fellow members accountable as well. Keep reading below.
12. Sending out letters to different organizations to build my blog audience. Keep reading below.
13. Finishing edits on my TV series bible. Keep reading below.
LOL Let me say right now that if you’re looking for a quick answer, a one-and-done, a wham bam thank you ma’am, “I just want to take headshots and not put any thought to it”, then stop reading right here LOL.
However, if you’re looking for a process, a systematic approach on how to prepare for your headshots, then continue reading. I got new theatrical headshots, and the road to them was productive and lengthy because I wanted to be prepared. I set a goal, “Shoot new theatrical headshots.” And I then created an administration plan to set myself up for success. In other words, pre-production. Keep reading below.
So, here’s the road I took to getting new theatrical headshots:
1. First, what castings am I going for in this new unit of time? What castings am I interested in? I needed to identify the kinds of castings I wanted to capture in my headshot session: Public school teacher. White-collar executive. Dad. Great. Ask the next question with these castings to get more specific. Keep reading below.
2. I looked at the auditions I went out for in the last two years to find consistency in the parts I generally go out for. How does the industry see me? What parts do I keep going out for? That was a great action to take for reference and revelation. Keep reading below.
3. I shared the castings from #1 and #2 with my trusted career administration group for feedback. I also asked them for shows where these castings exist so that I could study visual examples of them. And if possible, specific episodes to look out for. Keep reading below.
4. With the list that we generated, I watched a few episodes of different TV shows to study how these characters lived in their worlds. I also studied their subtext, their point of view, and the wardrobe they wore. Keep reading below.
5. I Googled still images of these same TV characters to find pictures that spoke to me and that I could then download as another source of reference and inspiration. Keep reading below.
6. I then uploaded those images into a headshot template that master teacher Richard Lawson created. The template helps us approach and embody the characters we want to shoot with specificity. These images visually represent the castings we are going for, and it helps the headshot photographer be on the same page to help us execute those castings. Next to each image, I typed in the essence and qualities of the character, plus two to three lines of what I thought they were thinking in that image (aka their subtext.) I also wrote down what they wore and their physical stance within the template. All of this information seduces me into the experience of these characters and how to embody them. As a result, the headshot photographer can better capture that experience and life on camera. I’m not just posing in front of the camera. I have a life that the photographer is capturing. Keep reading below.
7. I went on Google to find descriptions/biographies of the characters in my headshot template to deepen my understanding of them. For example, I Googled Mitchell Pritchett (a character from “Modern Family”) to get more insight into him. Why? Because there could be one word, one phrase, that the creator or writer uses that could be the key to unlocking who they are and how I can channel their essence and quality during the headshot session. If I found a keyword or phrase about the character that impinged me, I added it to my headshot template. Keep reading below.
8. I began window shopping for wardrobe that would be exactly/as close as possible to what the characters in my headshot template wore. Why? Because I want to match what Hollywood is buying and marketing on their shows. For example, one of my first circles of casting is a public school teacher. And I looked at different TV shows about teachers from “Abbott Elementary” to “A.P. Bio.” I eventually went with “Abbott Elementary” to be my source of inspiration. One thing that helped me was to ask Google where these characters shop for their wardrobe: “Where do the teachers at ‘Abbott Elementary’ shop for their clothes?” Keep reading below.
Boom. I found a Variety article that revealed where the show’s costume designer, Susan Michalek, shops for the wardrobe: “Created by Quinta Brunson, who also stars as Janine, ‘Abbott Elementary’ follows a group of teachers who work at an underfunded Philadelphia school, leading Brunson and Michalek to decide to constrain the show’s costumes to a realistic teacher’s budget. H&M, Zara, Target, and Old Navy became Michalek’s go-to stores, with occasional splurges at Anthropologie. ‘We really want to keep it at what these people could afford, as much as we possibly can,’ Michalek says.” Keep reading below.
Bingo! I went to OldNavy.com and bought a shirt that was nearly identical to one that Gregory (played by Tyler James Williams) wore in one of the pictures I uploaded into my headshot template. I even bought a lanyard to complete the look. Keep reading below.
10. I looked through Instagram pages to see what other actors wore in their headshots. Keep reading below.
11. I reached out to my headshot photographer (Emily Sandifer) to get her availability and deposit requirement. I got her availability and put down a deposit to hold my shoot date. Keep reading below.
12. I bought wardrobe for each casting. Keep reading below.
13. I created a musical playlist on Spotify for each casting as an additional way to get into the experience and belief of these characters. Keep reading below.
14. I did test shoots at home to make sure the wardrobe read and popped on camera. Keep reading below.
15. I practiced the subtext of my characters to make sure it impinged me and to make sure it read on camera. Keep reading below.
16. I booked out with my agent to keep my headshot date clear and open. Keep reading below.
17. I shared the headshot template with Emily so she could be on the same page with me. Keep reading below.
18. I shared the test shoots with Emily so that she could see the wardrobe that I purchased, and the options I had for a couple of the castings. Keep reading below.
19. I took my wardrobe to the cleaners to get them pressed. Keep reading below.
20. I picked up my wardrobe from the cleaners. Keep reading below.
21. I worked out three times a week in the month leading up to my shoot date. Keep reading below.
22. I practiced a skin regimen every night in the month leading up to my shoot date. Keep reading below.
23. I went to the dentist’s office to get a cleaning. Keep reading below.
24. No alcohol consumption in the week leading up to my shoot date. Keep reading below.
25. I got a good night’s sleep the night before my shoot date. Keep reading below.
26. Day of shoot: I ate a great breakfast for fuel and energy. I flossed, brushed my teeth, scraped my tongue, shaved my face, and showered. I arrived early. On the set itself, I had fun and let it go. I’ve done all this work, now let it go and be present with the photographer. Keep reading below.
The great thing about the specificity of the headshots I took is that they could also branch out into other characters within the same zip code. For example, one of my castings was a white-collar executive who is a truth seeker who challenges the status quo and fights for what is right. My visual inspiration from my headshot template was a lawyer. However, this same headshot can also extend to a Senator, a Congressman, a journalist, a reporter, the head of the board, etc. All of whom fight for what is right. Keep reading below.
So there you have it! Is it THE way to prepare for headshots? It is for me! It’s A way. Hopefully, you can draw inspiration from this and allow yourself to truly take the journey, the road, and the pre-production needed to take great, fulfilling headshots. Keep reading below.
On Friday, February 24th, 2023, I locked myself in my office to get through another exciting list of career administration: Continue edits on my TV series bible, submit my half-hour pilot and feature film scripts to the Script Pipeline competition, look up classes on Casting Access, identify potential scenes I want to do in Scene Study, write my new blog entry, etc. I was firing on all cylinders.
As I recommit to my weekly blog, which chronicles the journey to build the career I want for myself, I couldn’t help but remember a recent meeting I had with a commercial agent. It was one of the best meetings I didn’t win.
I submitted to this particular agency because I resonated with its mission statement. I got a meeting with them immediately, and we met over Zoom. My virtual set-up was tight, from the lighting to the close-up framing to the background curtain behind me. I was ready to share what I was looking for in an agent and prepared to answer any potential questions they would ask me.
The meeting could not have been more excellent. We were on the same page. We were moment to moment. We were easy and comfortable with each other. I shared what I was looking for in an agency and what I wanted to create with them. I answered all their questions with confidence. They could see my professionalism and training on full display. They were everything I was looking for in an agency. The meeting ended, and they told me they would get back to me in a few days because they still had to interview a couple more actors. A few days later, they told me they decided to go in another direction. I was disappointed for a moment, but I realized that this is the nature of the entertainment industry. At least I knew I booked the room! I could go to sleep at night because I booked the room. So, I still won.
As 2023 continues to unfold, and I see what’s on the horizon for me this year, I remember various meetings I had or projects that I targeted that I didn’t win or land but won and landed in my heart because I failed forward. I risked and put myself out there. I made a valiant effort. I booked the room. So here’s to booking more rooms this year. KEEP READING BELOW…THERE’S MORE!
And just for fun, let’s stroll down memory lane of some past meetings or target projects that I didn’t win, but I did because I booked the room:
Lost: I targeted the hell out of this show. Eventually, I got a meeting with the casting director in Hawaii, and I was able to pitch a character I envisioned for myself for the next season. Ultimately, the character didn’t fit the story arc the creators had in mind for their next season, but it was a meeting I’ll never forget. And I got to celebrate afterward in Hawaii!
Martin Scorsese: He was attached to produce a movie musical that Madonna was to star in called “Hello Suckers.” His production company was notorious for keeping their address private. After searching high and low, I found an address. I mailed my materials to the company, but a week later, it was back in my mailbox. The post office placed a stamp on the envelope that said the company was no longer at this address, but they were at this address instead. What?! I couldn’t believe it. The post office provided their actual address. I booked a flight to NYC, walked into their office, and pitched myself and my materials to the front desk staff. Their face, their subtext: “How did you find us?” LOL. I think they low-key loved that I found them. Unfortunately, the movie never got made.
My TV series: Pitch meetings to CBS, Showtime, Youtube, a network in the U.K., and a network in Latin America. Each one passed, but I booked every single room.
Looking: I wanted to be on this HBO series so badly. I targeted this series for one year, building relationships, and expressing my love and passion for this show before I threw my hat into the ring to pitch myself for their next season. I reached out to the lead executive producer and lead director’s agent, and they were more than happy and willing to submit all of my materials to their client. Unfortunately, HBO cancelled the series shortly afterward.
OMG! I just remembered another show called Pretty that I also targeted. I utilized my relationship map to shoot a cool music video at a mansion in Brentwood…and the best part was that it rained that day, so we took full advantage of it…do you know how much it costs to rent a rain machine?!?! Anyway, I found the email I sent to my agent about my efforts: “Hi Sharon. I created and starred in a music video. I was targeting a show that I really wanted to be on called Pretty. It’s a web series entering its 3rd season in the near future. And one of the story lines they revealed was that the lead character flashes back to his old days as the leader of a boy band. So, I created a boy band-type video to get myself on the show. I just sent the video recently to the powers that be. They loved it, but they are reaching out to their celebrity friends to play the other boy band members. But, if circumstances change, they will bring me in for an audition. The video is funny, sensual, plays with sexuality…all the elements of a typical boy band video LOL.”
Onwards! Like Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense, for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost, and our first thought is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment.”
After dealing with the effects of a global pandemic for two years, I finally had the pleasure and experience of attending many screenings and Q&As in 2022. I love immersing myself in my career, and this was an exciting way to put myself out there again and be surrounded by my fellow actors, colleagues, and peers. What was equally exciting was learning and absorbing the various pieces of knowledge and advice from my fellow actors on stage. Each Q&A provided wonderful opportunities to learn something new, or in some cases, to confirm what I already knew. One beautiful example was that I belong. The distance between myself and the actors on stage is not that huge. There is no huge difference between the actors on stage and myself sitting in that audience. Like Jessica Chastain beautifully said in her 2022 SAG Awards acceptance speech for Female Actor in a Leading Role (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”), “Keep going cause you’re one job away. I promise.” She also told me the same thing in person after the screening and Q&A for “George and Tammy” because I told her how much her speech impacted me.
The other confirmation of what I already knew came from what I kept hearing from one Q&A to the next. And although each panel of actors said it differently, the consensus was: DON’T BE A FUCKING ASSHOLE IN THIS INDUSTRY. I can’t tell you how many times I heard different panels of actors say that they love working with people who make the set a joy. They love working with people who make the filming experience a positive one. They want to work with people that they like. One famous actress and executive producer said they can spot crazy a mile away, and when they see it approaching, they run the other way. They refuse to work with crazy. Another famous actress said that she loves working with people she likes because she knows the experience will be positive, and that they will deliver on a professional level every single time on set. The creators of a hit series said they cast their friends as guest stars, recurring guest stars, and series regulars because they know the set will be fun and drama free. The cast of another hit series said that they cultivated an incredible family culture on their set where both actors and crew respect and elevate each other. This family culture is so important and beautiful that they don’t allow anyone to come in and fuck with it. When I attended that particular show’s Q&A, the actors acknowledged the NUMEROUS crew members who showed up to support them. I have never seen so many crew members attend a Q&A panel for their fellow actors…and you could see the LOVE and ADMIRATION that the cast and crew had for each other that night. KEEP READING BELOW…THERE’S MORE!
Don’t be an asshole. Don’t be difficult. Don’t be hostile. Don’t be a pain in the ass. Don’t be dark energy. Hollywood is a small business, and word travels quickly. I’ve had friends share stories about actors who were up for a series or feature film, but then lose the opportunity because the production was made aware of their past difficult behavior on sets. I commit to being professional, kind, and respectful on set because 1) It’s human decency and 2) What comes around, goes around. Every person on set deserves respect because the creation of art is a communal one. Each department works together to create a work of art. What does being an asshole accomplish? Absolutely nothing.
So there you have it. Simple, direct, and important advice from my celebrity friends. Okay, okay, we’re not like friends (only in my mind and heart LOL.) In all seriousness, I was so immersed and invested during these Q&As that I felt like they were my friends.
P.S. Just for fun, and going back to the confirmation that I belong and that the distance between us isn’t that huge, I wanted to share some pictures I took with my friends (in my mind and heart LOL) whose work impacted me either in that screening, in the past, or both. It was important for me to go up to them, as a colleague, to share what I felt about their work.
I envisioned an EPIC return to my blog. Epic like Sam Smith’s and Kim Petras’ recent performance of “Unholy” at the 2023 Grammys (Or “satanic” as right-wing Republicans called it and how their performance was another reason why they need to eradicate the queer community asap….I’m digressing.)
Then, I ran across a tweet from Grammy and Emmy winner Lizzo that Steven Canals re-tweeted. Steven Canals is the creator of the ground-breaking Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series, “Pose.” I follow him, and the timing of what they both wrote could not have been more perfect. Lizzo tweeted:
Ok… last thing. Can I say IM SO PROUD OF MY VOCALS!!! Like… I been working on my voice for the last couple years… some people think I’m a born singer but I’m a rapper first!
The way this tweet speaks to me. Since Pose ended I’ve been working on my writing. Strengthening & refining my craft so when the next show drops I’m equally as proud.
*Don’t forget that being an artist/creative is a journey that never ends. Thanks for the reminder @lizzo ❤️ https://t.co/Wnqq8bKMdw
Their messages were so simple. Just keep showing up. Keep doing the work. Keep getting better. Keep getting better for yourself. The journey continues. That simple. I don’t need fireworks or the trumpets of the last judgement to herald my return to blogging. Just get back in and share my journey again.
My journey continues like it always has. It has continued even while my blog went dormant. It has continued during a global pandemic. It has continued during worldwide protests for racial equality and justice. It has continued during threats to our democracy and the voting process in the United States.
At the beginning of every year, I create a Declaration Of Independence (aka a business plan) in terms of my focus for the year. And each time, I realize that the journey continues. I’m always seeking to learn, grow, and get better.
It’s why I knew I had to come back to Scene Study class at the Richard Lawson Studios.
It’s why I knew I had to resurrect my blog. Chasing The George highlights the journey I am on to have the artistic career I want. I also share lessons I have learned along the way, plus advice that has helped me and countless others. Knowledge is wonderful, and I love giving it away.
Thank you to my teacher and mentor, Richard Lawson, for encouraging me to create this blog in 2015 because I am an example of “walking the walk.” You have taught me that the journey continues as well.
Thank you to my wonderful friend, Lindsay Hopper, for always asking me when I would return to Scene Study. You have taught me that the journey continues as well.
Thank you to my incredible partner, Chris Beber, for always asking me when I would return to Chasing The George. You have taught me that the journey continues as well.
So, I’m back! This blog is about my artistic journey and I want to continue chronicling it. This blog is part of my accountability. This blog is part of my inspiration.
Happy Holidays! As we near the end of 2021, I wanted to share a SAMPLING of the wins (both professional and personal) that I’ve had this year. I study and teach at the Richard Lawson Studios, and one of the concepts at this studio is the tracking of wins and the corresponding celebrations for those wins.
I like this definition of “win” from dictionary.com: “To succeed by striving or effort. To succeed in reaching (a place, condition, etc.), especially by great effort.” In my classes, I also add this point of view: A win is anything that has moved you at least one step forward. And as an example, one of my students shared in class on December 14th that she accumulated 321 wins in 2021!
Tracking wins and celebrating them maintains the journey we are on to have the careers that we want. Tracking wins and celebrating them helps us stay in a state of gratitude and claiming for oneself. At the RLS, a few of the classes were assigned to do a “Wins Film” to take stock of their 2021 wins in 3 minutes or less.
So join me! What wins have you collected in 2021? Take stock of them and you’ll be shocked and amazed at how many wins you have. Large, small, everything in between. A win is a win. It all counts towards the journey.
On August 26th, 2021, I celebrated 19 years of living in Los Angeles. And what made my anniversary so special, what made it a full circle moment, was that I shot a role on an Amazon Prime feature film that day!
19 years ago, I flew out to LA on a one-way flight from NYC, armed with one suitcase, my leather CD book, and a resolution to pursue my artistic dreams full-time. I had no job lined up. I had no apartment lined up. I had no car lined up. I just had my dreams that out-created what I temporarily lacked. When I landed in LAX, I got into a taxi and immediately quoted Madonna when she landed in NYC in 1977 and got into a taxi as well: “Take me to the center of everything.” Madonna’s taxi driver took her to Times Square and my taxi driver took me to Beverly Hills LOL. The rest, as they say, is history.
As I sat in my trailer on August 26th, 2021, I was filled with so much gratitude. Shooting a role on my 19th anniversary of living in LA was not lost on me. But beyond the role, I was filled with so much gratitude because I am still doing what I love to do. 19 years later and I am still actively involved as an artist. 19 years later and I am still going. 19 years later and I am still standing. And it’s such a testament to my raison d’être, my career bus that contains a community of persons, places, and things that keep me going. My community. My DOIN (Declaration of Independence aka business plan that we learn to create and build at the Richard Lawson Studios.) My DOIN is so important and I literally pulled it up two days before I booked this role to add and edit some things within it.
I am grateful to still be on this journey when a lot of people have stopped their own artistic journeys to pursue other endeavors (no judgement by the way!)
I am grateful that since I landed in LA 19 years ago, I have become a more causative, 360-degree artist. To know that 19 years later, I have weathered the highs and lows, the ups and downs. I mean, come on: The Covid-19 pandemic could have destroyed and obliterated me, but I found myself so creatively plugged in during 2020 by attending classes over Zoom, by working on my writing, by building my own rocking self-tape station and being able to film self-tape auditions, by submitting filmed monologues and scenes to various casting director open calls, by teaching classes over Zoom, by researching various industry topics, by attending artistic panels over Zoom, etc.
2021 has also been filled with artistic excitement. Some highlights:
**Self-tape auditions for TV series on Hulu, Netflix, Fox, HBO, ABC, etc.
**My feature film script placed as a semi-finalist in a big industry writing competition (Scriptapalooza) and it will be promoted to a network of 125 producers for one whole year.
**The same feature film script film script also placed in the top 15% of discoverable projects on Coverfly.
**I placed as a semi-finalist (in the top 6% of applicants) for a program with the Writers Guild Foundation.
**I’m waiting to hear back from other established industry writing competitions and programs.
**I revisited and rewrote a TV pilot script and I am now revisiting and rewriting another feature film script.
**Weekly career administration group meetings where we hold each other accountable to our artistic goals.
**Attending weekly classes.
**Writing meetings with the PDP 3.0 collective.
**I bought printer ink so that I can print up my sides (yes, even buying printer ink is a big win!)
**Relationship map building and outflow.
**In the 36 hours leading up to my film shoot, I had to complete two Covid tests, I had wardrobe fittings, I taught class, and I had to film two self-tape auditions for two different primetime TV series on ABC (one of which was due in six hours!)
So, as I sat in my trailer, the last 36 hours was not lost on me. 2021 was not lost on me. 2020 was not lost on me. My 19-year anniversary in LA was not lost on me.
On August 26th, 2021, I celebrated 19 years of living in Los Angeles. And what made my anniversary so special, what made it a full circle moment, was that I shot a role on an Amazon Prime feature film that day!
19 years ago, I flew out to LA on a one-way flight from NYC, armed with one suitcase, my leather CD book, and a resolution to pursue my artistic dreams full-time. I had no job lined up. I had no apartment lined up. I had no car lined up. I just had my dreams that out-created what I temporarily lacked. When I landed in LAX, I got into a taxi and immediately quoted Madonna when she landed in NYC in 1977 and got into a taxi as well: “Take me to the center of everything.” Madonna’s taxi driver took her to Times Square and my taxi driver took me to Beverly Hills LOL. The rest, as they say, is history.
As I sat in my trailer on August 26th, 2021, I was filled with so much gratitude. Shooting a role on my 19th anniversary of living in LA was not lost on me. But beyond the role, I was filled with so much gratitude because I am still doing what I love to do. 19 years later and I am still actively involved as an artist. 19 years later and I am still going. 19 years later and I am still standing. And it’s such a testament to my raison d’être, my career bus that contains a community of persons, places, and things that keep me going. My community. My DOIN (Declaration of Independence aka business plan that we learn to create and build at the Richard Lawson Studios.) My DOIN is so important and I literally pulled it up two days before I booked this role to add and edit some things within it.
I am grateful to still be on this journey when a lot of people have stopped their own artistic journeys to pursue other endeavors (no judgement by the way!)
I am grateful that since I landed in LA 19 years ago, I have become a more causative, 360-degree artist. To know that 19 years later, I have weathered the highs and lows, the ups and downs. I mean, come on: The Covid-19 pandemic could have destroyed and obliterated me, but I found myself so creatively plugged in during 2020 by attending classes over Zoom, by working on my writing, by building my own rocking self-tape station and being able to film self-tape auditions, by submitting filmed monologues and scenes to various casting director open calls, by teaching classes over Zoom, by researching various industry topics, by attending artistic panels over Zoom, etc.
2021 has also been filled with artistic excitement. Some highlights:
**Self-tape auditions for TV series on Hulu, Netflix, Fox, HBO, ABC, etc.
**My feature film script placed as a semi-finalist in a big industry writing competition (Scriptapalooza) and it will be promoted to a network of 125 producers for one whole year.
**The same feature film script film script also placed in the top 15% of discoverable projects on Coverfly.
**I placed as a semi-finalist (in the top 6% of applicants) for a program with the Writers Guild Foundation.
**I’m waiting to hear back from other established industry writing competitions and programs.
**I revisited and rewrote a TV pilot script and I am now revisiting and rewriting another feature film script.
**Weekly career administration group meetings where we hold each other accountable to our artistic goals.
**Attending weekly classes.
**Writing meetings with the PDP 3.0 collective.
**I bought printer ink so that I can print up my sides (yes, even buying printer ink is a big win!)
**Relationship map building and outflow.
**In the 36 hours leading up to my film shoot, I had to complete two Covid tests, I had wardrobe fittings, I taught class, and I had to film two self-tape auditions for two different primetime TV series on ABC (one of which was due in six hours!)
So, as I sat in my trailer, the last 36 hours was not lost on me. 2021 was not lost on me. 2020 was not lost on me. My 19-year anniversary in LA was not lost on me.
Hello fellow actors, writers, producers, and other fabulous artists! You’ve heard me say this before and I’ll say it one more time: Superman is the reason why I wanted to become an actor. I too wanted to save the world and possess super powers!
Looking back at my life, I see how I have become my own version of Superman and how that has manifested itself in different ways: As an actor, a writer, a producer, a family member, a friend, a partner, a teacher, a student, a human rights and political activist, a HUMAN FUCKING BEING. I have truly demonstrated the qualities I see in Superman: strength, resolve, positive change, give, protection, and yes, fun times. Yes, fun times (Superman can have fun too!)
Being Superman is part of my raison d’être. It’s what keeps me going in my career because in everything that I do, “the world will see that Superman can also be brown and queer because I AM THAT.” Always have. Always will. It’s always been there and I’m utilizing it. I remember being told at a young age that I could never be Superman because I have brown skin. And I made a commitment to myself to become my own Superman. To not limit myself.
Superman can exist in all forms, and throughout my artistic journey, I keep affirming to myself that I am Superman. And hopefully, others around the world will be inspired to become their own Superman (or Batman or Wonder Woman or Spider Man or whatever you want!) Don’t limit yourself!
So who is your own personal superhero that inspires you? Which superhero are you, if any?
Thanks for reading!
Fun fact: I decorate my daily planner (no pun intended with The Daily Planet!) with Superman stickers! It helps to reaffirm my artistic administration.
Chasing The George 