Dawn Breakers International Film Festival 2010

Last Spring I was cast in a short film, "The Last Conversation" for a lovely and courageous young director, Amelia Zandi.

At the time I was intrigued as it was a very heavy script, based on the true story of an 18 year old Iranian girl who was executed for her beliefs in the Ba'hai religion.

Many of you know that in my modeling and acting career I am considered 'ethnically ambiguous' and that I can certainly pass for a Middle Eastern woman. I wanted the challenge of playing another ethnicity but to play an Iranian mother and bring her to life without offending anyone (I am Hispanic and Catholic, and do not have my own children) - - certainly had its challenges for me as an actress.

I remember shooting the 6 minute film - it took us 1 day. I had a terrible migraine afterwards from the sheer heaviness of the subject and the emotional toll it took upon me. But I was grateful to my director for being 'color blind' and taking a chance casting me.

Likewise, the actress who played my daughter, Mona Mossayab, is about 30, and had her own set of challenges as an actress to play a teenager. That said, she is already of the Ba'hai religion which only helped bring a trueness and dignity to her character that, for my part, I had to dig up from other life experiences.



http://dbiff.com/take4/the-last-conversation/#more-129"

Alas our director decided to submit to a film festival and got in - - even better it was screened in San Diego this year (last year was Switzerland) - - so I went last week with my husband to the show and also did a Q&A with my director after the screening.

Watching myself on that screen I remarked later to my husband that there was nothing pretty about me or that performance at all. A far cry from what I usually do in modeling and acting. I was ugly, furrowed, tear-stained -- and I am very proud to have been a part of it. To hear the quiet sobs and sniffles from the audience around us was gratifying - not that we wanted it to be a tear-jerker - and it wasn't. But many in that room knew the story and as I commented later to the audience, "I was just appreciative that they accepted our work so well."

Many thanks to Amelia Zandi, the promoters and selection staff of the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival and to my co-star and crew.

Long live the Arts!

"Hooray for Hollywood" - Babies and Kids

There are 3 different families who have in the past month ask me advice on getting their little darlings into the holy grail of Hollywood.

Consider this a friendly informational for them and anyone else thinking about the star power their offspring may or may not possess.

The 3 most important things to absolutely know and consider-
1). proximity to Los Angeles
2). 1 parent most likely will not work a normal job and will be the chauffeur and stage parent for years and
3). do not, I repeat: do NOT ever pay a penny to an agency, school, or manager.

Let's delve into this more deeply, shall we?

1). The location thing. Some of you live in OC and LA and some do not. Those who live in OC or LA have a much better chance at longevity -burnout can be quick - - that commute is a huge pain and LA traffic is notorious. I am just being realistic when I say that if you do not live in LA or Orange County then you should just realistically probably concentrate on the smaller modeling/acting market of your own town, if there is one. The pros about this is that there will be less competition but the cons is that most of the work will not be as money-making as a feature film in Hollywood - but then, the chances of your baby or kid making that are very slim. Focus on commercials and print-ad modeling. This is your bread and butter. But don't be fooled into thinking there are millions of dollars to be made. I think for kids print modeling hourly rate is $75-100 - usually working a half day of 4-5 hours. As an adult the print hourly rate is $150 an hour and then you give commission percentage to your agent (20% for print and non-union work, 10% for union work).

2). Every successful kid and baby I know in professional theater, modeling and Hollywood (heck, even in San Diego) has a parent who has not had a real 9 to 5 job in years for various reasons. And guess what? It is not only logical that a parent be onset at all times with a minor, but it is the Law! So, unless the stageparent has a nighttime job - and some do - you MUST be able to live with only 1 salary - whilst hopefully your child will book some real money to make all the time auditioing worth it. One very talented young gal whom I worked with and went on a tour across country had to have her mom with travel with us. Yes, she left her husband and 2 sons for months to accompany her 11 year old daughter. And then proceeded to do that for years internationally when her kid got in a big name touring show. Now that child is 21 and her mom has marital problems since she has essentially not been with her husband in 10 years, not to mention missing her sons grow up. But the daughter is very successful and the 2 are very close = even if the mom has no idea what to do with herself now that she is not even allowed onsets and jobs since her daughter is no longer a minor.

3). Beware of scam artists. They run rampant in this biz, sad to say - feeding off the egos and hopes of parents. Trust me - parents hear what they want to hear about their babies and these evil people know that. So, please know that it is against the LAW to give even a penny up front to someone posing as an agency or manager. If anyone asks you to do it - just thank them and leave. ASAP. These people will even rent an office space for a couple months to look legit - and then disappear with your cash and without you ever having true representation.

Go online to SAG.org - - that is the Screen Actor's Guild website. If you want to make any money at all you will need to eventually get your child his or her union status. "SAG" is for TV/movies/commercials - the really good paying ones. Aim for this! Another union you can belong to is AFTRA - American Federation of TV and Radio Artists - this is mandatory for soap actors, voice over artists, any radio personalities and very few TV shows that are produced under this contract. I belong to them as well, but it's not imperative unless you are doing the above. And remember - you can and will work as non-union talent for as long as it takes until you earn your union card. And the 2 do not compare in pay. My non-union commercials usually pay $500-$1000 with no residual checks as compared to a union, category A commercial that you can make 10-50k on. Also, know that when the job comes that MAKES you join the union - you HAVE to join in - that is way over $1000 to join, cats and kittens. Plus quarterly dues for the rest of your union life.

Once you get to the SAG website you can check out the franchised agency list. It may even say which ones are open to submissions for babies or young children. These are legit agencies! You will want to submit a couple recent photos (as you know, your kids are changing monthly). These do not need to be professional - - try to get generic backgrounds and a smiling shot, for sure. Keep the outfits simple - solid colors - no black and white. NO LOGOS. They won't give a fig that your kid is wearing Armani overalls - keep the logos to a minimum or none at all. Don't have anything else in the picture or parents in it - too distracting. Make it look natural. Do NOT worry about professional pics at this point in the game. Photographers will try to make you think you need to - hello - they need to survive, too. But you do NOT give into this. Also, I hope you are all cognizant of the difference between Hollywood and Pageants. If your baby, toddler or child wants makeup and heels - go to pageants - that is NOT the kind of modeling they will do in Hollywood - which will be lifestyle, real-kid stuff.

Okay back to submitting. Nowadays with the internet things are so much easier - look online, find the agency website - see if you can even submit electronically - - others take snailmail in a manila 8x10 envelope - - give the birthdate, eye and hair color, name and your contact info on the back of photos. And don't expect them to return the pics, either. If they are interested they will contact you back. Do NOT call checking in. Hollywood has that old saying, "Don't call us, we'll call you" for a reason. They are very busy and they may not even be accepting new talent that month and your baby pics will be sitting in some corner of the mail room for weeks or months. It just is.

But if they DO call you in, they will probably see how your baby and child plays with some toys, takes direction if they are old enough, if they make eye contact if a stranger calls their name to look up, etc.

Here is the kicker - - you must understand, moms and dads, that there are thousands of others trying to do this with their kids just as cute as yours. You canNOT take it personally. Your kid may lose out a job because her hair is a smidgen too blonde compared to the next one. It is that minuscule.

Also, know that those with small children - be prepared for your agent to pressure you a lot about teeth - braces, pulling out that loose tooth before it's natural, etc. I shot a commercial with a kid who had to go get a FAKE tooth put in because he had lost a tooth that week and they didn't want a gap.
Note: pic of Miley Cyrus - - most lucrative work and films will contain offspring of celebs and recognizable parents (even B or C-rate celebs) - notice Will Smith and Jada Pinkett have both their kids on the rise in Hollywood. Suri Cruise: just wait. Probably the only famous people who don't want their kids in Hollywood are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - but don't think for one nanu-second that her having her established dad in Hollywood didn't help her get her career started. Hollywood hires familiar faces and last names for a reason - it makes the public go 'awww' and be curious as to the offspring of so-and-so. Better get used to it now. I still deal with it at my age. Moving on.

Please keep in mind that although many kids may have a great look or personality around their family it can be an entirely different story when they are being held and hugged and spoken to by a complete stranger with hot lights shining on them and a scary big black camera in their face. If your kid on his first job blows it or is difficult - they will most likely not work again with your agent or that director. Trust me - I've seen it - a kid doing badly on set means time is wasted, time is money and the kid may even be fired - - and the agent will get a call and that child will never work again. There are just too many kids ready to replace yours. And if given the chance: they will.

Special Note: If you have twins - you will get signed immediately. Twins are golden in Hollywood. Because if one gets tired or cranky they stick the other one in. They also do well in commercials - there are still many that book identical twins of all ages. Doublemint gum, anyone? :)

So does this all sound depressing or bleak? Hahha, I don't mean it to be. I just say what is the harsh reality. Being onset takes long hours, a lot of waiting - no kids or babies like this for the most part - - especially since they don't understand what is going on. And the older they get means that they miss a lot of school - even though a teacher has to be legally onset - they are not really getting the same education and you must be sure your school will be okay with it.

So, take a deep breath and let me say "breakaleg" and go for it! Don't spend money on an agent - if they sign you, they then may direct you to a photographer but you can't give them anything up front. They only get paid when you book a job - remember that!!!

And don't be a crazy stage parent - - most times they make it worse for their kids, pressuring them too much, spoiling them too much, being in the way, some can be a nightmare on set. It can be very sad and frustrating for the crew, director and fellow talent.

If there are more specifics needed: please contact me - - otherwise this should be a good headstart. Best wishes!

The Pain, er Beauty of new Headshots

I am a professional, union Actress.

I have worked professionally mostly in theater and commercials, with a bit of indie film and TV work.

The last 4 years I have concentrated more on modeling and my classical singing but I am excited to be pursuing more acting work again - read: E got married and wants to buy her man a Canon 5D Mark II Digital or a new Leica Camera. And, heck, I may even get myself an Arabian horse :)

I lived in LA 10 years ago and wow, how much I've grown up since then. I was so green, and I am not just meaning that I went up there as a non-union performer. I was naive in many things about life. I am excited and thankful to my new husband who is supporting my giving it another go up there. I've always known and said that dating an artist-type can be very difficult. Now I'm married to a man who knows zero of the Industry - - but I almost feel that is in our favor.

I realized I needed new headshots. My last ones are about 5 or 6 years old and in black and white - - - oh ho ho, Hollywood does it in color now.

So, a couple weeks ago I went to shoot at www.armenasadarian.com for my new Los Angeles and Orange County agents. And, yes, I am keeping my beloved San Diego Model Management agency of 11 years, meanwhile, as they love me and I work steadily here with them).

But good Lord: headshots.

I hate shooting headshots.

Headshots are your calling card. Casting directors see thousands of these and yours needs to stand out saying SOMETHING that makes them want to call you in and meet you or have you read. (And, NO - - it doesn't have to scream "look at my big boobs" or "I am the prettiest or sexiest one out there"). Que va. They can say, "I'm cool" or 'quirky' or 'intelligent' or 'mysterious' -- they just need to say SOMETHING.

Think about it. Hollywood, especially in commercials -which is what I have the best experience and personality for - - has a need for ALL types. That means not just young, pretty and plastic - although certainly it needs that, too. It also needs 'normal' folk, all ethnicities and all ages. This is great for me - as I am ethnically ambiguous and can play a large age range still.

So...pictures. Now, throughout the years I have really learned to model in front of a camera. I can say it - this big-eyed, curvy, 5'9, 37 year old who started modeling at the ancient age of 26 - can pull off editorial and commercial pictures.

BUT that is modeling.

THIS is about acting headshots.

It's a horse of a different color, my kiddies ;)

My entire career casting directors and agents have called me in and looked me in real life and commented, "Your pics are not good enough" or "They don't do you justice" or "you are stronger than your photos". Ugh. And don't even get me started on my elusive smiling-with-teeth shots or having makeup artists who don't know how to apply makeup to ethnic skin or facial features. So, yeah, I saved myself some money this time around doing my own hair and makeup (curling it and then straightening it for 2 different 'looks').

Add to that I have so many looks and ages to portray that it makes it hard (and expensive$$) to have photos for each one of those portrayals. Sigh. Sometimes it's hard being a chameleon - - although the more categories I can portray arguably will bring me more work, it feels like I have a thumb in too many pies, as the old saying goes.
Alas, here are 3 of my Top 10 photos from my recent shoot. Now with digital cameras being used, I had oh, about 300 shots to choose from. What a headache to narrow it down. I am sick of looking at myself!! ;)

Elsa Commercial for the Amazing RocketRod Fishing Pole!!

I was just sitting down with my laptop computer while babysitting Patrick's daughter. After a day of us playing with Fred-the-basset hound I was pretty tired and she was watching the kid channel, "Nickelodeon". Suddenly I looked up at the end of a commercial to recognize the product: a super-fly kid's fishing pole that launches the fishing line like a rocket.

I shot this commercial almost a year ago on a freezing day at a lake here in San Diego County. The day I shot was with a 'Hispanic' family - my kids, husband and I were all Latinos. The day before they shot a 'white' family. Evidently on the version we saw, they edited most of the other family into the commercial and I only come out in 1 moment. That said, it's always nice to see my work in use. After all it's not about me: it's about the toy and the kids playing it. Sooo.... Here's the link to the product. Look for me with a ponytail, khaki pants, and pink t-shirt congratulating my kids launching their rockets at the end of a bridge. And just think: you can get this AMAZING product for only $19.95.

** PS - I can attest to it - it's a fun product and it REALLY works!!!

Here is the LINK