Oy! Updates

// 42nd Street. Where it all goes down. //

Auditions!

Hello, dear ones. I've had my nose in the books for the past few days, reading monologues and memorizing commercial copy and attempting to wrap my head around the "business" of this crazy entertainment industry. It's a whole lot to take in but I am up for the challenge! I had a few auditions this week, one for an intensive acting program that I'm hoping to get into and another for a casting director who casts for shows like Celebrity Ghost Stories. Yes. You read that correctly. The best thing I can do for myself is to keep auditioning. The more I do it, the easier (ish?) it gets. Have another one this evening... got any words of advice? Because I've been doing a lot of self-encouraging lately!

Oy! Updates.

The blog is getting a few tweaks here and there, many thanks to Savannah at Maiedae. There is still some construction going on, so bear with me as the dust settles a bit, but feel free to take a peek at my Portfolio page (located up top) and browse through the new Eurotrip Gallery (located on the right.) Soon I will have all the links up for "Taste" a series on recipes/food/drinks/dining and "Guides", which is my take on how to explore a city in 1-2 days. Also be on the lookout for a quick link to the most popular Oy!'s posts!

Just wanted to let you know what was happening here. Many more updates are coming soon (including apartment pics!) Thanks for being awesome.

Acting Website Launch: www.KristenNicoleHale.com

Breaking That Leg

I've totally teased you. But I'm happy to announce that my acting website is up and running and I wanted to share it with my Oy!-letts first. This site houses all the film projects and media that I've worked on thus far. It's a great tool to send casting directors and agents when they want to see my work (and are considering actors for auditions.) It's totally scary to be vulnerable and put yourself out there, but I'm (slowly) learning to showcase what I love to do without apologizing for it. Part of this industry is connecting with as many people as possible, so I wanted to share this site with YOU as part of my way of making those connections.

 I'd love for you to take a peek and let me know what you think!

Beware: Shameless Plug Forthcoming

I am moving to NYC at the beginning of August and I am going to hit it hard auditioning. If you know anyone that I should talk to there and you are feeling generous to make the connection, please let me know! I might just send you a box of cookies. And they might even be Girl Scout cookies.

Thanks again for your love and support!

The Dream Project: Just Do It

The Dream Project has been going swimmingly. Just absolutely swimmingly.

Last week was a big week for me. I dove into a sea of auditions, and although I haven't heard back from any yet, I am over the moon about how much fun/terror/fun it's been.

My week included:

- An audition for a comedy web series

- An audition for a student film

- An audition for a feature-length film (eek!)

- An acting class with Tom Kemp, focused on auditioning for TV and Film

The Myth.

Let me tell you something. There is a misconception about acting. People think it all looks like this:

// Exhibit A: Can we get a wind machine up in here? //

Can you say DIVA?! Cue this jam. This photo always makes me chuckle. It's a still from a short film I did a few years back. I have no idea how they caught me in such a breezy, thought-provoking moment. It's really important to reflect on these moments and realize that SOMETIMES the world of an actor is ridiculous. The real life of an actor-wannabe (that I was fondly reminded of this week) is just a hustle. Just a big fat hustle for WORK. Much like this:

// Photo Courtesy of a very sneaky Steven L. Hale //

// Exhibit B: That dirty hair just screams, "GIVE ME A JOB!!!" // 

This is it. The job hunt. Submitting myself for tons of auditions and seeing if I get any bites. I mean, does it get more glamorous than this? I think not.

The Down Low.

In all seriousness, this past week wasn't just fun because I was finally getting out there. That was great, but I honestly enjoyed the process so much. I feel like I grew as an actor in just a few days of putting myself out there, challenging myself with new material and pushing the limits of my own vulnerability. I felt myself actually improving with each audition. The last one went so well, I don't even care if I don't get cast. Seriously. It was just so much fun being in that room, in that moment, in character. I know I'm getting all artsy here, but that is the honest truth.

Walking away from each audition this week, I had that, "I'm so happy to be alive" feeling, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Don't get me wrong. I still sweat like a pig and I was nervously clutching my script so much that it sort of got tattered and kept flopping over in my hands. Hopefully, just hopefully, they don't count off points for nervous passion?