Lazy Actors Need Not Apply

I've had the opportunity to be a director this year on a few occasions and I'm noticing a common theme with actors: Laziness.  Maybe that's too harsh of a word, but actors are simply not putting in the work.  With being an actor myself, I'm trying to make sense of this.  I understand the hustle part of this business.  Especially in NY and if you don't have an agent. You're always running around looking for the next gig, months go by...no gig...submit like crazy...still no gigs.  Then all of a sudden you book multiple gigs and of course they all go up or shoot around the same time.  We wouldn't dare turn down any opportunity to work so we say yes to all the gigs that come our way, forgetting that each gig requires it's own 'time'.  You gotta prepare for these roles! Or at least you should.  As an actor I understand not wanting to turn down gigs, believing that I'll have the time to put in for each role, but as a director I could care less.  All I know is that you're showing up unprepared, constantly on your phone, not fully committed, haven't made not one solid choice for your character and/or you get a simple direction and you're completely thrown off.   I'm not thinking about all the other productions you have or how many "hats" you chose to wear.  All I know is that I most likely wouldn't have you on any production I'm a part of in which I have a say in who is cast. I now fully understand why directors work with the same people.  It's a trust factor.  I'm an actor first, so I know what it is to get a direction that may not resonate with me, but I respect the director and find a way to make it work.  Depending on the relationship I may respectfully explain where I was coming from in hopes of finding a common ground. If that's not an option, I suck it up and do everything I can to give the director what he/she wants.  Maybe I'm just making this a way bigger situation than what it really is.  Maybe the business has moved into fully accepting mediocrity (thank you reality tv).  Whatever the  case may be, I'm not going to accept that for my own work ethic. I will continue to treat every project like I'm getting paid the big bucks, so when I finally do get those dollars, I won't be thrown off by the work needed to be put in.  

Hi Haters!!!

It's been a few days since I posted something other than notices. So I just would like to take this time to send a shout-out to all of my haters!!!! I'm not being cocky or anything, but the reality is we all have at least one hater. So to all of my haters, I want to personally thank you for motivating me to stay in this game. For without you...well I'd still do what I have to do, but you guys just make success that much greater! Thanks again, and I'll see you at the Oscars...as you usher me to my seat...LMAO!!!!

I'm not paying for your attitude!!

O.K., so everybody has their opinion on paying to meet an agent, manager, or casting director. First I was against it, then I was for it, and now I am really confused. I go to the websites of the places that offer these seminars & I read the description of the invited guest. Most of the time, what is in the description is not really what the agent, manager, CD is looking for. As it was told to me at a seminar by a casting director, "It just sounds nice". Really??!!?...then can I have my money back, because that sounds nice to me. At another seminar I had an agent tell me that he doesn't really like what he does, but he just kind of "fell" into it. Are you serious??!!! Do they not understand how much people sacrifice for this thing called acting, singing, dancing, modeling, etc. Hearing stuff like that really pisses me off and can be very discouraging. I don't want someone to read this & think that these pay-to-meet seminars are a waste of time. I believe they can work. It's all about timing. If you're what they are looking for at that time, then you're in. If not, well...better luck next time. But seriously, to all the agents, managers, CD's that do these seminars, I understand that it's a recession and you may need the extra money, but leave your personal feelings at the door. The same rules that are preached to actors about leaving their personal feelings at the door, applies to you. So if you really don't like your job, don't let me sense that during my audition time that I PAID for!!! Until next time, stay blessed & encouraged

Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry...

By Casey Gane-McCalla, Assistant Editor May 28, 2009 10:11 am
Spike Lee had an interview with Ed Gordon on Our World with Black Enterprise scheduled to air this weekend. In the interview he complained about “coonery and buffoonery” and both of Tyler Perry’s shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne,” comparing them to characters from minstrel shows.
From EurWeB: “We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made 'Boyz in the Hood'], people came out to see it. But when he did ‘Rosewood,’ nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”
Why Tracy Morgan Isn’t Taking Us Two Steps “Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better. … I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne”), and I am scratching my head. We got a black president, and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?

MY OPINION: I must admit that when I see commercials for Meet the Browns I cringe. All I think is goodness, there are "other" people watching this saying "see, I told you black folks are really that ignorant." I understand comedy & there are plenty of shows with "other" people who act a lot worse than Mr. Brown, but I still think that the show puts us back a little. As an actress I have to think about it on the other side too. If I was offered a part on that show, would I take it? The truth...I would. Which kind of makes me a hypocrite doesn't it??? But that's another discussion. But much success to Spike, Tyler & every other director that has made a way for themselves!!! Until next time, stay Blessed & encouraged!!