Time to make a balance of 2009's first trimester. The goals I set for myself to accomplish while I'm in Portugal were: to sign with a good agency; to book a soap opera, a movie and/ or a theatre show; to apply for the O1; to save around $3000 so I can spend at least 2 months in LA; to visit Spain; to become fluent in French; to keep working on my standard American accent; to train my voice; and to develop my dance skills.
I got signed to the agency I wanted to sign with basically as soon as I got here, still in 2008. During 2009 I've played multiple roles in a huge theatre show (in Póvoa de Lanhoso) and performed in an even bigger show (in Montalegre); I've shot a short-film, a small commercial and played a guest star role in a soap-opera; I've saved around $2000; I've been to seven auditions (it's a lot here); and I've put together three press articles that talk about me.
Even though it's not easy for me to admit it, I think the balance is positive so far. Besides all that, I've been invited to work in another theatre project (which I think I'll refuse); I've become friends with a Portuguese writer who just went to Hollywood to sign with Eileen Koch; I feel I've grown a lot as an actress during the Artist in Residence Program in Póvoa de Lanhoso; and I've done a work trip as one of the stars in a movie... Have I mentioned how beautiful Bern is?
Before June, I'd still like to: play another role in a soap-opera; book a role in a feature; and save more $9000 ($5000 to pay the lawyer + $2000 to join AFTRA + $2000 to pay for a room and a car when I go to LA). If I buy the plane ticket for less than $1000, I have the $3000 I said I wanted to save, but I'd like to do stuff for my career while I'm there besides shooting and keeping myself alive. By the way, yes, I've talked to a Portuguese lawyer and he told me I have to get an American one.
And this is what will happen for sure before June (if no work opportunity shows up in the meanwhile): I'm gonna get to my best physical shape, I'm building my website and I'm shooting four monologues to send to agents and casting directors together with my reels- one will be in Portuguese, one in English (standard American), one in Spanish and one in French. I will sing or play the guitar during one of them. How ridiculous does that sound? Well... I'm serious. I'm a hostage of my own words, that's why I don't talk much. And I've said it. I've decided to do this simply because I know there's no other way for me to sit down and practice my American accent, or to study French and Spanish or to start training my voice and learning how to play the guitar. I have to have a final product to focus on. That was the solution I found and that's what I'll have to do to consider my goals accomplished.
I'll go to Spain (and maybe France) to see how my Spanish (and French) is doing and to drop my acting package at Casting Director's offices, agencies and production companies when I come back from LA. I'm actually planning on going on an inter-rail trip around Europe with my mother in September and I think that will be the perfect time for me to do that.
I just keep having this great feeling about 2009.
posted by Ana @ 8:36 PM
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tonta said...
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