Home!

Isn't it something the way your surroundings can color the way you see everything?  Well, at least it's true for me, so it's imperative I stay out of jail cells and mental wards as long as possible.  


We have moved!  No more paranoid, mildly insane co-tenant with unruly hair and psychotic dogs dictating when I can do laundry!  Our new home is so beautiful, it makes me so happy every morning that I live there.  Ah, serenity!  


Speaking of serenity, we're off to Lake Arrowhead in a few days to celebrate our two year anniversary!  Last year it was so great to make the trip to "get away from it all."  This year, there's nothing I want to get away from.  Yay new house!!


Have a great weekend everyone!

Weeding

I have a newfound love for a show that's not new, but new to me.  I love "Weeds"!  Thanks to the ingenious Netflix-via-Wii phenomena entering my living room, access to every episode of every season is at my disposal on demand.  Love!

Yes, it goes flying into the absurd at times, but that doesn't bother me.  In fact, most of the time, I'd rather not see real-life difficult, problematic scenarios played out on my TV.  A widowed mother of two from the suburbs, chauffeuring two thugs in a drive-by shooting, that's what my viewing time needs.  Over the past few days, I've actually thought, "Sure, this is bad, but nothing near as bad as what Nancy goes through!" 


Ridiculous?  Yes, but mostly, so am I.


Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Youthinize Me. Or Coolinize?

Last week I said to my boss, who is, well... older than me (could maybe be my mom), "Hey look, we have almost the same shoes on!"  To which she responded, "Aren't you a little young for that?"  I looked down at the brown mary jane- style flats I'd bought at Ross. Point well taken.  I'm starting to have the style of a middle aged teacher.  That's not so good.  


Then there's the issue of what my agents keep saying about my headshots.  "We want to see something more hip, contemporary.  A more modern hairstyle."


Message received.  I need a new hairstyle and if possible, a stylist.


Operation makeover!  Stay tuned!!

Be a Doll

Most people are critical of themselves in some way.  Actors are commonly their own biggest critics, in particular.  And maybe that's because perception means so much when you're trying to get hired as a character in a story.  But isn't it funny to sometimes find out how other people perceive you?


I teach adults, so I guess I listen to what they say about me more closely and take it more seriously than I would kids.  On Tuesday, I saw two ladies in the front row whispering and smiling.  I could tell they were talking about me, so I interrupted (kidding, of course).  "Hey, what's going on over there?"  They giggled, "We were saying you look like a doll."  


Today a different student in the front row interrupted my class to say, "You look like Barbie.  Do people tell you that?"  All I could think was, "In your country, is Barbie a flat-chested, unmarried woman in her 30s, who teaches in Watts part-time and is considering bankruptcy?"


Of course, didn't say that.  I just laughed and smiled... even said, "Uh..thank you" despite how stupid it felt.


And it's not that I can't take a compliment.  I just can't take one seriously that I don't think applies to me at all.


Later this afternoon I remembered something.  That student with the Barbie comment had a headache today... because she'd forgotten her glasses.  Ah-hah!  Not Barbie, just a blonde blur.  OK, that I can accept that.

Down to 2?!

When I got the callback for the lead in the hilarious web series, Nanny Interviews, the director said in the email, it's down to you and one other actress.  I thought, Ugh!  Why did you have to tell me that?!  Pressure is on! And of course I ran into the awkward situation of seeing the beautiful other actress when I arrived a bit early.  Turned out to be the lovely and talented Jill Saunders, who I didn't remember at the time, but had actually known through mutual contacts years ago.

Today at my favorite (ahem) place to audition, CAZT, I had a callback, where I noticed only one other actress had been called back for the role I was auditioning for.  Here we are again!

Not exactly... the casting director came out to talk to some of the actors about the wait and to answer questions, and turns out the other actress was here for her first call!

What do I do with this information?  I'm interpreting, "We like you Beth, but we're not fully ready to commit."  OK, me no likey that line of thinking.

I think I'll just ignore it and take my "I got this" energy in the room!


Did I break my CAZT curse of NEVER booking at that place?  Stay tuned...

Gay Baby Meets the World!

 Tonight is a very exciting night for everyone involved in making the very funny and wonderfully-executed  short film, Gay Baby.  Tonight it will world premiere at FilmOut Film Festival in San Diego!  

Produced by Wonder Entertainment and directed by Kevin Kelly, Gay Baby is the story of two expectant parents who get some most unexpected news at the doctor's about their unborn, fabulous son.  Starring Larry Sullivan, Tye Olson, myself, and Richard Riehle, Gay Baby explores how one father comes to terms with the news, with a little help along the way!  
And... the festival programmer was kind enough to pay for my hotel accommodations tonight.  Delightful!

Gay Baby was also recently accepted into NewFest 2010 in New York City, Frameline 34 in San Francisco, and the 12th Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  Woo-hoo!

Walk in Those? Heel No!

 Today I wore a skirt and heels to an audition.  And the role certainly didn't require it.  I was playing a waitress, so I barely looked at the script.  Why?  Before I hung up my apron for good, I had more than 13 years experience slinging food and drink for tips.  I got this.


But what's up with the get-up?  It was a snooty, upscale waiter, but still... a skirt?  And heels?  I looked at those heels and my sore feet rather disapprovingly when I got home.  Three inches?  Get off my feet!  That seemed excessive.  But... haven't I heard about taller shoes lately?  Much taller?  Like, five and six-inch heels?  That's insane!  Right?


So what's up with the tall shoes these days?  Well according to experts, shoe height is at an all-time high.  And who is to blame?  Apparently Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns.  Yep!  Thought is, that the recession is driving escapism.  Thus, women are towering!  Lady Gaga escaped more than anyone, when she strutted her stuff in 12-inch heels for her "Bad Romance" video.


Yikes!  Sure, heels make women feel taller, thinner, more stylish and sophisticated, but at the cost of pain, stress fractures and safety hazards galore?  


I applaud being fashion-forward, but three inches is my limit.  I'm putting my foot down.  In a flip-flop.

Lucky

Some people in your life are just indispensable.  No, I don't mean, you couldn't bear to defriend them on Facebook. I mean they serve an important purpose in your life, that you might even from time to time, take for granted.  But truly, you can't imagine life without them.  


Your best friend who listens to you, counsels you, tells you the truth, even when you don't want to hear it, but need to.  The mom or mother figure in your life, who always remembers your birthday and always wants to take care of you and always forgives you.   The neighbor or friend who always takes in your mail or takes care of your pet when you're out of town.  Your friends you can always count on for support, advice, a laugh, and good memory-making material.  And if you're really lucky, the special someone very close to you, who understands you, puts up with you, and loves you just the way you are.  If you have all of these, you are incredibly lucky.  And you certainly don't need Facebook.


And why am I so sappy and nostalgic on a Sunday night?  I have all of those people and Bailey.  Just realizing how incredibly lucky I am.  


Have a great week everyone!

Nice

 How nice is it when people are nice?  


Sounds so simple, but if you've ever been an actor at an audition and felt unwelcomed, dismissed, or even... a little, (ahem) abused at a casting office, you know just how crappy that feels.  You take the time to prepare, drive for what could be two hours in traffic (yes, one way!), normally struggle to find parking, and then usually spend some time waiting among other actors to be called in.  Who wants to do all that to be given little or no direction and one take?  Upsetting?  Yes!  Necessary?  No!


At an audition yesterday I was taken by the patience, positive energy, and just plain kindness of the session directors.  They took the time to make sure I understood everything and got a great take.  I left thinking, wow!  It should ALWAYS  be like that!  That's an office that can say, "We love actors!" and actually mean it!  And what do you know... I had a callback today.  And the clients?  So nice!!  The first thing the director said to me was, "We loved your audition tape.  So great."  What?  A director who wants to give his actors a confidence boost before performing?  Sure, he probably said that to everyone... and that's GREAT!  Such a positive experience. 


Nice.

Easter Audition

  First of all, really?  Got the audition through my own submission on LA Casting, where I don't have video to submit, so a little weird to me even to be called in for a film.  No script in advance, red flag #1.  Huge crowd of 20 somethings waiting outside, red flag #2.  Multiple duos of 20 somethings acting out the same scene, so weird to witness and pretty sad in many cases.  Not a red flag just painful.  Sides are not in script format and are not exciting, red flag #3.  So why am I still here?  Well, I left my cozy home on Easter Sunday and drove to Van Nuys (insert puke a little bit in my mouth here... we all know how I fell about the good parts of the valley!) because the breakdown boasted the project is going to Cannes.  I figured if I have to go to Van Nuys to get to Cannes, I suppose I will.


The verdict?  Well if I had to guess, I'd say no one there is going to Cannes anytime soon.  Not an overall terrible experience, though.  They didn't have a reader, so they brought us in two at a time.  Kinda felt like a free acting class where the teacher liked us.  That's always nice.


And what else was I going to do today anyway?  Sit around and eat Easter candy?  Making up for that now!


Happy Easter everyone!!  

Getting Redy?

So, in my post, "Two Cents, Please!" I asked for your input on what you thought might work for me if I changed up my look.  I actually got far fewer responses than I anticipated, but two of the same stood out to me.  The wonderful Erin Smith and Lira Kellerman both suggested I go Julianne Moore red.

What would that look like on me?  


What about a slightly more subtle approach...

How'd I do this??  If you've never tried this before, it's SO fun!  Go to www.taaz.com and start your makeover!  It's FREE!!!  You can upload a picture, then save the makeover look to your computer. Warning, it just might suck up your whole afternoon!  


What else is awesome about taaz.com?  They give you celebrity hairstyles to choose from, and while "Beth Shea" hair is not yet an option, my friend and actress Erin Cummings is!  I screamed when her hair came up!  How cool is that?  GO ERIN!!!


OK, I'm sending this to my reps to get their input as well...


Thoughts??

Grant Me One Grant, Please?

  On this Good Friday, I have a question for the universe?  How do a couple of funny ladies go about getting a grant to make a funny feature film?

Leigh Hall and myself, started Hall of Shea Productions when we decided to take our goods from stage to screen.  We started with the short film Not in My Family, followed by Love Royale (won "Best of Faux" at the Faux Film Festival 2009, then the 2-part series, Represent, and most recently The Bold and The Fuel Efficient, still in post-production.

We've managed to fund these one to two-day productions with favors, friends, and sad-looking savings accounts, but I'm afraid that won't cut it for our first ever feature film endeavor.  

We've got a great script, great cast in mind, all the energy and excitement we thing we'll need... just need some money and guidance.

Thoughts??  

I Don't Want My MTV

Today I have a plea.  Not a rant, not a bitch-fest, a plea.  HEAR ME MTV.  PLEASE STOP MAKING TELEVISION SHOWS!  After careful consideration, your programming line-up has been deemed vacuous, incendiary and void of any and all substance.  When I was a child, I watched Madonna, Motley Crue and  The Bangles on MTV, in MUSIC VIDEOS. That’s what the “M” used to stand for.  Now it stands for Malevolent. MTV used to be the most relevant source of music and music news to its young audience.  Kids would rush home from school to catch World Premiere Videos, MTV Unplugged, and Total Request Live (TRL).  Personally, on Saturday nights I stayed up late for the Headbangers Ball.  Today, our youth (and some not so youthful) are assaulted with programs such as “Tila Tequila, a Shot at Love.”  This abysmal dreg of society looking for bi-sexual staged relationships, recently took full publicity stunt advantage of her “fiancée’s” death.  The late Casey Johnson (Johnson & Johnson heiress), was found dead at age 30 earlier this month and had apparently been dead for several days before her cleaning lady found her.  Clearly what would happen to someone in a loving relationship.  Tila “grieved” on Twitter, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfN6l4xlVU saying “My wifey’s not dead, she’s just in a coma!!!  Omg!!!”  And then there’s Heidi Montag of “The Hills”, who recently plotted with her creepy husband Spencer to buy herself some press by apparently getting ten plastic surgeries in a day.  Something you really want insecure, adolescent girls who watch MTV to idolize.  I feel dirty just writing about these people.  This all brings me to the man of the hour.  Markice “Kesan” Moore  reality star of MTV’s “From G’s to Gents” is currently wanted by Georgia police for beating his one-year-old daughter.  He’s accused of accused of breaking both of his infant daughter’s arms, one leg, 3 ribs, a collarbone and bruising all over her body.  http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/20/mtv-gs-to-gents-star-markice-kesan-moore-police-attack-baby-infant-broken-bones/ I hope he and MTV die a painful death.  I just hope MTV dies much faster.

The Sound of My Voice?

  One part of the business that still remains a relative mystery to me is voiceover work.  The idea sounds fantastic!  No worries about hair, make-up, wardrobe or whether or not I'm having a fat day.  It seems to be the one area of show business where talent is in fact, the winning factor in who gets the job.  Unless of course, that voice comes from a name who is up for the same role.  That name is, as a rule, the universal winning factor.  Oh, to have a name!


So how do you get into voiceover work?  The short answer is, I have no idea.  Many friends who have a voiceover agent "fell into it" while pursuing in a smaller market, such as Chicago, San Francisco or even New York.  Well, no such fall for me to date.  I did however attempt to send off a voiceover audition to a casting director recently.  Failure ensued.  Not in the performance, but in my technology crisis.  Turns out the sound recorder on my Blackberry saves it as a file that can't be opened on anything other than a Blackberry.  Also learned that the microphone for my PC is a joke.  And not a funny one.


Lessons learned!  So, any tips out there on getting into voiceover work?  Do you really need a V.O. reel?  And if I do, couldn't I just get some copy and record it myself?  Anyone have a PC microphone that they recommend?  I'm listening!  


Have a great weekend!!


   

For the Joy of Joy!

  I very often say something far too few actors ever say.  I LOVE MY MANAGER!  I'm represented by the wonderful Joy Stevenson at Stevenson Talent Management.  She's been in business... well, longer than anyone I know (we'll leave it at that!).  She has an outstanding reputation and every casting director I meet and/or audition for, knows and loves her.    


Her clients are never just someone on a list they remember meeting that one time.  She welcomes my questions, concerns, and comments all the time, often returning even my late night emails with little delay.  And more importantly than anything, she gets me.  She consistently sends me out for roles that I'm right for and I can say without a doubt, works solely in my best interest.  I feel SO blessed to have her working for me.  My fear?  That she'll retire!  How could I possibly find another manager who would come close to matching up?  I try not to think about it and I just look forward to making her rich before that dreadful day!

Uncut Me!

I might be recession proof.  Not just because I work for the government and am very resourceful at getting stuff for free (ya know, like genetic blood testing in Canada, that kind of thing).  I have been finding the best deals I can on everything I need and want since I could say, "charge it."  Or rather since I stopped saying "charge it." Which I really wish I'd never said.  That's why I've been going to Henry Peck at Uncut Hair http://www.uncuthair.com/ for years now.  Marveling as it is, even on Beverly Blvd in Hollywood you can get good hair for not much money.  Not a fancy place, but who cares?  I'd much rather get a great price on a haircut than be offered a glass of wine I don't need (which inevitably I'll have when I get home anyway).  Henry's GREAT.  Prices?  He's an equal opportunity kind of guy, same prices for men and women.  A haircut runs you $30, color $55 and up.  Do make an appointment: Henry (323) 580-4447 And tip him well.  At those prices for his work , you'd better!

Easy, Green & Happy!

  Can I just talk about a few things I love?  Ok, if you read my post Demo What? you heard me talk about how important it is these days for actors to "show, not tell" what they do best, and that there's really no excuse these days for an actor not to have a demo reel.  And while you originally may want to use one of the amazing demo reel editors I mentioned in that post, how about keeping it updated? Yourself?  I'm not edgy nor cool enough to own a Mac, so I have to settle for Windows Movie Maker... which I LOVE!!!  It's SO super easy.  Here's the latest cut of my reel I updated this afternoon: The Beth Shea Demo Reel  


OK, my last name is Shea, my dog's name is Bailey, yup I'm Irish.  And I love that wearing green tomorrow drastically narrows down my outfit choices ( I always pick out my work clothes the night before, a chore I LOATHE!).  I love that "Flash Forward" is coming back on Thursday and I LOVE that my handsome man is working from home now :)  And that he's keeping my other handsome man company.  Happiness is good!!  

Working Bugs!

Everyone needs a good laugh, it just feels good!  And if you read my post, "Attractive"  you might know that Abraham-Hick says it IS good to feel good.  So, to achieve that right now, check out this very funny short film I'm in, Donation.  It's written and produced by the amazing Leyna Juliet Weber and Annie Lukowski of Working Bug Productions and if you're a fan of Kym Whitley , well if you're not, you will be after this! I play a flower lady, raising money for important rodent causes.  Great cast, great writing, great execution.  And it's no surprise.  You might have heard of Working Bug Productions last year when they launched the hit web-series, "Road to the Altar," starring Jaleel White (you probably remember him as Urkel from "Family Matters") and the always fabulous Leyna Juliet Weber.  It's a hilarious mockumentary-style look at wedding planning and all that happens leading up to the big "I do!"  I appear in episode one as Mary the wedding planner http://www.workingbug.com/road1.htm Check out all ten episodes, so well done!  It's no wonder "Road to the Altar" got attention and praise from EXTRA!, Entertainment Tonight, TV Guide, Huffington Post, and Access Hollywood, to name a few.  I see GREAT things from Working Bug in the future, which is probably why I'm partnering with them on a web-series currently in development called "A Series of Unfortunate People."  Stay tuned!

Avila Beach -- The Round-UP!

Overall we had a very relaxing getaway to a little beach town just outside of San Luis Obispo, CA called Avila Beach.  Should you ever have the pleasure of visiting, here are a few do's and don'ts, based on my experience:  DO stay at the Avila Village Innwww.avilavillageinn.com Extremely reasonable rates, friendly staff, great rooms (we had a private hot tub on the balcony, ahh), fresh coffee in the lobby at all times AND fresh baked yummy cookies daily for the guests!  DO bring or rent bikes and take a ride down to Front St.  Very bike-friendly area... Also VERY dog-friendly (although Bailey stayed at a friend's).  We saw big dog bowls full of water everywhere and you can take your pup on the beach before 10am and after 5pm. DO stop on Front St. at the very cool, beachfront Wildwood Winery http://wildwoodwine.com/cm/homepage.html for a $5 wine tasting (7 wines).  Bike ride back to the hotel was a bit challenging.  DO have a nice dinner at Gardens of Avila at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort http://www.sycamoresprings.com/.  And get the mussels!  Delicious, delightful, loved it!  DO grab a quick lunch or dinner at the Avila Beach Deli on Front St. or the Avila Village Market.  And DEFINITELY get a massage from Trish at the Avila Bay Club and Spahttp://www.wcaclubs.com/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=AB.  She has a background in medical massage and is amazing and very reasonable.  And my massage went about 15 minutes longer than it should have :). OK, the don'ts: DON'T go to the Custom House Restaurant on Front St.  I ended up writing a complaint email to the manager:
Hi Hope, Last night around 6:15 I came into your restaurant and was greeted by a friendly hostess who instructed me to order from the bar when I told her I wanted to get something to go.  After waiting a good ten minutes, a clearly in the weeds bartender for no apparent reason, told me, "We don't do to-go orders."  OK, if that's your store policy, why didn't the hostess know?  And then he double-checked with the other tattooed, tank-topped bartender (or possibly manager -- was that you?) who didn't bother giving me the respect of even looking at me but instructed to the other bartender that I could get pizza through the door to the side of the bar. I've worked in food in beverage for 16 years in the capacity from hostess to manager I am comfortable saying that all of this was unacceptable and COMPLETELY unnecessary.  Was insulted and felt ill-treated.  Will not be returning to your establishment.
Lastly unless you like so-so wine and watery coffee, DON'T go the Avila Wine and Roasting Company.  Nice guy running the stuffy little place, though.

The Scariest of Lakes!

Last night I attended the premiere of The Lake : The Lake trailer . This well-written, well-directed, well-acted, well-monstered, all around well-made (and yes, scary!) short film, is the newest from Just Chorizo Productions.  Written and directed by Jason Dodson, who made his directorial debut in 2007 with the drama, The Accident , The Lake tells the story of a body of water, once believed to have healing powers, which drew in terminally-ill patients, seeking its potential.   But what happened to all those patients who came looking for a miracle?  A few young campers are about to find out!  Production Stills from The Lake  


And speaking of potential, The Lake has it.  Dodson's plans to turn the short into a feature are in the works, alongside producers Henry Saine and Colin Ebeling.  Saine, cousin of Dodson, recently made news when his first ever feature film The Last Lovecraft: The Relic of Cthulhu, made it into the Slamdance Film Festival, then landed a distribution deal with Dark Sky Films.  Oh, and who could forget Henry Saine's first two hilarious shorts Not in My Family and Love Royale, starring and written by Beth Shea and Leigh Hall?  


When will the feature version of The Lake hit a theater near you?  Stay tuned!