My First CD Workshop

I attended my first workshop at The Actors Key (theactorskey.com) tonight. 

It was interesting.

How does it work?

I paid a $12 fee to join the website. I then paid $50 for the CD Workshop tonight.

It started with a Q &A session with the Casting Director. It got strange. Lots of actors acting like EVERYTHING that she said was amazing. Lots of sucking up. 

Then, we all went into the hall to wait until our turn came up to perform for her.

You go in the order you arrive at The Actor Key. Donald went last. It was a 2 hour wait. 

While I waited, I watched the other actors. I saw some intense, crazy actor stuff. Lots of practicing what faces they would make. Lots of talking to the wall. 

I went in, did my thing, and left.

One cool thing is we get written feedback. 

My biggest criticism? I had only average energy. I think waiting for 2 hours and performing at 9:30pm zapped my energy. 

Lesson learned. Next time, ill be showing up earlier.

Now, I'm off to figure out which CD Workshop to go to next week!

Relaxed Focus

I was hitting the pads with my buddy, Chase, tonight and I had a realization.

When I'm slapping the feces out of the pads, I'm connected. I'm plugged in. I'm in the moment.

I'm 100% present. 

I'm also relaxed. 

I'm loose. 

I'm not tense.

This is what I've been trying to accomplish with my acting.

When I focus on my partner, I tend to tense up. Being tense on camera doesn't read well. 

Tomorrow, (at the request of my manager) I'm going to my first Casting Director workshop. 

I'd been holding off on beginning CD WORKSHOPS until I had more extra money, but my manager is right. I'm NEVER going to be seen by the important CD's until I attend their workshops. So, tomorrow I'll begin going to at least one CD Workshop a week. These workshops cost $35 - $65 a pop, but it's guaranteed acting time in front of the decision makers. Seems valuable.

I plan on putting myself in the same mindset that I'm in when I'm slapping the pads. Focused, connected, and relaxed.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

You Are Who You Surround Yourself With.

12 years ago, I was a Junior in High School. The cast of our One Act Play was on a camp out/retreat. I was friends with most people in the cast but I hadn't got to talk to the lead actor as much as the others. (You know me, I want deep conversation.) 

I struck up a conversation with him about God. We talked for hours, way past when everyone else went to sleep. During the course of our conversation, we realized that we had the same dream. We both wanted to be in and make movies. We made a pact that we would both end up in Los Angeles and pursue the dream together.

From then on out, we've been best friends.

He moved out to Los Angeles years before I did. He's much braver than me. 

He was the voice that kept pushing me to make the move to LA when I was teaching and everything else in my life was persuading to stay in a  life of comfort and little risk. 

He gave me a place to stay while I was apartment hunting. He'd give me the shirt off his back if I needed it. He's awesome like that.

Even now, he challenges me to learn Kung Fu, Ballet, Parkour, and improve my physicality. We all need friends that challenge us.

They say you are who you surround yourself with. 

That's a good thing.

I choose to surround myself with that rare combination of dreamers who make things happen.

He's one of 'em.

Only in Hollywood

Had an audition for that comedic feature this morning. 

Of all the things in life, auditions are often the weirdest and in the middle of ALL that weirdness, we're expected to be natural. 

It's a funny business friends.

I got there at 11:00am and there were no actors there at all. I was the only name on the sign in sheet. I felt like I was about to get Punk'd.

I went into the audition room. 

"Do you have any questions?" The director asked.

I thought for a moment.

"Yes. When I begin dry humping, do you want me seated or moving around the room?"

"Seated the first time and moving the second."

Only in Hollywood.

I aced my dry humping, by the way.

The Beach

Spent all day today at the beach in Malibu.

GREAT TIME!

It was a weird, overcast day but we rolled with it. The water was crazy cold! Next time, I'll bring some water shoes. Lots of rocks under the water. Took a lot of time, patience, and courage for me to wade out.

Saw a couple of people flying kites. I can't remember the last time I flew a kite! These kites were huge and looked like a lot of fun.

Saw a guy paddle boarding. I REALLY wanna try this! You just stand around and paddle like you're the king of the ocean. I'm gonna be a bear shaped Poseidon when I get my hands on one!

After beach time, we ate seafood at The Reel Inn. Good food at a fair price. 

We took the back way ,through he canyons, home. It was beautiful. I'd LOVE to live in that area someday. Lots of trees and hills. 

We pulled over and bought some fresh cherries from a truck on the side of the road. It was a pretty awesome snack for our drive home from the beach.

I have an audition tomorrow for a feature called LA MINUTE. Should be a good time! I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! Hope you did AWESOME things.

Ask Donald

I can't believe this is my 150th post! What?!?

In celebration, I'm opening up the blog to you guys. 

Do you have a question for me?

Something you've wondered about living the actor's life in Los Angeles?

Any topics you'd like me to cover? 

Ask your questions in the comments below or shoot me an email at donaldleegipson@yahoo.com

I promise to respond to EVERY idea that you throw my way. 

Scout's honor. 

Happy Thursday, gang!

Updates

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Big Donald!

I'm named after my Dad, so my entire family calls me "Little Donald" to help differentiate between the two of us. It's a southern thing, I think. Charming, right?

I've got A LOT of DIFFERENT stuff going on right now.

So many awesome opportunities!

1. We start filming Season 2 of "I Hate My Coworker" (www.ihmcwebseries.com) at the end of the month. It's going to even FUNNIER than Season 1! I can't flipping wait to play Mike again! So much fun. Happy to be a part of it!

2. I'm going to be in a staged reading for a feature film on May 21st. Very excited to be a part of the film during it's earliest stages of development.

3. I'm getting ready to start up a Dialect and Accent Reduction newsletter to send out via email to people who sign up at my website (www.DonaldTheDialectCoach.com). The newsletter will have tons of FREE advice and tips. Planning to have that up and running by the 1st of June (I hope!).

4. Still going strong with my ballet/Kung fu/ Parkour workouts! Feeling great. Feeling strong.

5. My Dialect Coaching is continuing to grow. I'm REALLY enjoying working with actors and helping them gain skills that will take them to the next level!

I've got a few other secret plans up my sleeves too ;)

Exciting stuff happening on all fronts!