Last week, I returned from a 10-day family trip to Maui, Hawaii. I know - be jealous :) I absolutely fell in love with the island, it's people, the pace of life, the colors, and especially...the FOOD. Note to self: for future reference, all "revitalization trips" shall take place in Hawaii.
Though the vacation definitely succeeded at meeting my very cheesy "Three R" goals (Relaxation, Recreation, Rejuvenation), it also taught me an important lesson about the acting industry: timing.
Becoming the actor I want to be will take a lot of hard work and patience, a little bit of luck, and a boatload of being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, it's hard for me to accept that so much of my success as an actor is out of my control (yes, I'll fess up to my Type-A tendencies). But I suppose it just means that I need to TAKE control of the things I can, whenever I am able.
Like this vacation, for example. My family planned the dates to fall during university spring break, not only so all could join us, but also because of the weather, fares, etc. If you've ever planned a getaway, you know what I'm talking about.
How was I to know that two days before we left, I'd get an audition for a guest star role on "The Good Wife?" Due to the episode's shooting dates (mostly while I'd be away) I didn't go to the audition. In the minutes after making that decision, I was halved:
Part of me was severely disappointed in myself. If I want to make it in this industry, shouldn't I be willing to do anything and everything to kick open that giant wooden door standing in my way right now? The other part of me - let's call it the logical side - kept repeating that this wasn't my LAST opportunity; there will be others. In the end, I wasn't willing to sacrifice my family vacation (and a good thing I didn't!) because I have to believe that more opportunities are out there, on the way, just around the corner. They are opportunities I will meet head on; this one just wasn't meant to be.
Oh, one more thing they don't teach you in school:
The acting year is broken up very specifically. Januaryish-Aprilish = Pilot Season, aka STAY in New York (or Los Angeles, if that's how you roll) for those new shows, and for maintenance on shows that aired in fall and didn't get canceled. Aprilish-Juneish = Pilot maintenance, aka STAY where you are again (or switch coasts) to be at the forefront of the changing pilots that got picked up. Juneish-early Augustish = this is a good time to go on vacation. Augustish-early Decemberish = a few more pilots start up now, and maintenance on extant shows is rampant. Decemberish-Januaryish = another good time for vaycay, just in time for the holidays.
It's just another formula I need to remember, one I intend to commit to memory so I don't ever feel like I shot myself in the foot again.
It seems like just yesterday - the giant purple gown, the super noisy...noisemakers, the never-ending crowd at (old) Yankees Stadium...
But I did graduate. And - I'm embarrassed to say - I did have the "OK world, I'm ready: cast me!" moment. Okay maybe I had a LOT of those moments. And when my call went unanswered, I panicked. I froze. The terror seeped in - I went to acting school WHY?! - and I dug myself deep into a rut I thought I'd never escape.
But, in the words of Stephen Sondheim, "I know things now, many valuable things that I hadn't known before." There are some things you just can't learn in the safety of acting school.
Sure, we learned about the practical things - like "there will always be someone who hates your headshot" and "learn how to properly apply makeup so you actually do look like your headshot, not a clown" - but there's so much more to being an actor than how to audition and effectively analyze a script.
One of the reasons I love this industry so much is because it's physically impossible to know everything. And if these past few years are an example, I have SO much yet to learn. The most important thing I've recently discovered is that, for me, the journey through the unknown isn't scary anymore. It's exciting! I know. Crazy, right? I have no clue where I'll be next week/month/year or who will be paying my next (acting) paycheck. And that's okay.
It's also okay - by me, at least - that I've given up trying to please the intimidating people (aka "The Big Cheese") on the other side of the casting table. Because honestly? There's no way I can know what they're looking for. All I know is if I'm in that room, I'm meant to be there. All I can do is be prepared and be consistent and give the best audition I can. My personal best. (I know I'm starting to sound cliche and sappy - forgive me. I'm getting to the point.)
Words cannot describe how valuable this lesson has been for me. How lessening my control (just a bit) and relaxing (a lot) have brought me leaps and bounds further than where I was even two months ago. Case in point:
This past Friday I went to my first pilot audition of the season. My first pilot audition...well...ever. It was a FOX TV Studios drama for ABC; I auditioned for a cop named Leigh. My wonderful agent called me the day before, sent me the sides and - when I requested it later that night - the full pilot script, and I got to work.
The beauty of pilots is the characters are raw material; I had a unique opportunity to create a person based solely on the words on the page. I had so much fun becoming Leigh, and I think it showed in the audition room.
I went on-camera for Marci Phillips and John Ort (both of whom I'd had the pleasure of working with in workshops this winter). Neither of them wanted to give me adjustments because they enjoyed my choices so much! As I left the room, Marci even said how pleased she was to see me bring myself to the character :)
Needless to say, I felt (feel!) pretty darn proud of myself. Getting rid of those demons - you know, the ones that make you dwell so much on the "what ifs" and the "that wasn't rights" that you're never actually IN the moment, enjoying yourself? - is the single most satisfying thing I've done for myself since graduation.
But I ain't done yet. My first pilot audition is now in the producers' hands...but the season is far from over. Let the wild pilot season start!
As this decade (wow) draws to a close, I'd like to take a minute to tie up all my loose ends - including one apology and one resolution.
The Apology: I have been extremely lax in regards to updating my news feed. I apologize profusely to my family, friends, and friends who have become family - I do receive your emails and well wishes! Not to sound like a diva (*shudder*) but I do read every one; I'm just really terrible when it comes to the responding part. I truly appreciate all your support as I work my way through these first few "post-school, real world" years...I'm already at the door, and I can feel it starting to give - I just know that with a few more good hits, it'll be kicked wide open! Or at least cracked. Which brings us to...
The Resolution: I really like the idea of starting each year with a clean slate and fresh goals to attain. Y'all know me: I'm the over-achiever who actually sticks to these resolutions and works her lil' tushie off to reach those goals! So let it be said that I - Lipica Shah - officially resolve to improve my correspondence skills, increase my networking ability, and keep everyone in the loop this year. This promise includes a commitment to update this news feed AT LEAST once a month, and respond to all emails, phone calls, carrier pigeons, etc. in a timely fashion.
And finally...my 2009 in Review. I'm OK with the fact that I use a lot of exclamation marks. I hope you are too :)
The Top 10 Things I am Most Proud of Accomplishing This Year (Acting-related):
10) Getting in shape! Now, this might seem like a stock answer (or a stock resolution), but I have struggled with body image for years. At an audition a few months ago, I looked around the room - at people I was essentially competing with - and realized I needed to kick my ass into gear if I wanted to be a) taken seriously in this (oft superficial) industry and b) competitive in this industry at all. So I did. I've never felt better in my own skin! The hard part will be maintaining this program (NOT diet...diet is a four letter word with bad connotations) through the holiday season and beyond. But hey, if I made it through Thanksgiving - all 4 of them - I feel like I can do anything.
9) In 2009, I auditioned at least once for every show that shoots in New York City - I even got callbacks for a few! Booking one of those roles is the goal for 2010. And now that those casting directors have seen me, all I have to do is maintain the relationship, stay on their radar (see "The Resolution," above), and continue doing good work.
8) I'm in a textbook! At the very end of 2008, I auditioned to be a new character in the I-Zone English Learning Textbook Series, popular in Asia and the Middle East. Todd Rucynski, the director, cast me (a wise decision, if I do say so myself haha) and Maya was created. I had a blast working with everyone to create the DVD segments and the preliminary trailers and specs look great!
7) Yet another CollegeHumor video...this time a parody of the Twilight Saga, Twilight: Three Wolf Moon. What I love about working with CH (aside from the constant hilarity on set!) is they like working with the same people over and over. So the first time I worked with them (the ER parody) I was in the background, the second time (Slumdog Price is Right) I had some nice screen time, and this time I've got a line. Can't wait to work with them again! In the meantime, check out Twilight: Three Wolf Moon below.
6)Dov and Ali! I've already written about my time in Chester, Massachusetts this past summer - it really was wonderful to be on stage again. Thanks to the cast and crew for a great (and interesting - Uncle Larry's? The Dreamaway? Sinking the canoe?) time!
5) I'm on IMDb! A few films I've worked on have completed, are in, or will be entering the festival circuit - thus, I've got some IMDb cred :) Just go to www.imdb.com and type in my name, or click HERE to see my page.
4) I am so thankful and proud to be signed with Bloc NYC Agency. Jim, Fatima, and Tony (and Liz - miss you!) you guys are wonderful. Thank you for your patience and hard work - I've learned SO much just this year...the sky's the limit for next year!
3) For anyone who doesn't know yet, I'm currently in pre-pre-production (haha) for Bornila Chatterjee's upcoming feature, Oh Sophia. It will be my first feature, and I play the lead, Diya, an introvert who comes out of her shell in this pseudo-fractured love story. What's wonderful is us actor-types have the opportunity to create our characters - and, in turn, influence the story's creation - because we're doing all this work now, even though we won't shoot til summer. I can't wait to work with y'all at Peresempio again :)
2) Thanks to my five-week stint at the Chester Theatre Company performing as Sameh in Dov and Ali (see #6), I am now a proud, card-carrying member of the Actors Equity Association! Being in the AEA has opened many doors for me, as far as auditions go, and - as I take more advantage of its benefits - will open many more.
1) The past few months have been kind of quiet on the audition front, and (I think) I've been using my time wisely. Instead of sitting around and whining (which...OK I'm sure I did for at least a few days), I've been busybusybusy taking classes and workshops with Casting Directors all over NYC. My goal was to meet someone from every major network before pilot season begins in January. And I did it. I've met and been seen by CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, the WB, and Law and Order, and received very positive feedback. I'm not gonna lie, a lot of their comments made me feel...I don't know...validated? As an unknown actor right now, it made me feel damn - dang - no, damn - good to receive their praise. Some highlights:
"I know you say you're all about 'drama' and 'CSI' and stuff...but I LOVE the sitcom genre for you. You were able to maintain [character's] neurosis even through the serious moments." ~Michal Zecher (CBS Primetime), after my audition in her workshop.
"Wow...Smart, fun, interesting, engaging, unique...Everything I look for and want in an actor...sit down." ~Marci Phillips (ABC Primetime), after my audition in her workshop.
"Wow...I'd give you adjustments if I thought you needed it." ~Clint Alexander (FOX Primetime), after my audition in his workshop.
I'm SO ready for pilot season...Bring it on.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year - see you in 2010!
An excerpt of a review of Dov and Ali in "The Pittsfield Gazette," a Berkshires newspaper:
"The women are the most interesting characters here, both impacted by their male counterparts’ struggle to decide whether to be true to their faiths or to be what Ali describes as 'a halfway person.' As Sameh, Lipica Shah is an enticing narrator. She also emerges as the most human person, overcoming the sometimes stiff dialogue."
When I first came back from Chester, I walked out of Grand Central and into the heat, noise, and life that is New York. I'll admit it - after more than four years living in this city, it was jarring to suddenly "come back." Where Chester has birds singing in trees and the smell of fresh air and the sense of community that comes with living in a small town, New York has pigeons swooping dangerously close to one's face, the smell of garbage lining the streets, and the sense of being just one of oh-so-many. Jarring is an understatement.
But at the same time, living and working in this city is a privilege. One's senses are constantly stimulated - creation is on every street corner, in every subway stop, atop every tall building. As an actor, it's impossible not to feel inspired by the ever-changing environment. As an actor, I sometimes feel useless when I'm not using the city's gifts.
Dov and Ali was such an amazing opportunity, and I find myself itching now to move on to the next project - to be able to, as an acting teacher once told me, put my environment to use.
I recently shot a Public Service Announcement on behalf of a campaign sponsored by MTVU and the Half of Us program. The PSA aims to raise awareness about Iraq War Veterans trying to make the transition back to everyday life. Check it out by clicking HERE
I am so proud to announce that I have been cast in the New England Premiere of Anna Ziegler's play, "Dov and Ali," going up this July at the Chester Theatre!
Okay okay, I know what you're thinking: "WHAT?! Lipica's doing theater?!" Well I'll have you Negative Nancys know that this whole shebang started with theater. Remember "Into the Woods?" And that ugly prosthetic nose? Well, there's no more nose, but "Dov and Ali" is truly an amazing work; the first time I read it I knew I needed to be a part of the production. Lucky me :) Here's a description of the play, from the Chester Theatre Company's website:
"Dov is a Jewish high school English teacher. Ali is a Pakistani Muslim in Dov's class. When Ali comes for extra help on THE LORD OF THE FLIES a complex relationship is born. Dov's culture has taught him to question everything, Ali's culture -- to accept everything his father espouses. But, it's the women in their lives who will pay the price of Dov and Ali's failure to cross the cultural divide. A fearless play that tackles powerful world issues for an intimate, human perspective."
I will be portraying Sameh, Ali's younger sister, and the narrator of their story. She is a deeply religious girl, but with her own beliefs about what that means. Patient and loving, she has a quiet strength that makes her seem old beyond her years.
It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to work on such a meaty character (not fat meaty...meaty like juicy. Okay I'm just gonna stop.) and I'm excited to dig in (seriously, I need to end this metaphor).
I hope some of you will be able to come see the production! All the details can be found on the Chester Theatre Company's website, www.chestertheatre.org.
And for my last trick, here is a College Humor parody I worked on a few weeks ago. It's called "Slumdog Price is Right." I'll be you can guess where this is headed...
