Donna in Hollywoodland

Donna Grayson

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Good Friday ... Auditions and Church Service

On Good Friday, we usually get out of work early about 2pm. But I had been called for an audition on a "Spec" commercial for an automobile company. A "Spec" means they are doing a mock-up commercial to submit to the marketing company in hopes to get them interested. And it usually is not a paying gig. So, I had to take a long lunch for the audition...

We are so busy with the end of month, and my coworker is still out on maternity leave - well, I thought about canceling the audition since it wasn't a paying gig. But I am glad I didn't. It was at 12:45, in the Wilshire area east of Highland. I just love that area. And after all the rains we've had, the air was clear, the sky was blue, the day was sunny. A perfect afternoon to be out.

The auditions happened to be held in the offices of a very well-known Talent Management Company. I think sometimes these firms will match their clients up so they can work on projects together to get the exposure.So thats why they are involved in the "spec" commercial. And besides, the offices were very pretty... marble and an artsy reception area.

One of the conference rooms was a holding area for the auditions. And I always appreciate it when those in charge make an appointment time, and stick to it. It gives a very professional impression. Makes you want to work with them even if they aren't paying you. Combine that with the fancy office for the audition, and I'm sold.
Since we were all sitting around a conference table waiting for our turn, it was easy for the other actors to chat. One guy just arrived here from Switzerland a few weeks ago, and he was already doing the audition rounds.

My audition went pretty well I thought. Say the same line, a bunch of different ways, into the camera. I was in front of 4 different people sitting at a table who were auditioning me. At the end, they wanted me to do something really big and crazy - and I got a good response, one lady said it was excellent, and that was exactly what they were looking for. I was really happy that it went well.

Back at the office, I ended up staying until 4 pm to make up for my late lunch break. Everyone else went home early at 2pm. Such is the suffering of an actress...

At 7:30, the Church I attend was having a Good Friday Service. "A Service of Gathering Darkness", to remember Christ's death. The church was so packed with people, I ended up sitting in the balcony, way off to the side.

The first half of the service was wonderful, with a cathedral choir dressed in black singing sad and beautiful hymns in Latin ... or is it Greek ... or Spanish for all I know, I don't know much about this kind of music. At home, I look it all up on the internet...

It is Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen - a Los Angeles based composer.( Official Page).Yes, it is Latin and it was originally written for the Los Angeles Master Chorale -( Official Site ).
It means "perpetual light". And it is a very moving piece, perfect and meaningful for a solemn Good Friday service.

The second half of the service was a play called "The Way of Suffering" by Jim Custer . It was the story of Peter's and Judus' betrayal of Jesus. It was done in modern dress, with the Paschal candle lit to the side. As the play went on, the church lights were dimmed alittle bit more, darker and darker, only the Candle and the stage lit. The darkness gave the event an even more serious tone.

One thing made me chuckle though. In typical Hollywood fashion - some of the actors smeared the actor playing Jesus with fake movie blood during the more dramatic scenes. I guess The Passion of The Christ has left its mark - even on church performed Passion Plays.

By the end of the service, the entire church was dark, the candle blown out and all the lights off.
A very touching and dramatic ending to help us remember Christ's death on the cross.

posted by Donna Grayson # 1:27 AM (0) comments

Friday, March 25, 2005

Tuesday ... bummer
Tuesday was not a good day. I had signed up for a one night acting class with a Casting Director, via The Learning Annex. I was really looking forward to it. But in the middle of the afternoon, it started pouring down RAIN. One of those awful rains we have in Los Angeles where all the streets flood because it is coming down so fast. I kept checking out my office window, hoping the sky had cleared up... but no. And the big thing was that I am in Hollywood... and the class was in Santa Monica . It would be next to impossible to drive to the class in this weather. Even though I was going to give myself an hour and a half - people at the office said it would probably take me closer to three hours. (On a sunny day, you can make it there in under an hour.)

So I called the Learning Annex and explained the situation. They were actually very nice about it. Even though the cancelation policy says to cancel three days in advance, they let me cancel with only a $10 fee, and a credit on my account for the balance, just hours before the event. Nowadays, everyone is understanding about things when we have our bad weather. It is just impossible to get around.
I was still very sad about missing the class. I had really wanted to go. Then just a few days later, one of the zillions of mailing lists that I belong to, sent out an email that they had a special price on an upcoming Learning Annex Class - I just needed to sign-up with their coupon code. It worked out to be the same price as the credit on my account, so it all worked out in the end.

Since my evening was free, I decided I might as well do some more grocery shopping. I am on a baked (roasted) vegetable kick right now. Just chop them up, mix with spices (oregano and basil are my favorites) and alittle olive oil, and stick them in corningware and bake. Yum, Yum ... and next to no calories. I decided to go to Mayfair Market where I they have a great produce section. Its alittle bit pricier, because they are related to Gelsons - but I know the fruits and vegies are always top notch. (My only regret - no Club cards like Ralphs and Vons .)

I saw along the way, that I needed to stop for gas. In the pouring rain. You know how the gas stations have those over-hangs to protect you from the rain ? Well, I ended up right underneath the end of it. Not realizing I was about to get a bucket of water dumped on me. I was drenched. I had to move my car to another spot.

However, the vegies at Mayfair were great. I made a roasted Califlower, Asparagus, Onion, Celery, & Carrot combo. I also picked up some Sushi and Tofu Spring Rolls. Mayfair has a great selection of sushi items.
Sushi, Tofu Spring Rolls and a glass of Chardonnay for my rainy drenched night.

posted by Donna Grayson # 6:34 PM (0) comments

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Millions... a Wonderful Movie

After reading the Los Angeles Times Interview with director Danny Boyle, I decided I really wanted to see the movie "Millions" .

So after church, I headed over to The Grove to see "Millions" .
I really did love the movie. It is very touching and very funny. Its about two young boys after their mother dies. Once boy starts imagining that he is talking to Catholic Saints. While he is talking to a Saint near the train tracks, a bag falls from the sky. It is filled with money. The two brothers decide to keep the bag of money without telling their father. That is what the entire story is about. How they deal with the money. What they do with it. It is interesting to see one boys reaction of becoming very materialistic, and the other boys reaction to want to give it to the poor.
It really is a great movie with alot of moral thought behind it. The two kids who play the boys are wonderful. The filming is also amazing.I was just amazed watching the halos on top of the Catholic Saints heads. Really a great movie.

posted by Donna Grayson # 1:00 AM (0) comments

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

"Be Cool" On Friday

Be Cool

Soundtrack

I have a friend who works at a big, big movie studio. (Yes, she does get to meet big, big stars.) One perk to her job is that they have movie screenings for the employees and they are allowed to bring one guest. And they do get movies sent over from other movie studios to screen for their employees. The studios show eachother's movies to eachother's employees.

So she told me they were screening "Be Cool" tonight. I really had wanted to see it, so I figured that the drive to West Los Angeles after work would be worth it. I had to take a short lunch, so I could leave earlier to get there on time. It was drizzling out a bit as I drove.
First, to get on the studio lot, you have to drive to the guard gate, give them your drivers license and they make sure that you are on the list. Then they put a pass in your car, and give you a pass to carry.

The exciting thing was walking through the lobby, and seeing the Oscar statues in the display cases. That was pretty amazing.

No food and drinks are allowed in the screening room. And the theatre for this screening was pretty packed full.

I really got a kick out of "Be Cool". I though it was hysterically funny. Both
Vince Vaughn and The Rock , are completely hysterical ! There is one scene were The Rock's character has to perform an acting monologue - it is the funniest
scene in the movie. I was howling. You must know that their actually are some actors who would actually do a monologue the exact same way The Rock does his. I am sure it happens. And after you see the movie, you will know what I mean.

Robert Pastorelli, Harvey Keitel, Danny DeVito and James Woods are all great in this movie.
Seeing Steven Tyler in a movie role was pretty interesting.
And of course, John Tavolta and Uma Thurman do a great job, thought their characters are the serious ones.

The movie is filmed in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Alot of the restaurants, streets and other places are places I go past all the time. I have eaten at the restaurant Toi on Vine . Its was interesting to see how they changed the signage on the stores and buildings to make them something they are not in "real life".

But if Hollywood interests you, you definitely should check out "Be Cool". Check out the scenery in the background. And I think you will find the way it portrays the entertainment business very humorous.

posted by Donna Grayson # 11:50 PM (0) comments

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