The Head shot that launched a thousand sh-- auditions.... ahahahah

THE ONE AND ONLY HAS OFFICIALLY RETURNED!!

I'm BACK!!!!

It has been almost 4 months, almost enough for me to give up. On this blog, I mean. NOT on life. Cause life is good right now.

I will take you back to ALL the things I've done these past 4 months.

A lot has happened.

I am a different person, a little more focused and serious, but just for this post. As soon as I get back on track and up to date, my sarcastic vein will pop out again, like never before.

So!

I am still incessantly an insomniac, it's 8:48 am and I still haven't gone to bed! And I don't think I will at this point.

Can I just do a shopping list, so I can get right to the heart of it all:

-My parents are in town!

I am very excited, they had already visited me about 2 1/2 months ago (after 2 1/2 YEARS without seeing each other) and we had spent about a month together, visited Sequoia National Park, Yosemite, Santa Barbara, etc.

-Lotus (the music group) has finally taken off! 

We have performed in Vegas, my first time going there, and I had a blast, huge stage, tons of pictures taken, free unexpected limo rides, I loved it!

We had a show at Club DV8, hosted by KIIS FM, which went great; and this Sunday we have another show at The Knitting Factory, before leaving for our major show in San Francisco next week. It's cool to think that a short while ago I was in these clubs, partying, and now I am performing in them, ha ha!! ;)

-Flute/Music

I am now enrolled at the prestigious Colburn School in downtown LA. It's amazing, the building is luxuriously located in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Which is inspiring. And I couldn't have asked for a better teacher, it seems that finally my prayers have been answered. I forgot a small detail, I have a new flute! An amazing Miyazawa in solid silver, that my parents bought me as a gift when they came to visit. My sound has improved, I doesn't even compare. 

I am still member of the Traction Avenue Chamber Orchestra, and today I will be playing/practicing at M.I. (Musician's Institute in Hollywood) with another orchestra that I recently joined.

-Bellydancing

is going well. I haven't had time to take classes, but I keep practicing, and I feel I have improved, still have a long way to go, but I love this art form more and more everyday.

-Kung-fu

I have re-started classes, after a 3 year hiatus. Now I'm doing Wushu. And I am training hard in a studio in LA, haven't started weapons yet, but I have been going diligently, so much so, that I had an exam after 2 weeks of classes and already moved up 2 levels. The instructor tells me I am talented, she doesn't know who I am though, she'll be in for a surprise when I start the 3 sectional staff!! ha ha ! As of right now I am well-behaved, I am quiet, reserved, mildly mysterious and always concentrated. We'll see.

And the best for last:

ACTING!!!

It has been going great! Obviously it could go even better, if I'd get a role that paid me 2 million and won me an Oscar. But for now, I can't complain.

I have been booking projects back to back, without having to audition. It's a victorious mix between a great head shot (Thanks my darling) and a persuasive tone on the phone.

I have been cast in 2 feature films (one paying particularly well) and 1 short movie, which seems to be festival-bound.

I have been getting a ton of auditions too, but I am being very selective.

I have been trying to submit one of my previous projects to IMDB because it was officially selected at a festival, which was another accomplishment....

-Health/Personal Life

Good for now, I feel a little happier lately, no black cloud above my head.

I have reconnected with a couple of friends and forgiven a couple of nasty people and love seems to be finally in place. 

Only thing I long for now is a massage, an exotic/excursionist vacation and a colorful couch, but not in that order.

More updates coming soon!

Oompa Loompa dupa di dooo. I have some special poison for you!

Acting books advise you not to miss auditions, in other words, don't flake like everyone else in this city. Well, I am not completely sure that that is to be taken as gospel, because I did. And it was ok. Actually, it was even better.

I ended up not going to this one audition I was talking about,  (check previous post), because driving there was gonna be more expensive than what I would be getting paid "in case" I got the job. 

Oops, my bad, it's a free job. Let's say, I am actually losing money if I do it.

As I was going to bed that night, amidst several guilt trips, I started imagining the casting directors murmuring amongst each other, and crossing out my name with a big red marker. They were laughing heartily as they were adding me to this enormous encyclopedia-like black book. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh Help!

Then I woke up, checked my mail-box and opened an email, where I was (unexpectedly) invited to a second-round of auditions:

Dearest Rachel,

We noticed you missed our latest audition. 

Our Apologies if the scheduled time didn't work for you.

Just in case, we have scheduled another audition for you on...

We would love to have you come in and read...

A reminder, this role is for C/C/M.

Thank you so much for your time.

Looking forward to meeting you

See attached sides and call us for any further inquiry...

Ok, come on, where's the catch?!

Either these little sweety-pies are fresh out of high school and don't have a clue how auditions and show-biz relations go, or it's a plain ol' farce.

Let's analyze together, and discover the oddities that were committed.

1- Dearest-  uh, why? come one, that's what my aunt writes. We are strangers, get off me.

2- Missed- sorry, error here! I didn't "miss" it, I avoided it, there's a slight distinction.

3- Apologies- for what? I'm in loss for words... You guys are nuts...

4- Love- yo, back off, what's with all this peace and love nonsense, sounds too queer and sugary.

5- A Reminder- hello? this is NOT just a detail. It's THE most salient point. No money, no honey. I mean, you should put your "reminder" up (don't worry readers, this blog is PG-13), up in the subject of the email. Oh, my!

6- Thank you.... time- oh, yeah, thanks for thanking me for the time you just made me waste. Thanks also, for reminding me, and therefore, making me even more annoyed. Wow.

In case you readers out there are not aware of what the "C/C/M" stands for, let me enlighten you: Copy, Credit, Meals.

Let's go into further detail (and distress):

Copy- well, that is, if you ever get a hold of it. A movie usually takes at least 2 months to be edited (that is for shorts, good luck with feature films). Sometimes it takes more time because: "Duuuuuude, chill. It's Cali, let's go surf, it's all good." I'll let you figure that one out.

Oh, and the copy will be either a rough copy or your scenes will have been mostly cut out.

Credit- All that means is that your name will appear in the final billing, they won't try to claim that your part was played by someone else. This can work to your disadvantage when you happen to see the "project" and not being ecstatic about it, wish that indeed the audience thought it was someone else who played your part.

Meals- my favorite, I could make a whole blog entry just for this.

Heaven on Earth if you're on vacation,

 tantalizingly hellish when you're working

"Meals" is a euphemism for the GARBAGE they feed you on set. That is non-union sets, I haven't been on union sets, yet. People have told me about it, I already dread it. 

Ok, the meals mainly consist of: protein bars from the 99c store (nothing against this store, but let's face it, you can buy aluminum foil there, not nutrient food).

H20- is hard to find a new, unopened bottle, it seems like everyone took a sip out of each and every one, closed the cap firmly and put them back into their formation. Weird.

Candy- yeah, a ton. Sweets, Bon-bons, chips and chocolate bars.

This is a joke, we have to rebel. 

I can't go on a set starved, so I can look "normal" on camera (for it adds 10 pounds (5 kg), as you already know) and then be surrounded by sound engineers and lighting crew eagerly munching down caramelized peanuts and noisily gargle Sprite. Get real!

 They're likely to have to use this camera if I eat their "meals"

It feels like a never-ending  battle everyday more... What is an actress to do, especially when she is... just another actress... 

What's up with Hollywood?

You know, it's gonna be quite hard to document my adventures as an actress in LA with an impending strike. You heard me, an actors strike. Which should affect only union (SAG) actors, you might think, no, sorry, 2 for the price of 1. 

I mean, come on, being non-union is already hard enough. 

Tomorrow I am going for this feature-film audition on super-heroes. Not bad, you'll think. Well, what if I tell you that upon completion it's gonna be uploaded on YouTube, and shown at "festivals" (check my earlier posts where I analyze this expression). Ok, and I am supposed to do it for free? And I suppose you want me to smile in the process and maybe chow down your nutrient chocolate bars that you'll provide as "meals on set"...

Question:  And... Where the money at? 

Yeah, yeah, acting is food for the spirit, it enriches your soul and every fiber of your being... BS...

Excuse me, what about rent? And my much loved fettucini with mushroom, imported from Sacramento, their price just went up to $3.99 from a decent $3.49.... you're telling me I won't be able to afford them with the non-salary that acting is (non-) providing?!!!

With that in mind I was considering this other project. 

It was paying, and well too. That sounds fishy for a start.

As I start reading the requirements, I realize... , I'm supposed to play a butch-dike, hairy 30 year-old producer, that makes out (passionately) and for no apparent motive, with the lead actress (who in turn is expected to skip around the set topless and lovin' it)... Please.

I'm not even gonna talk about the "male" characters...  I'm done. Adieu. (for now)

My (Creepy) Collage a.k.a 

a form of meditation

Friends like these - (meglio soli...)

Things do happen in 3.

I split up with my man of 3 years, my parents's situation... and now I had an argument with a good friend (which I am not going to name).

It was unexpected and it hurt. I care for her and never imagined this would happen.

Sometimes it feels like it's L.A., it's the air, it does something to people. 

It's impossible to make real friendships. Maybe I'm jaded, but why is it so hard to find someone who just wants to be your friend? Someone who doesn't want something in return and is not your "friend" only because you can help them up the ladder?

I guess I should get a pet, then. If that's the only being who will love you no matter what. 

Whether you're an acclaimed star or a star-bucks employee. 

Only problem my house is way too tiny.

I did a belly dance show tonight, and found out that there is a snippet of the video I did with the pop group. Enjoy:

Lotus- "Entice Me"

This is the video that was shot in 13 hours, starting at 6 pm and wrapping up at 7 am. 

I know why the caged bird sings...

Ballet is fundamental if you intend to be (or just pretend to be) a dancer. 

I am currently taking Beg. Ballet at The Edge with Edouard Kouzmitch. He is a great teacher. Laid back and precise at the same time. His class is too much fun, only when I finish do I realize I am drenched in sweat and can barely move my limbs. A complete workout. As I am writing, my abs are still hurting.

I almost forgot! Here is a video I did for the King of Persian Pop.

I played the nun.

Shahram Sabpareh- "Barat Mimiram"

This shoot was a lot of fun. First off, I was cast from my picture. The ad asked for someone with a nun costume. You won't believe it, I dodn't believe it.

When I first moved to L.A. I attended The Stella Adler Academy of Acting.

Where I took various classes, including "technique". One exercise they had us do, was this monologue about being captive in a convent (or monastery, for the boys). We had to deliver it to a caged bird and obviously the climax was the freeing of the bird.

I remember I had decided to step it up a notch and tried to make it even more dramatic by being a blind nun. Cool idea, only problem is on the day, I forgot to buy a nun costume (from The Hollywood Toys and Costumes). I ended up borrowing someone elses and never returning it. I think the girl's name was Susan. I am sorry about that, but thanks to her and her costume, I am now in Persian Pop history!!! HAHAHAHAHAH!

I am Be-Witched (bellydance-witched)

Oh my! Record, woke up at 7:45 am. Without the alarm clock.

I was in a mellow mood today, I listened to Santogold to get my energy up. It got me in a DESTROY! mood, instead.

I cleaned the house, with this hat on. I decided to buy it for future art modeling sessions, since last time they asked me if I had one like this, and I didn't I almost lost the gig . HA!

Perfect Casting for The Witches of Eastwick (or Hocus Pocus)

I also went to the gym with Nathalie to play racquetball, but one ball wasn't enough, so we played with 3 at a time. And, I must admit, we have started a fitness trend, people were watching us, we were sweating like piggies and laughing out loud. 

At night I had belly dance rehearsal and I was so happy when Layla complimented me. She said my energy has improved and I am a lot calmer now. Yay! That made my day. (when you go to the site, wait or skip intro and you'll see our business card, where I am in the front Left row).

Home Decor for Mom

Today was the chillest day I've had in a looooong time.

I woke up at 3 pm. Re-started submitting myself on websites: actorsaccess and nowcasting.

Found out I got 2 auditions, which I am going to go to. I mean, I'm pooped but not that pooped.

One of them pays well, too.

I decided to go to Ross and return some stuff I bought almost a month ago and get money back.

BUT, when I was there, I was bit by the shopping bug.

This is what I bought:

They look nice, no?

And I didn't stop there, reason is my mom is coming to visit me at the end of June, and my apt. has to look decent.

  ...having lunch in the jungle...

Modeling is deleterious

I had to wake up early (8:30) hahahaha! to be an assistant for a fashion editorial photoshoot.

The house that we were in was amazing. Very rich, and posh, but a little kitsch.

Just to give you a quick taste of what I am talking about, imagine: The kitchen had a black and white, floral wallpaper all around: and a silver-plated cuckoo clock hanging in the middle of a wall.

I've never hung out with models before. Now I know why. 

I tend to be quiet and observant, and I noticed some subtle behavior that I usually incorporate in some roles.

The day was a mixture between: finding missing lighters (models tend to smoke non-stop), educating a model (she didn't know who Agyness Deyn was, and she is a model) and being agape as how much gin this other model was consuming  (and he started drinking at 11:30 am).

Agyness

After a brief escapade on Melrose for some vintage items (that I couldn't afford), my friend Alana picked me up to go to a Samba show in downtown. I invited Mara and luckily she loved it. We performed at a wedding party, and wow! there must have been like 800 guests. Everyone was gnawing down their steaks and salmons and paying little to no attention to us. 

Apart from an occasional dirty look from the wife of some man that was caught glaring at our skimpy outfits. Hahahahahaha.

ok,our costumes are not that revealing

The show was very tiring, and as soon as I got home, Alana decided she wanted to hit the club scene, so after a few phone calls we were dancing techno at Vanguard.

What a night!

 

Kung-Fu Means Hard Work

My Acting Update:

I have stopped submitting myself to castings and auditions on websites, for a week.

It's been nearly impossible to find some decent, challenging work for a little money.

Most of the projects ask everything of you, pay nothing, and are not even exciting.

Therefore, I decided to put everything on hold and think. 

Take some time off, I spent the day chatting with Blake, Delana and Mara in an internet cafe':

Solar de Cahuenga

A cute, intimate spot, with good sandwiches and a peaceful ambiance.

Obviously, I tried to be a little more productive today, so in the morning I asked my dear Mara to be my very personal director and film me.

We did a quasi-Kill Bill type movie/video where I play a ass-kicking chick that practices her martial arts in an abandoned parking lot.

It was tiring and difficult since I haven't practiced in so long. 

Mara also took pictures of me, in various stances and poses.

Pics and video coming soon.

In the meantime, here are some pics from the World Cup Championship of 2005.

The Opening Ceremony

During the Weapons Form

I am hoping this video we shot, will help me get some more roles in action movies, like: Kill Bill, Michelle Yeoh movies, The Mummy, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

I get disappointed when people don't believe me that I practiced Kung-Fu.

I guess this is one way to prove it:

My "Gold" Piece

 

My Precious Crystal Piece

Medals from World Championship and Disney Competition

One Tough Day

Ok, so here I am. I didn't sleep last night.

I left my boyfriend of almost 3 years. No more, maybe I'll talk about it in future posts, but right now I feel there is nothing to say.

In addition to that, I found out some news about my parents. And it felt horrible.

I couldn't stop crying and blaming myself. Please don't say: "it's not your fault". Everyone says it, and in this case it is in part.

I should be focusing on my acting and all these things suddenly come up and disrupt my balance.

Anyway, I had 2 photoshoots today, one with Mara. And the other one with the pop group Lotus. 

I can't wait to perform with them! 

At night I went to the club: "The Woods" with Blake, who invited me. 

I was supposed to stay only an hour but the music was great and I was having so much fun that I stayed longer.

The Woods - formerly known as Lava Lounge

The Interior

As I was walking back I ran into Nathalie and Dasha.

My ex-roommate and friends from back in the day.

What a chance encounter.

The funny thing is, how they came back into my life the day after I got rid of some bad energy.