Writing

Tread lightly spark story warning.

Fixed the link.  So the transcript is  good to good to go.  In it I talk about the gut check. And that you want to reveal your truth but not abuse yourself.   People who have particularly emotional sparks tread lightly. You must have real world support to take this risk. IE. A therapist  (7 years myself) or life coach (in and out of life coaching myself) to have processed your stuff. If you have never come to terms with your past and it triggers you, it's probably not meant to be shared. 

Personally a one woman show emerged from one of my childhood sparks. Like the memior it's true, but would never hold up in court. We tell it so it's crafted and entertaining and mush characters and incidents together for dramatic effect. But the truth is there in a big way. It is the impact that we leave with the audience and it's also the foundation of the work.  It is at it's core writing like you act.  

Remember when you first started taking acting classes before you picked up a text and you did basic exercises getting to know yourself?   It harkens back to that time.  (This is if you of course for those who were trained in this way.)

Everybody: Eat the fish and spit out the bones.

You are the president of your artistic country. 

A great question from Richard: Do you usually write, include standard cover letter…or think that resume/headshot speaks for itself? Is there a good website for samples?

Hi.

I do not think that the resume speaks for itself.  i prefer to give the  picture and resume in person and if I am using snail mail to send a post card of a photo that captures the essence of the role as described in the script or breakdowns. I would have it printed by http://printstagr.am 

Every submission is a pitch for a specific project.  So you have to write about your connection to the role or project in a way that is super specific.  

What are you bringing to the role?  What's your offer?  How will you make their project better. I will look for samples.   

 


Here's one off the top of my head.

Dear Original Big Daddy,

Watching Empire is like hanging out with my Detroit family.  Thank you for making a show that I personally relate to so intimately. 

I saw the role of Geneva come up in the breaks and I am compelled to reach out. I know why the caged bird sings. I have survived. I long to bring this truth to the work. 

It would be an honor to audition for Geneva.  

I will follow up with your office on Monday for an appointment time.  

In the work,

ROZ (this would be a link to my actor page) 

PS. Have you read my article about the impact your work in television is having on the african america artistic community. (that would be a link) 


Dear Original Big Daddy,

Watching Empire is like hanging out with my Detroit family.  Thank you for making a show that I personally relate to so intimately. 

I saw the role of Geneva come up in the breaks and I am compelled to reach out. I know why the caged bird sings. I have survived. I long to bring this truth to the work. 

It would be an honor to audition for Geneva.  

I will follow up with your office on Monday for an appointment time.  

In the work,

ROZ (this would be a link to my actor page) 

PS. Have you read my article about the impact your work in television is having on the african america artistic community. (that would be a link) 


So the skills are writing. Taking a photo that captures an essence in one frame.  Follow through and GUTS. 

Some of the results that my students and clients have gotten are astounding. Artistic relationships that create workshops and friendships alike. 

I assigned my students taking a photo that captures the breakdown.  There are some on instagram #nyuaida #aida2014 

Here's one of my favs. ( I will fill this in as soon as I find it)

 

This post will be updated. 

 

Great question about headshots from Betsty

Here's another great question I got via my email. If you need to know what week we are creating something to ask. It's also on the schedule. Week for is writing like you act.  Week five is photos. 

The images we make are homemade based on your discovery of self through a series of upcoming exercises. Not the same as pro headshots. We do the images week 5. You still need traditional headshots.