The past year has been incredible, in so many ways, but especially because it has been such a productive learning experience. Meeting casting directors, getting auditions, reading for directors and producers, taking scene study classes, updating my resume and reel, working on industrials, pursuing commercials and voice over work, booking roles—it’s been one lesson after another. Perhaps most eye opening has been the realization that knowing your “type” is as paramount to an actor’s success as just about anything else, especially when you’re still establishing yourself. Casting directors appreciate an actor who knows who he or she is and how to market the whole package accordingly. I think, for the most part, I’ve been hitting the mark, but there’s always room to grow. The more I get called in for roles and the more I really listen to feedback from industry professionals, the more I see what I can be doing.

 

So, with that said, I have been on a mission to get a new headshot, and I recently had a photo shoot with Sam Khan over at SK Headshots to do just that. I’ve been working with Sam now for several years. He’s the talented photographer behind my original headshot. All the feedback I have ever gotten from it has been amazing, but I have also been hearing casting directors tell me that they want a headshot that expresses more of the persona that they get from me when I walk into their offices. They say it’s something edgier, cooler, and more laid-back than what they are getting from my current headshot.

 

They spoke. I listened:

 

 

To check out all my pictures and headshots (with more from this most recent photo shoot on the way), check out my portfolio at melissanavia.zenfolio.com.

I don’t like auditioning.

 

There. I said it.

 

All the preparation, all the training, all the hours, all the crazy thoughts – all for three minutes in a room where the variables responsible for deciding whether or not you get a role are infinite, and the least of which is probably the quality of your acting. Despite the fact that the audition room is nothing like what the actual set will be like, you are expected to act, behave, and take direction as if you had booked the role already. Okay, I definitely get that, I do. Casting directors need to know that you are a dependable actor who will be able to deliver during crunch time. And still, the whole thing ends up feeling far too much like a dance monkey dance scenario when all is said and done.

 

Auditions often go like this: You rearrange your schedule for the day and convince yourself that no appointment, meeting, event, or meal is as important as this audition. You break down the breakdown and probably question why they’re calling you in for this role in the first place, pour over the lines (in some cases…that would be singular), research the project and spend an inordinate amount of time perusing the addictive labyrinth that is IMDb, spend too many unproductive minutes dreaming about landing the job, hurry to the audition, get lost, grow frazzled, urge yourself not be frazzled (which only makes it worse), find the right building and kick yourself for not having found it sooner, review and review more than you should in your head, and now find yourself sitting in a chair (or on a couch or just the floor or leaning against a wall) trying too hard not to look awkward. But you probably do anyway. Then they call you in, after what seems like either too little time or too much time (the grass is always greener…), and you go in probably only to end up doing precisely what you told yourself not to do. Finally, you leave, in an anti-climactic flurry, convinced (or at least telling yourself) that you’re probably not cut out for the acting world anyway.

 

And then you wait. And wait some more. And keep waiting.

 

The waiting is the worst. It’s the only thing I can think of that I like less than auditions. At least with an audition you have a chance. Waiting is slow and painful torture that may or may not turn into anything at all, like a sneeze that never comes. Everyone will tell you that you have to forget the audition as soon as you walk out the door, but that’s about as easy as something incredibly difficult, especially if you really wanted the part, which is the other thing you’re not supposed to do (another maddening concept to wrap your head around). The easiest way to do it, of course, is just to occupy yourself with more auditions and jobs, acting or otherwise, but then out the window goes all that “maybe not cut out for acting” pep talk you thought you were giving yourself.

 

But auditions, like so many things, are as necessary as they are terrible. If nothing else, take comfort in knowing that the shittiest of auditions will make for the most memorable stories when you make it big, like Chris Evans from Captain America demonstrated recently in an interview with Backstage.

I look forward to the day when I, too, will have an awkward Ben Affleck story to tell. That’s when I’ll know that auditions are the least of my problems.

It’s no secret that I have been singing the praises of this place since I first discovered them about two years ago. A truly unique networking studio for actors with major casting connections and new success stories to boast about every day, The Actor’s Green Room is an invaluable resource in an industry where it’s as much about how talented you are as it is about who you know.

 

Starting this week, all of the above is still true, but you might be less inclined to believe me because, well, what I have to say about AGR might now appear a bit biased:

 

 

I was thrilled when Jen Rudolph asked me to come onboard as her assistant and communications liaison for events and intensives. The position allows me to work remotely and fits remarkably well into a writer/actor/editor’s crazy schedule.

 

If you’re reading this and haven’t done so yet, check out AGR’s website to see their list of upcoming intensives and events. The list of upcoming casting directors, agents, and managers is, as always, impressive, and the speed at which classes sell out only seems to be getting faster. And I’m happy to now be a part of making it all happen =)

The past week has been unbelievably exciting and intense. From Sunday to Saturday, I filmed two separate projects and spent just about every waking minute in between takes writing and editing articles.

 

A few weeks ago I was cast as one of the lead soldiers in an industrial commissioned by the military. We started shooting last Sunday in New Jersey and went all the way until Friday evening. I met a lot of very talented actors and crew members, learned that I have a terrible salute (that gets better with practice), and was told repeatedly that I made a very convincing soldier in uniform, even when we weren’t filming. So in case I’m ever looking for a professional career move…I now have more options!

 

Last week was also the deadline for about 15 articles that I was editing for a medical expo magazine I have frequently contributed to over the past few years. They were all interviews with doctors and research pieces on topics like pelvicology, enzyme replacement, network spinal analysis, gluten intolerance, and chronic illnesses. Heavy stuff, as per usual. I also had to write and edit two of my own articles – an interview with Dara Torres, the five-time Olympic swimmer who has only gotten better with age, and an in-depth look at the shocking range of toxins in our water, with commentary from three medical professionals. There was an incredible amount of research involved, but all the work and sleepless nights paid off –

 

 

 

Then early Saturday morning I was on the set of Imogene, the new Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening comedy filming in the city, to shoot my scene with Kristen. I auditioned for the role back at the beginning of August and found out closer to the end of the month that I got the part. The crew was amazing. I had my own little trailer, got fitted by wardrobe, and went to hair and makeup where they said I only needed a smoky eye look and minimal makeup (yay!) and that my hair was already perfect for the part with the little amount of product I had put in it (double yay!). The directors, Shari Springer Bergman and Robert Pulcini (Cinema Verite, American Splendor, The Nanny Diaries), were great to work with, and I even had a wonderful stand-in who filled my shoes while they positioned lights and cameras. And then my scene! Kristen Wiig was awesome and funny, as expected, and we both agreed that clothes should not be complicated when you get into a dressing room (completely random, but important nonetheless). If you’re trying to buy a dress that boasts ten different ways to put it on, it’s probably not worth the hassle. Before noon, I was wrapped, but it was enough excitement to last me the whole day. I finished off the night at a Bill Bailey show in the city with my boyfriend.

 

I’m looking forward to more weeks like this in the future, working hard and doing what I love. In the meantime, I’m in desperate need of a nap.

I booked a role this past week in Imogene, the new Kristen Wiig/Annette Bening comedy filming in the city. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I was both shocked and thrilled when my agent (the awesome Michael Rodriguez from The Roster) called me with the breaking news. The audition was about three weeks ago, and I had already forgotten about the part, thanks to a handful of very cool other auditions, including a director/producer session for a pilot, that were occupying my time. I even remember being especially frustrated after that particular audition because I was convinced I had done terribly. Okay, maybe not quite terribly, but not as amazing as I had envisions. I called Alex, as I always do after an audition, rather dejected and then walked to the subway with my head hung low, only to have the ticket machine add $20 to a MetroCard that it declared invalid…after charging me. The transaction was eventually reversed without any work on my part, which maybe should have been my first indication that the events of that day were looking up =)

 

My friends over at The Actor’s Green Room were equally as elated when I updated them. So excited, in fact, that they posted the news on their website:

 

 

It was also my birthday this past week – August 24th. Right on the cusp of two signs, I am a full-fledged Virgo with hints of a Leo. I spent it this year with my family during the day and at a voice over workshop at night (typical me). It was in many ways the perfect day. Alex, who had been out-of-town at a press event for Ford, took me out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants the next evening. I even wore a dress, that’s how fancy and important the night was to me. Together with my Imogene gig, it was an amazing week. Here’s to a new year, great experiences, and, of course, more roles!!

As much as I’m enjoying the summer, it has been by no means devoid of work. That’s just not me. I like getting things done, even when I’m on vacation, and this year has been no different. The past month has been packed with auditions, workshops, classes, reel updates, and general acting “To Do” tasks. At times, it has been frustrating. Imagine leaving an audition that you felt less than thrilled about, finding out that your MetroCard has nothing on it (as the train pulls in), walking to the next subway station because the one you’re in doesn’t have a ticket machine, adding $20 to the card, receiving a message that the machine is printing receipts, receiving a second message that the card has an error on it, and then being handed a mail-in form by the ticket agent so you can contact the MTA to request they look into the $20 you paid for a card that doesn’t work…sans receipt. Maybe frustrating isn’t even the right word. But alas, in this business you have to find every ray of hope. At least I eventually got on the train, right? That’s something.

 

But even more encouraging is being reminded of why exactly you put yourself through auditions and the subways that get you there. A director I worked with last summer/fall recently sent me the final cut of the short film we worked on together. It made me smile:

 

In my first post last month about advice I have received from casting directors, I mentioned that neither my resume nor reel aptly reflects the comedic aspect of my acting abilities. Sure, my theatre credits include roles like the Jester in Twelfth Night and several roles in one-act comedies, but nothing (yet) in terms of film. My reel is also not particularly funny by any means. The reason I bring it up is because a prominent casting director told me that he always looks to see what improv/comedy experience an actor has before even casting him in an under-5 in a sitcom. This makes perfect sense, and yet, there I was, staring at my very serious-looking, drama-heavy resume. So I set off to remedy this and recently started taking improv classes at The Peoples Improv Theater (PIT).

 

The class is diverse, and there are definitely some more sketch/improv-experienced people than me, but if anything, it’s been a great learning experience so far. Things I’ve learned? It’s hard to think on your feet when you haven’t slept in a week (I recently launched a new wellness/beauty magazine, Raw Beauty, that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning). Don’t overthink things. Be open to possibilities. Allow yourself to be silly. Sometimes what your day is missing is a ridiculously absurd, yet overwhelmingly cathartic improv game.

 

Our graduation show is in August. So far only Alex (boyfriend) and Soraya (little sister) are on the invite list, but who knows? Maybe this whole foray into the world of improv will prove a riotous success. Melissa Navia: successful stand-up comic!

Casting directors want to cast us. When they give us adjustments, they’re doing it because they see something in us that just may work for the role. It’s just up to us to deliver. Following up my last post, here are some additional pieces of advice that I have received from casting directors -

 

Your personality counts. Smile. Laugh. Be honest. Who wants to send a nervous, fidgety actor to a television set with experienced people? Sure, you might just be acting like that (no pun intended) for the audition, but casting directors are meeting you for the first time. They might think you’re naturally a sweaty, gibbering mess unless you show them something different.

 

Don’t overstay your welcome. I’ve seen other actors do it in workshops right after casting directors have told them that unnecessary conversation after an audition is one of their pet peeves. Hey, I’ve probably done it, too. As one casting director put it, “Don’t give us any reason to not want to cast you.” When you’re done with your audition, say thank you, and exit the room. This also means taking into account how many bags you bring into the audition room with you. You don’t want to have a great one-minute audition followed by two minutes of you trying to gather your belongings.

 

Target specific casting directors. From what I’ve been told and read about, mass mailings are not the most effective, but one commercial casting director advised me to pinpoint casting directors based on different criteria. Did you see they were holding a workshop? Did your fellow acting friend meet with one of them? Have you seen they’re casting a film that’s shooting locally? It all goes back to doing your homework and being proactive about it.

 

Follow up…when you have something to follow up about. What would you do if you had an acquaintance that emailed you every other week to mention the changing weather patterns? You’d think it was weird. So do casting directors. They all get the, “It’s sure hot out there!” emails, so don’t be the umpteenth person to do it to them. Got cast in a new project? Just landed a new agent? Updated your headshots? Write them a note, hit send (or drop a postcard in the mail), and be on your way.

 

Let it go. Easier said than done. Believe me, I know, but it’s true. You can’t dwell on what you did and didn’t do because it will eat at you and hinder your preparation for that next audition. A casting director recently pointed out the importance of not hanging on every audition like it’s a life raft to your dreams. She has found that people who go on auditions but also have a job they love tend to fare much better. Audition like it’s just your job. Go in and do what you do best. If it works out, great! If it doesn’t, no sweat, because if you’re doing what you need to be doing, i.e. getting out there, meeting casting directors, updating reels, practicing your craft, then there will always be the next audition and, eventually, the perfect role for you.

 

Now let’s see if I can follow these guidelines as well as I’ve outlined them here…

Casting directors are a wealth of advice. So is just about anybody you meet in the industry when it comes to the world of acting, but there’s something particularly eye-opening about a conversation with a casting director. They may only be gatekeepers, as many of them are quick to remind eager actors who hang on their every word, but, well, they’re gatekeepers—and you’re not! Impress them, and you’re one step closer; do anything else, and they’ve already forgotten about you. Sure, your agent is fighting for you. Yes, your acting teacher says you’re brilliant. Of course your trainer thinks you look fantastic. And yes, your voice over coach claims you’re a natural. But if the casting director, in those precious few moments of face time, thinks you’re anything less than perfect for the role, what’s the point? The idea is to be prepared, prepared, prepared. Know what to expect, and expect the unexpected when you get to that audition. While every casting director is unique and cringes at different pet peeves, there are some words of advice that I’ve heard them give over and over, specifically in the last week (AGR workshops – gotta love ‘em). From films and television to commercials and voice over, common sense seems to prevail. But as actors, especially in auditions, the last thing we often carry with us in our acting binder is common sense. So, without further ado, here are some tips to remember from a few prominent NYC casting directors -

 

Do your homework. Do you know what casting office you’re auditioning for? Did you get the script along with your sides? Should you know how to pronounce the name of the character because it’s a TV show that’s had multiple seasons already? Your audition is a job interview, so treat it as such, and learn everything you can about “the company” before walking through the door.

 

Make sure you diversify your resume. A top network casting director pointed out to me that he always looks for an actor’s comedy experience before casting them in a sitcom. So I thought to myself, “Well, I’m pretty funny!” But when you look at my resume, you wouldn’t know it. Every character I’ve played leans toward the serious/darker side, and this is most definitely reflected in my reel. So improv class, here we come!

 

Arrive early, but don’t be annoying about it. We’ve all done it. We have several stops to make, and that audition is smack in the middle of the day. A casting director pointed out to a group of us that he might not be thrilled if the first actor he has scheduled for the day arrives 45 minutes early. It could be potentially annoying, and the casting director, who had been looking forward to enjoying his breakfast/lunch/whatever, is now thinking about the actor sitting in the lobby—and not in a good way.

 

Do something different. We often forget that the casting office we happen to be in on a given day doesn’t revolve around us. Before you walked through that door, fifty others did the same. And when you leave, fifty more will do it again. Imagine taking in all those new faces in one day. The truth is that you really can’t, and casting directors don’t. For the most part, everybody who came in to audition for a certain role will read the sides in the exact same way. The acting will be good, the choices will be clear, and the resume will be ample. But the read will be the same. Don’t risk being forgotten. Make bold choices. Approach the side in a new way that is distinctly crazy. Now, don’t go crazy, because that will hurt, too, but more importantly, don’t be boring. Give casting directors a reason to remember you over lunch.

 

Take in the temperature of the room. Every audition has a different energy. Figure out what it is as quickly as possible. If there are five people sitting behind that table, for example, it might not be the best time to engage in any level of small talk with the one person in there you might know from somewhere else in the industry. And consider that handshake before you embark on a tour of it with everyone in the room. I did that once. It was awkward, to say the least, but after the first two, I couldn’t just stop. I’ve also heard some casting directors say they don’t like to shake hands because of germs. So…there’s that.

 

Good stuff, right? Well, that’s not all! Look out for my next post with more words of wisdom from those who hold the proverbial keys to the business.

My writing career has me tackling all sorts of interesting subjects, like fashion, cuisine, fitness, theatre, real estate, design, film, and current events. One day I could be rock climbing, the next I could be in a warehouse learning about firearm components; my new assignment could have me dining for free at a five-star restaurant, or it might land me a month-long membership to a high-end gym for golfers (the lockers were nice, but my non-existent golf game didn’t improve). Organic chocolate? Sure, I can write about that. Your accounting firm needs a website? I gotcha covered. Tim Gunn wants to give me a signed Tim Gunn bobblehead for my little sister after an awesome interview? Why, thank you! …I think you get the idea.

 

But sometimes the strangest and most wonderful topics I have written about have been far more medical in nature: liver detoxification, colon hydrotherapy, intercellular health, bio-identical hormones, functional medicine, wellness institutes. Yep, I’m a bona fide medical writer, and my last batch of articles is no exception. From adrenal fatigue and cardiovascular disease to Mediterranean diets and raw food, not to mention one incredible story of determination, the stories I covered gave me the opportunity to meet some truly amazing people. Read, enjoy, and let me know what you think!