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July 27, 2008

Quick Bonnie Gillespie Roadshow Survey

Hi Everyone,

Quick Bonnie Gillespie roadshow survey, if you don't mind.

The third edition of Self-Management for Actors will be out in October and a book tour, speaking tour, seminar series, roadshow of some kind will be on the books. YAY!

Last book tour, we did it ourselves and hit four cities outside of the many events held in Los Angeles. It was a wee tour, but we had a blast and got to meet a ton of people, talk acting, sign and sell books, and all that cool stuff.

This time, I've got a producing partner and a plan for making it a much bigger "thing" than just a book tour. And we're gonna do a bunch of research, formally, before announcing anything official.

Whether this roadshow involves "just me and Anna" or becomes a group endeavor remains to be seen. Whether these events will be "signings in bookstores" or weekend-long courses remains to be seen. Whether we're talking about freebie quickies or fee-required intensives remains to be seen.

Here's ALL I want to know right now (although, I welcome your feedback on format, timeline, cost, number of participants and instructors, etc., if you're feeling moved to share such):

Where should we go?

Yeah, I can check my wholly under-utilized Eventful page to see where a few folks have said, "We'd come out and see Bon," but I'm posting this blog entry at the Spynotebook, my MySpace, and my Twitter (as well as at the official Cricket Feet Mailing List) in order to get a sense of where y'all are.

Where should we tour?

Give me your city or the biggest city nearby to which you would travel in order to have a little visit. And if you want to tell me whether a quickie book signing is your speed or a weekend workshop would rock your world, let me hear that (with the understanding that only one of those types of things would be a freebie, natch). ;) But, again, the REAL focus of this survey is to find out WHERE we should go.

WHAT? WHERE?

Do tell!

No promises yet--except that every response will be considered and added to the master list as we begin researching feasibility in each location.

If you're a super-duper organized person who wants to be a local "event coordinator," let us hear from you on that too! Like a, "set it up and your tuition is free" kind of producer person, maybe. ??? And if you work at a college or university campus and want to have your drama department or student activities division schedule a visit, I've been hired before as an associate/visiting professor, so there's an option for that as well!

Okay. Enough for now. NOW YOU. Holla! ;)

And we look forward to seeing you--wherever you may be--SOON!

LYMI,
-Bon.

Posted by bonnie at 5:53 PM | Comments (10)

July 24, 2008

Well, that's disturbing.

Or not. Can't tell yet. Just gonna keep hoping for the best. ("No Whammy, no Whammy, no Whammy, no Whammy!")

So, Keith and I have been putting quite a bit of energy into our Quest for Home Ownership lately. We've been pricing property small and large, near and far. We've met with several financial advisors and brilliant people (thank you, AnnaVo) to be sure we're ready to take advantage of every opportunity to buy, once we're in the "best buying zone of our time" (AKA late 2009 and early 2010--just you watch).

Well, one of the things we have always mused about is whether we'd buy our current apartment if the building ever went condo. (We talked about this at our Hollywood Hills apartment too. I think everyone who rents in LA thinks about the "going condo" fate of their building, somewhat.) Well, sure. But we'd also like to buy the apartment next to us, break through a wall, and have both our home and office in the larger overall space. This, naturally, has all just been chitchat, because:

A.) We'd of course rather buy a house--like the one we saw on Doheny last night--than an apartment-turned-condo or even a condo-proper, once we're buying.

B.) Our building is never gonna go condo.

Or is it?

So, today, this notice is on our door. Reason for entry tomorrow:

To exhibit the Premises to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.

Okay, so in case we're getting bought, please let's:

A.) get bought but not unilaterally evicted due to the new owner's plans for the building.

B.) get an offer to buy our unit but not until we can afford--easily--to do so.

And hopefully, they're just coming in to show some workman where there's a crack in the wall from earthquake damage or something (even though that would've meant they'd have likely checked another item on the form, regarding "necessary repairs").

Eesh. "No Whammy, no whammy, no whammy, no whammy!"

We are sooo not looking to move twice within the next 18 months, nor are we ready to buy--anywhere--just yet.

Eek!

Posted by bonnie at 2:05 PM | Comments (5)

July 20, 2008

Why I Think I'm Struggling

Okay, so I'm struggling with digging in on production of the 3rd edition of Self-Management for Actors. Really struggling.

And I think I figured out why.

One, it's been a long time since I wrote a book. Like... nearly three years. And while I'm really good at all of it once I'm IN THERE AND AT IT, it's the getting started that's tough. Ramping up and trying to remember what my style manual looks like, what my presets in each of the three software packages I use might be, even what font I prefer to use (or want to try out this time)... it's all stressful.

Next, I don't remember what the book is like. The old edition. I actually need to sit and read it--cover to cover--again to remember what goes where and figure out what new stuff replaces old stuff, what new stuff gets inserted where, and what old stuff is just OUT altogether this time. And because I've read it all before (many, many times) and because I also happen to write this type of stuff every week for my column, I lose track of what's where and when I wrote or said what and whether it stays or goes or... what.

How many new essays have been contributed? How many have been pledged but are still outstanding? How many that have already been contributed should I send back to the contributors to see if they'd like to do any tweaks, seeing as it's been MONTHS since some of them have come to me (back in time for the first deadline on this book)? Eesh. Admin. It's a bear. Top it off with the fact that Amazon.com has now listed the book as OUT OF PRINT rather than DELAYED and they won't let me tweak the date without backup from our international distributors who can't be bothered 'til they know we're at the printer... which means we're going to be slow on pre-sales. Great. Grrrrrrrrrr!

Finally, during production of Acting Qs: Conversations with Working Actors and then again during production of the 2nd edition of Self-Management for Actors, I had something really amazing that served as a means of being totally disconnected from the world, allowing me to focus entirely on me, my brain, my bod, my soul, and my book.

Spa vacations.

This time, I do have my Wii, but no spa trip scheduled or affordable during this production period. Dangit.

While I may be able to churn out a column for The Actors Voice and a Your Turn every single week, and then moderate a POV twice every month, it seems BOOK WRITING requires a very different skill set. I need good rubbin' and the peace of the desert in order to get into book mode, fully.

Now to make my home more spa-like... hmm... that may be the first order of business.

Looks good so far. ;) Just need to find a way to disconnect all sources of technology and distraction. And then get reeeeeeallllly relaxed.

Posted by bonnie at 1:36 PM | Comments (1)

July 18, 2008

Catching Up

I keep feeling like I'm trying to catch up.

On so much.

Not in the hectic, running, omigod I'm crazy kind of way. Just in that, "Wow! There is a LOT going on and I keep NOT blogging about it," kind of way. I blame Twitter.

Today is the day I officially dove into production on the third edition of Self-Management for Actors. I have six weeks to work on it, then it's off to the printer just after Labor Day in order to hit stores and Amazon.com in October (on schedule. Well... on NEW schedule. Already blew the first deadline, as y'all may recall). Bless my Proofer Patrol!

I'm really excited about this new edition and all of the fabulous new essays contributed from working actors, demo reel editors, managers, agents, fellow casting directors, directors, and producers. It's gonna be awesome. That whole new section on "Advanced SMFA" is going to rock. Just have to get the dang thing written! ;) Okay, so I'm on it.

Also changing my daily schedule quite a bit by adding so much Wii Fit to the day. It's wonderful. I love it. I'm so sore in so many great places and I just feel amazing. I'll share "results" in a week or so, but I can already tell this is a great idea. ;) I'm not saying midnight visits to the gym don't work, but I'm a heck of a lot more motivated to sweat with these challenges than with the silly machines at the gym.

Gonna play with the July showcasers this weekend and next. I love this group! They're so warm and passionate and wonderful. :) All showcase alumni are welcome, but both weekends' events are probably going to be most heavily populated by the most recent showcasers. That's always the way. ;)

I'll be hosting an event for the SAG Foundation with Minnie Driver and Jeremy Renner next week. That should be fun. Also taking meetings with some "corporate future planner type people" next week regarding the next couple of years in the Cricket Feet, Inc., gameplan. Probably not going to cast something I thought I would like to cast (because I'd simply rather not. Weird), and I'm happy for the time to devote to the book.

No spa vacation next week as planned. Used half the spa money for the Wii Fit/Wii bundle and general life stuff. (No. Not a new iPhone. Nancy is doing just fine, thank you).

I'm sleepy.

This has been a boring blog entry. It's summertime. What can I say?

Posted by bonnie at 7:25 PM | Comments (0)

July 15, 2008

Wii! Wii Fit! Birffday Goodness!

So, we've been looking for a Wii/Wii Fit bundle for a couple of months now. Everywhere has been sold out, but Keith randomly popped into a local toy store today and, lo and behold, there it was!

He calls me up and says, "Are we still go for takeoff on buying a Wii/Wii Fit bundle? I have one in my hands. It's $600."

To which I replied, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEEE! Yay!"

And he brought it right home, set it up while I Twittered about it, and then I worked out and played for HOURS.

I'm totally addicted to this thing! Who knew???? It's FUN!

(Now, I didn't like its original "fitness age" for me--49--but I sure as shit loved the "fitness age" it gave me after an hour of working out! 30, baby! 30!!!! YEAH!)

So, apparently, a little computer voice that sounds like WALL-E and the ability to earn points to unlock new games by doing well, plus rankings and feedback on how to stand correctly during yoga poses, how to catch hulahoops around my neck, and how to dance along with the other Mii's in a step class is all I needed to get truly motivated. ;)

Hee!

I mean...

Wii!

Posted by bonnie at 9:52 PM | Comments (2)

July 12, 2008

12 of 12 for July 2008, baby!

Hello! :)

I'm now 38! Yay! And here's my first 12 of 12 of my "new year." Hope you'll enjoy the very at-home-getting-work-done-enjoying-kitties-computers-and-Keith kind of day I had. I sure did! (Don't know what 12 of 12 is? Visit Chad Darnell for all the info.)

12:07am: My wonderful Papa Bear is always so thoughtful with the birthday goodies! He sent me a box of Blue Ridge apple yummies (including loads of apple butters, jellies, jams, honeys, and candies, plus two things--these fried apple pies and an apple muffin mix in an adorable apple pouch--that I can't eat but will happily give away to a fellow southerner who can endure the gluten and will LOVE these goodies like I love my Papa Bear. SO MUCH)!



2:33am: Keith is sleeping and I'm trying to do the same, but I'm obsessed with all the ways in which my 2.0 upgrade to the iPhone (Nancy) doesn't work. Luckily, one new app works just great. MOO! OMG, I have no idea why I'm so obsessed with this thing but I am. It's ridiculous. I blame you, Patrick Carlyle!!



8:03am: Keith has run out to bring up leftover showcase stuffs from his car and I'm being lazy and 38 in bed. Salema comes over to greet me and decides she is a whore for my fingernail, if I'll place it just so for her gum-and-teeth-grazing pleasure. This is a part of this cat's personality that no one ever really sees. Whore!



9:57am: After my shower, I start a huge part of my day. I've decided that I am *over* having 25GB of CRAP on my 'puter and that perhaps Sid will work faster if I just unburden him of some of the stuff that's backed up on an external drive. Eff it! I know where to get it if I need it, right? So, I spend HOURS doing one final backup, deleting GIGS of stuffs, and then repairing permissions and starting over with my new, peppier 'puter. (Still without iPhone syncing well on 2.0, mind you. One thing at a time.)



10:25am: Since my computer is not available to help me do showcase paperwork, I catch up on paying bills. We now have a "money guy" who is advising us to do things like use multiple accounts in order to be ready to buy a house within the next couple of years. Note how long it's been since I've used my cute "personal" checks by the date of the calendar on the check register. Hee!



2:34pm: These are the leftover industry kits from the showcase. Half of these will go out to folks who RSVP'd but couldn't make it for whatever reason and the other half will be disassembled and redistributed to the actors who want their headshots back. It ain't over yet, folks!!



4:10pm: I realized I was CRAVING beef like nobody's business and my lovely husband went to Father's Office to get me the best burger on the planet and some sweet potato fries with garlic dipping sauce. Add in the Ferrari Carano three showcasers gave me and I am in heaven.



4:28pm: But wait! Thwok Kittie (AKA Silver Monkey) has been nudging around. I'm *sure* she's craving meat too! She wants some of the burger. We try that. Nope! No good. No interest. Hmm. She's still hunting. What could she want? Not the fries. Well... what is it? YUP! That bitch wants the LETTUCE on the burger. She loves the beef-flavored baby greens and is begging for them so much that she leaps up and nabs bits right out of my fingers! Good kitty!!!



5:52pm: Not to be outdone, there is the gorgeous Archie Kitty. I swear, he is ready for America's Next Cat Model with this shot!



6:53pm: I am so in love with the gift the cast of the super-awesome showcase gave me! Sooooooo in love! Such a badass director's chair!! (I've said, each time, that I love love LOVE my casts... but I seriously think this has been my FAVORITE CAST thus far--and I've never said that before, so that should tell you how crazy I am about these kids. They're AMAZING people!!!!!!!!!)



8:25pm: Keith is reviewing the ballots with industry feedback and votes from this week's showcase performances and I'm in the process of typing it all up to provide to each actor who participated in the showcase. Getting feedback from industry is one of the COOLEST parts of the showcase. The actors crave knowing what the pros think! Of course, I share my feedback too. ;) (And I'm such a fan of all these actors, or I wouldn't have cast 'em in the first place, right?)



9:02pm: So, Keith and I are having our standard Saturday date night. COPS and America's Most Wanted, a little booze and some frisky action. ;) So, you'll excuse me as I cut this short and head to the other room. ;) Hee!

It's a good life, here. Hope yours is too. :)

===========

I've been asked to share all the places you can stalk me. Okay. Here they are. For now. ;) Enjoy!

http://myspace.com/bonniegillespie
http://twitter.com/bonniegillespie
http://thebiz.variety.com/people/bonniegillespie
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniegillespie
http://eventful.com/performers/P0-001-000003707-6/demand
http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice
http://more.showfax.com/plus/pov
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm1024379
http://spynotebook.org/bonnie
http://actorslife.com/article.php?id=226
http://cricketfeet.com/faq.html

NO! I am *not* on the Facebook. Nothing personal. Just not looking for more stuffs. ;)

==========

Thanks, Chad, for another wonderful 12 of 12 experience. Always good fun!! :) Kisses!!!!

Posted by bonnie at 10:24 PM | Comments (7)

July 11, 2008

The Sum of All Years: 37

Sid, Nancy, Gerry Kelly.
Cast biggest films yet, met with a superagent, had a biopsy.
Did The Experiment, sent in my pencils, fixed a hole.
Delayed SMFA3, trusted Keith, walked the red carpet.
Spa vacations, weightloss, life.



Posted by bonnie at 4:58 PM | Comments (10)

July 8, 2008

No Time To Blog!

Okay, so obviously, I have like no time to blog. (Yet somehow I always find time to Twitter. Something about that 140-character limit makes me show up and do it. A lot.)

But I realized today that if I put together a bunch of my Twitter posts, I could actually compile a blog entry without having to work too dang hard. ;)

And I could share some photos from Quinn's visit.

So, here we go.

June 12th, Quinn's Arrival

bonniegillespie QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! QUINN IS HERE! (Yay) 07:58 PM June 12, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie @NiNiCorvo Thanks. :) Already having a blast and he's only been here a couple of hours. Hee! Almost want to wake him up just to play. :) XO 10:42 PM June 12, 2008 from web in reply to NiNiCorvo

June 14th, Denker Pool Party

bonniegillespie Deep thought: Do blind people ever *really* know when the coast is clear to masturbate? 11:33 PM June 13, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Headed out to Malibu for a kid-tastic pool party! Woo! 02:49 PM June 14, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Kid-tastic Malibu pool party = *very* good for adults too. (Bonus: learned the meatiest piece of gossip about anyone I've ever known ever.) 10:17 PM June 14, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie I actually called Keith on his cell to ask him to come back and kiss me one more time before he drove off. Aww. I love that man! 09:56 AM June 15, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Hee. Created an email rule that reprioritizes & files incoming High! Priority! Emails! as trash. Heh. Try to tell ME my priorities, will ya? 10:47 AM June 18, 2008 from PocketTweets

bonniegillespie Are all men idiots, or just the ones I marry? 11:23 AM June 19, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Taught Quinn how to bet a buck on a 50/50 situation. He thought about welshing, then got excited about that free dollar. Ahh, Capitalism! 02:25 PM June 19, 2008 from web

June 16th, Our Anniversary

bonniegillespie Watching season one of SOAP on DVD proves that all Michael Richards ever did was a mildly bad Richard Mulligan. Man, SOAP is greatness! 07:04 PM June 20, 2008 from PocketTweets

June 19th, Pier Date with Lucy

bonniegillespie Saturday Night Los Angeles Heat Beating Tip: FREEZER PANTIES. You're welcome. 09:41 PM June 21, 2008 from PocketTweets

June 22nd, Houston's

Rec'd this email from Quinn while at Houston's, re: what it's like to be with us: The love is overwhelming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 23rd, Kid Actor Panel at SAG Foundation

bonniegillespie That was awesome. http://tinyurl.com/45mmup The SAG Foundation Kid Actor event I moderated was inspiring! The future of Hollywood is BRIGHT. 09:49 PM June 23, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Tip: Don't like phone calls? Change your ringtone to your favorite song. Suddenly, every call's an excuse to dance! You're welcome. :) 11:44 PM June 24, 2008 from PocketTweets

bonniegillespie @davidmarkland No kidding! And @communicatrix Same here! (Every phone call home, Q says, "She's working... AS USUAL. *sigh*" (Ow, my heart.) 05:53 PM June 25, 2008 from web in reply to davidmarkland

bonniegillespie Ooh, I had forgotten how much I enjoy tweaking PHPBB code! *hangs head* I am SUCH a geek. 12:31 AM June 26, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie CD Workshop tonight at the Hayworth Theatre Ensemble. Looking forward to meeting some actors whose work is new to me. Hope traffic is good. 12:48 PM June 26, 2008 from web

June 25th, on a walk through the neighborhood

June 26th, Dickie and Linda's

July 2nd, Quinn's First Trip to Dan Tana's

bonniegillespie Addressing 1000+ Cricket Feet Showcase postcards to send to industry pros. So. Many. Papercuts. 01:32 PM June 27, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Column turned in. Show Bible 95% complete. Now prepping for mtg. w/ Indie Music Coordinator to review showcase song submissions. Yay! 05:45 PM June 29, 2008 from web

bonniegillespie Headed to WCI Studios for the day as guest casting director and instructor. Right after phone date w/ NC-based CD about a POV contribution. 09:21 AM July 01, 2008 from web

July 3rd, Travel Town

bonniegillespie Taking a well-earned day off to see WALL-E and dine out with hubby, stepson, and sister-in-law. Also buying new (smaller) jeans! Woo!! 11:57 AM July 02, 2008 from web

July 3rd, Autry Museum

bonniegillespie Just saw Sumner Redstone at Dan Tana's. Quinn loved the cheesecake. Aunt Liz loved the Lemon Drops. Me? Gimlets, baby. :) Keith? EVERYTHING. 07:58 PM July 02, 2008 from web

July 3rd, Hollywood Sign

July 5th, Quinn Napping

July 7th, Headed to the Airport

bonniegillespie The last 24 hours with Quinn are always the hardest. *sigh* It's a loooong 11 months, starting tomorrow. :( 06:08 PM July 06, 2008 from web

Posted by bonnie at 7:28 PM | Comments (6)

July 4, 2008

Cricket Feet Casting Actors Showcase

Not sure how long it'll take for this to show up, but I've just uploaded the amazing promo video created for the Cricket Feet Casting Actors Showcase by Montage 3 Films.

Pretty flippin' badass, yeah? ;)

Let me hear from y'all.

*beams*

Posted by bonnie at 5:11 PM | Comments (5)

July 3, 2008

Cricket Feet Showcase! RSVP Now!!

Cricket Feet Casting ACTORS SHOWCASE
July 9th & 10th, 2008 -- 8pm -- FREE
The Colony Theatre, Burbank

produced by: Bonnie Gillespie
directed by: Chil Kong

presenting: Alyson Weaver || Annie Weirich || Beau Wilson || Britni Karst || Camille Bennett || Daniela Melgoza || Eitan Loewenstein || Elena Zaretsky || Ellen Etten || Gray Stevenson || Jennie Roberson || Jeremiah Peisert || Joel Johnstone || Jordan St. Jean || Keith Johnson || Kevin Kelly || Kimberly Demarse || Kirstin Benson || Laura Buckles || Lauren Dobbins Webb || Lony'e Perrine || Megan Greysmith || Michelle Ehrman || Michelle Flowers || Patrick Carlyle || Peter M. Karlin || Rick Segall || Rick Steadman || Shanna Micko || Tamika Simpkins || Tim Astor || Todd Johnson || Tracy Dillon || Vivian Gray || Xan Stevenson || Yoyao Hsueh

A fast-paced, professionally directed, comedic showcase of 36 carefully screened and appropriately cast actors in just over an hour.

Did we mention that we've chosen a location where *free* parking is a breeze? And that we're rolling out yummy munchies and adult beverages before *and* after the show? Awesome, right? Yeah. We thought so too.

Two chances to see it:
Wednesday, July 9th *and* Thursday, July 10th
8 pm -- FREE

The Colony Theatre
555 North Third Street
Burbank, CA 91502

directions/venue info: http://colonytheatre.org/directions.shtml

reservations/showcase info: http://cricketfeetshowcase.com

RSVP is a must!
To reserve your seats, click here --> http://cricketfeetshowcase.com/rsvp.html NOW! :)

Yay! See you soon! Thanks for the love.

Posted by bonnie at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)