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July 31, 2005
Coolness!
Got this email today:
Was loafing doing an extra gig for Malcolm in the Middle last week and someone had your Acting Qs book prominently atop a pile of books on the AD's table in holding all nite. Seemed like a clever mode of getting its name out there. Did not find out whose it was though.
How effin' cool!
Posted by bonnie at 2:32 AM
July 30, 2005
Friday Night Search Party
So, I went out. Everyone there was 20. It was loud and crowded. I'm home now.
Time for scheduling auditions for Teenage Dirtbag and a report of searches, inspired by the great commnicatrix.
While I've had a few fun yet benign searches turn up (living in Santa Monica blog, bonnie gillespie bio, bonnie photo, and computer bon), the following are the real puzzlers.
Diane Lane breasts
How? How does the fact that I mentioned one of the lies the media spreads ("Diane Lane is 35.") lead people to look for her boobies here?
Claire Danes nip
Now, this one I understand. I mentioned Claire Danes and Nip/Tuck in the same post. So, those boobies... okay. Although, considering the subject of the Claire Danes post ("Eat something!"), I'd say it's not likely you'd find them. Anywhere.
Eva Eastwood
Now, I don't even know who this person is, but she gets a lot of traffic coming to the BonBlogs. I'm going to guess it's because I mentioned Eva Longoria and Kathryn Eastwood in the same post. Wow. Reflections on the Golden Globes can send lots of search hits here!
Now, I also like the searches of names of people I know (Greer Shephard (friend, mom to Helmut, guest at HHH, etc.), Kevan Jenson (producer of the play I recently cast), Sean McQueeney (director of the film I'm currently casting), Jake Hanover (an actor (repped by Keith's agent) whose work I loved during the audition process on the last feature film I cast), Kate Flannery (another Origin Talent actor), Amy Ingalls (fellow Spy Notebook blogger), and Rebecca McCullough (AKA Def Jam Becca MC; my dorm-mate in Reed Hall freshman year at UGA)--who was actually searched out with "Rebecca McCullough Atlanta"). Click on any name to find the folks, best place I know of.
Kathleen Schultz blog and Origin Talent
Been getting these a lot (I guess since Keith signed with Kathleen Schultz (though I'm not sure that she has a blog) and Origin Talent in the past couple of weeks). I really liked Bonnie Gillespie and Origin, though. Were you looking for MY origin? Like planet?
And rounding out my favorites:
Spy Girl
Well, it is a Spy Notebook (celebrating six years of happy).
leaving Hollywood
NEVER! Not even now that I technically kick it 310 style. My heart probably hasn't left Hollywood since I first moved in at the Hollywood Tower on 12 August 1993. Heck... it probably moved to Hollywood long before I did, being the Hotlanta child star I was.
kim possible fucking bonnie
What?!? I really figure this search is some friend realizing how much I yearn for really exciting searches leading people here. Couldn't possibly be that I've written anything that leads folks to believe... well... I should stop there. Grad school *was* a blur, y'know.
bonnie woo
This was my favorite. Why? Well, the communicatrix has a category called Woo-Woo. Since this whole Friday Night Search Party is in homage to her brilliant searches, I figure it's a cool little shoutout. That's fun.
Okay. Back to audition scheduling. Lah-ti-dah.
Posted by bonnie at 12:49 AM
July 29, 2005
Am I Crazy?
Seriously. Am I?
I've just agreed to NOT schedule prereads for Tuesday tonight. Instead, I shall turn off the computer, get into some "goin' out" duds, and drive to Hollywood to attend Keith's friend's birthday gathering at one of the hippest hotspots in town at 10pm on a Friday during Mercury Retrograde.
Yes. I am crazy. 35 year olds don't do such things!
Posted by bonnie at 9:28 PM
July 28, 2005
Surreal Moment of the Day
(I'm noticing that I seem to have quite a few "Surreal Moments of the Day" when casting.)
While on the phone with an agent...
Agent: "I want you to consider a wonderful actor named Timothy Carhart. He recently did this great little film called The Moor and I know you'd like his work."
Me: "I *cast* The Moor. I *cast* Tim in The Moor. That was one of my first films."
Seriously, I was stunned and am not sure of what I said, exactly.
Agent: "Oh, wow. Listen, Tim is *very* critical. He came in here with the DVD for The Moor and said, 'This is one of the best projects I've done.' He was really proud."
*tear*
Reminds me... I haven't shared the trailer for The Moor yet, have I? Enjoy. It's a 1.9MB .mov file.
Posted by bonnie at 12:22 PM
July 27, 2005
A Show You Must Watch
If you're not already hooked, give it a minute. You will be.
I saw Sean Hayes interviewed on the early morning shows while I was casting in Missouri and I knew I'd have to Season Pass the new Bravo show Situation: Comedy.
Brilliant. If you have any interest in the business of show creation, pilots, pitches, and show running, you must tune in. A pair of the finalists remind me of The Jeffs. Care to guess which pair, Jojo? ;)
Posted by bonnie at 11:31 PM
Finally!
Acting Qs is now FINALLY available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Get those reviews up, baby! Woo hoo!
Posted by bonnie at 8:00 PM
Book Event
Go support my buddy (and former boss) Rob Kendt in one of his last LA-based appearances. We selfishly hate to lose you to NY, but I think it's a good move (for both you and the place you're headed). Have fun!
Details on the event at Skylight Books (Saturday) at this link.
Posted by bonnie at 12:30 PM
July 26, 2005
Funny
Holy crap, that's funny.
Nabbed from a post by Shelley Malil over at Celluloid Curtain:
Fargo star William H. Macy thought he was being tricked when prop managers on the set of new low-budget movie Edmond appeared to lose the key to his handcuffs during an embarrassing nude scene. The actor was left standing wearing nothing but a "sock" to cover his genitals during a prison scene in the new David Mamet film.He says, "They marched me down this long hallway... I'm buck naked. I'm manacled behind my back and my feet are manacled. I do the scene four times and the property guy comes up and says, 'OK, we got it.' He says to the actor, who is playing the cop, 'Gimme the key,' who says, 'I don't have the key.' There's no key. They've lost the key. I'm buck naked... I said, 'Oh, that's really funny, you've lost the key.' The prop guy said, 'No, it isn't funny, this is really serious.' (Eventually) they found the key. I tell ya, low-budget is not for sissies."
Heeeeeee!
Second funny:
Archie has become obsessed with the Carl's Jr. commercial starring a clucking chicken. Seriously, he's not the smartest cat, but at least he gets that bird breasts are better than Paris' breasts any day.
Heeeeeee!
Posted by bonnie at 5:45 PM
Longest Blog Entry EVER
Or, well, it *will* be, when I finish it. Right now, it's just a list of stuff I'm going to say, when I come back around to this. Right now, I still have way way way too much to do to get caught up. And it's only a few hours since I got home.
1. I'm home from the casting gig in Missouri.
a. Dayum it's HAWT there.
b. Stephens College: visiting professor offer.
c.
d. Feedback that I've inspired people to become CDs.
e. Cobras (and several other teams from the Junior Soccer League) staying in my hotel during their state-wide tourney.
f. Grinders?
g. I hate getting hangnails while traveling.
h. Mayo with fries?
i. Put ice in my bra on the heated tin can that was the Jetstream 41.
j. Pizza is $3.80 (yes, *a* pizza. No, I didn't have any, just noticed the price and remembered the good ol' college town days).
k. My bizarre sleeping style in hotel rooms.
2. I got several good column ideas from riding on the plane (conversations with strangers about what I do. Why do I always sit next to chatty people?) and speaking to filmmakers about actors (rather than speaking to actors about the casting process, which I usually do), and casting a film in ten hours.
3.
4. Our brilliant LAX parking scheme and how confused the parking attendant was, trying to figure out how we pulled it off.
5. Thwok has a fat lip.
6. I have a review of the first season of The Amazing Race.
7. I think Thirteen may be the most compelling film I've seen in a long, long time.
8. I have reports about Celebrity Fit Club 2 and other lies told in the media (such as: "Diane Lane is 35" and "Kirstie Alley is a size 12"). Plus, commentary on the imbalance that is the performers on this season of the trainwreck show. What fucknuts!
9. Acting Qs has been reviewed (PDF is on this page--July 2005 Hollywood How-To from Bob Fraser). Excerpt to come.
10. Friends I'm proud of:
a. Camille Mana (series regular on One on One).
b. Blake Robbins (recurring on The OC).
c.
d. Pamela Jansen (in Fearless Women, which was delivered to me with one of the best personal notes I've ever received from an actor).
e. Jasmine Jessica Anthony (series regular on Commander in Chief).
f. a dozen other actors in my life who are booking work these days. Dizzying to try and keep up (quality problem)!
11. Being okay with being imperfect. (This ties in with Pamela's letter. Esp. re: notation of BA instead of MA for my credit in the UGA book contribution.)
12. Searches. You're right, CoCo. They're starting to get funny.
13. Catching up:
a. Why the ATF came over.
b. The cat that meditates to the Stones (and the one that chills in the backpack).
c. Cool sofa repair guy.
d. Fantastic 4.
14. New favorite drink: ginger margarita.
15. Changing the clock on the SixHundy caused me to do something really odd tonight.
16. Grammar. STOP THIS: "Sam and I's relationship is over." Seriously. Stop it. You're killin' me with that crap.
17. Kill Reality redux (they KNOW it's more about charisma and being bold than nailing the read) and how funny it is to see Trashelle doing reality yet again after she swore NEVER after the second Surreal Life. Brilliant producers. Seriously.
Best quote?
I understand Toni's desire to dig a little deeper. I understand that many great actors want to get inside their character. But I'm pretty sure that none of those great actors were on Paradise Hotel.
HOWL!
18. Go look at this--Celebrities Eating--and be sad that there is an industry built around "catching" people with extraordinary jobs doing ordinary things. And then laugh, since some of the photos are way funny. Thanks to BrYan for that one. Oh, and for this one too. Tee hee! That's a different kind of quiz!
More later. It's good to be home.
Posted by bonnie at 1:21 AM
July 22, 2005
Kiss Goodbye
Bye-bye. Here's your sloppy kiss.
I'm in Missouri. Back Tuesday. Bye.
Posted by bonnie at 11:42 PM
Hollywood Happy Hour presents Talent P.I.M.P. Live!
GREAT news! Hollywood Happy Hour is proud to present Talent P.I.M.P. Live on Thursday, August 4, 2005! Woo hoo!
When: Thursday, August 4, 2005, 10pm!
Where: The World Famous Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Hollywood
How Much: $5 if you RSVP to info@talentpimp.com in advance; $10 at the door otherwise. Two-drink minimum in the club.
What Else: Goodie bags from our sponsors and lots of freebies (see below for complete list of awesome goodies).
Feeling nostalgic for old Hollywood Happy Hour events? Everyone's uncle, Uncle Bob, has put our past shows on "tape" for our audio archives ... Yay!
===========
Goodie Bags for winners of our trivia contests loaded with...
*fun California Poultry Federation stuff
*cosmetics and aromatherapy treatments from Pampered People Spa
*cool AquaHooks custom-made for HHH
*card packs from Acting Outside the Box
*tickets to shows at The Ark Theatre
*tickets to the legendary 15 Minutes of FEM shows (and the NEW 15 Minutes of HIM series)
*tickets to shows at Theatre District at the Cast
*host coaching session with Kris Burtt
*acting class from Fawnda McMahan
*Acting Is Everything by Judy Kerr
*Acting Out by Stuart Stone
*Let's Dish by Nelson Aspen
*Casting Qs and Self-Management for Actors by Bonnie Gillespie
*Acting Qs by Bonnie Gillespie and Blake Robbins
*headshot photography session with RadStar Photography
*Holdon Log Audition Organizer and Booked Projects from Holdon Log
*Agent and Casting Director mailing labels and guide books from Breakdown Services
*Subscription to Showfax.com sides and Actors Access services
*annual membership on ActorsBone.com
*DVD directing/cinematography $500-value course from Hollywood Camerawork and narrator Julie O'Malley
*membership on Talent Pimp
*acting classes at the Actors Creative Workshop
*discounted headshots from Deborah Vancelete
*discounted registration for Building Your Wealth Cycles with Abundance Bound
*headshot session from Karen Somers Photography
*tickets to Take Command of Your Career workshop and a Charmed Life Coaching book from Morgana Rae
*headshot drops-offs by Landall's Box Office
and so much more!
You must be present to win, of course. We're going to have so much fun! Can't wait to see you next Happy Hour--where we present to you: Talent P.I.M.P.!
--
Bon
News, Schmooze, Reviews, and Interviews!
Yahoo Group for HHH
Talent PIMP
Posted by bonnie at 1:16 AM
July 21, 2005
My New Favorite Wine
In case you're interested...
is Ferrari-Carano. This was introduced to me at the rockstar birthday dinner at The Palm (thank you, Bob Brody) and I really do love it.
Almost time to leave for Missouri.
Did I mention the stack of scripts in the "to read" pile? So so so much going on! Have a great weekend, everyone! I'll try to blog from the SixHundy. XXOO
Posted by bonnie at 11:46 PM
Two Things
1. Had to cancel my social plans for the afternoon and evening (dinner with Nelson and a rockin' good time at Fluffy Bunnies before it heads to New York for a run there) due to the fact that I am totally overwhelmed by all that I have to do before leaving town for a few days.
2. Learned that the best way to stay cool in a non-A/C environment when the temperature soars is to soak a tank top in ice-cold water, wring it out, and wear it like a sorority girl on spring break in Daytona Beach. Niiiiiice.
Posted by bonnie at 2:04 PM
July 20, 2005
New Casting Gig
Really excited about this feature film, shooting in September in Idaho under the SAG Ultra Low Budget Agreement.
Teenage Dirtbag, an amazing drama written by Regina Crosby, produced by Seth Caplan and Christopher Aagaard for Sky Castle Films, director: Sean McQueeney. This is a great group of guys and I'm really excited to be a part of this project.
Huge thanks to Anna Christopher and Brenda Weiermair (from the AFI 35mm film I cast a few months ago, Queen of Cactus Cove) for the referral. I so love my job!
Breakdown will go out tomorrow and I'll start scheduling when I get back from the casting gig in Missouri next week. I'm sooooo excited about all that's going on! Awesome!
Posted by bonnie at 2:05 PM
July 19, 2005
Quick Quiz
Nabbed from Nini (who has a very cute photo up an entry below the one I've linked).
Posted by bonnie at 2:15 PM
Good News/Bad News
Not in my life... I'm swamped and therefore too busy to evaluate what's happening as good or bad (though it seems all good, upon skimming).
But here's today's news that impressed me as awesome and not-awesome.
Super cool gig for performers without health insurance (just perform for hospitalized patients and receive $40 per performance hour in credit toward your own healthcare).
Health insurance on the barter system--a hospital in Brooklyn is offering free health care to dancers, singers, and actors in exchange for performing for patients.
Read the story at WABC* for more info.
And further proof that I was right when I chose NOT to get a MySpace account...
News Corp announced on Monday that it has bought Intermix Media, owner of the popular MySpace.com social networking site, for $580 million.
Yep. That's the evil Fox News Network people, buying up all of the pseudo-Friendster bloggy kids. Have fun with that!
*Eff you, ABC World News Now, for making a story so completely impossible to find on your website. Why, when I see the story on YOUR overnight show and write down the key information that should make it easy to find the show on your website, do I have to resort to checking your many ABC affiliates' websites before finding said story? You RAN the story... you should LINK to it. Grr.
Don't mind me, I just spent a serious half-hour looking for something that should've been available in like 90 seconds and three clicks. Effin' Internet.**
**Not you, Internet. I love you. I'm just mad at the media.
Posted by bonnie at 12:30 PM
July 18, 2005
Long-Awaited Photos
Finally! Here are some photos from Quinn's visit. Click on any to enlarge by quite a bit.
I really love these photos. Thanks again to the amazing Cathy McCall for doing such great work. We're really happy with the way you made us all look so good!
Enjoy these photos (and this post) for a while. From the looks of this week, it's going to be pretty tough to get to post. New feature film casting gig, next Self-Management for Actors seminar, meeting to discuss the next-next feature film casting gig, HHH joint venture press release to create and blitz media with, plus packing for the trip to Missouri to cast a weekend's worth of short indie films for the American Academy of Art's Indie Filmmaker's Bootcamp. Hoo, boy... that's some lots of stuffs!
PS--The NEXT book (the one I haven't written yet, the one that's only been announced to our distributor due to the fact that their catalogue runs way early) has already presold 571 copies. What IS that?!?
Posted by bonnie at 12:12 AM
July 16, 2005
Definition of Friendship
What's a friend? I mean a true-blue, love-ya-forever, amazingly-good-people level friend.
That'd be friends like Shon and Jodi.
Why?
Well, here they are, guest-starring on That's So Raven, having graciously invited us to see them work (which rocked; they were both really amazing and very funny), watching a scene or two in playback between live scenes (at which time the pages were handing out slices of pizza to the members of the audience). Okay, so these great actors *should* be basking in the glow of their accomplishments, enjoying watching their own work on the monitors, gearing up for their next live scenes, or simply enjoying the downtime schmooze with Disney execs (who were all over the set, for damn sure). What are they doing instead?
Noticing that pizza is not gluten-free, and therefore their friend Bonnie will not be able to eat a snack during this break in taping. Not only did they NOTICE this, but they grabbed a bowl, visited the craft services table, loaded up mixed raw veggies and fruits, and snuck the bowl up to us in the audience!
If THAT is not the very basic underlying principle to friendship, I don't know what is!
Now, outside of that particular moment (which was sincerely touching), this was one of our favorite nights out in awhile (and that's among a whole bunch of seriously amazing nights out of late). Turns out tonight was Shon and Jodi's manager's birthday. So, there was celebration both on the set (Emmy nominations and the first live shoot back this season) and off (congrats to Jodi on the recurring role, to Shon on the guest-star gig, my birthday, John's birthday, and Keith's signing with Origin), which we took care of with champagne at the ArcLight (my first time there; very cool).
Great night. Great talent. Great friends. That's really the best part of it all.
Posted by bonnie at 1:17 AM
July 15, 2005
This'll Be Fun
This afternoon, Keith and I are going to an invitation-only taping of Disney's That's So Raven.
How'd we get the invites? Dear friends (both of whom I've cast in films before) Shon Little and Jodi Shilling...
(a couple Keith dubbed "Shodi")
...are co-starring in this episode. After the taping, they're going to be doing a little celebration of Emmy nomination variety, plus producer/writer meet and greet, reception, schmoozefest, etc., so this is pretty dang cool. Jodi's comment to me?
"Keith would make a GREAT Disney Dad!"
Hee hee.
Keith has never been to a network taping before. I warned him it's cold, they'll throw chocolates at him, and it's a long day. ;) Very excited to see Shon and Jodi working. It's going to be a blast!
Oh, and, got word that the reason my CSA application was denied was that I don't have enough credits yet. Okay. If casting 13 films, one play, and working in casting on four TV series in two and a half years isn't enough credits, I tell ya what... y'all just come get me when you're ready. Pff. Whatever.
Posted by bonnie at 11:41 AM
July 14, 2005
Onward!
Here's the best news about always having a few pots simmering on the stove at all times.
When you need to focus more attention on another dish, you can turn the heat down on one eye, up on another, stir in other ingredients, and end up with a magical feast.
Now, I don't cook, so I know that's probably a way sloppy analogy, but here's the point:
Keith and I always have so damn much going on at once that when one of those things doesn't quite work out, it's not like we throw up our hands and exclaim that dinner is ruined! What we do instead is turn the heat up elsewhere and keep on cookin'!
To wit:
Called all of the actors (and agents of actors) cast in Shrinks (cast webpage will be added later for your viewing pleasure), discussed the next casting gig with that project's director (a feature film), met with the principals of a wonderful Hollywood startup about further deepening our relationship (press release to come next week), attended the SAG Indie Contracts Workshop, and left there having committed to a new column for actors plus another SAG LifeRaft event (this one for kid actors and their parents).
Sure as hell doesn't feel like the same day it started out being.
Keith and I toast tonight with the champagne Maria and Kevan bought me for my birthday (and giggle over the rest of the gift, which was brilliant and private). We drink a toast to COOKING. Always cooking.
Oh, and Wayne, you'll probably NOT be surprised by this, but I had delicious salmon for dinner tonight after the SAG event! You are ON, man!
Thanks, everyone, for the lovely vibes and well-wishing and hugs. It's cool. As I tell actors all the time: focus on the WORK, not the GIG. Right on.
Posted by bonnie at 10:59 PM
Feeling Blue
Just got word I didn't get accepted to the Casting Society of America.
My board member friend tells me I didn't meet the "two years in casting" requirement.
Um. If I worked as casting coordinator of a TV show in February 2003, another in May 2003, and cast my first feature film in June 2003 (and have cast another dozen films, worked in casting on two more TV shows (one as full CD, mind you), and just finished casting a play), isn't that at least two years in casting?
I'm so blue.
I know this is sooooooo not a big deal (and my friend on the board told me that she had the same issue when all she had on her resumé were indies and AFI projects), but I'm sad now. :( I don't like being sad.
Good thing it'll pass.
Note to self: resist temptation to be a brat and get all anti-joining. Although... hm.
Posted by bonnie at 10:25 AM
July 13, 2005
Gorgeous!
Look at this amazing photo Cathy McCall took of gorgeous Quinn!
Wow! She's such an artist.
Lots to tell. Lots of work still to do. Birthday was a blast--in every possible way. What a delight! News later.
Posted by bonnie at 12:14 AM
July 11, 2005
This Is Fun
Look at what I got from E! today.
Happy birthday from the gang at E! Online. Hope it's a great one! You also share your birthday with the following celebrities: Lil' Kim, Bonnie Pointer, Bruce McGill, John Henson, Lisa Rinna, Richie Sambora, Sela Ward, Thomas Mitchell
From my own notes:
Also born today: John Quincy Adams, George Eastman, E. B. White, Yul Brynner, and Suzanne Vega.
Hee hee. I'm getting very excited about my lobster birthday dinner. Thanks, Brody. You rock. ;)
And Keith rocked his Big Love producer session. Woo hoo!
Posted by bonnie at 3:37 PM
HBTM
I'm 35.
That is all.
Posted by bonnie at 12:35 AM
July 9, 2005
Where to begin...
Where do you begin when you have so so so so much going on that you can't even begin to STOP and organize thoughts into words (much less organize thoughts into words that accurately represent the non-stop goings-on)? Whew! I am spinning!! LOVE IT... but it's a LOT of swirl. I feel like I'm in the center of a kick-ass Spirograph design with lots of color. It's gorgeous, complex, and thrilling to behold. But, man, is it a lot to wrap my brain around!
We've finished up prereads for Shrinks. Wow. Some of the most amazing (and also some of the most baffling) actors I've seen, for this one. I'm thrilled with the actors we'll be bringing to callbacks (once we are able to cut down even further; we currently have too many actors on our short list). As for what was baffling... well... let's just say I actually WISH there were a Hollywood Blacklist so that I could make sure one actor is on it. *shudder* I have written (for the first time, ever): NEVER AGAIN across a headshot. I'll explain why over drinks somewhere, sometime... later.
Just got back from the Chandler Hall table read (I didn't stay for any of the read itself; just went at the start to get the last two actors to sign off on their SAG contracts and to get *my* final check for casting services). It is so very cool to see all of the actors cast in one place at the same time. Casting directors never really get to do that. We may see two or three together during chemistry checks at callbacks, but it's so neat to see a dozen confident, CAST, happy actors gathering, meeting, ready to begin the journey that will result in a feature film a year from now. Very gratifying.
Happily completing my essay (to go with my application) for joining the CSA. Received a copy of the letter Michael Donovan wrote on my behalf. It made me cry. What a wonderful man! And truly, he has been a mentor for me since the very beginning of this road (heck, even before I had any idea it was a path)! Wonderful letter. Wonderful man.
In fact, Michael was one of the first people Keith called with the good news. Yup. Keith Johnson, just three years after his first acting gig in Los Angeles, has signed with Origin Talent. That's right. THE Origin Talent. That's Origin Talent of JP Manoux, Katie Stuart, Patrick Malone, Susan Wood, Rodney Rowland, Kate Flannery, Christa Campbell, Suzanne Krull, Patrick Bristow, Jf Pryor, Will Wallace, Sean Bell, Rusty Joiner, Lindsay Hollister, Jake Hanover, Jessica Lancaster, and *ahem* Bob Clendenin fame. Awwwwww, yeah! That's a working actor agency, baby!
Fucking rockstar development. Abby Casey is the best manager on the planet and Keith Johnson now has a manager and TWO agents. Kathleen Schultz for print (signed earlier this week), and now Origin frickin' Talent. So so so so so amazing. Just unbelievable and delightful and perfect. Congratulations, my working actor baby. Oh, and break a leg at your THIRD producer callback session for Big Love. Nail it to the fucking wall!
*ahem* Sorry 'bout the f-word all over the place. I'm just really happy.
Okay, so in a week full of amazing developments, I get this email from someone who has read my advice in a new book published by the UGA Alumni Association.
Seems my advice to 2005 UGA grads is on page 35. You can download the whole PDF by clicking that phrase. If you just want to see my passage in If I Only Knew Then..., click here (also PDF, just smaller). I shared advice that was shared by my aunt Jean, back when I was in crisis over my decision to move back to Atlanta and go to grad school. I couldn't believe I was actually considering leaving Hollywood. It was my PLAN. She taught me about Plan A and Plan B... well... read the passage. You'll see. Cool to have already gotten email about it.
And, I sent a note to Aunt Jean to thank her for the advice and to show her the impact it obviously had on me. I'm guessing she doesn't even recall that particular conversation, but it certainly helped me, in those tough early-20s (when you're so sure you know how your life is going to turn out and think it's WRONG to not know (vs. how blissful it is to not know, which you eventually learn)).
I love living in Santa Monica. We're almost at our anniversary here. So blissful. Being so close to the beach, being able to walk everywhere, the cool weather, the friendly people. Ah, people laugh about, "Never wanting to go east of the 405," but Keith tells them I try not to go east of 26th Street! The temperature drops there, when you're coming back from "the rest of LA" to the Westside. It's not just that, though. It's also the vibe. My pulse actually slows at that point. I relax differently. It's awesome.
And while I love my digs... man, doesn't this place look cool?
It's almost that time! I'm really excited about this birthday. It's been an outstanding year.
That's Ash in last weekend's LA Times. (Click it to see the whole article/scan--very large.) Go, girl. You are definitely the breakout star of MTV's The '70s House. Win! Win big!
Okay. If you haven't already, shame on you. And go NOW. Read the brilliance that is (collectively) Colleen Wainwright's "Searches, We Get Searches" blogs. Of course, every bit of her blog is brilliant, but it's the SEARCH stuff that makes me *snork* (snort-laugh). So much, in fact, I asked her to teach me how to track searches to my blog so that I could try to be so funny.
So far... here's what I've got. In seven weeks of tracking, the most interesting searches that have come my way have been (and my lame attempt at comedy follows each):
Eva Longoria Golden Globes (Yes, yes she does. Mmmmmm.)
Greer Shephard dress (She does, too. Probably once or twice every day!)
Miata touch-up paint Miata (That's catchy! I could sing that.)
photo of Kevan Jenson (Hm. I don't have one, but I'll see if I can snap a pic on the SixHundy on Wednesday, if you'd like.)
star caps (Tooth-coverings for famous people? Headgear for celestial bodies? Five-point bullets? Nah... just a bright-orange, garlic-smelling herbal drug thingy.)
How'd I do, Coco? You say the searches will get better with time, right? ;) Hopefully the comedy will too.
Just transition artwork, above. It says my name. Cool, huh?
Okay, so we took a vote in the Gillespie-Johnson household. Best Hunter: Thwok. Sexiest Vixen: Salema. Sweetest Oaf: Archie (although Keith was close on that one... he's not as sweet).
Oh, and Lily, here's my blog!
'Til next time!
(reminders to self: blog about why a special agent from the ATF stopped by on Thursday, the cat that meditates to the Stones, Fantastic 4, and cool sofa repair guys. also look up the date's for Joni's vist, find out if the casting gig in MO and the trip to Tahoe are mutually exclusive, roll out a SMFA seminar press release, and consult the SixHundy for the rest of the scary to do list. that is all. back to work. stop with the blogging and trust that you'll remember all the other shyte you want to write about when the time is there to do so. seriously. go now. now.)
Posted by bonnie at 11:41 AM
July 6, 2005
Go, Blake!
Wouldja look at this? My friends are poppin' up all OVER the place lately!
Click here to read the review at Variety.com (not sure if you have to be a member or not. Lemmeknow, as I'll post the relevant text here if you can't go see it for yourself).
His best four words were: "Robbins is impressively committed." Ah, reminiscent of the day that LA Weekly said "Bonnie Gillespie is excellent." Sigh. But we all know that LA Weekly ain't no Daily Variety. ;)
Go, Blake! So awesome! Keep kickin' ass, partner.
Posted by bonnie at 9:11 PM
July 5, 2005
Well Done, Niecey Ash!
Just watched your series regular debut on MTV's The '70s House. Very well done!
Just keep saying "groovy" instead of "awesome," "dy-no-mite" instead of "excellent," and "let's boogie" instead of "drop it while it's hot" and you'll do just fine. ;)
Posted by bonnie at 8:05 PM
Such Super Cool Press
Got a cool little gift in my inbox today.
It's coverage by the ATAS (those cool Emmy people) of the panel I moderated back in May. Rockstar cool.
Posted by bonnie at 1:53 PM
Checkin' In
Ooh, just so so so so much going on. Truly baffling and mind-spinning. Non-stop.
And I love (almost) all of it. Heck, even the stuff I'm not loving, I'm learning from. And THAT I'm loving. So, that's dang cool.
Just wanted to check in, so the blog doesn't go too long without a HOWDY.
Howdy! ;) Laytahz.
Posted by bonnie at 2:48 AM
July 3, 2005
SAG Indie Rocks
For all the times I've wished the SAG Indie agreements were available online (and not just the wee summaries), I think it's finally happened. (Of course, I'd still love love love to see the TALENT contracts online!)
In fact, they had a fancy big roll-out for the DGA last week. More on that here. Very excited to attend the contract workshop on the 14th. That'll rock.
Great dinner meeting with the producer and director of Shrinks last night, after an amazing day with the PARF gang. Such wonderful kids--and cool parents too. Great weekend, all around.
Happy exhale that my computer isn't dead, despite the fact that all maintenance software tried to tell me it was. Ah. Seems none of that software works on Tiger. Okey doke. Time to buy new software, not buy a new hard drive. Phew!
Have to get a script read, pronto, as there's another casting gig on the horizon, if I decide I like the project. Just a really instant-casting job, though, as they shoot their first scene 7/25. Ack! So much going on. Love it, though.
No sign of that day off. Hm...
Posted by bonnie at 7:26 PM
July 1, 2005
Reasons I'm Sad/Reasons I'm Happy
1. (Sad) 
. Honestly, Luther (and one of the Tonies from Tony Toni Toné) was one of the best-smelling guys I ever worked for, back in my Left Bank Management days. As much as I loved taking weed over to JT's house, catching Richard's stalker, making the world believe the '93 album was the second LP from Meat, making the last contract offer ever made to Nirvana, chilling with the brothers G, or helping Joey with his folks, I have to say that it was Luther Vandross who was loving, sweet, genunie, and just a big ball of love-to-hug. What a loss! Too soon. We'll miss you.
2. (Sad) 
. Are you kidding me? You couldn't wait an effin' three years to help us out? Ugh. I remember when you were brought onboard, Ms. Sandra Day O'Connor. I'm feeling as old as you must feel. I just feel mad at you for handing the keys of freedom over to that rat bastard W. Grr.
3.
4. (Happy) 
(click it to read it). Cool mail from Tom Fontana, who wrote our kick-ass foreword. It seems he enjoyed the gig too. Right on.
5. (Happy) 
. Did my application for the CSA and asked for reference letters from my favorite casting mentors. Very happy. *fingers crossed* for approval, seeing as the vote for new members takes place on my birthday (that can't possibly be a bad sign).
6. No pic. Just love. I'm a happy happy happy gal. Cast is near-locked for Chandler Hall (even received flowers from the actor we cast in the lead; a lovely note saying, "I didn't know what your favorite flowers were, so I sent you mine. Thanks for everything! Your Jimmy Bravo," (SUCH A CLASS ACT)), auditions are scheduled for Shrinks, and... best for last... Keith has signed with his first AGENT. Yup. My cute boy now has a PRINT AGENT in Los Angeles. It would seem "NFL-lovin' grill dad" is big biz in the sale circulars! Cool deal!
Big weekend. Big love. Woo damn hoo!
Posted by bonnie at 11:22 PM