i love brainstorming. seriously, it's one of my favorite hobbies, as weird as that may sound! no, i love creating something from nothing. seeing a final product come to fruition, knowing that you helped make it from scratch, from the ground up. brainstorming has been the theme of my week, pretty much, and it's been great! in some of my free time this week, i started really thinking about and preparing some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that i can work on for my acting career--getting my youtube site cleaned up (youtube.com/user/lparrent), updating my myspace, researching other people's demo reels/youtubes, etc. basically, i was just looking at what i need to have to be proactive and be "seen" in this business. as we all know, tv is disappearing, and everything is soon to be done strictly via the internet. so, putting stuff (in my case, films, shorts, my demo reel of footage of me acting...) up on youtube is a great start.
well...then the conundrum becomes getting footage to create the videos or the reel. so i've met with some friends from class, with my neighbor, and with a new friend, david (a fellow actor), and brainstormed game plans for what some active steps we can physically DO to make this all happen. the conclusion we've all come to is that we are going to just have to produce our own stuff. we have the resources, people, skills, locations, etc. available at our fingertips to make films that we can then use for our reels (goal #1), and eventually to put up on youtube to possibly create a buzz about ourselves (goal #2)--not that i'm saying i want to be a youtube pop culture icon, definitely not (i.e. absolutely ridiculous chris crocker)!
last night, i even met with david and we brainstormed, and then i also talked with liz (another friend who's not in the industry) and we ended up mapping out an idea for a short film! it was david's original idea, and then we all kind of visualized and conceptualized...so fun! but, at least i feel like these are productive steps to be taking...we won't always write our own stuff, because we can rehearse and shoot scenes from plays, or do improv, etc. but writing your own stuff is very satisfying, too. more on that script idea later on...

in other news, i worked at the novel yesterday for the first time by myself, and it went pretty well! i only had a few questions about glitches with the cash register, but other than that, i felt fairly confident, and am now less nervous about working there more. today i have free tickets to the student portion of The City of Angels Film Festival, which i got randomly on Craigslist. i was looking it up online to find out more about it, and it turns out it's a faith-based festival, which is unexpected, but cool! i'm excited to mingle with directors (established and up-and-coming) and see some great films in the process. apparently this year's theme is "justice...for all?" which is intriguing...i'll definitely let you know how it goes...

next friday is my birthday! and, I leave for "home" on thursday!! i'm anxiously awaiting the weekend trip. i'm excited to see my boyfriend, and my family, and i just found out i get to see one of my best friends briefly, too, which is a great surprise! i've yet to decide halloween plans, though, and i have no idea what my costume will be. so unlike me, as halloween is my favorite holiday!!

on a final note, i found a very eye-opening website listed as a link on a friend's facebook profile. if you have a minute, visit http://www.iwanexstudio.com, click on portfolio at the top, and then click on each individual photograph, scrolling your cursor on and off them, once you've opened the photo. it's a photo retouching site, and they have examples of celebrity photos that they've altered. it's no wonder people have a skewed sense of body image--celebrity pictures we see AREN'T REAL HUMANS!! you'll see what i mean, seriously check it out.

anyway, i better go get dressed to impress...who knows, maybe i'll meet a director at the film fest and get my first real role in some amazing film ;) have a great day everyone! talk to you soon...

hey everyone, yes, i'm alive and not burned! it's funny how a story basically in my backyard is headline news. i've gotten a few calls/emails checking in to make sure that i'm ok, with all the fires here in southern california, and i'm fine. thanks for your concern, too, though, i do appreciate it! no, malibu, where some of the worst fires have been, is 6 miles north of my house. really, here in santa monica, i haven't noticed much, though. yesterday and the day before, i saw a lot of smoke and extra smoggy air when driving back from long beach and also into west hollywood for acting classes. there is a general (worse than normal smog) orangey-brown haze hanging over the valley, because all the winds have blown the smoke inward, and it's a hot little bowl of an area anyway, so that's just magnified. also, lane and i went rollerblading down the beach yesterday, and looking north toward malibu (which we can see very clearly since it's so close) we could definitely see the smoke still rising from within the mountains and canyons.

today was the first time, however, that i noticed any effects here in santa monica. it is definitely hotter, probably all the hot air is being trapped in by the smoke, and i could tell it was a lot harder to breathe when i was running. santa monica air is usually so clear and not smoggy like the rest of LA...the sky is a bit smoky, but nothing as sensational as the photographs you're probably seeing of the actual fires in malibu and san diego. so, never fear, i'm alright and hopefully not at all in danger...

in more trivial news, neither heroes nor samantha who? were the right episode AGAIN last night! i apologize for stringing you all along each week in hopes of seeing me. heck, watch me not even be shown at all on the actual episodes! lol, oh well. for those of you watching...thanks for your diligence! i had an audition on sunday afternoon for an independent film, but haven't heard anything back. also, i made deliveries to several agents to seek commercial representation last week, but haven't heard back from those either. still just trying to be patient! well, i better get ready to grab some lunch and run some errands...don't worry--i'll try to breathe very shallowly for awhile! have a great day everyone!

hello! well today was a long, yet good day for me. i decided to take advantage of a pretty free day and be productive. i drove around los angeles (and i do mean around, as in everywhere! lol), to about 6 talent agencies, to get some "face time" with the agents. i only ended up speaking with one agent, but my main goal was to even just drop off another one of my headshots so that i remain top-of-mind with the agents. i prepared myself for rejection, since i didnt really know what to expect...but, i was pleasantly surprised because all the receptionists were actually very friendly. a lot of them even made a special note that i dropped by in person, instead of just tossing my photo and resume into a pile of thousands of them that inevitably occupies some room at the agency, i'm sure. who knows? it's one of those things that i thought, what've i got to lose, and again, nothing may come of it, or something could. i guess we'll just wait and see...again. :)

so that covers rejection. as for salvation: when i attended an actor's bootcamp seminar at bel air presbyterian church last month, i met anthony barnao, a casting director/manager/has been in the biz for years, who i really felt a connection with. he mentioned something he was starting called stage to salvation, and i said i was interested, so he agreed to keep me informed. we and two other people met on tuesday night to talk about StoS. i was under the impression that he'd already started it, and needed performers, however, apparently we are the grassroots of it. it was truly exciting, because i felt like i was back at mizzou at the bsu conceptualizing and brainstorming, which was one of my favorite parts of college! i'm excited to help start this theatrical venture from the ground floor! all the people there shared a passion of sharing the gospel, but also of doing quality work, not stereotypically jank "christian" mime/puppet/crappily done shows (that's just me venting about a stereotype of poor quality production!) anthony is very experienced, and one of the other guys, todd, was a founder and performer of cirque du soleil! so if it all goes through i think it has the potential to be big time. we're brainstorming--several of the ideas are awesome. it's not going to be a traditional, linear play, or a christian storyline or anything, but some type of multi-media production about real human stories with a common thread--and meeting again this saturday morning. i look forward to seeing the progress of StoS!

well, it's dinner time, so i'm off. hope to hear from you all soon! :)

ok, so i believe i was mistaken. i have not yet watched heroes and samantha who? from tonight, however, my parents did and i don't think either of the episodes were the one i was on. there was a bar scene, but not the one i was in. sorry for the confusion-better luck next week, i guess! i plan on watching the episodes, especially samantha who?, because i think it looks cute.

as for other news, i worked/trained at the novel again today, and i feel like i'm learning more and more as i go. i think i'm officially on the list now to cover shifts, so that's pretty exciting! i hope i'm ready to work the counter all by my lonesome! eeee! it makes me nervous!!! also, i get to go home over my birthday weekend which is in about TWO WEEKS!! i'm getting so excited about it! it will be great to see chris (my boyfriend) and my family :) i haven't really been homesick, but now there's more anticipation knowing that it's so soon that i'll get to spend time with them all! it'll be a great birthday present!

ok, more soon. goodnight!

the novel cafe is a coffee shop in santa monica where my roommate, lane, works. it has been described to me by a crazy patron as "the last known vortex" lol. no seriously, the guy was crazy, and he said that to me once as i walked by!

but, no, it's a real hole-in-the-wall place, with 10 foot high bookshelves, local artwork to the ceilings, mis-matched furniture, good coffee, yummy food, and a very eclectic group of people. anyway...lane had mentioned to me recently that she might need someone to train who could just be an employee that covered people's shifts, so finally i decided to go to work with her friday morning and train. lane is the cafe manager...and it's very very laid back. so, we got up and opened the shop at 6:30 am (early!) and she showed me until one pm how to run the place. i'm excited, because it was fun, but i'm also nervous a)just because it's a new job, and b)only one person works there at a time, and i just question my coffee-knowledge, and ability to do the job quickly while there is a rush and a line of 8 people deep! i doubt i'll work much anyway, though...which is fine...

i have to admit, i feel pretty cool now, lol, as i can use an espresso machine and can make lattes, chais, mochas, and a darn good foamy double cappuccino! no, it's a fun skill to learn.

the inspiration of this post, however, is not my new semi-job, it is a story from my day of training. we do tend to have a lot of regulars at the novel. and actually, quite a few of them are homeless people. they come to read and eat and hang out. it's a really unique environment. anyway, one man--a homeless man who had never been to the novel--came to the counter asking about the books. the books we have are all donated, and you can come and read while you're there, or you may buy books for cheap prices, around $2/paperback, and maybe $4ish for a hardcover (although, the prices are very flexible, like i said, it's laid back). the man put three books up on the counter, and asked how much they were. lane said "oh, how about three dollars total?" and then man replied with something that really touched me, he said, "oh! they're worth more than that, to me." and, he had an expression on his face that showed he really meant it. just a simple thing, but it was the highlight of my day.

it really made me think...what do we take for granted? what do we value? i'll leave with that.

good news and bad news. i'll start with the bad...so...unfortunately, i was misinformed. the episode of csi: miami in which i was an extra aired yesterday, instead of next week, like i thought. however! the good news is, my mom had recorded it just in case, and was watching it tonight...and i got a call from her screaming that she and my dad saw me on tv!! they kept saying "there you are again! and again!" it was so cute! they said i had a close up, and a few shots of me walking in the background. the even better new is--you can watch it online! if you would like to have a look:

go to cbs.com, click on "full episodes," then csi: miami, then it's the episode called "inside out." i actually have a pretty good close up (shown below, ingeniously captured by my mom of a paused screen on our tv at home, lol)! in the first 9 minute segment online, i'm standing by the bus outside the courtroom a couple of times, if you look closely. i'm wearing a black dress, and i have necklace with a hanging circle on. then, i'm also in the riot scene by the bus crash, but not noticeably. next, i'm in the post-crash scene, standing in the far background behind the caution tape talking to a cop (we're behind callie, i believe, in the top mid-right of the screen). and, lastly, when the actress in white and the guy detective are talking at the crash scene post-crash, i cross from off camera right and walk off camera to the left, behind the guy. you'll just see my back, in the black dress, with my hair wavy, and i'm walking with an african american girl, who's on my right.



don't know if you'll be able to pick me out-i only could because i remember exactly where i was!! it's so funny...i dont think i'll ever be able to watch any show/film i'm on for entertainment value...it's hard not to look at it critically, or to not picture it how it was behind the scenes. and...i was so excited about this, i can't imagine how psyched i'll be when i actually have a real part with lines and everything!!! lol...all in due time, all in due time...

another fun day today at my job as a personal assistant, i always love the variety. i've also done some rollerblading lately. i got my neighbor's old blades at our yard sale, and went down to the beach bike path twice for some exercise--it's a great alternative to running all the time. also, i met with susie, the manager i met with when i came out in january, again on tuesday. it was good. i've definitely grown and improved since we last met, and i hope she noticed. who knows if i'll even hear back...just trying to put myself out there, and see what comes through. i'm getting itchy to start working as an actor, though. i had one audition this week, and have a few coming up, but without an agent, none of the stuff i can submit myself to on my own are that big of a deal...

goodnight for now, hope you get to watch at least part of the episode!!

ok, so update on the airings of the shows i was on as background:

-csi: miami, i believe is episode 4, airing on october 15th. i'm wearing a black dress, and i'm one of the rioters.

-las vegas is actually on NOVEMBER 16TH!!! it's episode 9 of the new season, called "it ain't easy being green," and i am wearing a bright dress at times and also a darker dress with a black waist-belt. in this episode, i basically walk around a lot socializing in the casino. there's a scene where several of the leads, two girls and a guy, are walking through the casino, and i'm right behind them.

-samantha who? could potentially be the pilot episode on october 15th, but i'm not for sure! i'm a bar patron, which you probably won't see, but then i'm also the restaurant hostess, at the front desk and walking around. i wear all black, and you may see me as this.

-heroes--i'm still unable to figure out which episode it is, but it's when claire tries out for the cheerleading squad at her new school. i'm just a student.

-the allstate commercial i was in is at a football game, and i probably won't be seen, because i'm just a member of the crowd.

i think that may be it...oh and the foo fighter video-watch for that, because i think i could actually be on it well enough to see...

on another note, i have to post a picture of my brother~ i'm sad i don't get to see him playing soccer, but he's doing really well, and i'm very proud of him. here he is, in blue on the left, in his last game!



that's it for now...nothing else really exciting going on. still hoping for that agent!!

hey all! and so another week begins. it looks like this will be another week of lots of classes, but i honestly never know what tomorrow holds for me, so who knows what will happen! that's kind of an exciting and scary feeling at the same time! i had a great weekend, played some beach volleyball, went to see an indie rock band called kingsley (a guy from my high school is the keyboardist), and just relaxed. i'm still enjoying the sunny california weather, and i'm loving the crisp fall feeling of the air...

so last thursday, i got a random call from a casting company asking if i could be at universal studios in half an hour (which in la, is a huge rush!). don't get too excited, it was just to be a stand-in. however, i rushed over there, took a picture in a hat and sunglasses, and then came back home. later that night, i got a call back from the same company, saying the stand-in part had been filled, but would i like to be an extra in the same project. i didn't have plans for friday, so i agreed. so...i spent all day friday being background in a foo fighters music video! it was so much fun! it's for a song off their new album called "long road to ruin," and luckily i really like the song, since i heard it about 87 times during the course of the day! no, it was a fun set up. if you've ever seen any foo fighters videos, apparently they are pretty humorous. i think this one will live up to that expecation as well. it is a mockery of cheesy 70s rock bands and rockstars, and so it's basically david grohl, the lead singer, getting chased through a mall by hundreds of teenie bopper fans.

we were in a mall in valencia, and they didn't shut it down, so lots of actual mall shoppers got a nice concert, too. for the first half of the day, i was a mall shopper-i got to wear a cute vintage 70s dress and shoes that wardrobe provided. and then the second half, i was one of the fans. i've never heard so many teenage girls screaming in my life...well maybe on a backstreet boys tv special...lol. but it was a sight, that's for sure. and, since there were a ton of minors, that meant stage moms were also lurking around. that was a new experience for me, too. a very interesting one, at that...

but, the band was super nice...dave actually complemented my dress, and they made the day a lot of fun. they didn't take themselves too seriously, which was a big part of it. i can't wait to see the video-i think it will turn out really funny! who knows, i may make a cameo as a screaming fan-which will be hilarious, because they wanted us to be totally over the top like beatles fans, crying and screaming and such...hahaha some of the faces i made!

below are a couple of pictures from my phone...they're not very good quality, but at least they may give you some idea of the day! one is of the scene when a bunch of the fans chase dave down an escalator, and the other is just the band's mall concert setup.




i'm kind of in limbo now, still going to class, but really waiting to hear from an agent. i don't want to get too caught up in obsessing over getting one, but it would be nice. i'm trying to maintain my patience...but i'll keep you updated as always. thanks for reading! until soon...