Narration Voice Oer Demo Reel

voice over demo commercial

my new theatrical Headshot

my new commercial headshots

The Charcoal House - A partial set

The Charcoal House

I had a great set at The Charcoal House in La Mesa, on Saturday night. It was a tough venue since it was in a bar and it was the first time they had comedians performing there, but the crowd was friendly and receptive. Good times were had by all! Thanks to everyone who came and supported me! Michael, Sabrina, Kirk, Ann, Rocky, and, of course, Elsa, my biggest fan!

ROAR Theatre Show

Check this out if you want to come to LIVE IMPROV COMEDY!!!

www.academyofcomedy.com

My First Movie Premier

Here is the info for the movie premier. I need anyone interested in attending to contact me as I can only invite a handful of people.

What's Up!

The second weekend filming on Bump went well. I found out they have a website up with a trailer. It's www.BumpTheShow.com. Check it out. Filming again the second week of November.
Ben's Christmas is only filming one day in November so I've started looking for more projects for November.
The short mockumentary style film is in progress, but I don't have a film date yet for that.
I had a free weekend this weekend so I jumped on an open project for the 72 International Film Festival. I should get a link to that tonight that I can post for y'all.
I've had a couple of cool auditions recently, but haven't heard back yet on either one. I have one tomorrow for an animated character voice over which I'm excited about as well, but I'm not feeling so hot and I'm worried I'll be sick for it. Not good. Hope it's not swine flu...
Upcoming events:
Oct. 30th ROAR Theatre, Zombie Vengance, An Improv Comedy Show, 9pm The Green Room, Next to Twigg's Coffeehouse.
Nov. 7th Stand Up Comedy, The Charcoal House in La Mesa, 7:30pm
Nov. 10th Movie Premier for my first feature length production, The Last Year of My Life.
I'm so stoked about it. I can't wait to see it!

BUMP

I shot the first three episodes of a webisode called Bump this weekend. It's planned to start airing in January. The site is www.Bumptheshow.com. Right now there is just a trailer up. Hopefully it will start building momentum.

Cast and crew hung out after we wrapped Sunday night and I got to know everyone a little better. That was really great since we will all be working together for the next four months. Awesome people, all of them.

I also had my first rehearsal for the feature film Ben's Christmas. It also went well. It was a very long, very busy weekend. But TOTALLY GRATIFYING!!!

News, Notes, & Gloats

I've been so bad about writing and there is so much to tell. In August I was an extra for a production up in LA called the Lawrence Khong Magic Show. I'd tell you all about it, but then I'd have to kill you. No really. I signed a contract. No talk-y about the Magick-y unless you want to end up in court...y.

Then I helped a guy who started this youtube channel called Plastic Edge who is making music videos for songs that need them. It was a lot of fun and I got to spend the day at the beach getting more tan. There should be a link on my you tube channel to it if anyone wants to point and laugh at dear old Lauren.

Then I shot a trailer for a movie up in Santa Clarita, during the middle of the wildfires. Hellooo. Hopefully it means a part in the full production down the road. They shot the trailer first to try and raise more money to make the film. Good luck guys. I'm pulling for you. It's called Brain & Maggie's Yard Sale.

Whew. As if that wasnt' enough, I just got cast in an indie feature being shot here in San Diego called Ben's Christmas. It's a dark comedy that sounds really hilarious. I get to play the dyke. I can't imagine why?! I hope I can rise to the occassion. I was so excited to call Elsa and tell her about it I was literally beside myself. Which is kind of scary since I drove. My first feature film with a real role. YEEEEAAAAHHHHH. Thanks for your confidence and the opportunity Charles. I'm honored to be a part of it.

That was last night. As if I wasn't on enough of a high, I had another audition this morning for another indie feature called I am a Human Directional.
They want to shoot in October, so it should wrap right about the time I start filming on Ben's Christmas. It's a mockumentary and sounds like a lot of fun. I'll get lots of input and a chance to improv. Woo-hoo! I hope I get some kind of role.

Tonight I'll be roasting my buddy Nicole for her 30th birthday. Should be a ton of fun. Wow! That's a lot of shit! I'm tired just reading about it. Oh, and I forgot to mention. I finally got up the courage to do the open mic at The Comedy Store in La Jolla. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be...

Updates

Yesterday I did extra work for a HUGE Production. It's a new Fox Pilot (I believe, but don't quote me on it) called Terriers. I got to hang out on set with some actual famous people. COOL! Adeline Frey - It was nice meeting you and hanging out pretending to be travelers together.

Also, tomorrow is SOUTH BAY PRIDE!! I'll be performing there at 4:45pm. I'd love to see everyone come out and support Pride in the South Bay.

New Demo Reel for Agents

Here is an updated Demo Reel with some new footage. Still waiting on some juicier footage to come in from other projects, but I wanted to get something out there.

Unusual Suspects

Okay, so I got my first Television show. It shot in LA on Monday and Tuesday this week. It's a brand new series for Discovery ID called "Unusual Suspects." It is supposed to begin airing sometime in early 2010. The episode I'll be on is called "The Biloxi Murders." I play a woman named Lynne Sposito, the daughter of the couple who are brutally murdered execution style.

This was a trip! I don't know what I was expecting, but this certainly wasn't it. First of all, the hired me off of my photo and resume - no audition. So, I stupidly assumed it would not be a speaking role. Boy, was I wrong. I drove up to LA on Monday afternoon, just in time to rush into the studio for my first call time. They quickly explained to me who my character was and that we would be improving the dialogue. WHAT?!! Oh my f****ing god!

I was finished with my scene in about 10 minutes. It took me longer to change in and out of the outfit than it did to shoot the scene. It was absolutely crazy! Guerilla filmaking at it's finest!

Day 2, very similar, except it lasted all day and on location instead. It was hotter than a witch's tit in a brass bra on set (in the valley with no air conditioning). I absolutely had the time of my life!!! It was so much fun! No really, I did. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything!

And believe it or not, I really enjoyed improving the whole thing. There is nothing that will put you in the moment faster than being on the spot! I just wish I had known more about my character and what kind of personality she had so I could improv HER, and not just my vision of how someone would react in each situation. I hope I do her justice. She deserves it.

The Comedy Store

Date has not been solidified yet. Still TBD. Will update as soon as I know.

Updated Comedy Dates

First American Law Center

Here's my latest commercial.

Upcoming Comedy Shows

Project Pushback

Please Vote for us! Here is the video I shot for the LA Gay & Lesbian Center for Project Pushback. Watch it - click on "like" to vote for our video so we can WIN! Thanks!

Because Equality Means Everyone from Project Pushback on Vimeo.

Demo Reel for Casting Agents

Thanks for your support!

Just a quick shout out to all of you who came out on a Tuesday night to see me do stand-up comedy! Elsa, Scott, Michael, Malia, Erwin, Jaime, Kathy, Glen. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

All the girls from pretty funny women. You rocked the house!!!

Brick by Brick 4/28/09

Lauren at Brick by Brick from Lauren Holiday on Vimeo.

Auditions, Auditions, Auditions

Wow, I've auditioned for 3 local movies and two commercials since the last time I wrote. So far I've only heard back from one of the films. He said I did great, but was simply too young for the part. He's going to try and find another role for me or write something for me. That was encouraging. The other two I haven't heard back from yet.

The commercials were for Jerome's, and for a pet cemetary up in Rancho Bernardo. I was so sick with a head cold that day. I have no idea how I did. I just tried to do my best despite how I felt...it was rough.

I just came back from an audition for a training video for Costco for a new product they will be offering called Orthotix-fit. They are custom fit orthotics for your shoes at like Costco prices! I have a good feeling about it. The audition went really well and the pay is great! I have my fingers crossed on this one!!

ROAR Theatre

We had our first session last night and I absolutely loved it. I think it is exactly what I was looking for. I can't wait til next week!

Next Brick by Brick Performance

I'll be doing stand up again on April 28th 8:00 pm at Brick by Brick. I'll send out the poster again when I get it.

ROAR Theater Sketch Comedy Troupe

I had an audition on Saturday for a Sketch Comedy Troupe called ROAR Theater her in San Diego and they just called to say I made the group. I start next Wednesday. YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!

They are an improv group and they are going to give me 3 1/2 months of training. If I make the cut they will invite me into the main group. They are performing right now at Twigg's coffeehouse on Saturday's in The Green Room. Next show is April 18th. I want to go and check it out!

Brick By Brick

I got asked back! New performance April 28th.

My First LA Production

It's official. I worked on my first LA Production on Monday. It was for a short film called The Rift that the writer/director wants to get funding to make into a feature length film. It was pretty cool. It's a sci-fi story in the Twilight Zone vein. Had a great time and met some really cool people.

Hello to Andrew Huang, Ben Wilkins, Christina Guerra, Rickey G. Williams, Robert Stilwell, Benedict Burns, Rhoda Pell, Didi, Peter and his girlfriend, and everyone else I met, but didn't catch their names. It was a lot of fun!

Brick by Brick show

Here is the audio from last night's stand-up performance. It's all I got. Thanks to Matt Schugar, John Ceccon, Rich "The Stitch" Flores, and Bob Murphy for all their help and kind words!

The "M" Word

Here is the play I did at The Real Theater titled "The 'M' Word" by Alan Ball.

Exciting Times!

Oh so much to tell! Since the last time I posted I finished my first movie, Scarecrow, Tinwoman, & Lion, a UCSD student production. What a blast that was! I should be getting a copy of that pretty soon. Elsa and I went to the premier at UCSD to see it. That was fun. It's not gonna win any Academy Awards or anything, but it was a great experience for me and I'm really glad I got to do it.

The M Word finished it's run, and that was also a lot of fun. There's nothing like the immediacy of live theater. I was asked to audition for Annie at the Starlight Theater this summer, but ultimately decided to pass on it. I think it will just take too much of my time and energy that I need to devote to other things.

Yesterday, however, was quite the banner day. I spent the afternoon shooting another movie. This one is a series of mini episodes, 10 in all, 8-10 minutes each. It's a thriller called Crimson about a guy who is a hit man for hire, but he's also married with a kid. It should be pretty good. I am basically a featured extra in it. I play the waitress who serves one of the guys that gets wacked by the main character.

Shout out to Matt Snead, Peter Buitenhek, and Walter and his girl Malia. They were awesome! Thanks for coming to the show Walter!

It was such a fantastic experience. It was a very professional set and they shot with a 4K Red One Camera. Wow, it was gorgoeus! They had all kinds of toys. It was just fun to be a part of, and everyone on the set was so cool.

Then, I capped the day off by going to Brick by Brick and performing stand-up comedy for the first time. It was beyond my wildest imagination. I was simply hoping not to suck and it turned out I was pretty good. They asked me to come back, and both of the main headliners also invited me to perform at their venues. Wow! What an absolutely amazing experience it was.

Unfortunately, my "manager" ran out of battery power and didn't end up video taping any of it. That was a real bummer. So I've uploaded the audio from the performance, but it's just not quite the same without the visual. Oh well, it's the best I have to offer until I perform again.

Enjoy!

New Demos

I have finished re-recording and updating my commercial and narration demos and have uploaded them for everyone to hear. I think they are much better and I have to thank my new partner David for all of his hard work giving me additional training, recording, and mastering the new set.

Thanks David!!

Current Gig's Update

Well, I had an extremely busy week last week. I started my stand-up comedy class, I had dress rehersals for the play every night, I shot a movie, I finished re-recording my voice over demo, I had my first paying voice over gig, I went to an open mic night to watch it and see what those were like, and opened the play on Friday night! Whew, no wonder I ended up sick as a dog.
I woke up sick Friday morning and the play opened that night! I got through both Friday and Saturday nights performances through shear force of will perhaps and now I am trying to get over this nastiness.
Man, it was fantastic, but I hope I don't have another week like that one for a while!

March Madness

Here is the poster for my upcoming theater debut. Yikes!

My first paying voiceover gig

This is it folks. My first paying gig in voice overs. It's tomorrow at a studio up in Kearny Mesa. It pays $150/hour and is for a nutritional supplement company. (Don't hate me USANA people--I gotta pay the bills somehow! I know, I know; I'm brand spanking new in the business and I've already sold my soul to the devil, right? At least there's no downward spiral to look forward to!)

Also, I'm starting a new class on Saturday given by a woman from up in LA. She's coming down to San Diego for a six week course on improv training. She also happens to be in voiceovers, which is a plus. She said she will give me some tips on getting more business there, too. It's called Pretty Funny Women, and it's a stand-up class only for women. I'm so scared though, because at the end of the class you have to do a stand up act. I'm petrified, but excited all at the same time.

I have several auditions for movies lately, none of them are paying gigs, but there here in San Diego, so it will be great experience for me if I can get hired for one of them. Plus, I'm working with my voiceover partner David and am learning SO much from him. He is really fantastic!

That's all the latest news from my quest to conquer Hollywoodland (via San Diego).

A Partner

I've been so busy networking that I've kind of forgotten to post in awhile. I went to a meeting last week of the San Diego chapter of the Media Communication Arts Internationl and it turned out to be great. I met the president who is a voice over artist. His name is Jeff Gelder and he has his own production studio. He was a wealth of knowledge about what I should be doing.
I immediately took his advice and joined a group called voiceover universe, an industry networking forum on the web. Within a day or so I ran across a guy here in Chula who has his own studio and produces jingles for commercials. He works mainly in Spanish, but has been looking for a voice for English so he can promote himself to get more work.
I met with him yesterday and we worked out a deal where he will promote me, let me use his studio, and do all the post-production for a cut of the work we do together. It was exactly what I was looking for as I don't feel prepared to set up my own studio yet, but couldn't really promote myself until I had somewhere to work. I am really excited about the partnership and feel like it's a step in the right direction. I can't wait to get started with him.
It also turns out that he knows Jeff and was using him for the few English language jobs he was getting so we may end up working together on some things. It's such a small world!

My First LA Audition

Well, the inevitable has happened. I had my first audition in LA. I went up very early on Wednesday morning so that I could sign up at Central Casting as an extra/background person as well. It was a very, very long day. 3 1/2 hour drive to get to Burbank to stand in line for 2 hours. It was like a cattle call. Then I rushed over to my audition in West Hollywood. It was for a European Pilot of Candid Camera. They needed people to "spoof" and wanted me to fake pretend reactions to their ideas. It was...odd.
That lasted about 10 minutes, then I went to drive home and got lost in some shitty part of Hollywood/Korea Town/don't get caught here at night kind of place until Elsa could talk me through the streets via Google Maps and get me to the highway.
Then I battled rush hour on the 3 1/2 hour trip back.
Yeah, Hollywood!!

A New Acting Job

Got another role. It's a small theater in Hillcrest called the Real Theater and we are putting on a series of one act plays in March. The show is called March Madness and I'm in the one act called "The M Word" written by Alan Ball (American Beauty, True Blood) about two professional people discussing a marriage proposal as if it were a corporate merger. Very funny.

I'm excited and thrilled to be a part of it. Last night was the read-through and then we only have ONE scheduled rehearsal before the week of the show. YIKES! I've got a lot of learning to do. The show opens March 6th and will run Friday and Saturday nights through March 28th.

The theater just opened and it's inaugural show is Star Spangled Girl (Neil Simon) opening Jan. 23rd.

New Headshots

Got some new headshots yesterday better suited for acting auditions.