Last Thursday I played the lead in a reading of "Recess" by Craig Abell-Champion held at Writer's Boot Camp in Santa Monica. Writer's Boot Camp is an organization for where would-be screenwriters go to learn and polish their craft. On a semi-regular basis, they bring in actors to read the second acts of their (typically) three-act screenplays. The first and third acts aren't performed because writers get bored watching readings like the rest of us, and a screen play lives and dies by its second act.I arrived at this reading by following up with one of my Actor's Network Power Group members, Anna Rahe. She mentioned that Writer's Boot Camp was always on the lookout for new actors, and that reading at one of these events might prove to be a useful networking opportunity. I sent her an email saying that I was interested in reading for the lead, and she replied shortly thereafter saying that I had been cast as such. Which is evidence that "90% of life is just showing up."
The reading was a lot of fun, and it provided a great chance to get to know some of my Actor's Network colleagues a bit better. I didn't fully utilize the event as an opportunity to fraternize with the screenwriters, but I anticipate having ample opportunity when I return for more reads. But better than all this: Writer's Boot Camp provided each and every actor with their very own gourmet dark chocolate candy bar. Yum!
Contest: The first person to identify the following book for me gets my extreme gratitude and the opportunity to read it once I purchase and finish it. I seem to recall an interview on Fresh Air wherein Terry Gross interviewed a gentleman (who I think was English) who vowed to not say "no" for an entire year. This led to many great adventures, lots of house parties and travel all over Europe. His conclusion upon finishing the year was that one tends to meet more people and do more interesting things when "no" is stricken from your lexicon. His experiences and conclusions were catalogued in a book. What is the title of this book and/or the name of the author? Many thanks.
4 comments:
Dear Donovan,
i am a Greek actor and i contact you to let you know that i'm reading your blog and to wish you all the best to your efforts.
Keep up!
Best regards
George
Donovan,
I just found your blog as it was linked to my friend, diablo cody's. are you involved with juno in some way? guess i'll have to read on to find out. i'm an actress my self, relatively new to L.A, but doing all right. in answer to your query, the book is "yes man," by Danny Wallace. i know because i just did two days on the jim carrey film adaptation of the book.
All the best,
Catherine
Thanks Catherine, I was racking my brain trying to figure that out.
I'm friends with Diablo, but I wasn't involved with the production of "Juno". I'm very eager to see the film.
Do you know Diablo from Minnesota or LA or ???
Thanks again, and as per my contest announcement: just ask if you ever want to borrow the book, my copy should be arriving shortly.
Donovan-
I was there that night and I am a writer myself. The Actor's Network is a great group to be a part of. I've seen many acting groups come and go for the WBC Table Reads and they have a solid rep. You gave a very good read which can be challenging when you've never read the piece aloud before with any of your fellow readers. You're right, it's a great opportunity to network with serious writers. Sometimes there are after-reading visits to the pubs in Santa Monica. Next time you're there, you'll have to come along.
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