July 26, 2007

Yesterday I had to get up at 3:30 am in order to catch the bus to the set of "Don't Mess With The Zohan".

We were filming out at Newark Airport, which was standing in for JFK.

They had a big tent set up on one of the parking lots that was going to be our holding area for the shoot.

Ran into a friend, Marilyn, that I have worked with on several previous gigs and we staked out our seats at one of the tables and got breakfast.

While we were getting ready I ran into another friend, Tony, who was cast as one of the baggage handlers for the scene we were shooting today. I haven't seen Tony since we both worked at a theater company together in NYC a few years ago. It was great seeing him again.

The set was inside the terminal at one of the baggage carousels. I won't give it away but it has to do with a very large create and a couple of dogs. I spotted Tony and went and stood by him figuring if the director didn't like where I was he would put me someplace else. Since we did several takes with me there I guess he was happy with were I was and what I was doing.

The fun thing though was during one of the breaks while we were standing there this real cute bull dog came over to where I was standing and "asked" to be petted and scratched. So this is how I met my new friend Matzaball. (See picture above.) Matza is Adam Sandler's 4 year old bulldog and evidently she pretty much has the run of the set. She had one person sort of trailing behind to make sure she didn't get into any trouble and a guy with a video camera to chronical her adventures on set. She seemed to really like me and stayed until her "nanny" sort of moved her along since they were ready for the next shot. I think that what she liked is the fact that I have real good strong fingernails and I can give a very good scratch.

More later.

Filming in the City

So, I am on my way to the subway station after work and I pass by all these Haddad production trucks. As usual my reaction is: "What are they filming and why am I not working on it?"

Then as I keep going one of the doors is marked "Zohan".

Oh, it's okay then I AM working on the film tomorrow. Then I recognized one of the PA's. She looked at me with that "don't I know you?" look.

I just smiled and said "Hi". I'm working tomorrow see you then.

Goddess I love living in NY.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

July 25, 2007

Hi Gang,

Today I have a temp job at a "Managed Assets" company in Mid-Town. Nice company that I have worked at many times before. Like this last Monday for example.

One of the ladies that also works the front desk here is getting ready for her wedding this Saturday. The company was real nice in giving her a little send off party before she left today. They even made sure that I got a piece of cake as well. Let me tell you that doesn't always happen when you are temping some place.
She spent most of the day obsessing about seating arrangements at her reception. She had this one couple that was coming that didn't know anyone else that was invited. So she was trying to figure out where she could put them.

On the very good news front. I got an e-mail today about working tomorrow on the new Adam Sandler film. Yea!!!!!

I would much rather be on a set than in an office any day. Even though it probably means getting up at O Dark Thirty in the morning in order to get there.

Oh I have officially become a Twit. I am now on Twitter if you want you can follow me. www.twitter.com/madalyn. It is just to much fun. I really liked being able to twitter the note about having my job tomorrow.

July 24, 2007

A much better day weather wise than yesterday. Yesterday was cold, rainy and gloomy. Today is nice and Sunny and around 85 or so. MUCH better.

Though I didn't mind to much yesterday since I had an office job. Today though I have off so I am taking care of some errands and am going to take some reading and park time as soon as I finish up here in the library.

So really not much to report today.

May BlackBerry in something more later.

Sending from my BlackBerry

Just found out that I can send posts from my Blackberry via e-mail.

Oh this is dangerous. First Twitter and now this. Soon I will have NO excuse not to keep everyone up to date on my goings on.

July 23, 2007

This is an absolutely dreadful day weather wise. It it rainy and downright cold. Fortunately I have a temp job today so I am inside all day so I don't care ALL that much but still. I was born in the Summer. I like Summer!!!!!!

On to better things. Okay, I have to blame David Hewlett for getting me hooked on Twitter. Spent a bit of time today setting up my account and adding it to my MySpace page and to this lovely little Blog here.

I love the guy but he is a danger to me. Every time he comes up with something new I just "have" to join in. Well it's not so much that I have to it is just that he finds the coolest stuff to introduce me to.

Thanks David. Really I mean it.

Just read that Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane is 67. Gads! She looks great! I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised. Jefferson Airplane was a big deal when I was in college in SF. And I am 50. I guess I just don't think of those things until it is brought to my attention. In my heart and mind I am ageless so I just think everyone else is as well.

Borders Books announced today that they sold over 1.2 million copies of the new Harry Potter book during the first day it was released. I think it is great. So many kids got into reading because of this series of books. Hopefully it will start them on long love affair with reading. Of course all of the fundies are in an uproar because of all of the good Christian children that the book is going to turn into PAGANS. But they ALWAYS have to be in an uproar about something especially if it is something fun.

July 13th, 2007

Oh Friday the 13th. A day feared by many but not by me. Friday the 13th has always been a good luck day for me. (Probably because I know where the "story" comes from and since I am not a member of the Knights Templar I have nothing to worry about.)

Spoke to Anna this morning about the SVU reshoot on Monday. She was totally supportive about it. Since I don't know what time I am going to be needed at the studio I haven't told the rest of the gang yet. I am hoping it will not be an all day affair so that I can come in for at least part of the day.

Also, I have made plans to go out for a drink with Kim after work on Monday and I really don't want to cancel that either unless I absolutely have to.

Tonight I had dinner with the New York Sentinel Ladies. We are all fans of the series The Sentinel that ran on UPN for several years in the 90's. I haven't been able to join them the last few "Night Outs" due to work commitments and stuff. It was great catching up with everyone again. Of course conversation was lively we talked a lot about politics and current events. But we did manage to squeese in some talk about our favorite guys: Richard and Garett.

Really had a good time. The downside of the whole thing was that the restaurant didn't have cell phone reception so I missed my call from Grant Wilfley telling me what time I needed to report to set on Monday. Bummer. I know they will call back since they have to get me the information but I was hoping that I could send out the e-mail to the people I am working with to let them know if I am going to be in and at what time on Monday. I'd really like to have this over with so that I can enjoy the weekend. But I guess it was not meant to be.

July 12, 2007

Got a call today from Grant Wilfley Casting. They need me to comeback for a reshoot of a scene on L&O:SVU that I did a couple of weeks ago. Evidently they decided to rewrite the scene so now have to reshoot it. Since I was one of the Jurors and sitting right next to the Foreperson it is very necessary for me to come back.

Normally, I would be the happiest camper in the Universe. They want ME. Obviously I am on screen (or they wouldn't care), more money and working for a day on set. What more could I ever ask for.

Well, the issue is a rather nutty one but one that I run into from time to time. The shoot date is next Monday and I am supposed to be here at the Venture Capital place working for Olivia. It is sort of the thing of giving my word that they can count on me being here and now I have to say I can't be here on Monday.

I am sure they will understand and be cool with it. I just hate to have to do it that's all. Of course there is no question about my doing the shoot that is after all my career. But I could really do with out this over grown sense of honor that I have about these things.

July 11, 2007

I am finding just putting the date in the subject line so much better than trying to think of a "title" every day.

Today I am starting on a week and a half Temp job at my favorite company to work for. It is a Venture Capital type place that is based out of Sweden. Really great people and as long as I get their stuff done they really don't care what else I do.

My goal this week is to catch up on some promotional work (for me of course) and to see if I can spread the Taffy trailer to other sites besides You Tube.

Doing well on You Tube though which is wonderful.

Also decided I REALLY want, need, desire (you get the picture - pun intended) a digital camera. There are so many neat things I could do with it. Besides of course putting pictures up on the Blog.

Okay. I will admit it it is HOT. It is in the 90's here in New York. The heat index thingy says it feels in the 100's. Well, I don't know about THAT but it is warm. Like for so many people it really isn't the heat that bothers me it is the humidity. When you have to grab the air and squeeze out the water before you breathe it, I am NOT comfortable. I especially hate it when my clothes start sticking to me. Especially in those - shall we say more delicate areas.

Anyway enough of that at the moment.

Had an audition this morning for a film. At first it didn't start out to well. The CD had not put my name on the list for the building security so they wouldn't let me into the building. The phone# that the Security people had didn't answer so I had to leave a message at the CD's office (which also didn't answer) as to why I was obviously going to be late to the audition.

Fortuneatly there was a park nearby so I went out there to hang out for a couple of minutes hoping that I would hear from somebody. I decided to give it 30 min and if I didn't hear from anyone I would either head to the library or head home.

Well, just as I was getting ready to put my book away and leave my cell rang, it was from the people I was going to audition for. They were so sorry, totally their mistake and they asked if I was still in the neighborhood. I went back to the building and needless to say allowed right in.

Went to the waiting room where I met another actor who was waiting to audition for the same project. He was rather interesting since his attitude was basically "I will be an actor as long as it doesn't inconvenience me to much". Theater took to much time, commercials were Okay but he would not want to be a regular on a T.V. series, a recurring role however was okay if he could fit it in. GADS!!!! Also, he would never take an extra gig since that was beneath him and he didn't think he had the temperment for it.

The monitor came in to get me since it was by this point it was over 45 min after my scheduled appointment time. I was not going to argue the point since I had been there on time. Well my fellow actor had to complain that he was there first so it was really HIS turn. (I guess the audition was taking up to much of his time.) I was polite and said I didn't mind and let him go in.

The audition itself was rather fun. We talked a little about where I came from and what I had been doing. I did my monologue. (I think the young lady at the audition table was going to fall off her chair she was laughing so hard - good thing I think). I did a couple of improv exercises. (Between you and me I never feel comfortable doing improv but I am getting to think that I am better at it than I really think am.)

That was it, now I just wait to see if they call.

On the way to the subway station I found myself behind this young woman who was shall we say rather full figured (like me). She was wearing a rather tight white skirt and underneath - very visable through the skirt - a thong. I remind you that it is hot outside today. Well let's say everything that could jiggle was jiggling. Now I am very much into body conciousness and if she is happy with that look for herself - more power to her. But I just hope that that IS the case. It was an experience walking behind her. I wouldn't do it personally but that is just me.

I was supposed to meet up with my Taffy co-star today since he is making me some copies of the film to send to some people. (Hopefully so big news on that front in a couple of days.) It ended up that we could not get our schedules straight so postponed it. He is going to photoshop a cover for the jewel case which is GREAT!
With the audition happenings of before it was a good thing that we decided not to do it today.

Found out my Netflix will not be coming today. Bummer. Well really that may be a good thing. Make plans for my week at the temp job. Lots of things to do but more gets done when I am more organized.

Well got to go.

Well finally sort of caught up with my posts.

Today I am working a temp job at one of the financial places that I often work for. Really nice since I get to work on the computer all day and no one really bothers me as long as I get their stuff done as well. Which I can do easily.

Did some promoting of Taffy on Myspace. Our You Tube stats are up to 270 which is good. Keep them climbing so that we can get the picture out.

Also, been catching up on some other peoples blogs. I can read them off my BlackBerry but sometimes it is nice to read them off of the computer.

Tomorrow I am hoping to spend some time at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (Tuesdays is free admission). It is one of my favorite places and I really haven't had the chance to hang out there all that much this year yet.

I also have an Audition at 11:15 for another Student Film. I need to check the Equity web site before I leave here today to see if there are any Equity Auditions that I can go to tomorrow. (I really have to get more on top of that aspect of things). Last summer I did a lot of Equity auditions, this year I have only done a handful.

On Wednesday, I start a week and a half at one of my favorite places to temp. Already making plans on projects to do while I am there. Going to use that time to really focus on promoting Taffy and myself for that matter. Catch up with some goal setting and sending out my headshot and resume to the casting directors of the new series that are going to be filming here in New York next season. They should all be filming by the time I am through with the temp job.

Oh, and yes, don't worry I will do all the great admin assit. duties that I will have at the office. It's just that they are another place that I can do my own thing after I finish what they need to have done. I never sneak around with doing my own stuff. Just to much of a hassle to always have to watch my back and I have found that honesty has usually paid off with the support of the people that I am working for.

Today was the PERFECT Sunday. At least as far as I am concerned.

Lounged and cuddled with my kitty Aengus while listening to "On The Media" and "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR.

Then caught the bus headed for Park Slope (I don't hang around my neighborhood unless I can't help it!!!!)

Walked around for a little bit. Went into one of my favorite little stores on 7th Avenue that sells incense and other goodies. Didn't really pick up anything on this visit since I am planing on really doing some serious magickal shopping in a coupe of weeks or so. But still good to see what they had.

Then went and had a lovely lunch at the Second Street Restaurant on 2nd Street. Basically just a hamberger and a glass of Guiness but it sure tasted good.

Went up to the Barns and Noble or as I usually call them Buns and Noodle to see if the new issues of New Witch was out. It isn't yet.

Then went over to Prospect Park for a couple hours. Read for awhile, watched a vollyball game, and someone trying to get a really large and beautiful Kite aloft. Although it was hot out temperture wise I really didn't feel it because of the shade and the nice breeze that I had under the tree.

Then headed home. Listened to a couple other fav. radio shows. "The Business" and then "Speaking of Faith".

So all in all a very nice low key day.

Another day another audition.

But hey that is the way I like it. Auditions are a pain but they really are a way of performing for an audience (usually of one or two). Besides I consider each audition just one more step toward my goal of Stardom.

Today's audition was really very interesting and a lot of fun. It was for a "mockumentary" that is being done by a couple of guys from Scandanavia. One is from Denmark and the other is from Norway. I got to do a campaign speech as if I was runing for President of the United States.

Now although I am VERY political and extreemly opinionated as far as politics is concerned I don't think I will ever really run for public office. This campaign season we are seeing if people can accept a woman and an African-American running for President. I am pretty sure they wouldn't be ready for a Pagan yet.

But I really had a lot of fun "playing the part". The people holding the audition really seemed to like it so have my fingers crossed for this one.

Today I had an audtion for a Student Film called: "Alice". Real nice simple audition. The role I read for was "Grumpy Old Lady". Gads.

Well one of the Agents that I work for put me on hold to work on the new film 27 Shoes for today and tomorrow. Only I haven't heard anything about actually booking a time so I am thinking that I am free for the day.

Went into Manhattan and visited the library to jump on the computer and check out what was happening with Taffy on MySpace. We have over 250 views on YouTube which makes me happy. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I can really put some concerted effort into getting it some more publicity. While I was at the library I happened to pick up a couple more books (as if I really needed any more books to read).

I couln't find a copy of BackStage so I think that it isn't coming out until tomorrow.

My July 4th was rather low key this year. Since I got home late last night and didn't have anything planned in advance I just sort of hung out and read a book.

I am planing on writing a little bit about the books I read as a go along. That is the ideal anyway. Don't know if it will actually ever happen. I seem to always be doing catch up as it is anyway.

Hope you had a nice Holiday.

Working

Working on set today.

I got a call yesterday afternoon asking if I would be interested and if I was available to work tomorrow on Law & Order: SVU. The episode title was: Snitch.

I of course said yes. This was my first time on SVU I have done the flagship L & O and several of the short lived spin-offs (Trail by Jury and Conviction) before.

The call time was an extreemly reasonable 9:30 am instead of the usual 6 am or 7 am call. Felt like an actualy commuter while on the subway going to set.

When I got there I found out that I was cast as one of the Jury which means at least a second of guaranteed camera time. This was also 2nd unit since they were filming two episodes on this day. I found out from one of the PA's that they are trying to get all of this seasons episodes in the can before the possible writers strike so they are really hussling to get as much done as possible.

Only saw Christopher Maloni and Mariska Haritay (August's Mommie-as her chair says) briefly as they passed me in the hall.

I am very happy to report that I did not hear a grumpy comment all day on set (refering to a previous blog). Every one was really great and I had a great time getting to know some people that I hadn't met before but know that I will see again.

Because of trying to cram everything in the day was a long one. Pretty close to 12 hours.

So really a good day.