My New Favourite Hang

I've been assigned some reading for my workshops, and what better place to read and feel connected then a local cafe.  A quick google search, and a short bike ride later, I had found it.

Coffee Commissary is located on Fairfax, North of Melrose in West Hollywood; about a five minute bike ride from where I'm staying.  The patio is lovely and spacious, the shop is airy and cool with a set of tables and a bar rail facing the street for people watching.

I ordered a mint tea and it came in the most gorgeous glass press-pot.  The servers were very accommodating when I asked for a refill of hot water.  Speaking of the servers, SO CUTE!  They all wear collard shirts with either a tie, bow tie or suspenders.  Very hipster.

I have three books that I am reading for different workshops.  The first is Truth by Susan Batson - she thanks my coach Greg Braun, now of The New Collective in her introduction.  The next book is The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller, as a psychologically introspective appendix to the acting work, and the third is Eight Characters of Comedy by Scott Sedita.  I will be attending his Sitcom Acting Intensive workshop on Sunday.

Back to work, not that I'm complaining!

California Dreaming

Today I found out that I was accepted into the performance track of the Groundlings school.  FUN!  That means that if I'm able to come to LA for longer next year, I can enroll in a class!  Also fun today was my first on-camera class at The New Collective LA.  I got some tips on books to read from my coach so this evening I biked down to the local Barns and Noble at The Grove and this is what I found:

On the way, I happened to pass the CBS studio.  There were gaggles of girls running down the street with American Idol stickers on their pant legs.  I think they were contestants?

The Grove's movie theatre.  Classy!

I felt like such a dorky tourist taking pics of the fountain, but it really was striking at night, and you had to be there, but the water jets were actually timed to Lional Ritchie's "All Night Long".  Ummmmm....amazing.

The Grove has its own streetcar!  (it goes about 200 feet, but its still very pretty!)

That's all for now folks.  Goodnight East Coast!

Groundlings Comedy School Audition!

Today was my first full day in LA, and I decided to jump in head-first with an audition.  This will allow me to be placed in a certain level of the Groundlings Comedy School and if I'm able to come to LA for a longer period next time, I can take a session of classes.  The audition was a lot of fun.  It took the form of activities and scene work that we might do if we were training there; I performed two improvised scenes with a partner and got some positive and constructive feedback.  The instructor was the super-cool former marine, actor and writer for MAD TV Guy Stevenson.  Tomorrow I'm headed to an on-camera audition class at a different studio.  I picked up my scene today, I've practiced it a few times, and now its time to unwind.

Actor/Comedian Phil Hartman was a Groundlings Alumnai.  This was mounted over the door of the theatre.

My Temporary West Hollywood 'Home'

The weather here in LA today is partially cloudy and about 15'C.  I looked ahead to the weekend, and it looks like sunny and 24 degrees is on the way!!!  I've added a weather widget to the side bar, and kept it in Celsius for my Canadian homies.  I'm staying in a rented room in a first floor of an apartment in West Hollywood that I found through airbnb (great site, highly recommend!).  I'm off to make some lunch before my Groundlings Comedy audition, but here's a little peek at my room:

Hollywood Adventure - Day 1 in Pics

Up, up, and away!  No, that's not my flash, that's that thing called the "Sun".  That thing that us northerners tend to forget about around this time of year.  I've gone on a sun quest, and I've FOUND IT!!!

Touching down at LAX, I was once again surprised at how flat and wide the city is!

I took a Super Shuttle from the airport to the place I'm staying.  I HIGHLY recommend it, reasonable fare, flat rate.  And even being stuck in infamous LA traffic, you don't have to worry about the meter running high.

As soon as I arrived, I hoped on my rented vehicle (bicycle) and went in search of trouble (and a few groceries).  I rode and rode, shopping at some very reasonably priced small Mexican-run grocers in the area.  Just enough to carry in my basket and no more.  I saw the hill in the distance and thought I'd go on a quest to find the HOLLYWOOD sign.

I rode and rode, and only got a fleeting glimpse of it.  I'm on the wrong side of the hill to get really close.  I'm staying in West Hollywood, and by the time I got close to the hill, I realized I would have to go even farther!  My legs were tired, so I stopped for a drink in a little square at the edge of a police barricade.  Little did I realize, that my search for the Hollywood sign had lead me directly to the edge of the Oscar's red carpet area!

The area closed off for the Oscars encompassed many blocks.  Stretch limos were pulling out of every street.  The sun was setting, so I started my long bike ride home.  My legs were VERY tired by this point, and it seemed as it was getting harder and harder to peddle.  That's when it hit me.  I HAD BLOWN A TIRE!!!

I was still miles from "home", on a Sunday evening as the sun was setting, in a city I've never been to, alone!  When I stopped at a crosswalk, and happened to look over my shoulder, I saw the Oasis!  Spokes 'N Stuff Bike Shop was being barred up for the night by two technicians.  I ran across the street to ask the men what time they were opening tomorrow morning.  I have an audition for the Goundlings Comedy Training Program, and I was planning on riding the bike to the call time.  The man looked at the bike and replied simply, "I can do it now, takes 5 minutes."  I thanked him as much as I could while I sheepishly followed him into the sore.  The man at the counter chatted with me while my bike was being healed.  He was originally from Montreal and could tell immediately that I was a "nice Canadian girl".  Something about how my attitude was nice, and I didn't have that "superficial look".  In the afterglow of a genuine compliment, my bike up and running, groceries in my basket, and the sun fully set, I was ready to call it a day.

I guess you can take the girl out of Canada, but you can't take Canada out of the girl.

Goodbye YYZ - Hello LAX!

It's shortly after 7am, Sunday morning, and I'm sitting somewhat comfortably in the beautifully spacious new terminal at Toronto Pearson Airport, waiting patiently for the boarding call for flight AC 791. Its a vacation, but also a work retreat. I've never taken a vacation alone before, and I though to myself, "self, where would you like to go to feel rejuvenated, renewed, and rewarded" and the answer came quickly. Los Angeles, California. Why would a city girl want to visit another bustling city for a va-cay? I'm treating this as a 'creative retreat' of sorts, and taking a number of acting classes and workshops, as well as auditioning for the Groundlings comedy training program and scouting theatre venues.  In my over-scheduled version of life, I'm actually taking at least one class almost every day! I'm hoping to use some of the studio time to develop the character for my upcoming one-woman show, Dairy Free Love while re-charging my batteries with some warmer weather towards the end of depression season (winter!).  If any of you happened to catch the sunrise over Toronto this morning, you got a real treat.  I give you, 'Toronto at Dawn'.   Next stop, LAX.

Coming Soon...

Sneak Peek...

I was on set today for a super-fun commercial project and I can share a quick peek behind the camera and at the location for the shoot.  More details and footage coming soon!

I was on set today for a super-fun commercial project and I can share a quick peek behind the camera and at the location for the shoot.  More details and footage coming soon!