What A Day!

Recently my blog posts have been to notify you of upcoming appearances as an extra on television, but there has actually been a lot of other things going on. Since October 1st our apartment has been a bit of a hotel, hosting my various family members who came to visit. Family visits, holidays, and lots of work have kept me from getting in dance classes lately but I hope to refocus my time in the new year. I had hoped to get some classes in before coming home to Seattle for a week over Christmas but have just been inundated with jobs. I landed a great babysitting job through the hotel agency that will keep me busy till I fly out on the 22nd.

A family is visiting here from Saudi Arabia, while the father is here on business (he is the lawyer to the royal family). The two children are five and seven years old and have a full time nanny who has come with them for the trip. Myself and one other babysitter from my agency have been hired for 6 hours a day to be the children’s tour guides of NYC. So, the other sitter and I switch off days taking the kids to various tourists sites and shows, yes Broadway shows that is!!! I can’t complain much when I’m getting paid to sit and watch a Broadway show, especially when the father has me buy the seats 12 rows back in the center!

Here is what life was like this past Tuesday. I woke up and did some work for my internet job. My brother had flown his boss and his wife up to NY for a few days and was staying at our apartment since the decent hotels are booked from the holidays. (*NOTE: if you don’t know who Daniel’s boss is, feel free to ask me or email me, for internet purposes I thought I would leave the name out*) After getting some coffee with Mike and Daniel I headed into the city for another day of babysitting fun. After meeting up with the kids at the hotel, the nanny, two kids, and I were off in the private chaffered car that the family has on call for the duration of their stay. We arrived at Rockefeller Center and went to rent our skates. I spent the next two hours helping the kids around the ice rink as it was their first time to ice skate. The nanny stayed on dry ground and I impressed myself with my ability to balance on ice skates while being pulled at from both sides by falling children.

After getting our fill of skating we took the elevator to ‘The Top of the Rock’ which is the view point from the top of the NBC Studios Building (see attached photo). Dusk had just fallen and the view was gorgeous. My time to look over the city was cut short by tired and hungry children who had become grumpy and were ready to head back. We find out the Dad is waiting at the Plaza Hotel and we to go and meet him there. Our driver picks us up and whisks us back uptown to the hotel. At the hotel I meet one of the princes (the second one I’ve met so far) and try to keep the kids behaving while we wait for their dad. On our way back to their hotel I am handed a tip for the past 3 days and lets just say WOW, I don’t know when I will be ever handed that much cash again, well maybe after my final day with this family, but I don’t know after that! I say good bye to the kids who are sad to see my go but I promise to be back on Thursday.

I then go and meet up for Chinese food with Mike and Daniel as we wait to hear word from Daniel’s boss. A full belly of Chinese food and a Starbucks latte later we find out Daniel’s boss is on the Upper East Side at a restaurant. We hop on the subway, then take a quick taxi ride cross-town. We’re looking around for the restaurant when all of a sudden, there he is, Daniel’s boss is standing outside waiting to meet us. My stomach drops and I have a moment of wanting to run away because I am nervous. We walk up, shake hands and he tells us to head to the back of the restaurant. We make our way back to a large round table where Daniel’s boss’ wife is sitting and another man, who we learn owns a high-end men’s clothing store. We spend the next few hours making conversation with everyone and trying to not appear star-struck. It wasn’t too awkward, his wife was nice and he was hilarious. At the end of the night Daniel’s boss gave me a hug and kiss good-bye and that was it. The end to a very long but exciting day had come and I knew it was a day to be blogged.

Law School Finals, random thoughts....

Christmas season approaching means one thing for law students: the start of study season. We are welcomed not by black sales, glittering lights, or a jolly fat man. Rather, the season brings with it exhaustion, a remarkably shorter temper, and spending evening trying to figure out what the Constitutional Framers intended by saying " an accused has the right to be confronted with the witnesses against him." Who needs St. Nick when you have Scala or O'Connor.

My first final will be a 48 hour nightmare staring the morning of December 14th. Study season means I study, every day, as much as humanly possible... trying to ascertain diluted legal theories from incomprehensible authors. The worst author, by far, being your elected legislature. Maybe I should have voted for President not based on change, but based on ability to write laws coherently.

Woe is me, woe is me. Yet, no matter how little I see the sun, or Zoka, or Elisa... I am struck by how lucky I am by not have my Christmas season shadowed by the fear of loosing my job. Not only that, but how lucky I am that on December 22nd, I will get in a plane, with my amazing wife, fly to a place I can truly call home, and spend an entire week with an wonderful family.

Alright, enough for now. Back to it...

Its that time again … time to play your favorite weeknight game: Where’s Elisa?

That’s right, this coming Monday night, December 1st at 8:00 the episode of Gossip Girl that I am on will be airing on the CW Network at 8:00pm.

I play one of the students attending the Snowflake Ball and have attached a photo of the dress I am wearing for the scene (yes that is my senior year prom dress for those who recognize it). My hair is all put up in high up-do and the silver headband I wore for my wedding is atop the crown of my head. Unfortunately, for this show I am unable to give you a detailed description of where to look for me. This scene took three 12 hour days of filming and in all that filming time I was placed in almost every area of the room at some point.

For those of you on the West Coast I will do my best to send another email on Monday night after I have watched the episode to let you know if I can be seen. For those of you watching it on the East Coast here are a few scenes I can remember where I was located:

When Dan and Serena (main blonde girl) are dancing and talking together on the dance floor and therefore their dates are dancing and talking on another part of the dance floor - I am behind the two dates (both dark haired)

When Vanessa (silver see-thru dress) gets the spotlight shone on her to reveal her dress is see-thru, I am on her left, on the edge of the dance floor.

Sorry that’s all I can give for specifics for now. This may turn out to be like Law and Order where I am hardly visible, but even though it is a party scene, it was not as dark and smoky as Life on Mars was. As for other upcoming shows, Law and Order CI premieres in January and the other shows I’ve been working on are all pilots or shows premiering in the Spring.

Please note that my hair was up for the filming and that they gave me a big double strand gold pearl necklace to wear with the dress.

Thanks for watching!

Quick Update

Sorry its been so long again since I have written! If you are a faithful reader of my blog, I apologize for the delay but please know that when there is a large gap in entries it means a lot has been going on and therefore there will lots of updates eventually!

Today is my final performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at a theatre in Brooklyn. It has been a good run and as is the case with most productions, the closing show is bittersweet. I'm looking forward to having more freedom in my schedule and to have time for more tv filming; as well as I'm beginning to pursue finding myself an agent.

My mom was in town again last week to see me perform and then spend a few days in the city. She got to experience "a day in the life of elisa" as she came with me to my voice lesson and dance classes one of the days. My dad and new step-mom have arrived this morning and will be attending my final performance today and then staying through next week. Daniel, my brother arrives on Tuesday and all of us will be spending Thanksgiving with my dad's family in New Jersey. I will try to post photos soon!

Also ... since my next tv air date is a few weeks away, here is a web video I did for the Onion News Network : Attractive Girl Union Video
I am on the right when they show the group of girls standing on the podium behind the blonde girl giving the speech (about 2min 30sec into the video).

In case I don't get a chance to write again this week, have a wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving!

Papa Glasses?

My mother swears that my new glasses look like my grandpa's glasses when he was young.

Thoughts?

<------------ VOTE!

Change.

This was a new morning. I, along with so many others, are excited to see what Obama can do. If he can live up to half of his dreams, we are in for an amazing journey.

I thought this picture wonderfully encapsulates just part Obama change...

Happy Voting

Happy voting. Elisa and I woke up at 6am this morning, waited in line for only 20 minutes, and got our voting on. New York has great machines straight from the 1910's... check out these great machines! Let's hope the vote turns out the way this picture shows! :)




(Thanks http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_collins/3003043971/in/pool-429831@N24/ for the images)

Law and Order Wednesday November 5th

Thanks to all those who sat and watched “Life on Mars” to see my head quickly pass by the camera and then pop up in the background of the dance scenes. I just realized that the Law and Order Episode I am on “Rumble” is airing this Wednesday Night on NBC at 10:00pm as the season premiere. This one should be a little easier to spot me as I was in the background for four separate scenes as different characters and none of the scenes are at a crowded, dark party. Here’s where to look…

The story revolves around a ‘fight club’ and when a wall street broker is killed at one of the fights.

Scene: Office of Wall Street Traders
The guy who the story is focusing on is having a hard time at work. His cubicle is on the end of a row of three cubicles. The cubicle on the opposite end is where I am! I am wearing a light turquoise button-up and have my hair down but pulled off my face. During the scene I stand up and talk to another guy who comes into my cubicle.

Scene: Office of Wall Street Traders - after the death of wall street guy
The detectives come back to the office to investigate his desk area and talk with his co-workers. I am still in my cubicle and wearing a different light turquoise button up with stripes. This time I’m talking to another girl in my cubicle and then turn and talk to the guy in the middle cubicle - at this point I should be face-on with the camera (if they use that shot).

Scene: Court Room
Vinny, head of the construction workers gang is being charged after the wall street worker’s death. I play a reporter in this scene in a dark business suit and my hair pulled back in a low ponytail and taking feverous notes on the case. I am situated in the court room just off the center aisle on the right side, 3 rows back.

Scene: Court Room
A group of about 10 wall street guys and the guys from Vinnie’s gang are all being charged in court after a rumble has broken out. I am in the audience of the court room as one of the wives of the wall street guys. I’m standing I in the center a few rows back with a blonde girl and then two other girls come in and join us in the row. I am wearing a dark gray shirt with my hair down.

Happy Watching!

Pictures from our trip to Austin, Texas!

Here's a few photos of our fun and relaxing trip with the Pope Family in Texas!

Look for me on "Life on Mars" this Thursday...

Since pursuing background work for television about 6 weeks ago, I have been fortunate to work on the following shows: Law and Order (the original), Law and Order Criminal Intent, Life on Mars, Gossip Girl, and a new pilot for USA - Royal Pains (coming out next year).

TV production involves long hours and as a non-union actor, the pay is decent but nothing glamorous. However it has been a great learning experience to spend so much time on different sets and familiarize myself with how shows are made. There is a whole world of terms I am learning and all different types of people that work on the production side of things. Its also been fun to meet other actors and many of them I see over and over again on the different sets. Of course, its also quite exciting to be up close and personal with some of tv’s hottest stars and to have the chance to be seen on these shows myself.

Since I am still non-union a lot of ‘featured background’ parts go to SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild) members, however I have been lucky enough to end up with prime camera placement a lot of the time. So far none of the tapings I have done have aired on television and as I find out each show and episodes air date I will post the details here. Law and Order doesn’t start up again on tv until January so that one, along with the pilot I did for Royal Pains, will have a longer wait. L+O Criminal Intent is suppose to be in late November since the episode I did is the season premiere. Gossip Girl (for which I filmed for three days of 12-14 hour days) should be sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, the Life on Mars episode I did is this coming Thursday!

The scene I am in is at a 70’s club/bar that the main characters come to after work. They shot several scenes at the bar, all of which I lucked out to be in the proximity of the main characters. Of course, I have no idea which scenes will end up on the cutting room floor and/or which camera angles will be used. I will do my best to describe how to look for me and if you are watching the show from the west coast I should have a chance to see the show before you and send out an email as to whether or not I’m visible at any point.

I am wearing a short black leather skirt, black boots, and a deep purple see-through silk poncho over a black bra (no I did not pick this outfit out myself). My hair is down and parted in the center. My hair is quite long now so I had the perfect hippie hair without having to do anything to it! The scene is in a bar so its dark and they were using a smoke machine which may make it harder to make out actual faces.

1. The scene when Sam (main guy) enters the bar with Gene (Harvey Keitel’s character) they walk in and go to the bar where two of the other guys are already standing. I am right next to the bar facing the direction they come in from. Then Annie (blonde girl) comes into the scene and goes to the bar and I remain right next to the main characters doing my hippie dance. When Sam and Gene leave Annie standing at the bar by herself, I cross in front of her with another guy and act like I’m ordering a drink.

2. Later on, Sam comes back to the dance floor scene and Sam and Annie have a scene in the middle of the dance floor and dance together for a bit. I’m somewhere behind them and then later behind Sam from Annie’s point of view.

3. When Sam spots the guy wearing the Nirvana t-shirt I should be somewhere to the left of the screen dancing (depending on how wide of angle they end up using. Then when he spots a famous football player from the 70’s flanked by two models, I do a couple of crosses between the camera and the football guy.

These are just the specific scenes where I know I was near the camera’s view point, however there’s no way to know if I will actually be visible. Of course, they did various other shots and angles of which I may or may not appear as well. I should be able to send out an email by 9:30 PST on Thursday after I’ve gotten home from rehearsal and had a chance to see it. Let me know if you have any questions, thanks for watching!

Adventures with Mom

My mom came to visit for two whole weeks! (Oct 1-15) The first week she was here her friend and fellow costume designer Erin came along as well. That first day they were here we got a bit of a late start since I had returned home at 5am that morning from filming a tv pilot called “Royal Pains” due to air on USA Network next year. But we still managed to have time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and then headed into the city in hopes of landing some tickets to a Broadway show! Luck turned out to be on our side as both my mom and Erin’s names were drawn for the lottery tickets to “In the Heights!” It was my second time seeing it but I think I loved it even more this time, I highly recommend this show to everyone! The next two days my mom and Erin went to visit my aunt and uncle out in NJ. Saturday night Mike and I met them back in Times Square and went to see “Forbidden Broadway,” a spoof of current shows and stars that is closing soon after playing for 27 years! Sunday night was tickets to “Title of Show” a small show that started at the New York Fringe Festival four years ago and became a Broadway hit. Sadly, it closed the weekend after we were lucky enough to see it.

Monday was Erin and my mom’s day to live their fabric dreams as they ventured out to all the fabric shops they could find in the big city. They came home loaded with bags of fabrics and costumer’s treasures! Tuesday I had to get up early to attend ‘Fiddler on the Roof” auditions and my mom and Erin got a chance to rest after their day of shopping. Tuesday night was the eagerly awaited concert of “Celtic Thunder” at Radio City … my mom and Erin came back high on Irish music! Erin left Wednesday morning and my mom and I headed into the city to attempt tickets to a “Wicked” matinee performance assuming we’d have better odds with the lottery then. Unfortunately, “Wicked” lottery was the only one we’ve never been able to win but we went to the ticket booth and were able to get discounted tickets on the Orchestra level … Thanks Daniel for our early Christmas presents! I had seen the show when it toured in Seattle and had been dying for my mom to see it ever since, definitely another show I highly recommend!

Wednesday night and all day Thursday I had to babysit for a Yom Kippur event at the Marriot Hotel so my mom was able to rest up and take care of Zoka. (Mike left on Wednesday as well for his Trial Ad competition in Texas). Starting Friday we were back at our Broadway marathon. My mom won lottery tickets to “Avenue Q” (another show I have seen and wanted her to see as well) and then I took her to the After Party which is a late-night cabaret open mic that always has several Broadway stars performing. After failing to get Mama Mia or Billy Elliot tickets on Saturday afternoon we saw a crowd in the Shubert Alley and realized Clay Aiken was signing autographs after the matinee performance of “Spamalot.” Since neither of us had seen the show yet and my mom is a fan of Clay, we went to the ticket window and scored some discount tickets again. We also managed a quick visit with my cousins on the Upper West before going to the show that night.

The past few days I had been fighting a really bad sore throat which was starting to turn into what felt like a sinus infection. I didn’t want it to ruin the time with my Mom, but Sunday morning we started our day by going to the drop-in medical clinic. I was quickly diagnosed with a sinus infection and put on antibiotics. But, I wasn’t going to let that stop us from our last day to see a show … we had decided that “Mama Mia” was the last show we had to see before the end of the trip. I had surprisingly not seen the stage or movie version yet and my Mom had seen the movie three times already but not the stage production. Since the show is still a huge hit there are no options for discount tickets except ‘standing room.’ We had decided we wanted to see it bad enough that we would pay the $21.50 each for standing room instead of the $120 to sit in the far back balcony. Luckily for standing room tickets you get a railing to lean on and have a great view of the stage from the back of the orchestra level and my mom was able to find a chair to sit in for the second act. It was a long time to stand, but definitely worth it … I’m also excited because they are finally having auditions for this show in a few weeks!

My sinus infection was definitely putting a bit of hinder on our trip but we did still manage to get some birthday shopping in for me! For my birthday on Tuesday we spent a couple hours shopping and then my mom came with me to my voice lesson. That evening after Mike finished class we went to the Chocolate Room and ate some of Oprah’s famous favorite chocolate cake!!! Even feeling sick couldn’t put a damper on delicious chocolate!

My mom left Wednesday morning but happily will be back shortly in November to see my production of Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat. Wednesday evening Mike and I also headed to the airport to make our way down to Austin, Texas to have an early Thanksgiving with the Popes! That trip will be it’s own blog entry so stay tuned! Also coming this next week … details on how to see me (hopefully) in Thursday’s episode of Life on Mars!

Tonight is for Wilma

We sink into the couch with belly’s full of sweet potato fries, white bean salad, puttanesca pasta, sweet bread and caramels dipped chocolate. And this, ladies and gentleman, is only the beginning. What causes this all-American gorge fest at the New York Pope household? The much anticipated Brooklyn Trader Joe’s finally opened their doors today. And like good TJ fans, Elisa and I were there with bags in hand and our old grandma push cart, named Wilma (image below), by our side.

While previously using the Manhattan store, the new TJ’s is located 3 blocks from my law school in Brooklyn. The new stores marvelous renovation was done inside an old style bank building. The shelves were stocked to the brim with amazing foods at amazing prices. After over an hour of fighting crowds, dodging kids, and filling out cart to the brim… we checked out and started home.

Elisa and I made it home in one piece. However we are sad to report this may have been Wilma’s final voyage. She held up well, like the little champ that she is, with well over $200 in delicious can goods aboard. Yet, with a mere three blocks under her belt, Wilma’s left wheel buckled under the immense weighed pressure of enough TJ’s food to feed a small army of raccoons. “Man down… man down,” Elisa proclaimed (seriously!) as the cart crashed to its side. After composing ourselves, Elisa and I were able to jimmy up the broken axle and continue home. Elisa proudly proclaimed a little duct tape will put Wilma back together. On the way back, we lost the wheel about 5 more times. Yet, we made it home.

Thus, we gorge ourselves tonight of the sweet nectar that is Trader Joe’s food. We eat not for nourishment. Not for enjoyment. Not for necessity. Tonight, we eat for Wilma. God speed little cart.

Finishing up the Week (6 and 7 of 7)

Thanks to those of you who read through my “Week in the Life” entries, I know they were long. I know I listed that there would be seven total entries, but last weekend was not exciting enough for a play by play entry, instead I’m going to give you a summary update.

As you may remember, on Friday I received a call from Central Casting letting me know that they wanted me to be an extra for Law and Order on Monday. So Monday morning I woke up at 5am to get ready and was on location for my 7am call time. We filmed a few scenes in an office downtown set up to look like workers on Wall Street (where the victim worked) then we moved in the afternoon to Chelsea Piers where all the Law and Order sets are located. The remainder of the day was court room scenes in which I played two different background characters. I was finally released at 7:45pm after 13 long hours on set. As a non-union member still I am paid $80 for up to 10 hours of work but then get time and a half after that.

Tuesday was a big day because not only was I trying to recoup from the previous day of filming but I found out I would be filming for Law and Order: Criminal Intent on Wednesday! Not only that but I received a call from Theatreworks inviting me for a callback to their production of “Max and Ruby!” This was great news for me because I have been called in by this company three times before and last week (the morning I got to the audition at 6:15am) I went to their open call where over 250 people showed up to audition. To be called back from the cattle call was definitely a boost to my confidence and I excitedly scheduled my callback for Friday. This company would be the next step up for me since they not only tour around the country but also perform in NYC at the Off-Broadway Theatre, The Lucille Lortel. To jump ahead, Friday’s callback went great and they asked me to come again on Monday for another callback! Its crazy how many rounds of callbacks there are for shows over here but I’m happy each time I make it one step further …

I promise to give more info on all the Law and Order shoots soon, as well as this Tuesday I’m filming all day for the new ABC Series, “Life on Mars” and for this one I get to be costumed by the wardrobe department because I’m playing a hippie at a club scene!!! But with my second callback tomorrow I want to get some sleep (especially since I just babysat today for 11 hours straight!) More to come soon … I promise!

PS: Read Cali’s great comment and added Lyrics to the entry from Tue September 9th … so true … thanks Cali, I forgot about that song!

Zoka Movie

A Week in the Life ... (Friday 5 of 7)

Friday is finally here!

9:00 – wake up and take Zoka to the park

9:45 – Work for my internet job

12:45 – start getting dressed and packing my dance bag

1:15 – leave for dance

2:00 – Arrive in Times Square area and run into Capezio Dance store to buy dance knee pads. Last week in the jazz class I take on Fridays we did a combination that was hard on the knees and I realized it was finally time to go and buy myself a pair of knee pads!

2:30 – Make it to dance just in time! (Jazz class)

4:00 – sit in the hall catching my breath and taking a break before ballet

4:30 – ballet starts

5:25 – happen to glance at my cell phone in my bag during class (while the other group is doing floor work) and see I have a missed call from Central Casting (registered with them yesterday) Hmmm how can I check my message and call them back? They called at 5:15, its now 5:30 and class isn’t over until 6:00 … its ballet so I’m scared to step out for a minute… But my problem is that one time I missed a call to be an extra on Confessions of Shopaholic movie and when I called them back 45 minutes later they didn’t need any more people.

5:35 – We’re doing a long combination on the floor so as soon as the other group goes and discretely grab my phone and head out like I’m running to the bathroom. I crouch down in the hall and quickly call back Central Casting … yay they want me to be an extra for Law and Order on Monday. I tell them I can do it but can I call back in 30 minutes to get the rest of the details. They say ok and I sneak quickly back into class.

6:00 – class ends and I head out quickly to call back to get the rest of the details (more about law and order later)
7:15 – get home and take a shower

8:00 – eat some dinner and chat with Mike

10:15 – leave the house again and head into Manhattan with Mike

11:00 – Arrive at the Laurie Beechman Theatre for “The After Party” this is a cabaret theatre/restaurant that every Friday night has a few Broadway stars perform and also is an open mic to sing showtunes. This is our second time coming (the Central Park Musical I did had a special appearance here a month ago) and I’m meeting up with a few fellow Central Park cast members. We’re at a table in the front row and get to see three of the final cast members from “Rent” perform as well as a guy from “In the Heights” and the guy who wrote and is starring in “Title of Show”. Its always a really fun night and its great to see such amazing performers that close. But its always a really late night too, we left at 1:45am and the show was still going strong (apparently it lasts until 4am!!!)

2:45 – finally home to go to sleep!

A Week in the Life ... (Thursday 4 of 7)

*If just reading this series for the first time, make sure to start at Monday September 8th.*

7:30 – alarm goes off, time to get ready for another day

9:00 – leave the house

9:10 – just miss the subway – begins an entire day of horrible subway luck…

10:15 – arrive at the studio for webisode filming again

10:30 – filming begins, but today I’m just an extra pretending to be reading the paper at an audition so I literally just sit and really read the paper doing the entire shoot

11:20 – done filming for the day (short and sweet this time)!

11:30 – Stop by Staples to buy … staples! Although I’m disappointed to find that the smallest box I can buy still weighs quite a bit when I consider having to carry it in my bag the rest of the day.

12:05 – Arrive at audition for The Flea Theatre (best off-off broadway theatre), happy to see the wait shouldn’t be too long. While sitting and waiting I read the info sheet about what I’m auditioning for (to be in their resident acting company) and find out that over 1,000 actors audition for this every year! Wow! So as usual the odds are ridiculous … oh well every audition is good practice!

12:30 – Finally called in to the theatre to audition. Perform my contemporary monologue (get a few little laughs) then perform my Shakespeare monologue from Othello. During the Shakespeare monologue I can see the artistic director nodding along … not sure if it’s a “she’s doing good nod” or he just knows the monologue really well and is thinking it along with me in his head. I finish and say thank you, it feels weird now to me to do an audition where I don’t have to sing!

1:00 – Get to a Starbucks in mid-town and sit down for a few hours to do some work for my internet job.

3:15 – Begin touching up my make-up while still sitting in Starbucks ( I never would have done this in Seattle but in New York you don’t have much of a choice). I then use the Starbucks bathroom to change back into my audition clothes and fix my hair.
3:45 – Arrive at Central Casting office and wait in the hall with the other non-union folk waiting for the 4:00 registration time

4:00 – Taken into the Central Casting office with about 20 other people. Let me explain a little bit about Central Casting: it is a casting office that cast background actors/extras for tv shows such as Law and Order, Fringe, Gossip Girl, as well as various films being shot in NYC. Once you register with them you are put into their database and once they have a role that you fit they call you up and see if you are available for the shoot date. At the registration they go over the details of how casting works, get our info for payment (non-union rate is $85/day – up to 10 hours), and take our picture.

5:00 – All done registering … head to the subway to go home.

5:10 – My bad luck subway day continues as I just miss a train. The express train comes and I hop on it hoping to catch the local train I just missed. Now I have a few options when going home, I could stay on the express train and transfer to the R train which will get me home as well but then I have to walk up hill. I decide to get off the express and wait for the F train, which I usually prefer, because it is rush hour so the trains come frequently. BAD IDEA! Waiting on the platform for the F train when an A train arrives … I figure the A must be running on the F line and I can transfer in Brooklyn back to the F. Get off the A in Brooklyn and notice the platform for the F is more crowded than I’ve ever seen it! (Also note it had been cold out early so after my audition I just put on jeans and a turtleneck … another BAD IDEA!) Even though the weather outside has cooled down, the subway station is still an oven! As I wait way too long for the F to come (15 minutes!) I’m getting hotter and more frustrated with every minute. The train finally arrives to an overpacked platform at rush hour and some people actually start clapping and cheering. I know its going to be a fight to get on … the train stops and everyone madly rushes the doors, I have no control and am literally pushed onto the train with the mob. I’m happy to at least have gotten in but now … oh crap … no air conditioning!!! Not only is the subway car jam packed and swelteringly hot, but it smells like severe b.o.! I stick my nose on my arm and pray that the ride goes quickly!

6:15 – Finally get off the train and take in a nice fresh breath of air!

6:30 – Take Zoka to the park and debate if I want to go to another audition that is 5 stops south of me in Brooklyn

7:15 – Convince myself I should go to the audition and so start getting my stuff ready

8:00 – Arrive at audition for a community theatre production of “Joseph … Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Find out there is a dance audition in addition to singing (why didn’t they put that in the audition notice?!?) Sign in and told it shouldn’t be too long of a wait and after I sing they may ask me to stay and dance.

8:15 – Sing (16 bars) and am asked to go learn the dance combination (good thing I brought my character shoes)

8:30 – Learn the dance combo – an easy 4 counts of 8 and then wait to perform it for the artistic staff

8:45 – Perform dance combo in group of three other girls

9:00 – All done at audition, head back to the subway

9:10 – Just miss the subway … again …!

10:00 – Finally back home. Do some more work and get ready for bed.

12:30 – Nighty Night!

A Week in the Life ... (Wednesday - 3 of 7)

*If just reading this series for the first time make sure to start at Monday September 8th*

9:30 – “beep … beep … beep” as I wake up realizing its 9:30 I’m saddened to think that this feels like sleeping in to me now but very relieved to have actually gotten a decent night’s sleep

10:00 – take Zoka out for a nice run at the park

11:00 – sit down at my desk to get a bunch of work done for my internet job

3:00 – take a little break and try to decide if I want to go to an audition later that evening

4:00 – decide to go to audition so start getting myself ready and take Zoka out to the park again

5:30 – leave the house

6:00 – arrive at audition – theatre is located in Greenich Village and I literally have to walk right through the middle of a major movie being filmed to get to the door of the theatre

6:05 – sign in (I’m #3) and sit down to wait for an hour (audition starts at 7:00). While sitting I work on my blog since I can’t get any internet connection and stare at the other girls slowly arriving for the audition. Most auditions in New York are during the day, so I have not been to many evening auditions. I notice that it is definitely a different crowd here, I see very few of the same people I always see at the morning auditions.

7:00 – Called upstairs to wait for my audition

7:05 – Sing 16 bars, asked how comfortable I am with harmonies, and how flexible my schedule is

7:15 – leave audition, walk back through movie set

8:00 – home to begin preparing for another day

9:00 – do a little bit more work for internet job, check emails, figure out plan for Thursday, pack lunch and bag of clothes, print more resumes … realize I’m out of staples and make mental note to go to office supply store before auditions tomorrow (resumes are stapled to the back of my headshots)

12:00 – bed time

*These type of days I usually refer to as my “slacker days” because I feel as if I slacked off and didn’t accomplish a lot. Some of this feeling comes from the fact that when I work at home it doesn’t feel like I’m AT work … then I have to remind myself its still a job and no, I am not a slacker for having one slower paced day!

A Week in the Life ... (tuesday)

And it begins again…

4:30- alarm goes off, snooze it until 4:45, finally get up and begin getting ready

5:30- leave the house (why does it have to still be dark out???)

6:15- Arrive for audition, there’s already a line … I sign in as #21, time to sit outside on the street on the hard pavement with all the other crazy actors and wait for the building to open

While waiting I write this blog, read the paper, do my make-up, sit and think about how much it stinks to have to be sitting outside especially since I'm starting to get chilly

7:30- Building finally opens, we are let in to the 'holding room' where we will all primp, listen to our ipods, talk with friends, stretch, and sit around and wait for our 2 minute audition slot. I also am able to do some work during this time thanks to the audition studio having free wi-fi.

9:30 – Official audition monitor arrives and because this particular theatre company does not honor “unofficial sign-up sheets” (the pieces of paper we sign up on at 6am when the audition monitors are still at home sleeping) it is up to the actors to assemble ourselves in order. If there was not a list, all 250 actors crammed into a rehearsal studio would be hitting, kicking, and biting to get to the official sign up sheet first. One brave soul, a girl who had arrived at 5:45am that morning, decides to take it upon herself to read the unofficial list so that everyone can get in line to then sign up on the official list in the correct order. If you are at all confused, you are not alone. The whole audition process here takes a long time to figure out. Can you imagine what its like the first couple of auditions you go to where you see that sign-up starts at 9:30, audition starts at 10:00, so naturally you arrive a little before 9:30 only to realize you are number 230 on the list.
After mass chaos and confusion the room has been assembled into a giant line of 250 actors all carrying giant bags and quietly humming to themselves to warm up their voices. I sign up on the official list and return to my seat to get changed into my dress and heels and go over the sides (script) for the audition.

10:35 – my name is called to go and line up in the hall

10:45 – my audition: sing 16 bars then read one page of sides from “Junie B. Jones”

10:50 – say goodbye and break a leg to my friends and rush to change out of my dress

11:00- step outside in a rush to my next commitment only to realize there is a torrential downpour occurring and I didn’t bring an umbrella and I’m in flip flops! I make it one block dragging my suitcase and holding my cardigan over my head and spot one of the street vendors who magically appear selling umbrellas as soon as the first rain drop falls. I have never had to buy one of these street umbrellas, but I realize it is raining really hard, I still have quite a ways to walk, and I’m on my way to a film shoot and wet hair is not going to look too good. (If you are thinking right now that I’m from Seattle and a little rain should not bother me, let me ask you if you’ve ever been in a rainstorm so hard you can barely see in front of you AND you have to walk half a mile! Its one thing to have to go from inside to the shelter of a car in a rainstorm, its another to walk half a mile – not to mention all the puddles that instantly form in the streets!)

11:15 – I finally arrive at my destination completely soaked from the knees down, at least my hair is semi dry, just damp from the humidity and my sweat. I’m happy to report that the umbrella did make it in one piece … for $3 I didn’t have the highest hopes, but it did its job.

11:20 – arrive on set dragging a puddle of rain behind me and my suitcase. Wardrobe person tells me to take a minute and dry off and then to start showing him the outfits I brought for the shoot. A little background: this is a shoot for a webisode (tv show that is only online) that a small production company is making. I’m not getting paid but I need it for my resume and reel, plus its fun!

12:00- finally dressed for the shoot and have gotten my hair down, now just sitting around for my scene

12:30 – Filming: I am playing a casting assistant who is bored at auditions … kinda fun to pretend to be on the other side of the table for a change!

2:30 – Done filming, pack my suitcase back up and head off to my next adventure (at least it has stopped raining by now)

3:00 – Sit at a café in Union Square and talk to my mom on the phone and do some work for my internet job

4:00 – Voice Lesson: my teacher has been gone for the last 6 weeks so it feels good to get back into training, especially since I feel like I learned a lot the past few weeks using my different songs for auditions.

5:00 - Head home for the day - FINALLY!

6:00 – Get home, take Zoka outside, and make some dinner

7:30 – Do more work for my internet job, attempt to start unpacking from the day, take a shower, etc.

11:00 – Finally get into bed … I feel like if I stay up another minute I will fall over … luckily I can set my alarm for much later the following morning…

A Week in the Life ...

When I talk to my Dad every weekend he always asks how the week went. “Good, but long and tiring,” I usually answer. I try to tell him about some of the auditions I went on, jobs I had, etc. but feel like every week is filled with so many different activities that its hard to really encompass it all in a phone conversation. So, I thought it might be interesting to blog everyday this week and give you a glimpse into a typical week here in the big apple!

I fell asleep Sunday night thinking about how this week was going to be a long one. I should have been more focused on actually getting sleep for the week ahead rather than trying to plan it in my head. Monday is usually a big audition day which means super early mornings. Unfortunately I had a matter I had to take care of at the post office first thing for my internet job. Luckily, I’ve made some great fellow actor friends over here and can rely on them to sign me up at the crack of dawn when I can’t make it myself. So I arrive at the post office at 8:00am sharp and spend 30 minutes trying to find out if a package has been delivered from Germany (ps- I hate the USPS in Brooklyn)! By 8:30 I’ve given up on the package and am on the subway into the city. The next part of the day was broken down as such:

9:00 – arrive at audition studio and thank my friends profusely for signing me up at 5am so that I’m number two on the list (more about the list to come)

10:00- Audition: (sing 16 bars) for Annie National Tour

10:05- realize I got done early enough to go home for a few hours and go to dance later instead of staying in the city all day. I hang around audition for a bit being indecisive and chatting with my friends

11:30 – get home, work for a few hours(internet job), take a 20 min powernap, take Zoka out for a quick run, re-get ready for the remainder of the day

3:30- leave house again

4:30- training session for the tutoring company I’ve been hired by, unfortunately tutoring won’t start till end of October

5:30- training session is over … debate whether or not I should go home or go to dance… decide to go to dance

6:00- stop by post office again and pick up supplies for work, then go sit at a coffee shop and do work for my internet job

7:30-9:00 theatre dance class (we learn a combination from Thoroughly Modern Millie so I’m happy I came)

10:00 – on subway home Mike and realize we’re both on the same train (yay)!

10:15- home at last! Begin preparing for another day: shower, pack suitcase of clothes for webisode that I am filming and audition in the morning, do work for internet job, eat dinner (I know its kinda late), Yay for Mike making my lunch to help me out

12:30- in bed at last … oh shoot, I have to get up in 4 hours! Luckily, I have no problem falling asleep very quickly tonight!

Zoka's New Toy

Zoka loves his new toy. Here is a video of him chasing it in the park behind our apartment. He always has to shake it and "kill it" a few times before giving it back. Funny little dog.

Watch for me on the Rachel Ray Show: Mon Sept. 8th

Last week I got paid big bucks to be part of the "audience" for the Season Premiere of the Rachel Ray show which will air next week. I can't give out the details of the episode but look for me riding around on top of the double decker tour bus throughout the episode! It was a loooooong day (10 hours of filming) but I was getting paid and got to meet some fun people and spend the day driving around the city.

The show airs next Monday, September 8th so mark your calendars! If you live in NYC the show is on WABC Channel 7 at 10:00am, if you're in Seattle its on Kiro Channel 7 at 3:00pm. Or if you're somewhere else check out the website to find out when it airs in your city: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/showtimes/

Back to School

I entered these gates a lifetime ago. The last few summer months made me both wiser and more ignorant of the law all at once. I flash my ID while running to a crammed elevator, awkwardly and unintentionally brushing against my colleagues, sending bad thoughts to the lazy person who stops on the 1st floor, and eventually reaching the 6th. Everyone is trying to get back into the groove of school. My thoughts are racing…

“Will the first class last the whole two hours?”
“Will the professor spend far too much time on the syllabus?”
“Will I know anyone?”
“Will I make a fool out of myself today or later in the semester(it happens to everyone in law school, so the question is not one of if, but when)?”
“Did I read thoroughly enough for the first class?”
“Did I remember my laptop charger?”
“I need more coffee… already.”

No matter how prepared, ignorant, wise or recharged I have become… one thing is clear. It is back to school for me.
When did my playground become a library and recess become study group?

Summer Adventures

Oh where to begin … The past few months feel like a whirlwind of performing, dancing, auditioning, and sweating! Let me start by mentioning that New York is hot and humid and I’m tired of instantly breaking out in a sweat just from walking three steps. A few things I’ve learned to help me cope with the summer weather are, just because it doesn’t look sunny outside, does not mean it isn’t still very hot and very humid. Also, the subway stations are an oven (as previously described by Mike) but sometimes its good to have a small sweater in my bag for the freezer box subway cars.

My first NYC production closed last Sunday after a semi-successful three weekend run. Overall I’m very glad to have been a part of the production because I met a great group of people that have now become my little group of actor friends here. The stories I have from my experience on the production would allow me write an entire book, let alone a hilarious blog entry … however most of them would be better off told in person and not left open to the worldwide web. Just trust me when I say that there were some great characters/personalities in that show and I will never forget my experiences with my first off-off Broadway show.

Auditions are plentiful in NYC and the past few weeks have had me going to at least four auditions a week. This includes auditions for NY Fringe Shows, National Tours, Broadway Shows, Regional Theatre, and Student Films. The greatest part is that I’m starting to have successful auditions! I’ve recently had several auditions in which I either sang or read sides and then was asked to sing something else and/or also do a monologue. AND I went to the giant cattle call for the Hairspray National Tour for my third time and this time I made it past the dance call and was asked to stay and sing. I was also cast in a New York Film Academy student thesis film in which I played the role of, “beautiful girl.” It should be a fun little short film which I will attempt to have Mike put on my website once I get a copy of it. I have a few other auditions that I had some really good feedback from and should be finding out about in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned!

I’m almost at my one year anniversary from moving to NYC and I’m finally starting to feel like I know what I’m doing here, at least some of the time. As the weather starts to cool off slightly I look forward to another year full of adventures. Mike is starting class again this week and Zoka is enjoying having me home more during the day. Thanks to all of you who are still reading this, I know I haven’t been too good at keeping it up to date but I promise to try and write more frequently now that my show is over.

Reflections after 1L

Almost a year ago I began what has become the most challenging experience of my life: law school. My “1L” year (law students first year of school) felt like an eternity. And yet, in the same thought, was unbelievably brief. While the last year was exceedingly difficult and dreadfully time consuming: it was, in the end, amazing. First year law students typically reflect upon their prior year with much disdain. I actually enjoyed myself, my school, my faculty, and (admittedly most) of my colleagues.

I can easily say that I have never been more challenged in both what I believe as well as whom I want to become. From my (admittedly) brief encounter with the legal profession, it surprised me to realize “law” has much less to do with “right and wrong,” as it does with interpretation. Most lawyers don’t work as agents of change but as agents caught in a frequently broken system of justice. So what, then, does this mean for me? Find any student after their first year and I can promise you they will be tormenting over one all-consuming question: what now? You’ve made it through your 1L year, whether good or bad, you now have a superficial understanding of “the law.” Now, find your way in a maze of life altering choices. Our journey is a constant state of self-reflection.

Where will I come out? Who knows. I think I will be 77 and still not know who I want to be when I grow up. However, while I am feeling the birth pains now (poor analogy, but can’t think of anything better!), I am grateful for the unbelievable support and love I have from wife, family, and friends.

Thus, no answers today. However, keep visiting our blog and I’m sure I’ll figure it out by the time I’m 78. For now, I need to buy a bottle of wine for a good friend moving to Washington DC and meet up with Elisa.

Best,

m

Mike's Subway and Pepperment Baths

I’ve come to understand New Yorker’s love/hate relationship with the subways. From what I can tell, it boils down to most of my experiences today in one horrible subway fiasco.

It’s a cloudy 90 degrees with humidity pushing 75-80%. If you’ve never lived in a humid and populated environment, imagine a continual dirty mist… like sweat hovering everywhere. You feel clean for 10 minutes a day: during your gloriously freezing showers.

I’m excited to get off work a bit early and rush to the F train. The subway stations in NYC are typically underground and my station is no exception. Thus, the temperature on a hot day be nearly unbearable. As I quickly swipe my MTA card (looking like a real pro New Yorker, if I do say so myself) I rush through the toll booth hoping to catch a waiting train. I should of known better.

The subway station was empty. This can mean only one thing: you just missed a train. Sighing, I take a deep breath, loosen my tie a bit, and wait. Slowly the platform becomes increasingly populated. Eventually, there is a slew of tired and hungry people all looking in the same direction. I finally figured out why it’s important to watch patiently for the gleam of the subway lights coming towards the platform: it’s a signal for the cheaters. It doesn’t matter that you’ve been waiting there for 20 minutes… as soon as the subway appears, half the people standing in the back push their way forward. Today was no exception. However, my annoyance was dampened a bit by the realization that a train had finally arrived.

There are usually 9 separate trains connected together to make one train. This is important to know… so just hang with me.

The first 4 trains pass me and I can see each is packed to the brim with people. Catching this train will be a challenge. Bring it on.

The doors open and the cattle are off... everyone shoving desperately to get their elusive admission to a ride we all already paid for: a ride home.

In all the stampeding craziness I make an amateur mistake: I got on the subway that seemed oddly under populated. This means either one of two things: a homeless man is on the train that desperately needs a bath or the air conditioner is not working. For me, it was the later.

This train was at least 110 degrees. Seriously, I felt like glazing ham. Before I can react, the doors close, and I am standing next to hundreds of sweating and frustrated people. A train full of armatures. I can hardly breath as the air is too thin and muggy.

Just when I thought this 30 minute train ride couldn’t get any worse, I realized that my new neighbor, aka BO Man, is holding both arms in the air and shamefully looking down. “Breathing is entirely overrated anyway,” I try to tell myself. I swear I see a little red man giggling with horns and a pitch fork… but that could just be my oncoming heat stroke talking.

We finally make it to the first stop. “Only four more to go,” I think. A few get off to make a run for a new (and hopefully air conditioned) train. As many know, this venture is risky during rush hour as you could get off and there could be no room left on the other. I’m torn, but decide not to risk the maneuver. As our train doors close and we start moving again, I see my more adventurous friends waiting on the platform: bad gamble.

Stop two. An old Hispanic women with a walker squishes her way on, only to realize too late that this train was clearly a replica of the lower levels of hell. As usual, no one gives up their seat as she braces herself against the door. A continual stream of sweat drips down the center of my back. I close my eyes and dream of an ice cold shower… or maybe a bath made with nothing but ice and peppermint paddies. I finally open my eyes and realize BO Man has conducted an unexpectedly bold maneuver: he removed his shirt and is showing the world his sweaty, black haired, and BO reeking chest. KILL ME NOW.

The third stop arrives with a plethora of action. Old Hispanic Lady makes a run for it! “GOD SPEED,” I think as she darts up the platform. Old Hispanic Lady is replaced briefly by Change Man. “Everyone can I you’re your attention….” he says as he enters the train. “I am hungry and was hoping you could… arrgggg (Change Man’s face drops as he finally steps into the train)… forget this (insert profanities)… this car is HOT.” Just then Change Man bolts off the train.

Finally we arrive at 7^th Street. Put a fork in me, this ham is done cooking. The doors open, I rush out, and I am struck by what feels like of cold refreshing air. However it was, in fact, typical 90 degree New York air humid air. However, for that brief moment, it was my personal 90 degree freezer. I made finally made it home.

Goodbye Risky BO Man, Old Hispanic Lady, Change Man, and the little devil I’m sure was in that train. I’m going home to soak in peppermint and ice.

Overdue Update

So I know its been a little while again, but there really has been a lot going on. I’m writing this blog from rehearsal … that’s right, I’m in rehearsal for a musical in NYC! It’s a new musical and is being performed August 1-17th at the Arthur Seeley Theatre in the basement of the Drama Bookshop just a few blocks from Times Square. It’s definitely going to be an interesting experience seeing as there is a large cast, we have less than a month till we open, and the director/producer/writer/lyricist/etc is quite a character… But nevertheless it’s a musical and it means I’m performing in New York City! I’ll try to do my best to keep everyone update with how rehearsals are going.

In other news… the new job is going well and giving me lots of flexibility with my time to go to auditions, take dance classes, and spend more time at home with Zoka and Mike. However, its seems that all that free time that I thought I might have doesn't actually exist. Especially since I am using a lot of it to search for a new apartment. The reason why is a long story which bases around our terrible neighbors who are filthy and have bugs! I promise to write more later but wanted to give a quick updated to keep all my faithful readers ... if they exist ... so if you're reading this, thanks and I promise to be better with updates soon!

P.S. Mike has updated my acting website with some new photos and my resumes ... check it out: www.elisapupko.com

Happy 4th From NYC

From Elisa and Mike.

Look what happens when I take Mike to a photoshoot with me...

I'm not a quitter!

I’ve never been one to quit things ... but I quit my admin job last week. Seeing as how up till now the only job I’ve ever officially quit was for the School of Nursing and that was after working only two days and then finding out I got into the Road Company at Taproot Theatre, quitting my job is a big deal to me. Well, I guess I can now say that I have quit two jobs, yes that’s right, I gave my two weeks notice to my office job last Tuesday. This Friday will be my last day working as an admin assistant and I officially take on my new job next Monday, although I’ve already been in training the past week. I found exactly the job that I had been hoping for, and was starting to believe didn’t exist … I now work part time for an online company that sells different products for “a healthy lifestyle.”

What makes this the perfect job you ask? For starters, I am only working 20 hours a week, about four hours a day, but making my own schedule. Because it is an online company and there is no office, all my work can be done from home, a coffee shop, at a hotel after the kids I’m babysitting have gone to bed, etc. This new schedule will allow me to work a few hours from home every morning and then attend 2-3 dance classes a day, and then come home (or go babysit or tutor) and work a few more hours in the evening. I’m really excited to be able to now completely have the freedom to take as many dance classes during the week as I can afford, on top of continuing my weekly voice lessons (which are going really great!).

To help supplement our income and to pay for my increase in classes I will continue to babysit, also I have just been hired by a company that provides one-on-one tutoring to New York public school children. This is a job similar to the babysitting in that it allows my schedule to remain flexible as I am able to coordinate my schedule with the child I am tutoring. So I now have three different jobs I will be juggling (and I’m actually considering applying for an additional babysitting agency) but for me it will be great because they are all jobs that let me determine my schedule so that I can give as much attention and time to the real reason I’m here … acting!

Everything is currently in transition as I finish up my last week at the office job and finish training for the online job. The tutoring position will begin training this summer but won’t officially start until September so I have a bit of time to get in the groove of my new routine. Mike is also in transition as last week was his first week interning at the Federal Court House in Brooklyn. So far he loves it and feels extremely lucky with the Judge he is interning for. Last week he got to observe several trails and then discuss them with the judge afterwards, something not all interns are lucky enough to do! The weather here is just starting to get really HOT and HUMID and the air conditioner we bought is proving to be well worth the cost!

Pope Family Visits NYC

Last week Mike's Parents, Brothers Dan & Matt, and Dan's Girlfriend Jennifer all came for a visit. We all managed to survive living in our 500ish square foot apartment and sharing one tiny bathroom! For more fun stories from the trip check out his mom's blog (link to it is on the top left of my blog page). I will try and post more photos soon but here is one for now...

Pictures from Daniel's Graduation from University of North Dakota