News for Ali Chen

New Representation

2012-01-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Ali is now signed with Synergy Talent Group. 818.995.6500.

Impromptu Improv Show

2012-01-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Join Ali as she plays with THE RECONSTRUCTION in a last minute improv show Friday, January 13th at 11 PM in The Loft space of iO West Theatre.

Improvisation

2011-12-29T16:00:00.000-08:00

Come and see Ali as she performs with THE RECONSTRUCTION on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10 PM at Bang! Comedy Theatre located at 457 North Fairfax Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Holiday Weekend Improv Show!

2011-11-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

THE RECONSTRUCTION has an unexpected show this Saturday, November 26th at 8:30 PM at iO West in the Del Close Theatre. Enter on Cosmo. Come on down!

Sketch Shows

2011-10-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

Check out Ali as she performs with her Second City team (Con 5A) developing a full sketch show production!

Second City is located at 6560 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.

Sunday, November 6, 2011 5 PM to 6 PM
Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Sunday, December 11, 2011 5 PM to 6 PM
Sunday, December 18, 2011 5 PM to 6 PM

Each performance will be slightly different with adjustments and new sketches being tried out.

More Improv Shows

2011-10-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ali's been performing in lots of improv shows. Here are some of the ones she's completed:

Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 9:30 PM at iO West in the Loft with THE RECONSTRUCTION.
Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 4 M at Second City for her Conservatory 4 show
Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 8:30 PM at iO West in the DCT with WERDZ WIT FRENDZ

Here are some of her upcoming shows:

Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10:30 PM at iO West in the DCT with THE RECONSTRUCTION
Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 8:30 PM at The Complex with VIKING BROMANCE
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 10:30 PM at iO West in the DCT with WERDZ WIT FRENDZ
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 10:30 PM at iO West in the Loft with THE RECONSTRUCTION

September & October 2011 Improv Shows

2011-09-13T17:29:00.001-07:00

Ali will be performing improv in the Del Close Theatre at iO West in Hollywood! See her in the following shows:

WERDZ WIT FRENDZ on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:30 PM

THE RECONSTRUCTION on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 11 PM & Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10:30 PM

Improvisation at the Westside Comedy Theatre

2011-07-26T17:44:00.001-07:00

The Reconstruction will be playing at the Westside Comedy Theatre in Santa Monica on Thursday, August 11th at 8 PM and Friday, August 26th at 8 PM. Come and join us!

The theater is located at 1323-A 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Yes, it's in the alley between 3rd & 4th.

You can find Westside at the back of the Parking Garage S3 (Structure Three, whose entrance is on 4th Street just north of Santa Monica Blvd). It's the only awesome theater in the alley that has painted brick, and shouting coming from it. Here is a link to the location on the google maps.

Improvision with The Reconstruction

2011-06-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ali has several performances coming up with The Reconstruction at iO West:

in JULY
July 15 w/Bobby Hot Stuff - Loft. Cost is $5
July 21 w/ Ruffneck - Loft. FREE.
July 30 w/Triggerfinger - Del Close Theatre. Cost is $5

in AUGUST
August 9 w/La Granja for Game Night (you can jump up and play short form with us) - Loft. FREE.
August 17 w/Chompie Chomp - Loft. FREE.

iO West is located at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Entrance for the Loft and the Del Clost Theatres are on Cosmo Avenue.
Valet Parking is available for $4 with validdated ticket.

Franklin & Bash

2011-06-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Watch for Ali in "You Can't Take it with You," this week's episode of "Franklin & Bash" on TNT.

Friday, July 15, 2011 at 9 PM & Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM

2011-06-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Join Ali with The Reconstruction at iO West located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Cosmo Avenue just 1 block East of Cahuenga for some long form improvisation in The Loft theatre upstairs. The team is playing on Friday, July 15th during Bobby HotStuff at 9 PM and the following week on Thursday, July 21st during Ruffneck at 10:30 PM. Enter through the doors located on Cosmo Avenue. Admission is FREE.

Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11 PM

2011-04-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Watch Ali perform improv with The Reconstruction at Second City Hollywood, 6560 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028-6217. on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11 PM as part of ThunderDome. Entry is $5. Beer is provided.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 9:30 PM

2011-04-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ali will be playing with her long form improvisation team, The Reconstruction, in the Del Close Theatre at iO West located at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028-6309. Entrance is on Cosmo.

Friday, April 29, 2011

2011-04-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Come see Ali play with THE RECONSTRUCTION at Westside Comedy at 8:30 PM located in the Santa Monica Promenade. 1323-A 3rd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401-1309 PH: (310) 451-0850

13 April 2011 at 10:30 PM

2011-03-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Ali will by playing with The Reconstruction on Wednesday, April 13th at 10:30 PM at the iO West Loft (formerly known as Improv Olympic.) as part of Chompie Chomp. Come and join us for FREE. Entrance is on Cosmo. Join us for some long form improvisation!

February 17, 2011

2011-02-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

Ali Chen performs with her improv team, The Reconstruction, on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 10 PM at the SJS Theatre located at 6470 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA. -- THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED due to lighting issues. We will perform instead at iO West DCT.

Second City

2011-02-11T17:44:00.001-08:00

Come see Ali Chen perform with the Second City Hollywood Conservatory on Sunday, February 13th at 3:00 PM.

January 26, 2011 at 10:30 PM

2010-12-18T19:42:00.001-08:00

Ali's playing with The Reconstruction on Wednesday, January 26th at 10:30 PM in The Loft at iO West. It's FREE! Just use the Cosmo Entrance and take a sharp left U turn up the stairs. We're part of the Chompie Chomp night.

Improv at iO West

2010-11-12T15:06:00.000-08:00

See Ali play with her team The Reconstruction as they perform on iO West's Mainstage, Monday, November 15th at 11:30 PM. iO West is located on the corner of Cosmo Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. Admission is FREE!

Live Improv Performance

2010-08-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

See Ali perform with FNA (Formerly kNown As The Civil War) in the Del Close Theater at iO West on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:30 PM. Admission is FREE. Entrance is on Cosmo.

iO West is located at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. Valet Parking is available for $4.

Suzuki/Viewpoints and SITI in the city

2010-07-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today I did a free brush up training with the SITI Company (Anne Bogart's Company from New York) for those who have trained with them in the past.

Suzuki/Viewpoints was my first strong introduction to improvisation and group mind. But not only that, this work, this training taught me to look at the world in a wholly different way. As and actor it brought my imagination and creativity to the forefront as we worked text and found everything, even a little plug in the wall, could be inspiration for an amazing piece of work.

Suzuki/Viewpoints showed me Los Angeles in a different light. I found even the "ugliest" parts of it beautiful and I can truthfully say that working in this training is the turning point of Los Angeles being a place that I lived into Los Angeles being home.

Working today awakened the sleeping poet in me. The passion of what drives me as a performer is brought to the forefront and fed.

My body hasn't done this work in over 8 years and it is sore and it hurts but I'm smiling. Amazingly, because of the training being so physical, the rust fell off quickly and my body and mind remembered moves and text I hadn't spoken in eight years.

The body found it's strength too. Even though I'm WAY weaker than I was years ago due to injuries I'm struck by how strong this work makes you. Mentally, Emotionally, Physically. The challenges you overcome with each stomp, struggle for stillness, clean movie, kinesthetic response...make you a stronger actor, artist, and person.

Suzuki and Viewpoints ties together the work I've been doing recently at iO West, the improvisation, with the theatricality of theatre, and the acting work I do on camera. It's a good reminder of what draws the eye. What we, as humans find interesting. Active stillness, shape, our relationship in space with each other and the architecture. The stories we carry as we move or don't move.

...and the LOVE...

Live Performances

2010-06-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

See Ali on the iO West Mainstage with The Civil War at 7:30 PM for the first 4 Thursdays in July:

July 1, 2010
July 8, 2010
July 15, 2010
July 22, 2010

Entry is $10. Half off if you come in full Civil War garb.

iO West is located at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. Valet Parking is available for $4.

Performances

2010-04-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

See Ali on the iO West Mainstage for "The Lottery" at 11 PM on the following Wednesdays:

April 14, 2010 - Harold
April 21, 2010 - Harold
April 28, 2010 - Harold

Entry is $5.

And also in the Andy Dick Theatre for free (Entrance on Cosmo) on the following Sundays at 7 PM for the Level 6 Class shows:

April 18, 2010 - Armando
May 2, 2010 - La Ronde
May 30, 2010 - The Bat

iO West is located at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. Valet Parking is available for $4.

Virtual auditions

2010-02-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

About a week ago I was at an event filled with agents, casting directors, managers, and of course, actors. However, one man who did not fit this bill was also there - Gary Marsh - and he changed the way I'm thinking about auditions.

Gary Marsh runs Breakdown Services. The company that casting directors use for asking agents and managers to submit actors for auditions.

Aside from showing us what the Casting Director sees when they're perusing their submissions, he went into virtual auditions.

In two weeks, he said they were rolling out virtual auditioning. They'd been Beta testing this with several casting offices and it'd been a hit so they're releasing it.

Basically, the Casting Director will now email the agent or manager the audition request with the sides attached. The actor will be responsible for shooting the audition and uploading it and the CD can view it and make notes and then pass it on to the producers or director, etc.

It will cost the actors to upload. But it will be free to agents and managers. This means that many agents and managers will need to have the equipment ready for this change.

When asked how realistic this idea of virtual auditions were, one of the agents from TalentWorks said that they already have everything set up in a room and they will have a person who will just be there to tape and upload auditions. So it's happening--now.

We were told also, that these had already started to replace the pre-read in the Beta testing that they did. CD's love it because it gives them more time to see more people and it's super easy.

Gary showed us a sample of an audition and what the CD's would see.

And, he said, it would level the playing field. Because those who are not represented can submit via actors access to the auditions that are opened up and just upload their auditions.

The Talent business is definitely becoming a virtual world.

Soapy Love

2010-01-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

"What?!? You have an audition for that show?!? I LOVE THAT SHOW!"

"What show did she say? Oh! I LOVE THAT SHOW!"

Now I'm puzzled.

The audition was for a soap opera. My co-workers got so much more excited than when I'd booked "24" and other prime time television shows and this was just an audition. I didn't even know that my fellow co-workers watched soaps since I work with them during the day. Apparently they record them for watching later.

Why? What is it about soaps that hooks into a person so deeply that they go bonkers?

Is it that it tapes in video and not film so everything looks more real and not sleek and glossy?

Is it that the stories are about people that have been there for a long, long time so it's like you're following the lives of longtime friends?

Is it that it hooks in emotionally and pushes emotional buttons?

I watched soaps as a child with my mom growing up but it never enthralled me like a book did.

Maybe it's just me. I'm glad for the soap world. It means they have a rabid and strong fan base and they'll be going for a long, long time. And that means there will always be opportunities to work. And work is a plus in my book.

2009-09-18T02:51:00.000-07:00

Recently I auditioned for the CBS Diversity Showcase. It was one of the best growing experiences I've had as a performer. I was told by someone who'd performed in a previous showcase to prepare a sketch comedy monologue and the raunchier, the more racist, and the more sexist the better.

That was totally a challenge. Anyone who knows me knows that raunchy, racist, and sexist are already areas that stretch my comfort boundaries. Adding the sketch comedy, a newer skill set that I've been developing, piled on an added layer of S-T-R-E-T-C-H.

Performing everyday dramatic and comedic monologues is something I'm totally comfortable with. But writing and re-writing and performing and developing characters and then re-developing has been so exciting and fun and terrifying at the same time. I've learned so much. Whether or not I'm selected, it was worth it.

Plus, in going back to my usual auditions --whether it's for producers on a television show or for a casting director who specializes in films--there's this extra sense of quiet confidence. Just in knowing that I've done something harder. Not just willing, but willing and able.

2009-08-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Due to confidentiality of some auditions. I'll no longer be blogging about them but will instead blog about bookings and airings and other talent industry news.

2009-07-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

29 July 2009

Audition for Comcast - Ross Lacy Casting

I'm glad I got there early. I signed in and there were no sides posted so I sat down. After a bit, the session runner came out and gave me some copy that was on a table in the inside hallway.

It was about a page and he gave me extra time to look it over even though I was next up on the sign-in sheet. That's what I love about Ross Lacy's people. They want the actors to do the best job they possibly can and they know when giving us extra time will make a difference.

Once in the room there was no board so that made me even more grateful that I was so familiar with the copy. And it gave me a chance to play.

All-in-all it was actually a fun and freeing experience.

2009-07-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

20 July 2009

Callback for Bud Light - Joe Blake Casting

The team in the room were re-working the copy as we auditioned for them. It was a lot of fun because they'd throw the line and the spontaneity of it allowed me to use the improv skills I've been honing at Improv Olympic. Some of the lines they threw out were really, really funny. It's nice when you're in a callback and you can't help laughing because the copy is so humorous.

Audition for US Bank - POP Casting

One of the few auditions left where they did the old standard of taking headshots and size cards. In the waiting room I saw a few acquaintences I hadn't seen in years. We didn't really talk though because the bathroom toilet was getting fixed and this loud motor thing was going so no one could hear each other.

The spot was one of those MOS (without sound) where you motivate with thought.

2009-07-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

Audition for "Greek" - Ross/Silverberg Casting

This was my first time in this office and everyone was really nice and made me feel comfortable and welcome.

It was a good, solid audition. I went in with a read, got some re-direction, did it again, and was asked to make another adjustment and did it again. I may not get cast because of look but my goal was to have them like my work enough that they call me in again for the future.

Got a call at 11:45 AM for a 2:30 PM audition. There are more and more of these lately. I was told that the sides were on Casting Frontier but I didn't see them there so I headed over a little early to take a look.

Audition for Bud Light - Joe Blake Casting

It'd been years since I'd been in for Joe Blake. Two of my nationals were booked through him and I was just thinking it'd be nice to be called back into his office.

The Session Runner/Camera Operator introduced himself as Spencer and he ran through the group description of what was going to happen in the room for the audition. Back out in the waiting room the sides were posted on the wall but there were no copies.

Now, I have contacts, and also glasses. I find that I don't tend to wear my contacts because they irritate my eyes and make them red and make me blink a lot more. So, I often wear glasses. But it changes my look so whether I wear them depends on what the product is as well has the take on the sell.

On this one I didn't wear them. Can I just say, thank goodness for the iPod Touch? Since there was only one set of sides stuck to the wall, I waited until there was a little break in people gathered around it and typed up the lines on the notepad part of my Touch. Then went and sat down while I looked at the copy.

They have cue cards in the room, but the words are written in different colors. Red, and pink, and sometimes green are really hard to read. In fact, black is even hard for me to read, but I know this about myself so that's why I prepare out in the waiting area.

While everyone else is texting, or reading books, or on the phone, or chatting people up, I'm sitting there running through the copy trying to get as familiar with it as I can so no matter what's thrown at me I can take it and run with it.

I'm glad, because my line was red. There would have been no way I would've been able to read it. Luckily, my work in the waiting room paid off and my read had the colors I was looking for and I could play with it a little because I wasn't so worried about the line.

It's nice to leave feeling good about my work. It's been a good day. Hope to have more like them.

2009-07-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Yey! The theatrical world is back in full swing. Got a call from my theatrical agent for an audition for "Greek" tomorrow. Ross/Silverberg Casting has been on my list of Casting Directors that I'd wanted to meet so I'm really glad to get in for a pre-read with them.

2009-07-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Callback Jack in the Box - Alyson Horn Casting

The callback was in Santa Monica. I left extra early because of the Michael Jackson Memorial going on downtown and ended up getting there very early.

It was good. It's always awkward getting undressed in front of strangers. Everyone was really respectful and it was quick.

Callback Bisquick - Ross Lacy Casting.

Again the callback was in Santa Monica. Something new for Ross Lacy. Usually it's at the Casting Studios.

When I was in the middle of the Jack In the Box callback I realized that I had remembered my shoes for the Bisquick callback but had left my shirt and pants at home. This meant I had to rush home and back to Santa Monica.

Also, my time got pushed up to 1:30PM. I was in the other callback and whenever I go into auditions or callbacks I never bring in my phone. So after I got out I had three messages from Leah at KSR letting me know that the time changed.

I called her back right away as soon as I got the message and headed over to 310 Casting. I even got there 5 minutes early.

This one went okay. From the director's response, I don't know that I'm what he is looking for but it was still fun.

Plus, it's always good to get a callback. To get two on one day is a awesome. I'm grateful and I'll count my blessings.

2009-07-06T16:39:00.001-07:00

Got two calls today for two Callbacks tomorrow. Yay! One for Jack In the Box where I'm in my skivvies. And the other for Bisquick. I'm a little worried about traffic because of the Michael Jackson Memorial being downtown but I'll just have to make sure to leave enough time to accommodate the people headed my way.

2009-06-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Audition for Bisquick--Ross Lacy Casting.

This was fun because we were re-working the audition in the room and it's fun to play and see if trying the new idea works. Ross Lacy's session runners are great and tend to be directors more than camera operators. And I look forward to the auditions because we get to play.

2009-06-20T12:44:00.001-07:00

Friday, June 19, 2009

Jack In the Box - Alyson Horn Casting.
This was the audition where we had to get down to our skivvies. Ben, the session runner and camera operator was very respectful and my partner was funny. It felt like we did good work.

Saw Lindsey from our Comcast shoot there too. As well as an old colleague, Annie, from back in Minneapolis. It was nice to catch up.

2009-06-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Got a call from Mike at KSR. A check had come in for me. Yay!

I always go and pick up my checks. It gives me a reason to swing by my agents and say "Hi, just picking up my check and saying 'hi.'" I went at lunch today and the payroll was closed by Alicia was actually holding the checks so I got to pick it up directly from her and say "Hi" to Samantha too.

It's brief, but it's always nice to see their faces and have them see mine.

Tomorrow, a Jack In the Box commercial audition where I'm supposed to be in a slip or my underwear. Hmmm...more to come.

2009-06-15T23:03:00.001-07:00

It's Saturday Night/Sunday Morning at 3 AM. I'm re-vamping my website. And I get an alert that I have an audition on Monday. Wow. Okay. So I call my agent's confirmation line and I leave a message at my support job too.

Audition for Sprint 3 - Martin Casting

I'm glad to see that Martin Casting continues on because it carries on Melissa Martin's spirit. It was a tell me about yourself bit. I was a bit worried because the breakdown of the role said they were looking for someone who looked 16 or 17 and who looked as if they'd just learned to drive. But when I got there everyone else for the role was definitely older. Part of me thinks I did okay and part of me wishes I had chosen a different story. Ah, well. That's the thing about auditions. You learn from it and leave it at the door or you can go crazy.

2009-06-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Had a nice visit with my Theatrical Agent today. We went over some 4 x 6's of my new shots from Greg Crowder.

I'm on my way to getting to my goal of having headshots that I'm proud of. Since they're my marketing tools it's so important that I don't cringe when I look at them.

Got all of the photos chosen up on Breakdown Services site and then put in the hard copy orders through Argentum. It's nice to be able to get this all done while it's slow so there is no rush ordering and it saves me money.

My first check from the Comcast shoot basically went toward paying for uploading updates of my photos and for hard copies. An investment I'm perfectly willing to make since it's how Casting chooses me for jobs. And with the onset of online casting colors and close crops are even more important. I feel like I got a lot accomplished today even though I have a full time support job that I work today too. Yippee!

2009-06-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Audition Fiber One - Ross Lacy Casting. We were paired up for this one and it was a mixture of dialogue and improv. A very funny spot. It's been awhile but I'm glad that I workout commercially on-camera with friends almost every week. It makes a huge difference.

2009-05-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Audition for Gushers. Hayley Marcus, Casting Director.
Waited a little as they had lunch and was the first group in.

Because we were the first group in he re-ran the dvd to check that everything recorded okay and we could watch what the audition looked like. I like to make little notes in my head about what's working and what's not so I can make adjustments in the future. Whether it's the work or my clothing/make-up/look. The other thing I like to note is the background color that's used at each facility. This was white.

Headshots with Greg Crowder tomorrow morning. Got some of my wardrobe together last night but need to pull together a few more options after my on-camera workout group meets tonight.

2009-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

April 24, 2009

Re-fitting for Comcast. One other actor was being fitted as well. Tried 4 different looks and the client went with an H & M dress that will be altered for the shoot.

April 26, 2009

Volunteered to help set up for the East West Players Anniversary Dinner. Lots of Asian American and Asian actors go through East West Players and with the economy the way it is this fund raising event is an important one. John Cho is being honored amongst others. I can't afford to go tomorrow night but I thought I'd lend a hand. It feels good to have this community of actors and East West Players there.

April 29, 2009

Comcast shoot. 6:30AM call time. 14 principle actors all of the crew and cast are totally cool. It's a long day but the shoot was lots of fun and my knitting project got a few more lines done. And I had a chance to sit in the sun a bit proven by the sunburn on my knees. The director was nice and the director of photography was great as well. Really creative, really nice and everyone was efficient and good at their jobs.

Ended the night by auditing Carolyne Barry's Advanced class just as a brush up. Really tired by the end of the night but it was a good day.

2009-04-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

April 17, 2009.
"Secret Girlfriend" - Mandy Sherman & Sari Knight, CSAs. An AFTRA Episodic for Comedy Central. The waiting room was filled with all types of character looks. Once inside it was a quick do your thing and out again.

April 19, 2009.
What's New Cupcake - It was a huge success and $3000 was raised for charity. Got to see a bunch Casting Directors I've not seen in a bit and touch base. Also so my agent, Samantha there and we chatted. Lots of fun.

April 21, 2009.
Wardrobe Fitting at 10AM and an audition at 11:15AM. Called my agents and let them know that if the wardrobe fitting were to go long I would miss it. At first I was told it was only going until 11:30AM.

On the day of, wardrobe was fitting 14 people at once and needed us all to stay so that they could see us all together in one shot. It ended up being a 4 hour wardrobe fitting. Called my agents and told them I wouldn't be able to make it.

Leah took the call and told me she'd let me know if they were running late. I got a message a little later saying that they were going until 5:30PM and that I should just go when I was done and she'd confirm with me. There was a lot of back and forth with Leah. She's great as is everyone at KSR and that's why I love them. There was no attitude and they worked really hard to work around the wardrobe fitting and get in to the audition.

FedEx - Deborah Kurtz, Casting Director. Went in and let them know I was there after a wardrobe fitting. The camera operator gave me a little attitude but told me to come in and audition. It went well.

April 23, 2009.
T-Mobile - Gabrielle Schary Casting Director. This shoots in Vancouver. Would LOVE to travel there. Growing up in the Midwest, trips to Canada were the norm and I love that country and have never been to Vancouver. Headed out to the audition in about 10 minutes.

Okay, just got back from the audition but had to sign a very detailed confidentiality contract. So...mum's the word.

Plus, got a call from Comcast production for a re-fitting tomorrow.

2009-04-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Got a call from my Leah from KSR yesterday. On hard avail for the Comcast commercial. Then just got a call not 15 minutes ago from Alicia - one of the main agents, and I've been booked! Yay!!!! Hope everything works well and the commercial goes, and I'm in it because even when you book anything can happen.

The best part is that my Agents finally get some income for all the awesome work they've been doing for me. It feels good to give them something because they've been so loyal through all the avails and releases and call backs with no bookings.

Just bouncing up and down right now. Can't stop.

2009-04-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Comcast call back - Alyson Horn Casting. Surprised I was called back for this since I remember having an off day for the actual audition. The call back went well though and it felt good to be able to act the way I'd wanted to the first time around. Things went much smoother this time around.

I was there only actor there for about 30 minutes. But these were one person in the room auditions and one person in the room call backs. Part of you feels good about that and part of you worries you're in the wrong place. It's odd how my body relaxed so much more the moment another actor walked in the door.

2009-04-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

Callback Home Depot-Skirts Casting. They started a half hour late but once you got in it was pretty quick. A slate and then paint the wall and that was it. I kind of got into painting the wall since they let me go for a little bit so when they said "Okay, thank you" there was an inner startle. I just think the action of painting is therapeutic. A painless callback.

2009-04-09T21:12:00.001-07:00

Audition for Home Depot - Skirts Casting. The audition was yesterday and it was one of those ask a question things. It went well enough that my agent called me today with a callback for tomorrow. Yay!

Also had a sit down with my Manager yesterday and we went over my goals, how he submits me, what is going on in the business and his office, and my photos. It felt really good. We got a lot accomplished and I love that my Manager really gets me. It makes me want to work that much harder for him to get him paid for all the work he does.

2009-04-04T23:36:00.000-07:00

Audition for In-Conceivable webisode pilot. Tige Charity, Casting Director. Ran into another old friend and caught up afterwards. The audition went well and was actually very synchronic.

Web media and various people and things have been popping up in my life regarding web media and webisodes lately. I was just thinking how cool it'd be to do a good one and how I'd really like to work on one when my manager called with this audition. The audition itself had some nice moments and I believe it went well.

2009-04-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sears - Ross Lacy Casting. This is the most fun I've had at a commercial audition in a long time. An old friend of mine was in the room auditioning too and the whole group was very talented and easygoing. Great session runner too. Preparing now for my theatrical audition tomorrow.

2009-04-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

Audition Comcast Business - Alyson Horn Casting. Definitely could have done better. Am having an off day. Ophff. Next time.

2009-03-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Audition for Frosted Mini-Wheats yesterday. Ross Lacy Casting. The production company is the same one out of Chicago as my last hard avail.

From looking at the audition notification I could tell there was copy so I went on-line the day before and worked on it for two hours that night.

It felt good to be prepared and it's always great to work on copy.

2009-03-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

*sigh* Got the call yesterday that my hard avail for State Farm was released. Ah well, back to work.

2009-03-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Callback for State Farm. I'd thought the callbacks were yesterday and didn't think that I'd gotten a call back so I cut my hair. The style is still the same. Just cleaned up and about an inch shorter.

It was crowded but everyone was nice and it was very organized. It went well. I was the only one of my type there so that's either a good sign or I'm a possible alternative choice and it will totally depend upon what the agency and the clients want.

Saw Carolyne Barry who was sitting there at her own call back for Pfizer. I got a kick out of that. We had a nice chat.

2009-03-17T02:47:00.001-07:00

Went in on Thursday to renew my contract at KSR. It was great to see Brooke back at work and to chat with Samantha, Leah, and Jamie again. Alicia was out of the office but I'll catch her next time. I feel really good having them as part of my team.

Recently, I talked to a non-entertainment industry businessman about his business and he said you know someone's on your team if they never make you feel bad about being you. They never make you feel stupid or dismiss you if you ask questions, and they always support you and you do the same for them.

KSR is like that. I like them so much I do as good of a job as I can because I want to make them money and help keep their reputation a stellar one.

Saturday, March 14th Audition for GM. ASG Casting. It's not often I get called in on a Saturday audition but it makes parking much easier. The audition was a talk about personality thing. I'll admit I was a little self conscious on this one and I'm normally not but I've done this long enough that I can cover it pretty well.

Monday, March 16th Audition for Intel. Alyson Horn Casting. My brother works for Intel so I had him look at the wardrobe description and send pictures of how the women dress. Wardrobe was supposed to be Academic Hipster at Workplace. And they said think people who work at Twitter and Facebook. I dressed like the woman in the photos but I don't think that's what they really wanted.

When the session runner saw me he switched me to a different role. I've learned that its the essence of who I am that ends up shining through and not so much my clothing. So that's okay. It was fun.

2009-03-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ross Lacy Casting - State Farm. The audition was a get to know you question sort of thing. I was myself and answered the question as genuinely as possible while still making it fun.

I love this office. The session runners are really friendly and know how to bring the best out of you. And Ross has always been generous in calling me in.

Would love to book this particular one since State Farm has been my insurance company since I was 16 years old and I really believe in them.

2009-03-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Carolyne Barry's last casting director class was with Terry Berland on Tuesday. Some interesting lessons and techniques in dealing with both the camera and the cue cards that I'd not heard before. I liked hearing her take on things.

It was fun and I'll miss the great and talented pool of people with whom I've shared the past few weeks.

2009-02-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Amica Insurance at Renita Casting

Got there early to see if I could get in a little early since I had to head across town. There were a bunch of women at this audition that I know pretty well. It was great to see them. All types of women so we'll see. But it was fun. And the session runner, Chet, is very good.

Jiffy Lube for Craig Colvin Casting

Made it there on time. Yay! Tried to be as specific as possible on my choices. Also a mixture of looks so we'll see what direction they go in.

Plus got a call from Jamie at KSR to come in and sign the new contracts. It always feels good to go in and see everyone. And I'm very proud to have them as part of my team.

2009-02-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

Just got back from hearing Craig Holzberg of Avalon Artists Group speak at The Actors' Network. You can tell that he loves what he does because he's so passionate about it when he speaks. His view and style of agenting seems very unique. Really an amazing individual. I hope he reaches his goal of producing someday because I would love to see whatever he does produce. You can tell he has good taste and it would be exceptional.

Two calls from my commercial agents at KSR (I love them. Really, amazing women and awesome agents.) for appointments tomorrow. They're within 67 minutes of each other--just have a little juggling to do and I think it'll be fine to make both either early or on-time.

2009-02-25T13:38:00.001-08:00

Carolyne's class with Renita was really wonderful. She's a very positive person and it was interesting to hear her talk about how we have the power to create our careers. Everything from slates (if you don't like saying your name, change it. We're in one of the few professions where you can make your name into anything you want.) to other parts of your career and your life.

I''m still chewing on some of the things I learned last night.

Just got feedback from my manager. I'd sent him a dry run of theatrical headshot looks I'd done with a friend and asked him to make sure we have all the looks that we need for submissions. To me, looks for roles of what you'd play is actually acting so I do dry runs to make sure I bring in what it is that we need instead of paying a lot of money to a headshot photographer to do general looks and then finding out that what I need is missing. You can be dressing in whatever clothes you've brought for a look and if you don't act the role you still miss the shot. That's why I've done this dry run. I think I'll need to do another but it's a good start.

Beyond Announcements

2009-02-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

I've just decided to keep a log of auditions and meetings etc. starting today. So...tonight I have Carolyne Barry's commercial casting director and commercial director class.

These classes have really been great and lots of fun. I learn something new at each of them. It's been wonderful to get to know the casting directors as people instead of seeing them for 2 minutes during an audition. Each focuses on a certain area of commercial auditions.

Tonight is Renita of Renita Casting and she's focusing on one-liners. Looking forward to it.

2009-01-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Look for Ali playing a nurse on "24" Monday, January 12,2009 during the "11AM to 12PM" episode.

2008-11-26T16:35:00.000-08:00

Last month Ali completed a shoot of short film "Rake Stoddard" and will be shooting "The Day I Met God" mid-December.

2008-08-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Ali's episode of "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is scheduled to air September 29, 2008 on Fox.

2008-07-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ali was just booked on "The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

2007-10-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ali has just completed shooting an episode "24".

2007-06-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Check out Ali on Lincoln Heights at abcfamily.com