Auditions Are the Story of My Life

Hey World,

School is going well. I'm taking all 400 level classes: Rhetorical Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Debate, Relationships & Communication, & The Creative Process. I love Loyola Marymount! My best friend at school is my girl, J. She is amazing. This weekend we are actually going to some crazy oxygen bar party...

In addition, I am making plans to begin my radio show: "LATE NIGHTS WITH LEXI" ! I am so excited for my show! It's focused on entertainment, as well as sex, love and relationships!

Besides school, auditions are the story of my life! Today I have an audition for a new pilot for HBO. It feels good to be knocking out audition after audition!

What else? I just moved to Beverly Hills and I love my new gated community. It's super safe, located in a totally private, secret spot, & the actual property makes me really happy. The grounds are gorgeous. I spent nine months looking all over West Hollywood, the hills, Manhattan Beach, pretty much all the areas where I was interested in living and when I discovered this spot, I just knew this was it. It's funny because I had the same feeling when I stumbled upon my condo on Lake Shore Drive, in Chicago. It's the best feeling in the world when you find a place that feels right. It feels like home now. J helped me organize after my move!! We rocked out to stereo love and laughed a lot.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to balance school and acting because they both require much attention, but it all works out! School is my top priority

I heart LMU.


Love,
Lexi

Pretty Tough - A Pilot for ABC Family

Hey World,
I recently booked a pilot for ABC-Family, called "Pretty Tough." I am one of 5 girls who were cast as high school soccer players.

Working on this project was an absolute joy. We shot in Malibu.

When I arrived on set around six AM, I was hyper, excited, nervous and ready for an athletic day! As I pulled up through the hills, I panicked, realizing, I could not figure out where the actual location was. My GPS had led me to this massive hill of houses overlooking the ocean that was reminiscent of my beach house in Canada. I pulled over and quickly asked an older woman passing by my car, "Excuse me! Do you know where Westward Beach is?" I nervously exclaimed.
"There are lots of shoots there. It's a popular spot," the kind soul explained.

I was so lucky and nervous as I jumped back into my car, freezing in my sports bra and shorts. My heart raced as I climbed up the hill and around the bend toward the beach.



My eyes widened and glistened as I found the "secret spot." A congenial guard greeted me as I stalled at the entrance. She smiled and handed me an "actor pass" for my car. I pulled into the lot and could not stop smiling. A string of trailers lined the lot. Crew members carried large pieces of sound and lighting equipment off large trucks parked on the opposite side. Tents lined the area with abundant food, drinks and amazing snacks! I was in heaven.
(This is the actual beach where we shot)

I loved shooting this pilot bc it was SO much fun. Being on a big set again was SUCH a good feeling. I was so happy to be there.

We shot soccer drill scenes such as headers, passing, running up the canyon and swimming in the ocean. At one point, we all take off our shirts and jump in the ocean!

I have a bunch of scenes and a few sporadic speaking lines lolz! As a result, I am now joining AFTRA =]

It's the best feeling in the world when you love what you are doing and it doesn't feel like work. My dad always says, he wakes up in the morning and he is SO excited to go to court. My dad says he never wants to retire because he loves being a lawyer SO much. He gets super excited about his cases and he's ultra passionate. That's why I love going to court with my dad. When he articulates and presents information, I am impressed because he is really good at what he does. "Whatever you are, be a good one." -Abraham Lincoln

I love acting more than anything in the world.

Love,
Alex

Los Angeles - Purity Movie Premiere Interview

Wristcutters, A Love Story

Hey World,

This picture truly moved me. I enjoyed it because this film is so interesting and resonates on many levels. The overall message that spoke to me was that: We are so lucky to be alive. We don't appreciate life as we are living. Carpe diem. Whatever it is that we want, we can have. It's important that we enjoy our time on this planet and with each other.

Anyway, I loved the green and blue filters used in this film. It gave it a fantasy feel. The story is easy to fall into because you are consumed by a world that is the afterlife for those who "off themselves." What would life be like after you decide to "off yourself?"

What a great film with a wonderful message. The story is beautiful.

Ready to take on the day?

Love,
Lexi

Wanna Be an Actor?
Resumes

It is really important that your resume is formatted properly. The proper format is:

The top of the resume: YOUR NAME in large font
Just below your name: Your Union Status: SAG/AFTRA/AEA (if you are in the union(s))
Just below your union status: Your Website, Your email, your contact #, height, weight, eye color, hair color

Just below your contact info: Your experience should be grouped into appropriate categories such as: Film, Television, Theatre, Improv, Stand-Up Comedy, Commercials - Conflicts Available Upon Request, Education & Training, and Special Skills.

Each Category must have perfect spacing below it for the subgroups. For example:
FILM
The Break Up Featured Dancer d/Peyton Reed Universal Pictures


It must look this way: Film, Role, Director, Production Company

There MUST be an equal number of spaces so it looks clean and easy to read.

*Do include Improv Experienc
*Do list many special skills
*Do include your true height & weight
*Do include your acting training
*Do include STELLA ADLER or SECOND CITY if you have trained there

Don't write a bunch of acting teachers' names who no one knows.
Do NOT LIE on your resume.
Do Not include extra work
Do Not mispell anything or allow grammatical errors.

Your resume should not be hanging off your headshot. In other words, make sure to trim it down to perfect size so that it fits your headshot. (Casting Directors do NOT like it when your resume hangs off either edge).

If you have any resume concerns, ask a trustworthy acting coach! Compare your resume to one of their samples.

Back at LMU!! GO LIONS!

Hey World,

Today is Tuesday, August 31st: the first day of my last semester at Loyola Marymount University, the best school in the world! I love LMU so much. This fall I get to be a proud Lion again, which includes the following: lots of coffee, doing homework in advance in order to get my 2-a-Day work outs in, buying more LMU Lions stickers for my car (pretty ridiculous), laying out on the quad, enjoying KICKASS live bands on Tuesdays and Thursdays in between classes, constant FREE amazing food on campus...Well you get the idea, I love LMU. I am taking a full course load including two upper division level Public Relations courses, Debate, Communications in Relationships, an Independent Study at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and a private Acting class.


At LMU, this summer, I completed my PR Seminar (490) and enjoyed a practical experience working for a PR Firm. It was quite complementary to my acting career. PR continues to significantly impact successful business conduct.

Guess what?! I'm up 16% in popularity this week on IMDB!



I am currently working on finalizing my plans for the end of the PURITY feature film shoot in Chicago. After we finish our shoot, Jason and I will work on the final cut. Afterward, I have a shoot with my co-stars for the DVD Cover and movie posters. My co-stars have been wonderful work partners. Brandon Galatz is a passionate, motivated, intelligent, hard-working actor. In fact, he is one of the most reliable people I know. I call him anytime, anywhere, and no matter what he is doing, he will drop and give his full focus to me and to our work together. Brandon is Meisner-trained. I have a lot of respect for him and he does great work. I can relate to him since I also come from a background in Meisner. Besides, I am comfortable with him on set, and God knows, we have had some long bedroom scenes together!


Garrett Schude, who plays Collins, has such great energy! He refers to himself as "the corporate" one on set, which is a blessing to have...since everyone else is wildly creative. Garrett is confident, upbeat and ready to work! I love his enthusiasm on set!

I'm so lucky to be surrounded by a great group of people!

Troy Pryor is definitely a team player! Wow! Troy is talented, perseverant and relaxed on set. His focus and determination make him unstoppable!
* * *

Wanna Be An Actor?


Today's Topic: Your first Step, Acting Class
Where shall you begin your lifelong journey in the study of acting? Be careful. You do not want to take just any acting class. I recommend beginning with a basic Improv Class at The Second City. It will open you up, free your mind and give you the opportunity to enjoy Improv!

So my tip of the day: No matter what level of acting you have taken, every actor needs Improv and specifically you must take improv at Second City (Chicago preferably).

Love,
Alex

Wanna Be an Actor? You need headshots from Brian McConkey.

Hey World,

Multitudinous inquiries on the topic of Acting have led me to begin a new "Actors' Corner" of my EVERYDAY ENTOURAGE called Wanna Be An Actor?

Also, Random SideBar: I have re-designed my website !! Check it out!

Chapter One: The Beginning

So you want to be an actor? Are you sure? Before you can make that decision, you need to ask yourself: WHY?!!!??? Would you like a lifetime of disappointment? Are you prepared for an uphill battle? Are you an excruciatingly strong person with a deep sense of self, integrity, character and most importantly, discipline? If not...please stop reading and go on with a career in anything else. In fact, can you see yourself happy doing anything other than acting? Unless you LITERALLY cannot visualize yourself in any other pursuit...well...then, maybe you should give acting a shot.

How old are you? Just kidding. Contrary to popular belief, your age doesn't matter. Patricia Clarkson, a wonderfully talented, graduate of the Yale School of Drama, did not "make it" until she was 39 years old. However, she had studied and worked her entire life in order to build a solid foundation.

Are you willing to work through 10,20,or 30 years? Are you seeking recognition? Hopefully not! This is not a glamorous endeavor, in the beginning. Malheureusement (unfortunately), the life of a serious, committed, working actor is not what it seems. Although many successful stars shine in the light, what goes on off set, backstage, and in their own personal lives, often continues to be quite dark, depressing and pitié. (pitiful)

Where shall we begin?
HEADSHOTS Every actor needs a sharp headshot. Your headshot is key since it represents YOU. Not only that, but it is the first impression that an industry professional will have of you.

Do
☆Look exactly like your headshot
☆Have a Commercial and Theatrical Headshot
☆Wear a similar shirt or same-colored shirt as your headshot to an audition
☆Spend $200-400 on your headshots
☆Book a Consulation with a photographer to discuss in advance
☆Make sure your hair and makeup are clean and have someone on site to monitor this
☆Present yourself the way you normally do
☆Find a photographer who you feel comfortable with
*I recommend: Brian McConkey (Chicago) and Scott Miller (Los Angeles)

Do NOT
^Have a "friend" do your headshots for you
^Wear Excessive Makeup
^Do anything to your hair that you wouldn't be able to do yourself
^Get new headshots without a consultation

What I love about Brian McConkey, is that throughout the years, I have developed a comfortable relationship with him. I love shooting with him because I am myself. It is easy for us to work together since we are both comfortable. You will find that when you build a good relationship with your photographer, you will be comfortable and take great photos!

I hope that this has been helpful to many of you who have asked me, "What is the first step in acting?" My first response would be: Know yourself. Know who you are and begin the process of self-discovery. I think that the first proactive step in pursuing Acting has two parts: 1) Begin Acting Class 2) Begin Headshot Consultations

Love,
Alex

THANK YOU!! & Autographed Pictures!

Hey World!

Thank you for all of your supportive messages and congratulations texts, emails, letters! I am so excited to begin my career in Television!


Thank you!!!!! & Autographed Pictures!

Love,
Alex