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I'm Ready.

1/30/2013

Since my birthday is in January, I always start my New Year right after. I first rang it on on closing night of my show with oysters and champagne. I can DEFINITELY get used to that. I've decided to take it as a sign of things to come for 2013!

Now it's time to buckle down and use my successes of 2012 to push me even further. 2012 was great to me. I worked harder than ever before and did some amazing projects. Now all I want is MORE MORE MORE!! I'm ready to give it my all to GET it all. I'm ready.

I want to be FEARLESS.

I want to SPARKLE.

I want to SURPRISE everyone, including myself!

I will OWN YOU, 2013!

BRING IT.

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A Crucible

1/15/2013

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Well. That's awkward. It seems I dropped off the face of the earth again. It was for good reasons, though, I promise! December was filled with Our Bar, then the Frameworks 3rd Annual Christmas Show, Christmas itself, and...oh yeah! The show I've been in rehearsals for since just after Thanksgiving.

A Crucible.

No, no. Not the one you read in high school English class. That was THE Crucible. This is A Crucible.

"A CRUCIBLE follows the high school drama club at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as it sets out to stage Arthur Miller's classic play, The Crucible. Conflicts erupt when ideas about sexuality and contemporary performance begin to influence the young actors and their POV about the production. The young women and men, fueled by a passion for black magic and avant garde tropes, stage a coup to build a performance that addresses their own lives. This original play re-appropriates the writing of Arthur Miller, as well as Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol's diaries, John Huston's film The Misfits and other texts. A CRUCIBLE is a darkly comic play about the power and problems of performance."

Between rehearsals and working on my Bah-ston and Barbados accents (yup. That's right. This girl has a KILLER Barbados accent), I kind of let the blog slide. But you forgive me, right? And you're going to come see it, right?

Not Sold yet? How about this great review from nytheatre.com?

OR!

Maybe because nycstagereview called me "poignant"?

PERHAPS!

The fact that Backstage says, "Rebecca Kopec Shines..." THAT'S RIGHT!

THIS FEARLESS SPARKLING SURPRISE SHINES!!

Come on. You know you want to. Five shows left: Wed, Thurs, Fri at 8, Saturday 3 & 8.
GET YO TICKETS!

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Do You Hear This Becca Squee?

12/4/2012

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You guy, I'm so excited. Ridiculously excited. We are three weeks away from something huge.

December 25th.

LES MIS OPENS!!!

What, you thought I meant Christmas? Adorable.

This show...you guys. This show! It was my first love. Most little girls I knew who were falling in love with musical theatre were starting with Annie. Not I!

When I was a wee young thing, I loved to sing. My awesome parents then sent me off to take voice lessons. The first song that voice teacher found for me to sing was, of course, "Castle on a Cloud". I remember performing it in some sort of talent show in a dress my mom made for me and dyed a dingy brown color with tea bags. I was given a tape of the cast recording to learn it. From that moment, I was hooked.

I listened to that tape nonstop. I had no idea what was going on. I didn't understand the show at all. I knew there was a sad girl who missed her mother, there were people in love, there was something about fighting, and there were some bad words. I'm pretty sure for the longest time I thought it was about the French Revolution. By the time I was 9, I knew it all by heart.

My love affair with the show continued. It was officially my favorite show. The tape was played in my room and on every car trip. God bless my parents for putting up with me. It was the second Broadway show I ever saw (Second to Phantom of the Opera, but not by choice. It was only because there was a bus trip to see Phantom first. Les Mis came a couple months later).

I couldn't contain my joy. The theatre was immense. The famous turning stage blew my mind. I never even knew something like that could exist! It was like magic. By the end, I was sobbing. It was amazing! The best thing I had ever seen!

I continued to play that tape out until it died. Then I bought the CD. And every other recording I could get my hands on- London, 10th Anniversary, French cast. Any and Every DVD. I don't even remember how many times I've seen it on Broadway or on tour. Watched the non-musical movies. I even read the book. I was a girl obsessed.

Even as I grew and my tastes changed, it's still in my heart. I don't think if I just stumbled upon it for the first time I would like it let alone love it. Oh, but love it I do.

This is why I am ridiculously excited for the film. It combines my childhood love of the musical with my Adult Becca tastes. Have you seen the making of trailer?? Singing live on camera!? Making it as realistic as possible?! More intimate, less showy!?! PRODUCERS YOU ARE IN MY BRAIN MAKING THIS MOVIE JUST FOR ME.

I've heard a lot of resistance from fans of the musical. Fourteen Year Old me would probably agree. But this Becca? Oh this Becca gets excited to open each link in Vulture's Les Mis Advent Calendar. Seriously, check it out. It's all I can do not to link every little thing every single day.

Will it be perfect? Oh God no. I'm sure I'll take issue with many things. But I know me. And i know that I will love it. And watch it many many many times. And Cry. A lot. And dream of Enjolras....

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Terrified Turkey Lurkey

11/15/2012

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I consider myself to be a pretty good cook. I'm not super fancy Martha Stewart-y, but I can handle myself in the kitchen. My mom's Italian. I think I would be disowned if I couldn't make a decent lasagna.

I'm also a fairly competent baker. Now that I have a kitchen that's pretty easy to get around in, I've been baking quite a bit. In the past month, I've already made cookies twice. Up next is my killer pumpkin pie, crust made from scratch from someone's German Grandmother's recipe where they don't have exact measurements. The directions are something along the lines of "pour in enough liquid until the dough feels velvety." Let me tell you, when you get it right, it really DOES feel velvety! It's my secret weapon and the thing I bring to every Thanksgiving.

This year, however, I'm hosting what we like to call Friendsgiving. And with hosting duties comes the making of the Turkey.

I. Am. Terrified.

Seriously. There's something about that pale, slimy bird that scares the ever loving crap outta me. ESPECIALLY since I have to cook for other people. If it was just me? No problem! Well, ok, fine. If it WERE just me I'd order a turkey dinner from the diner down the street and that would be the end of that.

I don't know what I find most intimidating. Maybe the fact that I've never made anything that has to cook for 4 hours before? Maybe it's because I don't have control really. Once it's in there, I just touch it every 45 minutes or so to pour meat juices over it. Maybe it's the fact that if it's under-cooked, everyone gets food poisoning, if it's over-cooked it's going to be dry and gross.

It's a food that has been cooked and served since practically the dawn of time. Why am I so scared!? I know it'll be fine. I always freak out when cooking for others. It will be fine. It will be tasty and juicy and delicious and it'll be another notch in my "Maybe I really finally AM an adult" belt.

Any advice, readers? Favorite recipes? Care to join in the Friendsgiving Feast? I promise the turkey will turn out just great! Comment and let me know!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

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I Worry About People Who Aren't Real.

10/26/2012

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I get way too involved in the lives of fictional characters. I'll watch a show and my heart will start pounding, my stomach in knots, legitimately concerned for the welfare of someone that doesn't actually exist in the real world. I'm aware that this is not normal behavior, but when have I ever claimed to be a normal human being?

The show that is currently causing me to yell expletives at the TV (and may be the cause of me dying of an early heart attack) is Homeland. Holy. Crap. Seriously, this show will be the death of me. I don't think a single episode has passed where I haven't muttered "ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodOHGOD!!!" while clutching my chest. It knows what it's doing.

Based on the Israeli series, Hatufim, it follows the lives of CIA officer Carrie Mathison and Sergeant Nicholas Brody. After being captured by al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war in 2003, Brody is presumed dead. He is found, rescued and brought back to the US and attempts to become re-acclimated to his old life. Before Carrie came to Langley, VA, she was a field operative in Iraq warned by an asset that an American POW had been turned. Carrie becomes obsessed with the idea that this POW is Brody. To quote the Showtime website, "The delicate dance these two complex characters perform, built on lies, suspicion, and desire, is at the heart of this gripping, emotional thriller in which nothing short of the fate of our nation is at stake."

Not enough to sell you? How about these words:
Claire Danes.
Damian Lewis.
Mandy Patinkin.
6 Emmys.

Need I say more?

Watch this show and freak out with me every Sunday night at 9pm on Showtime. I promise the high blood pressure it will give you is worth it.

BONUS!! CLAIRE DANES' CRYFACE SUPERCUT!!!!

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Back on Track?

10/11/2012

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Why is it so hard to get back on track?

The end of August and the beginning of September exploded into a giant blur of Busy. From moving, to filming, to day job, to getting settled, to new and old friends, it became insanely overwhelming. Eventually things calmed down and yet I still found myself putting off all the tasks that had become routine only a couple months prior.

I tried to take time out. Write out checklists of everything I needed to accomplish. "This week," I would tell myself, "I'm finally getting back into the swing of things." So far I have three of those checklists either partially or completely unchecked.

I've gotten to the point in life where I thankfully don't beat myself as harshly for mistakes as I would have in the past. It's completely pointless. It won't accomplish anything good. This is why it was easy to forgive and allow myself a bit of a break for a couple weeks. But now that those weeks are over and I've finally got time on my hands, why oh why am I still putting things off? I LIKE how I feel when I'm getting things done. I LIKE accomplishing things. I LIKE how I feel about MYSELF when this is all happening. So why do I not just DO them?

I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. We all do it whether it's going to the gym or yoga or eating healthy or keeping things organized or whatever it is that is your "I AM AWESOME AND ACCOMPLISHING EVERYTHING AND MY LIFE RULES AND I AM GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD" type routine.

It reminds me of this amazingly perfect entry from Hyperbole and a Half: This is Why I'll Never be an Adult.

The good news is, just writing this is a step in the right direction. I'm slowly but surely heading in the right direction. I know I WILL get back on track. I'm just still curious as to why we do this to ourselves. Constantly. Anyone have any scientific studies they care to point out? Anecdotes? Care to Commiserate? Share in the comments!

Perhaps tomorrow I will CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!!!! But...I still don't think I'll ever truly be an adult.

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Lessons Learned 2: In The Room

8/3/2012

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In my last blog, I talked about all the lessons I learned when it came to people submitting for roles. Now it's time for what it's like in the room. I was honestly surprised. So many of the lessons weren't actually new to me, but reminders I think we all need from time to time.

1) ACTUALLY SHOW UP. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many girls did not show up to their appointments. If you can't make it, just shoot a quick email saying so! It shows a complete lack of respect and professionalism. This is a very tiny industry. You don't want to get a reputation for being unreliable. You never know who you may be working with next.

2) BRING A HARD COPY OF YOUR HEADSHOT AND RESUME. Yes, we have a digital file, but sometimes we need something tangible. It makes things easier for those of us behind the table- and as an actor, you want to do everything in your power to make it easier for people to say Yes to you!

3) HAVE CONFIDENCE WALKING INTO THE ROOM. If you're this nervous (or forgettable!) simply walking in the room, why would I want to hire you? If you don't believe in yourself- why should I?

4) ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SIDES WITH YOU. You make thing you have it memorized, but trust me. You don't. I would much rather have you look down at the paper in your hands to grab a line than stumble and then get nervous. Plus, it makes ME nervous wondering IF you will mess up a line. As a casting director once told me, you're not getting paid to audition. Save the memorization for when you're actually getting paid.

5) IF YOU ARE ASKED TO FILM SIDES, PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY SHOW YOU AT YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST. This is the beauty of getting to film them! You can do them again and again and again until you have the perfect result! Filming your audition should actually give you a slight advantage over your competition! If you mess up a line, go back and record again!

6) YOUR JOB IS TO GET THE CALL BACK. For this round of auditions, we were only looking for one specific role. We had so many wonderful girls audition that brought so many different things to the table. It was a really difficult decision and unfortunately, like Highlander, there could be only One. HOWEVER, there were a couple girls in particular that we absolutely ADORED and want/NEED to use for other roles. In fact, it was even discussed that we possibly write something new for them! Just because you did not book this one role does not mean the casting person hates you or you're not good enough or you'll never be an actor ever again. It just means you weren't right at this one moment in time for this one particular role. But you know what? You may have gained a fan for life and perhaps you'll be brought in on their next project which will be an even BETTER fit!

All in all I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be on the casting side of things. I think every actor should do so, just to see what it's like.

What about you, friends? Any good audition lessons you've learned from either side of the table?

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Lessons Learned

7/17/2012

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Once upon a time, I decided I was tired of waiting for my dream role to fall at my feet so I collected some crazy talented friends and together we CREATED that dream role. Slowly, but surely, that dream is starting to become a reality. Just last week we posted our first casting notice and the emails started rolling in. In fact, they're STILL rolling in. To tell the truth, it was a bit overwhelming at first, but it's proving to be an incredibly educational experience. Here are some things I've learned so far. Actors, take notice. These little tips could easily make you stand out the next time you submit for a project.

1) HAVE A WEBSITE. I can not stress enough how important this is. Your headshot and resume don't tell me anything about you. Yes, I kind of sort of see how you look and what you've done, but I need to know who you are. I need to know we'll work well together. I'd like to see some other pictures of you that are more than just your headshot! And speaking of more...

2) GET YOURSELF A REEL. I know, I know. You're just starting out, you haven't worked that much, you don't have anything that's good quality, the director of the student film you did never gave you a copy, excuses excuses excuses. Guess what! I don't care! Grab a friend with a camera and film a scene! I just need to see what you look like and what you can do. It doesn't need to be perfect and polished, it just needs to be.

3) WRITE A COVER LETTER. If your email is just blank with nothing but a headshot and resume, I'm gonna pass right over you. It goes back to the first point- I want to see something of your personality. Why do you think you're right for this role?

4) BE GOOGLEABLE. (shhh it's totally a word) Say I have a friend who says to me "Oh! I know an actor that would be perfect for this!" so I go to look you up and....nothing. No website. No IMDB. Maybe facebook, but it's completely protected. I want to know who you are before I reach out to you.

5) HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RESUME. To be honest, I was surprised how little looking at someone's resume meant to me. The first thing I looked at was the headshot. Then, if it was the right look (or on the fence) I checked out the website and reels. The last thing I looked at was the resume and for this particular project, only glanced to see if you had worked with anyone I knew. For the most part, I didn't care how much was on it or how important your roles were. Everyone has to start somewhere. That being said, please make it presentable. You would be surprised at how many resumes looked like they were slapped together at the last minute- things not lining up, weird fonts, etc. That equaled an almost immediate no for me.

6) LOOK AT THE BREAKDOWN. I'm not talking about JUST the physical requirements for the role. Obviously if you don't meet the characteristics described in the breakdown, chances are, you're not going to get called in, but that's your own business. No, what I"m talking about is looking at the dates and times of auditions. Please, don't submit for something if you know for a fact you are busy or out of town during those times! They're in the breakdown for a reason! If you see something you're right for but you can't make it, send your materials and write in your cover letter letting us know you are unable to make those particular auditions but would like to be considered if any dates/times change.

8) RESPOND ASAP. After finally agreeing on 18 lovely women to see...even MORE people submitted. Some of them we really liked and would have loved to have seen, but the emails had already gone out. Perhaps we'll have a second night of auditions, and if so, they'll be at the top of our list. But for now, unfortunately, we just don't have the time to see them. Which is a shame because they could've rocked our socks off!

That's all I've got for now. The auditions are on Wednesday and I can not WAIT. I've never been on this end of things!! I'm sure I will have plenty to share with you regarding my thoughts from the Other Side of the Table.

Have you had any Actor Ah-Ha moments in your life recently?

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How a Concert became a Metaphor for My Life

7/3/2012

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If you receive my email updates, you know that I am kind of in love with a young up and coming musician named Ed Sheeran. (If you aren't receiving my email updates, why not?? They're fun!) I was lucky enough to see him in concert a few weeks ago. He's crazy talented live and while I realized I would have a good time, what I DIDN'T realize was how the entire process of seeing the concert would turn out to be a pretty apt metaphor for my life, particularly in regards to my career.

Bear with me here. I came up with this at 3am and it seemed incredibly deep at the time. Now that I've written it out, it seems a little silly, but I'm sticking by it. Because that's how I do.

Just as I have been inspired by talented actors, writers, and filmmakers which led me to the desire to be an actor myself, I was inspired by Sheeran's talent and desired to see him play live (told you it would be silly). It seemed impossible (tickets were sold out, scalpers were charging 6 times as much on Stubhub (I still don't know how that site is legal), I had no one to go with me), Just like sometimes it seems impossible that I will ever "make it" as an actor (the sheer number of people, the fact that I'm starting out so late in my life, questioning if I'm even good enough, etc).

But I didn't care- I wanted it, so I was going after it. I went to the venue in the hopes that maybe a concert goer would happen to have an extra ticket for me to buy at face value, but it turns out I didn't have to worry about that. They still had $20 tickets at the door- much easier than I expected (and cheaper since there was no ticketmaster fee)!

I have been trying to be more fearless as an actor lately. I have made phone calls to people, asked questions and for help, I've replaced certainty with curiosity (Certainty= "the concert is completely 100% sold out" or "this casting director doesn't have any roles for me". Curiosity = "What happens if I show up at the venue?", "What if the Casting Director's NEXT project has a role I'm right for?") I've been doing all of this and guess what? I'm not dead! Which ALREADY makes it easier than my heart palpitations would have led me to believe. That in and of itself makes it easier than I expected.

When I got to the concert, I looked around and was pretty sure I was the oldest person there that wasn't a parent- which is often how I feel at auditions and classes. But you know what? It didn't matter. I had what I wanted and I had an absolute BLAST. I enjoyed every second of it and gained a deeper respect for him as an artist.

Best Part? All the trouble I went through to get it made it all the better. Look!! I learned a lesson!

So, I guess I have no choice. I gotta keep at it until I make it. Oh, and friends, it will be sweet. I'm excited. :)

Thank you, Ed Sheeran and Bowery Ballroom. You've given me the silliest, yet incredibly apt metaphor ever.

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Upfront and Center Part 3: NBC

6/20/2012

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You guys! It's time for the final installment! Are you so excited? I'll bet you're excited. Time to talk about NBC.

Oh NBC. I want to love you. For the most part, you have awesome Awesome AWESOME taste in comedies. That means a lot coming from me. I'm REALLY picky about comedies. When it comes to drama, I'll kind of watch a range of quality. I'm aware some of the things I love are actually horrible, but I can enjoy them. When it comes to comedy, however, you better bring it. Usually, NBC, you do. You're home to Community! 30 Rock! And my most recent I-should-have-watched-this-forever-ago-but-I'm-just-now-getting-into-it show, Parks and Rec. With that, I was really excited to see what you had to offer. And, well, I'm not gonna lie...I was a little disappointed. I expected more from you, NBC. I really did.

Ok, fine. I can't complain TOO much. You were the one network to deliver the ONLY pilot trailer that actually made me laugh out loud. Are you ready for the only comedy that I'm remotely excited about this fall? WELL HERE YOU GO!

The New Normal

Now, I know, I know. Ryan Murphy. But! You guys! His first seasons are FANTASTIC. Popular, Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story: all had terrific beginnings. This show looks quirky, funny, charming, and heartwarming with a touch of the irreverent humor I love. At the very least we'll get 13 great episodes, and isn't 13 better than nothing?

Plus! Ellen Barkin!!! And a reference to Alicia Florrick! Come on, check it out with me!

Revolution

Why should you watch it? Three reasons: Eric Kripke (Supernatural), Jon Favreau (Ironman, SWINGERS!!), J.J. Abrams (seriously? I have to link you? you don't know who he is? Fine.). Here's the deal, though. I really want it to do well because you know I'm a big nerd and I love the whole genre, but I don't think it will last. So check it out while it's on! It looks like it'll be a fun ride! Post-apocalyptic world! Archery! Intrigue! Mystery! It'll be fun while it lasts. And hey, maybe if enough of us watch it'll get to stay on air!

Chicago Fire

Ok, i'll be honest. I....probably won't watch this one. Well, no, that's not true. I'll probably watch the pilot because I try to watch all of the fall pilots if I'm able. However, I can't promise I'll stick with it. I'm sure it will be fine, just not my cup of tea. I just had to post the trailer on here because I'm pervy and like looking at Taylor Kinney with his shirt off. Jesse Spencer is fairly attractive as well (even if he's cuter with his real accent).

Well, my little chickadees, that's all for now! Now we just gotta wait till fall to see what actually works and what doesn't. Till then, I'll be watching mindlessly fun summer shows (Bunheads and Pretty Little Liars), and catching up on old shows that I should have been watching from the beginning but some how missed out (Nurse Jackie, I'm looking at you).

Till next time! <3

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<<Previous

I'm Ready.

A Crucible

Do You Hear This Becca Squee?

Terrified Turkey Lurkey

I Worry About People Who Aren't Real.

Back on Track?

Lessons Learned 2: In The Room

Lessons Learned

How a Concert became a Metaphor for My Life

Upfront and Center Part 3: NBC

RebeccaKopec

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