Melissa Maniglia




Monday, March 29, 2010

What Kind of Nerd are You?

I am a nerd.  A great big Sci Fi lovin nerd!!


Now, I am a particular brand of Sci Fi nerd. You have some who are all about Star Trek. You have some who are so engrossed in comic books that they can't read anything without pictures (Yes, my dears, I mean you!). Then you have my version of nerdom.

In my version of nerdom, supernatural dramas rule and Joss Whedon and his Buffy-verse is to blame! I love the teeny bopper CW shows and download "The Vampire Diaries" and "Supernatural" weekly. I have a iTunes Season Pass for "Ghost Whisperer" and can withstand the teasing of my friends for enjoying a Jennifer Love Hewitt TV Series.. I love the old TV show "Dark Shadows" as well as its 1990s reincarnation. I've read Anne Rice's Vampire and Mayfair Chronicles at least once a year in addition to seeing all of the movies her books are based on (In my option, Stuart Townsend's Lestat was far closer to that of her novels). I actually sat through "Lestat" TWICE during its limited Broadway run and would really like to see the cast recording finally released (Drew Sarich ROCKS). I've read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that the "True Blood" series is based on and actually enjoy the twists HBO has placed on them. I will admit to having read all four Twilight novels with no shame. Also, penny pincher that I am, actually repurchased all seven season of "Buffy" when a friend "borrowed" them (Note: I will never lend them out again. Don't even ask!). At times, I have actually had to turn to Canadian television and the BBC for Sci Fi shows when the US won't give me enough to support my addiction. And if any writer can throw my love of costume dramas into their script, I'm a dedicated fan.

So thank you, Joss Whedon, for forever opening the door of Sci Fi nerdom to me. If it weren't for your clever show about a cheerleader living on the hellmouth with a vampire problem, I would never have experienced the epic and giddy delights of vampire nerdom.

And yes, I even watched/am the proud owner of the "Buffy" movie.


PS. I also drool over "Dr. Who." It took me two seasons of David Tennant to get over the fact that Eccleston was gone... I don't know if I can handle Tennant leaving too!

PSS. "Torchwood" had better return!

PSSS. Check out this link to help discover which type of nerd you or your loved one are!!
http://geektyrant.com/storage/post-images/Sci-Fi-Superfan-Reference-Manual.jpg

Cheap & Healthy Eats in NYC - Your thoughts?!?

So, when I first conceived this blog, I wanted it to be a place where I not only shared my experiences and thoughts on this business, but where my fellow actors and I could engage in a dialogue on the business, living in NYC, and anything else that came to mind. So, here is my first discussion topic: Cheap & Healthy Eats in NYC

So, Cheap & Healthy Eats in NYC could be a bit of a oxymoron, but I have a funny feeling I'm not the only actor asking themselves that question. Apples, Bananas and Deli salads work for awhile, but can get boring after the umpteenth day. Where can we go, in a city that is overpriced to begin with, to grab a healthy and affordable bite to eat before the next class/audition/gig. We have two categories: Under $10 and Under $5. Once I get enough responses, I will create a separate page on my blog for us to reference and keep updating as we discover new places.

I hungrily await your responses!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Channeling Dory

Just keep submitting! Just keep submitting! Just keep submitting, submitting, submitting!

Ever see "Finding Nemo?"

Well, I kinda feel like Dory, leading Marlin into the dark part of the Ocean.

Who knows where I am going... Who knows what I am getting into...

But going down there will get me closer to my goal.

SO...

Just keep submitting! Just keep submitting! Just keep submitting, submitting, submitting!!

(Side note, blogging is a excellent distraction from submissions! Just thought I would share that with you! So is laundry... I really need to revisit that one soon!!)

Monday, March 22, 2010

MIA Blogger Found - Craziness Insues

I can't believe its been seventeen days since I blogged last. How on earth did that happen?!?


Well, at least I can say I have used the time productively.

Lets see, I've:

* Had a very nice visit with my family. Being in NYC, and without a car of my own, means that seeing the parental units and little muchkins (who are no longer as short as their nickname "Shorty" implies) is a rare occurrence. Quality family time is wonderful and rare so its always appreciated when it is available.

* Saw the invited dress of the new Broadway show "Red." Alfred Molina was amazing. He fully embodied his character and had no visible "tricks" or false moments to carry his intense and emotional performance. His character flowed so naturally from his person that it really showed what true acting is. I also gained a far deeper respect for him as a performer and as a star; very few actors in his category would willing set their egos aside to sit on stage during the entirety of the rowdy and loud walk in just to set the production's scene. I really need to sit down and watch some of his film work now.

* Presented a unrehearsed scene from Shanley's "Doubt" in class. The last time I did one (ironically from the same play) it was entirely different. My work when I first moved to New York was very self conscious and presentational. I wasn't acting or living in the moment, but presenting what I thought others wanted to see. Having grown up a bit since that sad time, I feel more willing to just be; to let myself alone and let what is going to happen, happen. So this time around I found the unrehearsed scene rather empowering. I look forward to seeing what happens when we present it as a rehearsed scene in class.

* Begun the long lost monologue search... again! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am no longer in love with those I had used and am looking for something new. Something Fun. Something SASSY! Any suggestions?!?

* Also beginning the task of submissions to commercial agents. I've already pinpointed those that I think I would work well with and now I am beginning the process of contacting them. If you have any suggestions of whom I should contact as well, please let me know.

In other news, I enjoyed seeing the First Lady at "Memphis" on Broadway. It is wonderful seeing the show receive the positive recognition it deserves. It really is a word of mouth show and, it appears, that word of mouth includes the White House. Very cool!

So, I am breaking one of my cardinal rules today: I will be in NYC on my day off. I know, crazy, but I have tickets to the show "Come Fly Away" so I think I can bend my rule this once...

Break's over. Back to submissions.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Breaking News: Strike-A-Doo Girl Got a Strike!

Boys and Girls, Children of All Ages, This Just In:


I scored a 101 in Bowling!

Yep, finally beat that 100 mark! Oh yea, quitting the day job and going professional!

Right...!

Switched to beer last night. Hum... wonder if that had anything to do with it?

Anyway, this post has very little to do with acting and everything to do with the improvement of my all important bowling score. Hum... which I can actually link to acting/career goals by saying that, if you work hard at something, survive your derailments (i.e. ER visit) and persist, you will SUCCEED!

He He! Cliché, anyone?!?

But true, none the less! ;-)

Monday, March 1, 2010

And in this corner, "Life"

Sometimes the best laid plans are unexpectedly derailed by that little four letter word which we both love and hate: "Life."


After my last blog, I was burgeoning with the momentum of finishing a wonderful and inspiring class. A fire was in me and I was brimming with both excitement and productivity. My "To Do" list was diminishing at a remarkable rate and I felt on fire. Then, that night, "Life" decided to slow me down with a personal trip to the ER. Though I was released that evening, it forced me to slow down and allow my body to recover. And that is when the little demon of self doubt begins to creep in.

When you are productive, that little devil on your shoulder is drowned out by the power of your creativity and momentum. You can see your goal and how to work towards it. When you slow down, for whatever reason, that devil's voice can take prominence in your thoughts and make your goals seem far fetched and ridiculous.

Now, one thing I have learned is that, to work through a problem, you have to admit that there is one. I know, I know, that is probably the biggest "Duh" statement you've ever heard, but how many times have we tried to "work through" our feelings by denying what we feel in the first place? For example, when I used to walk into an audition, I would try to fool myself into thinking that I wasn't nervous when, in fact, I was. It took me a long time to realize that everyone who walks into an audition, at some level, is nervous. By acknowledging the fact that they, and myself, were feeling the same trepidations, it allowed me a greater sense of calm and freedom to be myself and, dare I say it, even have fun?!?

So, now it is time for me to get back on the bike that I fell off of Thursday night. First thing on my “to do” list: Reach over and strangling that little, yappy devil on my shoulder.

Oh, that felt really good!


_______________


You know, I started this blog to keep myself focused on my career and what I am doing to advance it. Sitting down today, I struggled to put my feelings of frustration into words that would propel me into action. By finally doing so, in a way, working through the problem, I feel the foggy haze of the past few days clearing enough for me to return to work with focus and energy. The ability to admit your frustrations, and perhaps to admit them publically, has a therapeutic quality. To complain bitterly is one thing, but to admit to a problem and work through it is energizing.

I'm rather enjoying this.