A Day In The Life – June 2002
I didn’t write for this column for several months, as I thought maybe y’all would be sick of my daily life after a few essays, but Vietly says that this is one of the most popular features on the site, so here I am. I am going to write about this past month instead of focusing on just one day, however!
June was a good month. I began an audition class, which was very intense as it is 4 days week. I am taking it because I realized that my auditioning has gotten worse in the last few years, but I had no idea what I was doing wrong. This class, taught by Lesly Kahn, with whom I had taken a sitcom intensive last summer, really zeroed in on why I wasn’t auditioning well enough. It was also so educational to see other actresses “audition” in class (we were 10 women, working on a different scene each day, but we all did the same one) – actors never get to see other actors audition because it is always done behind closed doors. It has been very challenging for me, but the other women are so supportive and I have learned a ton. I even had two auditions where I put to practice what I learned in class, and I felt very positive about it.
I left my agency early in June. I had been with Innovative for 3 years, and although I had worked quite a bit during that time, most of it was offers, and I wasn’t getting enough auditions from them. It is never easy to leave an agency, but I realize that I have to be practical and businesslike, and although Innovative is an excellent agency, it was obvious that I was getting lost in the shuffle somewhere. I am very lucky to have an incredible manager, Daniel Sladek, who takes such good care of me and who has been a friend since American Flyers in 1984, but as it is important to have an agent, I am now signed with Progressive Artists, and I am looking very much forward to getting a lot of jobs through them! Belle and Bernie are highly respected agents and are already working hard for me. With Daniel and Progressive Artists on my team, I am one blessed actress.
I met John Sayles on June 18th – woo hoo!!!! John Sayles is a director (Brother from Another Planet, Matewan, Eight Men Out) – my favorite director of all time, and I have seen 13 of his 14 movies. His new film, Sunshine State, was screened at a benefit for Artists for a New South Africa, of which I am on the board of directors, and I was introduced to him that evening. I was nervous to meet him (very nervous- I was less nervous meeting Bill Clinton or Nelson Mandela), because sometimes your heroes can disappoint you, but he didn’t. He even said, “You came in to read for me once”! It was 15 years ago, for one of the wives in Eight Men Out. A tiny, unimportant role, but I loved Mr. Sayles’ work so much (Matewan and Brother from Another Planet were two of my top ten favorite films), I flew myself to New York for the afternoon just to audition for him. It was a huge letdown because he barely registered me during the audition, as I read my 3 lines or something. I was very surprised he remembered me all these years later (he even said “yes, you had just finished Dragnet”, to which I nodded, even though I had no clue). So anyway, that was my June highlight – no, make that my year highlight!
The reunion movie for Baywatch is in the works again. As you may remember, when the producers were putting it together last year, I turned down their offer. I have read the script for this reunion movie (totally different story from last year), and I think Baywatch fans will enjoy it. Fox is planning to make it, and supposedly it begins shooting this August in Hawaii. No deal has been finalized with me yet, but next month I will give you an update on whether I will do be doing the Baywatch Reunion Movie.
My family is doing well. Ian is as wonderful as ever and training hard for a grueling race he has on July 20th in Rifle, Colorado. The Ultimate Off-Road Endurance Challenge is an Ironman distance triathlon, but on trails. Steep, technical trails at that. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile mountain bike ride, and a 26.2 mile trail run. And I wont be able to be there to support him, as I will be in England for my cousin Justin’s wedding! But I am very proud of him and how dedicated he is to Triathlon, as a coach and an athlete.
I shot my last episode of Winning Women a couple weeks ago. The show, which I host, features female athletes in 60 different sports. The footage is terrific, and the women are very inspirational. Winning Women debuts on WE:Women’s Entertainment Network, on August 9th. I am also now beginning my second year of hosting EarthTalk Today, the environmental talk show I shoot once a month. For June, we discussed coral reefs with a very interesting woman from the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (see www.PCRF.org). Wow! I learned a ton. I didn’t know much about coral, and now I understand how endangered coral reefs are and how important it is to save them.
My dad, who has heart and lung problems, is feeling much better now that he is getting acupuncture. The day after his first treatment, he didn’t use his oxygen bottles at all, which is amazing. He continues to feel good from acupuncture, and as someone who has also benefited from acupuncture, I highly recommend it for a myriad of ailments and imbalances. Caroline is writing her second book, a novel this time, and she and her girlfriend, Trish, are getting more and more involved in Chi Gong (I don’t know if I am spelling it right), an ancient Chinese practice of healing and meditation. Jonathan is continuing to fight fires and save people’s lives, as well as the lives of whales through his organization, Ocean Defense International (www.oceandefense.org). My mom is very busy and happy – she rode 100 miles on her bike and will be entering another 100 mile bike ride tomorrow, 2 days before her 66th birthday. My mom is a stud! Summer is here, and the long days are such a treat. I am taking Pilates classes, which is good, as I need to mix up my exercise routine.
I am still taking a lot of yoga, as it helps my back so much, but Pilates strengthens abdominals which is vital to a healthy back. I am also hating my long hair, and thinking about cutting it shorter (just above the shoulders) come September. We will see.
I wish you all a happy, healthy summer!
