"The label you give yourself cannot impact external forces that are not motivated by your own psychology or influenced by a third party's pre-existing consciousness of you. We are all presented with reasons to struggle which come from completely external forces; to pretend that one is not struggling is either arrogance or an admission of defeat. To admit that one is struggling is a sign and a source of strength." - Evan A. Baker

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Seeking Hair Models!

You know what I love about hair modeling? I don't have to go to the go-sees if I'm busy or if I just don't want to. Love that.

I also love that the master hair stylists, usually the top of their field at their company, and usually in the nation will work within my parameters.
"Will you do a keratin straightening that lasts for 60 shampoos?" "Nope!" "Okay, we'll book you for curly hair, then."

You know what I love most, though?

GETTING PAID TO GET MY HAIR DONE.

And my hair modeling agent is looking for new models!

Find my email over there on the side ----->
(that should be easy enough) and send me a LINK to your current hottest looking self (selfies are okay for current hair color/length) and a LINK to your professional headshot with your
age, location, height, weight, dress size, current hair color, eye color.

I'll forward it to my agent and if she likes your look, I'll give you her direct number. You tell her I'm the one who referred you so she'll take your call and boom! You might just have a hair model agent!

What is she looking for?

5'6 & TALLER, 0-6 DRESS, AGE RANGE: 18-28.
NO WEAVES, EXTENSIONS, OR RELAXERS. AT LEAST FOUR INCHES OF HAIR. Los Angeles/Long Beach area only.

Do you have a pixie haircut and think you don't have enough hair? Wrong! Most models don't ever want to go supershort, so if you already have short hair, chances are you'll book.

Have super long hair you don't want cut? Some of these casting calls are for styling only and they need long hair and won't cut yours!

Want to make a couple hundred bucks every once in a while within your haircut/color limitations? Just let me know! 

Good luck!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Oh, Canada!

Canada is one of my favorite places to visit. Butchart Gardens is so nice, I visited twice! Canadians are incredibly friendly, the streets are super clean, and I can still remember the twinkling Christmas lights reflecting in the water in Calgary. Also - the drinking age is 19!

But sometimes, you know, the grass is greener in California during a major drought. Or something. Keep reading.

Hi Lira,

I discovered your blog today and have been binge-reading you for the last 3 hours:) 

I really like your down to earth attitude about this business and feel that I share your zeal and no-nonsense way of thinking and offering advice.

When I moved to Vancouver, BC 3 years ago to go to acting school I was oh-so-green and didn't know a thing about the business. As I've been learning and had a few small roles I have been itching for more. (Not to mention actually getting acceptable amounts of Vitamin D which this rain-forest of a place can't provide for 90% of the year)

For the last year or so I've been seriously craving a move to California (been there twice already) and I've been googling until my fingers hurt but it is so darn convoluted as to the steps and processes to get there. (I like lining everything up into steps and attacking them one by one)

When I asked my agent I felt she wasn't too thrilled with the idea and assumed I was like ever other 'hollywood hopeful' but even with all my explaining, I kept getting the same answers "you need a bigger resume," "Many people try and even if they have agents don't make it."

While I accept that this is true for the greater majority I refuse to let it get me down and stop me from giving it my darndest.

That was essentially my long way of asking if you know any Canadians who have successfully crossed the border and been allowed to stay or if you know anything about the process yourself. 

I'm a bulldog when it comes to things I want and I am committed to making this happen even if it takes years and mounds of paperwork. I will do it and I will do it legally damn it!
Sincerely, someone who really wants to be in America:)

Alicia
Hi Alicia! Thanks for all your sweet words!

And here's my opinion on what's going on:
You want to get out here to get more work. Unfortunately, to do that, you need a visa, and a company that will sponsor you, and more and more things I'm not even going to pretend I know.

What you're basically saying is that you want to be a teeeeeeeeeeeeny tiny fish in the biggest pond in the world.

So I'm going to parrot back what your agent is saying: Don't. And read this for more backstory.

Don't come out here until your resume is much, much bigger, and you're getting flown down here for roles. Establish yourself as a very good actress first. The LA roles will come later. In the meantime, be creative, write and film stuff for yourself, and appreciate everything you have up there. We'll see you soon enough. Even though it might not feel like it, and you don't want to hear me say this, you have Plenty of Time to work up there and come down here later. When your resume is bigger, better, longer, your current agent can call LA agents and get you hooked up that way. It's easier all around if you wait until you're a big fish.

See you in a few years! :)