Went on a GREAT casting director workshop with Erica Silverman of April Webster Casting yesterday and I can’t recommend her class highly enough. If you’re an actor in L.A. and get a chance to see Erica, do so. She was funny, articulate and gave out great scenes for us to work with.

Before we got to the acting though, she had a lot of great tips, the most profound of which was: BOOK THE OFFICE, NOT THE JOB. I’ve heard this sentiment before, but I like how succinctly she put it. Basically, there’s a million reasons besides talent why you aren’t going to book a certain part (look, hair color, height, ethnicity, etc.) but if you do a good job and they like you at the casting office, chances are they’ll bring you back for other parts in the future. If you’re an ass, or unprofessional, unprepared or untalented, you’re probably not going to get another chance for future parts at that office.

I’m hoping to get the opportunity to book that office, soon.

In addition to celebrating birthdays for my brother-in-law Ted and myself last week, I also went to a birthday party with friends Michael Cornacchia and Lacy Baxter for Kerim Ekonomi, one of Michael’s theatrical agents at the Stone Manners Agency. The party was held at Life on Wilshire, a lounge-type restaurant/cocktail bar off (yep) Wilshire near Crescent Heights, which had a cool outdoor patio and a small dance floor.  I spent the night eating tasty hors d’oeuvres (the little burgers were especially good), taking pictures and hanging with Lacy on the couch. Although I met them only briefly, Scott Manners and Kerim both seemed like personable, laid-back guys along with the other agents, actors and party-goers who also seemed cool and friendly.

I spent the end of the night on the dance floor with Lacy once the DJ started spinning some 80s dance hits which lured us away from the couch. Although I was shakin’ it pretty hard to BBD’s Poison I didn’t get too stupid out there, although at one point I could be seen doing the Running Man. Good times.

Check out my Flickr page for more images from the party.