"Make It Reel" Competition Season 2

I was invited back to sing a couple songs at the T for Talent competition again at the Complete Actors Place in Sherman Oaks. This time I tied for 3rd place! Going on to the next round June 26th. Top prize is a produced music video valued at $1,000.

Demo Reel!

Finally got the reels and clips posted onto the site! A big thanks to Robert Campbell of QuickNickel for his editing services. Everything looks amazing!

Go Galactic Con!

Did a featured bit as one of Julie's friends on "Supah Ninjas" (NIK). The story was that we were all on our way to a Comic Con of sorts. Too bad I didn't have a costume. Just played a civilian amongst my fellow nerds. Cool nerds, that is.

How embarrassing...

So if any of you are avid viewers of the show "Operation Repo" (TruTV), please disregard the horrific impromptu impression of "Cops" I was doing. There's something about having a camera and bright lights in your face that really brings the inner trailer trash out of you.

Oh no she di''nt!!!

I was a guest singer for an all female stand-up comedy show called "Cougars & Kittens". I should have known what I was in for because I have rarely had any good experiences with events or classes held at The Complex Theatre. I'm sorry to say... no, I'm not.

Anyway, there were only a handful of guests that showed up, so the majority of the people in the seats were performing. It's all good. Every now and then, you'll perform for an empty house. It happens. You chalk it up to good practice. Ok, whatever.

Some of the comedians were off the chain, some just appeared to be off their meds. One of these broads from Boston starts going off on an angry tangent and throws in a line saying: "I don't understand these woman out here giving up the pussy like fuckin' free mints at a chink restaurant." She could have said "Chinese". She decided to say "chink". Ok, whatever.

After intermission, I get up to perform a song to rev up the energy in the room again. I do my thang, get off the stage and the emcee says: "How bout another round of applause for Miley Fried Rice." Not ok. Not whatever. Hell fucking no. All I could think was this is it -- this is how I'm going to end up on the news... for killing this bitch. Even the other comedians were looking at me like: "She really went there?"

The only reason why she wasn't calling out any of the black performers was because she was afraid of retaliation. Instead she decided to talk smack about the little Asian girl who she was sure wasn't going to do anything. Damn it all to hell, I wish I did. Fuck trying to be nice to people like that. Fuck trying to be civil in a forum like that. You think you're so damn funny? If y'all want to be raw. Let's be RAW. You keep pushing me, don't think for a second that I won't push back, bitch. I don't like to get ugly like that, but I will if I have to now. There's only so many times you can deal with people walking all over you before you learn to stand your ground and say "No more. I'm over this shit!"

You wanna know the fastest way to get on my shit list? Be a white uppity asshole saying some ignorant comments like that. That mess will get you there right quick.

Booked a Commercial!

It was a non-union buyout for Bump - the smart phone app that allows you to share pics and info with a simple bump of your phone to another phone. Great day!

Amazing Coach!

Taking Eden Bernardy's on-camera Cold Reading class at the Margie Haber Studio is nothing short of life-changing!

Asian Pacific Los Angeles Film Festival 2011

The kick off party was fantastic and it was a pleasure meeting Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, director of this year's center piece film: "Almost Perfect" (starring Kelly Hu, Roger Rees, Tina Chen, Christina Chang, Edison Chen and Ivan Shaw)

Website Re-Vamp!

I want to thank the talented Natalia Fedner for all her help re-designing my website! It looks great!

Camp Elaine Live

Had an interesting night at the Camp Elaine Competition in Canoga Park. The competition was held in an Indian restaurant, nobody voted, so nobody knew who won and even if somebody did win, Elaine hadn't gotten around to figuring out what the prize was going to be. Like I said, it was an interesting night. The PA system was lousy, but at least there were a couple talented singers and comedians.

Things we do for money...

For those of you who are hard core Playboy channel fans, you might enjoy this tasty little dish (nothing raunchy, but good for a larf). I was a student of Jenna Haze in her class on how to give good hand jobs on the show "Money Talks". It was all in good fun with us pupils practicing on lubed up cucumbers and bananas while Jenna demonstrated on a real live shlong... that's a funny word. I'd be lying if I said I didn't learn a few things :)

New Original Song!

I've just finished a new song called: "U Gon Haf Ta Pay" with the help of Stevie Bensusen & Michael "Fish" Herring of 2JC Productions. It's a departure from the Neo Soul/R&B vibe that I've been running with on these past few cover tracks, but I'm excited and I'm ready to get cracking on more original songs!

Mothership Creative

Clever name for a great production team. Went out to Agoura Hills today to shoot a Corporate Industrial for Farmer's Insurance facetiously titled: "Hunters & Gatherers". I play an employee who has a near run-in with her arrogant, idiotic boss. Story of my life... Not quite Michael Scott, but close.

"Make It Reel" Competition

I performed at the Complete Actors Place in Sherman Oaks for the "Make It Reel" competition sponsored by T for Talent. I didn't place, but it was a great night nonetheless. The venue is gorgeous! It's got a great jazz lounge vibe to it. Hope you all have a chance to stop by this hidden gem.

Back on "Conan"

Originally I was supposed to play a prostitute for a Charlie Sheen skit but it was switched to a bystander walking outside and taking notice of a Bat Signal of sorts... but instead of summoning Bruce Wayne, it called for Nicholas Cage (the new indicator of America's Terrorist Threat Level since the color coded system was deemed meaningless). I love you, Conan.

Here Comes the Bride...

I got to get all dolled up today on the set of "Conan" (TBS). Probably the only time I'll ever get to wear a wedding dress :) Team CoCo Forever!

Why you should always look good on set...

Almost too embarrassing to own up to, but yeah, that's my shiny face right behind the singing chickens in the "Muppets" movie. I guess the PA wanted to put the Asians together because we can all pass for relatives, right? Whatever.

Pimples Galore!

The one time I get to play a cheerleader, I have to be covered in fake pimples. If any of you caught that, yes, it was me in the locker room screaming with my fellow pep-squadders at the horror of our hideous white-head-zit-covered faces on "Hard Times of RJ Berger" (MTV)

New Scene Study Class!

As Ivana Chubbuck is one of Tasha Smith's mentors, I decided it was time to go straight to the source! I joined Deryl Carrol's class at the Ivana Chubbuck Studios.

Day to Dance!

Had a great time at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy today! The intensive included a little African Dance and Hip Hop. Good stuff!

Comedy Class

I'm so excited because I've just joined Todd Rohrbacher's comedy class at the Scott Sedita Acting Studios!

Ivy Bethune Awards 2010

What a lovely night! I attended the Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards at the Colony Theatre in Burbank.

Excerpt from www.aftra.com:

Veteran union member actor/artist CCH Pounder (Tri-Union honoree) is being honored for her global work with Artists for a New South Africa and her support of HIV/AIDS awareness programs; writer/producer Yvette Lee Bowser (AFTRA honoree), the first African-American woman to develop her own primetime television shows, Living Single, and later Half & Half, which were produced under AFTRA contracts, among other producing and writing credits, is being recognized for the success of her shows in encouraging a generation of young adults to reach their full potential and achieve their goals; Deaf West Theatre Company (AEA honoree) was selected in recognition of its work to re-conceive outdated definitions of deaf artists; Scheduled performances include actress/dancer Zina Bethune and wheelchair artist Lindsay Berkovitz in a signature work from Bethune TheatreDanse actors; Shoshannah Stern and Matt Jaeger; America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Hannibal Means; and performer Mylo Ironbear; Kal Penn (SAG honoree) will be recognized for his groundbreaking achievements as a pioneering Indian American actor in film and television, and also for his diverse advocacy work as a documentary filmmaker focused on malaria eradication in Ethiopia, his service on an advocacy Board of the American Red Cross, and his recently wrapped post as President Barack Obama’s Associate Director of Public Engagement, where he served as liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

The Ivy Awards were named in honor of actress Ivy Bethune, a veteran member of all three unions who has devoted more than 80 years of her life to civil rights activism and equal opportunity rights. Honorees are selected by a committee of members from each of the three unions.

"I know kung fu?" No, not really...

I had a great time today at the Film Fighting LA studio run by Robert Goodwin. It's no wonder Christian Bale trained with him for "Batman Begins". After some stretching and warm-ups, we did a review of European Sword Training as well as Kali Stick fighting. Watch out Maggie Q! I'm kicking ass and taking names!

A Day at the Shooting Range

Had fun at the LAX Firing Range today! Listened to the tutorial, then geared up with my ear and eye protection. I think I saw a couple actually there on a date!

Shot with a 9mm. What a rush! Man that thing has a crazy kickback. Next time, I might try a .22 so the recoil isn't so intense. It was funny, one of the shells bounced off the wall and hit me in the head. It was hot! The shell, I mean. It streaked a hint of soot on my forehead :) That's right y'all. Claire's a badass. Deal with it.

Crappy Waitress

While I've been served by a few of them in my time, I'm actually referring to MYSELF. Disregarding the well-known stereotype of the prototypical struggling actor/singer here in LA, I am here to say without any reservation that I SUCK AS A WAITRESS. I've tried my hand at hostessing at a Jewish Deli here and a Chinese Bistro there, but the restaurant business is definitely not my game.

First of all, as much as I love getting to know new people, that doesn't mean I always want to talk them or smile at them. Second of all, I don't drink so I'm not fully versed in all the many different types of alcohol there are out there. Third, if the bartender calls me "little girl", I'm not having it. I'm just not. I guess I should be amazed that I lasted a whole four days at The Cork Bar & Grill.

The security guard wanted to believe that was because I couldn't handle being around "all dem black folks" but for those of you that know me, you know that ain't it. Black, white or blue - I don't give a shit. If you're drunk, you're drunk. For me personally, that isn't a good color on anybody. I have little to no patience and a bad temper. I'm not gonna lie. I've learned from my time working in hotels that those qualities tend to work against you if you're in hospitality or customer service :)

Launching Website!

Finally, I'm a dot-com! Thank you to Brian Giboney for helping me get this starter site off the ground. I'm very excited to start developing it for all to share in my growing portfolio and news of progress and success!

TSAW

I'm excited to have joined the Tasha Smith Actors Workshop! Tasha's enthusiasm and energy is inspiring and her fellow instructors, Zenja Dunn and Brooklyn McLinn have been amazing. I've had the good fortune of getting to know some amazing performers. Being the only non African American actor in the class has also given me more insight and perspective culturally as well as in terms of ethnic casting in the industry.

DGA Awards 2010

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Directors Guild of America awards ceremony where I was able to see the DGA's finest recognized for their work in Television and Film. I truly enjoyed the Best Feature Film Director Nominees, Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Lee Daniels (Precious), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), James Cameron (Avatar) and of course the winner, Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker) each being honored for their amazing work this past year. It was funny to watch the awkward exchange when the emcee confused Jeremy Renner for Matthew Morrison (Jeremy does sing by the way, for those of you who don't know). Screw Morrison and all you Gleeks out there. I'll take Renner with those crazy eyes and big nose any day. Have you seen that body? So friggin hot. *Fanning myself*