A NOTE ON LIFE

I just recently posted this to my facebook wall and addressed it to my close family and friends, but I feel that it is really important and that I should share it on here as well.

Everything we do is a conscious decision. We Live, We Love, and We Learn. Regret is a waste of mine or anyone else's time. The decisions we make affect our future but they don't determine failure. An addict can recover and a teen on the verge of suicide with bleeding wrists and a broken heart can see the light. I have made many mistakes but I have never nor ever will regret any of them. I Live and I Learn and I Grow as a individual and as an artist. I am my own unique being and I am a survivor!

♥ Sierra Collins

Thanks for listening and reading!!!

Catching-Up

Whew....busy couple of days.  Auditioning, Chinese New Year celebration, and a date with the Actor's Alliance.

FRIDAY: AUDITION DAY
I auditioned for a new pilot.  The audition went great consisting of a small IMPROV scene and a short Q and A by the director on the topic of me.  Ending well with him insisting that I come back yet again for another round of auditions - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

But the greatest part of the audition was when I was leaving I was handed the phone and told to speak to Al Pacino.  Amazing....and I could not have been more excited to be handed a phone. Al Pacino is one of the few actor's that I actually consider an idol because of how great of an actor that he is.  I have never seen a Al Pacino film where I did not believe what he was saying or doing.  He is truly incredible and for me to be able to spend 10 minutes on the phone with my idol, I could not have asked for a better day!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON: CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Cultural events are my favorite so when I was invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the O.C. I accepted graciously.  This was a truly beautiful festival full of vibrant colors and traditions rich in heritage and belief.  Guards stood watch at the entrance to the festival wearing blue/gold and red/gold uniforms with high pointed hats and staffs.  The aroma of food and beverages took over upon entering too.  What I loved the most about it is that for a brief time it felt as if I was transported to a different country.  English was not spoken inside of the grounds instead Vietnamese flowed out of everyone's mouths as they chatted religiously about life and next year's aspirations. Which brings me to the other reason I love the Chinese New Year, the Chinese New Year is about wishing happiness and blessings upon all that you love and care about, it's about bringing a whole culture of people together to celebrate a longstanding tradition, and it's about the astrological and mystical elements that we all need to be reminded of again from time to time.

SATURDAY EVENING: THE ACTOR'S ALLIANCE HOLLYWOOD
Wanting to make it in the entertainment industry requires dedication.  Where am I at on most Saturday nights?  Not in Hollywood or LA partying but in Hollywood off of Franklin Avenue at an intensive acting workshop led by Taylor Brooks.  I can also honestly add to this that I have taken more away from this workshop than any acting or theater class that I have ever taken, including college courses through a major university.  This workshop is as RAW and REAL as they come, being referred to as a "Actor's Gym" by Taylor as it is where an actor can come to continue to work and improve their craft much like athletes do when they train at a gym.  It is also one of the most affordable options in the Los Angeles area which is just another reason to love The Actor's Alliance. ( www.facebook.com/theActorsAllianceHollywood )

Inspiration

The 10 Things I Do When I Need a Quick Inspirational Pick-Me-Up

10. Brainstorm - turn my frustrations into ideas and write it down on old fashion pen and paper

9. Read from my Aunts book the "12 Factors of Business Success" - If you don't already own this book you should pick it up. My aunt Dr. Mollie Marti has been and will continue to be a inspiration to me in Life, and her book teaches you a lot about setting and achieving your goals.

8. Take a walk - try to clear my head of all negative thoughts

7. Meditate - Energetically focus and meditate on an idea

6. Listen to some Jimi Hendrix - Something about listening to the Master Jimi Hendrix just makes everything better for me!

5. Reach out to loved ones - friends and family always have a way of making everything better

4. Spend time with my dog - I know it sounds corny but it really helps the little guy inspires me in more ways then one.  He is always there and is my road dog in more ways then I can count, after-all we did drive cross-country to LA together

3. Re-read my favorite inspirational quote - "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

2. Creative Visualization - Visualize your goals and see it in your mind.

1. Staying Positive - This is the most important thing anyone can do stay 100 % positive at all times

Realization

I am beginning to think I seriously need to get with a good agent.  Aside from being up till all hours of the morning sifting through my emails and working on bookings I really just need to take my career to that next level. The work I have booked so far and have freelanced doing is tremendous for this industry but if I want to be serious about this and really push forward I need to find a good agent. An agent that works for me and wants to see me succeed as much as I do.  I need someone that is excited to go out there and really push for me a go-getter attitude and a hustler spirit. A super-star agent I guess you could say.

I know what I don't want, and I have been in situations like this before with a manager.  I don't want someone who is lazy and doesn't work for me, I don't want someone I feel I can't trust, and I don't want someone that is just looking for the wrong benefits to this relationship and feels they can take advantage of me.  I also don't want to go into an agency and be one of the thirty some on their register that all look the same, I want to be a unique person that they represent and someone they feel good about sending out to auditions.

It's tough to find all of this though.  I have sat through many agency appointments since getting out here only to feel mixed feelings at the end of the meetings. There are so many agencies out here in LA one of every block it seems to be honest yet it is a task to find the right one!

Days in LA....Never go as planned.  This is mostly a good thing as it allows for the unexpected to occur and for work to get accomplished!

Today is a great example of this.  I was planning to go to the downtown art show and I ended up doing a shoot!  I took my energy and created my own art. Made a few dollars in the process as well and overall had an enjoyable day.

This is only one of the many reasons why I love living and working in LA!!!

LIFE CAN BE CRAZY !!!

I decided today I was going to start blogging for that reason.  It doesn't matter where you are at with it it always has a way of kicking you in the ass in some way.  Whether you are a good person and only wish and do good deeds unto people.  It doesn't seem to matter at times.

My mom and I have just gotten into a huge altercation about values.  We don't see eye to eye on most things and now I have to sit here and try to not let this destroy the rest of my day and my attitude.  I am not her and vice versus she is not me.  I used to not care what she thought of anything I did.  I used to not give a damn if she thought little of me. But now at 24 I want to make peace and yet I can't see the shame or fault in what it is I am doing.  So we don't see eye to eye on a issue in life.  Not a big deal to most and it never used to be to me either, but she has this way of crawling up under your skin and throwing disappointment at you. As in she is disappointed in me and my decisions to do a particular thing.  And then she goes back to her values and how she raised us her kids not to do things of this nature.  But the truth of the matter is at the end of the day we are two different people, with two different sets of values, and two entirely different outlooks on what it is we want out of LIFE.  Despite all that I still do and always will love her dearly.  After all it is she that brought me into this world!

I invite you all to enjoy this blog to read it and feel inspired. To see the struggles of a up and coming actress in the lovely land known to many as LA and to join me in my quest and on my journey!

SIERRA COLLINS