A little wrapup....

A little wrap up.

I’m on the plane back home and musing about the last 3 months which have just flown by. It might seem idiotic – because I know the realities of flying overseas to fix things/relax/rejuvenate are… well, unrealistic. But it happened. It worked for me. I needed this trip. I have learnt more than I did last time in a sense. I feel I have grown up somewhat. Yerk – 26 and growing up. And if I do want to come back, I need to make it happen and make a situation that I can work and live in. Because as terrific as saving, fundraising etc is a couple of times – it’s wearing thin and I have a brilliant career to think of. Also, I can't always rely on the kindness of others. But ta very much all the same!

Anyhow, after getting back from NYC, I had a couple of days in LA, getting back into the swing of classes. (I have decided to write about the classes in a separate section) Jess and I took a wee trip out to Venice beach where the tune from Baywatch has been stuck In my head ever since. Venice was a mecca of beach babes and muscle ripped men. And all seemingly stuck in Baywatch style getup. Quite, quite hilarious. We watched street performers, held onto our bags for dear life (Jess had been pick pocketed there the week before) and met up with the curious Rose McIver and her lovely boyfriend Ben. I wish I could say I threw myself into the salty ocean, but I’d just had a budget bikini wax at a dodgy Vietnamese salon. The woman was the loveliest creature but I ended up with a horrific rash that was unsightly. TMI? Don’t care!

That night, we did something – but for the life of me – I can’t remember what it was…. I’ll paste it in later.

That Friday I decided to drive up to San Diego in Charlotte’s flash 2011 Prius and see my good mate Kurtis (On this trip I’ve got to know his Mom heaps better – Aunt Susie – and his brother Chris and sister Mary. They have to be THE coolest family unit of good, generous, funny, artistic people I know… My own excepted) Anyway – after I got over the horror of the freeway – again thanks to my good friend Sherry the GPS system. I had a beautiful drive up to the picturesque, delightful, charming San Diego. I actually felt like it was like an American version of the Island of Spetses – had that kind of ‘local’ feel to it.

I drove to Kurty’s place and he took me out for lunch to a super little Kiwi pub! Hilarious – in the heart of San D there’s true blue Fush’n’chups, pies, NZ beer, etc. We musta been there for hours. I hadn’t seen the guy in a year, and it was like with Alex, we picked up where we left off and amused, questioned and inspired each other. I am very very lucky with my set of friends.

We wombled down the beach, out to the famous pier (where one can stay in a cute little motel for a small price) and then went back to his place and met his flatmates. I was going to stay, head to a party etc – but I had to pick up Charlotte from the airport. I was sad to go – it was a couple of hours away – so I knew it’d probably be a year before I saw Kurtis again. Well, at least a few months…! Hahah.

The drive back was horocious. Long. Traffic. And to make matters worse – Charlotte’s flight which was meant to get in at 745pm – let everyone off the plane around 915. I was NOT impressed. At all.

When she did get in, we went to the fabulous Real Food Daily and got spoiled with the vegan feast. On Saturday Charlotte and I hung out, then I went and met Veronica at the Hollywood Cemetery for PSYCHO. It is such a weird, genius community event. Hundreds line up for tickets, you take a picnic in. Wine. Cheese. And you sit on the grass surrounded by people who love the movies, love the atmosphere . I waited for Vee for sometime, and sooooo good to hang out. Another friend who just gets me and I get her. And she HATES living in the States but she is very much in love and very happy with her boyfriend Jake. Says he’s ‘the one’ – I, in turn, am extremely happy for her. Couldn’t happen to a nicer girl. She is also one of the funniest creatures I know. Her commentary throughout the film was almost better than the film itself.

A little worse for wear on the Sunday - as Vee and I had knocked back the vinos at Psycho, Charlotte and I celebrated the first part of her birthday at Bob's Big Boy - secretly her favourite restaurant. Eggs and more eggs and coffee were called for and then I had to do an epic 5 hour class before the piece de resistance of dinner at.... THE IVY! Ooh lala! And I got to say, that was one of the best dinner experiences ever. Charlotte's grandad was shouting dinner for her 29th and thank the Lord, because I could've barely afforded a glass of water at this place. We had famous vodka gimlets and strawberry bellinis, we had a lovely server in a pink shirt and floral tie, we had Gene Simmonds come in at the end and try and look incongruous, and I had THE best striped bass with pureed cauli and squash and spinach. Oh my. I even got dessert, which I couldn't finish. Profiteroles with three different ice creams, homemade pistachio, praline and caramel. No wonder this is one of the best places to eat in LA. No wonder it's so famous. No detail goes un-noticed and yet it wasn't made to feel like you weren't welcome - you know, at a really rich persons place. We had a delightful evening, Charlotte: amused by my incredulous excitement, me: incredulous and excited. We had arranged to meet Ben and Jess at Cabo Cantina on Hollywood Boulevard for drinks. So onwards we went, where watermelon, peach and lychee margaritas were awaiting us. And boy did we get sloshed. Completely unintentional. And not since I was about 15 and being a try hard have I had such a vomitous reaction to alcohol. Was not one of my finest moments... I started out the evening pure class and ended it with my head in the toilet bowl of Charlotte's new apartment. (In my defense this final weekend was the only real going out times in LA... oh that was weak) But we all had a good, fun night.

Monday could've been worse. I mostly ran errands for Charlotte - I got in a rage waiting for her car to get fixed and walked 45minutes in 93 degree heat to Universal city and got numerous cold waters and iced coffees there. Then I met up with Jess, Ben, Rose and other Ben and we lay by the pool for hours, had a quick bite at the infamous Smoke House, whose clientele was more geriatric than celebrity, and I leapt off to my last class - where I had my orientation lecture (3 weeks late!) but it all came together for me there. I understand the teaching a lot more now. I feckin' well wanted to stay on. Lots more to get out of that class I believe.

TUES – On Tuesday I FINALLY bit the bullet and went to the Getty Museum. Absolutely gorgeous. A must see for anyone hitting Los Angeles. You drive for ages to get there, then pay $15 bucks to park. I was terrified the entry fee was going to be hideous (I was pinching my pennies HARD at this point) and then was delighted to find the fee was in the carparking fee. Actually free. Boom! I started in the European section, soaking up beautiful, simplistic watercolors, then moving on to evocative, oils setting the scene for French dignitaries and early modern/impressionistic art. I was incredibly moved by two paintings - I think they both were by Jean Francois Millet - definitely one of them which was a man working the fields called MAN WITH A HOE. The inscription next to it read "In a rocky plane a man, all worn out... tries to straighten himself for a moment and breathe. The drama is surrounded by beauty." The other was a picture of (whoever the) artist's child - a mournful picture of adolescence. Lovely. Very lifelike.

I then took in some sculptures and decorative art, which I appreciated but wasn't so into. The next section CUBA: A REVOLUTIONARY EXHIBITION was STTTTTUNNNING. It showed, through the photographic eyes of several artists, the expression of lifestyle in Cuba from 1908 to today. The original famous and iconic image of Che Guevara. A young boy in black and white grinning optimistically whilst clutching a gun. A young woman, posing provocatively at the beginning of her womanhood. I loved it. Finally, I went to the beauteous central garden, sat on the grass and wrote in the sun. Watched lovers be romantic. Watched kids get in trouble for playing with the highly 'designed' flowers. And I wrote and I wrote and I smiled.

That evening Jess had organised dinner for me at Buddha's Belly, a superb Asian restaurant on Beverly Blvd. Attending were Charlotte, Jess, Ben, Craig Hall, Taika Cohen/Waititi, David and Sam someone and moi. California wine flowed, we talked shop and talked shit. We laughed and told stories and it was a great last 'proper' dinner in LA. And they all paid for me. Nice eh?

Jess, Ben, Sam and I went on to a famous little bar (will have to ask Jess the name) and the boys bought the girls flash cocktails till the wee hours and I had to crash out at Jess' as it was so late. But really fun. I'll miss Jessa - she's another keeper. And I really like her boyf too. Nice when one approves of one's friends partners. She drunkenly said to me 'We've talked about it Kate. Ben and I have decided. You have to move here. It will be so good for you. People like you here. Don't get stuck' You know what? I concur.

We were all (and I'm sure by now you're thinking 'Kate - monitor the drinking!') worse for wear in the morning. I rolled out of bed, went round the corner and had breakfast as I knew I wouldn't be eating for hours, walked up the epic La Brea Avenue and got Charlotte's car then packed and packed. And sunbathed and packed. Because I KNEW I'd be overweight. Those fecking boots Gretchen gave me are cool, but super buttie!

I retrieved Charlotte, we got manicures and then met Jess and Ben one last time before she goes to Sydney and had a gorgeous little meal at the Grove.

When we left, I danced in the Grove to the charming music, as the fountain danced around me, people stopped and clapped. And I didn't have a care in the world. Because I can be anyone I want to. And right then, I was aiming for a 1940s Hollywood movie star dancing by a musical fountain because she felt pure love.

On that note. That was Kate McGill in America. For now.

I did manage to get a sort of upgrade by telling the woman of my horrific period pains, I avoided the bag charge and I left a little sad to go but also hopeful at my brilliant future ahead.

I wont get stuck Jess Smith.

NEW YORK BABY

Taken from notes in diary....

20th August
I arrived in NYC yesterday evening around 5pm and it was amazing how cal, at home and easy I felt. Only the slightest niggle that I had to schlep a computer and two bags around the city all evening. Otherwise, I felt as though I'd come home.
I wasn't meeting Alice till around 8 in Union Square, so I thought ''It's Thursday night. I'm gonna hit Century 21" - my beloved department store where I get all the discounts on all the nice things. My budget was tight but I was determined to get there. In search of the cheap designer delight.
I didn't find ANYTHING. It was all tacky looking or over $400. However, I did pick up my 50ml Estee Lauder Moisturizer for $30 (instead of 90 back home!) and with a free gift!
Then I was subway bound.
Out at Union Sq, the sky was a bizarre purple grey and it was very, very hot.
A storm was a-brewin'
I had got the most glorious photo earlier at Ground Zero. You can't really see the sky from around there, but the new building they're putting up is completely metallic and quite impressive (it was flat last year) So I could see the skies doomy clouds rolling in in the reflection. Which I now realize is so people can see if a plane's coming at it. That made me rethink my awe at it's 'beauty'
Anyway, I plonked myself in Starbucks and on the free wifi, next to a young dude reading Proust and openly pouring gin into his Iced Starbucks juice. New York. You get used to it.
Alice turned up and it was so nice to see her. She is my ex-flatmate and a kooky but kind girl. We went two shops down to a restaurant called THE COFFEE SHOP (don't actually serve coffee...) ordered Blue Snapper, NZ wine and yarned about her Irish boyfriend, acting school, goals and dreams.
Back at her place, a great apartment all the way up in Washington Heights - which is like 180th street - most of the places you actually want to go are in 4th through to 75th streets -
we chatted for hours ate about 9 flavours of ice cream and finally went to sleep.
I was awoken around 8am by her psycho neighbours who scream at the top of their lungs at each other every morning. On this particular morning, they were throwing pans at each other. How pleasant. Cough, cough.

21st August
Yesterday, I did my usual schlep. Walking blocks and blocks, instead of opting to use the subway (which if you don't have a map on you, can be a right pain in the ass.)
I quite accidentally wombled into a raging street market. There was a dress I REALLY wanted in LA for about $65 - which I wasn't willing to spend that money on - I got for $10! It was 18 but I bartered!
Anyway, my schlep continued up to W45th street and Broadway where I used my charm as a 'Student from NZ' to get a $35 rush ticket to see 'Jerusalem' - about to close it's season and tony award winning.
INCREDIBLE
Mark Rylan blew my mind - really excited me in his larger than life character with a heart of gold. That's the sort of performance I'm aiming for in my comedy. Exciting, eccentric, interesting, oddball characters that are vividly drawn and believable.
The play, by Jez Butterworth, is very idiosyncratic English in it's humour (the guy from Jersey next to me didn't quite get it) but I fel very fortunate to have witnessed that.
Afterwards, I met up with Alice and we got wine, cheese and fruit and headed to Central Park where we met up with my dear friend Nick Demarest from Steamboat 2010.

We chatted, hung out and headed to my fave place the Shalel Lounge. It's a cute lttle Morrocn place on the Upper West. Blue cocktails, laughter and grilling (Alice to Nick on religion, sex, his girlfriend) after a while, he left (surprise surprise. Hehe) and we went to an Irish bar, then had a late night meal at my old haunt Gigi cafe. It's funny what sticks with you about a place.

Another storm is brewing in NYC.

LATER

Oh wow. I just paid a small fortune to see WAR HORSE. Absolutely magical, once in a lifetime, beauteous, divine, worthy experience. Absolutely magical. Delicatelly manipulated puppets - life sized horse puppets - I completely got sucked into the life of them. And so did everyone else - the woman next to me: wealthy, in her 50s - was whimpering when the horse got whipped. The story was very childlike with very architypan characters and at first that irritated me. Now I understand it was a device to aide the audience in suspending disbelief for the 3odd hours. In the horses, in the stylized war scenes.

The set was basic, with a plain, revolving floor, a strip or streak of projection gauze - basically they let the intricacies ofthe puppets to the word.

I'm now in a cafe watching it piss down outside, wishing Nick would call for where to meet -as I don't know what to do with myself! I want to give Alice some alone time -maybe I'll see a fillum.... or walk in the rain...

Just in awe! Of that show! That was terrific. Visally phenomenal. Stamped in my brain. And at the end I thought of my granddads and their friends. And how the war must've affected them. How it changes people back home. Oh life. What we do.

22nd August

Last night I ate all the cheese. And the ice cream. And the crackers. Alice made a feast of sorts in her little apartment in Washington Heights. We talked and talked and talked. Funny Alice and I mostly end up talking about 3 subjects: Men, Acting and Goals. And we always feel extremely intelligent, deep and genius when we do this. Very uplifting person to hang around.

I was thinking about what I'd achieved since I was last here. Last year. And seeing as I've written down some very specific goals I'm going to achieve by next year I thought I'd share last years achievements. Here is my list:

- DARRYN EXISTS

- CHRIST ALMIGHTY

- FUNDRAISING MONEY TO GET HERE

- TEACHING AT TOI WHAKAARI

- MOUNTING THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

- DIRECTED BIRD SONG

- GOING TO THE GYM REGULARLY

- COMPLETED A DETOX

- WORKING WITH LONG CLOUD YOUTH THEATRE

- WORKED IN CASTING

- DIRECTED BADJELLY THE WITCH

So there you go.

I am now sitting in a cafe on the corner of Lafayette and Prince eating Frittata and hot coffee on this muggy day. Foolish but somehow necessary. I'm enjoying writing in my diary. The process of reflection is a wonderful one. And what's more - I like re-reading it. My memory is not great... and maybe I want to document my stories one day. Maybe.

23rd August

I met up with Darren yesterday for lunch in the East Village - in a part of Manhattan I hadn't been too before. He is going to help me facilitate a program (through Charlotte's exciting, new company) to get young NZ practitioners internships in NYC. Very very cool. Also great to catch up with such a lovely, divine, good chum.

After that I met Greg R and Tiff at Tectonic - they were uber stressed but it was nice to pop in.

That afternoon I sat in Central Park for a couple of hours reading and writing Frenchie. Felt good.

Then.... I did the mission to Brooklyn to meet Leigh Fondakowski for dinner. She was one of the directors of THE LARAMIE PROJECT. Never mind I missed the stop because I was writing whimsy in my workbook, I wasn't late. She met me at the subway and we walked down to a great Thai place. Brooklyn is super charming, and very homely. More spread out than Manhattan - I think if I moved here - I'd be inclined to live in Brooklyn.

Leigh is a very warm, interesting and interested person. She was no holes barred - is that the expression? - about the experience of Laramie last year and the people. Nothing was bitchy, she just talked specifically about what worked and what didn't work.

I think the basic thing that I got from her was that she keeps investigating. She is a perfectionist, so she's always aiming to strike the right balance and not settle for shit. We talked about the company of actors, the stage management. She told me she thought I should come back for the tour next year. October. GIVE ME A VISA AND I"M THERE! I felt like shouting. She said 'You're a very hard, passionate worker Kate. That's hard to find.' She asked me questions about my acting, NZ, aspirations, inspirations. (She asked about you Mum, and what you think about your daughter being an actor. I said you weren't over the moon initially but that you are a very proud, supportive mother. And that my Dad is too - a great parent. Lucky girl I am.)

Leigh and Darren are very much worth keeping in contact with because they are interested and they care. About the craft but also of me, personally. Alice too. Surrounding myself with good people is really good!

I caught the train back just as the city was starting to sparkle. Last night in NY for another year maybe?

Back in Washington Heights on the other edge of New York City, Alice and I went up to the 360 view rooftop, sipped Bacardi and Diet Coke and giggled all night.

This morning I woke early - but not to the soothing sounds of the retarded next door neighbours. They are violent and throw stuff at each other. I nearly called the cops the night before.

Alice and I mosied down the road to get $10 Manicures. I - for some reason - got Yellow. I'm not sure about it. I think it was a fail.

We then caught a subway and schlepped around the Upper West for the good part of the morning, trying to find a breakfast place. Finally, we got to an OK cafe on 2nd Ave. I got into a cab - and here I am now at JFK - delayed because of the earthquake in Virginia (no one died, thank goodness) and stuck here for an extra 2 hours which means I have to drive Charlotte's 2011 Prius in the dark on the Freeway. Saying multiple prayers right now. MULTIPLE. Saint Christopher's got my back.

Back and through LA baby.

Tata NYC. You're always there for me.

Universal Studios

This begins a long line of short burst posts, because I am in NYC listening to Jazz in Starbucks. And time is precious. Isn't it?!

Last Friday, Jess and her brother Chris and I went to Universal Studios. I was kinda expecting it to be dire. But MAN OH MAN was it fun!

We arrived around 2 o'clock in the sweltering heat and started on the crappiest ride. The haunted house was the worst by far. As it was our first thing - we thought great! We paid $60 for shite. (And that was a huge discount because I did a wee bit of acting....) We waited in line for Shrek 4D for 40 minutes - and that was an improvement but still - the waiting!

Then we noticed people going in all these places way ahead of everyone else. A bit of investigating and we got an 'After 4 VIP pass' for 40 odd bucks. Now we were none too impressed at paying a shiteload for a themepark - but my, did we have a good time. Most people don't get through everything in a day - much less half a day but we got too and it was hilarious!

The Simpsons Virtual Rollercoaster was hilarious. Peter Jackson's King Kong was plain superb. Our delightful tour guide was clearly an aged, failed actor but he had such cheer. Jurassic Park brought back memories of my obsession with Sam Neill at aged 9. And the Waterworld show was pure stunt genius. And also brought back the memory of Mum and I seeing Waterworld and Corinna, Corinna back to back when I was ten or eleven. I felt soooo cool seeing two movies in one day.

It was just a very fabulous fun time. I'm really glad I went.

Afterwards, Miss Veronica Burns picked me up (she lives out in the O.C so it's a bit hard to get too) and we went out for a glorious vegetarian Thai meal. She got me a fabulous handbag as a late birthday present - the little gem. It was so great to catch up with her. She's a true friend.

And I plan to have her over next week, when she can stay over and not worry about the 2 hour drive home.

I got home to Charlotte and we had a good yarn about life dreams and goals.

A very successful, happy day.

classes. at the actors centre.

Fleur Saville met up with me before I left and said 'YOU HAVE TO DO THE ACTOR'S CENTER LA CLASSES' Have to. Interesting. Why? Says I. 'BECAUSE YOU LEARN HOW TO NAIL EVERY AUDITION' Wow. Says I. 'EXACTLY' says Fleur.

So off I tottled last Sunday and began.

Now, there are some interesting methods being used. Am still very interested in how one directs without constructive criticism. The training is gained through various drills. All working towards having a brain that responds quickly to a description – however small – of a character.

The chief objective to ‘be’ a realistic, rounded person without judgment.

The first lot of drills involve games, improvs, body-mapping (which I loved!! Eg – Centre of gravity/where you lead from: Top of head – like a magnet is pulling you up to the moon. Character would be a child. Then from the nose out to the horizon line – character an inquisitive person. Chin (aristocrat) shoulders (first one at a time then together – together is kind of mental) Collarbone, chest (breasty lady/body builder,) stomach, hips (again one at a time then together,) front of thighs, knees, shins, then feet (magnet to the floor)

The first personal drill they had me do was cards. Very simply – they gave me a ‘character card’ – a description like: a nurse, a deli worker, a school marm. I sit on a chair (or stand if I wish) and the person sitting opposite me picks up the card and says “ Be a ______” and I then take on whatever that person means to me. If I get “Be a nurse” I don’t have to suddenly be at work – I could be in a waiting room for a job, I could be at home watching TV etc etc. Also, I don’t have to speak and I can do it for as little or as long as I like. When I am done, the person opposite acknowledges I’m created something by saying a repetitive word of their choice ‘Good’ or ‘Thank you’ or ‘Great’ or ‘Awesome’ – they DO NOT elaborate. You then have another go. I imagine you can see what my problem is with lack of critique – how do you know whether it’s good, believable etc. And I would usually just rely on self-critique but they don’t want me to do that either.

Don’t get me wrong – I am enjoying myself and getting things out of it – I just have some questions.

The card drill, once you have practiced, gets added to. (Once you are in character) You then get an emotion card ‘You feel that the world is vast and you want to explore it. You feel endless anticipation at life. You judge others who stay in one place’ – from this you don’t go over the words in your head. You take on whatever feeling that evokes in your character. So I might feel spacey, drugged out or blissfully happy.

More and more things get added. I haven’t got to all of them yet.

We also were given lectures about voice and body impulse. And about reading character in film. The voice and body was great – we used the emotion cards to show whatever the feeling was in our bodies in the space. No voices. Then we sat down, no emotion or physicality used, we would make the sound of the emotion. I liked it – it drew up ideas and new flavours that I might not consider using otherwise.

The film lecture-we watched excerpts from the Godfather and broke down the character through what they wore, their lines, their body language, where they paused etc etc.

The thing I have found most frustrating about the classes is self-drilling. Like a total pain in the ass. And I feel like a dick – and the performer in me can behave like an ass in front of other people, but not so much in front of myself.

One of the other drills that is probably my favourite and you do this with a partner is a sort of a mimic exercise. You go out of the building, find a person in a shop, on the street, in a café, etc – and talk to them. Either you tell them you’re an actor and may you talk to them for a brief moment, or you can just strike up a conversation. I opted to tell them what I was up to as I think that it’s important to be honest. Anyway once you’ve talked to them for a bit, you leave them – go well away from them (and all while your partner is watching – I think it’s more of a security measure than anything else) you ‘Be them’ for as long as you want.

My first person was a nervous Mexican lady who DID NOT wanna talk to me. That was a little boring. And I was nervous too. My first go.

The second was a man who looked like Mum’s friend Peter Sharp in Jamba Juice. He told me his name was ‘Richard’ he’d just been on a hike and we had a chat about various places to hike – one of them has the bat-cave from the original Batman! It was fun ‘being’ Richard.

The third and most interesting was Mr Anonymous. A lonely, slightly crazy perhaps man in the supermarket. He acted like he was doing me a HUGE favour chatting away to me – ‘Well I gotta sit down first and I can’t talk for long. I’m suffering. From arthritis’ - As the conversation wore on I realised he was but I was doing him an even bigger service by talking to him. Every time I tried to close off the conversation, he would fix me with a momentary wounded look and then keep on talking. He talked about the Godfather and the great comedians. He talked about the best movies and the worst. He did not think Sofia Coppola deserved criticism for her performance – ‘people are mean.’ Mr Anonymous was very generous with his time. And I felt glad to have met him.

So finally, to conclude we do these drills, we extend on them.

On my last session there before I went to NYC, I got up to perform in a FLASH performance at the end. It’s entirely improv. I was given a character – we all a scenario. In the lock room at Las Vegas police department. My character was a singer who’d played a huge gig and was pulled up for her expired drivers licence.

It was really fun and I got to work with my friend Diona, a motherly African American woman with a super sense of humour.

And I made people laugh. There’s the critique. Right?

Continue this

Hola,

Yes - so after I did that wonderful trip to LACMA - Jess and I hooned around having boba teas (so yum) and then started to get ready for the 'Hollywood party' we were invited to. Jess being my makeup guru and making me look nice.

In the car on the way there, I get a call from 'Lauren from Stiner-Block Casting. You have an audition tomorrow with Sally at 11.30' Ummmm - huh? Susie Jackson had recommended me from my work in Steamboat. Naturally I started to get nervous - Jess told me to settle down and took me through the basics for what I needed.

So, I started to chill and enjoyed the Australian Addie's 21st birthday party, which was peppered with managers and 'celebrities.' It was actually really nice and quite chill.

The next day was this audition and boy was it successful!

I got in to the building, calmed myself and met Sally Stiner, the hilarious larger than life lady who after a brief moment of awkwardness - not having my CV - thanks Jess! - We got on like a house on fire!

I did a read of a script and she was complimentary.

And... she gave me valuable information about working as an actor in the States - for when I actually get a work visa and can work - and we settled on I might come help out in the office a couple of days - just observing. Very cool. Don't feel afraid of actually doing it now! I mean, living the dream here!

I just realised, you don't play the game of being up yourself plastic faced, you play the game of being yourself and that's how everyone gets work worldwide through talent, hard work and your connection with people or peoples.

OK - another post coming soon

x

oh the forever to be continued

Dancing the night away at le Chateau where I got numerous free drinks and hit on by Vegas types. Kevin the Mexican is only 20, so he was hilarious to watch try and be gallant and a ladies man. Jimmy and I spent a lot of our time watching him.

I was gussied up like Big Bird in my delightful yellow dress and I had a grand time.

The next day, Chaz and I were obsessed with going on the gondolas in the Venetian. We rocked down there and bought our tickets for 5 hours later (they are surprisingly popular... well it is a fake Venice river....) and then made the call to go to the Hoover Dam.

Farrrrrk was it amazing. About a half hour drive from Vegas and you get to stand on the border of Arizona and Nevada and look at this vast machine that thousands of men put together, died for and actually something that not only powers four states but saved lives as well. The Dam was made during the depression and was the only work for miles. It paid well and it made a difference to the livelihood of so many people.

Once I had finished being moved by this knowledge, Jimmy and I made a series of characters on a camera - all of whom were irritating touristy people.

But loads of fun... it may end up on You Tube.

Oh sucky info. Not only has my computer broken. My camera broken. NOW my iPhone is broken. I am very, very, very pissed off. All of the things I use on a daily basis. I definitely hit the wall when that happened.

Back in the Vegas region, Charlotte and I went on the Gondola

Look here https://www.gondolaphotos.com/products.aspx?email=kjmcgill@gmail.com

Or here - very cute!

It was lovely - the babe in the background wooed me with his authentic Italian singing and we giggled and even got souvenir items!!

The others were all exhausted and piked on Saturday night - but I wasn't having it - I'd been told that Ka by Cirque du Soleil was amazing so I missioned down there, got a ticket - using I am a student from New Zealand schtick and then roamed the very impressive MGM Grand. Beautiful. Much more spaced out than other hotels and casinos, full but not squashed in horrible. I decided to treat myself to a lovely meal and plonked myself at the bar of the famous Wolfgang Pucks. A gorgeous salad and NZ wine sat in front of me and I watched passers by, chatted to the wait staff, the couple next to me and when they forgot my vegetables, I got another glass of wine and the first one on the house! So it didn't end up being expensive in the end. Thank goodness.

Ka was SUPERB. The epitome of what it means to be a great ensemble. A sort of modern day twist on the Ming Dynasty - it was amusing, action packed, cute, mind boggling, SUCH high production values. Made me briefly bitter about the lack of in NZ

See the trailer http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ka/default.aspx

It brought home to me the training that Tom McCrory did with me about suspending disbelief through a series of specific movements.

I did a class at Stella yesterday, the only good thing that really came out of it was the 'Physical Comedy' section. It was the 'problem of the chair'

It was various moves to get one on the chair, but failing at it in a clear and specific way makes the audience laugh.

Anyway, Ka blew my mind and not even the annoying lone, crazy, chatty woman next to me could distract me from the brilliance of it.

The next morning we checked out and got stuck in an epic traffic jam that took us 7 hours to get home instead of 4. Charlotte and I went to a movie at AMC Century City and we chilllllled!

I spent the next few days at Jess' which was so good! Because, I don't want to be in Charlotte's hair all the time - and she feels like she has to constantly entertain me - which she doesn't and we end up having cute squabbles. Jess had things on - auditions and the like - so I was able to roam around, walk the dog, go to LACMA.

Which brings me to my next point - the Tim Burton exhibit and Modern art at LACMA. It was the hottest day, and I decided to walk down the half hour stretch of road to get there - by the time I got to the coolness of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art I had broken a sweat and looked vile. The woman took pity on me and gave me $2 off my fare and off I trotted around the space, trying to find the fecking exhibit - which - at this point - I had lost all interest in!

And THEN I found I had to wait an hour to get in - so I thought FECK THIS! And headed up to the modern art where I immediately forgot my worries and was taken in by the complexities of American modern artists. It was the first museum I've been in where all the modern art is not wanky shapes symbolising the war. (There was one room of that but I bypassed it)

I was completely transfixed on this one of this Afro-American woman entitled 'She's not a ho'

And then again transfixed on the guy transfixed on the same painting. This is when I got my urge to photograph again and started subtly pulling out Charlotte's digital device....

After about an hour and a half of this, I happily trotted down to Tim Burton's exhibiton.

Tim Burton. WOW. http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/tim-burton

At first, I was like, yeah, lala - but is this art? Is it just celebrity? etc etc.

Then I started looking at the progression of drawings, the detailed notes to himself, to his designers. The man is a modern genius.

He is not obsessed with creepola things. Much more obsessed with the mundane, ordinary and how people can be chameleon. Which is why I think he uses Johnny Depp so much - he is a man who is always a bit peculiar but so much so that he has become ordinary!

Must continue later! Have to zip off!

Next addition is auditions and classes and Universal!

Bisous!

My 100th post! Pop the Champagne!

Hey hey from LA - this'll be quick. To be honest I'm doing it so I don't wrack up the days and have to spend an entire day writing the last 2 weeks!!

But this is my 100th post on McGill Does The World! Cause for celebration! That shows commitment!! Huzzah!

Let me just write first off; I LOVE IT here! If only I had a car I could spend my days tootling around happily! (Not relying on my dear dear friends)

GOALS:

Being around Jess and Charlotte makes me think intensely about ambition and goals. And I've realised from watching Jess in action, what discipline it takes to achieve the things you want in life.

I'm talking lifestyle changes here. Pondersome.

LAS VEGAS:

We set off for Las Vegas late last Thursday night. I emt Jimmy from NZ and the attractive but probably gay Mexican Kevin ('Kevin'!! Very Hispanic!) got in the vehicle and did the 4 hour mish to Las Vegas stopping at an IHOP along the way (International House of Pancakes - where I couldn't bring myself to order anything but a side salad) and we were off again, playing Florence and the Machine and others. Around 1am (and after several false alarm cheering for Mini-Vegas') we arrived at our destination - The Hilton Hotel. The most incredibly tacky, 90s hotel you ever saw. It was like being on an episode of Baywatch and going to a retreat... Not that I was complaining - it was free - but it really was hilarious. Vegas is the epitome of contradiction - it sells itself on being a 24/7 party but when there's people, by themselves, playing the pokies at 8 in the morning, something is sordid and the twisted underbelly of cigarette smoke and broken dreams looms heavily. Not that I got involved in that - I played $5 and won $12. And LEFT it there. Self restraint people.

We wombled up to the pool deck in the morning and I stayed there for hours in 108' heat. HOLY MOLEY. It was nice though - just dry, Greece-like heat. I persuaded Chaz to take me to the outlet store and nearly (and I'm still regretting this a week later) bought an amazing photography camera for $600 - it was more than twice the price in NZ. Oh Whyyyy didn't I? But I bought 2 silk tops for $40. Chaz spent almost 1000, and I realised I'm lucky to have a mum who taught me to look for quality cheap things. Hahaha. No, she bought lovely things - but all I could think was 'You could get those jeans at Glassons for $50!' She did buy a gorgeous Calvin Klein jacket, and I was jealous as!

Back at the hotel, the boys had gussied up for the PeepShow Charlotte had arranged tickets for. The monorail took us to Paris Hotel - which was a miniature Paris and SO SO cute. Mini Eiffel towers, a replica of the Arc de Triumph, cute patisseries and cafes. I loved it. Such a novel thing. At Planet Hollywood, we had fusion MExican - absolutely divine and then went to the Peepshow. Holly Madison, the 'headliner' cannot perform to save herself. Luckily everyone else was incredible otherwise a total waste of time. There was a faaaabulosu sequence in a milk bathtub with babeing men I'm going to attempt to replicate! And all too 'MilkShake' by Kelis, also a stunningly brave contortionist who performed alongside the wonderful, talented, Jason Chasland-esq Josh Strickland - He knew how to win the crowd back. The only thing Madison knew how to do was sing and she only sang one song - I am baffled how someone that placid and unfocussed can headline a $110 a ticket Vegas show for almost 2 years. Baffled. She was crap. Kevin got on stage with her and it made his night.

We met her afterwards. And poor girl, I realised she was shy. Very very shy. But a playboy bunny girl thing. Oh I dunno - the whole experience was odd and awkward.

Afterward, we headed to the beauteous Bellagio and watched the fountains in their famous firework-esq display shoot into the sky all to the tune of the star spangled banner.

Charlotte was exhausted and went hotelbound. But the boys and I, we wanted to dance! We were in Vegas afterall! I managed to score some free passes to the hottest club in town, and instead of paying $60 on the door, we slid in, I got a free drink and we danced in this hilarious club called le Chateau.

To be continued...