Callback: Devry @ Kathy Knowles Casting. Soooo tired. Just trying to keep up.

Audition: Verizon @ Charlie Bogdan casting. This is the second time I've gone in for Verizon. I tried to do some drops while I was out...but who am I kidding...it's just not happening. My mind is to cluttered and my body is too tired. I went home and slept away the rest of the day.

"What a difference a day makes. Twenty four little hours." I'm sure when Dinah Washington sang this song whe was speaking of finding love and how it can make your life go from 0 to 60 in just a few seconds. But let me tell ya...it can also go from 60 to zero in 2 seconds flat! I've been saying for a minute that '06 has started out to be such a great year...but there are some things going on now that have almost stopped me in my tracks. I've debated writing about it. One the one hand it seems like it's too personal and close to my heart to write about...on the other hand, I think of how much writing helped me during the craziness I was going through this summer....it really has been like my therapy...and I could really kinda use that right now. A part of me really feels like putting stuff down on paper and then throwing it out there really frees me. It frees me from the chains of the feelings I'm keeping inside or the weight of the secret I was keeping...and who knows...it might just help someone else free themselves in the process. Truth has a way of doing that. My mama always said, "The Truth shall set you free." The fact that she stole that statement from the Bible only makes it more relevant :). So...I've decided to write about this most unpleasant experience...it may take a minute for me to post...it may not. It may change your perception...it may not. Que cera, cera.

Audition: "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" a play at the Fountain Theater. I had 2 other auditions that I couldn't even make today. I'm sooo sick. If I can just make one a day that's progress! I'm not gonna stress myself...just tryin to keep up the best that I can.

It's official... I'm joining the team at Mitchell K. Stubbs (MKS) & Assoicates!! Carrie, the commerical agent there, was so cool and I really have a good feeling about them! I've heard Awesome things about them too! When I called to tell her that I'd decided on their agency she told me that I could come in next week to do the paper work, but to change my LA Casing & Breakdown info today so that they could start subimitting me ASAP. Yes, now THAT's what I'm talkin about...LOL! It feels good to know that someone is excited about me...AND it's good to be with someone that really respects and appreciates where you came from...She's a big fan of Chicago actors...actually the whole agency seems to be. She's already mentioned that she sometimes passes headshots on to the theatrical department...and that they have some actors across the board. I looked some of of their clients on IMDB, and they definitely have some well known, working actors on their roster...so that's definitely a direction I wouldn't mind moving toward! Wish me luck.

I got a call today to audition for a "non-airing" pilot. Apparently one of the producers of FFF, Tim, remembers me quite fondly and had the casting assoc. call me in. I am constantly amazed at stuff like that... I mean I probably would have been willing to bet $20 that he didn't even remember me, much less the he liked me enough to be calling me in 6 months later. I can't even believe he still has my contact info! It just goes to show that EVERY relationship you make in this town in important. And you NEVER know what it will lead to in the future. So it pays to be nice to people! My mama always said, "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"...I used to wonder why you'd want to catch flies at all...but now I get what she meant :).

I picked up my lithos from ISGO today...now I am notoriously a photo girl. I just think its TON'S better than lithos...quality, sharpness...overall look etc. But I will say that I am pleasantly surprised with ISGO. I'd been there once before then I departed and tried Reproductions (got postcards, they were ok but the dot pattern in the pic seemed soooo apparent to me!)and Paperchase (don't even get me started on how HORRIBLE those guys are!). I have to say that after picking up my order I am very glad to be back at ISGO...they looked great! The customer service can leave a little to be desired (I won't even go to the one in Burbank...terrible, terrible customer serivce!) but the one in Hollywood is pretty decent in terms of that. They tried to pressure me into paying $22 for test prints...but it wasn't fallin for that. I have a total of 600 pics (2 different looks)that I intend to shower the entire city with over this pilot season. Watch and see...you'll be able to go to any casting office in the city and see my headshot! Of course...it'll probably be in the trash...but that's just the way that goes...lol. But seriously, Monday is gonna be my first big drop day since I got back. Time to stop playin around and get to work!

Good news! I talked to the director of the BET film I did in Dec. and she informed me that the film might be bumped up from 20+ minutes to and hour! How great would that be...if that happened I am totally going to market it as a TV movie instead of a short...which would be really cool. She said that the footage looked good and that the people she'd shown it to though me and the guy who played my boyfriend were really in a relationship. I believe I'll take that as a compliment :). I can't even say how cool everyone involved in that project was. I have no doubt that all of them are going to do a amazing things! No word yet on whether it will premiere at the Pan African film festival...it would be cool to have two films in it...but either way it's all good! It looks like I might also be designing the website for the film which would be really fun. I love stuff like that. Underneath all this trendy hair I'm a total computer nerd! Lol!

Callback: Ross @ Sheila Manning.

About time!! I thought my 2 auditions on Friday should have been good enough for at least one callback. I thought the AllTell one went especially well...so I'mma keep hope alive for a callback on that one too!

The callback was a bit chaotic, but went pretty well. There were a lot of girls there, but no one who looked even close to me (not as far as age, but more as in type)...which in my mind is always a good sign. They were taking in like 6 girls at a time but there wasn't really a lot of order to any of it. Finally, Sheila asked all the girls there for the "Junior's" (which is age 18-21) add to come upstairs. A good number of girls started making their way upstairs and I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm gonna be there for a while. Sheila starts calling role for the girls upstairs and all of a sudden I hear "Jillian Reeves de Ortiz?". I yelled up that I was there, and she was like, "Get up here!". What?! Me, Junior?!? LOL... Wow, I guess what they say is true. Black really don't crack! The audition was fun...we basically had to strut around to some pop/hip-hop like models on a run way. Is this what Juniors get to do at auditions?! Maybe I ought to rethink my marketing!

I spoke with Carolyne today (b/c class starts tonight), I asked her if a space had opened up and she told me it was still full, but that I should still come to class b/c often times people will not show. I thought about it and decided...very reluctantly....not to go. I figure I'll be done with Craig's class in 5 weeks and I'll just do the classes back-to-back instead of simultaneously. Between the children, workshops, Craig's class, auditions, and my very roller-coaster personal life...it's just a little too much right now. I mean I could do it, but really...what's the rush? I've always been the queen of burning the candle at both ends. In '06 I'mma try to work smarter not harder and, as the pastor said in service on Sunday, eliminate some of the mess at my address...LOL.

I had a agent meeting today with Mitchell K. Stubbs & Associates. The world is sooo small. Within a few minutes of talking to the agent Carrie, I found out that she worked as an agent with Aria in Chicago for like 6 years! I told her that I was never with Aria, but I named a few others that I was with (all of which she knew) and I told her that one of my main agencies was Arlene Wilson. She was like, "You're kidding me! Nathan (her asst) used to be Peter's assistant!" She called Nathan in and we all chatted a bit. It turns out they rep alot of people from Chicago and really respect actors who paid some of thier dues there. All in all it was a really great meeting and I got a really good vibe from everyone there! We agreed that I'd finish taking meetings and follow up with her on Thursday. Progress! I love it!

Tonight I started a commercial class with CD Craig Colvin. I'd been torn between 2 on-camera commercial classes (Craig Colvin & Carolyne Barry) both of which I'd heard great things about. Ultimately, I decided to start the year off just taking both of them and getting them under my belt. Some people told me it was a waste of time to take both...but in my opinion each class was very valuable in very different ways. Craig's class is good as far as networking, getting to know a very busy casting director who will bring you in and give you opportunities to book...which is huge! BUT, his class is geared more toward the basics...so whether you've never been on an audition, or you're a veteran...you're all together learning and relearning the basics.

Carolyne's classes are split into levels (basic, intermediate, advanced) and are much more about acting technique. You have to read for her in order to get placed into the class she feels like you belong in. I went in and read for her and, I kid you not, in a matter of like 3 minutes she turned my initial average read into an awesome, "I'm gonna get a callback and maybe book the job" read. It was really amazing! She recommended that I come to her advanced class, which was unfortuantely full, but my name is at the top of the waitlist. Carolyne is not, however, a busy CD like Craig (though I think she may still cast from time to time. BUT, I really think this class is valuable for someone who is getting opporunties (which I am to some extent) and really wants to maximize those opportunies by being at the TOP of thir game...and it is obvious in just meeting with her for 30 min. that she can help make that happen!

Two very different classes for two very different reasons. But do I have the stamina to do them both at the same time, plus the workshops and the kids?? Maybe. But do I want to try?? Maybe, not. LOL!

Audition: Feature Film "BeerFest" @ Bettie Mae Casting.
Cool! I've been seeing these guys at workshops for a while now. It will be good to finally get to audition for them! I actually postcarded the office for this film last month and I do pretty regular drops there...I wonder if I'm getting called in off of that stuff?? Workshops, postcards and to some extent, drops are all a main part of my strategy here in LA...hopefully it's paying off. It's funny, you never know...you just have to believe that at then end of the day all your efforts add up to something and that no positive work is in vain. It's also a pretty good role for me the BD says "Think a slender Mo'nique". One of my friends always says that I'm too funny to be so skinny. He always says "you're a big girl trapped in a little girls body...Hollywood don't know what to do with you." I told him they better figure it out...cause I'm here :)

This audition went soooo well. I really think I'm right for this role. I read with Venus, who I'd met previously at Actorsite. I couldn't tell if she remembered me and I didn't ask. She was cool though and extended her hand to me as soon as I walked in the room (some CD's have a real problem with being touched). I added some adlibs, which I'm finally becoming a little more comfortable with (In the theater they drilled it into our heads to do the dialog as written down to the smallest article!). I only do it in film auditions when it seems appropriate (comedy's especially seem to embrace this) or when CD or Director indicates it's cool to do it. Anyway it was big broad comedy and I think I really worked it. I really feel like I'm starting this year off on a good note. Awesome! The film shoots in Albuquerque and is being distributed by Warner Brothers.

Audition: AllTell @ Lisa Fields Casting
Audition: Ross @ Sheila Manning Casting

Both of these auditions go really well. I felt MUCH more on my game today. Hopefully I'll get at least one callback!

I stopped by to see my manager today, which I need to do more often. We talked about the need to get me more sitcom/episodic auditions. He talked a good game but we’ll see how January goes…it may be time to shake things up a bit. During our talk, of course the issue of SAG comes up. He asked me about the FFF commercial and the status on it…I told him the last news I’d had and that contacting him was on my to-do list for this week.

When I got home it was already almost 6pm on the east coast but I decided to give the advertising company a call. I know I’m becoming a pain in this woman’s a** but you know what they say, ‘out of sight, out of mind’. And at this point I need to be in the forefront of their mind! So, I call and the conversation starts off like this…

Jamie: Hello?

Me: Hi Jaime, its Jillian Reeves de Ortiz, from Los Angeles. The winner of the FFF Aquafina/Pepsi commercial, how are you?

Jamie: Oh, my God I was just talking about you!

Hmmm…

Me: Really?

Jamie: Yes! I sent out an email about you and the commercial this morning to the development team and I was just talking about you and showing someone you picture less than 30 minutes ago! I told them we have got to find a way to feature this girl in a commercial. I know she’ll be calling me soon about it!

Ah…I see my reputation precedes me…LOL

She went on to say that the Pepsi product development team were in a meeting but she’d give me a call on Monday. She’s really very nice, and I believe she’s trying to be helpful, but thus far, it seems like a lot of it is out of her hands. BUT, it sounds like she’s really trying to move things forward so we’ll see what she has to say next week. Hopefully, I’ll get some good news, otherwise, it may be time to start dealing with someone a little further up the food chain.

What a productive first day back!
Audition for McDonalds @ Beth Holmes Casting first thing this morning. Cool, it's good to hit the ground running...even though I feel kinda like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers...lol. I see a cleansing program and LA Fitness in my immediate future!

I ordered a bunch of new pictures (gotta get ready for pilot season!) from Isgo. Is it me or are all the reproduction houses in LA severely lacking in customer service?? I almost never like the service I receive at Isgo and Reproductions can be hit and miss too. I just heard of a new place called OvernightPrints.com. I think I’ll try them out for my next postcard order.

I found out the film I worked on last February in Chicago got accepted for the Pan African Film Festival here in LA, so that’s pretty cool! My friend who wrote/produced/directed/acted in it might even come out for it which would be such a treat for him…he’s never been to LA. I’ll post the specific screening dates when I get them. From what I understand the Pan African Film Festival is the largest African-American film festival in the country so hopefully it will be very cool!

I had a meeting today with the Howard Talent West agency. I met with Lynn who is the head of their commercial department. She was very nice and the meeting went well. I was sooo foggy after being gone for almost 2 weeks. She asked me a lot of questions and I was just sooo out of it…lol. She was asking for a lot of names (CD’s I’d met, work I’d done, classs I’d taken) and let me tell ya…I was strugglin’ to come up with names of stuff….Strugglin! At one point she asked me who took my pictures and I was like… “Ummmm….Andrew?? Yeah, a guy named Andrewww………Edek- No! Furnevel. Yes! Andrew Furnevel!” And I’m sure it made it worse when I said the pictures were taken only a few months ago. Anyway, alls well that ends well, and she ended up offering me representation. I have a few more agent meetings that I want to take so we agreed to touch base after next week.

I got a surprise call from an ex (actually an ex times 3 or 4) of mine today. I guess it was one of those “I-was-lonely on-New Year’s-so-I-decided-to-look-through-my-old-black-book-to-see-if-any-of-my-old-girls-would-be-interested-in-being-my-new-girl” call. I’m pretty confident in this b/c there was a time when I probably did the same thing myself…plus he was talking the usual blah, blah, blah…lol. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being insensitive, and actually a small part of me is a kinda flattered. I mean, what woman (or man for that matter) doesn’t like to hear that they’re fondly remembered? I know it’s a bit vain, but Gosh, I’m only human :)

What a good day…a wonderful Welcome Back to LA! I hope this is just the beginning of a really great year.

Back in LA after a very interesting holiday! It was very nice to get out of LA and slow down for a minute. I think my mind and body really needed it....but traveling really takes a lot out of me. I’m usually a really light packer but for some reason that went out the window this time. There were a million bags between me and the twins and all of them were HEAVY. It was cool though.

I spent Christmas with my family (who get crazier with each year). I had a lot of fun and got to see some of my family that I had not seen in quite some time. I think there’s still a kind of cloud hanging over my immediate family…what with my Grandma and one of my Aunts having passed away in the last couple of years. Ever since Gramce has been gone my family has been a little askew. I hope one of these years we can get back to the way we used to be…I know that would make my Grandma proud. I got to visit some of the old folk who were a big part of my life when I was a child, more extended family but still important to me. It seems like it takes so little to make elders happy…just a moment of your time is so special to them. My daughter came with me while I was visiting and it was weird…at some point I remembered being in her shoes….sitting at some old peoples house who I really didn’t know…feeling like my mama was staying & talking too long. Little did I know I was learning something. I was learning the value of family and giving your time and respecting the elders of the family. I felt the torch passing and now my little girl is learning the same lessons…one she probably won’t even realize until she’s my age, with her own daughter. Pretty cool, huh?

For New Years Eve I went up to visit a friend in Virginia. This was….interesting to say the least. First of all, I took a bus…yes, a bus (!) to Raleigh to pick up my friends car (which she so graciously let me borrow! Thanks Ava, you always come through girl!). What can I say about the bus…not much other than I now vividly remember why I don’t ever want to get on one again..lol. Between the disgusting smells, and questionable people with tattoos on their faces...it’s just not something I need to do again any time soon! I remember the first time I took the bus I was headed to Chicago with nothing but a duffel bag, a couple hundred dollars and a made up mind…I sat next to a guy who was very irate because he said he saw all of these witches out of the window who were, I guess, taunting him. Yeah…the bus….Anyway…my friend that I was visiting met me at the bus station in Raleigh and we drove up to VA from there. We’ve been hanging out for a little while now and it seemed like a cool idea for me to come up and see where he’s from. The idea was probably a little better in theory than in execution…lol. Don’t get me wrong, I had a pretty good time and his family was very, very nice and quite hospitable. New Year’s Eve was fun actually a lot of fun. We went to a party at a neighbor’s house across the street…and from what I remember it was a really good time :). They had good food and drinks, party favors, and I even got in on a game of Spades!! I don’t think I’ve played Spades since college! My partner and I lost but it was still a bunch of fun, and I got to do a lil’ smack talking, too. I also made a new friend that hung out with me a lot at the party, her name is Lauren and she has to be one of the most adorable 2 year olds on the planet. Sooooooo cute! She reminded me of my daughter when she was a baby. Midnight came and there was celebration in the air…very nice moments….yes, very nice indeed. Though some aspects could have been better, it was such an improvement from last years New Years Eve, that I really can’t complain. Not to mention the fact that if you’d asked me this summer what I’d be doing for New Years…well…let’s just say it’s all good!

A couple days later my friends family took us to one of their friends houses whom they refer to as “Snake Man”. To say that he really, really, really likes reptiles would be an understatement. He had turtles and geicos and all kinds of snakes. He brought each snake out one by one and the last 3 that he brought out were rattlesnakes! From the sound of their rattle to the sweat on Snake Man’s brow, they were obviously nothing to play with. He was controlling them with 2 metal snake handling sticks and they were giving him a run for his money! Two of them were so riled up that they were actually striking at themselves trying to get away…and remember, we’re in this guys living room so all of this is happening like 10 ft away…I have to admit, I was a lil’ shook! As I watched this man try desperately to hold on to this snake who was determined to get away…I couldn’t help help but think about how often we (who am I kidding, ME) try so desperately to hold on to things that are obviously not good for us. Relationships, people, jobs…whatever. Like Snake Man we (I) sometimes try sooo hard to hold on to things and make it manageable and all the while everyone else is looking at you like you’re crazy….b/c they see how unhealthy the situation is….they see that the other party is unwilling or unable to comply, and if you keep messin’ around with it, you a$$ might get bit…LOL! Well, in ’06, I’mma do my best to learn the lesson that snake man obviously hasn’t (he’s been bitten on more than one occasion by his venomous pals). I’m not gonna say its easy. Knowing when to “hold ‘em” and knowing when to “fold ‘em” can be tricky…you don’t want to fold ‘em too early or hold ‘em too long….but it’s ’06 and I’m determined to get it right.


NYE & Snake Man's house

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." -Judy Garland

I remember. I'll never forget. You are always with me...always.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!! What, 2006 already?!? Where did the year go? Someone please tell me….lol. Moved to LA? Back in Chicago? Married? Widowed? Dating? Agent? No Agent? Commerical? No Commercial?...LOL I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….Life is CRAZY! Thank you Lord for letting me see another year! You gave the strength to endure the last one and I know you'll be with me through the coming year as well.