I have had a great trip so far.
Last night I got in and hung out with a pastor and his wife who have become like family to me over the past 7-8 months. We ate and watched football and then the last of the Red Sox game. It was a great night. Then I came to my place here and crashed.
I woke up early, went for a walk, watched ESPN and then headed into L.A. from Laguna, where I'm staying. I hung out with my manager for a little bit, then had a big meeting with my agent on the acting side of things. We are working on a gameplan of how to approach the acting side of things and how to make all that happen. It was a really good meeting and an encouraging one. Obviously, when it comes to entertainment, nothing is promised. But my agent is excited and encouraged after learning some of my background and the fact that I actually studied acting and the theory of acting and the method of acting. So , in turn, that was encouraging to me.
Tomorrow I have two meetings with heads of casting for major studios. Wednesday, I have 2 more meetings with studio casting heads and also with casting directors for tv.
Apparently there are several strikes looming over the entertainment industry, so tv and movies may very soon be screeching to a halt. So, it may take some time to get a series going or some movie roles nailed down. But most actors never get through these doors. All I need is for one casting director to take a chance and then I just have to deliver.
Just know this: it's going to take hard work and a lot of patience getting into acting. But I'm excited about the possibilities. Who know? I may never get the chance to do acting at this level. But there's always that chance that I can live that dream also! It's early. So bear with me.
I mean, I'm still developing the sitcom idea. Once we figure out some of this stuff with the strikes we are going to pitch the show to various networks. It's a cool idea, I think, and a somewhat novel way of looking at the sitcom genre, so it could be cool. Also, I'm developing three screenplay ideas...one a drama, one a comedy, and one a family comedy/drama. I think I'm going to be hooking up with a couple of writers to work on the drama. I'm going to have to go back and look at my textbooks from my screenwriting courses from college, haha. I have the ideas, I think...I just need a technician to help me take them to the next level (or up 15 levels). I am just trying to be proactive in all of this as much as I can.
So, anyway, I'm excited, apprehensive and thankful all at once. I'm getting to live the dream. I mean, a year ago, I would've killed to walk into CAA, hang out with an agent for a couple of hours and leave with 4-5 casting appointments in hand. In fact, most young actors would kill for that. And because of one silly turn of events (me actually making it on AI), dreams are coming true.
Though I'd love to be a huge, popular, well-respected actor and would love to be able to fulfill more dreams down this road, I honestly would be okay if this was it. Today was a huge day for me, and I can live with that for a long time.
Dreams are built on hopes for tomorrow.
I'm just an optomist who can't wait to see what is waiting for me.
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36 comments:
I was just about to go to bed and then I came to see if you posted something and of course. So... I'm exhausted and this won't make any sense, awesome! But anyway. That must all be really exciting! I had people tell me I should be an actress randomly before because I apparently have a unique look and, well, I come up with some pretty crazy things, but I don't think I could ever do that.
I'm hoping that no matter what you always put your music first because I was listening to some stuff of yours earlier and I feel really stupid for saying this because it's not usually something I WOULD say to someone for fear of sounding like, well, an IDIOT, but you are really, REALLY good at what you do so don't ever stop.
CHRIS,
WOW ACTING NOW...WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS?? MULTITASKING HERE...
GOOD LUCK WITH THIS FAUCET IN LIFE...COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS NOW!!I
WAS ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE NEW SONGS ON YOUR MYSPACE AND AM ANTICIPATING THE NEW CD SOON...BRING IT ON DUDE.
WAS WONDERING NOW ARE YOU GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH OTHERS IN THE WRITING ARENA WITH YOUR SONGS?? I KNOW YOU SAID IN THE PAST THAT YOU ONLY WROTE WITH ONE OTHER BEFORE KEVIN MAX. SO FAR THE SOUND IS GREAT AND THE LYRICS FANTASTIC.
HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH THE NEW HOUSE,HOPING SARAH AND THE PUPS LOVE IT IN NASHVILLE...SOUNDS LIKE ALL IS WELL AND I AM TOTALLY HAPPY FOR ALL THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE.ONCE AGAIN MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL...
PEACE & LOVE......
ONE LOVE.......................
Chris,
Keep dreaming those dreams and working toward making them come true. My wish for you is that many more doors are opened for you and that you get to live the life you have always imagined.
"If one advances confidently in the directions of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau
As Donald Trump would say
"You have to think anyway, so why not think big? "
Carmen
Hey Chris! It was really great you checked in with us here--plenty of people wondering what's happening in Cali, what with the fires and all. It's scarey to hear about it in the news, and know of people who are there and among it.
All I can do is pray, so I am.
It was good to get a reminder that business is indeed ongoing in the world of LA! You are OK, and the wheel continues to turn...it's a comfort. Things sound really promising for you! What you said about the sitcom reminded me about how Seinfeld got his idea picked up once, and people have started with ideas, just like you. It is exciting, to have the possibilities out there for you!
:-D It's really cool, to know that kind of stuff is possible.
Be safe out there. We'll enjoy the rain for you here!
So glad to see you checking in, with the fires and all, I know many are worried. Two of my favorites are out in LA braving the fires - you and Kelly Ripa; I mean, come on! :) Keep Cathy Storms in your prayers; they're in the midst of it all.
I think it's so smart to act on every single opportunity that comes your way during this point in your career. You never know what might come out of it all - and people are realizing you're a quadruple threat! (Do you paint, too? Because I wouldn't be surprised haha). Congrats on all of the opportunities and keep up the hard work!
Lori
Chris,
Keep dreaming and being positive, attitude is half the battle in anything you set out to accomplish.
Please don't stray too far from your music though, but hey t.v.? Sure why not!
Sending you love from DJ in AL!
Hey, we can all see you have a soul that shines bright! I just hope the whole world gets to see it too!!! It would be so awesome to see you on television! we need some family-friendly shows that are good. Keep on keepin on!
For right now, I just can't wait to have another one of your awesome cd's in my cd player bringin' me to work and back!!
robyn
Chris~That is all so exciting. You have truly been blessed..
Lori~thanks for the prayer request. All of us here in San Diego county need prayers & support right now.
Awww I just read on Amanda's caring bridge site that Elliot Yamin came and visited her yesterday! How sweet and cool is that? Some details are in her journal on her site
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amandajones
Hey Chris -
I think it's great that you have so many chances to be creative in so many ways. Just don't spread youself too thin. Try to stay in the public eye at least a little while you are recording in the studio, or working on a screenplay. An acting gig would be wonderful, too! I hope that at least some of these possibilities work out for you.
Maybe while you're out there, I hope your manager will take Carmen's HPF Hero song/Heroes video idea to the right people. It would be nice if someone at least looked at it...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Bu0_NdJK2mM
Yeah...I don't know if it came across in my post...I was very tired when I wrote it. But my point is this: most people never get the opportunity to take meetings with the people I'm taking meetings with. So, even if acting never works out, which, honestly, could happen, I can live comfortably knowing that I gave it my all and had opportunities that most poeple don't get in this business.
My agent was excited that I actually have trained in acting, and was excited how the casting director involved with Shrek reacted. But training does not necessarily mean that I'm good. So I'll have to work my tail off to get better, to learn how to dig into characters, how to use parts of myself to identify with the character. It'll be hard work, and will take a lot of patience, but, again I'm just lucky to be here.
Chris
You could always be the next Howie Mandel and do a Bobby's World spin off.
....... I don't even know where that came from. Apparently sleep is optional.
Well, anonymous 10:54,
As I always say to critics: I'd rather be __________ (whatever it is they are accusing me of being) in this case, a full of myself wannabe, than to be cruel.
We love Chris and want him keep in touch. You should gravitate to those you admire. It would help you not be so pissy.
clarissaNaz
Anon,
People who can so do many aspects of their creation in their chosen field are are self actualized and are artist.
People who need to rely on other people to do every thing but the actual performing are that merely performers.
Your forte, so far has been to carp and fault find.
What do you do with rest with of your time? So we can give any possible creedence to anything you say.
This is your golden moment to dazzle us with your accomplisements and personal degree of fame. Maybe you are in the midst of your fifteen minutes setting yourself up for someone like you to negatively comment on your professional life in the near future.
Do answer this one Dude.
We breathlessly await your response.
Nice yoyu could stick your neck out for a moment.
GDA
Redundancy becomes you.
Yes Chris you are so right. I'm trying to keep everyone updated not just because people want to know but it helps me to write about it. Being right in the middle of this is really hard with family members being affected.
I'm glad your writing about what you are doing in LA. It takes my mind of off some stuff here. And I love to hear what is going on in your life.
So please, keep us informed what happens in LA...
Anon,
I erased your comment. Not because you aren't welcome but b/c your comment was very rude.
I didn't mention the fires because I'm not an expert. What you see on tv, I see on tv. It is an incredibly sad situation, but my commenting on it does not in any way take away the pain of those involved. When I am able to have more info on the situation, I may comment on it. But I don't think that those involved care about my comments. This blog is to talk about MY life. Sometimes, my life intersects with others tragedies and I comment on it.
However, Cathy and some others on the blog have done a great job of keeping us up to date with the fires, since they are the ones who are actually living it.
I'm personally not near the fires. Irvine is about 30 minutes from where I am staying. I haven't seen any news today, so I don't know if a fire has come up in our area. Thanks for the heads up, though.
Again, thanks for stopping by. I look forward to a positive comment from you at some point.
Peace and love,
Chris
EDITED for grammar not content.
"Anonymous said...
Redundancy becomes you."
Apparently we share one aspect of common behavior.
You dodged answering anything else.
GDA
Chris~We always care about your comments about anything.
Thanks Cathy. I'm off to my two meetings. It's about an hour drive to L.A. from where I'm staying. This morning I was sitting looking out my window at the Pacific, clouded over by smoke from who knows how far away and was still struck by how beautiful this country is.
I'm off. I may be able to drop by sometime today, but it may be until tonight. So, keep the light on for me.
Chris
Chris,
Knock em dead!
and.......the light is always on for you, always.
DJ
Good luck on your meetings.
And yes as DJ says..the light is always on for you...
Be safe...California is crazy right now..
*Hug-tackles Chris*
Yeah, we'll leave the light on for 'ya! :-)
I'm actually glad you commented today, because I have been worrying about the situation in that area. A fellow blog-friend snackie lives in Irvine, and she's really scared.
I know what you mean though, about not being an expert, and all you can do is offer the view from your life and where you stand. I SO get that. As long as you share your own view however, the people who wnat to hear about it will never be dissappointed. (I have an aunt I need to sit down and write a letter to, and it's difficult--she never gives me anything pertinent to comment about! It's like sending a letter into an abyss.)
I'm glad you are okay. I'm not worried about the agents and all that stuff, because those wheels are turning, and it's all good. Just keep enjoyng the process.
(Lori! How fabulous is that, that Elliot came to see Amanda? trivia: He plays in Nashville on Friday.)
I'm in the middle of classes so I thought I'd stop by with something for you all;
http://www.myspace.com/patmonahan
Just some music I thought some of you might like. So let me know what you think!
Need to go eat lunch now and wait for my jeans to dry. (It's raining like crazy and I had to walk forever earlier to get to my building.)
And good luck, Chris.
I've been in a meeting all day, and the blog has been a'hoppin'! Chris, I hope some acting doors open up for you. It's been my observation that when the camera turns on, then something clicks and it just flows from you. I know it will take a lot of work, but some folks just have that natural knack, and I think that you have it. Some of the most successful long-term performers have done acting in addition to the singing/songwriting. So go for it!
I read Amanda and her mom's posting about the Elliott visit. She's in hog heaven!
Cathy, thanks for keeping us updated. I talked to my brother, John, in Temecula. While they are far enough away from the fires, the wind has been absolutely incredible, he said. He's lost part of his fencing, and lawn furniture going everywhere. Of course, those are minor things compared to what has been going on elsewhere and he and his family have been very very lucky.
Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Chris. Inquiring minds want to know! : ) Blessings, Risa
It's funny, I made a promise to myself a while back to try to comment these blog posts more. Then, whenever I find myself reading them, I'm always at work and get distracted by the most pointless things and before I know it I've totally forgotten. I'm kind of glad the negative anon comments tend to get deleted before I have time to catch up, because I have a low tolerance for rudeness and I'd much rather focus on the good things. I'm actually really excited about all of the upcoming opportunities in various different markets for you, Chris. It's kind of rare when a performer is genuinely talented in several different artistic fields versus the eye-rolling effect of something like a well-known actor attempting music or a pop starlet trying to act, and clearly since you have previous training the latter is most likely not the case with you, which is a good thing! I don't think there's such a thing as having too much on your plate or too many opportunities presenting themselves. Whatever ultimately results, the fact remains that doors are opening and I'll definitely be on the lookout to see what you do next, whether it's what I expect or something completely different.
As always, I love reading your updates. They are always so positive and inspiring. I am very proud of you, Chris. That may sound odd, but I am amazed at all of the things you are getting tackled. All I can say is Congratulations and thank you for keeping us updated. Good luck !!
Dreams are built on hopes for tomorrow... that's nice. I am glad that you can be happy with what you get. That is a hard thing to learn.
To all in Cali, glad you are okay and accounted for in Cali....it's a shame that such beautiful countryside is being ravaged right now...hope everyone will remain out of harm's way....
Chris, agreed--what an honor for you.....sounds like an exciting time and a carousel of emotions...what an opportunity of a lifetime...glad to see you are unafraid and exploring it...I have to say that aside from your voice, your confidence to just be yourself and go with the flow is what endeared you to me...you have so much on your plate to choose from....good luck with everything...I can't wait to hear where it's all going to lead you.
I come here requesting prayers for my youngest son. We just found out in the last hour that a friend of his died this afternoon. I was in my 40's before I had to deal with an unexpected death of a friend, and it felt like I had been kicked in the stomach, so I can't imagine how hard is it at 16. Please keep him and the young man's family in your prayers, and us too, as we help our son deal with his grief. Risa
Oh Risa I am so sorry...Of course I will keep the young mans family & yours in my prayers...
Risa....will do...
I lost my best friend to lightning when I was 14...I didn't say much to my parents about my grief, but I wore my tennis shoes to bed after that...still get jumpy today 30 years later whenever it storms...Sometimes it leaves an imprint on one's life for a very long time...He's lucky to have you for a Mom because you know what he's going through...
Condolences to his family and prayers for all.
Chris,
Music, TV shows, movies, writing a noval - your cup runneth over. You are truly blessed. I'm excited for you.
I live in Spring Valley and the fire on Mt. Miguel kept us up all night. We didn't get to sleep until 6:30 am. The mandatory evacuation area was 5 miles from our neighborhood. It was scary watching the fire come over the mountain and continue on down. We've lived here 31 years and have never seen the entire mountain engulfed in fire. The worst for us was when a gust of wind knocked down half of our fence in our back yard. We give praise to the Lord for keeping us safe and our prayers go out to all victims of the fires.
Elliot Yamin is such a class act for visiting Amanda. He, Bo Bice and Blake Lewis are my favorite Idols ever. But chrissligh is my favorite former American Idol Top Ten Finisher/blogger/actor/singer/
dieter/novelist/songwriter. Rock on, chrissligh, rock on.
Niques Nana~glad you okay. I was wondering if you got evacuated.
So far we haven't gotten evacuated either but I have a house full of evacuee's, a dog & a rabbit..
Cathy, I'm glad to hear things are going okay, save for the houseful of refugees! heh. They say the winds are reversing, which could be a very good thing for you all. Here's hoping. Prayers still going out to all in CA...and Risa, I am thinking of your son and his friend. Death is a tough lesson to accept, particularly when you're young.
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