Open Post-It to Al Gore

Al Gore: Please do NOT run for President of the United States.

There are a lot of upcoming events we need your complete attention for; being President would just get in the way. Thanks.

the importance of clarity of vision...

...regardless of feedback from the peanut gallery. This re-posted recollection, written by Bob Fraser, contains an inspiring theme which bears oft-repeating to those in the performing arts.
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Acting Career FAQ: Talent 2 ... Will-Power 10
byBob Fraser*

I am frequently asked what I think is the most important ingredient in a successful performing career -- talent,looks, connections or having the right agent.My answer is that those things can be helpful but none ofthem are crucial to the successful pursuit of an acting career. In fact, when it comes to making your dream a reality --I believe that WILL POWER is king.

Here's why: Back in '64 when I first wandered Broadway withmy headshots and resumés, I met a man who taught me the meaning of will-power. I was newly arrived from the "sticks" and I jumped into theactor's life immediately -- I got a job proof-reading theManhattan phone book. When I wasn't at my J.O.B., I was at an audition. I gotBackstage early on Thursday morning and spent every off work hour going to all the open calls for Broadway shows, Off-Broadway shows, off-off, touring groups --practically any place actors lined up looking for work. The first thing I noticed about all these auditions was that I saw a lot of the same people at every open call. It soon became clear to me that I was not alone in my quest for a paying acting job -- that a lot of actors gotBackstage early on Thursday morning... etc. After several unsuccessful auditions, I began to realize that 'making it' was not going to be a walk in the park. Of course I was talented! Heck, I was the best actor to ever come out of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Everybody there said Iwas going to be a famous actor someday. So I was stunned byall the VERY talented actors I was seeing at every audition. I was a decidedly small worm in The Big Apple. But I had reason to be optimistic, because there were also a lot of actors I was seeing at the open calls, who weren't really competition -- I mean, some of them must have been delusional -- they were so-o-o NOT talented. Which brings me to the man who taught me a great lesson. He was a tall, strange dude with long unkempt hair. He always carried two shopping bags full of food, headshots, clippings, scripts, candy bars and second-hand clothes.This is before folks were called "homeless" -- but he would definitely have fit the description. His auditions always consisted of the same "act." No matterwhat kind of show he was trying out for, he would get up in front of everybody, put on a silly hat, wrap a scarf around his neck, haul out a battered, out-of-tune ukulele and sing. He would sing one of the recent hit songs from a Broadway show, in a horrible falsetto voice. In those days he was murdering songs like "Cabaret" and "Hello Dolly." At every open call, when his name was called out, most ofthe other actors in the long line would groan and grouse --this clearly untalented BUM was taking up THEIR valuable audition time. The casting people just sighed. He was always there. It wa san "OPEN" call. They had to deal with it. He would sing his horrible song, get many unwanted laughs, be dismissed with a loud "NEXT!" and then endure a spate of mean-spirited remarks from his fellow actors, as he left the building. "Stop wasting your time." "You stink." "You have no talent." But this guy ignored his fellow performers and just kept showing up. He was always the same: Awful. And nothing anyone said to him had any effect on his behavior. He didn't get better. He didn't comb his hair or clean his clothes. His singing got worse, if that's possible. But he kept showing up. I must admit I felt the same way about this guy as most of the other actors. I wasn't vocal about it, but we were all so talented and we weren't getting anywhere -- what made this guy think he stood a chance? Then, as sometimes happens with people who write, I became fascinated by this character. I was curious about what made him tick. What kept him coming back? He was never going to"make it"-- everyone could see that. So, I made it my business to chat with him. I discovered that all this pathetic guy wanted, in the whole wide world, was to be in show business. He was passionate about it. He just purely loved performing. I also found out that he had been going to open calls for close to 7 years. 7 years! To me, the idea of 7 years of failure was very scary. Could I do it? Would I end up like this guy -- who was clearly not the brightest bulb on the tree?Maybe I was delusional, like him, and everyone was laughing at MY pathetic auditions. But I kept going to open calls --and so did he. A little way down the road, I got in an off-Broadway show. The show ran 3 months. When I went back to pounding the pavement -- the guy was still showing up at every audition.Then I went South on a dinner theatre tour. 4 months laterI came back to the city and, yes, he was still showing up.Then I got a national tour and was gone for half a year. That's right, when I got back he was still popping up atevery open call. I chatted with him again. I asked him directly whether he ever felt that his desire to be in show business was a hopeless cause. (As I thought it was.) He said, "No. I will never give up, because it's all I want. I know it's a just matter of time. All it takes from me is the will-power to keep trying." I probably chuckled -- in those days I didn't believe in"will power" or any other mumbo jumbo. I believed in talent and agents and connections. But mostly, I believed in talent. His "will power," in the face of eight and a half years of rejection, just didn't make sense to me. Then, I got cast in a long-running musical, did a couple of commercials and got an agent. I wasn't going to open calls any more -- and so, I never saw this guy at an audition again. CUT TO: 1970, some 5 years after these events, my wife and I had bought a theatre in South Dakota. That's where we were, watching TV one night, when suddenly -- there he was! On television! He was a guest star on Laugh-In. I was stunned. He looked exactly like he'd looked years ago at all those open calls. And he was doing the same act! He strummed his bedraggled old ukulele and sang in his off-key falsetto. Then, as the months went by, he appeared on Carson, then Merv Griffin, and he became a regular on Laugh-In. His face was on magazine covers. His name was immediately recognized. He went on to become a world-wide celebrity. One of his TV appearances still holds an all-time high rating record. This strange, unkempt man had gotten what he wanted. It took almost 13 years -- but he was in show business, he was famous, he was making the big bucks -- and, believe me, he had not become talented, good-looking or connected in the meantime. In other words, his "will power" had conquered all those seeming obstacles to his success -- and he had reached his stated goal.

That's how Tiny Tim taught me that knowing what you really want and will-power are more important tools in the actor's kit-bag than a genetic gift, like talent or looks. So, the answer I give is this: I believe it's critical to your dreams of success that you have a clear goal and the will power to beat the rejection. (Which IS going to happento you -- whether you are talented or not.) And, BTW, you remember those actors who complained and made remarks about Tiny Tim wasting their time? I've never heard from any of them again. They didn't "make-it." Probably because they were JUST talented.

*Bob Fraser is an actor, writer, director, show-runner and author of You Must Act! "The Actor's Bible" : http://www.youmustact.com

casual headshot

Ding-Dong! Are you ready for Mother's Day?

for those of you following the Avon way...
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We all have mothers we shop for: our own mothers, our friend's mothers, or...our child's mother? Whoever you are, wherever you are, Mother's Day is May 8th.

Happy Mother's Day to all! I've got a few suggestions for easy Mother's Day shopping, and I'll even gift-wrap for you if you ask! Mother's Day should be easy and fun, a way of honoring and respecting those who have brought life to us and those around us. The most common requests for gifts are fragrance, homewares, jewelry, and spa products. Have a look at some suggestions, and please know that I have other ideas too, if these aren't quite what you had in mind:

Fragrance: Avon has a trilogy of fragrances called today - tomorrow - always, three different scents that are unique on their own but coordinate well together for women who prefer to create their own scent by layering more than one. Each Eau de Parfum spray is 1.7 fluid ounces in a beautiful heavy glass bottle that any fragrance-lover would want to display. At $30.00 each, this is already a strong value, but Avon will also include (free with your order) a gift-boxed trio of elegant parfum miniatures, one of each fragrance. Body washes and moisturizing lotions are also available, and I have ready an emailable description of each fragrance if you're interested to know more.

Homewares: A terrific choice for extended families is the Frame Tree (#147-385 at $16.99), a 16-inch tall metal family tree with twelve hanging metal frames. The design is fairly simple, and a choice you won't find at the mall. I have other ideas for this category, too.

Jewelry: Is jewelry more your touch? I have fashion watches, earrings and rings in special holiday boxes, and much more! I could go on...but why don't you get in touch with me to let me know her tastes so that I may make more individualized recommendations?

Spa Products: My Planet Spa products all boast excellent formulas and scents for any happy bather-relaxer. Inspired formulas include Mediterranean Olive Oil, South Pacific Sea, African Shea Butter, and Dead Sea Minerals, with products for hair, body, face, and nails. Let me know what you're trying to do for your special Mom, and I'll find a suggestion to keep you both in the pink.

If you're looking for something else entirely, let me know, and we'll talk it through to make this an easy and enjoyable shopping experience.


Those of you who prefer to shop online, use this link: www.youravon.com/rbraverman

Without question, call or write me for place and order, to snap up samples, get suggestions, or ???. As always, I am 100% committed to Avon, mark. , and beComing products - if you don't like it, I'll make it right...I want you to be happy.

Robyn Ginsburg Braverman
510-794-7828
robyngins@yahoo.com

whew!

the show has closed, the set has been struck, and I can say without arm-twisting that I would love to see this show happen again next year at the pear avenue theatre if we decide there's a slot for it. we're plotting out the season now, and it looks promising for slices. I'll know more soon.

son is home on spring break...it's always interesting to find out what's gone on and what's expected next. he's so inspiring - taller every time, only 17 and 6'2" already - so curious about so many different disciplines. I can't wait to see where he goes next. [ex keeps things entertaining, as always, with his near-disconnectedness. I wonder what I'll be like at his age...but pretty certain I'll never be so removed from the rest of the world that I think that college, dental and medical expenses are covered by child support. cranky? oh, a tad.]

friday off to tour the USS Hornet then a neo-Passover dinner since son won't be home during the usual timing of same. these are the days of wine & matzo....

Ding-Dong! Have you met mark. ?

For those of you interested in Avon...
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mark. as in, "make your mark."

mark. is a cosmetics and accessories line backed by the Avon guarantee and directed at on-the-go people. The idea: provide fresh, modern packaging with affordable pricing and unique products...skincare, fragrances and accessories. Cosmetics are customizable, and the sizes are purse- and gym-friendly and great for travel, too. The economical pricing makes it easy to try out seasonal trends and colors without breaking the bank, and there are nice gift ideas, too! The springtime jewelry and colors are zesty.

I'd be delighted to introduce you to mark. any time in person, and online shoppers and browsers can click on www.meetmark.com to see the complete line. As always, I am 100% committed to Avon and mark. If you don't like it, I'll make it right...I want you to be happy.

Robyn "Spring Is Here" Braverman

As an extra to my readers, mark. has an offer for Avon reps to provide to their customers for Spring - a light line of chips from Frito-Lay. If you'd like a 55c coupon for this 1/3-fewer-calorie picnic and lunch option, click http://www.meetmark.fritolaylight.com/couponoffer/ for details.

thank you, San José Metro Magazine!

Metro Magazine has given our Slices production a very nice review:
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/04.06.05/slices-0514.html

the life you save...

I signed on with the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry. Please join me in saving and enhancing the lives of thousands of people in need of your help. It takes only a few minutes to sign up -- minutes that could mean years of life for someone else.
This initiative was developed by Jackie Spier to enhance the choice many of us already make using "the little pink dots" on our drivers license or other IDs. These IDs are frequently unavailable at the times they matter most - if your body's in distress, your wallet probably is too. By making your intentions known through the registry site, you make a more accessible commitment to the program.

To sign up or for more information, please visit http://www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org.

RGB the teacher

OK, Guest Speaker...

I will be addressing the advanced drama classes at Palo Alto's Jordan Middle School later this week. They'd like to know about the life of a voiceover talent... guess I'd better spend some time thinking about what to say! Very excited - all those sweet pubescent sponges...their whole lives ahead of them!