I had a 2:45 PM audition scheduled and I arrived 15 minutes early.  My friend, Jen, met me there so she could watch the baby.   I’m lucky to have such a good friend.

I arrived in my best commercial “mom” attire: cardigan sweater and jeans (watch any commercial featuring a mom and you’ll see).  I knew my friend had an audition this afternoon as well so, counting the names of actresses who signed in before me,  I found myself with a common dilemma:

Do I sign in now, which reserves my spot, and hope that I finish primping before the four actresses ahead of me are done? Or do I primp in the ladies room first and risk the chance that several more actresses will arrive within that time and sign in, increasing my potential wait time?

Now, I realize this could sound like a silly dilemma to my readers, but I work in an industry of first impressions.

**Disclaimer: Yes, I take time to choose my outfit and fix my hair BEFORE I leave the house. But being a mom is a game changer! A lot can happen by the time I pack up the baby, change her diaper, debate on how many baby food squeeze packets/changes of outfits to bring, run back into the house for Cheerios (which my little sweet pea is asking for as I lock up the door… and since she only has a handful of words, this is a big deal), lumber down the steps to the parking garage with baby/purse/diaper bag/headshots/another bright-colored cardigan (in case the role is more comedic) in tow, pack everyone/thing into the car and drive 20 minutes to the audition site.**

So, back to my dilemma, I decided to take a gamble and sign in FIRST.  As I turned to Jen to say “I’m going to run to the ladies room”,  my name was called for the audition. Awesome.  So I had to forgo the lip gloss, yank out my ponytail and shove my sunglasses into my pocket as I walked into the audition room.

To top it off, I was chewing gum, which is a big “NO, NO!”  I looked frantically for a garbage can. Two wire metal trash cans were within range, but neither had a bag in them so I improvised and pressed the gum to the roof of my mouth.  Ha! I haven’t done that since 8th grade history class in an effort to avoid getting written up by Mrs. Denges (and if you’re reading this, Mrs. Denges, it was only once).  This was not an ideal situation, but sometimes you gotta make it work.

The audition went smooth and I was in and out (and, in case you were wondering, at no time did I choke on the gum).

This just goes to show that even a seasoned commercial actress needs a little reminder now and then of proper audition protocol: PRIMP BEFORE YOU SIGN IN.

Did this crazy situation mess up my “game face” or ruin my chances at receiving a call back? I would say no.  It’s like planning a wedding–no matter how much you anticipate, something will always go wrong and usually the only one to notice it is you.  So, if I’m right for the part it won’t matter that every hair was not in place.

I had one last surprise as Jen and I were saying our goodbyes. My sweet little teething girl, let out a big scream in the middle of the crowded, 6 room casting facility.  *Sigh*  And with that, it was time to go.  Never a dull moment!

Overall, it was so nice to read for Ross Lacy Casting again. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity and for my wonderful agents at Commercials Unlimited, who consistently submit me for great projects!

Also, please “like” the film on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedding-Day-The-Feature-Film/317164059449

Release dates have not been announced yet. Keep checking back for updates

Today I had a commercial callback for Sabyn Mayfield Casting.  The callback was at 2701 Oceanpark Casting Facility,  a different location than the original audition.

When I arrived, the casting associate from the other day, Ian, walked out of the audition room.  I smiled at him as I waited my turn to audition.  We were told that the audition would be the same as the other day and I was paired with another actor.

I greeted the clients and the director as I walked in. They were really friendly. Often the clients do not talk to the actors during the audition. Ian checked us in and called action.  And it a blink of an eye, the callback was over.  There was a real ease to the it, and so I left happy.

Thanks to my agents at Commercials Unlimited for submitting me and to everyone at Sabyn Mayfield Casting for the callback!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holiday!

Happy Holidays!

It is a lucky day when I have the opportunity to act on-screen.  All the auditions, the driving all over LA, the ups and downs of the Industry are worth it when I’m actually on set….doing the work….doing what I love.

More information coming soon. Keep checking back.

Friday I had a commercial callback for Joe Blake Casting.  The callback was in Santa Monica, but at a different location than the original audition.

It was a misty and cool day in Los Angeles, but lucky for me, traffic on the 405 was moving!  I arrived in record time, and with 15 minutes to spare.  There wasn’t any parking near the audition location. But luckily I found a spot a block away.

When I arrived, the casting associate from the other day, Nicholas, was there.  I greeted him as I signed in.  Two other women were there when I arrived, and soon after 3 more showed up.  I was the only blonde in that group.

We were told that the audition would be the same as the other day.  I was the second person to audition.

I greeted the clients and the director as I walked in. Nicholas called action and gave my audition.  And I felt really good about it.

The funny thing about auditions, you can give the best audition of your life and if you don’t have the right look the client wants, then you won’t be cast.  Similarly, you can have a so/so audition, but if you have the look, you’ll get the part.  For that reason, I tried to let auditions “run off my back like water”. I can’t dwell on them, I can’t think about what I could or couldn’t have done in the room.  I just have to trust that I did my job, and I did it well.

Special thanks to my wonderful agents at Commercials Unlimited for submitting me and to Joe Blake for the callback!

The audition was for Joe Blake Casting at Ocean Park Studios in Santa Monica. The product, Jimmy Dean.

It is a rare day when the 405 is clear, and today was that day.  I zipped down to Santa Monica in record time.  I arrived 20 minutes early and looked over the story boards and sides.  There were several women ahead of me, so I just signed in and waited for my chance.  Before I knew it, the casting associate, Nicholas, asked us into the audition room to explain the set up for the audition. Nicholas was very friendly and brought a great ease to the room.

I have to say, this is a cute spot.  I am so happy to have had the chance for this audition.  And I left the audition feeling confident.

Special thanks to Joe Blake for the audition!

Last week I shot new photos with David Muller and I couldn’t be happier with the results.  With David’s eye for photography and amazing lighting combined with the awesome work of the make up artist, Kate Hollinshead,  I was able to achieve a variety of looks.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots. To view more of my new headshots, click on the “Headshots” Link at the top of the page.

Thanks!

Jennifer

A sneak peak of Jennifer Keller's headshot session

On Monday I had new headshots taken by photographer, David Muller.   In 2009, I shot with David and was really happy with my photos, so I scheduled with him again this time around.  I was specifically targeting several looks with this shoot: “Young Commercial Mom”, “Quirky Commercial Mom”, “Jeep Mom” (notice a theme?), a good dramatic look, a “Senator’s Wife” and a character from “MadMen”.  It’s amazing how you can change a look by adding glasses, jewelry and a change of background. I was able to achieve all these looks that way.

The shoot went really well. David is a gifted photographer.  I also scheduled with make-up artist, Kate, who not only did my make up in 2009, but also for the Tidy Cat Commercial I worked on in 2008.  She is one of the best around and I was thrilled with her work.

I will post photos online as soon as possible.

Jennifer Keller at the whole team: Photographer, David, Make-up Artist, Kate, and her sweet little one

Jennifer Keller on the Red Carpet at "Noche Flamenca"

Last year Sandra 5 of her Industry friends, including myself, and started a Networking Group.  The ladies and I are now friends and we meet up every other month or so.  Here is a photo of 4 of us with Sandra at the Premiere.

Jennifer on the Red Carpet with Emily Churchill, Heather Horton, Sandra Payne and Tiffany Price

Want to know more about these awesome ladies? Find them on my Twitter Page and follow them: http://twitter.com/JenniferKeller1

Oh what a day!  I had two commercial auditions today.  The life of an actress at it’s best!

First stop was Broad-Cast at 9 AM. Getting out of the house in the morning is so tough now that I’m a mom.  I’m sure that once I am no longer nursing, it will be a lot easier.  Right now, baby girl calls the shots.  But thanks to my helpful hubby, I was able to hand her off to him and get ready for the audition.  Traffic was heavy on the 101, but I made it in the nick of time.

The audition was for Target.  It was a short, non dialogue spot.  I greeted casting associate, Hunter, who I often see at Broad-Cast and was in and out of the audition room.

Second stop was Julia Kim Casting at 4 PM.  This was my first time auditioning for Julia Kim, and I love auditioning for new casting directors. This audition was for Aquafresh Toothpaste.   There was a bit of a wait when I arrived.  I read over the audition info and signed in.  I noticed that waiting room was filled with actresses in the late 20′s – early 30′s range, as well as actresses in the 14 -16 year old range.  And between you and me, any passing thought that I might have had that I could play a high school student (Hello “Glee”) has officially been put to rest.   I am just too tall to start with, and standing next to one of those teens in the restroom, I really did look like a woman in my late 20′s – early 30′s. Though how old am I?  I will never tell.  I joke that I am 25 as long as I’m an actress.  Or at the least an age range, 25-30.

I was at the audition for almost an hour, and then if was my turn.  This spot was also non-dialogue and the audition was a quick one.

Overall I was very happy with both auditions.  Special thanks to Casting Directors Dan Cowan and Julia Kim for the opportunity to audition!

Today I had a commercial audition at Davis Baddeley Casting.  This is my second audition since returning from Maternity Leave and my first time auditioning for this office.

Today’s spot was for Procter and Gamble.   I arrived 10 minutes early for my morning audition at The Casting Underground in Hollywood.   As I waited, an actress I worked with on “The Cavemen Crib Party” webisode arrived to audition as well.  I was glad to see her.  She and I were pregnant at the same time, so we would bump into each other at maternity auditions last year.  Now we are both new moms, so it was great to talk about our experiences

Before I knew it, I was up.  Everyone was so nice in the room and this is a great commercial spot, so I’m grateful to Davis Baddeley Casting for calling me in to audition for the first time

Today I had a commercial audition at Broadcast.  This was my first commercial audition since returning from Maternity Leave and I have to admit, I was a little stressed.

First of all, I have to say I LOVE auditioning at Broadcast.  Everyone is so nice and they have been so sweet to me.  I booked Tidy Cat and American Express Commercials through Broadcast.  But I was stressing because getting out of the ouse on time with a newborn is tough.  I’ve quickly learned that the baby calls the shots!  And there are so many questions. Should I find a sitter for the baby?  Do I take her with me to the audition?  The good news, I already had plans with a girlfriend of mine, so I immediately called her, and she agreed to meet me at Broadcast and watch the baby while I auditioned.  I’m a lucky gal to have such a good friend

Today’s spot was for Natural Choice. This was a fun, non-dialogue spot

Special Thanks to Dan Cowan at Broadcast for the audition

Leaving the Hospital on New Years Day. It was colder outside that day than I expected!

To all my readers, thank you for following my journey as an actress.  I am excited to share that I welcomed my daughter into the world at the end of December.  I’ll be on “maternity leave” for several months, but will look forward to jumping back into my craft soon enough.  Until then, keep your eyes peeled for both the Tidy Cat Litter and Barnes and Noble Nook Commercials that are currently airing.  You’ll even seen my pregnant belly in the Barnes and Noble Nook Commercial!  I look forward to the day I can watch it with my daughter and say “that’s you in the belly”.

Keep checking  back for updates!

Sincerely,

Jennifer

The "Waiting Room" actors

The commercial shot at an abandoned hospital in North Hollywood.  Apparently the hit TV show, Scrubs, once shot at this same location.

And here is a photo of me looking very much like a “Waiting Room Pregnant Lady”:

No, that is not a fake bump! Jennifer Keller is 7 1/2 months pregnant in this commercial

Today’s spot was for Hyndai.   I arrived at The Casting Lounge on South LaBrea for my morning audition. There is only street parking at The Casting Lounge and I had to park all the way at the end of the street!  Usually this isn’t a big deal, but when you’re 9 months pregnant it takes double the time to walk to the casting office, lol.

There was a bit of a wait and I noticed that I was the only pregnant girl in the waiting room.  So, this was not a commercial looking for pregnant actresses.  But no worries, I was thrilled to be called in and I gave it my best.

Thanks to Skirts Casting for calling me in to audition for the first time

My family actually spotted the 3/4 page ad in “Parade” section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  What a pleasant surprise!

Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the National Tidy Cat Littler commercial that I shot along with the print ad!

A certain blonde in a pink shirt should look very familiar ;  )