The Big Apple

Hey everyone and welcome to my website.  This is my first official blog entry! 

First off I'd like to thank Lisa Hildreth for setting up my website, big round of applause for her.

Where do I begin?  I arrived in NYC last Tuesday afternoon, January 18th and hit the ground running.  After spending the first day moving into my apartment I met with my agency, Fusion, Wednesday and took care of a few minor details.  Since then I've gone to casting calls(auditions or go-see's) for photoshoots with clothing lines such as Hugo Boss, DKNY as well as local designer Timothy Rosado.  I've also gone to a few go-see's for locally based magazines such as Bullett and WestEast Magazine.  I have been selected to do a photoshoot for a group called The KDU and photographer Phil Knott tomorrow morning, 1/25, so that is exciting news and I look forward to the shoot.

The auditions haven't been as brutal as I thought they'd be or as you might see on T.V.  Most of the auditions are quite simple.  You wait in a room with other models, then someone calls you to a back room, where you meet with a board of people, try on a designers clothing and then they snap a few pictures for a look book.  Sometimes the board is very talkative/interested and ask questions and try to get to know you.  I've seen some people dismissed before they get to the door but thankfully that hasn't happened to me yet.  After that I go about my merry way.  I'd say the most difficult thing I've had to do thus far was do a cold read for one of the castings where I had to read a few lines in front of a camera with a good 25 people watching, then, had to show my "camera movement abilities" while music played.  The casting directors told me to dance around a bit and show my personality while also posing for the camera, so while it may not sound difficult it was spur of the moment and a bit nerve racking with all the people watching.  But, no worries!  I went with the flow and tried to nail it!

Adjustments...At first I was a bit nervous about navigating and adjusting to The Big Apple but after being here a few days I've found that making my way around the city isn't all that difficult.  I have great downstairs neighbors who are a couple from Long Island.  They always have their door open to me and on my first night here cooked supper for me and have cooked on more than one occassion, making me feel right at home.  They have also given me a dresser and a computer desk to help liven my place up a bit as well as a "goody bag" full of odds and ends they bought from Costco.

Well that's it for now!  As things happen I'll be sure to update everyone.  Thanks for your continued support, it has made my transition to NYC all the easier.  Take care!

Austin