Aug 3, 2017
Cleo Massey
Facts
19 November 1993
Australian actress
Filmography
Shenaya [Stage Moms]
Kim [H2O]
Appearance
blonde hair
long hair
blue eyes
1,70m
Roleplay
playable: teenager, young adult
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Switzerland
seen from Japan
Cleo Massey
Facts
19 November 1993
Australian actress
Filmography
Shenaya [Stage Moms]
Kim [H2O]
Appearance
blonde hair
long hair
blue eyes
1,70m
Roleplay
playable: teenager, young adult
DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE - 2/20/19
“SIDES - SCENE ONE (REVISED)” by DJS
Hello. Back again. Sorry for the delay, but the weather has been awful and the only place I can write right now is the library because I don’t have a computer at the moment and the snow made getting around pretty difficult for a couple weeks. But I’m back with a revised version of Scene One from the new play. The scene needed to be longer and the characters more developed. You will notice they have new names as well. I feel pretty good about going forward. The base is established.
So...
1. The waiting room of a casting office in Los Angeles.
Nita and Mary Kerry.
MARY KERRY So do you have an agent? Do you have an agent yet?
NITA No. I mean. I mean we’re on the lookout of course but, we also just got here so. Why? Do you think we should be trying harder? I guess how important is it?
MARY KERRY Extremely you’ll find. Yes. Especially starting out. More as a filter than anything, you know? And to open doors. One of the mistakes people make when they first get out here is just they say yes to anything, anything put on the table. But the trick, you have to be more picky than that, pickier, you see? Even at this stage of the game, this early on, you have to learn to be discerning.
NITA Sure -
MARY KERRY I mean you think the big stars just took whatever was handed to them, whatever came along, no questions asked? No, not even right out of the gate. Because being able to choose projects, having that, is half the thing, it’s half the game. It’s how you establish yourself, says more than – That’s why the most often repeated phrase you hear, you ever watch any interview with one of the A-listers and you will hear them, what they call always talk about, It’s all about the script, what it comes down to. Good actors are attracted to good material simple as that. Even in sitcoms. You may think it’s, you know, it’s fluff or just for kids, you know, some of these shows, because they seem simplistic, they seem dumbed down, you know for mass audiences and such. But there is, there is a difference. And it makes a difference. I can’t stress this enough. And agents can help you sort that.
NITA How long did it take you?
MARY KERRY How long did it take me? How long did it take us? To find an agent you mean? Oh well, we, we already had one didn’t we, before we even came out. Wouldn’t have been much point other - No it would have been pointless, I wouldn’t have moved halfway across the, gone to the trouble. I mean what would have been the point, it would be a waste of time. I networked, you see, the internet, chatrooms, made all sorts of contacts before even thinking about – That’s important too –
NITA What is, sorry?
MARY KERRY You. You have to be very comfortable just putting yourself out there. It’s embarrassing. It can be but, at first but. This isn’t a town for wallflowers, you know, shrinking… Shrinking types. Non-confrontational. But you get it, or you hope to you know develop those. Because it’s a skill. I don’t know, do you know what I’m saying? You have to be aggressive is the main – just like on the freeway. You give an inch, let, let - and the business, the people, at the studios, you know, the higher ups, they will, they will take. No, that’s not right. They won’t, they won’t take, because they won’t take. They just won’t have anything to do with you. They won’t take you seriously in the first place, not unless you can match them somehow, match their, you know. They can smell, smell weakness, smell if you’re weak, like an animal and its prey. I don’t mean to scare you, I mean – but you should also know what you’re out for. It’s part of, it’s the big reason they’re where they are in the first place. Because no one gives anything to anyone they first don’t respect - at least respect. You have to be your child’s biggest advocate on this front, you know? Because who else, who else is gonna?
Of course you’ll hear, you can’t escape it, like it’s a dirty word -
NITA What?
MARY KERRY Oh just the whole “stage mom” thing, you know.
NITA Oh, is that – does that happen really?
MARY KERRY Constantly. Constant – But you have to get over, you have to get passed, don’t let it. Because they think it’s psychological. They think what you’re doing you’re doing out of some kind of, I don’t – Like you’re projecting. Right? That you, you want the spotlight for yourself and this is some misdirected uh. But that’s - what is that?? What is that but ignorance, hmm? No, that’s an excuse. Because what they really, they really just don’t want to have to deal with you. Because you make life just a bit more, you throw a wrench in just by – by existing for them. Because you’re not just going to roll over and let them do whatever - whatever, you know… Like they’re used to. Because they think by their position, you know, they have something you, something up on you. The high ground, they “hold the keys” so to speak, they can make things happen or not, not happen. Which they, you know technically, they can, they do, you can’t deny they do, and there’s no getting around that aspect of the, they either give you the job or - So a certain level of respect, of lip service if you want to, still has to be umm. But you don’t have to be a pushover either because don’t forget if they offer you the job that means you’re worth something to them. You have value. It’s a market place and now suddenly you’re a commodity, to them, which means you have bargaining power. It’s just that line, right? Between being assertive and. Well not to, you know – but a bitch, OK? Not being seen as… as that so much. Too pushy, you know, I don’t - It’s a skill, like anything else, you learn, right? Well, you either learn or you, you, if you’re lucky I guess you’re born with it. I guess. I mean me -
But I can’t stress this enough. These people? Lesson one if you learn nothing else: They’re successful and powerful for a reason. OK? So respect, it has to be, you know the, the. First thing with them.
Pause.
MARY KERRY It’s a lot. Try to breathe.
NITA I am. Just –
MARY KERRY I know. I know. Right? Everybody. Everyone feels that, um, when they’re first starting out. Just the question of, of, will it happen, will it happen for me, will the dice, you know, are they gonna fall? Is luck going to. Because so much of it is, it is up to luck. It’s hard to see the forest from the. So there’s a lot to learn and - Jesus, just to adapt to. Especially if you don’t, if you come all the way out here with no real, no clue, no plan, or…
Not that that’s you, not that I’m saying that’s you. I mean I’m sure you had some idea, some, before coming out, otherwise why, you know, why the risk? It’s not worth it. But some of these other parents you see. The first mistake - and this is, it’s gonna sound harsh, it is harsh, is but - but the first mistake they make is thinking their child, however cute, however, you know, precocious, whatever, is thinking they have any, any real talent in the first place. I’m sorry but if that makes me a bad person, mean, to say it, I don’t – I don’t care. I can’t care. Because it’s a competition. And the sooner others are weeded out – well, not “weeded out”, weeded out, but as soon as reality, you know, comes to, comes a’callin’ for these – Not that, I’m sure they’re well-meaning and everything, loving, parents, but what do you want? What do you want, honestly, the truth or - ? The truth is the truth, and the truth isn’t always – it ain’t pretty, it can be a bitter pill sometimes, as we know. And also, also, because it’s that whole thing of being a big fish in a small pond is true. There’s just a difference of level out here. Expectation.
When Merritt – OK, if you want to know, if you want proof. When Merritt got his first big national spot, commercial you know, let’s just say it didn’t come as a surprise. We knew. We knew. We knew something was going to, that he was going to hit, it was only a matter of time, something was going to break his way. So it was just a waiting game really. And that’s not bragging. And it’s not the stars, you know, the stars align, or whatever, luck, it’s not luck – it’s just reality. You, you have to think of your child’s career as a trajectory, right, like a graph, you know what I mean? That keeps, it keeps going up and up, and up, with no stop, no ceiling. This is what our agent says, he says this all the time. He calls it his mantra. Mantra of fame. And he’s not, you know, blowing smoke up our butts if that’s what you. - Because genuinely he believes in, well, in Merritt in this case, in his talent, you know, his potential. And that, yes, that means his financial potential too, his money-earning, his ability. That’s just, that’s the name of the game, the bottom line you don’t get around. I mean everyone wants a return on their investment.
But getting back to the - Every role they land you have to imagine is a dot on that graph, going up and up, upwards to - First commercials, local spots, then national, you know, building the profile. Then a guest spot on a series. Hopefully something really popular for the exposure, Then you make series regular, if not the same show then a pilot for a new. Then if everything works out, in time, then you make the jump to features. Very rarely does it not happen in that – because there’s a science to how these things, an order, how they -
Though, Merritt. Merritt is sort of bucking the whole system, the whole trend of just. Just with the interest, you know, he’s been getting. The roles he’s being asked to come in for, to read for, some really high profile. Which is exciting.
Nita looks at her.
Do you have an acting coach?
NITA No. I mean, back at home at school -
MARY KERRY No offense but that’s a - we’re not even talking about the same leagues. School plays, you know, community theater, that whole – Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, it’s a great starting point, to assess you know whether - but you really do need a professional, time to up that game. I have some people I can refer you. They’re not cheap and their schedules usually fill up because they’re so in demand but, I mean these are people who are in the industry, established. Also a voice coach to speak clearly and annunciate. Does your – sorry I forget his name.
NITA Oh no, that’s – It’s Tyler.
MARY KERRY Tyler right yes. Does he sing?
NITA Well. For fun, you know. In the car, to the radio.
MARY KERRY But he can carry a tune? I only ask because that’s really, that’s becoming more and more a thing, an expectation, right, so many roles now call for at least some musical – I mean where if you aren’t it’s like a non-starter, end of conversation, “thank you don’t call us we’ll call you.” Because it’s a waste of time. What do they call it, a triple-threat? Yeah, singing, dancing. I’m serious they won’t even see you, they won’t even have you come in, because why? So basically, with that mindset in mind, if you’re not at an audition, you know, if you’re not actively, actively auditioning, and of course if you’re not on a job, then you must need be in some kind of, doing some kind of training is my point. But only one on one lessons, trust me. Groups, classes, they’re great for making friends but if you’re really, if you’re serious, then it’s just a waste of time, not to mention a waste of money. Children, the serious ones, if you’re dedicated, they’ll just get nothing out of, because they need that personal level of attention, you know, otherwise what’s the point?
Pause.
Actually can I ask you something and please don’t take it the wrong way?
NITA Um –
MARY KERRY Sorry, this isn’t an attack. Or not an attack, not an attack-attack, you know, but it might sound like a, well like an accusation, but really I promise I don’t bite.
NITA No, go ahead, sure. I didn’t think that any -
MARY KERRY How did you find out about this audition?
Nita opens her mouth but then doesn’t say anything.
And again this is not an accusation in any manner. But you said you didn’t have an agent yet, so I was just curious, you know, if that’s true that you don’t have an agent, about how you heard about it then.
NITA Yeah. No problem. I just, got an email.
MARY KERRY An email, that was it?
NITA Yes.
MARY KERRY An email that said what?
NITA Just the time, the location, where to go. Oh and the script, you know, the dialogue they want to -
MARY KERRY Sides.
NITA To memorize, yes. Those.
MARY KERRY They’re called sides.
NITA Right, yeah, sorry. It’s still all so, learning the lingo -
MARY KERRY It’s OK. No. And who was this email from if you don’t mind me - I mean I’m just asking out of curious, I’m just asking.
NITA Just someone we met, you know. Since we got here.
MARY KERRY Someone you -
Wow, that’s lucky. That’s - Someone you just met.
Well that’s luck for you I guess.
NITA Yeah it is, it’s lucky.
MARY KERRY Beginners, right? Beginners luck.
Pause. Mary Kerry looks at Nita. Seems to study her. Smiles.
MARY KERRY Do you mind if ask just one more thing? It’s really more of a suggestion than anything -
NITA No, go ahead.
MARY KERRY Great and promise to not be offended, but how attached are you to that name?
NITA What name? You mean, you mean Tyler? Um -
MARY KERRY Yes. Tyler. Just as name’s go, and don’t please think I’m being rude here, this is just friendly, you know, friendly advice – from one person in the trenches to, one parent to another, but. It’s just not that memorable, you know? It’s just sort of… (makes gesture like “blah”) I mean Tyler, it doesn’t pop, it doesn’t… stand out -
NITA I, yes, I -
MARY KERRY You’re not offended are you? This is free career advice -
NITA No. No. Thank you.
MARY KERRY You may just want to think about changing it.
My best friend and I talking about JonBenet Ramsey
The Wrong Daughter - Kindle edition by Kathryn Rishoff. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Wrong Daughter.
Where are Stage Moms - would love if you would read my new book The Wrong Daughter and then leave a review on Amazon - you can borrow the book for free with Kindle Unlimited. When you’re reading The Wrong Daughter I know you will see in Sherry a mom you have either met or have heard about!
www.rishoffwrites.com
You know what’s worse then stage moms? Stage grandmas! And lucky us we have one at rehearsal tonight. I swear if this old bitty doesn’t shut up I’m going to punch her!
I decided I need to start writing down my funny stories about stage parents, so that I can laugh at them rather than want to strangle them all.
Backstory: I am currently the Production Stage Manager of A Christmas Carol. At last count, it was a cast of 111. Which I think may now be down to somewhere around 109. And 75% of these people are small children. Okay, moving on.
Today, I received an email from a parent asking me what the last song in the show is, and who composed it. I literally laughed out loud when I got this email. It is Angels We Have Heard on High. One of the most traditional Christmas songs, probably ever.
Melissa McCarthy fires extra for mistreating child
by Sara McGinnis posted in Celebrities Melissa McCarthy has made it clear that on her set no kids will be treated poorly! The mother of two daughters, who is making her directorial debut, has reportedly fired a female extra from the set of the film Tammy after she "harshly" grabbed her child. The extra, a woman described... Read more » Want to get the full story? Click on the headline above. And thanks for reading the BabyCenter Blog. http://bit.ly/1a7tI8D
why is the TV show Dance Moms even allowed to exist?