Bowling

There seems to be a film group that goes bowling once a month. Anyone can be at this very casual get together. My husband in the film Michael Conway suggested I come and have some fun. And it was fun! I met some great film industry people and didn't look too stupid trying to bowl. I can't say I bowled well, but that wasn't really the point. Kat and Savannah came also and it was great to girl chat and film chat and such.

I have to do this!

My mother is a singer. She's a classically trained opera singer, having appeared on Broadway, and is a member of the original cast of "South Pacific." Her success in New York happened before I was born, but even after becoming a mother, she continued to sing and perform. I new her to be a singer as equally as I new her to be my mother. It is woven into the fabric of of her cells.

I always new I wanted to act, but it wasn’t until I was in my 20’s did I realize that if I didn’t even try to be an actor, I would completely regret my life. With that, I left my job, and went back to school to learn.

Perhaps it’s because I started pursuing an acting career late, or that I’m not a commercial success, or that I don’t have to do it for the money, but there are those who view my acting as if it were a hobby. I don’t put myself through the rejections, the expense, the training, the time away from my family, the imposition on my husband, and the pressure, because it’s playtime.

I have to do it, it is a part of me. This is my fabric.

And I'm greatly saddened by those who don't understand.

more nice people (damn it!)

This evening, after filming, I got to spend a little time talking to Lorie Marsh. I wish I had more time to get to know her. Lorie March, Stacy Schoolfield and Kat Candler are the three amiga's behind Storie Productions, the company doing this film. How these women found each other I might never know, but they are an incredible team. I am envious and awed at their ability to make their films.

Chuy's with the wonderful Yeager sisters.

Had a great lunch yesterday with good friends Marian and Elizabeth Yeager. I was in a film they directed and produced several years ago. They are trying to get some funding together to make another short and then get on to their feature. It's great that they want me for their films. Even if I wasn't though, I wish I had a million bucks to help them fund it.

Crazy Crazy day

The Mayor Jumped!!! I ended up going to class late so I could watch the circus. Between The crew setting up for that evening's shoot, the media there to film the mayor jumping off the bridge and all the joggers/walkers stopping to watch the going's on (an me shamlessly telling everyone as to why the mayor was jumping, and to watch for the film in January 2006) It was really a three ring circus. Then after class I drove by to see how the filming was going, but it was raining so hard at times, thatI could hardly see the lines on the road. So I didn't stop, but I saw they they were hunkered down to wait for the end of the deluge. A friend of mine told me he saw them still out there at 7:30 am the next morning. How's that for dedication.

BTW: class went really well. I think it's a good sign when other classmates seek you out.

I'm not really this nice...

I've been reading a few of my recent posts here on this blog and I sound like such a nice, happy, rah-rah-ree type person.

What has gotten into me?! I'm not like that at all! In fact I'm normally cranky, difficult, and irritable. And moody, let's not forget moody! Just ask my husband. He'll vouch for me.

I've probably been in such a good mood lately because I've been in this great film. Well don't worry. It will be over in a few more weeks and then I'll resort back to my grumpy ol' ways.

New headshots soon

The time has come! eek. New headshots.
Fabrizio will be doing them again. You can visit his website at www.fabriziofoto.com (He did my last headshot. It's the little profile picture that you see on my webblog) and my makeup/hair artist will be coming up from San Anonio. I'm getting my different outfits together now. Need a business look, a "mom" look, something trendy, something glam, and one or two other subtle theme type outfits. Now that I'm getting a website together, I realize I need a few more looks.

Reading scripts!!!

Ever since last Wednesdays class, I have been pouring over scripts. I've been looking for scenes to do in class and I've spent the better part of this weekend rifling though the IMSDb website . ( www.imsdb.com ) . Thanks goodness for that website! Thankgoodness for the internet!!!

www.jumpingoffbridges.com

For those who would like to know:
The film is titled "Jumping Off Bridges." It is being directed by Kat Candler. My role is of Mrs. Turner.
Check out the film's website at:
www. jumpingoffbridges.com

It's going to hit the film festivals in January 2006. Look for it!!!!

YEA!

You probably think I'm crazy.

I don't consider my role in Jumping Off Bridges to be a big one. It's an important role and I take it very seriously, but it's not like I'm in every scene. It's a supporting role.

(Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely not complaining. When I found out I got the part of Mrs. Turner, I was jumping up and down, running and screaming through the house and immediately called my friends.)

But it's not like I'm in front of the camera everyday and see everyone all the time.

What I'm getting at, is that I can't figure out how I can have this supporting role and still feel this connection to the other cast members and crew. In reality, I know I've just met them this summer, but I already miss them and we're not even finished shooting. Am I crazy or what?

I know it's uncharitable of me, but I hate to see the end in sight.

acting by the seat of my pants

My scene partner couldn't come to class this evening. I'm sorry to hear he's going to be dropping the class. There are so many talented people in this class. As always it turned out just fine. CK gave me a scene to memorize and do that evening. I'm lousy at memorizing text quickly, so it was definitely acting by the seat of my pants and it felt great. Nothing like jumping in with both feet.

Great day on set

It was a wonderful day. The scene before mine was of a costume party and everyone was still dressed up when I got to the set. It was very funny to see some of these costumes and meet some of the other folks in this film. Wonderful in that again, I got to be in a scene with Michael Emerson and Michael Conway. Then cast and crew met at the Draft House for social hour. I know I've said this before, but everyone is so nice that is a part of this film. I can see a strong bond within this group.
There was also some sadness to the day. Today was the last scene I had with Michael E. I hope I get the opportunity to act with someone of his talent again. ( Look for him in the next Zorro movie. )

good day on the set

Had a really good day on the set. Michael Conway who plays my husband is a wonderful actor and I'm always glad when we have a scene together. He is so much fun! In fact the whole cast and crew are fun. I love the hair/make up (Jentri and Katie)and wardrobe (Adrienne)group. Those girls are a blast. Hanging out with them during down time, reminds me of a slumber party.

Great acting coach

Michael Costello is a great acting coach. I took a class from him at Brightlites acting studio over 5 years ago. I was so impressed with him, that he was who I called last week when I needed help. Super super coach.(and a nice guy too).

Wow day

Grabbed Michael E. (from the film) and had lunch at Chuy's. Then we roamed around Laguna Gloria. It was wonderful hearing about what he's done. Not pretentious just very nice. Hope I didn't bore him to tears.

Then this evening, I started C.K McFarland's advanced film class at Allywood studios. It was great! Just what I have been needing. My partner in the scene was quite good and I feel lucky the quasi-improve scene worked out so well. Of course I want to do "serious" drama, but it's good to just lighten up sometimes and have a goofy scene.

need to workshop

Feel rusty in my acting. Need to workshop. I see an advanced acting film class is starting up soon.
Think I'll check it out.

happy 4th, now don't burn yourself!

Very lazy 4th.
Ended up watching Saving Private Ryan and cried and cried.

Later all the families on our end of the street, gather in the cul-de-sac for fireworks. I'm amazed nobody got hurt.

again, very hot day! over 100

hot filming

Very hot work today. No, not that kind of hot, I'm talking about the Texas heat. We were filming in a small house today and between the lights, turning the AC off to film and the outside heat, it was over a hundred degrees. I kid you not. One time I thought I was going to faint, saw spots and everything. I'm talking hot!
Let me put it this way, it was so hot inside that house, that the air outside felt like Spring. Really!

But It was great to work with this group. I am so inspired by working with Michael Emerson, and Michael Conway was always spot on. I don't know Rhett Wilkins very well, but he seems to be very talented and I think he also works in LA. Just a really solid group. Can't forget to mention the crew - Super!

Drove home wishing I did this everyday.

magic and my sister

When I was a child, my older sister created a magical world for me. She has this unbelievable talent to paint and draw and when I was little she would paint these huge murals on the sliding glass doors to our bedroom. There was Leo the lion painted in swirling reds, oranges and browns, Taurus the bull, larger than life, Halloween and pumpkins, even a winter wonderland.

When the itching from mosquito bites would keep me up, she’d take her stuffed magic purple dog and conjure up a magic cream that took the itching away. We would get dressed up in our mothers old performance dresses and pretend the day away. She would sit me down on the counter of the bathroom and put make up on me. I was a fantastic feline (probably a lion, since I loved lions), or sparkling fairy, or any number of mystical creatures. I learned to keep my eyes still at a very young age, so she could put the make up on just right.

And now, whenever I am in the make up chair for a photo shoot or a film, I close my eyes and hold them very still for the make up person. I close them and I’m transported back to being a child and my sister is there, her hands on my face, carefully transforming me into a magical creature.

Filming today!!

Awesome day!. 5:30am call time, filming and then let go late morning.
Great actors!!!! They are so giving and exceptional in their talent!
Crew is wonderful, helpful, NICE!
Everyone is so NICE and No attitude.

Came home on cloud nine, to wonderful hugs and cuddles from the family. Then I slept for three hours.

How did I get so lucky?