That's a wrap.

so we wrapped "The Ghost Club".

it only took 10 days of filming to shoot.

but it was such a challenging & rewarding 10 days!

I pushed myself more physically & emotionally as an actress.

I learned a lot about how to stay in the moment in a scene no matter what,
like when your cast mate throws you by saying all YOUR scripted lines in a scene! (this guy)

& I got better at making my actions flow well as opposed to just seeming blocked out.
we did a lot of improv, but then in some scenes is was totally by the script.
so I had to learn a balance between the two options.

I've also realized I need to be more bold in the way I deal with situations. like if I feel as if I didn't do well in a take, I should be able to ask for another one. or if something is distracting me & therefore pulling away from my ability to perform than I should point it out. Obviously, I would always be nice & polite, but I need to be less shy about these things.

sometimes I feel like I'm not cut out for this industry.
but I love it so much.
I just need to establish a tougher skin & work on having more authority & boldness within myself.

spider.

one of my cast mates from "the ghost club" emailed me this short to watch.

I really liked it.

Not for the faint of heart though.

put knots in my stomach.

let me know your thoughts! =)

SPIDER

week one of filming "The Ghost Club"

haven't updated in a while due to my crazy // vampire like schedule.

all of our shoots are night shoots & I've been going in at 8pm & leaving around 6 or 7 am.

I've done night shoots before, but it's still so disorienting.

filming has been going well though.

the first day was kinda frustrating, but it's getting much better as we go on...

I've had a difficult time finding my character while maintaining the improv & naturalness the director is seeking.

this film has been a real challenge for me just in it's first few days, but I've already been able to learn & grow as an actress so much!

we did character interviews for the web releases & that allowed me to just be natural in front of the camera & talk freely as Noreen (my character) would. It helped a lot in figuring out who she is & more of her back story.

So far I have this:

she bites her nails because she just quit smoking.
she was raised by her grandmother.
she got into some trouble growing up.
she's always been good with computers, but never really put her mind to anything.
after her grandmother died she began feeling a presence around her.
this led her to researching ghosts & the paranormal.
she became a bit obsessed with trying to figure out how to contact her lost ones.
in this obsession with reaching the dead she learned about the technological aspect of contact with ghosts & then stumbled upon "the ghost club" following.
she met Tab (one of the team leaders) at a conference.
It was perfect timing because "The Ghost Club" was looking for some new techies.
Noreen signed on as the tech assistant to Parnell (the tech expert) and has finally felt like she is making progress in learning how the spirit world works.
She loves being a part of The Ghost Club's investigation & feels as if it's where she belongs.
In her free time she still tries to contact the ghost of her grandmother and is constantly searching for new ways to do so. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Houdini, named after one of the original club founds, Harry.

As I continue to learn more about her as filming continues some things may change, but I'm excited to be getting to know her. :)

When the video diaries/interviews are posted I will put up a link!

Can't wait for you guys to meet Noreen face-to-face! :)

here we go...

so, I'm in Atlanta now.

I had a great time in Florida, but wish I had gotten to stay longer!! :(

my phone is broken.

I hate how dependent I am on it.

using an old phone of mine that isn't the best.

hopefully I will be getting a new one this weekend.

Can't decide if I should take the plunge & get an iphone, or just stick with another palm or maybe a blackberry.

I really liked my palm, but I'd love a bigger screen for internet.

even though I really only need to check emails that often, which I can just do with a push mail feature.

I can live without facebook at my finger tips 24/7.

any advice on which phone I should get?

I'm with at&t, but not against switching plans if need be.


I am about to leave to head to set for the first day of filming for my new movie, The Ghost Club.

I'm so excited.

I've only met three of my cast mates so far & I can't wait to meet everyone else tonight!

:)

in the midst of craziness is such fun. :)

In florida for Maddie's graduation tomorrow.

the flight today was quick & easy.

they didn't even have time to serve sodas! :(

max was sad he didn't get his apple juice.

I've decided I always want to fly with no baggage checked.

just had a small carry on backpack.

so much simpler.

the weather here is wonderful!

so hott.

may try to go ride jet skis tomorrow if we have time.

I'd love to catch lunch at The Terrace & get my nails done tho.

I'm glad to get away from the city for a few days, but I can't wait to get back & start filming! :)

bye big momma. hello busy weekend.

Today was my last day working on Big Momma's as the stand in for Portia Doubleday.

I didn't really tell anyone it was my last day, so it was kinda sad that I didn't get to say bye to everyone.

but hopefully I will see them all again on other projects in the future. :)

in other news:

This weekend is going to be insane.

Max & I drive from Atlanta to Union City, Tennessee tomorrow.

for another wedding.

then drive back home Saturday.

then fly down to Florida Sunday afternoon.

Maddie's graduation is Monday.

we fly home Tuesday.

I start filming Wednesday.

crazy crazy.

as much as I do get stressed out over packing, getting gifts all together, & staying on top of the blog/website/emails/scheduling while traveling so much - I do love being a busy bee. :)

picture post!

Nothing to really do a whole post about, but here are some of my favorite pictures from the Katie Snyder Photography Studio Opening Party, as promised::

The Party Planners.



girl fight.

I've just got all kinds of skills

Channeling a bit of Courtney Love?

KSP/Red Bull Cheer squad

hear no evil, see not evil, speak no evil



...and smell no evil...?

booked it. :)

so, exciting news::

that film I've been blogging about going on auditions & call backs for...

well

I got the part.

:)

we have rehearsals & meetings this week

then we start filming next Tuesday!

it's a SAG Ultra-Low Budget Film.

I'm so green to the SAG terminology, contracts, etc, etc.

I did a bunch of research which I will share at the end of the post.

but basically the simplified & important parts I understand best as of now are thus:

since I am not a member of SAG, I will not get the SAG guarantee (for a film of this caliber) of $100/day & will be getting $25/day to cover travel expenses.

I'm not a huge worrier about money & I'm in a good position to do work for cheaper (aka living with my mum). so, I'm ok with this.

I will be given deferred payment.
which means, if/when the film makes money - I will make money.

I've heard "deferred" usually means you just don't get money for most projects, but that's just the general conception, so who knows?

the talent is to be given access to their work in the film for use in their reel.

this is the more important thing to me in my career right now. I need to be building up my resume & reel as much as possible. you can't get work without having work. the infamous catch 22. :)

There are also some other perks/potential that I'm excited about from this project:

two of the other woman cast are with Houghton Talent Inc. which is one of the agencies I have been looking at applying to. so hopefully working with them will open doors to that. we shall see.

another is that some of the other principle cast were casted out of New York & L.A.

it's neat to think about getting to work with "New York (&) L.A. actors".
even though I am probably over glamorizing it in my head...

Lastly, I get to play someone who gets possessed. :)
so I can cross that off my list of roles I want to play.

Here's some of the articles I found, as well as the actual contract from the SAG website.
I'd love thoughts, insights or whatever you want to add.
Thanks!

http://www.easy-budget.com/articles/articles.asp?article=ultralow

http://www.sagindie.org/resources/contracts/

http://www.sag.org/files/sag/documents/Theatrical_Ultra_Low_Budget_Agreement.pdf

miley cyrus vs coach

This weekend I went to both wal-mart & the outlet malls.

at the first, all of the miley cyrus clothes were on sale.

for a dollar.

if you know me at all, you know this:

I can not resist a sale.

ESPECIALLY if it is something for a dollar.

I went in to find a car phone charger for my phone.

I walked out with $20+ worth of tenny bopper clothing items.

& no charger.

later on when I was wearing one of the outfits, I realized something.

I kinda looked like a high class version of white trash.
(no offense miley)

I think I like it tho.

speaking of high class.

the next day Max & I stopped by the outlet malls.

specifically the coach outlet store.

sales. sales. sales.

there were bags on sale for 50%+ off with an additional 20% off.

yeah. 70%+ off.

for coach.

oh heart, be still.

sadly. I am much more easily influenced by retail sale environments involving items for $1-$10 than I am by those in which items are $100+.

& thus. I did not buy a bag.

if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a bag.

then I want to be in love with it.

& I wasn't.

but now I am having a bit of buyers remorse over not buying it.

luckily, I am driving past the outlets again this next weekend.

I've decided if the bag is still there - it means God wants me to have it.

God probably just laughed at that.

but he probably really does.

:)

wigs.

the continuation of my crazy week...

Friday morning.

got off work at 6 am.

went with tiffany to her house to help her pick out what to wear for her photo shoot with Katie Snyder Photography. (will post those pictures later - they are going to be killer!)

while searching her closet I made a wonderful discovery.

her collection of wigs.

blonde, black, pink, & blue.

oh, heart, be still.

some back story:

I've always had a mild obsession with wigs.

I love the idea of them.

I love the way they give you the ability to change your apparence so easily,

which in turn can sometimes turn you into a whole other person. :)

but sadly.

I have never owned any.

& only worn one for a short time for fun/goofing off.

I was always timid about spending a lot of money on a nice one, but not sure if I wanted to get a cheaper one for fear it would look too cheap.

silly little ac.

tiff's are just the inexpensive one's you buy to wear on halloween

& they are soo great!

& I had this wonderful idea:

I've been blogging about this film I've been in the audition process for.

The secret club.

& I was set to go in for my final call back Friday afternoon.

the character I really wanted from described in the script as:

NOREEN - "pretty, with pixie dark hair, dark eyes, & gothic makeup"

another character of the same age range, but not the one I really wanted was,

CAITLIN - "blonde, southern-belle pretty, nervous blue eyes"

I didn't want to be the blonde. I wanted to play something different.

so tiff let me borrow her short black wig to wear to the audition

it was awesome.

the director said he liked it & thought it was "very bold"

& then he told me they were actually considering me for the role of Noreen anyway.

irony.

evidently, they weren't really looking for physical attributes necessarily

& were open to casting different looks than what was listed in the script.

we did talk about maybe the character wearing a wig anyway.

but.

I still have to officially get the part.

I find out this week! :)

here's what I look like with dark hair.

I don't really have a normal picture.

tiff & I were in a silly mood. :)

plus we're pretty gangsta.

cigs.

so. this last week has been interesting.

I always lose track of what day it is when we do all night shoots

& then I don't ever really go to bed.

& I get a bit delirious.

but...

Thursday night.

"worked" for twelve hours.

probably only actually worked (standing in) for maybe 2-3 minutes.

oh this business.

then I basically hung around chatting.

it's amazing how much can be shared over diet cokes/cigarettes on set.

pretty much everyone smokes on set.

pretty much.

not, every. one.

(just to save offense)

but

I've heard it commented on before.

I've definitely noticed it before.

& I have a theory.

it's the water cooler.

craft services is ok.

but if you want that REAL water cooler experience:

the gossip. the hopes. the dreams.

the past work. the future work.

the bragging. the sucking up.

the flirting. the name dropping.

cigarettes.

bring your own pack

but remember,

"Can I bum one?"

that question opens doors to the future kiddies.

doors to the golden palace.

or to a bedroom.

which could also open doors.

just not always the kind worth seeking.

whatever floats your boat.

disclaimer:

this is the first of my posts in which i write for the purpose of having a response.

so, respond.

to smoke or not to smoke?

climb by cig? by bed?

or by merit?
what would you do?

call backs, night shoots & wedding season

I got a call back for the film I auditioned for last Friday, "The Secret Club".
I went in yesterday (after being up all night at work!)
Praise the Lord I had the energy for it!
It was also all improv, but so much fun!
I got the call today that they want me to come in for yet another call back! :) :)
don't know the time or date, but will be later this week probably.

Also, it was suggested that I watch a few episodes of "Ghost Hunters" & other paranormal/ghost shows, so I've been doing that today on my day/night off.

been working as a Stand In on "Big Mommas" for the last month & this week we've been doing all night shoots!
Max, Katie, & Dan came to work as extras the other night.
it was fun to have my friends there & for max to see what I love.
they had fun cracking jokes.
I can't blame them tho.
extra work = getting talked to like an incompetent/kindergartner.

back to work tomorrow night, but then I'm off Friday night.
which is great because I have to drive up to Chattanooga for a wedding.
(this will be my 3rd in the last month).
I still need to put together the gift.
I always wait til the last min bc I have so many of them+so much other stuff going on.
so Max & I will drive up for the day Saturday. hoping to stop by the outlet malls on the way.
we have to drive back up to Tennessee again (this time to Nashville) next weekend.
for another wedding.
tis the season I guess.

firsts

My second blog post is full of firsts.

Friday May 21st:

noon -
first audition for a S.A.G film.
also, first audition that was total/only improv
& first audition for a feature length "horror" type film.
(along the lines of paranormal activity/blaire witch).

7pm to 10pm(ish)-
first studio open house for Katie Snyder Photography.
hit.
had aprox. 100+ people show up.
learned that alcohol goes quick & dessert not so much.
lots of left over soda & lemon bite cupcakes.
roll up sandwiches were a crowd pleaser.
& the fun photo booth was amazing.
pictures to come :)

Saturday May 22:

midnight-
first adventure geo caching.
went with jax & tiffany.
did three hunts. two successful.
I'm addicted.
& it's decided - Max & I will be doing it on our next date.
fun && free. yes please.

pop.

this is my first post on one of many blogs I've started & never finished.
maybe this one will last. maybe.

on here I will share trials, triumphs, dreams, hopes, wishes, challenges, etc, etc, etc.

this is for my family members who ask, "so what exactly are you doing with your life these days?"
well (insert name here), you can read my blog.
maybe it will help you understand. again, maybe.

this is for my friends who are on the same journey as me & know the stories & the run around.
thanks for laughing, crying, screaming, & complaining with me.

this is for those in my life who support me & are praying for my dreams to come true.
thanks max.

this is for those in my life who support me, even if they aren't sure why I do it or don't agree with it.
dad, maybe you can see how hard I do work & that it is a job. a real job. with a profit. sometimes.

this is for any stranger who wonders in & finds my postings amusing, interesting, comical.
thanks for stopping by.

this is for those that are waiting for me to "make it" so they can say they've been here since the beginning.
thanks for believing in me. or for wanting some of the glory. either way. your here.

this is for anyone thinking about going after their own dreams.
goodluck. see you at the top.

so, with all that. here's looking at you kid. sitting in the front seat of the bus because there's no room in the back where the pretty girls sit discussing color pallets, secret clubs, & other topics of no interest to a fourth grade tomboy. who would have thought you'd grow up to love pink & want your face on the cover of those magazines you used to call brain wash. funny world, huh?