Spring Finally

Back from my weekend trip home, and I just needed one day to recover. Now it's back to business.

We've set a shoot date for Velma, and are ambitiously going to shoot two episodes. If the scripts are tight, the actors (including myself) are on point, the equipment is set up beforehand, and the crew knows exactly what they need to do from point A to B, we can knock it all out.

I feel like I'm playing a balancing act though. Money I'm putting into this project, can also go toward my package e.g. new headshots and classes with casting directors. Can I do both?  Do I want one more than the other?

I had an interesting dream last night. I'm not sure where I was, but I was talking to some young women about how I had been working, shooting promos for BET, and I wasn't sure if people liked it or thought I was good.  And one of the women said, "Don't worry about that. Don't just be good, be great at what you do."  I got this sudden burst of energy and confidence, and later on in the dream, found myself unintentionally booking a gig because someone overheard me singing Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools".

I know that once I stop worrying about HOW things are going to happen, and just KNOW that they will happen, the path will be more visible.  It's like a daily exercise, or meditation or mantra.  I see it, and I feel it, so there's no room for failure. I'm human, so I'm sure I may make some mistakes along the way.  But the goal is set and clear.

This is the first day in a few days where I've had some peace and quiet, and time to be still and reflect and refocus.  Not that I've lost focus; my business-mind has just taken a little break.  It's good though 'cause I know if I don't give myself a break every once in awhile, I'll burn myself out.

This blog entry is really about me musing and reflecting, and less about all the things I've done this past month.  All that will be listed on my website.  How-some-ever (a lovely word courtesy of my grandmother), I have been diligent in cultivating my relationships with casting directors:  After Amy Gossels's awesome class, she asked me and another actress if we'd be interested in assisting with camera work in castings or classes. I was like "Fuck Yeah!" Of course, I didn't use those exact words, mind you.  Also, Beth Melsky and Donna McKenna are now following me on Facebook, and Laura Rosenthal Casting is now following me on Twitter. I make it a deal to check the casting websites at least twice a day.

I am no doubt on a mission, and plan to bask in my achievements very soon. Man, I can't wait for bikini weather!

The world is changing. The election is over (Yayy, Obama!).  Hurricane Sandy devastated the caribbean and east coast.  And the Nor'easter added to the mess and frustration.  Through it all though, there seems to be a since of calm in the air. Despite divisions, separations and differences, people are pulling together. The stress of what could have been has been lifted, and people are embracing the possibilities of what's to come in the future.  

People are still worried about the end of the world. But as I see it, it's not the end of the world, but the end of a cycle.  In a statement released by Oxlaljuj Ajpop, the end of the cycle simply "means there will be big changes on the personal, family and community level, so that there is harmony and balance between mankind and nature."

It's a growth period for us all. Time to move on from the past into the new and Unknown.

Along with the changing of the leaves, came changes in my life and career.  Both my husband and I got positive boosts in regards to our careers.  His accessory company garnered more attention from some pretty influential people, and he has some good leads on better jobs. His previous job was toxic in so many ways. Now that it's over, his outlook on life and his career goals have changed.  I can see and sense how his spirit has been uplifted after leaving such a negative environment. He's truly coming into his own, and seeing the light in his eyes gleam brighter when he talks about his goals, his abilities, and all the possibilities that can occur in the future, is a wonderful thing to see. I'm so happy and proud of and for him.  It's a wonderful feeling to be on this journey with him.

As for me, it's better if I just bullet point all the things that have occured this season:

• I performed in the Manhattan Monologue Slam
• I did a photo shoot for Bridal Tribe magazine 
• I auditioned for a slew of commercials and films
• As a result of auditioning at Jennifer Euston Casting, I was called in a second time to audition for another project.
• Met talent manager Josselyne Herman-Saccio and producer Joe Kramer at Lisa Gold's networking party.
• I was contacted by Josselyne's office to set up a meeting (yayy!) at the end of this month.
• I was called in to audition, got a call back, and am now a cast member of Joe Kramer and Deepak Ananthapadmabha's Fighting Laughter Warrior improv game show.
• Had a consultation with Paul Michael at The Network, who gave me some wonderful insight on how to move forward the way I've really wanted to in my career, i.e., finding the right audition material, meeting the right people, and getting involved in projects that will truly benefit me, and give me the boost I need to succeed.
• I will be meeting with David Bellantoni, Elizabeth Gans and Erica Palgon at The Network's Diversity Casting Director Fest.
• I enrolled at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and will begin improv classes there later this month.
• I performed in Arthur French III's short play, "Negative Vibes", part of John Chatterton's Short Play Lab.
• I got cast in the staged reading of Duncan Pflaster's "The Tragedy of Dandelion", part of Oberon Theatre Ensemble's original reading series, where I'll be playing 5 different roles (I always love exercising my character voice and accent skills). 
• Lastly, and absolutely not least, I created an indiegogo campaign to help fund the production of the pilot episode of my webseries, "Velma Doesn't Get It". I'm super happy, excited, and blessed at how it's all going. 

Writing all of this, I realize just how grateful, thankful, and blessed I am to be doing what I love, and to have the love and support I have in my life. 

The year isn't even over, and I can't imagine nor wait to find out what blessings and possibilities are in store.

La Vita E' Bella!

Midsummer's Day Dream

Here we are, the third week of August, and the summer will be over before we know it.  Wow, this year went fast.

I'm discovering a lot of things about being a grown up, which I'm sure were taught to me at a young age, it just took now for them to finally sink in.

Marriage is a wonderful blessing. It forces us to get out of our own individual bubbles, and deal with issues when they arise. Honest communication, trust, empathy and respect are such a huge part of our relationship, so when we do have tough issues to deal with, there's never any lingering tension.

We're at this crucial point in our lives where we're putting a lot of serious energy into savings, finances, education and the future.  We're looking to buy property, go back to school, and further our careers.

I felt I took a step back -- not backwards, but more like a pause, career-wise.  I had to re-assess a few things that I was doing.  I started thinking about how I was going about my life and career when I lived in Chicago, LA, and Atlanta, and how it compared to how things are going now. 

In Chicago, I was all about theatre, my first love.  The stage filled my soul like nothing else.

Los Angeles taught me two things:  1. The energy that you put out is exactly what you get back. And 2., it's all about who you know.  The time I spent there was wonderful and peaceful.  I was able to spot the phony people from a mile away, and was blessed enough to not have to deal with or encounter them.  And all the work I booked was because of someone I knew.  They were small roles, but it didn't feel right to me.  I didn't feel like I was actually accomplishing anything.  I missed the journey and the grind.  It's like when you work hard for something, and you see it come to fruition, you appreciate it more.

The on-camera work I booked when I lived in Atlanta, spoiled me. I booked my first commercials there, and booked my first day player role on a FOX drama, as well as a couple of industrials and shorts.  If I didn't dislike the city so much, I would have stayed a little longer.  I was used to fast-paced big cities, and it was just too slow for me.

Fast forward to the New York City present.  It feels like something within me has to make a choice:  stage or screen.  It's all acting, right?  They should be one in the same.  But that's not true.  Different styles and techniques all together.  Gone are the days of booking straight from a pic and resume.  People need concrete proof that you can actually perform.  And I think it's great!  Your package has to be almost as extensive as an architect or designer.  It takes a lot of time and energy, and everything has to be on point.  Presenting yourself to an agent, manager, casting director, and/or producer is like going in front of the head honcho at a Fortune 500 company and saying, "Pick Me!  I'm the BEST!", while remaining humble, fun-loving, personable and professional but not stiff.   I sometimes take temp gigs for a few days so I can let my brain relax for a few hours and recharge, so I can be fully energized for the grind.  Everybody needs a mental vacation every once in awhile.

My brain and spirit seem to be on auto-pilot when it comes to Box Of Chocolates. I'm so psyched that everyone is so committed to the journey and process.  Comedy is the blood that pumps through my veins. I love playing. I love being physical.  I love making others laugh.  When I can be silly at my job, I feel ten feet tall.  I've decided to take classes at UCB and The P.I.T. to improve my improv and sketch comedy writing skills.  I don't know where this journey with Box Of Chocolates is gonna take me, but wherever it is, it makes me feel good.

I'm happy and grateful for the life I have.  And I'm blessed and thankful for those who guided me along the way.

This year's goals:  AEA card, 3-4 co-star roles, and 2-3 guest star roles.

E.G.O.T., I'm on my way!

In Bloom



This week has been an eye-opening one.

The things I've learned about myself, the people I know, and life in general.

One thing I've learned is that once you let go of the self-imposed deadlines ("this has to happen the way I WANT it to happen, WHEN I want it to happen NOW), every one and every thing will come right on time.  Everything always has a way of working out for the better, whether expected or unexpected.

One thing I find amusing in this career journey, is that things I thought were so important, don't seem so as much right now.  It's no longer about getting the right agent, the right manager, knowing the right casting director.  It's about the work.  If the work's good, the people will come. I'm already on folks' radar.  They know me.  They see me.  Now they're going to really see what I do.  In following my bliss, I figured out what truly makes me happy is comedy. It's fills me with energy and joy.  And everything I do e.g. improv with Box of Chocolates, writing sketches, brings me closer to what I want.

Here it is the end of May, and I haven't felt this free and full of joy in a very long time.  I really feel in control of the direction my life is taking.  One big part of it is gratitude:  Saying Thank You to the Universe, and everyone in my life who has helped me, guided, and impacted my life and journey in a positive way. And also, seriously, the Law of Attraction is no joke.  Everyday I visualize the life I want, and the pieces just keep falling into place.

My reel will be done really soon, and I'm super psyched.

Look out world, I'm coming for ya!