Labor of Love

Well, I've reached my Saturn return (Yayy, me!)...

And another wonderful year of wedded bliss (Yayy, us!)...

 

And now it's time to prepare for the summer...

 

 

A month ago, I put into motion something wonderful.  A awesome labor of love known as Velma. 

 





Velma has been in the works for little over a year, and everytime I think about how awesome everyone is that helped me get to his point, I just get so elated and filled with joy. I would not have gotten here without the awesome people behind me.

A little background: Around the beginning of last year, there was word about the re-launch of In Living Color. Actors from all over, were uploading audition videos onto the interweb.  I saw an interesting video that someone posted on facebook, and I was like, "Sheeet, I can do that!" 

I came up with the character of Velma, who is the mixture of some interesting folk I've encountered here in Zoo York, wrote a sketch, and my awesome buddy, Bill Johnson, co-starred in it, and helped me shoot it.

As the Universe would have it, there were some hiccups in trying to get the sketch burned onto a DVD, then sent to the proper channels to be considered. Instead of freaking out, I meditated on what really was my motivation for putting this character out into the world. Did I want to just do this one audition, and be done with it, or did I want to explore, and really see where this character and her world could take me?

After doing more research on the progress of the reboot, I learned that the project had been cancelled.  I was glad that I didn't put all my hopes and dreams into one basket, and knew that the hiccups from before, was just the Universe's way of showing me that better things were coming.

I made sure to remain on the radar of the casting director, Amber Bickham, 'cause well, you never know...And I began work on what to do, and where to take Velma next.

One rainy afternoon, I met my friend, Guy Shahar, for coffee, who told me he wanted to do a project that was funny, crazy and inappropriate.  I showed him the video of the sketch, and the rest is history -- or history in the making, I should say... :-)

The pilot for the webseries is shot, we're now in pre-production, and I'm looking forward to the launch... :-)

About a week ago, I was (half) joking with a friend about how cool it would be if there was a VelmaCon in the near future, with folks dressed up as Velma and other characters from the show: A revelry of geekdom as far as the eye can see...

Ahh, my inner geeky child (I'm still a geeky adult lol) is smiling :-)

Indian Summer

September...I'm not ready for summer to be over yet!

Although, I am excited what the autumn is going to bring. 

August was an awesome month: 

I'm almost ready to shoot the Velma pilot.  My friend Guy Shahar, is directing, and co-producing it with Greg and I.  And after a two-day casting session, we found an incredibly talented and funny actor named Steven Strickland to play Velma's Date.  Next step is to lock in the DP and location, and we're set.

I had put so much energy into the Velma series that auditioning had taken a back seat.  It was unintentional though.  Time sure can get away from you when you're having fun :-)

I submitted for small, supporting roles, just to get my feet wet again. I got a call about a short film, went in and read for a small role, but they were so impressed by my work, that they asked me to read for the lead instead.  A week later, I got a call that I booked it.  A week after that, I was told that the film will be submitted to festivals. Woo hoo!  Bonus!

I'm remaining present and calm, although the thought of what can come from all of this is super exciting :-D

Also, after a couple of months of being nervous and scared that I couldn't do it, I submitted for the Peoples Improv Theater/NBC Diversity Scholarship program. It covers the cost of all their classes, levels 1-5. They only except a couple of applicants, and of course I'm crossing fingers, toes, eyeballs, etc. that I get in. 

Speaking of The P.I.T., after seeing it advertised for a couple of years, I decided to take part in the Manhattan Monologue Slam.  It's kinda funny and ironic that both Guy and Jenn Lederer will be a couple of the judges.  I haven't spoken to either of them about my participation in the showcase, but they both know I'm going to be in it. I'm going to be professional about this.  Regardless of my relationship with the two of them, I know I'm going to be seen and judged like everyone else.  What's gonna be a surprise to Guy, Greg,  and a lot of my other friends that I've invited, is the piece that I've chosen.  Mostly everyone has been used to seeing my comedic side.  They'll get to see my real acting chops at work tomorrow night. :-)

Once I stopped creating self-imposed deadlines, and let things flow at an even pace, the opportunities and connections kept growing. That's why I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year will bring.  I got my eyes on the horizon...

May Flowers

Wonderful things always bloom in the Spring.

My head is swimming, and I'm over the moon.  I had the most wonderful birthday, and wedding anniversary, and I look forward to many more years of life and love. 

The most wonderful change is occuring, and I can't to shout it to the hills.  But I will be patient, and let everything be revealed on it's own.

It does get frustrating not having a laptop still, but I've been making it work.

I have less than a dozen sketch scripts I gotta knock out.  My friend, Guy Shahar, agreed to produce a series of sketches around Velma, and I'm super excited.

Outside of Velma, I want to do more sketches with my improv troupe, Box Of Chocolates.  We all have some great ideas, and with Guy's help, I know we can make them come to fruition.

It's time to upload my new pics onto all the casting websites, so I can catch up on all that I missed.  This coming week or the following, I have to upload all my reel footage online.  Times like this I wish I was more tech savvy.  Macs intimidate me a bit - I haven't a clue why.  I've always been a PC girl; change can sometimes be daunting, and most of the time, necessary. 

Ever since I stopped stressing about my career, the pace at which things have been opening up to me has been at warp speed.  The things I've asked for are now coming to me without effort because I'm now approaching everything without fear, and it feels good.

I was finally able to take Amy Gossels commerical intensive, and I look forward to taking her class.  Amber Bickham accepted my friend request.  I'm happy to be on her radar.  I've been following her on fb, twitter, and her websites since I found out about the In Living Color castings.  We've already shared some cute, brief banter.  I look forward to developing a good working relationship with her.  Next on my target list is Katja Blichfeld.  She has a couple of workshops coming up, and I'm determined to get in at least one.

When you go for what you want, it's like the whole world is at your fingertips.  I love this feeling!