The Year of the Horse

The Year of the Horse is a time for all people to go forward confidently in the direction of their goals and dreams.

March. 2014. This weather sucks. It's definitely coming in like a Lion. Ugh.

Outside of the crappy weather, this has been a pretty awesome year thus far.

Some career surprises. Some twists. Some turns. Some new developments.

It didn't hit me until this past week, that it's been a year since I started production on Velma. Part of it was due to timing, part of it due to money, and part due to my own confidence. After finally getting the guts to believe in my own work again, I resumed operations on the project. Got a new crew, a new location, and a cast that's just as eager as they were before. Plus, I have some new sketch ideas and characters in mind for the show. I'm gonna be quite the busy bee this spring and summer.

Speaking of busy, I recently got accepted in to the Improvisation News Studios Conservatory 6-month intensive program. Starting at the end of this month, I will be studying every weekend sketch and improv, and performing every 5 weeks. After the 6 months is up, I will get the chance to audition to be a company member, at which point I will be performing every week. Plus, they'll help me with my promotional materials, my social media presence, and help me find representation.

I look at it this way, this is probably where I need to be to get on the correct path.

It's no doubt that I'm being watched by some really important people. It's just the people I'm trying to reach out to to represent me, aren't the right ones. If I continue writing and creating my own work, the right ones are gonna seek me out.

Case in point:  A few weeks ago, I got an email from Michael Swenson from the Catalyst Department at Viacom - that was surprise numero uno. He sent me an email from YouTube. So the story is, his team saw my Key and Peele parody video, liked it, and wanted me to be a part of their Fandamonium project that they'd present to their shareholders. I was like "What the what?! Friggin Viacom saw my stuff?!"  Long story short, I went over to Viacom, shot an interview blurb for the project, and that was it. Who knows if I'll ever get the chance to see the footage. Mike said it may end up on the web some time at a later date. Shoot, it doesn't matter to me. Some folks at Viacom saw my stuff. Hot Damn!

Anyhoo. Another example started over the December holidays:  Greg and I went to Jessica Care Moore's Kwanzaa party, and I got the chance to meet actor/director Vondie Curtis-Hall. I very much have to thank my liquid courage for granting me the courage to go up and talk to him. He told me about a project that he's doing with singer/songwriter/playwright Stew, co-creator of the semi-autobiographical rock musical on Broadway, Passing Strange. When he told me that, I just lit up. I offered to sing, dance, whatever, just to be a part of the project. He gave me his number, and we've been texting, emailing, and most recently, voicemailing back-and-forth, regarding updates on the show. This past week, he left me a voicemail letting me know that the show will be going up this fall at The Public Theater, and to remain in contact with him, and he'll figure out a way to get me in front of those folks to see if, when and how I can be a part of the show.

Stuff is becoming clearer to me now. I see how all the puzzle pieces fit. I understand what things are working, how and why.  And what things need to be broken down, what needs to be let go of, what needs to be redone, all to make room for what's better.

Harvest Time in the Land of Fun and Awesomeness

This has been an awesome year for me. I had the pleasure of working with some awesome people, and on some awesome projects.

 

Earlier this year, my husband and I went  to a free stand-up comedy seminar at Gotham Comedy Club, to promote the Manhattan Comedy School.  If we had had the money to spare, we both would have signed up for the classes. That’s beside the point though. One of the speakers/former students/comedians said something that really stuck with me, “Everybody gets a turn.”  It doesn't matter when you start.  As long as you start, and keep going, despite your fears and doubts, you will get your chance to shine. I’m not a comedian, but I do love writing and performing comedy, so I applied that advice to my acting career.  This has been quite a long journey, and I’m beyond happy that I made it to this point, and I’m even more excited to make it to the next phase of this journey, whatever that may be. I have a strong feeling that it has something to do with the sketch comedy and sitcom world...

Since doing the "PSA:  Boobs" sketch earlier this year, I've gotten the itch to do and be a part of more silly and fun projects.  A couple of weeks ago, I discovered that Key and Peele were running a fan remix contest, allowing their fans to do their interpretations of some of their current or classic sketches, and a lightbulb went off.   Below is my version of their classic "I Said Bitch" sketch.  It's also on FunnyOrDie.com, and I hope to get it on CollegeHumor.com next.

 

On an awesome side note:  I discovered that Jordan Peele retweeted the link to the sketch.  

To say I was excited about the news, was a gross understatement.

This was my husband when he found out...

By the way, the boob sketch is now over 1 million views. :-) 

Back to our regularly scheduled musing, already in progress:

This summer was good because I had a long term temp assignment that allowed me to cover the costs of my materials, seminars, workshops, etc.

 

Outside of performing in a theatre festival recently, I've put my energy into seeking representation. Of all the agents and managers and agents I've met with this year, I feel more comfortable with and more strongly about my brief meetings with Paula Poeta and Ingrid French. I just sent out my postcards and pray that this will begin some very strong and fruitful business relationships.  It's time to go from getting daily and weekly calls from temp agencies for work, to getting daily and weekly calls from my agents and manager about gigs I've booked and will book.

 

I'm now a part of a bi-coastal writing group, and recently reconnected with comedienne Robin Montague, and hopefully we can develop a writing circle here with some other talented funny ladies.

 

Before I sign off, here's a little something my husband and I did for shits and giggles on Halloweeen:

Time to say goodbye to 2013, and kick some ass in 2014 and beyond. :-)

 

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 :-)

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!

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!

New Year, New Me

Well, this has been a pretty cool year, so far. 

I'm happy that I got over the winter blahs...

And I'm ready to jump in to spring at full force.  Yayy!

 

Let's see, what has happened this year:  I joined a new theater company, got the chance to see the NY Premiere of Dark Girls; my husband's new company, Anti-Bling,  has been picking up some major buzz and support; I submitted a sketch for the In Living Color reboot, which sparked more sketch ideas for the wacky character I created named Velma; my singing and songwriting has opened up a new working relationship with a well known DJ and producer (more details on that soon);

...And the big shock of 2012:  I've gotten rid of the blonde hair...

 

Yep, that's right, now that I've darkened my hair, I look even more

I'll post new pics soon.  But to tide you over, here's a pic of me with dark hair:



Happy Friday!!