Why Is It So Darn Hot?!

Things I learned this week:  Just because it's cheap, gluten-free, and nearby, doesn't mean it's good. Buyer's remorse every time.  So why am I a glutton for punishment?  It's too damn hot to go more than two blocks around here.  I purposely wore light-colored, loose clothes, walked only on the side of the street where there was shade, and still felt like I was suffocating.  I'll bear the frigid cold a/c for another 2 hours til it's time to go home, just as long as I'm not a sweaty mess when I get there.

I tossed and turned quite a bit last night, like I did this whole week.   Not easy to get a comfortable night's sleep in a small Brooklyn apartment with little ventilation.  We have a good a/c in our bedroom, but it's not strong enough to cool the whole place.  So anytime any hot air from the rest of the apartment creeps in (mostly because our cats hate closed doors), it get very stuffy.

I woke up an hour before my alarm because I dreamed that I missed it.  Man, I hate when that happens.

I was able to get back to sleep briefly but the damage had already been done; I knew I'd need some extra strong coffee to get through at least half the day.  It's not even 4pm, and I'm already getting the gluten-free taco itis. Oy. 

On an uplifting note, our editor sent us two versions of the rough cut of Velma.  That shot my excitement and energy level up 15-fold.  

And later tonight, my hubby and I got passes to a live taping of Mike Tyson's one-man show, Undisputed Truth, directed by Spike Lee.  I'm not big on getting photos with celebrities but I sure as hell won't turn down the chance to take a pic with Iron Mike if the opportunity presents itself.  I mean, to be that up close and personal with the face tattoo, who would pass up that chance?  But for some really odd reason, I have this image of him coming up to me all sweaty (like straight-from-a-fight sweaty), and he'd smell like corn chips, bbq ribs and Cristal.  

Yes, I know I have a very vivid and crazy imagination, but I think the 97 degree heat has fried my brain more than usual.  I'm definitely gonna need to take it easy this weekend.

It hasn't even been summer for a full 30 days, but it feels like it'll be over as soon as I really get to enjoy it.

The good thing about it still being summer, is the traveling Greg and I will be doing, and hopefully that'll include a couple of trips to the beach.

Also, I'll be completing the intro/theme song for Velma, launching episode 1, prepping for episode 2, and getting new headshots in a couple of weeks.

I figured out a way to not stress during my career journey:  I eliminated my self-imposed deadlines, and am doing everything I've wanted to accomplish and achieve at an even pace.  I feel more focused, disciplined, and clear-headed.  Nothing rushed, nothing half-assed or mediocre.  I'm keeping everything high- and professional-quality.  And if that means taking more time to get things right and/or at top form, then so be it.  I know the end result is gonna be spectacular, and definitely something I can be proud of, e.g., my music, Velma, my package/portfolio, etc.  I'm going at this full force, and there is no room for crap or half-assedness.

Hm, I think my coffee just kicked in...

What's going on now & What's coming up:

• Rough cut of Velma
• Fine tuning the Velma intro and theme song
• Velma trailers
• New headshots by Lauren Toub of LTShots Photography
• Upcoming performances with Fighting Laughter Warrior at Dark Horse and Legion Bar
• Launch of Why I Love Brooklyn radio podcast with my husband Gregory Malcolm

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 :-)

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!

28 Days

February. Black History Month. Valentine's Day.  And some other stuff that happens along the way.

This has been a pretty "quiet" month for my husband and I.  It definitely hasn't been dull.  With our two wacky personalities, there will never be a dull moment in our household.  Anyhoozle.  With the flu bug that's been going around, energy levels have been kinda low.  I haven't really had the energy to attack the city as I normally would have.  For the sake of my health, I passed up a few networking and FW party invites, but I definitely know it was a wise decision in the long run.  I just looked at my calender for next month, and I have something booked almost every other day:  rehearsals, meetings, classes, auditions, performances.  This month's "down-time" is so I can be fully energized for next month, 'cause I'm definitely gonna need it.

I did a short temp gig this week, and am grateful for the extra cash.  Between Valentine's Day and our friends' wedding this week, my husband and I shelled out cash like we were millionaires already.  Shoot, no regrets though.  We had a blast, and it was well worth it.  Love period is worth it.  Even though we're not millionaires (yet), we got together with our friends and partied all day and night on Tuesday to celebrate our other friends' wedding like none of us had jobs or a care in the world. It's funny, 'cause we really didn't.  You get twenty-something folks in their 20s and 30s to take over a restaurant in Tribeca in the middle of the day on a Tuesday, you know it's something special.

There's something truly mind-blowing when you reach a certain age and all your past hang-ups, worries, anxieties, and fears either seem really, really small or nonexistent.  When I compare this time of my life to my college years, I think "Jeez, how nerve-wrecking that was!"  Yeah, I had a blast, but I don't want to go thru those times and feelings again.

I sometimes get impatient and think, "Aargh, why is everything moving so slow?" or "If I push myself to do XYZ, things will be different."  But then something will click and I think, "Nope, everything is happening the way it's supposed to."  I have to remind myself that other peoples' journeys are not my own, that other peoples' paths to their own "success" is different than mine.  What is meant for me is bigger and better than what I can imagine for myself, and that everything will happen in its own time.  I have my Vision Board.  I use The Law of Attraction.  I'm all about Creative Visualization.  I'm not gonna lie though, I often wonder "What's next?  What surprises are out there waiting for me?"

When I get out into the giant bubble of stardom and fame, when I'm out there on the stage or the big screen, what stories do I want to tell? What's my iconic moment?  What will be my most memorable performance?  Who will my audience be?  How will they see me?  How do I want to be seen?  These are some deep questions, and I know those answers and moments have yet to come.  In the meantime,  I will enjoy this "quiet" time, and bask in the joy and love from my hubby and friends, and in the knowledge that these are the best years, and they only get better.

I Survived The Mayan Apocalypse, And All I Got Was This Stupid T-Shirt

On December 21, 2012, I started my vacation in Detroit and Chicago.  On December 22, 2012, we were still in Detroit. Now either the world didn't come to an end, or we're all just ghosts in purgatory. Granted, the notion of the latter would be pretty interesting, I'd have to believe that it's more fathomable that the former is true.

Fast forward past a cold and snowy Xmas in Detroit, and a cold and windy New Year's in Chicago, and we were happy to be back in a not-so-cold brand new year in NYC. I enjoyed the vacation time, but I couldn't wait to get back to work:  Networking, Networking, Networking, Writing, Producing, Rehearsing, and Auditioning. 

Fighting Laughter Warrior had two great performances.  We had the first at the Legion Bar, and the second at The Producer's Club, which we recorded live as a potential pilot to shop around to producers.  Both shows were filled to capacity, and we now have even more fans. :-)

The Sundance Film Festival was in the middle of January, and even though I couldn't make it this year, I was happy to attend my friend Guy Shahar's bi-coastal Pre-Sundance party.  I had a great time as usual, and made some awesome new connections.  I used to be skeptical about going to the festival, but Guy said not being in a production that's in the festival shouldn't deter me from going. Networking, networking, networking is key.  And I know if I want to move forward in my career, not only as an actress, but as a writer and producer as well, I know I have to network my butt off, and build strong working relationships.

This year started out great:  I got my website up and running, my reel is finally done, and I finally got my foot in the door to meet and workshop with the cds from network tv. Also, today, I got producer Fotene Trigonis  to come on board to help me out with the Velma project. 

February 4th, and life is good.  Greg and I got and survived the flu. I've dropped 10 lbs, not only from that, but also cause I cut wheat out of my diet. We decided to make some lifestyle changes, to live a more happy, healthy and abundant life. 2013 is our year.

I'm excited about this month's performances, events and workshops.  I'm happy to move forward with the Velma project, I'm happy to be performing with Fighting Laughter Warrior, I'm happy to be working again with Phyllis Yvonne and Timothy Stickney, I'm happy that everything I've ever wanted is coming to fruition. It's only Februrary 4th; I'm excited about what the rest of the year will bring. :-)

60 degrees in December

Ok, definitely no complaints about the weather here. Although, it is a bit scary for it to be 60 degrees, with winter just around the corner.

Despite what's going on outside, it definitely feels like spring in regards to my career goals & dreams.

I've been back in NYC for 6 1/2 years, and I can't believe I hadn't learned before what I've learned in the past few months.  Man, if I had known then what I know now -- Woo!  Total cliche', I know. And I also know nothing happens before it's time.  Maybe it's an extra boost of confidence and determination that wasn't there before.  Whatever it is, it's got me on fire.  I have 3 steps to complete before getting to the next level.  I know there's quite a few actors who don't realize the work they must do on their own outside of their agents and managers.  I also know some actors who don't feel that they must invest in their career.  I heard an actor say they weren't gonna pay to see any agents, managers or casting directors, and that all the workshops, classes and seminars were scams.  Just how some actors need "day jobs" to supplement their income, agents, managers and casting directors teach classes, workshops, and seminars to supplement theirs.  After doing a LOT of research, I learned it takes more than just having a headshot, resume, website and reel, it also takes one-on-one, face-to-face time to build strong working relationships.  Make yourself known.  Let people see the real you.  If you're likable and pleasant to work with, you'll have a good chance of getting cast.

I had some awesome meetings last week.  I met with Josselyne Herman-Saccio and Emily Gipson of JHA Management, and David Bellantoni (Beth Melsky Casting), Erica Palgon (Erica Palgon Casting & Beyond) and Scott Wojcik (Wojcik/Seay Casting) at the Diversity Fest at The Network NYC.

I was terribly nervous when I met with Josselyne and Emily, and I'm sure it was pretty obvious. They asked me questions, and I asked them questions, and I left the meeting knowing that I was on the right track, but still had quite a bit of work to do.

One of the things that stuck with me that Josselyne said was, "less is more". I have all the links to all the sites I'm on in my email signature, on my business cards, and on my postcards.  All I need is a one-stop shop for people to go to if they want to learn anything about me.  Thanks to Uncle Scottie to telling me about http://about.me.com. It's a one-page website where I can link to my pics, videos, resume and other sites, until I get my full website going, which of course I can't wait to do.

I FINALLY found the last piece of footage I was searching for to add to my reel. After months of going crazy trying to figure out what happened to it, I found the DVD while looking for something else all together, wedged in between two DVDs on our shelf with all the others. Well, everything does happen for a reason.

Another thing I learned from Josselyne and Emily was to increase the number of casting directors in my "roster". In the past, I've heard some people say just focus on 5. Josselyne said I need to know 10-12. I'm half way there.  She said if TV is my goal, then I need to get in front of the heads of networks, and make them part of my fanbase.  And of course, I need to build my credits. I want to get into comedy, but most of the comedies are out in LA. Since I don't want to go out to LA just yet, I need to focus on getting in front of the casting directors out here, build the relationships, build my credits, and then go out there when I have to. The first network CD I'll be meeting with is Janet Murphy-Butler at The Network NYC on the 8th.

I'll just continue my course on this track, and they'll be no place else to go from here, but up. :-)

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!