I’ve been trying to keep people updated via my Facebook statuses…unfortunately, certain people only catch certain updates, and some not at all. I wanted to hold off on writing a new blog, but…ah, who cares? I’m excited!

(Lots of links in here, for your learning pleasure!   )

This is what’s going on:

I have accepted a role in Tangra Productions’ short film The Here Between, based on Ambrose Bierce’s  “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” The film will be set in the 1930s, though my particular costume (as the town…err…girl-for-hire) is more flapper-esque.   It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re rehearsing Saturday and Sunday, though I may not make Saturday’s, and we film the last weekend of August.

The weekend after that, I shoot my scenes for The Highwayman, based on the poem by Alfred Noyes. (These literature interpretations are right up my alley!) I’m not positive when filming will wrap, as they’re still trying to get enough funding. This is how non-Hollywood movies are done, folks. Not a lot of money…so it takes a while to get them completed!

I’m about 99% sure I didn’t get the nurse role (mentioned in my previous blogs), but a friend of mine did get the football player: watch out for Tre Mosby, folks! When you see ads for a movie called The Frankenstein Brothers, remember Tre!

Now, onto the really exciting stuff!

As you know, I’m up for the lead in a Punjabi film entitled The Sixth River, being filmed on location in the Punjab region of India. This is an incredible opportunity for me–I just can’t tell you enough how excited I am! I’ve been in touch with Ish amitoj Kaur from Noor Nissan Films.

She called today to let me know that she’s sending the contract for me to peruse tonight, and we’ll be going over that later on. They’ll be flying me to LA this Friday (or possibly San Fran on Wednesday) to meet with everyone. As the filming begins 5 October, they’d like to make a decision as soon as possible. All this does not mean I have the role. It does mean, however, that I’m one step closer. And this is probably the biggest turning point in my career.

I know it’s hard for “civilians” to understand this world. But even if I don’t get this role, this is still HUGE for me. It would be for anybody in my position. An unknown actor, constantly trying to put themself out there, struggling to prove that they’ve got the goods. Finally someone’s willing to take a chance! And if they don’t, I’ll at least know that by golly, people like me! It’s a big deal, and I’m not going to let people tell me it’s not.

This isn’t Bollywood, though there will be some songs and a couple dances. Take a look at Rang De Basanti (or here) to get a better idea. Our story is about an American girl who goes to India, working on her book and visiting an old college chum. And then some other stuff happens. What? You want me to give it away?! Heck, no–go buy a ticket when it comes out! 

And as if all this wasn’t exciting enough, I just got news yesterday that a British production company with access to IFC funding options is interested in producing my short Irish film. To that, all I can say is:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funding? Wouldn’t that be nice?! Funding means it’ll be that much easier to get Cillian Murphy attached, which in turn means I might get even more funding! Which means…I can film in Ireland, rather than finding someplace in Colorado that sort of looks like Galway. It means I don’t have to stress too much about costumes from 1691, and what’s in the cottage, and whose cameras and lighting I need to borrow. With Cilly, it would also mean the biggest stressor disappears: the casting of Boy. There’s no one else for this role. Sorry, but there isn’t. (Plus, when I actually meet him, I can then officially start calling us Chrillian.)

Tee-hee.  Hey, you don’t really expect me to change with success, do you? Once a dork, always a dork!

And I just thought of something!  I might be able to help my friend Patrick Monaghan with his film, The Scattering. You may remember I dedicated a whole blog to it a few months back…? Maybe not. Anyway, if I’m in touch with the IFC in some way, shape, or form…maybe that’ll help Patrick.

I always believe in helping others out. Not necessarily giving them things, you know? But giving them the opportunity. When I’m big and famous, I’ll be helping friends or family out, sure.  But only by helping them get their foot in the door. After that, they have to prove themselves.

That’s all I want for me. Getting through the door is the hardest part. Showing people I’ve got what it takes? No problem–but you have to find a way to show them! Ugh.

I still haven’t written my short! It’s been a little hectic around here. That doesn’t look like it’ll be changing anytime soon. But…it kind of looks–and I hesitate to say this for fear of jinxing it!–like I might be able to quit the survival job within the next 6 months.

Knock on wood, good juju, good energy, light a candle, say a prayer, whatever it is you do: do it!

I’m hoping this next blog will have even better news. Until then–

Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally…golly, what a day.

Share on Facebook