I was asked by Julie Crane, the Denver SAG rep, to write a piece for the newsletter on the process of becoming a SAG series under their New Media contract. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone–update my blog with the piece I wrote for Julie! (Why do I have to kill the birds? Why can’t I just feed them with one crumb, or something less violent?)

So, here ’tis:

When I decided to create a web series, it was mostly to keep myself working on my craft. In smaller markets like Denver, we don’t get quite as many opportunities as we might elsewhere. I’m a short redhead—and no one seems to be needing those ’round these here parts!

As I started looking into the process of making a web series, I discovered that my little project could become a SAG signatory, thus raising the level of production, acting, crew, and maybe even our status in the eyes of those who listen to my occasional babblings.

SAG? Yes, please! Maybe this could be what helps me become SAG eligible! (I was right about that!) So off I went, dragging my friend Jazz Copeland (Jazzy K Productions) along for the ride.

And what a ride it was! First stop: turning in the Preliminary Info Sheet. Okay, that was a breeze to fill out and fax back. We turned it in well before the week before starting production, which is what SAG asks for. Excellent! Now what?

Well, we waited. And waited…and waited. (Reminder to self: pick up the phone to check on the status next time.) But finally we heard back from SAG, and were given our very own New Media Rep, Maria. Marvelous, Magnificent Maria. She let us know we were approved to begin the next step!

Maria emailed us the paperwork needed, which included production company documents (this can also be done by individuals), a pre-production cast list, and a line item budget.

Uh…okay. Part One: just fill out what it says! Great, done. Part Two…same. I needed each actor’s name, social security number, and agent info for this list. Part Three: Budget? We don’t have a budget! I’ll admit I started freaking out at this point. What if I put down a number, but I can’t pay anyone? What if I just put “zero?” Will they reject our application?

With New Media contracts, there are no minimums and pay is negotiable. This is both good and bad. Good for self-producers like me, with no money and no rich uncles. Bad for actors (also like me!), because we could technically work for very little pay, though the work involved is no different than any other project.

I ended up putting down what I hoped to be able to pay at some point, which is Ultra Low SAG scale. The actors all understand that we cannot pay this upfront, but that they will be paid.

Someday.

At any rate (or no rate, as the case may be!), we sent those back to Maria and we eventually got our SAG Contract Packet in the mail. You’ll have to forgive me—I’m pretty foggy on the dates—I can’t remember how long we waited for each packet. It was a while—so fair warning: when they say start it a week before production, you might want to make that two months.

Back to our packet: Oh, happy day! We’ll sign a few papers, send them back, and find out we are now a SAG production!!! Jazz and I got together with our notebooks and our pens, all ready to sign and send. Aaaaand then we went through that packet. At that point all I wanted was a hookah, so I could create a huge question mark in the air, a la Lewis Carroll’s Caterpillar.

What did this packet include? Here’s the rundown:

1. New Signatories Instruction Sheet
2. NM BG Actor
3. NM Performer
4. Exhibit G – Time Sheet
5. Final Cast List
6. P&H Waiver of Ownership Interest
7. Pension & Health Adherence Letter
8. Taft Hartley-Principal
9. New Media Information Sheet
10. New Media Transfer of Rights
11. New Media P&H Weekly Contribution Report
12. Signed AMPTP Agreement w-Rate Sheet
13. New Media Agreement
14. SAG Logo
15. Taft-Hartley form

WOW.

Thank goodness for that instruction sheet, which included a Step 1, 2, and 3 to help us fill everything out. We still had questions on a few things, but Maria was always very helpful and fun to work with. A lot of this was Fun Bedtime Reading (I’m looking at you, AMPTP Agreement Tome), but we managed to get everything signed and filled out—and sent back to Maria.

And in another week or so, we got the Big News. We were now officially a SAG production! Despite all the paperwork, and the amount of time between sending in our Preliminary Info sheet and actually getting approved, it was a pretty easy, straightforward process. The reps in the New Media department are there to help you every step of the way.

Next up: Turning in the Taft-Hartley forms for our non-union actors!

New Media projects are a fantastic—and legitimate–way for actors in small markets to continue working. We all know Denver gets dry spells on occasion, but this is a way to not let that affect you anymore. No one’s casting me? Okay, fine. I’m going to write my own projects, produce them with some talented friends, negotiate with local businesses, and pitch the series to various websites! I’ve got Mr. Blue Bird on my shoulder, folks, and he’s singing along with me!

We’re still in pre-production at the moment. Because of the level of talent we have, we’re aiming high on this series, so we have to be the absolute best we can be! The support from the Denver community has been amazing, and we can’t wait for those cameras to start rolling!

Now…how to get my Irish short produced, with Cillian Murphy attached (playing opposite me, naturally)? Hmmm… stay tuned. That just may be my next article.

For more information on the SAG New Media process, you can go to: www.sag.org/new-media-contracts



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First thing’s first: No callback. That’s okay. “Move on dot org,” as my mom would say. I also had to turn down an audition Friday, as it films during job training. Unfortunate, but the reason I have the job is to get to LA, not to be successful in small commercials in a small market. I will do as much as I can here, and make it work as much as I can–and I’m not poo-pooing anything in the Denver market, not at all. But…oh, you know what I mean!

On to Laci!!!

So if you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you know I’ve started a webseries loosely based on a modern Ricky and Lucy. We have a disclaimer from CBS and had originally planned to keep the same first names, but we decided it would be better to change them entirely.  It’s called  i <3 lac;)   (I Heart Laci, in text-ese.)

Last week I attended the monthly CASA Mass Focus meeting, where I was able to fill people in a bit on what we’ve been doing…and for the first time after an industry meeting, people were waiting to talk to me. Normally, I’m always waiting in line to talk to other people…this is all very exciting for me! It’s the little things, you know.

Anyway, after speaking to a few people, we now have a PR/Marketing guru, so I don’t have to stress about that anymore! *whew* I had ideas to get us out there, and things we should do, but it’s so much easier having someone who does this for a living…knows what will work and what won’t. And one less thing for me to worry about. Now I can focus on other things!

We also have a script guru! We were writing them ourselves…maybe one of us would write a rough draft, and the rest would make suggestions. But we’re all busy and trying to get even just the second script written was difficult. So Kevin was a gift from heaven! (Oh, that rhymed!)

Our first meeting with the both of them was today, and we’ve squared a few things away, worked more on our characters and what we’re hoping for the series…Kevin’s going to pitch 10 or so ideas for a couple of episodes, and we’ll choose one (hopefully two) to film next Saturday.  And just keep on goin’!

There’s also a lady on a local PBS program who would like to get us on…which would be fantastic! Hey! I’ll be on PBS! That’s *close* to BBC, right?

So…things have been going slowly for a while. We’ve hit a couple bumps–had to re-cast our Ricky (now Richie)–schedules are tough–etc. But we are on a roll now!

We’ve generated so much interest so far, and we don’t even have anything up yet! We’ve got high hopes for our little series. Originally, it was going to be for fun, and something to get us SAG eligible. But it’s turned into something bigger than that and I can’t wiat to see where this goes! I won’t tell you what I’m hoping…once we get our website started, we’ll keep everyone updated on what’s going on. So you’ll just have to stay tuned, I guess!

We’re going to be scheduling a photo shoot soon, which I’m excited about. A proper photo shoot!!!! For something that I created! This was a little idea in my brain, and now I have a cast, and a crew…and not just any cast and crew, either. Everyone is so dedicated and helpful–the cast is all experienced and professional (you have no idea how much easier that makes everything!). The crew knows exactly where to go and what to do.

And something else awesome about our cast? Multi-ethnic. Very proud of that.

Now I need to think about a short little jingle to be the theme song. Anyone wanna write something for me to sing?

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Yikes! Haven’t written in a bit, have I? Shame, shame, shame…

Well, let’s hop right into it!

I’ve changed agents to Radical Artists. It was a tough decision. I love the folks at Eden Talent, but the very reason I chose them was the reason I also had to leave! I was with another big agency in town, as well as with Eden. The other agency told me I had to choose. At the time, I wasn’t one of the other agency’s favourites, so I wasn’t going out on auditions a lot. Eden is smaller and more of a boutique agency, and I knew they believed in me. They’re fantastic! I have no complaints! But sometimes you have to make a move for your career that isn’t easy, but is necessary.

I’ve already been on more auditions with them than I did all of last year! I know I made the right decision for this stage in my career.

We’re set to film our second webisode of i <3 luc;) this coming Sunday. I’m really looking forward to that! We have a new Ricky–so we’ll consider our first ep as “practice” and put it up sometime later. WE’ve got a great cast, we’re all helping the project, so it’s not down to just one or two people’s responsibility. A huge relief–I can’t tell you how many projects ( film or otherwise) I’ve had to take over. Stressful.

I’ve accepted a role as an 8000-year-old Paladin in EYE OF NOOR. I can’t say a whole lot about it at this point, as I’ve signed an NDA. But I’m practicing with swords and fighting–and hopefully I’ll look great as I kick some vampire arse!

My Oscar party is on the 7th–very much looking forward to that! Although this year I have to come up with TEN dishes named for the Best Pic nominees. Ugh. Five was hard enough, sometimes. Well, at least there won’t be a lack of food and drink.

I’m sure I have more to discuss…but I’m trying to keep to a schedule these days–and I’m WAY off today. (Not that this is unusual! But I have to at least pretend to try…)

Toodles!

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(Do you like the new page? Less boring, huh? And I got the RSS subscription button to work–so now you can subscribe for reals!)

In case you missed it the first thousand times I said it 12 months ago, I proclaimed near and far that 2009 was going to be MY YEAR.

Near and Far! Grover is Near and Far (<–Something my brother and sister and I laugh at all the time.)

And it was my year. Until 2010, that is! But we’ll get to 2010 in a bit…first, let’s talk 2009!

It started off promising, with more auditions than I’d usually gotten. Call-backs and workshops and more training! I accepted a couple roles in some short films, for no pay, as usual. Toward the middle of the year, I decided I wouldn’t work for free anymore, unless I really liked the project. I’m done padding my resume and am ready for juicy, meaty roles that satisfy my soul as well as the bill collectors!

One such project that I really liked was THE HERE BETWEEN, a short based on a short story by Ambrose Bierce (“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”). I’d loved the story as a teenager, and Ilian Iliev adapted it for a short, putting it in the early 1920s and adding a few characters. It was filmed in Bailey, CO over a weekend in August. I hesitate to say I had a blast with it, because it was a serious subject matter…but, as with every project, I did have fun. It’s a powerful piece, and I look forward to seeing the finished product. I know they’re still in post-production now, but plan on making the rounds of the festival circuit in 2010. I have a feeling it will do very well, so I look forward to keeping you guys updated!

Here is a small album of some of my gigs this year. I haven’t gone crazy and put hundreds up there, like other albums, so don’t worry!

THE HIGHWAYMAN finally started production this year, as well. As you know, my part is very small…I play The Highwayman’s grandmother in flashbacks–I’ll be surprised if my total screen time when completed is 5 minutes! Darlene Cypser (writer/producer) has added a backstory to  Alfred Noyes’s famous poem of the same name (I am SO in my element with literary adaptations! Loving it!), and that’s where my character (Lady Catherine Stiles) comes in. Her adaptation is fantastic, and she’s put together a wonderful cast! We’re still filming–also still seeking locations!–but hoping for a 2010 release date.

The biggest news of the year, though, was getting the lead female role in CHHEVAN DARIYA (THE SIXTH RIVER), filmed in Punjab, India!!! If you’ve been a faithful reader of my blog–ahem!–you’ll know all about it. It was definitely the highlight of 2009–as well as my career to date.

I am so blessed to have been a part of this.

What can I say, really? I spent two months in India doing two of the things I love most in this world–acting and traveling! I played an American researcher writing a book on the various states of India. When she gets to Punjab (Land of Five Rivers), she realized there is also a sixth river–to her, it’s the people and the culture…but in reality it’s the drugs and alcohol poisoning the land. There action, intrigue, romance…and yes, there’s also a dance number!

I have my own forum now on Punjabi Portal–how crazy! I love it!!! But it’s so weird, too…about as weird as seeing my picture blown up on a huge poster for the movie.

They’re still in post, but last I heard they’re planning on releasing it in India in February/March-ish. Ish Amitoj Kaur (the director/writer/producer) and I also hope to submit it to a lot of major western film fests. If that’s the case, I don’t know when it would be released in the western world. It may be another year before you’re able to see it…that’s just how this business works.

So now what am I up to?

Well, I no longer have a “survival job,” much to my husband’s chagrin. I’m considering it a blessing in disguise. No, I’m not making money at the moment, but I finally have time to get other projects started. And here are my plans for 2010:

1) I’m starting a new webseries loosely based on a modern-day Ricky and Lucy. We film our first webisode in three days! I’ll post them here when each webisode is finished…as well as You Tube, Facebook, etc! I may start co-producing at some point, if I ever start a production company!

2) You may remember me talking about WILD GEESE, the short film I was wanting to write. I still hope to do that! India sort of interrupted that project–a good interruption, mind you! But I have to make my brain go back to that place…find out what research I’d done and get back into the groove of 1691 western Ireland. And yes, I still plan on writing it in Irish…and YES, I still hope to get Cillian Murphy attached!  Somehow.  Someday.  Some way. Can’t you just picture it?

(Only, looking more Irish and less Dutch.)

3) I started a novel in the summer of 2008, putting it down that December because life got so hectic with work and travel, etc. I never picked it up again, unfortunately. I recently did, though, getting re-acquainted with all my old friends. I had such Good Things in store for them–I’d hate for them not to experience everything! So I must trudge forward and get it finished this year! (I even knew what was going to happen in the sequel…!) I kind of left Plum and Henry, et al, stranded in the middle of a story. That wasn’t very nice of me.

4) I hope to complete an album this year, too. Such lofty goals and ambitions! But why not?! Why can’t I dream big? It’s my world, after all…I can do whatever I want. I’ve never written songs…always said I couldn’t do it. But I never tried, either. I think it would be best to start co-writing some…and I have so many talented friends and family that I’m hoping can help. I’ve created a new playlist  called The Muse–with artists I love and hope will inspire some good songs out of me! (Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Feist, Amy Winehouse, Muse, Jason Mraz, Simon and Garfunkel, etc. I also included Dead Can Dance’s \”Summoning of the Muse.\” Seemed rather apropos.)

5) Get cast as Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s THE GREAT GATSBY.

And so there you have it. Of course, there are lots of little things I hope to accomplish through the year, but these are the biggun’s.

Please click on the piece of toast on the right to suscribe to the RSS feed! That way you’ll be able to stay “in the know” with all my goings-on. Hopefully my posts will get more and more exciting as time goes by!

Until then…it’s well past lunchtime and I have a dog who wants to go play in the snow.

Here’s to a fabulous 2010 for all of us!

Tell me where…
Where is it written
what is it I’m meant to be?
That I can’t dare…
It all began the day I found
that from my window I could only see
apiece of sky.
I stepped outside and looked around.
I never dreamed it was so wide
or even half as high.
The time had come
(–Papa, can you hear me?–)
to try my wings
(–Papa, are you near me?–)
And even thought it seemed at any moment I could fall,
I felt the most
(–Papa, can you see me?–)
amazing things!
(–Can you understand me?–)
The things you can’t imagine
if you’ve never flown at all.
Though it’s safer to stay on the ground,
sometimes where danger lies
there the sweetest of pleasures are found.
No matter where I go,
there’ll be memories that tug at my sleeve.
But there will also be
more to question, yet more to believe..
Oh, tell me where?
Where is the someone who will turn to look at me
and want to share
my ev’ry sweet-imagined possibility?
The more I live, the more I learn.
The more I learn, the more I realize
the less I know.
Each step I take -
(–Papa, I’ve a voice now!–) Each page I turn -
(–Papa, I’ve a choice now!–)Each mile I travel only means
The more I have to go.
What’s wrong with wanting more?
If you can fly – then soar!
With all there is – why settle for
just a piece of sky?
Papa, I can hear you…
Papa, I can see you…
Papa, I can feel you…
Papa, watch me fly!

~ “A Piece of Sky,” from Yentl.

A Piece of Sky- amazing.   (Click here!)

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Namaste!

(Okay. So no video right now. It’s too big, so I’m going to split it in two sections and then post.   )

(Okay. So. Probably no video or pics at all. The download time is incredibly slow. I may have to do it when I get home! Or send Andy home with some of it, but he only gets back a couple weeks before I do. *sigh* We’ll see!)

So this is Day…uh…3? Of being in India. I’ve been picking up Hindi and Punjabi words and phrases here and there. I’ll be an expert in two months! Que paso in Punjabi means “What will you wear?” Of course, they spell it differently. Just don’t ask me how.

I am currently sitting in my hotel room in Ludhiana, Punjab…but the first few days were in Mumbai at the YWCA. I explain a lot more in my video blog, so I’m going to try not to repeat myself.

Manpreet just called—we’re going to sip some tea and go over our scripts. He’s playing Fateh, my college chum. Toodles for now!

4^th October, 2009

Anyway…So here I am. Still at the Ginger Hotel in Ludhiana. We’ll be moving to another hotel this evening, I believe. But I’m really clueless as to what’s supposed to be going on. We had breakfast this morning, and other than costume measurements, I’ve had a lot of time to myself. So I was able to get my first video blog edited (kind of) and saved. Yay!

Slept okay last night. There were power outages ALL the time…and in the early morning, they were about 30 minutes apart. Laptop is fine. It’s just annoying when it happens, because it pops the switches and fuses, so it’s loud. Hopefully our next place won’t have as many, but I’m not betting on that.

I was watching some Indian TV, but as I flipped through the channels, I came across Yentl! And I think you’ll all agree that one just doesn’t pass up Yentl, no matter where you are.

It was kind of funny, because on the flight over, I’d decided “A Piece of Sky” was my theme song, and I listened to it several times.

Lakhwinder hasn’t arrived yet. When he does, the four of us (me, Manpreet, Lakhwinder, and Pami—who plays Lakhwinder’s mother) will start rehearsing. Manpreet actually plays an American-born Sikh Indian, so we’ve been working a bit on phrases and sayings and such. Completely forgot to work on the American accent last night, though. He doesn’t have much in English, but it’ll be very obvious that he’s not American! So we’ll work on that, too.

By the way, do any of you Pennsylvanians know of certain words/phrases/slang that are used in the Philly area? Fateh and Carrie are from that area, so I’d like to incorporate some of it into our speech. No one will notice…but I will. Call me method.

I’m not, really. Well, okay…a bit.

Yesterday I woke up just before 3 so we could get to the airport. Our flight was to leave at 6.15, but there was some mix-up with the flights, and we ended up taking the 10.25 flight (which got delayed an hour). Since we were there so early, the three of us checked in our luggage—boy, did that take a while! And then we escaped the airport and took an auto to Juhu Beach. I took several pictures of this…tried to capture what it was like.

The thing that amazed me so much were the amount of people sleeping on the streets on Mumbai. So many, and the beach was no exception.

I had my first coconut water—straight from the coconut—and then they chop it up inside so you can eat the coconut. Didn’t taste at all like coconut. It was really good, but a completely different flavour than what I was expecting.

There was a huge bull just standing there, too. So naturally I took a picture. They took one of me, but wouldn’t let me touch it. So that picture is of me trying to pet it.

I have many rules I must obey, given by Ish:

I am forbidden to wander outside alone.

No fried foods.

No water, except bottled. (And all the guides say this, too. They say to brush your teeth with bottled water, and not to swallow any water from the shower, too…or much like Charlotte, you’ll Poughkeepsie in your pants. I brush my teeth with tap water, though.)

No fruit unless peeled.

No fruit drinks.

Basically, no liquids of any kind except bottled water. Or tea, since it’s been boiled.

No dairy.

(She wants me to take baby steps so I don’t get Delhi Belly. So far, so good.)

No food unless cooked very well.

No petting of the animals. At all. No exceptions!

I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting.

Oh, when we landed in Chandigarh, there was a whole slew of photographers. Alas, they were not waiting for us. I have no clue what bigwig flew in, but it wasn’t us. THIS time!

Later that evening:

New rule! I must speak very, very slowly when speaking with Lakhwinder. And we have to stay several feet away from each other! He’s sick and Ish is worried about my immune system. I gave him some Emergen-C, and I’m drinking it, as well.

He seems very nice. He has “people.” We happened upon him in the lobby, so we made introductions. After that, a group of guys asked for pictures and autographs…too funny. His first movie was just released a day or two ago…very cool!

Manpreet is getting known, as well! He’s getting a Punjabi Film Award for Best Debut. He and I walked to the Big Bazaar (which is like the GB for those who know, or a mini-CostCo) and several people stopped to talk to him. One guy kept coming back…for his cell number, which Manpreet declined to give, but then offered his email address! And then the guy left, and came back for an autograph. It was pretty cool to me, but you could tell he was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing.

Must be surreal. I’ll let you know how it feels when it starts happening to me!

After the Big Bazaar, we walked to a small town nearby to visit a gurudwara, which is the Sikh church/temple. That was neat to go to…I even went barefoot and didn’t feel that my feet got dirty! I was worried because I didn’t have a scarf to cover my head, but Manpreet told me they have some there. And they did.

Tomorrow we move to the other hotel room. I’m really hoping for wifi. Or a cyber cafe near by. Something! I think I;m going to give in and pay for wifi here. It’s 1.6 rupees a minute, so…good thing I’m pre-writing this blog! 1 rupee is actually incredibly cheap ($1 = 46 rupees), but I know me. I can spend some time on the internet! So I’ll do what I need to do and get off. It’s 8.30 AM back home…I’ll try calling Andy through Skype, but I can guarantee he’s still in bed!

I read through what I wrote above…it’s all over the place, haan? (See? I’m trying to incorporate Punjabi into my everyday speech!)

Okay…signing off for now.

Love to all!

5 Oct 09

Okay, I’m back. No internet yet. But I’m almost positive I will tomorrow. Just need rupees—I still haven’t changed my moolah! Someone was going to do it for me (one of the crew), but I need to be there, apparently.

Tell you what: I can get used to this lifestyle. I like being taken care of. I have a driver…my meals are taken care of…there’s a gym down the hall which I even used! Not too shabby.

We’re still at the Ginger hotel. We moved today to the Chevron closer to town, but turned right back around. I guess Ginger gave them a good deal. It’s a nicer hotel…I don’t care either way—I was just glad to unpack!

Lakhwinder and I were able to spend some time alone together. He thinks his English is bad…but I told him he knows more English than I do Punjabi! (Everyone’s very helpful, by the way. I learn a little bit more each day. But I cannot speak in complete sentences! Just a few. Ki daang, kuker! Don’t know if that’s the right spelling, but it basically means “What’s up, amigo?”)

Anyway…Lakhwinder’s very nice—quite a cutie, too. Right after we wrap, he’s heading to the States for the first time. He has a concert tour in 7-8 cities. I’ll let you know more in case you’re interested in attending! I’d love to go…we’ll see. I’ll be here till the 22^nd, and I don’t think he’s coming anywhere near Denver. But we’ll see!

He’s from Amritsar, where the Golden Temple is. I asked him if he was there in 1984, when there was a big riot and terrorists, etc. He was, but was little…he remembers some, but not much.

People have stopped him, too, for pictures and to chat. He’s very humble and takes it in stride. I find it very cool! I told Manpreet, “I want fans, too!” He assured me I would, and that he was my fan. He’s a lot of fun. I’m glad to have these few days to spend with him, because our characters have known each other for years, and have an almost brother/sister teasing relationship…so we’ve been developing that—quite easily. He’s fun. (And single, gals!)

So…I’m going to have to get used to the times Indians eat. Crazy late! Dinner is more 9-11ish. Dude, that’s bedtime! You can’t go to sleep on a full stomach! So it’s 9.30 now and I am determined to have dinner with everyone tonight. I haven’t been hungry much—I eat mainly because I think I should. But it’s all so good, it’s not like it’s hard to force down!

Let me tell you about driving here. I know I mentioned it in the video, but I can’t properly get across how INSANE it is here. Everything and everybody uses the roads…cars, rickshaws, buggies drawn by horses/mules/people, trucks, buses, cows, bikes, mopeds, whatever. And everyone has the right of way. There are no rules, except maybe “Might Makes Right.”

There are lines painted on the road—I saw them! But no one uses them. It could be a two-lane road, but it’s turned into 5 or 6. Horns are used all the time. From what I’ve noticed, sounding the horn can mean: move, go faster, here I am, I’m turning whether you’re coming or not, I’m annoyed, there’s traffic and I can’t do anything but I’m frustrated, you’re too slow, make a new lane and get outta my way. Basically, it means just about anything. And some people have musical horns and they just constantly lay on them. It’s like a very loud ice cream truck heading down the road. On the backs of trucks, “Blow Horn” is painted.

Those who have driven with me know that I tend to freak out. (I have no depth perception, among other things!) So I’m worse here! The drivers laugh while I’m in the back not-so-quietly freaking out. Imagine the absolute worst driver you know. Worse than me. Now picture everyone driving like that, only ten times worse. And faster. And louder. With cows and bikes! Ay-yi-yi.

Ah! Thursday’s photo shoot! It went well—they straightened my hair…we took some photos and then they decided they didn’t like it straight. (My hair is very fine, so when straightened, it lacks volume.) So we wet it down and got it curly again…and my hair will be curly for the film.

The photo shoot was for the cover of Carrie’s novel. I explain that in my video… I’ve seen the finished picture, all airbrushed and everything. I was so jetlagged, but damn, I look good! Airbrushing is fabulous. Wish all my pics could have it! My make-up was a little orange to me, but not to anyone else. I’m picky, though.

I’m not sure if it’s also the movie poster…we’ll see. That would be so weird—having my big face on a movie poster!

Having a lot of fun, even though I can’t go anywhere alone. I’m looking forward to shopping!

Okay, I’m sleepy. Jetlag has me falling asleep pretty early. Which is good, because we’ll have a lot of early morning shoots. But…dinner is so late! I think I’m going to give in and eat right now. I don’t want to sleep on a full tummy.

Right-i-o. It’s 10.00. I’m eating!

6^th Oct, 2009

I have internet access!!! I’m going to go ahead and load all this up—yay!

Lakhwinder, Manpreet, and I—maybe a few others—will be going to a bigger gurudwara tonight. I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to ask if I can do the ritual stuff, too. I did a little bit last time—they put some sort of food in your right hand and you eat it. I can’t remember what it’s called, though.

Can’t wait to start filming tomorrow! Even though it’s an early call. But that’s what film’s like. Theatre’s the opposite—you stay up all night with everyone and you sleep all day.

Ohhhhhhh!!!!!! I have a bone to pick with you, Sarah Ohh! The second night I was here, I had a funny dream. A bunch of us were back in high school, but at the ages we are now. Cillian Murphy went to this school, too, and I had a huuuuge crush on him. (Probably made up cheers a la Bill, too). Anyway, I was always too shy to talk to him. At some point we had lockers near each other, and I’d only manage to smile at him. So…okay, I’m walking through the halls with some friends when I see him with a girl. But I can’t see who it is, so I ask my friends. They try and distract me and say, “You don’t want to know. Trust me, it’s better you don’t know.” Turns out, Sarah Ohh has taken my crush for herself! How dare you! I kept thinking she was doing it to help me, by getting to know him and talk about me or something. (High school, right? ) But no. She stole him. It made me cry. I don’t think I can forgive you for this, Sarah. Cilly is mine.

All righty, then. It’s probably a good thing for Andy that I can’t even get him in my dreams. I love you, sweetie. (Andy—not Cillian!)

So.

Food = Delicious.

People = Wonderful

Clothing/Linens = GORGEOUS!!! Can’t wait to shop.

Sat Sri Akal!

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Apologies for not writing before now! I feel like I’m swirling constantly…but very slowly, like the lazy river or something!

It still hasn’t hit…not really. Too much to do in my daily life, and getting ready to leave for India, to really stop and think about it.  I got the script this week–managed to put it in a binder and read the character descriptions and  first few pages, but nothing beyond that. This weekend, I’ll be sitting down with my highlighter and a binder for a list of questions that will surely come to mind as I read through it!

I don’t know how familiar you are with Bollywood or Punjabi films, but a lot of times the characters flip back and forth between Hindi (or Punjabi) and English, very fluidly. That’s the way THE SIXTH RIVER  is written.  Mostly in Punjabi…Carrie  speaks in English, occasionally in Punjabi, and understands most of what is said around her. Christa, on the other hand, understands very little Punjabi and is trying to correct that! I’m having a helluva time trying to find a Punjabi phrasebook or something to help me. There’s a few websites with basic, generic phrases…but I’m pretty sure Carrie doesn’t ask where the toilet is.   (Toilet kithay way?)

The filming will take place in and around  Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab. I fly in and out of Mumbai (Bombay), where we’ll rehearse a few days before heading north, as well as settle on costumes, hair, make-up, etc. After we wrap, I’ll have a few days to spend with Andy (who is meeting up with our friend Amit before joining me) and then I’ll head back to Mumbai to (hopefully) get some dubbing in for the film.

Two places I definitely want to visit while up north are the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Wagah border–between Pakistan and India. Every evening there’s a big to-do for the changing of the guard ceremony, and I’d love to see it! Here’s a little more info about both: Golden Temple & Wagah

I’ve got all my vaccinations and medications…haven’t started packing yet, as I’m still wearing some of the things I’ll be packing! I’m trying to keep myself stress-free so I don’t break out too much, but I’ve got some prescriptions to help out with that, too. I’m taking no chances.

I leave on the 29th of September, and come back 23 November. I’m having a bon voyage/break a leg party down in the Springs on the 27th, for those who can make it!

Got some interesting news this week…the gal we’re going to hire to temporarily replace me at work will actually be my permanent replacement.  It was quite a shock to hear that… I’m taking it as a blessing in disguise. The finance world is not where I need to be…it’s not something I enjoy…and it sucks the creativity right out of me! Bob said he’s burning the bridge for me, so I can start my new career. But I have a left-brain hubby–and he’s already got another day job lined up for me when I get back. Potentially. It’s the same thing, for less pay. Can’t wait.

In the meantime!!! I’m still trying to line up gigs for when I get back. I’ve let my agent know that this is it…I’ve got to work, work, work. I think my days of working for free are over–they probably should have been a while ago, but what’s a non-name to do?

Which reminds me, I’ve got to work on my audition for THE OPERATIVE, a UK spy film with Craig Fairbrass and Patricia Velasquez. The casting director is the same gal who does the Bond films–I’ll be seen by a Bond Person!!! Crazy! (Hopefully my accent’s up to snuff!)

Anyway…I’ve written nothing about THE HIGHWAYMAN, as as you can see by my title, that’s what this blog is supposed to be about!

This past weekend was spent filming at the Colorado Governor’s mansion.  You can find some production stills here, at The Highwayman website.

We had a blast–and once again, I got to work with the fabulous Lorraine Altamura, make-up artists/hair guru. She’s wonderful–there’s not much more I can say other than I wish she could follow me around everyday!  I’ve posted some other pics in a Facebook album…enjoy!

We’re shooting for a release date of 2010.  Still working on getting this into IMDb–not an easy feat, apparently!

Right-i-o…I know this didn’t give a whole lot of information, but I’ve really got to spend time with the script this weekend.

Thanks for reading! Cheers.

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WELL. Where do I even begin?

I did it. I landed a lead role in a feature film. We shoot in Punjab, India for two months…I leave in a month, at the end of September!

People keep asking how excited I am, if I’m jumping around all the time.

The answer is “no.” Yes, I’m excited–of course I am! But I haven’t honestly had a chance to sit and think about all of this! I am very aware that this begins a new stage in my life…but I think all the dreaming and wishing and trying and struggling has helped me through the years. It’s happened, just as I always knew it would. Why should I be surprised?

This is all coming out wrong. I don’t mean to say, “Well, naturally I got this part.” I just mean that this success is something I’ve been dreaming about for 25 years. It seems right that it’s happening now.

And maybe it hasn’t happened yet because the universe knew I wasn’t ready. Maybe I’m at a point in my life where I can handle this. Maybe my mind and heart are open to what the universe has for me…?

But this isn’t a blog about spirituality, though that does come in to my acting. More on that…some other time!

What do I say? I figured when this ever happened, I would be jumping up and down and screaming and, as my parents have recently joked on Facebook, taken out an ad to announce it to the world! But I haven’t. I’ve felt quite calm…I am the epitome of West Side Story’s “Cool.”

Here Be The Video!

…only without the ultra-cool Jerome Robbins choreography! Well, okay…when no one’s looking. I’m more A-rab at the end, “POW!”

(And now this song’s stuck in your head. You’re welcome!)

I’ll get back to THE SIXTH RIVER, but first I want to talk about the project I just finished today. The past few weekends have been dedicated to a short film called THE HERE BETWEEN. It’s based on a short story by Ambrose Bierce (An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge). I’d read it years ago, and the story always stuck with me. It’s not one you forget…  The Twilight Zone made an episode about it, and I believe it was on Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Julian Iliev (pronounced eel-ee-en   ee-lee-ev),  kept the basic plot, but changed the storyline, if that makes any sense! I don’t want to give anything away, or take away from the shock and drama of it, but it’s a very powerful piece. I can honestly say this is the best film I’ve done to date.  I played one of the town tarts…it was wonderful to go from tootsie-wootsy-tipsy and partying to bam! This is real. This is happening…this isn’t a fun party in the middle of town, after all.

Here’s a few stills from last week’s rehearsal. It wasn’t on location, and hair and make-up aren’t done. When I get more, I’ll post them.

I don’t know how long they’re going to spend in post, or what their exact plans are (what festivals, etc), but I’ll let you know!

THE HIGHWAYMAN is set to begin filming this coming weekend. I shoot Sunday, which is glorious! It’s a three-day weekend, so I have Saturday and Monday off. In theory. “Off” is sort of a relative term these days, isn’t it?

My time off now includes–on top of regular household chores, etc–finding my character, memorizing my script (which is in English and Punjabi), learning more about Punjab and the Sikh culture, learning beginning Punjabi, lose a few pounds, tone up, get my visa, vaccinations, and malaria pills (it’s like I’m going to Kenya all over again!)…and somewhere in there “get plenty of rest, relax often, remain stress-free,” as the director and her husband have advised me.

I’ll be putting WILD GEESE, my short film, on the back burner for a bit. I can’t say I’m super-upset about it, because I’m putting it aside to be THE LEAD IN A FILM SHOOTING IN INDIA!!!! Not so bad a trade-off. I do have good news about my short film, though. A production company has expressed interest in it. I wrote my first treatment–I’m too tired to explain what that is, so here–and they’ve offered to executive produce. Yay!!! They have access to Irish Film Commission funding, so let’s hope that works out. (What I really hope works out, though, is securing Cillian Murphy!!!)

Here’s a bit about THE SIXTH RIVER:

The word “punjab” means five waters or rivers. Carrie is an American studying all the states of India for her book. When she comes to Punjab, she discovers the sixth river–which to her is its people, culture, and heritage. But in reality, these days it’s more alcohol and drugs. She meets up with an old college friend and through him meets Dev. I don’t want to say too much about it…and I am under contract to not speak about certain details! So I will continue to say, “And then a bunch of other stuff happens.”

This isn’t a Bollywood film, where people break into song and dance…though I would love that!!! There are songs, but more featured in the background. (See Rang de Basanti for an example)  Gulshan Grover will be in it–he’s a pretty big star over there, as you can see by his resume. Over 300 films!!! They just signed a popular sufi singer as Dev, Lakhwinder Wadali.

Here’s his video for “Jaan.”

His website is www.lakhwinderwadali.com, but it’s currently down. His first movie is coming out soon, and that album (his!) was just released today, so I’m thinking that has something to do with it.

I’ve heard a few of the songs for THE SIXTH RIVER, and I love them. One is done by the Wadali Brothers (who I think is Lakhwinder’s father and uncle), and it’s amazing.  When I first heard it I thought it was a prayer. Beautiful. It looks like I’ll be able to sing in one of them, so I’m excited!!!!!!!

Okay, I’m exhausted. I know this probably doesn’t answer all your questions, but it’s a start, right?

Everything changes now.

Don’t think I’m not thrilled about that!

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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.

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Dia dhuit!

Quite a bit has happened in the past couple of weeks–pretty exciting! I had two film auditions last week, and was asked to do a table read for two scripts. We had “rehearsals” last week, and this week we’re reading in front of an audience.

This is more for the writers. They finish a draft and want to hear it read out loud by someone other than themselves! So there are a handful of us doing it. There really wasn’t a part for me, so I’m the “narrator,” which basically means I read all the action, narration, camera shots, etc. I didn’t think I’d be reading much, but I read the ENTIRE TIME! I love it.

Yesterday’s was what I call a Greenpeace meets Mission Impossible script, and tonight is a comedy action-type script with vampires and demons. Very cool. And funny as heck!

I have to go in to the agency tomorrow to get pictures taken of my hands! They’re submitting me for hand modeling. Woo-hoo! I’ll be like George Costanza and wear gloves all over the place now.

I’ve submitted myself for a web series, and a female lead for a film being shot in India next month. (Oh, I would LOVE that!)  I try to keep my eyes and ears open for gigs–let me know if you hear of anything!

OH! Gary is trying to win a contest–he’ll use the money to make a kick-ass film. And, naturally, I’d be in it! So–could you vote for him?!

http://www.hiremytvad.com/video-detail.php?videoID=-R59M3VQztE

The good thing is, it’s pretty darn funny.

I’m still plodding forward on my shorts. I’ve decided to concentrate on the Irish one first, since that will take more time and resources. You’d think I’d want to start off with an easier one, right? But this one is talking to me, and I have to get it out. It’ll be in Irish, and it’s a little controversial…but I’ll write it in such a way that lets the audience decided for themselves which is which. Doesn’t make any sense, what I just said, but I’m not divulging the story for others to steal!

I’d originally thought of this as a feature–actually, all the shorts I’m thinking of started that way. But in the role of Boy had to be Cillian Murphy.  Of course. Roll your eyes all you want, but once you know the story, you’ll agree! There’s no one else for this role.  It’s going to be a very quiet film, not a whole lot of dialogue. The roles are Boy, Girl, Baby, and Man.  And in the 17th century. (Don’t ask me how I plan on filming this! It will get done! It is written, and so it is!)

I talked to my agent about trying to get Mr. Murphy, and he gave me some really good ideas. I think the story is such that it will attract his “people” enough to get it to him, and if I have a letter of intent, I can get funding.

Am I holding my breath?

No…I’d like to live several more decades, thanks. But–you know me. Try and get the best. Shoot for the moon, right? If I miss, I’m still among the stars!

I’m excited about this one for so many reasons–one of which is it can be turned into a feature if it does well. It can continue where the story left off, or there can be a prequel. I’m doing so much studying these days. Even though their background won’t come up (or only a bit) in the short, I have to know where they came from, how they got where they are, etc. I have to know who their grandfather was, why their father died, etc. I imagine some people don’t write that way, but it really helps me.

I’ve temporarily titled it Wild Geese, for not only the Boy and Girl, but also because of what happens in Ireland’s history at that time. I hope I haven’t said too much. If people steal my things, I can show proof that I did it sooner!!! Don’t make me come over there and sue you!

I’ve started learning Irish, more seriously this time. I go on vacation in a couple days…the travel will be perfect to go through some lessons!

Slán go fóill!

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…you’ve got to do it yourself!

And so, I am.

There are a couple of gigs coming up within the next year. The Highwayman is set to begin filming early September, 2009. I’m looking forward to lacing up my corsets again and becoming Lady Catherine!

I’m also going to be featured in a dark comedy by Gary C. Warren..filming this coming spring, 2010. (Tentatively!) Speaking of Gary, his latest feature The Path of Torment was recently selected for the Action on Film International Festival in Pasadena next week! They’re nominated for several awards, so I’m sending good juju their way. If you’re in the area, please check out his film on Monday the 27th of July at 6 PM! You can get more info here.

But my main reason for blogging today is to let you know that I’m finally going to be writing/producing/etc 2-3 of my own short films. I’m pretty excited about them! One will be set in Ireland and have parts in Irish Gaelic, and another is an office dramedy. As of right now, they’re just small cocoons of ideas, as Anne Shirley would say, not quite ready to burst into butterflies.

I’ll write more about the process as I continue, but for now I’m just announcing my intentions!

I’ll admit I’m a little terrified! It’s a daunting task…the equipment, casting, music, the editing process, and everything in between! But I believe I’m up for the challenge, and I have several friends I can turn to for help and advice. (Thanks in advance!)

If you’re interested in helping out in any way, shape, or form, I will gladly accept!

In the meantime, I’d better stop blogging and start writing scripts!

“And scene…”

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