(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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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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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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