Another Commercial, Another Day!

Had a blast the last few days shooting a commercial for a garden product. So fun! I worked with a great team, and met a new actor friend, Lisa! I also have an awesome bad actor story to share with you soon, but that deserves it's own post. It's a good one - promise!

Here are a few photos from the shoot!

Dance Boot Camp

So - in a few days I start rehearsals as a lead dancer in HOW TO SUCCEED... with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.  I'm super excited to work with such a talented cast, and an Orchestra that will be out of this world.  These days, you rarely get to work with a FULL Orchestra - one where ALL of the parts from the original score are filled with professional, working musicians.  And the score for HOW TO SUCCEED is so fantastic - I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

But here's the problem - I'm 30 now.  And I am in damn good shape for 30 - I've been working really hard at it for months.  I teach dance, but to preschoolers and elementary aged kids.  I'm not consistently working on my technique, so while I have the mental background and the understanding of technique, I am not 23 anymore, when I could dance anything.  My joints feel 30 - I can't turn more than a double on the left and a triple on the right, my leaps are not nearly as high...  I've often wished that I could take what I know about dance now and my 16 year old body, and put them together - I'd be unstoppable (okay I can feel you rolling your eyes... let's just go with that, okay?)

In preparation for the three weeks of challenging rehearsals I'm about to begin, I've added a dance bootcamp section to my daily workouts.  I time my gym time so that there is an exercise room open and available, take my dance shoes, and go for it.  It's been really fun, actually, and things are coming back quickly considering I'm 30.  I don't usually feel my age, I keep thinking that I'm still 25, but my joints are most definitely older.  It's okay... I'll get there.

And you know what?  It's going to be a blast.

Filming extravaganza!

I have been shooting projects like a madwoman for the last few weeks. A comedy short for StandAlone Pictures, finishing shooting on The Bailey Case: Sanctum, a photo shoot for a company in Tampa and new head shots with Jason! Busy! Here are some photos from the extravaganza!

Acting Class Exercises for Kids - Part 3: Interview!

Here's another exercise that I have always loved to use with all ages in my acting class. It's a great way to start exploring character development, and how to build a fully fleshed out character. Enjoy!

"Interview"-
To work on developing characters, I like to have beginning actors play someone they know. Their best friend, sibling, mom, dad, grandma... just someone they know well. I have them leave the room and enter as the character. They sit in a chair on stage and I interview them - ask them their name, age, what they like to do, how they feel about other family members, favorite colors, pets.... any question that comes into my head once I get them rolling. I don't like to use the same questions for every kid because I want them to think on their toes. They have to stay in character the whole time, even as they exit the room. Great exercise, and again, something great to use when when they are young and still learning to read. Once they have completed this exercise you can use it again down the road when they are working on scenework: only this time they don't know the character personally and really have to think about their answers!

Acting Class Exercises for Kids Part Two - Build a Scene

Contrary to the boring title, this is one of my absolute favorite games to play with all age groups. Why? It's a great way to assess abilities at the beginning of a class session. It stimulates their creativity and sense of play, and I can use it as a tool to immediately begin teaching the fundamentals of acting! This is also a great exercise for working with kids who are so young that they cannot yet "cold read". I hope this helps you in your next class!

*Build a Scene -
Give them a list of 3-5 items that HAVE to be included somehow in their mini-play (ex: the statue of liberty, a tsunami, Disneyland, my grandma, a ferret). Give them 5-10 minutes to create together and practice. They will perform it for you. Then you can "direct" it - give them more specific blocking using Upstage, stage right, etc...., Projection, cheating out, sharing the stage, not stealing focus, when to take focus, and why you should always say "yes" (the most important rule of improv!). It's a great tool for scene work (and if they're young and don't read well), plus they love to be creative!

More ideas for teaching acting to kiddos to come!

Angels Unaware

A lot has happened in the last week.  A lot. I've been blessed in the last few days to meet three individuals (none of them know each other), that somehow knew without asking that I could use a kind word or some support.  What they've done is come alongside me (again, without me even asking), and offer me their knowledge, encouragement and resources as I continue to explore the acting opportunities in Central Florida.  These are working professionals - new friends who I met through one or the other of the many films I've been working on.  And somehow, they knew that I could use a friend.  Someone to toss ideas around with, someone willing to let me bounce ideas off of them, and pick their brain.

Too often, our acting communities around the country like to close their doors and keep out the new - people, ideas, etc...  We are all so afraid that someone else is going to book our job, that we've stopped making friends and helping each other.  The reality of this crazy business is that getting the job has absolutely nothing to do with that other person, but solely with whether casting likes you or not.  Half the time, it has nothing to do with whether you can act or not, but whether you look the part.  Or whether they were bullied by a girl named Erin in 8th grade (no matter how good your audition, you are NOT going to get the part in this situation...).  So why shouldn't we help each other and share information and kindnesses?

How refreshing to meet not just one, but THREE people that are willing to give in the last few days? They have truly helped me out in so many ways already, and I can only hope that I'll be able to give back to them soon.

G'ma Joyce calls these people "Angels Unaware", which is so appropriate and what they truly are.  So thank you, my Angels, for your kindness, support, and knowledge.  For encouraging me and guiding me with no ulterior motives other than to help someone you believe in.

You rock.

Company on Fox 35 - 3 months later

Well, we finally were able to get our hands on the video of the cast of Company on Fox 35, which we shot back in December.  It was such a fun morning, and I'm happy to be able to share it with you this morning.  We're definitely missing some voice parts (it was only about half the cast), and my dress is certainly not flattering me much, but at least I can finally share it with you.

Here you go!

Thanks again, to director Nick Murphy for a great production, and the opportunity to make my stage AND television debut in Orlando all at the same time!