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September, October, November 2017
Ever feel like you're just faking being an artist, writer, insert-desk-job-expert, or in my case "cough, cough" actor? In my last update even though it had an unexpected happy ending I felt like such an imposter sitting in the waiting room I knew instantly I needed to speed up my search for local acting classes and find some solid tools to turn to boost my confidence.
Since I used to be a dancer and I heard the Sanford Meisner technique is good for strengthening your acting muscles bit by bit sort of like learning to dance step by step, i set about investigating all the Meisner classes I could find. I'm thrilled to say I found Drama Inc. and dove into their Meisner Intensive head first. It was at once both scary and fulfilling all rolled into one tough little class.
Since we got up to do exercises at least twice during each class the experience could be a roller-coaster. Maybe the first time I got up there it felt great and everything flowed. Then an hour later in a different situation or with a different partner I was back in the kindergarten sandbox all over again. I remember driving home almost every time thinking "Will there ever be a class when I feel like I've done well BOTH times?" But I loved the challenge. It always fueled me to go for it in the next class.
At the end of the intensive one of my favorite memories was on Nursery Rhyme night when I finally, finally unleashed murderous rage playing a Voo Doo priestess. It was glorious to sit back on the floor and exhale afterwards and discover my teacher's startled expression for the first time. It was a good expression! I had been struggling with conjuring (pun intended) murderous rage and I finally proved I had it in me. Another awesome class was my first Spoon River monologue. I did Minerva and when my teacher had me re-do the scene adding in the words "but you don't see me" between the lines. A flood of tears and fury and mixed emotions tumbled out from somewhere deep and tangled within.
If only all my acting could be that authentic. I remember doing my second Spoon River monologue the following week and it fell pretty flat. But that's why actor's take classes right? To get better and become consistent in tapping into something authentic. Just writing this makes me want to go do some cold reading or memorizing or something. If only acting could be easily practiced alone, But alas, scenes usually require at least one other person. If there's one thing I miss about Louisiana is that here everything is so spread out it's hard to get together and just play with acting scenes. I must find a way to remedy this.... After all, the plus side is, it's a big city, there are people in all corners of it to be met. There's bound to be an actor or two near the Springs! Thanks for listening!
Since I used to be a dancer and I heard the Sanford Meisner technique is good for strengthening your acting muscles bit by bit sort of like learning to dance step by step, i set about investigating all the Meisner classes I could find. I'm thrilled to say I found Drama Inc. and dove into their Meisner Intensive head first. It was at once both scary and fulfilling all rolled into one tough little class.
Since we got up to do exercises at least twice during each class the experience could be a roller-coaster. Maybe the first time I got up there it felt great and everything flowed. Then an hour later in a different situation or with a different partner I was back in the kindergarten sandbox all over again. I remember driving home almost every time thinking "Will there ever be a class when I feel like I've done well BOTH times?" But I loved the challenge. It always fueled me to go for it in the next class.
At the end of the intensive one of my favorite memories was on Nursery Rhyme night when I finally, finally unleashed murderous rage playing a Voo Doo priestess. It was glorious to sit back on the floor and exhale afterwards and discover my teacher's startled expression for the first time. It was a good expression! I had been struggling with conjuring (pun intended) murderous rage and I finally proved I had it in me. Another awesome class was my first Spoon River monologue. I did Minerva and when my teacher had me re-do the scene adding in the words "but you don't see me" between the lines. A flood of tears and fury and mixed emotions tumbled out from somewhere deep and tangled within.
If only all my acting could be that authentic. I remember doing my second Spoon River monologue the following week and it fell pretty flat. But that's why actor's take classes right? To get better and become consistent in tapping into something authentic. Just writing this makes me want to go do some cold reading or memorizing or something. If only acting could be easily practiced alone, But alas, scenes usually require at least one other person. If there's one thing I miss about Louisiana is that here everything is so spread out it's hard to get together and just play with acting scenes. I must find a way to remedy this.... After all, the plus side is, it's a big city, there are people in all corners of it to be met. There's bound to be an actor or two near the Springs! Thanks for listening!
August 2017
I can't believe it! I'm finally here! IN ATLANTA GEORGIA! After running around in circles getting an apartment (that could be its own mini-blog by itself!) we finally arrived in the lovely town of Sandy Springs. Or it it Dunwoody? Anyone who lives here can tell you these two cities are so entwined it's nigh impossible to tell where one city ends and the other begins. Someone told me one wraps around the other in a crescent shape so no wonder it's confusing. But my mail tells me I live in Sandy Springs so I'm just gonna go with it.
A lot has happened since we arrived in mid-June but mostly I can sum it up in two words: IKEA bookshelves! And when I wasn't doing that I went on my first SAG-AFTRA audition. What?!! Without an agent???
Well, to be fair it was an open casting call which freaked me right out when I got to the callback and found 99 other ladies lined up down the hallway. Later on I found out we were all there for a variety of different roles, but I didn't know that at the time. My nerves almost took all the fun out of auditioning. Almost, but hey, all that did was make me want to enroll in local acting classes ASAP. So at least I'd get some idea of where I fit into this shiny new world in the Big Peach.
Do folks here call it the Big Peach? I'm such a tourist. I heard somewhere they don't actually refer to the city as Hotlanta either. I'm thinking the locals stick to simply calling it the ATL. Not as colorful but who am I to say? I'm just delighted to be here!
Oh and that audition? I got it! I may get cut out later when the film comes out but hey, at least I can officially say I'm SAG-AFTRA eligible now. Look Ma! I've got the paperwork and everything! I'm also shocked it happened so soon. Beginner's luck maybe? I'm still diving into acting classes first though. All those nerves tell me I'm not ready for agents and bigger roles until I get those under control. But still I'm super excited to see if I make the final cut. I'll have more to say in 2018!
A lot has happened since we arrived in mid-June but mostly I can sum it up in two words: IKEA bookshelves! And when I wasn't doing that I went on my first SAG-AFTRA audition. What?!! Without an agent???
Well, to be fair it was an open casting call which freaked me right out when I got to the callback and found 99 other ladies lined up down the hallway. Later on I found out we were all there for a variety of different roles, but I didn't know that at the time. My nerves almost took all the fun out of auditioning. Almost, but hey, all that did was make me want to enroll in local acting classes ASAP. So at least I'd get some idea of where I fit into this shiny new world in the Big Peach.
Do folks here call it the Big Peach? I'm such a tourist. I heard somewhere they don't actually refer to the city as Hotlanta either. I'm thinking the locals stick to simply calling it the ATL. Not as colorful but who am I to say? I'm just delighted to be here!
Oh and that audition? I got it! I may get cut out later when the film comes out but hey, at least I can officially say I'm SAG-AFTRA eligible now. Look Ma! I've got the paperwork and everything! I'm also shocked it happened so soon. Beginner's luck maybe? I'm still diving into acting classes first though. All those nerves tell me I'm not ready for agents and bigger roles until I get those under control. But still I'm super excited to see if I make the final cut. I'll have more to say in 2018!
November 15, 2016
From Julie: Wow! Time to brush up on my British dialect. I'm delighted to say I just booked the role of Gwendolyn Pigeon in the Lake Charles Little Theatre's production of "The Odd Couple." I grew up watching Walter Mathauw and Jack Lemmon toss quick witticisms at each other like verbal frisbees in the movie and I can't wait to do the play! For those of you who will be in the area this winter, the show goes up in February.
It's one of my favorite times of year for movies right now. It's Oscar season before the nominations. I love watching movies with buzz and sometimes it's the only time I get to see them on the big screen even if they end up nominated later on. In years past I've done Oscar videos, Oscar blogs and even super short Oscar Instagrams. This year though I'm thinking of teaming up with the Beetlejuice Minute guys and doing Oscar best movie review podcasts. Let me know what you would most like to see for this year's Best Picture Oscar predictions/reviews at info@cinemabliss.com.
It's one of my favorite times of year for movies right now. It's Oscar season before the nominations. I love watching movies with buzz and sometimes it's the only time I get to see them on the big screen even if they end up nominated later on. In years past I've done Oscar videos, Oscar blogs and even super short Oscar Instagrams. This year though I'm thinking of teaming up with the Beetlejuice Minute guys and doing Oscar best movie review podcasts. Let me know what you would most like to see for this year's Best Picture Oscar predictions/reviews at info@cinemabliss.com.
October 6, 2016
From Julie: The 48 Hour Film Sprint! Oh my! I've done more than 10 film sprints over the years but this is one I will never forget. I can finally say I've "bled for my art!" As an actor you're pretty much trained to ignore the camera 99% of the time. So on September 23rd, I'm minding my own business sitting in a tall director's chair (we were shooting a TV show within the movie) when a 40 pound tripod leg started to slip. The edge of the tripod base knocked me in the noggin before I could blink. I suffered a headache for 4 days and you can still see a bit of a shiner if you look closely but the doc tells me I'm gonna be okay.
And am I excited to get right back on set! (Some folks never learn I guess. LOL) I think the end result came out rather well and the team "Missing Insert Productions" is keeping its fingers crossed this weekend. We got word we made it into the top 10 short films of the sprint and will be airing at this year's Lake Charles Film Festival on October 8th!
If you go, be sure to keep an eye out for "Coming This Fall" a short film about... well... the motley crew of characters who like to make movies and TV shows. Every Film Sprint has required elements so you don't cheat and pre-plan your story before the 48 hours begins. This year those elements were: an umbrella used by a character, the line of dialogue "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was making the world believe he doesn't exist." and a private eye character named "Jay Hinklespurt." So if you're in Lake Charles, October 8th, come on down and see the end result of my shiner! For tickets go to www.lakecharlesfilmfestival.com or www.ticketleap.com.
And am I excited to get right back on set! (Some folks never learn I guess. LOL) I think the end result came out rather well and the team "Missing Insert Productions" is keeping its fingers crossed this weekend. We got word we made it into the top 10 short films of the sprint and will be airing at this year's Lake Charles Film Festival on October 8th!
If you go, be sure to keep an eye out for "Coming This Fall" a short film about... well... the motley crew of characters who like to make movies and TV shows. Every Film Sprint has required elements so you don't cheat and pre-plan your story before the 48 hours begins. This year those elements were: an umbrella used by a character, the line of dialogue "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was making the world believe he doesn't exist." and a private eye character named "Jay Hinklespurt." So if you're in Lake Charles, October 8th, come on down and see the end result of my shiner! For tickets go to www.lakecharlesfilmfestival.com or www.ticketleap.com.
August 21, 2016
From Julie: "I'm doing Pilates (OMG Ow!) and hot yoga (sweaty but worth it) to get back in dancer shape for "Stretch The Web Series." Lake Charles writer/director Patrick Shawn Bennett has cast me as a French assassin and I"m determined to create for you guys a fun villian you love to hate while stalking that little vixen Stretch. She thinks she's gonna save the world, but who is she kidding right? As soon as episode one is available I'll post the link! Sign up for the newsletter to be first with the scoop!"
May 2016
From Julie: "While helping out a lot behind the scenes of different projects this year, I'm super excited to announce that Cinema Bliss' focus will be on acting and filmmaking. Some quickie highlights from 2016 so far include The Space Between premiere and DVD release. As an "original" 80's Ghostbusters fan, I was thrilled to be a part of writer/director/actor Anthony Phillip's 30 minute short film. I got to channel my iner Annie Potts and razz my onscreen hubby Ghostbusters style.
If you're a fan of Twilight Zone style stories then you're the person this film is made for. The Space Between is about a man framed for murder but instead of being chased by the cops he's being chased by the men who framed him. He doesn't know why but everything hinges on finding "the space between."
If you're a fan of Twilight Zone style stories then you're the person this film is made for. The Space Between is about a man framed for murder but instead of being chased by the cops he's being chased by the men who framed him. He doesn't know why but everything hinges on finding "the space between."
