CHIPS

Today I shot a PSA (public service announcement) for the CHP.
We shot all day out in Curtis Park (popular area for shooting, I believe this is where we shot the Kashi commercial).

The crew was AWESOME, I got to know them pretty darn well since I spent so much time helping with craft services and setting up equipment. One of the PAs even handed me a "crew timecard" haha.

I was the "asian mom" today. Uh-oh... Is it happening? Am I phasing out of being able to play a high school nerd? How sad!

Casting Call / Auditions for Widow etc...

I had the BEST time on the panel trying to cast talent at the Silver-Lined Entertainment Group Auditions.

Auditions were held at Sierra 2 community center in Sacramento. We had Chris Terry, Angela Ortner, Scott Howe & I all looking for different roles to cast for different films. Some people were so good that we were ready to share talent!

We had a great turn out and it was tough to see, however many hundred, people in a few short hours but we managed. More experiences that make me argue whether I would prefer to be in front of or behind the camera. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to do both with S.L.E.G.

Numero Dos

Today was day two on set for the infomercial.

I can't believe that they paid me to be there, I had SO MUCH FUN. The crew was just phenomenal, and so supportive of me and my diva ways. I was told to show up camera ready so I did my best, fly-away hairs and all but luckily make-up artists Shellie-Rae & Melissa were there for touch-ups.

It was basically just an on-camera interview, relaxed, fun and totally off the cuff. Very very cool project.

I thought it was set to run for a year but the crew said that they will run it as long as it makes money from selling the product. Go Kymaro Lash Extensions!

First time for everything...

Today was my first day on a set for an infomercial! We just shot the before and after pictures today and then on Wednesday we actually shoot lines.

I felt so awkward all day since I was told to arrive at the shoot sans makeup. This meant that I went to work without my "mask" on. Truly, I have no real qualms going to work without anything on my skin but they emphasized make-up free eyes (since this infomercial is for eyelash extensions). I think they wanted a dramatic before & after shot and let me tell you... they got just that! My "before" appearance was a little, less-than-fresh.

I was wondering if they were going to go for the traditional "before shot" and have me painfully depressed looking, like if I didn't encounter these eyelash extension folks I would have taken a long drive off of a short pier? No, they didn't really go there. I think that they just didn't frown on me looking a little rough around the edges, and I was! I had been rushing around since I actually got lost. My original intention was to show up 30 mins early but I was only 10 mins early. This doesn't seem horrible but my agents never fail to remind that we must arrive at least 15 mins early.

I knew all but one of the four makeup artists there, from previous projects. Shelly-Ray from shooting headshots with Kelsey Edwards and also from shooting for Denio's, Cherie from the California Chamber of Commerce video, Melissa from my first My58 commercial. Fun seeing everyone again!

Here is a snap shot of the delectable lashes:



In regards to detail, all I know is that the product is called "Glamour Eyes" and it is set for 1 year of broadcast television. Keep ya posted.

The Last Suspect

Guess what? Guess what? Guess what!

Our movie "The Last Suspect" WON the Sacramento 48 Hr. Film Festival!!! I'm not too surprised by that, just STOKED about it.

No, my lack of surprise doesn't have to do with me thinking I'm all that + a bag of chips (in fact I thought it was one of my weaker performances) I truly had complete faith in Chris Terry, Angela Ortner and everyone else on crew AND cast (*ahem* Scott Howe and his phenomenal acting debut)...

What now? Well, word on the street is that Director Chris Terry and one other person will be heading to LA in June (all expenses paid) to watch "The Last Suspect" compete against other 48 Hour Film Fest winners from all around the country.

Exciting times!

Denio's Round 2

Today I shot a new series of segments for Denio's (training video)? Had a blast, as usual.

Grubbed on the famous Denio's corndogs (as usual)... All around great shoot, great day, great company.

Cracks me up that at least once a week, I am hearing from someone, somewhere that they saw the Denio's commercial air.

The airtime that these commercials get is phenomenal. They run for a few years each time.

It's such a great family (Denio's) that I am thrilled to somehow be affiliated.

Home-School in the house, again!

Got a heads up from Director Stephen Darmstandler that his movie Home-School will be shown at the San Joaquin Film Festival on June 6th at 2:30pm!

I had so much fun doing that movie, whatever that my lines consisted of about 4 or 5 words... It's not even about that! My nerdiness spoke volumes, I said more with less!

Home-School won #2 viewer's choice at the 2007 Place Called Sacramento Film Festival! If you haven't already read my blog entry about being on set -get to it, we all had such a great time.



R.I.P Jordan, we know you will be there with us on the 6th

48 Hour Film Fest (part deuce)

Friday I rushed over as fast as I could to our HQ (Scott's house) to witness the scheming process. Friday night was to be used for planning, Saturday was designated for filming and then Sunday was reserved for the editing wizards to work their magic. The movie needed to be submitted by 6:30pm on Sunday.

Friday Night

During our brainstorming session, we narrowed five or six potential ideas down to two, which we tentatively named "Gifts" and "Holes" (laughs) yeah.. Never mind. Where was I? Angela and Chris insisted that we take 10 minutes to just think to ourselves. Some people stayed inside, some people went outside, I went out to my car to grab my skateboard and proceeded to skate around the neighborhood. From this meditation method did a brilliant masterpiece spawn? No. I did however have an epiphany, I can still "Manual" like a rock star.
I took off not long after midnight. I knew I needed to rest up for a more than full day of shooting on Saturday.

When I got back to Scott's the next day, I was informed that we went with an idea that Chris Terry had (which unfortunately I can not discuss until the premiere). I read the treatment and loved it. I was blown away, I mean how does he come up with this stuff!? Man, I wish I was at liberty to talk about the story...

Ron B. and his boom & Kevin and his cam


Mike operating the cam & Running lines with Director Kevin

This guy I met during filming. He wouldn't tell me his name but we made dinner plans for later this week.

Laura Tapia (Hair/Makeup/Special Effects & her beautiful daughter Victoria)

Wonderful and Multi-talented Angela Ortner

I (heart) monitors.. hehe, I said heart monitors


Laura at work

Laura's amazing work!

They said I looked like a "Witch Hunter" in this coat...
What does a "Witch Hunter" look like? Me, I guess?

We shot from mid morning Saturday until about 3:30am on Sunday. We filmed almost everything outdoors and even in the middle of the night as the temperature dropped to an un-toasty 35 degrees. After we wrapped I was asked to be back on location by 7am to re-shoot footage that we couldn't capture the afternoon before, because of light.

After my two hours of sleep, I was back on the road.

The heights Kevin will go to for the perfect shot

A little perspective

Shot until early afternoon when we finally wrapped. I split from HQ in a complete daze. I babbled incoherently on voice mails as I returned calls missed from over the weekend. I think I am somewhat still out to lunch, and short of a sandwich but hopefully I will recover soon. Heck, I may never recover but was it worth it? Oh yeah. I met a wonderful new crew (which I will fill you in on later, once I get full names) to add to my already existing movie making family, which also include the amazing actor Ron Brokenbrough and brilliant makeup artist Laura Tapia. I also had the privilege of meeting and working with an amazing director named Kevin who was wonderful to work with. The direction that he gave and how descriptive he was about his vision made the whole process totally awesome. Just when I didn't think life could get any better, I got to stalk around with a gun, for HOURS!

Our editing wizards hard at work as our 48 hour mark approached

Scott, scoring some music

The whole posse was under the weather by the time that Sunday came around. Malnourished and running on fumes, just simply exhausted.

Word on the street is that the festival is some time in March, I will keep you posted.

Sorry about the poor and fragmented writing. I think that too many bags of chips combined with little sleep kills brain cells.

48 Hour Film Festival (part 1)

Deep breath in and now exhale....

The Sacramento 48 Hour Film Festival (process) has officially begun. At 6:30pm tonight, Chris Terry blindly picked our fate er... genre out of a hat.

Mystery. I'm nervous. I am however stoked to be working with Scott, Angela, Ron, Chris and Laura again. It's that comfy and cozy familiar feeling. I will keep you posted.