Thank you Michelle!

I remember watching an interview with Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner. She was talking about how a friend of her's presented a pre-filled document and all Kelly had to do was sign her name. This document got her in to audition for American Idol. Sure, she didn't make it through the first time around but she pushed on and well... you know how the story goes.

Watching that interview reminded me of my dear friend Michelle Thompson. Michelle is one of those wonder women who do it all. She is an amazing mother of two, loving wife, fabulous actress, savvy entrepreneur, phenomenal dance choreographer/instructor and one of my best friends (yes, the last one probably zaps her energy the most). Well, Michelle mentioned the PCS Cast and Crew Call and suggested I just cruise with. We made it out there, listened to the 10 writers/directors explain their projects and then met with each one individually, and I dropped off my resume and headshot. It was a lot of fun meeting all this local talent!

Of the ten projects that were to be produced, I received a call back from six of the ten directors.
After scheduling shoot dates, rehearsals, production meetings etc. around work, auditions and other projects (like eating and sleeping) I had to bow out of two of the shorts. So six became four. FOUR! That is SO AWESOME! Details to follow on each individual project: Kindred by Scott Howe, Relationships by Keven Nguyen, Home School by Stephen Darmstandler and Being Lisa by Becca Louisell.


Whispers: Thanks again Michelle!

Dew follow your dreams!

At the PCS Cast and Crew Call, a lady by the name of Donya Wicken walked up to me and asked me if I had ever done plays. She proceeded to tell me about a small theater in downtown Sac called The Thistle Dew (a dessert theater) where Donya showed her work. She asked if I would be interested in playing the teen version of one of her leads in a play she had written called "Mrs. Teach's Washday Miracle". Donya then invited me to come and watch the scripted readings and workshop on Monday nights. I went and loved every moment. After each scripted reading, the writer sits up on stage to answer questions, listen to suggestions and receive general feedback (not on the acting but on their actual piece). People were open, honest, caring and critical. I was so impressed and blown away by it all, that I immediately agreed to be a part of Donya's play. Performance is set for June 15th and 16th. What a trip, I haven't been a part of a play since Jr High! (9th grade Drama Speech English with Dottie Bonneau)

The Thistle Dew is this small 39 seat theater located in the lower level of a Victorian house in downtown Sacramento. http://www.thistle-dew.net/

PCS Film Festival 2007

“A Place Called Sacramento”

For the eighth year, Access Sacramento launches “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live. All script entries are reviewed by a panel of local professionals and ten are selected. These ten scriptwriter/producers are then introduced to actors and production teams at our “Cast and Crew Call” Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Production teams are formed and the ten films are produced during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends gather at the World Premiere to a packed house at the CREST Theatre on October 7, 2007.
http://www.accesssacramento.org

Denio's Commercial

Today was SO MUCH fun! I got to shoot a local commercial for Denio's (Farmer's) Market in Roseville. Call time was at 9am, we (a few others and I) shot quick little one liners with the principal talent who was an actor/comedian named Jack Gallagher (no not the guy who smashes watermelons). Jack has been on tv shows such as Cheers, Twilight Zone and most recently a reoccurring roll on Curb Your Enthusiasm (he played Larry David's Doctor).

The morning shoot was in the produce portion of the market. Jack rushes up to me with a microphone as I shop for peaches and asks me questions like, "What brings you to Denios? What keeps you coming back? Why is the produce so wonderful here?" to these questions I would respond, "...because the local growers bring the fruit straight from their farms... because of the wide selection... Just smell this peach, it's fantastic! It all looks, smells and tastes so fresh!" you get the idea. The second part of the morning shoot was another talent going over the same material and then me in the background shopping.

After the morning shoot the cast and crew were fed a hearty meal of Chicken, corn dogs, Salad, Wedge Fries, Fruit Salad and Scones. Bye bye diet (which was alright because the shoot was already half over, love the loop holes).

I felt so honored to be there because our meeting place was at the Denio family compound (behind the 70 acre market), Tracy the granddaughter of founder Jim Denio was telling us that the Denio's family gets together there the Saturday after every Thanksgiving. There are several bedrooms at the compound for the family gathering every year and so it was dubbed "The Holiday Inn". Family pictures lined the walls and it was so neat to be there.

After lunch, we were off to the next shoot which took place in the Garage Sale portion of the market. Same sort of material and feel as the morning shoot only this time we were dealing with garage sale items as opposed to fruits or veggies. Oh, and it was nearing 90 degrees by this time. Luckily, the shots were quick and they had golf carts for us to lounge on in between takes as well as ice cold waters and Gatorade. I hardly broke a sweat, it was nice (but if I did, hair and make up was just trailing us with a fix-it kit).

The commercial is scheduled to air not this Wednesday but next and I overheard the director saying that these commercials will air for the next two years! That is a really long time, wow.

Now, a nap.

If anyone is interested in neat little informative pieces on Denio's, click on the links below:

http://www.denios.org/1947/1947.htm

http://www.denios.org/shopping/shopping.htm