I was born blessed. I have such an extraordinary family that sometimes (all the time) I become neurotic about their well-being. Ask my mother. I call her about sixteen times a day, under the guise that I want to know how to cook this recipe, cut against or on the salvage, or to check the Sig Alert and find out why I’m not moving on the 110 freeway (which she always happily obliges to check). I’m blessed to have parents that adore me, a sister who loves and supports me, and I had grandparents that cherished me. I want to write about the women in my family, since this blog is dedicated to the fabulous women that inspire me, frankly because there are a lot of ladies in the DeFilippo family. (Papa, I love you so much it’s silly. One day I’ll create a blog only about you. Or I’ll make a special exception some day soon to write versus about all the air shows you took me to and tedious evenings of calculus tutoring. Oh, and how proud you are of me.)
My mother is strong willed, stubborn at times, but is filled with love and wisdom that a young woman in this profession needs. Whenever my latest relationship fails, she’s there to remind me of how interesting, outgoing, and loving I am, which makes it easier for me to move onto the next. She taught me that I have the strength and determination to accomplish anything. This has been an energy that I have drawn on a lot this year, with the economical woes that are plaguing everyone, I know that life will not always be so day-to-day, and that the stability (whatever that truly means) will have its due presence.
I grew up with an impenetrable desire to be exactly like my sister. From the pink hair to the tattoos to Smashing Pumpkins … I simply idolized her. As we got older, we very much became our own women with our own individual strengths. My sister is a brilliant artist, an adventure seeker (her recent solo trip to Australia to celebrate a pinnacle birthday serves as a prime example) and one of my biggest supporters. Her belief in me is unwavering. That gift is something that I can only hope to repay her with designer clothing when I become Zac Posen’s muse. Alright, I’m dreaming big here. So what?!
This post is very much a thank you to the women who have had, and continue to have a direct influence on my life. They helped create within me strength, courage, and intelligence that has cost me many relationships, but leaves me happy and hopeful in the end.
Yesterday, I was watching a video that I found on Glamour magazine’s website. It was a mash up of the Women of the Year ceremony that they recently held, celebrating all of the fabulous women of 2009. I found it most uplifting and particularly inspirational when Maya Angelou speaks. Please watch, feel, and enjoy.
Here is a direct transcription of what Maya Angelou says. Print it out, put it somewhere where you’ll see it ever day, make it your mantra, live by it, swear by it.
"Glamor is profound. Glamor says I have enough responsibility to take responsibility for myself and for the time and spaces I occupy. That's glamor.
Saying I want to be as beautiful as I can be, to myself first, and then to anybody else who has the sense enough to see it."
-- Maya Angelou
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
"America's Favorite Serial Killer" and Little ol' Me
WOOOOOHHHHOOOOOO! That’s the sound my life is making right now. Sometimes the Woo’s are full of elation, and sometimes the Hoo’s are full of exhaustion and anxiety. Either way, there hasn’t been a dull moment and lots of exciting things are happening. I just had a HUGE, gigantic, ENORMOUS, prolific, EXTRAORDINARY two weeks. Let me divulge.
I booked an incredible co-star role on Showtime’s super awesome (totally too scary for me) show, Dexter. It was rad. It was exciting. It was beyond fun. Here’s how it all came about. My manager submitted me for the quaint part on Friday and I went in to do a casting workshop with Helen Geier (such a hip hip girl, such a great great workshop) that Saturday morning. By Monday morning I was called in an audition on Wednesday. I went to the audition and saw that there were only a few women they were seeing for the role based on the sign in sheet (Awesome. Perhaps, I’ll stand out more that way???) and the only other person next to me was a man in his mid-thirties and slightly overweight. Hmmm … I’m absolutely used to this. I fall into that silly category where I most often audition alongside models, red heads, or cave people. Seriously. I auditioned for the role, left the room, and as per usual, I forgot about the audition. I did what I could and the rest wasn’t up to me. Thursday evening my agent calls. I BOOKED THE JOB! Yes, I yelled with delight into my agent’s ear. Yes, I’m sure my entire neighborhood heard me. Yes, I called my family relentless until they finally picked up the phone. It was a spectacular moment in my life. Absolutely, hands down, one that I will never forget.
Now, here’s the thing. I found out Thursday night and wasn’t shooting until Monday afternoon. Good grief. I had plenty of time to walk around, happy as a clam and living in the clouds. I also had enough time to get really nervous about it. My stomach was in knots. The character I was to play opposite of was nothing short of a legend. Two words. John. Lithgow. Oh, god. Really? My underarms immediately started to sweat and my stomach began to squirm. Let’s say I barely ate from Saturday night until after the shoot because my stomach refused to perform it’s natural given duties. Insert some deep breaths, a few sessions of meditation, and arriving to the set about a half hour early. Finally, it was time for me to enjoy being a working actress. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
When I got to set I was immediately shown to my trailer where my Miami Metro police uniform was hanging. The excitement surged through my limbs as I eagerly stepped out of my mini skirt and my v-neck top, and stepped into the heavy threads of a cop’s uniform. They had to lop off about a foot and a half from the bottom of my pants, but the costume designer was brilliant. Those pants couldn’t have fit any more perfectly and I couldn’t have felt any cuter as one of Miami’s best, protecting the people from the likes of John Lithgow a.k.a The Trinity. I just reignited my ear-to-ear smile thinking about it.
“Jennifer, you’ve been invited to set.” I happily accepted that invitation. I was escorted to set where I met the AMAZING crew and one of the few female directors I’ve ever worked with, JS Clarkson. She was fantastic, kind and generous with her time. She has a slew of incredible credits working on television shows in the U.K. It was fantastic watching her work with John Lithgow, with myself, and observing her interactions with her D.P. and the entire crew. I really learned a tremendous amount by watching her work concisely, confidently, and creating a positive communication between herself, the actors, and the crew. What an easy environment for all to create and work. Poetry in the work place.
John Lithgow as a serial killer is horrifying. He’s such a profound actor of our time. His abilities have been recognized time and time again, and rightfully so. He’s one of the best. To watch him explore and play the minute he walked on set was fun and reassuring. His attentiveness to his work in the scene was unwavering, despite being dabbed with make-up, sounds coming from all directions, the lovely background actors staring so hard at you that it feels like they’ll break through your skin. Every minute of the scene was so fun to work with him on. It was short. It was sweet, and yet there was so much happening within every word, within every line, within every activity. It only makes me crave for more, more, more. Excuse me, but can’t we make the scene just a little bit longer? Why don’t we improvise this go around? What if we strike up a conversation about how lovely and typical Miami’s weather is? Oh, right. There’s a script and an entire episode to fulfill. Ok, next time.
This experience was nothing short of profound. It was like giving sugar to a diabetic child. I HAVE to have more. Except now I have to wait until the next thing comes along. The wooohoooo just got a little smaller and that’s okay. It makes the focus in my life that much more distinct and easy to attain. Keep the momentum going. Keep moving forward. Keep working on the projects that bring me delight, like my webseries with Emily Maya Mills and the upcoming AMAW showcase. These things become all the more important. They keep me busy, they keep me focused, and they keep me inspired and ready for that next step in my career. And my first co-star television experience will always be on a great show, opposite one of the acting community’s greatest actors of all time. No one and nothing can ever take that away from me. How glorious. I’ll snuggle up with the fond memories tonight, and hopefully not have a nightmare from the show’s terrifying subject matter.
Just in case you don’t have Showtime or didn’t catch tonight’s premiere, here’s the trailer. You can see in these few minutes how terrifying John Lithgow’s portrayal really is. Enjoy!
I booked an incredible co-star role on Showtime’s super awesome (totally too scary for me) show, Dexter. It was rad. It was exciting. It was beyond fun. Here’s how it all came about. My manager submitted me for the quaint part on Friday and I went in to do a casting workshop with Helen Geier (such a hip hip girl, such a great great workshop) that Saturday morning. By Monday morning I was called in an audition on Wednesday. I went to the audition and saw that there were only a few women they were seeing for the role based on the sign in sheet (Awesome. Perhaps, I’ll stand out more that way???) and the only other person next to me was a man in his mid-thirties and slightly overweight. Hmmm … I’m absolutely used to this. I fall into that silly category where I most often audition alongside models, red heads, or cave people. Seriously. I auditioned for the role, left the room, and as per usual, I forgot about the audition. I did what I could and the rest wasn’t up to me. Thursday evening my agent calls. I BOOKED THE JOB! Yes, I yelled with delight into my agent’s ear. Yes, I’m sure my entire neighborhood heard me. Yes, I called my family relentless until they finally picked up the phone. It was a spectacular moment in my life. Absolutely, hands down, one that I will never forget.
Now, here’s the thing. I found out Thursday night and wasn’t shooting until Monday afternoon. Good grief. I had plenty of time to walk around, happy as a clam and living in the clouds. I also had enough time to get really nervous about it. My stomach was in knots. The character I was to play opposite of was nothing short of a legend. Two words. John. Lithgow. Oh, god. Really? My underarms immediately started to sweat and my stomach began to squirm. Let’s say I barely ate from Saturday night until after the shoot because my stomach refused to perform it’s natural given duties. Insert some deep breaths, a few sessions of meditation, and arriving to the set about a half hour early. Finally, it was time for me to enjoy being a working actress. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
When I got to set I was immediately shown to my trailer where my Miami Metro police uniform was hanging. The excitement surged through my limbs as I eagerly stepped out of my mini skirt and my v-neck top, and stepped into the heavy threads of a cop’s uniform. They had to lop off about a foot and a half from the bottom of my pants, but the costume designer was brilliant. Those pants couldn’t have fit any more perfectly and I couldn’t have felt any cuter as one of Miami’s best, protecting the people from the likes of John Lithgow a.k.a The Trinity. I just reignited my ear-to-ear smile thinking about it.
“Jennifer, you’ve been invited to set.” I happily accepted that invitation. I was escorted to set where I met the AMAZING crew and one of the few female directors I’ve ever worked with, JS Clarkson. She was fantastic, kind and generous with her time. She has a slew of incredible credits working on television shows in the U.K. It was fantastic watching her work with John Lithgow, with myself, and observing her interactions with her D.P. and the entire crew. I really learned a tremendous amount by watching her work concisely, confidently, and creating a positive communication between herself, the actors, and the crew. What an easy environment for all to create and work. Poetry in the work place.
John Lithgow as a serial killer is horrifying. He’s such a profound actor of our time. His abilities have been recognized time and time again, and rightfully so. He’s one of the best. To watch him explore and play the minute he walked on set was fun and reassuring. His attentiveness to his work in the scene was unwavering, despite being dabbed with make-up, sounds coming from all directions, the lovely background actors staring so hard at you that it feels like they’ll break through your skin. Every minute of the scene was so fun to work with him on. It was short. It was sweet, and yet there was so much happening within every word, within every line, within every activity. It only makes me crave for more, more, more. Excuse me, but can’t we make the scene just a little bit longer? Why don’t we improvise this go around? What if we strike up a conversation about how lovely and typical Miami’s weather is? Oh, right. There’s a script and an entire episode to fulfill. Ok, next time.
This experience was nothing short of profound. It was like giving sugar to a diabetic child. I HAVE to have more. Except now I have to wait until the next thing comes along. The wooohoooo just got a little smaller and that’s okay. It makes the focus in my life that much more distinct and easy to attain. Keep the momentum going. Keep moving forward. Keep working on the projects that bring me delight, like my webseries with Emily Maya Mills and the upcoming AMAW showcase. These things become all the more important. They keep me busy, they keep me focused, and they keep me inspired and ready for that next step in my career. And my first co-star television experience will always be on a great show, opposite one of the acting community’s greatest actors of all time. No one and nothing can ever take that away from me. How glorious. I’ll snuggle up with the fond memories tonight, and hopefully not have a nightmare from the show’s terrifying subject matter.
Just in case you don’t have Showtime or didn’t catch tonight’s premiere, here’s the trailer. You can see in these few minutes how terrifying John Lithgow’s portrayal really is. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Two inspirational women within one yummy film ...
I was feeling a little down today. It happens. We all feel this way. I think it somehow fuels us to either give up or dig our heels into what we want a little harder. For me, whenever I feel this way, I have to get inspired. Often times that means reading a beautiful piece of literature or watching a brilliant performance. Today, I decided that I would go see Julie and Julia. I would fill my void with what I knew would be a glorious performance by Meryl Streep. I was absolutely right.
I’ve heard mixed things about the film as a whole. I never read reviews. Never. It’s just not my thing. I figure that I have spent my entire life not wanting people to tell me what I think and how I should feel, so why would I do that with what I love the most, film. It’s completely nonsensical to me. Not to mention that art, in its many forms, is completely subjective, so what you like may not be what I like. I’d rather appreciate the risks the artists take in portraying these roles and forget about what critics have to say about them. I’ve climbed off my high horse. Ahem, therefore I paid no heed to people’s disappointment in Amy Adams’ storyline and instead, went in desiring to be inspired by Meryl Streep and her portrayal of an exuberant and simply delightful woman, Julia Child.
I got exactly what I wanted. I wanted to hug and squeeze Julia, I mean Meryl, I mean Julia, I mean … the minute she came on screen. It was impossible for me not to laugh each moment that she was present while clapping my hands. Yeah, I’m that person. At least I don’t repeat an obviously quotable moment like, “Bon Appetite.” Yes, I’m talking to you bald man sitting in front of me.
What I liked most about the film was that there were so many moments in her performance where it was just play. There were so many moments where I thought, “God, that must have been so much fun filming. They are having so much fun playing off of one another. There is so much happening in the giggles, the silly smirks, the comfort in their body language that makes them seem like they’ve been married for twenty some odd years.” Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep were dynamite together. Their relationship and energy exploded within the storyline leaving me not only wanting more of them, but to leave the theatre and know everything there is to know about Julia and Paul Child. Their fantastic relationship and collaboration as inspirations to one another makes any person long for that dynamic, both personally and creatively.
I also have to say that I thought Amy Adams was great too. She was great at playing an unlikable character. I think we forget, as an audience, that those characters are important too, and that the actor is doing a brilliant job if we find ourselves disliking them. Whenever she destroyed something in the kitchen I was openly delighted. When her raspberry swirl thing (I don’t know what it was called. It was a fluffy dessert that looked fancy and I wanted to eat it.) fell on the city sidewalk and no one would be able to enjoy the fruits of her labor, I was equally overjoyed. People don’t always want to play the “bitch.” Amy Adams did, she did so without apologizing for it, and created a great performance because of it.
Back to Meryl Streep. I feel somewhat cliché admitting she’s my favorite actress. She’s EVERYONE’S favorite actress. Just like I feel cliché admitting that The Clash is my favorite punk band. They’re EVERYONE’S favorite punk band. But they are all so good that they DESERVE to be EVERYONE’S favorite artist. Meryl Streep has single handedly created some of my favorite lady performances of all time and has done so with such variety that I want to snuggle my face into all of my DVDs that have her in it. Out of Africa (I want to own a farm in Africa because of her) Kramer vs. Kramer (Never thought I would find such pleasure in watching a deadbeat mom. That was truly an unlikable character that was made into an Oscar worthy performance.) and my all time favorite, Postcards from the Edge. I can’t handle how funny she is. “Relax. They’re blanks. Asshole.” Here’s my FAVORITE scene from the film. Enjoy. You have no choice, really.
I’ve written a short novel about how much I love Meryl Streep. I’ll bring it to a close by saying, I hope that I have as much fun and joy in my life as Meryl has when she’s performing. I hope that I have as much fun and joy in my life as Julia Child did loving her husband and cooking her French cuisine. I hope that I continue to realize that I am having as much fun and joy in my life, living my life, right now, even when I’m not exactly where I want to be.
I’ve heard mixed things about the film as a whole. I never read reviews. Never. It’s just not my thing. I figure that I have spent my entire life not wanting people to tell me what I think and how I should feel, so why would I do that with what I love the most, film. It’s completely nonsensical to me. Not to mention that art, in its many forms, is completely subjective, so what you like may not be what I like. I’d rather appreciate the risks the artists take in portraying these roles and forget about what critics have to say about them. I’ve climbed off my high horse. Ahem, therefore I paid no heed to people’s disappointment in Amy Adams’ storyline and instead, went in desiring to be inspired by Meryl Streep and her portrayal of an exuberant and simply delightful woman, Julia Child.
I got exactly what I wanted. I wanted to hug and squeeze Julia, I mean Meryl, I mean Julia, I mean … the minute she came on screen. It was impossible for me not to laugh each moment that she was present while clapping my hands. Yeah, I’m that person. At least I don’t repeat an obviously quotable moment like, “Bon Appetite.” Yes, I’m talking to you bald man sitting in front of me.
What I liked most about the film was that there were so many moments in her performance where it was just play. There were so many moments where I thought, “God, that must have been so much fun filming. They are having so much fun playing off of one another. There is so much happening in the giggles, the silly smirks, the comfort in their body language that makes them seem like they’ve been married for twenty some odd years.” Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep were dynamite together. Their relationship and energy exploded within the storyline leaving me not only wanting more of them, but to leave the theatre and know everything there is to know about Julia and Paul Child. Their fantastic relationship and collaboration as inspirations to one another makes any person long for that dynamic, both personally and creatively.
I also have to say that I thought Amy Adams was great too. She was great at playing an unlikable character. I think we forget, as an audience, that those characters are important too, and that the actor is doing a brilliant job if we find ourselves disliking them. Whenever she destroyed something in the kitchen I was openly delighted. When her raspberry swirl thing (I don’t know what it was called. It was a fluffy dessert that looked fancy and I wanted to eat it.) fell on the city sidewalk and no one would be able to enjoy the fruits of her labor, I was equally overjoyed. People don’t always want to play the “bitch.” Amy Adams did, she did so without apologizing for it, and created a great performance because of it.
Back to Meryl Streep. I feel somewhat cliché admitting she’s my favorite actress. She’s EVERYONE’S favorite actress. Just like I feel cliché admitting that The Clash is my favorite punk band. They’re EVERYONE’S favorite punk band. But they are all so good that they DESERVE to be EVERYONE’S favorite artist. Meryl Streep has single handedly created some of my favorite lady performances of all time and has done so with such variety that I want to snuggle my face into all of my DVDs that have her in it. Out of Africa (I want to own a farm in Africa because of her) Kramer vs. Kramer (Never thought I would find such pleasure in watching a deadbeat mom. That was truly an unlikable character that was made into an Oscar worthy performance.) and my all time favorite, Postcards from the Edge. I can’t handle how funny she is. “Relax. They’re blanks. Asshole.” Here’s my FAVORITE scene from the film. Enjoy. You have no choice, really.
I’ve written a short novel about how much I love Meryl Streep. I’ll bring it to a close by saying, I hope that I have as much fun and joy in my life as Meryl has when she’s performing. I hope that I have as much fun and joy in my life as Julia Child did loving her husband and cooking her French cuisine. I hope that I continue to realize that I am having as much fun and joy in my life, living my life, right now, even when I’m not exactly where I want to be.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Darling Clara
Oh hello, my dear neglected blog. I love writing. I love writing about people who inspire me. I don’t know why sometimes it seems that keeping up a blog becomes a task not well handled. But, here I am and I’m gonna get to work. Right. Now.
Clara. Clara. Dearest Clara Bow. You were one of the first funny ladies to grace the silver screen with comedic timing and sex appeal. You were beautiful, cute, and a brilliant actress with impeccable comedic timing. You paved the way for funny ladies everywhere with your ability to make us laugh and fall in love with you in a single frame.
It Girl is my favorite of all favorite Clara Bow films. It’s short, sweet, and you can’t keep your eyes off of her. Clara plays a youthful sales clerk who has “it”. She has the charm, the ability to light up a room, and make every man fall in love with her and every woman want to be her. Her character is smart (let’s the lowly man take her to the fancy restaurant in order to catch her sexy boss’ eye), crafty (she cuts up her equally fabulous work dress to create a very sexy number to entice her man of interest), and courageous (taking responsibility for her roommate’s illegitimate child despite obvious repercussions from society).
Here’s actually the brilliant clip of her transforming her dress within minutes and supporting her struggling roommate:
One of my favorite scenes is when she allows her boss to take her to a boardwalk carnival where a sequence of flirtatious escapades occurs. She’s undeniably charming in her sweater, scarf, beret outfit, and plays with the best of them. The “Social Mixer” ride has to be my favorite part, where she eventually gets thrown off and her date is soon to follow her in a sweet embrace. The rides become highly intimate and physical (the moving tunnel?!) and as a performer, she simply does not hold back.
Here is the video of this whole sequence! I love YouTube and the people who post on it.
Clara had a vivacious career until the talkies came about. Her thick Brooklyn accent shocked her fans and made it difficult for her to transition. She was also haunted by the looming microphone overhead and during a breakdown, found herself in a boxing match until her fists were bloody.
She was also one of the first women to be torn apart by the tabloids for her personal life. Clara was as free and vivacious off screen as she was on. Her relationships with men were highly scrutinized (not only did she pave the way for women in comedy, but she paved the way for women in the sexual revolution) and eventually she was ripped to shreds.
Her career and contributions to women everywhere were astounding. I could write about her all day, but for now, this will suffice. Thank you, Clara!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Imogene Coca
Inspiration always comes in many powerful forms. For me, the most powerful tends to be from other human beings who have preceded me in this business. I’m inspired by and eternally grateful for the work that they did, as women, to pave the way for women like myself. I can’t even imagine what they were up against. They certainly were up against a lot more than myself, as the business was so very much run by men during the talkies and into the early days of television. Hell, it sort of still is in some regards. Well, not entirely. The ladies are moving on up and I’m always so proud to hear of powerhouse producers and directors just creating.
My first favorite lady that I want to pay tribute to is the always funny Imogene Coca.
My first manager, while I was still in college, used to describe me as a young Imogene Coca. Like most people my age I responded, “Imogene who?” And I was berated for my lack of knowledge of her presence in early television. Like a good student, I immediately did my research. Upon first glance, I had to know everything about her. Her large eyes, petite frame, dancer-like physicality, and ever so expressive face made me believe that I was staring back at myself. She was I or I am she. Doesn’t matter. She quickly became my comedy god and I her idolater ready for consumption.
Imogene Coca was one of the absolute first women to be a televised comedian. She worked alongside Sid Caesar in his Your Show of Shows. While on the show she worked with such writers as Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, and Neil Simon; and performed often with Carl Reiner. She was by far my favorite comedy partner to Caesar and in my humble opinions, so much funnier. She steals every scene with a simple look. She was hilarious. Unfortunately, there is very little out there of her.
Here’s a perfect example of her physicality, her expressions, and her ability to make you laugh without having to say a word. And the entire time you can’t keep your eyes off of her.
Her resume was as petite as her frame. She had few successful television productions and made an attempt to go out on her own with The Imogene Coca Show, which lasted only a season. You may recognize Coca as the loony aunt in The Brady Bunch and once again, the loony grandmother in National Lampoons: Vacation. Yup, she was the one strapped to the top of the van.
She was hilarious.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Lady Love
The art of a good blog is to have a niche. A niche that inspires you to inspire others. A blog that inspires you to write everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. I have so many things that I always want to talk about and yet I still can go months without a proper post. Why does this end up being such a struggle? The blogs that I love and click on thousands of times are the ones that focus on one thing, and one thing only. The Sartorialist focuses solely on inspirational fashion from regular (and not so regular) folks. Garance Dore does the same. And every day you can guarantee that I will click onto their site, well over 50 times, just to see if they've added anything new. Fashion is probably my second passion, (if you don't know already, acting is my first) that may be the reason for my obsessive compulsive desires to click the minute I get home, the minute I wake up, right before I need to get out the door (inevitably contributing to the reason why I'm usually late). So ... where does this all lead me? What is the niche in which I wish to write and write and write until my eyes go crossed and my fingers are burdened with exhaustion? Drum roll please .......
Women. Women in film. Women filmmakers. Women who are out there everyday, paving the way for women like myself to have the opportunity to perform for my living. Women who own their own production companies. Women who are writing their own content that chooses to empower our role in society. Women who are filming their own stories as they see them through the camera lens. Women who are casting and giving the jobs to other women so that we can continue to have a powerful and fruitful stamp, not only in the world of cinema, but in the world. Period.
I want to dedicate my time here, on this blog, to writing about my discoveries, my struggles, my successes, my let downs, my triumphs, my true inspirations; in the hopes that it'll inspire more and more women to do the same. To take control of creating more opportunity for themselves, and for other women to work and be fulfilled in this business. Because, let's just face it, there just isn't enough of us out there. There's no need to complain about this. There's only a need to take action. To simply do.
As the brilliant spiritual guru, Eileen Caddy, so eloquently professed. "Stop sitting there with your hands folded, looking on, doing nothing. Get into action and live this full and glorious life. NOW. You have to do it!"
My hands are not folded in my lap, they're on my keyboard. I'm no longer just thinking about writing this blog, I'm writing it. And the what's the reason? Because I'm constantly inspired by the brilliant women that I'm surrounded by. I cannot wait to start writing about ALL of them. I cannot wait to start writing about YOU.
Women. Women in film. Women filmmakers. Women who are out there everyday, paving the way for women like myself to have the opportunity to perform for my living. Women who own their own production companies. Women who are writing their own content that chooses to empower our role in society. Women who are filming their own stories as they see them through the camera lens. Women who are casting and giving the jobs to other women so that we can continue to have a powerful and fruitful stamp, not only in the world of cinema, but in the world. Period.
I want to dedicate my time here, on this blog, to writing about my discoveries, my struggles, my successes, my let downs, my triumphs, my true inspirations; in the hopes that it'll inspire more and more women to do the same. To take control of creating more opportunity for themselves, and for other women to work and be fulfilled in this business. Because, let's just face it, there just isn't enough of us out there. There's no need to complain about this. There's only a need to take action. To simply do.
As the brilliant spiritual guru, Eileen Caddy, so eloquently professed. "Stop sitting there with your hands folded, looking on, doing nothing. Get into action and live this full and glorious life. NOW. You have to do it!"
My hands are not folded in my lap, they're on my keyboard. I'm no longer just thinking about writing this blog, I'm writing it. And the what's the reason? Because I'm constantly inspired by the brilliant women that I'm surrounded by. I cannot wait to start writing about ALL of them. I cannot wait to start writing about YOU.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Homeless Chronicles
Living in Los Angeles you encounter your fair share of homeless personalities. Some fill you with sorrow while others ignite nothing but bewilderment through your bones. In recent weeks I’ve had some of my favorite encounters and must share their eccentricities. Let me preface this with it’s all coming from a girl who finds Little Edie to be her fashion icon and solitary hero.
The Joker
I was leaving Michael Levine’s fabric store last week when a tall man approached me with a lot of soul. “I’ll make you laugh for a little dough.” I’m tough to make laugh. If you have heard me say, “That’s so funny.” I really don’t think it’s funny and I’m simply attempting to appease you with my lack of direct enthusiasm. So, I thought that if he were to succeed then he truly worked for any cash flow I could offer him. I accepted his request and there we were, walking together as one liner after one liner was delivered with confidence and perfect timing. There was even an O.J. Simpson joke that when I heard the opening line, I quickly deduced that it was first of all dated, and second of all, that I had heard it before. Nope! It had me laughing hard at its boldness and shames me that I cannot remember the joke verbatim to share with you here. So, as a good businessperson should, I paid heed to our verbal contract and handed the man a few dollars. Sadly, those few dollars are more than most performers get paid during an entire theatrical run.
The Picky Eater
The Trader Joe’s on Hyperion has its staple homeless man. He sits against the wall, sometimes with shoes kicked off and a cup ready to receive change. One time I passed by the man four times in quick succession (I forgot my bag in the car, etc.) and every time I passed he said, “Change?” As if in the span of a few seconds money would somehow materialize in my hand that wasn’t there before. Well, Trader Joe’s has a banana problem. Sometimes they don’t ripen. When I brought back my pathetic and dried out bundle they sent me home with twelve! The other six were to make up for a previous batch. What can one single lady do with twelve bananas? Give them away of course! I walked out of T.J.’S and looked forward to my day of charity. I walked up, wanting to ask first because he may be allergic (like my Mama) and he replied, “No, not this morning.” Well how about this afternoon? And there I went with my twelve bananas and a good deed gone undone. A few weeks later I witnessed the same thing happen to another woman. The woman went to the man, “Would you like a banana?” And the Picky Eater responds, “No, not this morning.” I immediately started laughing and felt the need to commune with this kind woman about the same experience I had with this barefooted hungry, but not that hungry, man that has permanently planted himself outside our neighborhood grocer! But I didn’t. Instead, I went home to try a little bit of everything that I had in my shopping bag.
The Starlet
I was on my way to teaching my preschool yoga class when bam! I was hit with the image of this gorgeous platinum blond woman (well it was more white than blond) who was sitting barefoot near a bus stop. Her hair was full with volume and large curls. She was like a 1940’s starlet. But homeless. She sat there with her hand mirror; legs crossed, and finished perfecting a brilliant smoky eyed look that added drama to her ruggedly aging face. The image of her there is still is so striking to me. I saw her one more time on my way to the same class, getting ready for her day in the same fashion and wished I had had the time to possibly sit and have a conversation. Figure out her name, maybe how she got to wear she was and what possesses her to keep applying such a dramatic amount of make up when she doesn’t have enough food to eat. I fantasize that maybe she’s like the film version of Miss Havisham played by Anne Bancroft in “Great Expectations.” An old eccentric spinster who is out to ruin the romantic lives of the young! But, everyone isn’t a Charles Dickens novel so I’ll continue to pretend. And from one heavy eye make up wearing woman to another, I appreciate that what is important to her, a woman with a very low cosmetic budget, is to continue to look ridiculously fabulous when the odds are against you.
The Joker
I was leaving Michael Levine’s fabric store last week when a tall man approached me with a lot of soul. “I’ll make you laugh for a little dough.” I’m tough to make laugh. If you have heard me say, “That’s so funny.” I really don’t think it’s funny and I’m simply attempting to appease you with my lack of direct enthusiasm. So, I thought that if he were to succeed then he truly worked for any cash flow I could offer him. I accepted his request and there we were, walking together as one liner after one liner was delivered with confidence and perfect timing. There was even an O.J. Simpson joke that when I heard the opening line, I quickly deduced that it was first of all dated, and second of all, that I had heard it before. Nope! It had me laughing hard at its boldness and shames me that I cannot remember the joke verbatim to share with you here. So, as a good businessperson should, I paid heed to our verbal contract and handed the man a few dollars. Sadly, those few dollars are more than most performers get paid during an entire theatrical run.
The Picky Eater
The Trader Joe’s on Hyperion has its staple homeless man. He sits against the wall, sometimes with shoes kicked off and a cup ready to receive change. One time I passed by the man four times in quick succession (I forgot my bag in the car, etc.) and every time I passed he said, “Change?” As if in the span of a few seconds money would somehow materialize in my hand that wasn’t there before. Well, Trader Joe’s has a banana problem. Sometimes they don’t ripen. When I brought back my pathetic and dried out bundle they sent me home with twelve! The other six were to make up for a previous batch. What can one single lady do with twelve bananas? Give them away of course! I walked out of T.J.’S and looked forward to my day of charity. I walked up, wanting to ask first because he may be allergic (like my Mama) and he replied, “No, not this morning.” Well how about this afternoon? And there I went with my twelve bananas and a good deed gone undone. A few weeks later I witnessed the same thing happen to another woman. The woman went to the man, “Would you like a banana?” And the Picky Eater responds, “No, not this morning.” I immediately started laughing and felt the need to commune with this kind woman about the same experience I had with this barefooted hungry, but not that hungry, man that has permanently planted himself outside our neighborhood grocer! But I didn’t. Instead, I went home to try a little bit of everything that I had in my shopping bag.
The Starlet
I was on my way to teaching my preschool yoga class when bam! I was hit with the image of this gorgeous platinum blond woman (well it was more white than blond) who was sitting barefoot near a bus stop. Her hair was full with volume and large curls. She was like a 1940’s starlet. But homeless. She sat there with her hand mirror; legs crossed, and finished perfecting a brilliant smoky eyed look that added drama to her ruggedly aging face. The image of her there is still is so striking to me. I saw her one more time on my way to the same class, getting ready for her day in the same fashion and wished I had had the time to possibly sit and have a conversation. Figure out her name, maybe how she got to wear she was and what possesses her to keep applying such a dramatic amount of make up when she doesn’t have enough food to eat. I fantasize that maybe she’s like the film version of Miss Havisham played by Anne Bancroft in “Great Expectations.” An old eccentric spinster who is out to ruin the romantic lives of the young! But, everyone isn’t a Charles Dickens novel so I’ll continue to pretend. And from one heavy eye make up wearing woman to another, I appreciate that what is important to her, a woman with a very low cosmetic budget, is to continue to look ridiculously fabulous when the odds are against you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The first, in a series of many ...
Here I am again. I'm at a blogging crossroads where I've decided to delete my previous account and start all fresh and new. My need for a clean slate is brought upon by my constant neglect and inability to encourage myself to write something I felt important enough to be looked at. But, I've narrowed down what it is that may be cause for lamentation and worthy of a blog post. My adventures in Los Angeles as an actress, comedian, writer, and producer. Oh, and yoga teacher, seamstress, doula, and any of the other hobbies I've taken upon in order to be able to pay my rent and feed myself sometimes organic produce, as well as buy new headshots and postage stamps. God, those little paper things are expensive.
My current adventurous obsession has been revamping my P.R. means and getting more of my work out into the ether. I cut my hair and LOVE it. My neighbor ran into me and described the new do as being "mod and fearless." I told him that I appreciated him and his opinions very much. My extraordinarily talented friend Aurelia is going to do the honors and snap some new shots. She was the one who did the brilliant job at recreating all of my American Apparel ads for my latest A.A. show. Here is a teaser for your thorough enjoyment. Radical? I'd say so.
I'm also in the process of revamping my website with my ridiculously talented sister. Christa is the reason that half of my P.R. stuff looks so professional. Otherwise I'd still be living in the days of cutting and pasting. With actual scissors and paste.
And that, ladies and gentleman, has been my life the last week. The revamps (I've used this word now three times) and new ideas. And I haven't even begun to work on my taxes and I have my appointment on Wednesday to make the magic happen! Perhaps I should stop this now and rummage through some old receipts to acquire some much needed write offs. Goodnight!
My current adventurous obsession has been revamping my P.R. means and getting more of my work out into the ether. I cut my hair and LOVE it. My neighbor ran into me and described the new do as being "mod and fearless." I told him that I appreciated him and his opinions very much. My extraordinarily talented friend Aurelia is going to do the honors and snap some new shots. She was the one who did the brilliant job at recreating all of my American Apparel ads for my latest A.A. show. Here is a teaser for your thorough enjoyment. Radical? I'd say so.
I'm also in the process of revamping my website with my ridiculously talented sister. Christa is the reason that half of my P.R. stuff looks so professional. Otherwise I'd still be living in the days of cutting and pasting. With actual scissors and paste.
And that, ladies and gentleman, has been my life the last week. The revamps (I've used this word now three times) and new ideas. And I haven't even begun to work on my taxes and I have my appointment on Wednesday to make the magic happen! Perhaps I should stop this now and rummage through some old receipts to acquire some much needed write offs. Goodnight!
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