a couple of days ago, i went to audition for a student film at the ny film academy here in la. i thought it went pretty well, and the director, chip, was very friendly and encouraging. that afternoon, i got a call from vanessa, another ny film student, who was the AD (assistant director) for another one of the student's films (how film school works: the large class is split into smaller groups of about 6 people, and within these groups, each person has their own film to direct for each project they are assigned. when one person is the director, all the other group members act as their crew; they all just take turns). as it turns out, vanessa, along with the rest of chip's crew, had been sitting in on my audition, and they were calling to see if i'd play the lead in one of their other group member's films. the catch was, it was filming the next two days (saturday/sunday). and...there were a few stipulations. i flat out told vanessa that i didn't do nudity (lol), and she said no, but asked if i would be ok with a)having my face painted as though i were dead, and b)wouldn't mind spitting out fake blood. by the way, it's a horror film. so, i said "heck no i wouldn't mind!" i thought that it sounded really exciting; i've always wanted to do a horror film!!!
there are really soo many details i could write, but i'll try to not make it a novel...we filmed at chip's home in orange county, so it was a drive, but it was worth it. i knew chip, and kim (his wife, who helped out with the casting), looked really familiar, and when i got to their house, i realized that they were chip and kim mcaliister--winners of a season of the reality show "the amazing race!" it was the only season i actually watched, so that was funny that he was now the DP (director of photography) on a film i was doing! we filmed at their house, and bless their family for letting us use it, because we were up screaming bloody murder at 3 am, running around, setting up lights, and deeming the entire place as a quiet zone. they were very patient. and their family dynamics were so entertaining, too!
so, the film, which i can't wait to see already (it should be finished by february), is a japanese & american-style horror hybrid. hiro, the director is japanese, and i didn't get to see the footage, but i did watch the monitor some, and it looked very artistic. the general plot synopsis is: 4 college friends buy a really nice house that is supposedly haunted, and they may or may not encounter the ghost of a little girl...i guess you'll have to wait and watch it!! :) this one should go up on youtube, so i should post it in a couple of months, hopefully.
we thought we'd be finished by midnight or so last night, but the semi-night shoot turned into a real night shoot, and i definitely didn't get back to santa monica until 8 this morning. but, as always, doing this film (or any project) always solidifies my desire to be acting. i love being on set, i love getting to know people and becoming like family because you're with them for 20 out of 24 hours, and i love the anticipation of seeing a finished product. i know i'm not getting paid as a "working actor" yet, but any experience is welcomed right now!
below are a couple of pictures, please keep in mind, things look a lot less cool/scary when you can't see it with proper film lighting and hollywood effects!!:
here's jaxy, chip, and vanessa (as the ghost-i promise it's scarier on camera, lol)
and, this is chevy, hiro (the director), and me with my creepy dead makeup!
other than filming, i had a couple of really fun Christmas parties this week. one was at our friends' apartment, and we ate and did a secret santa exchange, and made this really really adorable ornaments. if i can find all the pieces for the craft, i want to make a whole set of these eclectic little ornaments! it was a bit tedious, but also creative and relaxing, and produced beautiful results!
well, i think i'm going to make a nice, hot, spaghetti dinner! and, a last minute HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad and uncle!! goodnight all!
How cool, girlie! You are so on top of things with pop culture. I've always considered myself really good, but I would have totally missed the Amazing Race connection. So cool that you were able to realize that!
Oooo! How did you make that ornament? I'm supposed to do an ornament exchange, and I haven't decided what to do.
That's so cool! Jenny and I love watching the Amazing Race every week, but I didn't watch any of season 5. Can't wait to see the film! Seeing you in a horror movie is going to be so fun.
LP! i so wish i could get out there and visit with you again. Can you believe that was almost a year ago! You're doing so great... and I love how cute you look even with your creepy dead makeup on :)