Work on Your Dream a Little Every Day

I'm so blessed.
It's been a real busy January thus far.  I have been performing in the following projects:

On the Set of Swing State with Actor Alex Beh.

*"Sabado Mornings" - > stage reading -> 4 week run play, March- April;
*The 1st 24 Hour Theatre Project (which I Directed);
*I played a waitress in a movie titled "Swing State";
*I turned in the first draft of the horror movie that I am writing -> new draft due February 15th, 2016;
*"If the SHU Fits" -> stage reading;
*The movie "Past Due" -> Cast as Bienvenida -> March- April shooting schedule.

I've done all of those things and we are only 3 weeks into the new year.
I am so blessed.  All these opportunities give me a chance to work on my craft and to get better at it.

One of the things I am working on for 2016, is to listen to direction and to listen to criticism openly.  It's been a really interesting self awareness time for me thus far.  And you know, I like listening.  I like feeling confidence in who I am, who I'm working with, and what I feel.  Honestly, I don't know where that is coming from but it sure feels right. 

Anyway, keep working on YOUR dream everyday. Don't let things get in the way.

Often I find myself letting other things take me in many directions. So I have put reminders around myself not to allow any forgetting of my dream. One of these reminders is a special cup of mine that reads "ACE ACTOR".  I have also programmed Siri to remind me everyday.  When asked my profession, I always refer to myself as an actress, and the first think I do every morning is an actor related task.

I'm here to tell you, whatever YOUR dream is, work at it daily.  Make a point of it.  Direct your thoughts toward it.  Trust yourself, the process will get easier after a while and projects will be coming your way.

Hugs,
jc

FREE FALLING

Well, no one understands the commitment it takes to be an actor in this town, unless you are an actor in this town.  I mean a serious actor - the struggle, the commitment, the sacrifice, the tenacity and the study.   I don't mean those actors whose parents paid their way for them to become actors, they are lucky, because acting does take money.

At times I sit in my car with my gas tank on empty driving to my audition.  The fact that I don't have money for gas is in my head, plus the anxiety that I'm running late, while the realization sets in that my GPS is taking me the opposite direction.

I arrive frantic, but as I go into that casting room I hug everyone.  "Hello, I'm here. OK, lets get started".   I read - and then it's over,  I say goodbye and leave the room.  I get back in my car and drive to the gas station hoping my 7 dollars in cash is enough to take me to visit a friend on the set of a film he is producing and acting in.

I mean, at least now I don't have the worry about the gas,  it's been replaced by the worry that I have less $7 in my account.  I go there and meet some wonderful people and have fun.

I'm not there begging for a part. I'm not desperate that I will do anything for a part (ha, ha).  In fact I didn't even want to really go there, but I am there, because I have a friend and if  I meet people I meet them, with no false pretense.  They know I'm an actress.  Just the fact that I live in LA and I'm in Hollywood basically screams "Actress".  I just told you the commitment it takes to be one. I can't now leave that passion at the door and forget about it.  It's a need, like the need to breathe. It's like that feeling you get when you are free falling.
No Guarantee.

This business is about networking, knowing people, but how can you get to know them when everyone thinks you want something from them. It's almost like they'll put up their dukes before you can say hello. But once in a while as an actor you have to stand up for yourself and say "enough"!  I'm not here for them to call me names, I'm not here because I want something from them.  I have something to bring and share with them and I also only desire to work with people I want to work with.  I love when people underestimate me.

Thanks for listening,

JC

Write Yourself a Part!

My New Year started with a Bang.  I won the Connect Four Tournament on New Year's Eve.  It was really a great night.

Since the new year I've been working on writing a horror script.  I've been working on this project since 2012.  I'm making revisions and a beat sheet to turn in to the Producer.

It's not easy getting started.  It seems I'm always waiting until the last minute to get things done.  I have a meeting next week to discuss the requested changes and beat sheet.  So I do have to be accountable for it. Which pushes me to write, and pushes me to do things I haven't done before.  And trust that he will like it.

My Goal is to have this film made.  I would be creating jobs and hire, actors, writers, camera men, etc.

My teachers always said if you are writing a script, write yourself a part.  I have done just that.

I can't wait to share this project with all of you in the near future.

Happy New Year 2016!.

It is never too early to start on your dream!
JC