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

LOVE Now or Never

This is my last blog for the year, I want to say thank you for reading my blog.  And taking the time to get to know me better.  I will be sharing with you my year in a few scattered words. My hope is that after I've shared you will share your year with me.


     I have learned so much this past year.  I've made what I believe are smart choices with my career.  I've learned to follow my instincts.

I've met new people.  I've strengthened my friendships. Some friendships have taken a few steps back.  I hope they will come back at some point soon, down the road.

My beliefs have gotten stronger.  I know what I stand for now: animals, natural beauty, inner beauty and passion.  Is there anything else?

I have conquered some of my fears.  I have found courage to stand up to them.

I find intriguing that the things I've revisited take a different meaning now.  I understand lots of things much differently, better.

I've learned to pay attention to "thoughts", they have so much power over our lives.  We indeed build what we think.

As an actor it is a different story to come from a happy place in order to share, than from a place of hurt. I am not using my emotions to be the character. I am borrowing those emotions and not reliving a dreadful experience.  I'm more in the moment.

My wish for you in the new year is to LOVE, now, today, not tomorrow.

Remember to share in the comment section below.

Sincerely,

JC

The "C" Words; Choice & Commitment

I had the great pleasure to perform a stage reading for "Sabado Mornings," written by George Corbin & Directed by Melvin Ishamel Johnson, developed at the Robey Playwrights Workshop.  The performance was on December 11th, 2015, at the Moments Theatre in Los Angeles at 7 pm.  In this two character play I was one of the leads.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  

A Stage Reading is done when the production team, in this case the writer and director, take time to get feedback for their work.  They get actors to read the play to audience members and ask for feedback on what works and what doesn't. 

With "Sabado Mornings" there was one rehearsal which included the Writer and Director.  They went over stage cues and the rest was left up to the actors.  I needed to make CHOICES.  

What are CHOICES: As an actor you must make choices.  These choices have to make sense.  They can be bold, but must pertain to the plot of the play.  For example, for the character of Rosa, I made the choice that she would speak with a Mexican accent because throughout the play the playwright sprinkled in Spanish words.  I gave Rosa a big personality.  She needed to have it to keep the dialogue flowing.  She was a talker, inquisitive. She asked a lot of questions.  I gave her some childlike traits. She laughed a lot and wore her heart on her sleeve. 

Choices once made have to have your COMMITMENT.  You must commit to your choices and believe in them so that your audience will believe in them too.  If at any point you are hazy about your choices, the audience will feel your uncertainty.  

The reading followed with an open discussion.   

The audience was asked for their opinion about the play.  A lady in the audience commented that my character seemed "too young" to be partnered with Eddie the male lead because he was a 50 year old man who  ends up having a love affair with Rosa.  She mentioned that perhaps the role of Rosa needed to be recast with an older woman.   She felt that Rosa seemed too young to have this type of love affair.  

The moderator then asked the actors about their opinions.  I mentioned I enjoyed the play enough to follow it all the way to the end because the characters were so interesting, they weren't boring.  But I did feel I had to address the topic brought up by the audience member.  It was a valid point.  The role did describe Rosa as 45 years old.  And I am a bit younger.  I was quite aware of this issue.  But I had made my choice to commit.  I only had one week, one rehearsal.   I needed to carry the beat of the play, keep it up, keep people from getting bored.   I chose to make her youthful because she had to show passion and excitement for the little things.  Rosa was also very happy to talk to anyone that will listen to her long enough.    

I felt my choices were valid, they were based on fact.  I stuck with them and I was happy with my performance.  Of course, there is always room for improvement.  I felt perhaps the lady in the audience was focusing on my age instead of my performance which might mean that as an actor I wasn't doing my job.  My goal is always to have everyone in their seats relating to my character and listen to what my character has to say.  

What have we learned today?  

An actor must make choices and commit to them.  And, there is always room for improvement.  

I welcome any questions you may have. 

jc

Life & Happiness: You Have to Work At It Everyday

Life: You Have to Work At It Everyday

Happiness, it is something that doesn't come easily.  Some of us have to work at it everyday.

We have to make ourselves smile now and then. Not because of some "condition" but because life has its ups and its downs.  (which is something we all must accept).  There'll be some good times and some bad times.  Life, like everything else has its evolution, life and death.  

With everything that is happening in the world today, we still have to smile everyday.  We have to keep a "level head".  I'm not saying to deny all your bad moments.  No.  It is very important to acknowledge moments of sadness. We are all made of flesh and blood and we do bleed.

But, once you've acknowledged your sad moments and let out those emotions -you've cried or hugged it out, or whatever your thing is.  Mine is; I become a recluse, I stay in, and analyze.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, Life/Happiness. We have to bring forth a smile until we believe we are happy and we begin to feel we are happy and then we can love instead of hate.

Even through the rough times we may have, Smile, Hug, Love.  That is how we heal. ..
So start working at it everyday.   jc

Always Look Your Best

I disliked so much when I was at a dinner party and as part of the conversation it is revealed  that I am an actress.  Automatically, people are like "Act".  Or if I they find out I sing, they are like "SING."  Right then and there they want me to bust out in song and dance like if I was a toy.  I was insulted.  I was also very timid.  I was raised very humble and showing off was not part of my up bringing.

Today, it's a different story,  I find joy when people ask me this. And at the drop of a dime, if someone asks me to sing, I will sing.  If someone asks me to Act, I will recite the monologue that comes to mind. I am no longer shy about my talent.  In fact I look forward to the opportunity.

I have found as an actor you always have to be ready.  You always have to be in an attitude of success yet approachable.  You don't know who is watching or who knows who. Or when the opportunity will appear.

Two weeks ago I was invited to an event.  I thought I would show up, say hello to the people that needed to see me. And I would quickly exit. I would stay there one hour tops.  When I arrived I was met with an opportunity I couldn't refuse. I was asked to cohost the event.  Get on stage and do what I do best, be me.  Luckily I looked great and I felt confident enough.  I was ready. The evening was a success.

Later the individual who asked me to cohost let me know.  The reason he asked me to co-host was because I looked really good and he could not let that go to waste.

Let me tell you I was happy regardless of the reason.  It gave me an opportunity to get in front of head of studios and my peers.  I was ready.  I was dressed and all I needed was the opportunity.

So my friends, always looks your best.  Always have a magic trick ready to go.  I will pay off I guarantee.