Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Oscars

February 29, 2012 By in Uncategorized Tags: , 4 Comments

Yes, I have to do a post about the Oscars. I know you are probably so over it by now; all the best dressed hullaballoo and who won/lost, but I must insist.

The Oscars are my superbowl. It’s not just because it is about the best films and actors of the past year all getting together. It’s about the actual program itself for me. I don’t remember the first Oscars I saw. I want to say I was about ten or eleven. Billy Crystal was hosting, everyone was glamourous, there was a live orchestra. I was mesmerized and have been ever since.

I have always been in love with Hollywood’s Golden Age. Studios were booming, stars were made, and everything was glamourous and glittering. So to me, the Oscars represent all of this history. They remind us why we make movies, they provide actors and film makers an astronomical career boost, and everybody gets to be the best version of themselves. It is an evening to celebrate cinema, and more than I enjoy being an actor, I love watching movies. The stories that put a mirror up to the world. Pure magic.

Now, having seen almost every ceremony since the late nineties, I’m a tough critic: I want to know who is producing, who is designing, who is hosting and presenting. I keep a ballot and I watch the clock to see if they bring the program in on time. Then of course there it the Red Carpet which is almost as important. A good red carpet can make someone’s career. Renee Zellweger in that yellow Jean Desses dress basically landed her on the A-list.

So I loves me a red carpet. Who is wearing what, how well they are wearing it, how well they answer the interviewers (who usually ask terrible questions). It’s all a show and I want to see who is stealing the spotlight (I’m looking at you George Clooney). Someday I hope to walk that red carpet. As an nominated actor, sure. But to present, produce, host, or any other job that involves me in the most magical show of the year.

What were your favorite parts of the broadcast this year? Best dressed? Your favorite host? I want to know!

 

xoxo,

Jess

5 Year Plan

February 22, 2012 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

We all have heard of the “five year plan”, you may even have one. The places you’ll be in five years. All the things you’ll accomplish. How high you’ll have climbed on the company ladder.

But I think we are thinking about this all wrong. Ever since my aunts were diagnosed with breast cancer, my perspective on life has changed. We aren’t aware of our mortality until we are faced with it, and usually it’s too late to really enjoy life. So I propose a new five year plan. What if you were told you only had five years left? You had five good years and then that was it. What are the first things that popped into your head? How would you truly want to spend that time?

The answers might surprise you. Mine did. There were things I never expected on there, and things I thought would be on the list that weren’t. Now that we have our lists, why don’t we live our lives like that? Let’s not wait until we only have five years left. You never really know anyways.

So make your list and make that your new five year plan.

 

 

xoxox,

Jess

Pride and Filmmaking

February 15, 2012 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

As I embark on my next producing project, I want to talk about pride and it’s place in film making.

Now, I freely admit that I am not a writer, but to play the roles I want to play and stretch myself as an actor, I have to make my own opportunities. Last summer I started writing a short film about a young married couple in the crux of a world pandemic. As they struggle to survive they are also struggling with their relationship and the choices they have to make.

Of course after I wrote it I was so proud of myself. OhlookatmeI’msosmartIjustwroteamovie. I thought it was a great script. Looking back, I’m glad I believed in the story more than anything (and not the actual script).  I was lucky enough to get Zeek and Chris at SHEP to come on board to direct, after I had such a great time with them on In the Pines. My good friend Aaron Blakely also agreed to join the team to play opposite me. Surprisingly, I wasn’t completely precious about the script and said that I would like their input.

Now we are two weeks from our shoot date and I am so glad I have learned to distance myself from the work. What I mean is, it is imperative to not let your pride get hurt by the creative process. Earlier this week, we had our first meeting on the script and it was really just all of us tearing apart the first few drafts and putting it together again. Changing things, realizing what would never work, adjusting, complicating, problem solving. Had I been extremely attached to my first script this would have been agony.

Though this process has been difficult (and I hope to share more over the next few weeks), I have learned so much. Mainly that you mustn’t let pride get in the way of the creative process. Film is a collective medium and everyone’s voices must be heard. Let yourself be surprised!

My strategy now for film making is to surround myself with people who are smarter than me. That way they can see the weak points and will have great solutions. This will bring criticism but you must embrace it if you want what is best for the project. I want to make good films and if that means my ideas get torn apart, or I need 20 takes I am willing to do that. Rejection is a means for growth, and as they say, if you want to increase your rate of success, increase your rate of failure. Go ahead and keep the ideas coming, but be ready to let them go and let something better come along.

xoxo,

Jess

So Many Hats

February 7, 2012 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , 1 Comment

As an actor in this day and age you have to wear a lot of hats. If you really want to do the work you want to do, you can’t wait around for it. Granted, I have been able to be a part of some ridiculously amazing professional projects, but you have to keep the ball rolling after those projects are over. You constantly have to be working your chops and putting yourself out there.

The most common way to do this is through short films. I wrote and produced a short a few years ago so that I could act in it and it taught me some very valuable lessons. Number one, producing is hard. Number two, it costs money. And the more people that you bring on the team, the more money it’s going to cost. So, like most people, I try to keep the numbers down by wearing more hats myself.

This is where I am starting to struggle. I do one thing really well, and that is acting. I’m not going to be able to do these other jobs as well as my first talent. I know there are so many other talented people that could do it better than me, but I have to do it myself to stay in budget. This is where I get discouraged. I want to do everything well. I don’t like the feeling of only being adequate. But, I’m forced to be a great producer, writer, editor, production assistant, wardrobe mistress, hair and makeup artist, and actor.

I will say that having to do all these jobs myself makes me appreciated SO much when I don’t have to do them. When I can show up and go to the makeup trailer, have someone do my face and dress me, then tell me where to go and how to act the scene. And get paid. That, my friends, is luxurious. However, at this point in my career, I have to fill in the gaps by making my own work.

Some days I feel like I’m wearing all the hats like a boss, and on others, not a one will fit on my head. I don’t have any answers or words of wisdom, I just try to think about you: The people I’m making these movies for. I want them to be something you would like to watch- something that would make you stop and think during your busy day. As I move from “actor” to “filmmaker” I realize this is all bigger then myself, and that gives me the inspiration to keep going.

Headshots

February 1, 2012 By in Advice for Actors, Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

As an actor, your headshots are your most important marketing tool. Like, MOST important. Your resume is good, but people need to know how you look and if you will fit into the world of the project.

Over the years I’ve had a lot of headshots taken. Hell, I’ve even been a head shot photographer. And the last two years I’ve needed quite a few new pictures because my hair has changed so much. This is because the golden rule of headshots is that they HAVE to look like you. Right now. If you walked in off the street today you would look like your headshot (minus some makeup and hair styling). And as the industry is changing, the image has to look good as a thumbnail because most submissions are online now. When casting directors are looking at hundreds of thumbnails, you want yours to be interesting enough for them to click on it.

If you have never had heashots taken, or hate doing it, here are my tips for getting the winning shot:

-Find a photographer with whom you can work well. First start by asking for referrals from friends, teachers, agents, or strangers. Or a simple google will do. Next, go to that photographer’s website. What is your first impression? I think web design says a lot about a person (you’re judging me right now, I know). And of course, look at their galleries. Do you like the work? Does it affect you in any way? What are their prices, etc?  You may want to call them or meet with them to talk about your needs and wants before you commit to spending a lot of money. You need to be comfortable with this person. After all, you have to show them your soul.

- Does that photographer have a make up artist? I’ve lucked out in this department because my best friend is a professional make up artist and I have done plenty of it myself. If you are not comfortable doing your own make up ask the photographer if they have any artists they work with and could suggest. Just like the photographer, you have to like the artist’s work and they need to understand you. Are you a natural kind of gal? Then don’t pick a make up artist that loves false eyelashes and glitter. And if you choose to go to a make up counter at the mall, please, for goodness sake, make an appointment. That way you get enough time with the consultant and they won’t be trying to rush you out of the chair to make another sale. Your look needs to be right, so make the time for it.

-Play some music during your session! Music helps create a mood, break the ice, and create a fun environment. So bring your ipod with some songs lined up, or your favorite Pandora station. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference!

-What will you wear? Solid colors are best. V-necks are good because they open up your neck and your face. But ladies, please cover the girls. Also, think about how you are/want to be cast. Are you the girl next door? A middle class dad? High powered attorney? Dress the part. Don’t actually wear scrubs or a cowboy hat, but suggest the part. For an everyday working man, a flannel shirt or simple t would work. For a teen, a hoodie could be fun. And white-collar? Wear a white-collar, or at least a button down and a blazer. It’s always best to bring options and talk with your photographer about what would work best with the back grounds they have and with your skin, etc. I’ve done this so much I bring the exact looks I want and tell the photographer what I’m looking for. Oh, and don’t wear any logos or branded images.

-Communicate something with your eyes. No deer in head lights here, people. Smile, but show it in your eyes. Want a serious look? Think something serious that your character would think. Maybe, I’m going to win this election. Or, I really hope he knows how much I love him. You get the idea. Just like with your acting, draw the viewer in. Bare your soul. That’s why you’re an actor- it’s your job.

Hopefully this is all helpful! If you have questions or comments please post them here. I’m also posting my new headshots I just took with John Ulman in addition to some of my head shots over the years. I look at them and am reminded of how far I’ve come. And remember, you are going to take a lot of pictures during your head shot session. A lot of them will be bad, but there will be a handful that will knock your socks off. So, go out there and have fun!

xoxox,

Jess