Now streaming! Netflix’s new series, “Bloodline.”
Our sunshine state should be proud of it’s newest Florida-based series, “Bloodline,” and I’m super thankful to have been a part of it. So many of my talented Orlando acting buddies booked roles for this show, and I’m especially proud of Tony DeMil and Sarah French, who play the younger “flash-back” versions of the leads. You can catch me in a couple of short scenes in Part 5 (with Sissy Spacek at 4:50 and with Ben Mendelsohn at 9:50), but I highly encourage you to “binge watch” the entire series. 😉
I had an actor “ah-ha!” moment while working with Ben Mendelsohn and Sissy Spacek… I remember having this same feeling working with Naomi Watts in Sunlight Jr…. the ENERGY exchange. We (my “tv husband,” Matt Chizever and I) filmed the scene with Ben first, and I remember when the connection was made, it felt like a (((WOOOM))) wave of energy. Ben sent it, I received it, and then I sent it back. It was the same with Ms. Spacek. I’ve heard in classes and workshops about how important the “energy centers” are in acting, and I could grasp the concept, but getting to work with these “upper level” actors made me understand it on a deeper level. It was almost like… “realer than real-life.” They wield Energy like Jedi or kung fu masters. –> And like all good acting lessons, I now get to work on integrating it into my daily life. Establishing “realer than real-life” connections with the people I come into contact with. Really “seeing” people and allowing them to “see” you. Being open, sensitive and strong for yourself and for those around you… quite a responsibility.
“A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.” ~Master Yoda
2014 Highlights (so far)
- Improv and Sketch Writing Workshop at Second City, Chicago
- Meeting with Craig Fincannon of Fincannon and Associates (casting), in Wilmington, NC
- “Rally in Tally” with Film Florida
- Long-form Improv Week Intensive with iO Chicago‘s Charna Halpern at Just the Funny in Miami, FL
- Cast as principal in Home Depot Canada commercial
- Cast as principal in Credit Karma commercial
- Cast as lead in *”The Way,” a webseries by Ronny Vega (*Teaser trailer –> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbv7kJ94uM )
- Trip to Colorado (Colorado Springs, Red Rocks, Boulder, Estes Park- Lumpy Ridge, Elitch Gardens)
- Cast as co-star role in an episode of the new Netflix Untitled KZK Project. Got to work with director Jean DeSegonzac, and the intensely talented Sissy Spacek and Ben Mendelsohn in the Florida Keys! ^_^
- Cast as lead in “Blind Date,” dir. Robert Dodrill
- Cast as recurring in new webseries “#ThisIsWhyImSingle,” created by Tim Scholes.
- “Turkey Day” (my first directing project) accepted into the Action On Film Festival 2014! ^_^
- Cast as lead in “Right Kind of Sinner,” dir. Robert Dodrill
- Cast as principal in HSN Commercial
Comfort in mystery.
Sometimes grief can sneak up behind you and whack you in the back of the head, knocking you down, and you struggle once again to remember how to breathe. Sometimes you want to fight and hit back. Sometimes you realize there’s nothing you can do, and you feel paralyzed and want to numb yourself for a while. Sometimes you just… allow yourself to feel all your turbulent human emotions, like getting swished and tumbled around in the in-and-out surf. Life can be disorienting. Life can seem like a cruel joke or a beautiful poem. But it doesn’t make sense to try to make sense anymore, because you found out that “knowing” doesn’t matter. ……only Love. There is comfort in the mystery that connects us all.
A beautiful reminder after torrential weather.
“Turkey Day” update: accepted into AOF Film Festival!
Well, gobble gobble giggle!
I just heard from producer Summer Perkins that “Turkey Day” (my first directing opportunity) has been accepted into the Action On Film – International Film Festival in Monrovia, CA.
How exciting! ^_^
Rally in Tally – Please support SB 7128.
#EntertainThis
Please help to support the film industry in Florida by supporting *SB 7128.
There are so many GOOD reasons to bring film productions to Florida, but we need long term funding and extension of the successful film tax incentive program.
From http://www.filmflorida.org:
Florida’s Entertainment Production Industry Financial Incentive Program
Please Support HB 983 and SB 1734
Florida’s Entertainment Production Industry is advocating for a long-term funding commitment from the Florida Legislature and an extension of the successful incentive program through 2020.
Economic Impact
- 5.6:1 ROI: Florida’s Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program has a proven track record of producing a 5.6:1 return on investment for the state.* A Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) 2013 study suggests that the incentive program potentially has an ROI as high as 20.5:1.
- Increase in GDP: Florida’s Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program is forecasted to increase the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) at a rate of $15 for every $1 of public money invested.**
- Jobs: From 2010—2013, 160K+ positions were filled by Florida residents on film, entertainment and digital media projects.
- The current incentive program is forecasted to have a $4.1 billion impact on our state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).**
- Performance-Based Tax Incentive: Tax credit for Florida expenditures only, distributed after a project is completed, and project is audited.
BOTTOM LINE: Every public dollar invested in film, entertainment and digital media production creates immediate jobs for Floridians and triggers the spending of significant amounts of new money in our local economies throughout the state.
Impact of Film-Induced Tourism
We have already witnessed the significant contribution from film-induced tourism to Florida’s economy as a result of Florida’s Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program attracting films and TV series like “Dolphin Tale” and “Burn Notice.” In fact, the recent MPAA survey* data found that:
- 19.5% of all visitors to the state indicated viewing a movie or television series filmed in Florida contributed to their decision to travel here; and,
- By using this figure, the study estimates that for every dollar of incentives issued, between $5.60 and $20.50 is returned back to Florida in taxes.
*Motion Picture Association of America Supplementary Report on Film Induced Tourism 2014
** Florida Office of Economic & Demographic Research Analysis 2012
You can download this information for quick reference.
For the latest updates following Senate Bill (SB) 7128:
Join and/or follow Film Florida.
Twitter: #EntertainThis , @FilmFlorida
Facebook: FilmFlorida
New Headshots by Scott Dentinger!
I recently went to get new headshots with Scott Dentinger, who is also a talented local actor. To see more of the shots, click here.
https://www.facebook.com/HeadshotsbyScottDentinger
Getting serious about comedy…
Since becoming addicted with improv comedy, thanks to SAK Comedy Lab, I’ve graduated SAK University’s 4 level program, and I continue to learn and grow with their Monday Night Workshops. They have amazing instructors at SAK. I’ve been lucky to learn from Jenni McIntire, Jose Rodriguez, Chris Dinger, Richard Paul, Ana Elagio, Chelsea Hilend, Mike Carr and Stephen Merritt. After taking workshops at The Second City and io Chicago, it was clear that the SAK trained students were very well rounded and prepared, thanks to the deliberate and thoughtful training we received at SAK U. 🙂
I was super lucky to perform on their stage in their Lottery Show (twice!), getting to play with some of the regular ensemble players.
SAK Lottery Show – October 2013 Adam Scharf, Jenni McIntire, Rachael Thompson, playing “One Voice Expert.”
Kevin Gillese, of Dad’s Garage in Atlanta, GA, brought his Short Form Narrative Workshop to SAK in October 2013.
Then in November 2013, THEEEE Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall) brought his Sketch Writing Workshop to SAK last fall, teaching us how to write sketches based on improvised scenes.
“I can’t believe it’s Kevin McDonald! I can’t believe it’s Kevin McDonald! I can’t believe it’s Kevin McDonald! I can’t believe it’s….”
In January 2014, my friend Robyn and I went to Chicago (between polar vortices) to take The Second City’s 3-Day Intensive Improv and Sketch Writing Workshop with Rachael Mason and Edmund O’Brien.
The Second City ^_^ (pinch me)
And in March 2014, iO Chicago and THEEE Charna Halpern brought down (for the first time) their One Week Intensive Long Form Workshop to Just the Funny in Miami, FL. I was lucky enough to have Charna as my teacher for the week, and we got to have a little piece of Lyndsay Hailey and Tara DiFransisco for one life-changing day as well. So good…. improv is life is improv.
Charna Halpern brings iO Chicago Long Form to Florida! (What an experience! So much love!)
My second film directing opportunity.
On September 15, 2013, I got to direct my second short film, “Memory Loss,” written by Stan Madray.
The comedy short was produced by Ousted Fox Productions, which is made up of Summer Perkins, coordinator extraordinaire (see Turkey Day) and Stan Madray. Stan also starred in the short film as Robert Reems, along with comedian Clay Robertson playing his son, James Reems. The talented Justin Bowen and Wendell Kinney also came to play with us as Nurse Denbow and Orderly Dell. We were quite fortunate to have Andre Dixon (creator of the upcoming sci-fi webseries, “Technopolis“) as our director of photography, and Brian Troxell on sound and second camera.
I can’t tell you how difficult it is to NOT laugh while directing such hilarious talent. What a wonderful problem. 😉
So, I was asked to direct a film…
Yes, it had been on my professional “to-do” list, but I didn’t think it would come so soon. I had only just had my first assistant director role in Play de Luna 2012’s production of “Swing,” and that was a 10 minute 1-act play. I’ve worked on plenty of film and commercial sets to know that “director” is not an easy role.
Long story short… I couldn’t say no. It was a challenge, and I’ve learned that good things come when you step up to challenges. Plus, the people I was going to get to work with were very talented and ambitious people. I said yes! ……and then pooped in my pants a little bit. 😉
We began the pre-production stage. Casting, breaking down the script, building the crew, setting the schedules… now here we are, one week from the table read and 21 days until our shoot, and I am amazed at what we have built together so far. Hard work? Yes, and I’m loving it!
Here are the awesome people I get to work with:
- Sierra Vemeyer is the writer of this story, “Turkey Day.”
- Summer Perkins has been pulling it all together as producer and casting director.
- Devin Morrissiey is our production manager.
- Gregory Mohn is our director of photography.
- Tracy Wiu is our 1st AD (assistant director).
- We are still looking to fill a few other crew roles
And our cast…. what a beautiful collection of talent:
- Matt Del Bene
- Sierra Vemeyer
- Matt Doman
- Christy Poggi
- Cindy Karr
- Hank Stone
- J. Benedict Larmore
It’s an indie dark romantic comedy (heh). The story line: “Newly engaged Sabrina wants her dysfunctional family to accept her fiance Daniel, but when Thanksgiving Dinner brings them all together under one roof, it puts the young couple’s relationship to the test.”
I am so looking forward to the table read, finally getting to meet each other (those who have not yet met), and bringing the words off the paper.
“Let the wild rumpus begin!”
2013 Highlights
- Started taking improv classes at SAK Comedy Improv
- Cast as Jessie in Howler’s Theatre‘s production of “Fault Lines,” dir. Kiko Day
- Cast as principal role in MetLife national commercial, “Listening In,”dir. John Marianetti
- Cast as principal in Carolinas Healthcare System, Carolina-regional commercial
- Margie Haber Seminar
- Cast as lead in “Fighting Ghosts,” dir. Ermir Bacraci
- Tiger Fork Seminar, Wah Lum Kung Fu, Sifu George Kee
- Began writing “Sketch Film Project,” with SFP Productions
- Lauren O’Quinn – Business of Acting Workshop, Class Act Studios
- Cast as principal in Circle Health Care, Boston-regional commercial (i finally get to say, “i’m not a doctor, but i’ve played one on tv.”)
- Humbly accepted my first directing role for “Turkey Day,” with Savage Tribe Productions
- OPP Acting Workshop with Stefanie Kleine and Jeta Amata.
- Cast as supporting lead in “Technopolis,” pilot, dir. Andre Dixon
- Performing on the SAK Comedy Lab stage in the “Lottery Show.”
- Accepted my second directing role for “Memory Loss,” with Ousted Fox Productions.
- Directed my first comedic 1-act play, “Joey-Boy,” in Play de Luna 2013 at Art’s Sake Studios.
- Lori Wyman Casting Workshop
- Kevin McDonald Sketch Writing Workshop at SAK Comedy Lab
- Filming “Technopolis” pilot, dir. Andre Dixon.
Rachael Thompson 