Illumination and Humility

It was during the second week I had an epiphany, thanks to T.C. You see, I was so anxious not to take much of his time, seeing that he was super busy, and he was always surrounded by people that had questions for him, that I would talk as fast as I could and probably not very loud.

I tried to only ask questions when everyone else I had asked said, "That's a T.C. question."

Finally, not being able to understand me, T.C. stopped me and said, "Melanie, I can't understand a word that you are saying. Your words are slurring together. Please slow down and talk normally so I can understand you."  

Photo from Janelle Anderson.  I'll bet you a quarter that each of those people in the photo were waiting to talk to T.C. and were just standing by waiting patiently.  

That request was both illuminating and humbling and in no way disparaging. 

It was also something I could totally do.

I took a deep breath and forced my eager words to slowly come out of my mouth with distinct diction and a bit of a prayer that I would be understood.

It worked.  

I was so thankful to be understood.

It's the little things, people.

The Fighting Preacher Week 1

Written within a month of filming The Fighting Preacher:
I was so nervous before the first day of filming.  The night before, I had a dream where the Savior was on the set.  I felt like the Lord's hand was in the making of this film all along.  There were little miracles that happened here and there throughout.

Now it is months past this and I had totally forgotten about that dream. But I must say there were sweet moments that reminded me that there was a reason this movie needed to be made here and now.  I'm not sure why--but I think the reason will become apparent as time passes.

For the first three days of filming at an undisclosed location in Provo, Utah; I got to be a Production Assistant or a PA.  I learned all the lingo that is associated with filming and how to properly manage a walkie-talkie.  Yes!

I had my own fanny pack equipped with ibuprofen, tissues, baby wipes (can't stop being a mom! So helpful!), a permanent marker, tape, a pen, a small notebook, lip balm, sunglasses, a cooling rag, etc. 

Something that I learned on set was how pivotal a bottle of water was.  For example, one day one of the people on set, not T.C., had not had any water one day.  I was worried because it was in the 90's and this one man would not take any liquid beverage.  One of the main priorities of a PA is to keep everyone hydrated.  After offering it to him multiple times and getting a don't-ask-me-again-vibe I talked to the nurse--she understood my worried stance and had seen me offer it to him--not too many words were involved.  She took a bottle of water from me and talked to him for thirty seconds. He was laughing and took the water and glugged it down. I'm not sure what she said, but boy was I grateful. Mission accomplished, even if it wasn't by me. Whew!

I glamorously kept my water bottle in my back pocket.  I know, you're jealous! [Insert smirky-just-kidding-emoticon here].

I was still working on finding extras at this time. My goal of having all the extras scheduled on day-one felt like a ridiculously over-simplistic goal. I spent half the day on the set PAing and the rest of the day in the office making phone calls madly.  There were certain days they needed mainly men and let me tell you, in Utah men were a challenge to get during a weekday--all day.  Usually, I'd get, "If I could do it on a weekend I could make it."

In my head, I was baffled.  How could they not want to make this historic film with us?! They could tell their grandchildren all about it someday.  They would be doing family history work--in a caliber not often seen these days.  Why not?!  So the pay was a DVD--but, but, the reward of the memory and joy of the service is immeasurable!

Alas, we do not all see things the same way and that's the way it is. I'm good with that. But it was a bit of a challenge when scheduling background artists.

Nonetheless, I was glad to be there and was doing all I could to learn everything I could.

Pre-Film Post 1 and Pre-Film Post 2

Education is yours to obtain. No one else can gain it for you. Wherever you are, develop a deep desire to learn. ~Russell M. Nelson 

Day 1

The long drive to Utah seemed faster than usual.  It was probably because we stopped midway at my brother's house and my children absolutely adore their cousins and played with them every second they could.

But after Grandma and Grandpa O had taken them the feeling of being alone in the car felt so strange.  Like suddenly I wasn't quite me.  Then I looked down at the title of the song that was playing on the radio and I laughed. It said, to my eyes the first time, "It's time for you."  I laughed and read it again, "It's time for bed."  Kids music.  But, somehow it felt like a little thrilling gift.  A gift of reminding me that this is right for me, right now. I'm being guided and directed.

That feeling came again as I prayed this morning, in the car on my way to Provo and few moments into the meeting.

I left early to go to Provo because I needed to go to the store and they have the same store in Provo and I did not want to be late.  They finished their pre-work early and guess what?! I was late!  I can't help that I am directionally impaired--even with a GPS.  I pulled into a parking lot--across the street from the film studio--and didn't see the 1.5-foot tall curb and smashed my front bumper into it.  I heard a crunch, but thought it was more the bumper going over the curb--it was a bit more than that.  Oy! I pulled out of the parking lot and saw these children making shocked faces at me.  I rolled down the window and said, "Does it look bad?"  They nodded in great consternation and their mom came out and helped me snap the bumper back on.

Then I went the wrong way again and called Ron Tanner. He's pretty much a super-mentor. He guided me back to the right place and I walked into the meeting, not the only person late since they bumped it up. Whew!

I was so nervous and excited.  I guess they all know now, whatever I am lacking, I have the enthusiasm to make up for it.

The people working on this film are so nice!  I immediately felt welcomed. Though I should have gone over all the faces on IMDB before I got there.  I met S Lee first and then Ron Tanner who gave me a hug--over 123 emails and a phone call every couple of days for the last three weeks, it felt right.

I have had to cancel several women for one scene that I overbooked. Cringe!  That may be my least favorite part, especially since one extra, Utahna Jessop, worked all day to find people and she found 6 women. I even had to cancel my mom. :/

But, I am still learning and enjoying this.  We read through the script, talked about locations, extras, make-up, and props.

When TC introduced me, he told everyone that I'd sent him a letter. Ron told everyone I was a fan.  TC said that they were watching me to see if I would do something strange.  Ha!  I said I wasn't planning on anything strange.  I honestly couldn't think what to say, but everyone chuckled. No words needed.  Phew!

This was posted over a month after this happened.  

Just when you think I've fallen off the planet...

Fifteen years of stay-at-home motherhood, a master's degree, completion of residency for my sweet husband, a child in high school, two other children hopping through the hoops of middle school, a kindergartener, plus an almost-two-year-old that loves his mom more than almost anything else...that is the current description of my life.

But, for the next month of my life, it is going to be different.

I'm going to be an extra's coordinator/intern/PA for a well-known Utah filmmaker, TC Christensen as he makes a faith-based film.

It may sound like I'm bragging.  I'm not. But, I will say it is a dream come true.  One that has been on the "back burner" of my life for about eight years at least.

You see, I'm a prayerful sort of person. I truly believe I can talk to God and He can talk to me.  I kept feeling that I needed to do something. I knew I needed to contact directors. I had two in mind.  One closer to my house, I hoped, and one that was in Utah doing family history films--which is my goal.

My husband suggested I call TC.  But, sometimes I get nervous talking on the phone and I can really think about what I am writing when I write a letter, plus I can erase and move things about--where you can't do that in a phone conversation.

Every time I sat down to write a letter on Facebook to TC, the Utah one, my mind would go blank and I wouldn't get past, "Dear TC Christensen."

Three months passed.

Then one Sunday night about 10:30 the words just came, pouring through my brain and fingers like they had a mind of their own. In our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we call that personal revelation.

And then the prompting, "Send it now, before you lose your nerve."

I'd like to say that I would never lose my nerve. Ha!

I held my breath and pushed the button to send it. Then I did a squeal of delight.

And guess what?!  He replied.  He invited me to film a video and send it to him with me telling him about myself. I did. Then he told me that they work with internships, not volunteers. I would get $35 a day in this internship.

Then I got a call from the line producer, S Lee, a few days later and he asked about my interests.

Then I got a call from the producer, Ron Tanner, and he told me I had been appointed the Extra's Coordinator and would get real credit on IMDB.  Whaaat? Sweet!

This week I have been emailing like my life depended on it.  I think it was around 12-14 hours a day.  I have about 150 extras I'm in charge of lining up and getting measurements to the costume department head, Jacqui Newell.

I am accepting this opportunity to work my hardest, learn absolutely everything I can, and am hoping that I would learn just about the same things I would learn in film school.  What film school can you name where they pay you at all, let alone $35 a day?!

What about your family?  That sweet little toddler and all those kids?!  Grandmas and Grandpas are stepping in to parent for a bit--which my kiddos have been absolutely delighted about.

I know it will be an adjustment, for all of us, but I have a feeling that it will be a great benefit to our family, even if it is a challenge right now.

I keep reminding myself, "This is inspired. It will be so fun! I am loving this!"

Even when I overbooked some people for a couple of scenes, I tried to reply as graciously as I could to those wonderful women who were willing to be in the movie for a day for a DVD.  I kept thinking, "I can do this! This will be such a blessing!"

My goal is to remind myself that this is easy, comfortable, and joyful.  Because, in the long-run, it is.

Tomorrow is the first meeting. Ron called to talk to me tonight and I was so excited about tomorrow I was shivering and I'm pretty sure my voice was about an octave higher than normal.  I even told him about my five children.  I think it really surprised him.

Eeek!

LDS Film Festival Finalist

My short film The Phone Call is a finalist in the LDS Film Festival!

I submitted it in January as the first of three film festivals my goal was for the year.

We did it as a family and when I found out I cannot tell you how excited I felt.

My brain has been abuzz ever since. My family has been so incredibly supportive.  Even to the point where they sat beside me as I re-edited the video, made a preview, and made a poster/postcards.

I submitted almost everything yesterday, while my parents were here visiting.

At the acting class I told the class when I told them about myself that I was a filmmaker, even though I couldn't answer the questions that most seasoned filmmakers would know immediately. I have to remind myself over and over, and then in front of the class, that I am learning.

So grateful to have gotten in!

I'm a finalist in the LDS Film Festival. More information to come!

Damon with Actors in Action

A few weeks ago, I went to my first acting class since high school.  I have acted since high school, but I have been in sort of a self-study mode (so that doesn't include youtube classes--okay, serious actors reading this, please stop chuckling).

It was a really great class.

Damon was really professional, although I think I asked so many questions that he wasn't able to get all the things that he wanted to into the lesson.  Sorry, Damon.

But the questions that he answered were very helpful.

He is both a teacher and an agent. You may remember that I wrote about him in the post about Meals for Monologues.  He was the one that laughed during my monologue which really validated my efforts during that moment of heightened anxiety.

One of the things I was surprised to hear was that almost every time people will ask you to tell them about yourself.  He suggested writing up a two minute blip about yourself, memorize it and try to think of at least one thing that will make you memorable to add to the blip so they have something to associate with you.

I think this is really great information.  I am working on my blip and memorable piece of information.

There was a lot more.  I think I will be going agains sometime in April.

When I got there expecting to pay the fee, he told me the first class is free!  Awesome, right?!

This is not a paid endorsement.  Just my own experience.

What to Expect at Meals for Monologues

This morning I headed out to Portland for the Cast Iron Studios Meals for Monologues.  I got there about an hour before the place opened and was the third one in line.  I was a bit shocked because in NYC I went two to three hours early to a slightly similar event and was the 50th in line. 

 I took in some cans of beans.  The requirement was three.  I became friends with the amazing actors, Kate, Linda, and Kat, that were sitting near me. We cheered each other on and Linda, specifically, gave me some really great pointers since I am still new at this whole auditioning process.  She told me don't forget your slate and frame.  For those reading unsure what a slate is, it is when you introduce yourself before hand.  Nearly every time I practiced my monologue, I introduced myself to the imaginary casting directors watching. . . this time I forgot.  Oopsie.  I know I made two mistakes in my monologue, but I did my best at pretending I didn't and moved forward.  I also asked about the framing to find out if it was okay.  

Now for what to expect:

• Get there early--like within fifteen minutes of the start time to get into line.  I saw a facebook message from Cast Iron Studios around 3:30 p.m. that said that they had one more hour for people to come in before they would be out of spots.  This is Portland, not New York, so it's easier to make it into the studio.  
• Bring at least three cans of food with you.  Toys are accepted as well.
• Have your two minute monologue all prepared
• When I walked into the room there were three people there.
• Cast Iron Studios representative, Lana
• Damon--an agent.  They invite several different agents to come and keep time.
• Casting Director, Eryn
• a camera
• lighting equipment
• a computer
• Do your slate (thanks, Linda)--introduce yourself and ask how you are framed by the camera--full-body or what.
• Do not expect feedback--you're just giving them with a taste of what you can do.

When I started to leave, this entire group that came as a studio from North East Portland. When I said, "Do you want to be in a picture I am putting on my blog?" They posed in five seconds flat.   I had no idea I was biting my tongue.

I took in some thank you notes.  I hope Lana and Eryn get them.

Added Later:  I found out that the agent that was there was Damon Jones of the Actors in Action Talent Agency. Just thought you may want to know.