Silent Lullaby

And so it goes on a Saturday night. I was going to go see Snow White and the Huntsman. I'm still going to see it. But, instead of seeing a movie, I made one.

We started about 10:40pm until final editing and uploading at 3:45am. How's that for a super saturday?

Rabbit Hole Scene Rehearsal

I play Becca, a woman whose 4 year old son was run over by a teenage by, Jason. This scene is 10 months after the accident, where Jason and Becca are meeting as an attempt to connect in some way because they both share this tragic experience. 

Click here for the written scene! Also, they made the play into a movie, with Nicole Kidman as Becca.

^my scene with Dallen. also some before-prepping and after-fun.


This is the only recording I'll have of this scene. It's rough. We worked on it a bunch since then. We worked privately with the TA who gave us some Meisner exercises to do, which were fun. We made the scene more light and real, not so dismal and blah and long. We perform it a total of 3 times in class.

Girl, Interrupted Monologue

Help me understand, Daisy.

'Cuz i thought you didn't do valium.

I do. But i'm sick, Daisy. We know that.

But here you are in so called recovery, playing Betty Crocker, cut up like a damn Virginia ham.

Tell me how this safety net is working for you.

Tell me that you don't take that blade and drag it across your skin and pray for the courage to press down.

Tell me how your daddy helps you cope with that.

I mean, you tell me daddy loves you, and I bet he does.

With every inch of his manhood.

They didn't release you because you got better, Daisy.

They just gave up.

You call this a life, hmm?

Taking daddy's money, buying your dollies and your knick-knacks,

and eating his chicken, fattening up like a prize heifer.

You changed the scenery but not the situation.

And the wardon makes house calls.

And everybody knows. Everybody knows that he screws you.

But what they don't know is you like it. Hmm? You like it.

But hey man, it's cool. Whatever.

A man is a dick is a man is a dick is a chicken, a dad, a valium, a speculum, whatever.

Whatever.

You like being Mrs. Randone.

Probably all you've ever known, huh?

I presented this in my acting class, and it got quite a silent reaction. My TA just said, "Okay, well now we're all going to be a little scared of Karyn." 

Kinda fun :)

Student Commercial Shoot

I had the opportunity to participate in a commercial shoot today. One of the benefits of being part of the advertising program.

I changed into that shirt, was shot at 3 different angles, was directed, was made to look good, etc. etc. Wow was that fun. I loved every minute. There were several takes from each angle and position.

They could have been more specific with what they wanted, but they were sorta just going with the flow of it so whatever. :-)

From start to finish it was probably a couple hours, and this footage is only for a 5-second time slot in the commercial. That's production for ya.

The commercial is for a campaign for Stride Gum.

In this scene, my co-worker and I are ditching work for a minute to play mop hockey outside. I say "Nuckle Puck!" and hit an empty water bottle, then cheer, then get caught by the boss. Basically the campaign shows all of the fun mischief stuff happening... "why does the mayhem have to stop?"

It was all volunteer, but it was soooo great... this feeling of being on camera, being directed, being used and getting real on-camera acting experience.

Also, fun fact. The guy in the top left is part of the Tessa Barton band, whom i think will be big. They are in my previous post Networking: Industry ppl I've Met so far. I had no idea, but he's in the BYU advertising program just like myself. His name is Chaz. Cool stuff.

Step Nine: ShortFilm4Kicks: "Wayward" Pre-production

Fabulous writer, novelist, and my sister Colleen Garrison wrote a screenplay for a short film (approx. 12 minutes) entitled Wayward (tentative title). To view the full screenplay click here. She wrote it in anticipation for Halloween.

It's about a girl, Shelley, who takes a walk in the woods and encounters a witch whose intentions are not kind, to say the least. Shelley thinks it is just a crazy woman, but she quickly learns that everything really isn't what it seems.                                                                                                There are four characters: Shelley, the Witch, Shelley's brother Mark, and Shelley's mom. I will be playing Shelley; Colleen--the Witch; Jared--Mark; and Mom--Shelley's mom, of course!

For pre-production, we had a production meeting a week ago where we read through the script and made any necessary revisions. We conceptualized the project, picked filming locations, and discussed possible costume and props. We will finalize everything before filming. I've memorized my lines (don't know bout Colleen and Jared though) and am eager to start shooting this weekend.

Hopefully we can have it done and feature it for Halloween!! And if it all goes well, we may redo the production with better equipment, extra crew, more cameras, and better sound.... but probably not. We just want this for Halloween!

Hopefully it will be just one of many screenplays that Colleen writes these next several weeks that I can act in and we can produce together. For me, it would be invaluable practice and experience.

Step Three: Headshot Photoshoot

1) Headshots: the 1st feeling of actual progress

i knew i needed headshots before anything else. you need a headshot to apply to open casting calls and to apply to get an agent. this was the first step. (again i cannot recommend highly enough headshots101.com)

2) Jessica Dall Photography

That's when I decided to ask amazing photographer and friend Jess Dall, to do my headshots. We set up a photoshoot and got down to business. I had four different costume changes--which gives me a lot to work with when deciding what shot to give for a specific casting call. this was the first photoshoot i'd ever done. i'd never had any such experience, but she made me feel comfortable and professional. make sure you pick a photographer who will do the same for you as well as helping you pick out your best shots and edit them.

3) Image Selection
Headshot selection is very important. Out of the 200 images that were taken during the photoshoot, I had to narrow it down to the 20 best. When I say best, i mean the ones that best COMMUNICATE something to the viewer. you speak to the camera with your eyes, facial expressions, and pose.

Once I have the best 20 photos picked out, I'll post another step that goes into headshot specifics like cropping options and public opinion surveys that really help with final headshot selection.

Below are examples of each outfit I wore for the shoot. 1) light and fun for commercial; 2) plain but brilliant blue T for anything; 3) white T with tan leather jacket for a little drama; 4) business apparel for formal casting.