Like Minds - Gunnar

When you meet wise hard-working people that have similar goals as you, you need to see what a rare thing it is. These are the thinkers. These are the doers. Just like you. As a team, you can collaborate on a project and create something worthwhile that springs both of you forward in life.


Journal ¶ 
A lot of exciting things have been happening. I met Michael St. Clair, a very talented music producer. I've begun to record my songs. I'm also writing more. It's been exciting, for someone who never thought of herself as a singer/songwriter ever. I've always loved music and art tho, the way it moves you. I also had the pleasure of meeting Gunnar Thorderson. He is going places. Together, he, Michael, and my friend Aaron, started some awesome stuff. A lot is in store with this talented group. Photo shoots, scene work, acting projects, extra work, duets, and a strong youtube miniseries. Something is coming. Something big. And i'm glad you get to witness the process.


Gunnar told me a lot about the biz. He was so willing to dispense his knowledge about the industry.

• Headshots
• neutral colors, gaussian blur, eyes in focus; 3 different tshirts
• 1. neutral face - no emotion
• 2. serious looking
• 3. sexy fierce
• 4. girl next door, innocent
• 5. the lawyer, business
• Hit up agencies until you get one
• "I'm a new talent seeking representation"
• do not, hellllll no, do not pay for representation
• representation should get paid when you do - a percentage
• you can switch agents later as you get bigger & more in depth
• Demo reel - easy, recorded scenes, nice camera, good lighting, grab a friend
• Student films
• Learn industry, know the business
• Proscouts class $70/day of acting
• Boutique agency - famous agent that takes you under their wing
• usually they have a class you can take so you can learn and show them your skill
• Get typecast - where you get cast as a certain type of character
• You can model before you act - build your name
• I assume this means being a musician before, too
• Utah actora and extras
• Get on set
• find out when/where choreographer, PA, etc is on set
• talk to them, ask questions, soak up as much knowledge as possible
• they see your drive, they like you, they connect you

Embrace Vulnerability. It is a strength.

Contrary to popular belief, vulnerability is a strength.

The secret is: when it comes to yourself and feelings, there is nothing to be ashamed of, ever. Every feeling you have is valid. Every experience you have is valuable to your identity. If others are going to put you down for it, they're only doing disservice to themselves. It's only when you value others' confidence over your own that you fall. And artists got no time for this cuz artists know their vulnerability is what empowers their creation, their craft! Now get to work.

Be professional and take yourself seriously. You have a great work ahead of you.

Vulnerability is so particularly powerful in acting because it is what everyone else is afraid to show and yet it is something we all experience and wish we could show to others without fear. Let's show it, regardless! Be unembarrassed to portray emotions that exist in life; those are the only ones that matter.

Be confident and professional in the art of expression!

So here you have it.. about to get real.
VIDEO CONTEXT: moving away from my best friend, simultaneously going through extreme heartbreak; it is going to be hard; deciding to be my biggest support, to uplift my life. tone: peace, somber joyful tears. Every experience characterizes you. Use it.

btw, we are our own worst critic so no one needs to be told their flaws. i am aware of all'a mine. embrace it. this is what it means to be vulnerable, to put yourself out there, flaws and all. It adds to your character as a human being.

Love yourself more than anyone. Like yourself more than anyone. Be healthy. And you will have a great life.

How to Become an Actor with No Experience

Also, check this out that my friend Aaron showed me: http://imgur.com/gallery/CyEh9 
[fun fact: my acting coach taught Laura Hamilton]

Star Wars VII

should i audition for the character of Rachel, just for fun?

STAR WARS VII Audition How-To
1) Seeking: Young woman to play 17-18 Years old. Must be beautiful, smart and athletic. Open to all ethnicities (including bi- and multi-racial).

Rachel:

Was quite young when she lost her parents. With no other family, she was forced to make her way alone in a tough, dangerous town. Now 17 she has become street smart and strong. She is able to take care of herself using humor and guts to get by.

Always a survivor, never a victim, she remains hopeful that she can move away from this harsh existence to a better life. She is always thinking of what she can do to move ahead.

How to Smile

(Im not just talking about smiling here) 
Don't you notice that there is something about some people that sets them apart from others, who have something special that inherently makes them charming or attractive to everyone else? And you can't quite put your finger on it, so you think it is just who they are.

Actors have this, right? Truth is, everyone has it. The difference is that actors are aware they need it for their job--to be likable or at least watchable--and so they develop it. They train these little nuances that make up their innate attractiveness.

Im reading this book right now How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes. Read it. You'll know what im talking about. 

These "special" people have the right smile: the flooding smile. 

THE FLOODING SMILE. 
This smile appears more genuine and makes its audience feel special. Therefore people receive it better and are subconsciously drawn to him/her because of his/her smile's innate warmth and sincerity.

This:

vs.

This:

Which one is more attractive?

HOW TO:
Be slower to smile. And when you do, smile "into every crevice of [your] face like a slow flood."

Don't flash an immediate smile when you greet someone as if anyone could be the beneficiary. Instead, look at the other person's face for a second. Pause. Soak in their persona. Then slowly let your smile grow into a wave, parting your lips and showing your teeth. The half-second difference is worth it.

thank you One Tree Hill

This past year has been a lot of hell but I'm slowly coming back. Maybe I'll mention it at some point but for now, I'm just excited to post this because it has been a year and i am finally excited enough about something in my life again. And what do you know? It's story, music, acting! And I am rejuvenated, at peace, and excited about life again.

I picked up again on One Tree Hill after a few year stint of not watching it after Payton and Lucas left. I'm back in it and I'd forgotten how great it is. Tearing up, getting emotional, scared, laughing hysterically, or getting super excited about life, it inspires me.


This one is freaky. It is a nightmare sequence. I would say viewer discretion is advised. But, it's hilarious too.

This. This is it. I love music and acting. And here we are. This song inspired some excitement in me that I haven't known for the past year. I can do this. I can do this life the way I want.

Both of the above clips are from Season 8 Episode 6 (a halloween episode, i might ad--my absolute favorite holiday)


Lip-singing with headphones in watchin the video above... feelin good and lovin it.. you can play the video above at the same time so there's actual audio. i just wanted to post this becuz it's odd but i felt so good i don't care!

New Girl -- the Best Ugliest Cry

OMG i had to share this. i seriously laughed out loud for a long time in the middle of the night while watching this. i freaking love zooey deschanel. and justin long in this is so exceptional:

Watch the episode (and in better quality) here.

"it's like he's a slow-motion sneeze"...

"stop crying! you are literally the ugliest crier i have ever seen!"

..."you cry smile"