Extra, extra, read all about it.

Another droning update of my life. Yay!

Worked as an extra for LA Art Film last week. Due to the confidentiality agreement, I am not allowed to say pretty much anything about the film itself. I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to say that I worked on it at all, but I figure that I can talk about my experience as an extra, because I figure that's an experience that could pertain to any big-budget film.

It was pretty much like being in high school - the majority of the extras were college-aged, but not quite the type to be in college, or to have even graduated high school. One extra I spoke to said that I was the only person he'd talked to/hung out with that had a high school diploma. Granted, there were at least 200 extras, but like I said, a good portion of them were like this. They were loud, disrespectful, lazy, and often downright rude. Very immature. The work itself was miserable; on my feet for most of the twelve hours I worked two of the days, and seventeen (yes, count 'em, seventeen) hours I worked the first day. But that's okay - the overtime pay ROCKED.

And, above all, it was way cool to be on a real set, to watch how real movies were made. It was neat to stand next to some big names (again, I can't say who, and I don't even want to hint about it), and I had a lot of fun when the camera was actually rolling. :-)

Infamous just keeps getting leaps and bounds better with every episode, but I'm to find a better marketing strategy, because our numbers are starting to drop. Which is so not cool, now that the series is not just good, but practically AWESOME.

And as for my personal time, I'm delving deeper into Paganism, trying to manage life without any money to speak of, and attempting to get my butt in gear over my writing.

Soooo.... life is cool, I guess. Travis is a sweetheart. John is a total saint. And that's the long and the short of it.

Best weekend of my life.

Last weekend in Denton was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I got to hang out with nearly everyone important in my life, and Half Empty was bloody brilliant. Caleb, Hannah, and Dara gave me something I will cherish for the rest of my life, and for that I will forever be grateful to them. I keep saying this, but I'll say it again: Saturday was the best night of my life, and it really showed me who my true friends are. Those that took part in bringing my words - words of a most personal nature to me - to life, were at the top of the list, but even those that showed up and watched it, and those that attended the wonderful party afterwards, definitely proved themselves to be caring and wonderful friends that I will always keep close to my heart. Deni and I flat out bawled our eyes out at the end of the show. The party was full of fun merriment, and it seemed like everyone actually cared about what I was saying whenever I opened my mouth. I am overwhelmed at how many people seem to care about me - ME, of all people! - and I hold nothing back in returning the warmth and love! Thank you EVERYONE - you made me feel like I actually have a place in this world, and words cannot express the gratitude I have for all of it. You are all so important to me, and I love each and every last one of you.

A big thank you goes to my parents for financing my wonderful weekend. They drove all the way to Shreveport, picked Travis and I up, and turned right around to drive back to Denton. They were kind enough to host the mega awesome cast party. Mom bought me TONS of food, for both the weekend and groceries for when I returned... plus restocked all of my hygiene products, bought me a couple of cute shirts and a belt, and then the BIGGIE - a whole new laptop(!), since my old one crapped out on me last week. Then Dad was a champ for making the round trip all over again when Travis and I had to go back. Holy crap, I have the coolest parents ever!

Well, now that I'm back in Shreveport, it's back to Infamous. I'm really excited about Episode 7 airing on Monday, with my first scene, and this weekend we're shooting Episodes 8 & 9... and I quickly become an important character! Shooting, though, is going to be stressful to the max, because we have a lot of ground to cover. So, I'm going to log off, go over my lines, and chill out to prepare for the hectic weekend ahead. :-)

Peace and love, everyone.

Denton town, the life of a budding playwright, and such

This weekend I'm headed to Denton to see my show, Half Empty, as part of Fight Boy Theatre's Feast of Plays. I am wicked excited. My mom (a total goddess) has graciously helped plan a weekend to remember for me. Aside from just being in my beloved hometown and seeing all of the people that I know and love so much, this will probably be a cathartic journey in the sense that Half Empty was written about an emotional bond in my life that means a great deal to me. Seeing good friends of mine work so hard to bring my words to life onstage means even more than I can begin to describe. I love my Denton friends more than I can possibly say, and if things don't end up well here in Shreveport, you can bet I'm turning around and coming home. (...again. At least this time, unlike when I was at GCC, I have found a group of people that I fit well with, and accept me. This makes a move back home much less likely.)

I am especially looking forward to spending time with Deni; it is no great secret that Half Empty was based partly on our everlasting friendship, and I wholly expect to have a fabulous time in her company. I also cannot wait to spend some time with my parents, whom I cannot thank nearly enough for all that they have done and are continuing to do for me. They are a couple of such amazing, thoughtful, selfless, and caring individuals that I am SO proud and grateful to call Mom and Dad. Additionally, I expect to enjoy seeing my grandmother, whose health has confined her to a nursing home since her stroke in November, and the Gallagher clan, who, despite the fact that my relationship with one Joey Gallagher ended a year and a half ago, have all continued to remain close friends that I can assuredly call a second family.

So it seems safe to say that this will most likely be one of the best weekends of my life. Things here in Shreveport have gotten kind of rocky lately (financially, that is), and the stress of that has taken a small toll on my psyche. I am ecstatic to know that I will be taking a mini-vacation to a land chock full of love, warmth, and all that fuzzy feel-good Lifetime TV stuff. :-P

In other, less fuzzy wuzzy bullshit news, Infamous has been going well, though we still don't have financial backing in any form. :-( Viewership seems to be climbing, though, and I am excited to say that I have a character on the show that will be introduced in Episode 7. My first scene (with the talented Mr. James Palmer) was filmed this past Sunday. I won't give any more details than that, but definitely stay tuned.

One last thing - Script Frenzy started today! I have my script in mind, but I need to work out details in a treatment before I start writing the actual script. The title I'm toying with in my head is Under the Cyprus Tree. Wish me luck; I've never finished a feature-length script in my life, much less in thirty days, so I'll need all the good vibes I can get!

Peace out. See you in Denton. :-)