Film Reel
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Fellow Dreamers
I have been blessed with such amazing people in my life. Thank you to all you dreamers out there who have reached out to support Ben and I along this whirlwind journey. It’s been humbling to see how many people are rooting for us to succeed. I’ve always heard that you are who you associate with. I always feel better around hopeful, optimistic, faith-filled, cliff jumpers. I think I found what I need. I need to hang out with more dreamers. We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; — World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale…
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How Much Is Your Integrity Worth?
Recently on set I ran into someone I recognized. Now… I run into familiar people often. In fact, a common phrase on set is “you look so familiar.” Well… as background performers we all work for the same company and are all on tv frequently, so yes. Familiarity is inevitable. I don’t often remember where I’ve met people. That was not the case with this guy. No… this young man I would have a hard time forgetting. I worked a night call in November. So far my one and only night call. It was a very cold night (for California anyway, no offense to my frozen-snot folk) and we were…
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The Short Film
After our hectic drive to Utah and frantic stops along the way, and without even a moment to breathe, we were finally on set. First, to set the stage, so to speak… the “set” was actually a house. And let me just say… I had no idea whose house this was. It belonged to a friend of someone in the cast, and she had arranged for us to be there. And it was gorgeous! Absolutely perfect for the look we wanted. And here we were, the ones in charge, rushing in fifteen minutes late, carrying bundles of food, costumes, props… and children. Have you ever seen those events where people…
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The Producer
Guys… I’m tired. I mean… more than usual. Ben and I decided to produce our own short film. We have been trying to get a film reel but have had not many chances at lead roles without a reel. So… Ben decided to write his own scripts so he can then film them and guarantee a piece for his reel that he’s happy with. We decided the first week of December that we had enough connections in Utah to cast and produce a low-budget short film. We were planning on going to Utah for Christmas so we figured that throwing in a short film would be hard work… but would…
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A Commercial Reel
Have I told you that Ben, Jess and I are in a music video together? This past October, one of our dear friends was making a music video for a song that she had done the vocals for… and she asked us if we would be willing to be actors in it! Acting in a music video? Um, yeah! We all thought it would be super fun! How hard could it be? I thought we would be the background… you know, walk through the scene, or sit on a park bench as someone walked by. I didn’t realize that they would be zooming in on my face! I claim to…
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Courting an Agency
Putting together an acting resume was more challenging than we had expected. First off… Ben didn’t have much film experience. He’s done a lot of acting… but most of what he has done has been in theater. Don’t get me wrong, theater is fantastic; many of my favorite film actors started on the theater stage: Hugh Jackman, Kristen Bell, Zachary Levi, lots of others. But theater credits don’t have much weight on a film resume. The little experience Ben did have in film was mostly background work, and some of it was over a decade ago. Another thing about resumes is that they showcase acting-related skills. What skills count as acting-related,…
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The Career Checklist
I know you’re dying to hear about Ben and his career. Since I’m dying to tell you, I will indulge us both. After we had decided to make the move, we told the rest of our family the big surprise. Apparently, they weren’t that surprised… I mean, It seems like it’s every year or so that we are either announcing a new pregnancy or a new job, so they were probably expecting it. Ben’s family was pretty disappointed we would be moving so far away; my family was celebrating us moving closer. But there was also celebrating by many. I think the celebrations were partly because they hope that they’ll…
