Monday, December 15, 2008
"French Play in LA": Great Review!
Here's another great review of the show, including a clip of writer/production design guru Charles Duncombe talking about the show. Check it out!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
"Backstage" loves the Bourgeois!
The Bourgeois Gentilhomme
December 04, 2008
Reviewed by Neal Weaver
(excerpt)
High style and low comedy merge in this new adaptation of Molière's classic tale of nouveau riche Parisian shopkeeper Monsieur Jourdain (Jeff Atik), whose ambition to mingle with the aristocracy leads to his being swindled by shady Count Dorante (Troy Dunn), humiliated by his daughter's suitor Cleonte (Garth Whitten), and deceived by all.
But fortunately for him, he's too self-obsessed to notice he's been hornswoggled. In their free adaptation, director Frederíque Michel and designer-managing director Charles Duncombe have added unexpected elements to the 17th century classic — including a martial arts instructor (Mariko Oka) for M. Jourdain, a transvestite cooch dancer (Matt Cooke), raunchy one-liners, and a handful of songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard.
Though Molière's stock-in-trade was the combining of extravagant artifice with down-to-earth commonsense, director Michel's penchant for stylization sometimes results in her treating artifice a bit too artificially, but the prevailing wit, buffoonery, and slapstick provide necessary grounding. And Michel has assembled a large and able crew of farceurs.
Duncombe has created the handsome set, and Josephine Poinsot deftly mingles lavish — and sometimes loony — period costumes with modern dress.
Presented by and at City Garage, 1340-1/2 Fourth St., Santa Monica. Nov. 7-Feb. 22, 2009. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 p.m. (Dark Fri. 8 p.m., Nov. 28. Also Dec. 22-Jan. 8.) (310) 319-9939.
December 04, 2008
Reviewed by Neal Weaver
(excerpt)
High style and low comedy merge in this new adaptation of Molière's classic tale of nouveau riche Parisian shopkeeper Monsieur Jourdain (Jeff Atik), whose ambition to mingle with the aristocracy leads to his being swindled by shady Count Dorante (Troy Dunn), humiliated by his daughter's suitor Cleonte (Garth Whitten), and deceived by all.
But fortunately for him, he's too self-obsessed to notice he's been hornswoggled. In their free adaptation, director Frederíque Michel and designer-managing director Charles Duncombe have added unexpected elements to the 17th century classic — including a martial arts instructor (Mariko Oka) for M. Jourdain, a transvestite cooch dancer (Matt Cooke), raunchy one-liners, and a handful of songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard.
Though Molière's stock-in-trade was the combining of extravagant artifice with down-to-earth commonsense, director Michel's penchant for stylization sometimes results in her treating artifice a bit too artificially, but the prevailing wit, buffoonery, and slapstick provide necessary grounding. And Michel has assembled a large and able crew of farceurs.
Duncombe has created the handsome set, and Josephine Poinsot deftly mingles lavish — and sometimes loony — period costumes with modern dress.
Presented by and at City Garage, 1340-1/2 Fourth St., Santa Monica. Nov. 7-Feb. 22, 2009. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 p.m. (Dark Fri. 8 p.m., Nov. 28. Also Dec. 22-Jan. 8.) (310) 319-9939.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Santa Monica Mirror Loves "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" too!
Comedy can be a lot of things, but sometimes it’s just plain silly. Moliere’s reputation as the classic playwright of France has modern Americans thinking that Moliere plays are really deep. Truth is, Moliere wrote comedies with roots in the broad farces of the ancient Romans and the Italian comedia dell’arte, usually revolving around a character who’s too foolish to see reality.
The Bourgeois Gentilhomme (gentleman) is one such play, an episodic farce about a man who aspires to being high-society. In City Garage’s production, it’s almost like a Marx Brothers movie – but then again, the Marx Brothers are but another link in the unbroken chain of comedies about stuffed-shirts who get their comeuppance...
City Garage is known for staging experimental and politically radical plays, more often than not featuring bare flesh. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is tame material for this company, but director Frederique Michel has found opportunities to make the 17th century comedy feel more modern without glaring anachronisms. The translation and adaptation of the text, by Michel and Charles Duncombe, uses modern colloquialisms and a healthy dose of risque epithets. Many of the performances are appropriately broad and cartoon-like, especially Atik as the title character. Don’t be misled, though, by the ease with which Atik seems to play this foolish man – the role requires much energy and is undoubtedly physically exhausting...
The play also features songs, by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard, with a strong flavor of Monty Python, especially the “Food” song that closes the first act. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is two hours of guilt-free enjoyable silliness.
-Lynne Bronstein, Mirror Staff Writer
The Bourgeois Gentilhomme (gentleman) is one such play, an episodic farce about a man who aspires to being high-society. In City Garage’s production, it’s almost like a Marx Brothers movie – but then again, the Marx Brothers are but another link in the unbroken chain of comedies about stuffed-shirts who get their comeuppance...
City Garage is known for staging experimental and politically radical plays, more often than not featuring bare flesh. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is tame material for this company, but director Frederique Michel has found opportunities to make the 17th century comedy feel more modern without glaring anachronisms. The translation and adaptation of the text, by Michel and Charles Duncombe, uses modern colloquialisms and a healthy dose of risque epithets. Many of the performances are appropriately broad and cartoon-like, especially Atik as the title character. Don’t be misled, though, by the ease with which Atik seems to play this foolish man – the role requires much energy and is undoubtedly physically exhausting...
The play also features songs, by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard, with a strong flavor of Monty Python, especially the “Food” song that closes the first act. The Bourgeois Gentilhomme is two hours of guilt-free enjoyable silliness.
-Lynne Bronstein, Mirror Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Critic's Choice
Proud to say that our show just got a prestigious "Critic's Choice" nod in the LA Times! Congrats, everyone!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Another GREAT review: LA Times!
Excerpt:
"A 'Gentilhomme' for our times"
With a generous soupçon of witty anarchy, "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" tumbles into Santa Monica. This sleek City Garage take on Molière's deathless satire of nouveau riche pretensions and aristocratic machinations is nominally avant-garde, mainly an unguarded hoot.
First performed in 1670 before Louis XIV, "Gentilhomme" concerns Monsieur Jourdain (the riotous Jeff Atik), his father a wealthy merchant who retained middle-class contours. Hopelessly oafish Jourdain thus obsesses over not just the trappings of nobility, which elude him despite the fawning efforts of a slew of tutors, but over trapping the nobles...
Conceived by Molière as a comédie-ballet, "Gentilhomme" carries many wicked analogies to modern mores. Director Frédérique Michel and designer Charles Duncombe slyly tailor our times into their tart adaptation, complete with anachronisms, nonstop postures and purposely limp songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard. The design scheme seamlessly weds the red-black-and-gilt elegance of Duncombe's set and lighting to Josephine Poinsot's splendid costumes...
Goaded by Atik's clueless climber, equal parts Bert Lahr, Don Rickles and a tea cozy, the nimble cast has a stylized field day...
Actually, their devotion to the detailed concept sometimes halts the antic fizz. Nonetheless, if full abandon is still finding its way, this hardly diminishes such a gracefully loopy soufflé.
-- David C. Nichols
"The Bourgeois Gentilhomme," City Garage, 1340½ 4th St. Alley, Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. No performances Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. Ends Feb. 22, 2009. (310) 319-9939. $20. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.
"A 'Gentilhomme' for our times"
With a generous soupçon of witty anarchy, "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" tumbles into Santa Monica. This sleek City Garage take on Molière's deathless satire of nouveau riche pretensions and aristocratic machinations is nominally avant-garde, mainly an unguarded hoot.
First performed in 1670 before Louis XIV, "Gentilhomme" concerns Monsieur Jourdain (the riotous Jeff Atik), his father a wealthy merchant who retained middle-class contours. Hopelessly oafish Jourdain thus obsesses over not just the trappings of nobility, which elude him despite the fawning efforts of a slew of tutors, but over trapping the nobles...
Conceived by Molière as a comédie-ballet, "Gentilhomme" carries many wicked analogies to modern mores. Director Frédérique Michel and designer Charles Duncombe slyly tailor our times into their tart adaptation, complete with anachronisms, nonstop postures and purposely limp songs by Duncombe and John Gregory Willard. The design scheme seamlessly weds the red-black-and-gilt elegance of Duncombe's set and lighting to Josephine Poinsot's splendid costumes...
Goaded by Atik's clueless climber, equal parts Bert Lahr, Don Rickles and a tea cozy, the nimble cast has a stylized field day...
Actually, their devotion to the detailed concept sometimes halts the antic fizz. Nonetheless, if full abandon is still finding its way, this hardly diminishes such a gracefully loopy soufflé.
-- David C. Nichols
"The Bourgeois Gentilhomme," City Garage, 1340½ 4th St. Alley, Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. No performances Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. Ends Feb. 22, 2009. (310) 319-9939. $20. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Great Review in LA Weekly!
The LA Weekly has called "The Bourgeois Gentilhomme" a GO!
"You'd think, from reading the world press, that racism and, by extension, classism, had suddenly been vanquished from the nation – overnight, by a stunning national election. Such is the power of symbolism and hope. Sooner or later, we will settle into a more realistic view of who we are, and were, and how we have evolved in ways perhaps more subtle than the current “we are the world” emotional gush would lead one to believe. It's in this more self-critical (rather than celebratory) frame of mind that Molière's 1670 comedy – a satire of snobbery and social climbing – will find its relevance renewed. For now, however, Frederique Michel (who directed the play) and Charles Duncombe's fresh and bawdy translation-adaptation serves up a bouquet of comedic delights that offer the caution that -- though celebrating a milestone on the path of social opportunity is worthy of many tears of joy -- perhaps we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves with self-congratulation...Michel's visually opulent staging features scenery (designed by Duncombe) that includes a pair of chandeliers, and costumes (by Josephine Poinsot) in shades of red, maroon and black. Michel employs Lully's music in a nod to the original. Michel also includes a lovely ballet by performers in mesmerizing “tears of a clown” masks, a choreographed prance of the fops, and she has characters bounding and spinning during otherwise realistic conversations, in order to mock style over substance...In fact, I haven't seen a comic tour de force the likes of Atik's Monseiur Jordain since Alan Bomenfeld's King Ubu at A Noise Within."
"You'd think, from reading the world press, that racism and, by extension, classism, had suddenly been vanquished from the nation – overnight, by a stunning national election. Such is the power of symbolism and hope. Sooner or later, we will settle into a more realistic view of who we are, and were, and how we have evolved in ways perhaps more subtle than the current “we are the world” emotional gush would lead one to believe. It's in this more self-critical (rather than celebratory) frame of mind that Molière's 1670 comedy – a satire of snobbery and social climbing – will find its relevance renewed. For now, however, Frederique Michel (who directed the play) and Charles Duncombe's fresh and bawdy translation-adaptation serves up a bouquet of comedic delights that offer the caution that -- though celebrating a milestone on the path of social opportunity is worthy of many tears of joy -- perhaps we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves with self-congratulation...Michel's visually opulent staging features scenery (designed by Duncombe) that includes a pair of chandeliers, and costumes (by Josephine Poinsot) in shades of red, maroon and black. Michel employs Lully's music in a nod to the original. Michel also includes a lovely ballet by performers in mesmerizing “tears of a clown” masks, a choreographed prance of the fops, and she has characters bounding and spinning during otherwise realistic conversations, in order to mock style over substance...In fact, I haven't seen a comic tour de force the likes of Atik's Monseiur Jordain since Alan Bomenfeld's King Ubu at A Noise Within."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Opening Tomorrow: The Bourgeois Gentilhomme
This weekend, City Garage Theatre presents the world premiere of a new adaptation of Moliere's classic comedy "LeBourgeois Gentilhomme (The Bourgeois Gentleman)"...
About the Play: Wealthy and foolish Monsieur Jourdain is in love with the Countess Dorimène and aches to be what he is not: a member of the aristocracy. Determined to overcome his low birth with an "education" in high style, he unwittingly surrounds himself with charlatans and swindlers who gleefully take his money and prey on his innocence. Ingenious servants, pedantic masters, devious nobles, and earnest young lovers all propel this delightful satire of nouveau riche social climbers. In the end, is the "nobility" to which Jourdain so ardently aspires all that admirable?
The Friday premiere is already sold out. Call now Saturday reservations. (Sundays are "pay what you can" with no reservations.)
November 7 - December 21, 2008
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm -- Admission $20; Students/Seniors $10
Sundays 5:30 pm -- no reservations, "Pay-What-You-Can"
Box Office/Reservations: (310) 319-9939
Directed by Frédérique Michel
Production Design by Charles A. Duncombe
Cast:
Jeff Atik
Matt Cook
Ruthie Crossley
Troy Dunn
Michael Galvin
Lejla Hadzimuratovic
Deborah Knox
Edgar Landa
Jessica Madison
Cynthia Mance
Max Molina
Alisha Nichols
Mariko Oka
Ken Rudnicki
Trace Taylor
Garth Whitten
John Willard
About the Play: Wealthy and foolish Monsieur Jourdain is in love with the Countess Dorimène and aches to be what he is not: a member of the aristocracy. Determined to overcome his low birth with an "education" in high style, he unwittingly surrounds himself with charlatans and swindlers who gleefully take his money and prey on his innocence. Ingenious servants, pedantic masters, devious nobles, and earnest young lovers all propel this delightful satire of nouveau riche social climbers. In the end, is the "nobility" to which Jourdain so ardently aspires all that admirable?
The Friday premiere is already sold out. Call now Saturday reservations. (Sundays are "pay what you can" with no reservations.)
November 7 - December 21, 2008
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 pm -- Admission $20; Students/Seniors $10
Sundays 5:30 pm -- no reservations, "Pay-What-You-Can"
Box Office/Reservations: (310) 319-9939
Directed by Frédérique Michel
Production Design by Charles A. Duncombe
Cast:
Jeff Atik
Matt Cook
Ruthie Crossley
Troy Dunn
Michael Galvin
Lejla Hadzimuratovic
Deborah Knox
Edgar Landa
Jessica Madison
Cynthia Mance
Max Molina
Alisha Nichols
Mariko Oka
Ken Rudnicki
Trace Taylor
Garth Whitten
John Willard
Monday, November 3, 2008
VOTE!!
Don't forget to get out there and vote tomorrow...
I can't wait to proudly cast my vote for Barack Obama!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Congrats to my agent Jeremy Apody!
picture courtesy of www.talentmanagers.org
My agent Jeremy Apody at Abrams Artists Agency was recently awarded the prestegious 2008 Seymour Heller Award as the "Youth Commercial Agent of the Year"....CONGRATS Jeremy!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Spokesmodeling for Disney in LA
After having such a great time working here in LA and traveling to NYC to work as a Disney spokesmodel and present the new Blu-Ray "Sleeping Beauty" to the media a few months back, I was really excited to get asked to work at Legends Plaza at the Disney studio lot in Burbank at a celebration of the official DVD launch on October 7th.
"Sleeping Beauty is also the first title to launch Disney’s new internet-connected BD-Live experience. For the very first time in history, consumers will be able to combine some of today’s most popular interactive communications platforms – chat, video streaming, online messaging, communal gaming and more – with their most treasured home entertainment experiences with this revolutionary, new Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc."
Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
"Sleeping Beauty is also the first title to launch Disney’s new internet-connected BD-Live experience. For the very first time in history, consumers will be able to combine some of today’s most popular interactive communications platforms – chat, video streaming, online messaging, communal gaming and more – with their most treasured home entertainment experiences with this revolutionary, new Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc."
Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Monday, October 6, 2008
Audition for "Couples Retreat"
Auditioned at the renowned Finn/Hiller Casting for a role in the upcoming Vince Vaughn feature "Couples Retreat"...went great!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Ivana Chubbuck Studio!
On the recommendation of my manager Omar at GEL, I officially started scene study at the renowned Ivana Chubbuck Studio yesterday. My first class was awesome, I can tell I am in for a great challenge and am really excited to put up my first scene!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Jonas Brothers video
Look for me in the upcoming Jonas Brothers video for "Love Bug!"
It was a great time filming out on the water at sunset. What a day though with paparazzi swarming our boat, little girls screaming and crying for autographs....! I guess it's all in a day's work for those guys. On top of it all, we got all costumed up in 40s style looks which was a blast!
Monday, September 15, 2008
"The Bouregois Gentilhomme"
Great news! After auditioning last week, I have been invited into the acclaimed City Garage Theatre Company in Santa Monica. I will be understudying the role of Lucile in their upcoming production of "The Bouregois Gentilhomme" by Moliere. Upon the show's January extension, I will be taking over this exciting, lively and challenging role!
A little about City Garage:
"The company at City Garage devotes itself to producing neglected plays, often European classics with an expressionistic bent. Unconcerned with current trends or commercial appeal, City Garage is blessedly devoid of the showcase mentality that permeates so many of Los Angeles's smaller theaters -- a determinedly pure artistic pursuit."
-- F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times
"I am constantly and consistently amazed by the work done by City Garage."
-- Anne Louise Bannon, Back Stage West
A September 2008 Los Angeles Times Arts and Books story about theater venues in L.A. remarks that City Garage's "recycled interior suggests a palimpsest of the building's multilayered past. Before a word of dialogue is uttered or dreamy gesture extended, your unconscious has been stealthily primed by the cryptically coded surroundings."
www.citygarage.org
A little about City Garage:
"The company at City Garage devotes itself to producing neglected plays, often European classics with an expressionistic bent. Unconcerned with current trends or commercial appeal, City Garage is blessedly devoid of the showcase mentality that permeates so many of Los Angeles's smaller theaters -- a determinedly pure artistic pursuit."
-- F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times
"I am constantly and consistently amazed by the work done by City Garage."
-- Anne Louise Bannon, Back Stage West
A September 2008 Los Angeles Times Arts and Books story about theater venues in L.A. remarks that City Garage's "recycled interior suggests a palimpsest of the building's multilayered past. Before a word of dialogue is uttered or dreamy gesture extended, your unconscious has been stealthily primed by the cryptically coded surroundings."
www.citygarage.org
Friday, September 12, 2008
Viva Las Vegas...Again!
Who says there's a thing as too much Las Vegas?
I made the trip back to the desert for another Chinese Laundry modeling job and had a ball! www.chineselaundry.com
Enjoying a scrumptious meal at the Mirage with my friend Stephanie!
I made the trip back to the desert for another Chinese Laundry modeling job and had a ball! www.chineselaundry.com
Enjoying a scrumptious meal at the Mirage with my friend Stephanie!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Stills from Wisconsin Set
Here are some shots from the set of a 50s period movie I worked on in Wisconsin a while back - video clip coming soon!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Back in the Big Apple!
What a whirlwind month this has been! Right after I returned to LA and modeled at the X Games, it was time to hop on a plane again - this time bound for the Big Apple! It was great to be working in Manhattan again this summer, and I had a great time modeling at the brand's NY showroom with fellow models Yasmine Kugelman and Briana Gibson.
(Yasmine Kugelman & Me)
After a week of East Coast fun, though, it was back to good ol' Hollywood!
(Yasmine Kugelman & Me)
After a week of East Coast fun, though, it was back to good ol' Hollywood!
Monday, August 11, 2008
X Games!
Had 4 days of fun in the sun modeling for Mattel at the 2008 X Games in Carson, CA. In addition to getting a great tan, got to meet some amazing athletes and would like to thank New Balance for the pair of their new "Zip" running shoes!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
VEGAS!
I am back from a week in VEGAS! Was modeling for the ever amazing and ultra fabulous "Chinese Laundry." We had such a great time!! More exciting news - the company has asked me to fly to NYC on Monday morning for a week of modeling at their Manhattan showroom...I'm thrilled to get to head back to the Big Apple again this summer!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Over 60,000 hits!
Found out that jessmadison.com has gotten over 60,000 hits so far this year - thanks so much & don't forget to keep checking in for more exciting news from Hollywood!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
SoapNet
Yesterday, I worked on a SoapNet promo that shot at the Poodle Parlor film studio in downtown LA - it was so much fun! I stood-in for Elizabeth Berkley (yes, *the* Jesse Spano!) and Jamie Anderson (professional snowboarder, sponsored by Billabong). I have to say, it was hard not to make any Saved by the Bell references, but it was awesome watching Elizabeth work - she has amazing presence and was really sweet to everyone on set. All in all, another good day in Hollywood!
Friday, June 27, 2008
NYC
NYC - there's no place quite like it!Just flew back into LA last night after working all week in Manhattan...had a truly wonderful time, Disney treated us girls like rock stars and let me tell you, when you're rolling around the city in limos, staying in amazing hotels, eating spectacular meals and they call that work...well, it wasn't tough, to say the least. Of course, as much as I love the energy and hustle bustle of New York, I am as always glad to be home sweet home here in LA!
Thanks to Disney for the incredible week and a special thanks to Panasonic for the surprise gift of a super cool new *pink!* digital camera - you guys are the best!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Neutrogena Skin ID
It was a very cool experience working on an infomercial spot for Neutrogena's newest skincare line, Skin ID, a few months ago - here is a screenshot of the website I am featured on (sorry for the poor picture quality...better still images and video are on their way very soon!)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
SpinDaily.com
From SpinDaily.com
(Video Coming Soon to my Blog!)
Byu-ti Salon's ANDI SCARBROUGH was featured on SpinDaily and showed audiences 3 quick and easy updos - I was thrilled she chose to feature me as her model for the "Altar Ego" style - she describes this look as a wearable "ballerina chic" updo.
(Video Coming Soon to my Blog!)
Byu-ti Salon's ANDI SCARBROUGH was featured on SpinDaily and showed audiences 3 quick and easy updos - I was thrilled she chose to feature me as her model for the "Altar Ego" style - she describes this look as a wearable "ballerina chic" updo.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Seychelles & BC Footwear
Had a great time modeling for Seychelles and BC Footwear at the Transit show at CalMart here in Los Angeles last weekend - it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it! ; )
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sleeping Beauty Spokesmodel
Great news! I have been selected to go to New York City as a Disney spokesmodel, presenting the new Blu-Ray "Sleeping Beauty" to the media! I am excited ...it's going to be a blast!
Here's a little about the October-released Platinum Edition of "Sleeping Beauty":
Here's a little about the October-released Platinum Edition of "Sleeping Beauty":
"Disney wants to awaken sales of the Blu-ray Disc format, and the studio knows it'll take more than a kiss to get the job done. In October, Disney will release its first animated classic on the high-definition video format, Sleeping Beauty, with high-tech viewing options not possible with DVD.
Using a new technology known as BD Live — which connects to the Internet — viewers will pop in the disc and get a customized version of the famed castle that serves as a backdrop for the menu. The sky will reflect weather conditions in the viewer's hometown.
Once viewers begin watching, they'll be able to chat with friends right on the movie screen, using a laptop, BlackBerry or other PDA, through Disney's protected network. They'll be able to insert customized video messages anywhere in the movie and send them to friends or family members via a "movie mail" feature.
They'll be able to play trivia games with fellow viewers across the country. And when they're done, they can get a constant supply of new trailers, plus trade in "reward" points, collected by using many of these features, for ringtones and wallpaper.
Sleeping Beauty "will revolutionize the way people will interact with and view movies in the home," says Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. "We pulled out all the stops in launching this technology.""
Using a new technology known as BD Live — which connects to the Internet — viewers will pop in the disc and get a customized version of the famed castle that serves as a backdrop for the menu. The sky will reflect weather conditions in the viewer's hometown.
Once viewers begin watching, they'll be able to chat with friends right on the movie screen, using a laptop, BlackBerry or other PDA, through Disney's protected network. They'll be able to insert customized video messages anywhere in the movie and send them to friends or family members via a "movie mail" feature.
They'll be able to play trivia games with fellow viewers across the country. And when they're done, they can get a constant supply of new trailers, plus trade in "reward" points, collected by using many of these features, for ringtones and wallpaper.
Sleeping Beauty "will revolutionize the way people will interact with and view movies in the home," says Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. "We pulled out all the stops in launching this technology.""
-USA Today
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Commercial Auditioning Class
Commercial auditions - there's nothing like 'em!
Wanting to brush up on my audition technique, I asked my agent for a recommendation for a great commercial class. He kindly pointed me in the direction of Jon Smet & Jan Bina, who hold Commercial Audition Technique day intensives at Lien Cowan Casting.
Arriving on Saturday morning at 10am, I really didn't know what to expect but ended up having a fantastic day of fun and acting! Each of the 15 actors in the class, including myself, went through a series of four on-screen commercial audition scenarios. Getting to watch feedback from each exercise with our classmates and receive valuable critiques from the kind and knowledgable duo of Jon & Jan was an incredible experience. By the time I headed back home to Santa Monica at 5pm, I was tired, smiling and feeling ready to knock 'em dead at my upcoming auditions!!
Wanting to brush up on my audition technique, I asked my agent for a recommendation for a great commercial class. He kindly pointed me in the direction of Jon Smet & Jan Bina, who hold Commercial Audition Technique day intensives at Lien Cowan Casting.
Arriving on Saturday morning at 10am, I really didn't know what to expect but ended up having a fantastic day of fun and acting! Each of the 15 actors in the class, including myself, went through a series of four on-screen commercial audition scenarios. Getting to watch feedback from each exercise with our classmates and receive valuable critiques from the kind and knowledgable duo of Jon & Jan was an incredible experience. By the time I headed back home to Santa Monica at 5pm, I was tired, smiling and feeling ready to knock 'em dead at my upcoming auditions!!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Pangea Day
On May 10th, I was able to see some amazing performances and films at the 1st annual Pangea Day, which is described a global event that brings the world together through film - I was at Sony Studios in Culver City but locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro were linked with this location for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers and was broadcast – in seven languages –worldwide.
Presenters included Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Meg Ryan.
Check out more on Pangea Day here.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A night of Shoes!
Last night, Seychelles and BC Footwear teamed with WeSC clothing to throw a fabulous party complete with complimentary makeovers by Smashbox, manicures by OPI, great tunes, food and drink...not to mention killer deals on pieces from all three lines! I love doing shoe modeling for Seychelles - the shoes are unbelievably comfy while still being super cute. Coming home with awesome new shoes, Smashbox makeup and a hot outfit from WeSC was the icing on the cake of a great night! I can't thank those guys enough.
With fellow Seychelles model Meredith Molinari.
Check out http://www.seychellesfootwear.com/ and http://www.wesc.com/ for more.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
New Pictures!
Got some new pictures last week, it was such a pretty day in Santa Monica that the shoot was a lot of fun! (Jacob James Photography)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Sarah Jessica Parker doubling
It was such a cool experience working as a Photo Double for Sarah Jessica Parker - getting to spend time with Dennis Quaid & Thomas Haden Church at Smashbox was definitely up there in my favorite Hollywood moments thus far! I stood in for her at the shoot for the poster above.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Welcome to my Blog!!
Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by - this is my first go at blogging... I hope it will allow me to keep all my latest news up to date. First & foremost I really want to thank everyone who is so supportive as I pursue my career as an actress out here in LA!
Having grown up in small town West Virginia, it's definitely a different world, living in California. It's true what they say, the traffic & smog are no fun - waaay more importantly though, it's also true when they say that Hollywood is a place where dreams can and do come true everyday!
Before moving here, I lived in the gorgeous Wrightsville Beach, NC (if you haven't been yet, GO! it's amazing!). Wrightsville Beach neighbors Wilmington which is another town where lots of actors find themselves in great classes, work and an overall fabulous artistic community. I was lucky enough to get myself the great agent Alisa Harris of the former ImageBlend talent agency and began booking national commercials. Not only was this a great learning experience and a whole lot of fun - after booking my first principal role, I got my SAG card!
Stay tuned....
(Already Dreaming of Hollywood!)
Having grown up in small town West Virginia, it's definitely a different world, living in California. It's true what they say, the traffic & smog are no fun - waaay more importantly though, it's also true when they say that Hollywood is a place where dreams can and do come true everyday!
Before moving here, I lived in the gorgeous Wrightsville Beach, NC (if you haven't been yet, GO! it's amazing!). Wrightsville Beach neighbors Wilmington which is another town where lots of actors find themselves in great classes, work and an overall fabulous artistic community. I was lucky enough to get myself the great agent Alisa Harris of the former ImageBlend talent agency and began booking national commercials. Not only was this a great learning experience and a whole lot of fun - after booking my first principal role, I got my SAG card!
In addition to film work, I was able to keep my acting chops working by doing local theatre, playing such roles as Corie in "Barefoot in the Park," Babe in "Crimes of the Heart," and Abigail in "The Crucible." Studying with the dedicated guidance of Mick McGovern of the American Studio of Acting and the pratical on-set knowledge of Tammy Arnold of TAPS, I look back and can really see how vital my time in NC was for me as an actor.
(Corie in "Barefoot in the Park)
(Babe in "Crimes of the Heart")
When I decided to make the move to LA, I was torn between feeling like "I'VE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS MY WHOLE LIFE...IT'S HAPPENING!!" and some secret nagging thoughts of "....I hope I can do this..."
As I type this right now, I can't help but smile - it's been a LOT of hard work and a pretty crazy journey, but I can say that since moving here I have made my living as an actress and been booking work reguarly. I signed with the great agent Jeremy Apody of the renowned Abrams Artists Agency and couldn't be happier with where this life in LA is heading!
As I type this right now, I can't help but smile - it's been a LOT of hard work and a pretty crazy journey, but I can say that since moving here I have made my living as an actress and been booking work reguarly. I signed with the great agent Jeremy Apody of the renowned Abrams Artists Agency and couldn't be happier with where this life in LA is heading!
(With the Hollywood sign)
Stay tuned....
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