I Made My Own Dreams Come True.

It’s been a number of weeks since we wrapped principal photography of our series.  “We” are 2 Ladies & A Giant, and the series is called “After”. It’s about a young widower who, with the help of his family and friends, is trying to get back into the dating game. A Dramedy that deals with loss, friendship, love, forgiveness, and rebirth.

I wanted to start a production company for years. It was always an idea I had as far back as college. But it always went something like this in my head,

“I want to start a company and produce my own work. Then I could control what we produce and do the really juicy roles I’ve always wanted to…” ::Get’s distracted by a shiny object:: “What was I saying? Let’s go get drunk!”

It wasn’t until five years ago that this dream of mine finally started to become a reality. It stemmed from a place of total helplessness. I came back from Florida (where I went to grad school) and realized, with great speed, I had no idea what the fuck was going on. I was like a baby bird trying to fly for the first time.

I failed a lot. A whole fucking lot.

With each failure I pulled apart what went wrong and figured out how to make it go right the next time. I quickly learned about our industry, and the people in it. It didn’t take long to discover who spoke with a loud voice and who was getting shit done.

Our mission as a company is a simple one,

“To empower women, and minorities in the entertainment industry.”

Why?

You know why…

With this idea in mind I set out to find my two business partners. I knew what I was looking for:

1. Women.
2. Passionate about creating art.
3. Honest.
4. People I could argue with.

It look a long while, but I eventually found them. Teegan Curitz and Olivia Baptista. Two power house women with a creative fire that can’t be snuffed out. I spent about a year hanging out with them, and getting to know them individually to make sure they were people I wanted to start a business with. We got together in January of  2016 started working on our first project and shot that project in it’s eleven episode entirety during June of 2016.

This is a wonderful accomplishment but we are far from done. I’ve never met two people who are as hungry to create as I am. We compliment each others strengths and weaknesses. I know that we will continue to produce quality work that audiences around the world are hungry for. “After” is just the beginning! We can’t wait to share this, and our many other projects 🙂

Here is the first trailer for “After”:

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/180677652″>After – Trailer 1</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/2ladies”>2Ladies&amp;AGiant</a&gt; on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

 

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Proud of What?!

How many of us can take a step back and truly appreciate the good we have done? In my quest to constantly be moving forward I can lose sight of the journey. When people tell me how proud they are of me and the work that I’m doing, I sometimes want to grab their face and shake the shit out of it. “Proud of what?” my neurotic actor brain says. “Can’t you see this razor rocked mountain I have to climb?” “Or how about this pathway made of explosions and fire!?” my irrational anxiety screams.

The truth is being an actor is hard. We are striving for perfection in an imperfect and ever changing art form. At the same time the business side is filled with it’s own shifting set of rules and standards. Trying to balance all of this with the rest of “normal” life can turn an actor into a raw nerve.

But taking a moment to appreciate the journey will help clear that madness away. Look at all the amazing things you have done. That theatre gig or film shoot is not just a credit on the resume or scene for the reel. That acting class or clown workshop is not just something you have to do. It is tangible proof that you are growing as an artist.

These milestones are a realistic way to check in. Not only will it allow for a very serious look at what new things need to be worked on, but it will show the challenges you overcame. We all walk our own specific path to get to acting town. I had to learn how to be proud of my journey so I could keep walking mine.

Remember, every new project or class brings a new set of obstacles that need to be navigated, but without the lessons learned from the past we would fall flat.

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Body Dysmorphia and you.

If you are a performing artist Body Dysmorphia is most likely a thing you live with. 

Now I’m not saying that you cry every time you look in a mirror, but it could be something like wishing you had a smaller bone structure or irrationally damning a clothing store for only catering too runway models or small Asian men.

Personally I have had my own struggles with this. 

At my heaviest I topped out at 400lbs.  I was unhealthy, unhappy, and unmotivated. 

Then I found Acting.

I am no longer 400lbs.

The problem is I will always view myself as an obese person.  It’s strange but the smaller I become the bigger I feel.

This is irrational. 

As long as you are working out, eating right, and are actively improving you are fine. Self improvement is one of the keys to success in our industry. 

Being a continual work in progress is not a negative thing.  In fact being a work in progress is what we as artists must always be.  No matter what point you are in your career actively improving all aspects of yourself can only help move you forward.  

As for the Dysmorphia what helps me knuckle through all of my irrational neurosis is being a work in progress.  I can not control how I look.  That is just a random combination of genetics.  I can control my health, fitness, level of training, etc.

You are fine.  Now go make yourself even better 🙂