Full Rich

Spectrauma Release!

2011-10-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

View the official public release of the Spectrauma trailer:
http://youtu.be/bZ29yQ0Qrjg

Plus, in November there are three premiere screenings around the country:

* Nov. 2nd, 2011 (Wed. 7pm PDT) - Seattle, WA - Egyptian Theatre
(World Premiere)

* Nov. 9th, 2011 (Wed. 7pm EST) - Cambridge, MA - Kendall Square
Cinema (East-Coast Premiere)

* Nov. 16th, 2011 (Wed. 7pm MST) - Denver, CO - Chez Artiste
Theatre (Rocky Mountain Premiere)

For tickets, more info and maps please go to:
http://spectrauma.eventbrite.com/

June 22

2011-06-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

Getting treated to one of Lindsey's famous head massages...and look what happens.

June 21

2011-06-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

Back for another day at The Dairy.

We wrapped a little early and Dean had the great idea to hit up the Med for some dinner.

June 20

2011-06-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

Utilizing the cinema within the Boulder arts complex known as The Dairy.

June 17

2011-06-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Shooting in the hospital in Longmont. A short scene with Dean (role: Mark) and Izzie (role: Mattie)

June 15

2011-06-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

Another off day for me and as it so happens my good New York friend Yue was in town. We spent the afternoon where else but on Pearl St. in Boulder.

You know you are in Boulder when there is a whole wall of frisbee discs and a locked display case of hackey-sacks.

June 14

2011-06-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

June 13

2011-06-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and back to Fairview high school to pick up where we left off.Kristina works on Natalie (role: Jess)

Izzie's (role: Mattie) turn in Kristina's makeup chair.My look for the day

DP John Firestone considers the next shot

Murphy the gaffer

Dave on sound

June 12

2011-06-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Another off-day for all. Good friends from college, Mads and Steve, came by and off we went to hike the Royal Arch Trail at Chautauqua Park in Boulder. I'm not gonna lie, it was a challenging hike and we started off all agreeing that we could turn back whenever, but who are we kidding...all the way to the top.

June 11

2011-06-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Back on set to shoot a quick scene today and who should stop by? Meryem's daughter Lucy, my favorite 10 year old!

Early June days

2011-06-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

The shoot carries on while I have a bunch of off days in a row. Sometimes my off days coincide with the off days of others (fun times) but more often than not what happens is serious vegging out time.

May 31: Everyone get's an off day

2011-06-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...the first day the whole production get's a well deserved day off. Charlie, one of the production assistants, is good enough to swing by the condos to take us around Boulder: up a mountain, Pearl Street, dinner at Centro and then an unexpected pit stop to Charlie's apartment. Thanks for the great and eventful day!

May 30

2011-05-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

May 29

2011-05-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

May 27

2011-05-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

I'm still not scheduled to shoot today but, as this is the first day of shooting at the high school, I tagged along. Hoping to get familiar with my character's everyday I wandered around the halls and scoped out "my office". I met Derrick, a very nice teacher of history and geography, who's been teaching at Fairview for 17 years. With a lot of school pride he told me about the school which is 2,000 student's strong and boasts a 95% college admission rate. He showed me faculty offices, where the seniors hang and described what a school day looks like...all great info. Thank you!

Back out on set things were in full swing with some 60 scheduled extras who were all good enough to come back to school even though they just got off for summer break.

The costume truck

Strategic product placement

Some familiar faces: Mike and Tim

Chillin with Andrew who plays Reilly Hayes

Character Jess Selvy's prop school books

Mind's Eye: off days

2011-05-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

I've been off these past few days while the production has been plugging away with scenes that don't involve my character. Luckily the weather has been really beautiful and our condo complex has everything you could possibly need. Also it's given me valuable bonding time with Izzie's cat Harley.

May 23. First day of the shoot

2011-05-23T14:31:00.001-07:00

And here we go!
1st official shoot day. I not going to spill the beans and disclose any story details but we are definitely easing into the production (I spent the shoot in bed). And I can't believe the speed of camera technology advancements. It seems like just yesterday everyone was losing their ish over the new RED ONE sensors and now we are onto the EPIC and everything is wireless! so cool.

Script supervisor doing her thang

Sleeping on the job

Mind's Eye: May 21 & 22nd

2011-05-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

I don't officially start shooting until Monday so I took the opportunity to visit with my favorite Denver couple: Mads and Steve. And what do you know, as luck would have it our mutual friend Marie was up from Texas and staying with them! Saturday night we had a fantastic BBQ (a delicious Dr. Praeger's veggie burger for me), followed by a cookie and coffee run to Common Grounds and then a sleep-over which included getting Marie to run lines with me. The next day we all went for a really nice hike in Eldorado Canyon State Park.Steve manning the grill

Good to see you Marie!

Lilly sleeping on the bed.

Steve's note to us in the morning

On our way to Eldorado Canyon State Park

The Continental Divide (the distant snow-capped mountain)

Back at the condo chillin with the delightful Harley

Mind's Eye: the beginning

2011-05-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

Touch down Denver International Airport. And so begins my month-and-change long stay in Colorado to film the feature-length "Mind's Eye". I'm happy to be back and completely excited to work on this film. I've been doing my homework on the script for a while now and I can't wait to make it live.

Guess who came to pick me up from the airport? Kristin's back!

Staying in Louisville

And there's Harley, my roommate's wonderful cat

A little snag, locked out.

To every problem there is always a solution

Check out our diggs, yup that is an electric fireplace.

A quick haircut. Hair and makeup were good enough to come out to me, no WAY I'd do that myself.

"Delivery" wins at Year of the Rabbit Film Festival

2011-05-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

So that little SVA short I did, "Delivery"?  It won at the Year of the Rabbit Festival!

Bob Giraldi

from left to right: Kevin Ko who plays Jeff, the D.P. Vanessa, Me, 1st Camera Rebecca

and now with Dir. Andrew Teoh

NOVA: Fabric of the Cosmos

2011-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

As I am a born an raised New Englander, I practically grew up on Boston station WGBH. And the NOVA series is a staple of our public schools. So, I was thrilled to be asked to play a featured role in the upcoming NOVA series "Fabric of the Cosmos" hosted by renowned theoretical physicist and string theorist Brian Greene (makes sense since he wrote the book.

Cinema World out in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

some of the crew from Boston. It was nice to be amongst Red Sox fans for a change.

Dir. Julia

The gang and Brian Greene in the middle

"Delivery"

2011-05-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hello! Long time no see.
So this is my return to the blog. Rest assured I've been actively working but, let's not live too much in the past.

I recently played the role of Angela in an SVA short titled "Delivery" Directed by Andrew Teoh and with the executive producer: Bob Giraldi of Micheal Jackson's "Beat It" fame. It was only after I booked and accepted the role that I found out about Mr. Giraldi's involvement so, once again: do a freakin good job because you just never know.

The cast: Me as "Angela", Frank Wong as "Ming", Yan Xi as "Wan", Kevin Ko as "Jeff" and Peter as "Restaurant Boss"

Make up Artist Amber gives Frank a black eye

Day 1, 1st location
Juan on sound

D.P. Vanessa Rees

In the center is Dir. Andrew Teoh

Day 1, 2nd location: Night shoot in a Chinatown restaurant

Day 2, 1st location: Chinatown park

Day 2, 2nd location.
Amber makes me up

Spectrauma Part Three: Day Four & Five (9/15 & 16)

2010-09-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

Spectrauma Part Three: Day Three 9/14/10

2010-09-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

On our way to location on the CU Boulder campus

Our make-up artist, Cat, with us til the end.

It was a late night shoot

Spectrauma Part Three: Day Two 9/13/10

2010-09-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

The warehouse belonging to the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art serves as the location of our top secret soundstage.

Lucky enough to have a moment to catch up with my Denver friends who fed me yummy Thai and homemade cherry pie. Thanks guys!

Spectrauma Part Three: Day One 9/12/10

2010-09-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

My huge hotel room in the Denver Marriott Residence Inn

That's right, we are back again in Denver to finish up reshoots for "Spectrauma"

The Make-up artist's look book. The only way to keep continuity

The Director's cat, Abby, lounging with me on the couch

The magic of blood jelly

Summer Project: final product

2010-09-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

Click the link to see how it all turned out!
http://interpretationsfilm.com/members/migina/

Summer Project 2010

2010-09-08T21:39:00.001-07:00

These stills are of my entry to the Interpretations short film challenge, an initiative of You Offend Me You Offend My Family (http://interpretationsfilm.com/). The rules are simple: with a given set of four lines, create a three minute short. You can't add to the lines, change them, reorder them, or drop any. Otherwise, you are free to go nuts with the story.

Still Getting Caught up: Americare Health shoot (end of June)

2010-08-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Let's get all caught up: ESPN direct commercial shoot (early June 2010)

2010-08-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Spectrauma Part Two (4/17-4/29)

2010-05-09T17:22:00.001-07:00

Parson's School of Design: Katie Jorgensen (4/5/10)

2010-05-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Zac Posen For Taget Launch Party (4/16/10)

2010-05-09T17:09:00.001-07:00

"For Jei" shoot date 4/4/10

2010-04-05T20:00:00.001-07:00

"Unhappy in its Own Way" shoot 12/12/09

2009-12-14T16:37:00.001-08:00

Me and Sui

The director/writer Joyce Wu

Ellen, Andrea, Sui and Judy

Amato Opera Theatre

Kwa Heri Tanzania! (Dec 2nd)

2009-12-05T01:54:00.001-08:00

Banana tree outside my room

Boss and David chilling in their room

always with the blackberry

OK, here's the gloss over.
Last day. With Emily and Fratern we went back to Nkoranga to take measurement of the matresses. The urine ones have been on Boss's mind since we first smelled them. Got the right sizes and put in the orders. In the meantime, Boss falls in love with a little baby boy named Baraka and it is hard to watch her leave him behind.

Went by to check out TFFT's office and subsequently Emily's house.

Met up with Josh and all had a nice lunch at the Blue Heron; pizza in Africa, who knew. David and I try to figure out the best way to sneak Baraka back to Dumbo.

Then it was a quick stop to check out Massai market. Tanzanian bargaining rule of thumb: immediately half whatever is the first price they quote you and work from there.

Afterwards we went over to meet some of the TFFT's sponsored kids at Usa River Academy. They are great kids and it was heartbreaking to tell them that we couldn't come back tomorrow because we were going back to New York.

Last, it was back to Rivertrees to pack up and say goodbye to the wonderful Martina (Rivertrees' Managing Director and invaluable source of info for any NGO). Next thing we know, Boss and I are dealing with stomach issues on some very turbulent flights home.

Thanks so much TFFT! Can't wait to start collaborating with you and try to make a difference.

More of Irente (Dec 1st)

2009-12-05T01:26:00.000-08:00

The view from our convent accommodations

David and the Montessori. Nice right?

Back at Irente. I believe this was staff accommodations

Where they keep the cows and goats

I love how we just watch Sister Enna do the manual labor. Even worse...I take a picture of it!

Emily told me how great this goat was...she was right

Look! we have matching bangs!

David learns to make Chipate, which is like delicious Indian Pratha. Don't worry I filmed it.

On our way back from Irente Orphanage we first stop by Irente View Point. Totally worth it, look at that view. That is as close as David would get to the edge. Notice how Boss never ever gets anywhere near the drop off?

Asante Itrene (Nov. 30th)

2009-12-05T00:48:00.000-08:00

Where we picked up Sister Enna

Traveling up into the mountains in the good company of the TFFT crew Josh and Emily. Don't worry, they drive on the right side here.

We arrive at Irente. It was a rocky ride but the weather couldn't be better.

Going in for some tea with the sisters

Sister Enna who is obviously well loved by the children. we need more Sister Enna's in the world.

I loved this little girl with those pouty lips...she didn't want anything to do with me or my cameras.

mostly, though my camera gear was a big hit

freshly bathed

Dr. Dre should adopt this little guy, he looks just like him

feeding time, you got a little something right there.

After a really depressing day yesterday touring two orphanages that can be classified as bad and shame on you respectively, we braced ourselves for Irente Orphanage in the Lashoto Mountains.  This meant a five hour car journey into the bush and up into the mountains marked by great views and quicken heartrates everytime  the crazy packed buses came barreling by.  Josh and Emily from TFFT were our guides and I got to learn a lot more about their Foundation which, I might add, is doing incredible things.

About a hour away, we picked up the Director of Irente, Sister Enna from the hair salon (hilarious I know) and she immediately reminded me of my grandmother in some ways.  Straight foward, practical, speaks her mind, is often funny without knowing and likes to laugh but don't mess with her.

We got to Irente and all we had to say after looking around was "there is hope!". Seriously, from yesterday to today, like night and day. The children are happy, there is way more staff here that want to be here (it's also a 2 year training course for child care that the girls have to apply for and test into, and if they get in they have to pay for). It's clean and organized and I have to say it again, the children are happy! So the lesson gratefully learned today: a good and proper orphanage in Tanzania is possible.

Spent the night up in the mountains at a Montessori school/convent(?) where a vegetarian main entree means no main entree, and we'll head back to the orphanage again tomorrow.

Nkoranga & Good Hope orphanages (Nov. 29)

2009-12-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

some of the kids outside of Nkoranga Orphanage

Boss with one of the babies who was fussy...

...until she swaddled him

David getting some love

Me and my gear

David meets his other half...also named David!

Fratern and Mama Pendo holding a boy that called me something but it was in Swahili...so he got away with it.

Good Hope Orphanage: beware, there is no transparency here. It's all in the Directors name and they get charitable money, but from the looks of it it's not getting to the kids. oh, and he has the kids go out to beg during the day like some Oliver Twist nightmare.

This shipping container (supposedly full of furniture) was a donation from Norway. Fat good it's doing sitting in the yard.

The bedrooms where children (the director tells us) sleep 3 to a bed. That's 6 to a bunk

The Good Hope kitchen

We came away from visiting two of the orphanages in town, Nkoranga and Good Hope, feeling a bit daunted. There is so much to do, so much to fix and so much that we just can't under stand. Why would you lay babies on urine soaked matresses that made the rooms reek, how can there be no running water and yet in the director's office there is a TV with a cable box? How can the government pass bill after bill making adoption so difficult for citizens and practically impossible for non-citizens and yet not offer any aid or support to it's orphans that they are effectively keeping orphans?

It is good that we are here and we've been lucky to have been put in contact with the right people who tell it to us straight. It's not about raising the money. We can get the money, and if you think about it money has been thrown at Africa for ages. It seems, at least in Tanzania, that the key is having the right people on the ground who can ensure that the money goes to where it is most needed it to go and can be there to consistently monitor and work within the system.

Karibu Tanzania! (take off Nov 27, land Nov 28)

2009-12-04T16:06:00.000-08:00

As I've told some of you, I'll be filming in Tanzania for a few days in a documentarian capacity for the Swaddle Love Foundation. I do love all things film-making and bonus: I get to go to freakn Africa!

So here we go, Thanksgiving day I spend trying to finish up moving out of my apartment as I'll be in Africa when our official out-day comes and goes. True to form this means that I pull and all-nighter and as I am making my last run down to the new apartment I see a crazy massive hoard of people lined up in from of Best Buy...oh it is a recession black Friday after all. I get it all done (hopefully with the help from my roommate who shall be returning from Thanksgiving to some notes regarding some loose ends). Our flight is at 8am which means 6am shuttle to Newark Airport and I'm so glad my boss is not a follower of the recommended 3 hours before international flight check in rule because I am a notorious, "was that an attempt of my name on the loud speaker" kinda flyer.

OK, so Nov. 27th we fly out without a hitch, we transfer in London and pick-up David, Nov. 28th we land in Kilimanjaro. Fratern from The Foundation For Tomorrow (TFFT) was graciously awaiting us and took us to our accomodations at the lovely Rivertrees Country Inn in Arusha, Tanzania (Boss keeps calling it Two Trees and no one is correcting her, she'll figure it out). Anyway, we all decide that we are too "shattered" (Boss is Australian) to do anything but stay at Rivertrees and I am ready to eat my camera since veggie flight meals aren't terribly filling plus I always need a steady stream. I need to say here that lunch was the most delicious Fish (Talapia) and Chips ever (and I've been to England).

After lunch, it was off to bed except that David needed to make a quick trip to the local hospital and that's what the pictures are about. I couldn't resist snapping one of the sign for the Bleeding Room (which I figure means the room where they draw blood either for testing of for donation opposed for the antiquated practice of blood letting).

CGI Pizza last shoot (Nov 20th)

2009-12-04T15:27:00.001-08:00

OK, last shoot day of CGI Pizza. A little gorilla style as we were shooting at La Mama Theatre and trying to use the entering audience as background.

CGI Pizza shoot day 4 (10/31)

2009-11-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

Shooting back at the Bushwick studio. Behind this door...where the magic happens

Happy Halloween! Today was a wrap on studio. We have one last scene to get before it's a full wrap but that's to be shot in a theatre...and I think marionettes are involved.

CGI Pizza shoot day 3

2009-11-01T14:47:00.001-08:00

In a new studio located just off Bedford Ave in Williamsburg.

Guess they hate clementines!

Nike Spec Commercial (Revive Pictures LLC)

2009-10-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

The Red One (it's all the rage)

You'll see that the spot's title ("Perfect Human") is fitting for the most part...and then there is me

I'll agree to do a spec (even come back early from a getaway) if 1)I believe the quality is going to be professional and if 2)it's for something that I'm aiming to do officially. When I first arrived in the city I booked a print gig for Nike Running and have been wanting to do more of the like ever since. So when I got the call (while on a bus heading towards Boston) for a role in a Nike Running Spec, I could hardly turn it down.

It's a very Nike-esque concept: all different types of people running and the message is there is no "perfect" or better yet "we're all perfect". Whatever...it's a little hard to feel on par standing next to Mr. 6-pack.

Can you see the treadmill? It was a little treacherous running on a applebox-elevated treadmill sans railings, and all the while trying to look hardcore. There were some near wipeouts but luckily nothing full on.

Wednesday, Bloody Wednesday (shoot day 2)

2009-10-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Agent(Christian)down. BELIEVE me, he had it coming.

Abe playing the part of Luke

Me as Mabel

Wow, I bet you have questions now. I know I know...the outfits, what is happening. Trust that it makes sense in the context of the film.

We had some new crew members join in the fun and talk about making all the difference. Today's AD was on it. She kept us honest and we almost got all that was planned for today. And the new First Camera Assistant?...what a delight! A little green yes, but the key is in the attitude. He was eager to learn without being disruptive and on the rare occasion that he hadn't read the DP's mind he was down with taking orders. A good crew member definitely takes a certain personality.

CGI Pizza (shoot day 1)

2009-10-17T17:50:00.001-07:00

Check out this shot list!

Abe testing out the bike

wheel chair dolly = hallmark of a student production

helping pick up lunch (man, I miss "Spectrauma" food). get a load of bulletproof glass, yah Bushwick.

Yep, back at it. This time it's a Cooper Union short that caught my attention. What can I say, interesting story, interesting role, interesting artistic vision. oh and extra glorious is that there are NO externals!! I'd be ok working out in the cold if I could dress like it was cold outside but inevitably that is never the costume department's vision. So I'm grateful Much of the film is shot in studio in a Lars von Trier's Dogville fashion (I love that movie but understand it's not everyone's cup of tea).

CGI Pizza is not a consequtive-days shoot so be prepared for a bit of erradic posting.

Thursday Thursday

2009-10-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

In the "live art"

DJ Tedward

working the "Crazy Gorilla"

That's "Cool Runnings" playing. There were 3 other surrounding screens displaying "Weekend at Bernie's I & II" as well as "Apocalyps Now" (because a party is not a party without a little heart of darkness tribute)

Yue demonstrates how you cap off a night at 2am

Went out yesterday night. The first cold rainy nyc night and somehow I think it's a good idea to go to Brooklyn. hey, it's Thursday Thursday after all, plus it's Yue's last night before she goes away for a month.

The party description posted on the facebook invite read: Gay Beach [this is the East Village Radio Show name] Presents High Tide II w/ DJs Tedward and M. Carter. Live art by MOMO. Crazy Gorilla Photo Op. Pina Colada Booth. Weekend at Bernies I and II. Crazy Party Fun! Absolutely FREE!

Ah-ha! magic words...Weekend at Bernies...classic. didn't know there was a sequel though...pretty sure that's not biologically possible to get away with.

All Good Things...

2009-10-11T18:42:00.001-07:00

What would a wrap be without the wrap party (or as my "civilian" friend called it, our wrapping-it-up party...oh Mads)? It was your pretty standard affair: eating, drinking, 80's music, tarot card reading. I drank my kambucha a little too fast during my reading but, I remember that my essence is some sort of empress and cups came up a lot. Sounds good to me.

Pamela filled Trevor's recent vacancy at Paula's that night. Good plan since we were on the same flight to LGA and it made transportation to the airport more efficient, or so we thought. Guess we hung out chatting around Paula's breakfast table a little too long because we were first scolded by the check-in agent for arriving with only 34 mins to spare and then we found ourselves sprinting for our gate to the sound of our names being announced over loudspeaker. no worries, we made it. We left with snow on the ground and arrived to high 60s absolutely overdressed.

A heartfelt thank you to all back in Colorado who helped see Spectrauma through to film completion. One of the reasons I so adore making films is getting to meet so many amazing people and Spectrauma proved to be a prime example.

One last pic before for DJ drives us to Denver Intl.

The two of us on the jet way after hauling ass to make our flight

Last Looks (shoot day 17)

2009-10-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Are you seeing this?

Derek on sound

Trevor and Michael (dir.)

Us and the Interns

We made it out alive!!!

Last Labyrinth (shoot day 16)

2009-10-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Full Service Talent(we slate and do realignments)

Final scenes left to shoot countdown

We are in the homestretch and getting it done. It was the last day to shoot the rest of the Labyrinth scenes...there were many. We all tucked in for a long long night but, somehow we got it all done just before midnight. I feel the need to mention here just how important food becomes on set. Better than any Kraft Service we often had amazing home cooking from Paula and the Santa Clause like being known as Robin (food would magically appear but know one ever saw this Robin).

Oh, and what New Yorkers would call a blizzard started later in the evening. The drive home was pretty precarious as evidenced by the ridiculous amount of cars wrecked or scattered off the expressway. "What IS this place?"

Of Snow and Trains (shoot day 15)

2009-10-08T22:48:00.001-07:00

An interior scene, hooray!!

snowing! wtf?

Ashley, Brett, Dr. October, Kimberly (Christine, Trevor, Neils, Me)

I took so many pictured of the extensive miniature train set, but I'll spare you. Just know it was awesome

Running in to Neils at Whole Foods after the shoot

New locations are always fun. We started the day off back on campus to get in some remaining scenes then after release we reconvened at the Colorado Railroad Museum located in Golden. We were shooting in an antique railroad car which looked great. The only difficulty was that apparently it snows in Colorado in early October.

Love Is In The Air (shoot day 14)

2009-10-08T22:29:00.000-07:00

See that couch? never has their been a more awkward piece of furniture to get hot and heavy on

Sporting some Odd Fellow's hats. Its a secret society thing

Djuna risking her life for the sake of audio

On the bridge

Thats right, it's love scene day. We had a great location granted by the Odd Fellows (think Masons but less mysterious maybe? after all they let us into their clubhouse). Ok, onto the juicy stuff. Shooting a sex scene is always awkward (oh parents of mine worry not it's very PG-13). now, add to that a couch that much have been made to prevent procreation. Very very technically difficult to maneuver on never mind making it look sexy for the camera. It was maybe the most I've ever laughed. Trevor and I have been reassured that we got some workable material, but...we are dubious. Oh, and the scene we did right before required us to vomit and the ingredients in the stage vomit included orange juice, granola with dried fruit and yogurt. Talk about getting you in the mood.

Afterwards, we felt ambitious enough to get one more scene in (the foreplay scene) which takes place on campus. We shot the scene on a bridge. It was late, dark and cold but we're still having a great time.

Fix It In Post (shoot day 13)

2009-10-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

Ah, so back to the Labyrinth today. Some more characters die in weirder and weirder ways. What you are seeing is Nicholas being sucked into oblivion, or so it will be once Michael is done wielding some post magic. Tomorrow we have an early call so we wrapped at a decent hour today 8pm-ish but still I was pretty drained. We only have 4 more days to go. It'll be over all too soon.

Two A Days (shoot day 12)

2009-10-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

"Mind screens" in studio at Red Pine

Jasper & Caleb (Chad & Chandan)

DP Djuna in the "director's chair"

make up by Cat

Our "Lattice"

Started the day off with some more blue screen and experimental film tricks at Red Pine. In an effort to give some well deserved relief to the crew, DP Djuna and Dir. Michael alone were heading up this shoot. We (the actors) tried to help out where would could with our limited production knowledge and our awkward attemps resulted in Djuna in stiches rolling around on the floor. Nice

Michael had an emergency and had to run off, luckily everything is alright, and we plodded on with a make-up night shoot back at the Lab. We did a little improve for a timelapse-like effect and I discovered that I am the Jimmy Fallon/Horatio Sands of the group, i.e. the one to crack up first....and I had such high hopes.

Chandan and Chad were wrapped today. It's kinda crazy that the end is in sight.

School Days (shoot day 11)

2009-10-05T00:04:00.001-07:00

Dir. Michael's Birthday today! Turning 40, can you believe that?

she does it all!

That's Trevor laughing it off on the ground

The Alpha males, one of which is our DIT...oh indies

Alright, we are getting it done. It's kinda tough working with limited campus building access but luckily (or horrifically), sorority rush is going on this weekend and they are leaving some doors unlocked that wouldn't ordinarily be so. Sometimes the mass migrations of leggings and Uggs interrupts a take or two but all in all it's amusing and convenient.

We tried to get as much of the campus scenes in as we could, which translate to a late 1am wrap. The rain which started in the afternoon didn't help. By the way, when it rains here it smells so strongly of rain it's almost fake to me. It's like the smell I would imagine a futuristic simulation of a rainy day on the once-habitable planet Earth would utilize.

Back to School (shoot day 10)

2009-10-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Driving myself to set in T's rented Pontiac

Back to CU Boulder. and today we had extras! thank you students of CU and friends of crew. Trevor and I had different call times and luckily he was good enough to leave me the rental so I could sleep in. that's right gang I drove...I was even sent to go pick up Chandan on my way over. I have to say, I love a blaring radio in the car, but from some reactions I think I'm misunderstood in Boulder.

It's getting cold again. when the sun is out (11ish-3ish), shooting outside is no worries. Too bad some key scenes for Kimberly (me) are night externals...oh, and I'm in a skirt. That's going to be tough.

Buff it up (shoot day 9)

2009-10-02T23:31:00.001-07:00

In the Library

James, Caleb, Brett (Curtis, Chandan, Trevor)

Don't worry, I didn't touch it

Best lunch release ever (out on the quad)

Noodles and Company Dinner

Our first Campus day, thank you very much CU Boulder. The only stipulation, we can't shoot anything that is recognizable as being undoubtedly CU Boulder. What a nice campus though. They should make a lane on the path just for longboarders and skateboarders...yes, it's on that level.

And if you think Boulder is all about stoners and the like well...CU Boulder has an official 4:20 Day. On April 20th, at 4:20pm, the whole student body gathers on the very quad we took our picnic lunch on and simultanously lights up. Campus Security and the local police are brought in just to make sure there's no ruckus as the smoke rises into the air. It is such a "thing" that people even try to sell T-shirts to commemorate the day.

Little bit of a Red Camera tragedy, a camera drive was dropped and now is not functioning. anyone got any useful experience or tips?

Special Effects (shoot day 8)

2009-10-02T23:19:00.001-07:00

It's a brand new day! This was a much needed light day for both cast and crew...just some green screening action back at the Red Pine Studio. There was a new optimism in the air I think and effects are always fun to shoot. BTW, that would be a concoction of chocolate syrup, chocolate sauce, coffee grounds, ?...

Afterwards we were treated to some sushi (always makes things better) and T and I even felt up for a movie. "The Informant". oh yah, he couldn't take it anymore and rented a car. a movie might have been ambitious because we both got seriously tired halfway into it, and while I'm sure I liked it I couldn't fight off falling asleep.

Return to the Labyrinth (shoot day 7)

2009-10-01T08:50:00.001-07:00

Dinner provided by something called Wahoo

Ok, so another perk about being an actor on set is that as a general rule, great pains are taken to hide all freak outs on the part of production from the performers. Momentary meltdowns and flights off the handle are inevitable because we are only human operating under superhuman circumstances. But for whatever reason (maybe because actors are insecure enough) the law of the jungle is "don't let them see you cry". Try as they may, if you are aware you can piece together a story of a recent fall-apart.

I won't lie. We are behind and long shoots into the wee hours trying to get it all done is trying on the crew. Nerves are raw, stress is high, patience is low and exhaution does not begin to describe what the crew is feeling. But, we'll be ok. I'm painting a dark picture but as long as I know that I and the other actors still have ideas and things that we are excited to shoot and tryout...I know we are still ok.

Off Day

2009-09-29T22:13:00.001-07:00

Our diggs

Getting necessary supplies at Whole Foods (I luv me a Whole Foods)

At the Humphrey-Grant Mansion (Denver)

Mads hard at work

There should be more big blue bears in the world

The lovely Imig family

Oh off-day. I only get one day's respite during this shoot and while I do love making movies, it's nice to get a break. And this was made even better because it meant that I got visit with some Bates friends (Mads, Skip and Lilly the blonde terrier). I hitched a ride in with Trevor who was shooting at a historical mansion in Dever and it worked out perfectly that Mads' work is within walking distance. Leave it to me to walk down the seediest street (Colfax I think it was?) 10 paces behind an angry and opinionated homeless man and all I could think was "I'm not in Boulder anymore."

I dropped in on Mads as she was wrapping things up at her office. Guys, she has her own office with a mountain view complete with a glass award on display. Clap, clap, clap Mads, clap, clap, clap. We drove a little around the downtown to take in some of the notables and then it was back to the Imig residence. Then it was take Lily for a walk, homemade butternut squash risotto in the best company, stroll to the local icecream stand for rediculous portion sizes and then a lift back to Gunbarrel. pretty much a perfect day off.

Night at the Museum (shoot day 5)

2009-09-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

Waiting for our security escort into the museum

Holding

lens change

the amazing elevator

the crew, hanging tough

Today we shoot at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and therefore we had to wait for the museum to close before we could start shooting. We had one scene down in the guts of the museum and another in the most impressive elevator I've ever seen.

The actor playing Caleb (Chandan) and I had some time to wander around the museum and I learned something about myself. I've always known that I am not the kind in horror flicks that will go and investigate what that noise is...no, I'm the kind that will that will get the eff out of there at the slightest possibility of somthing freaky. I had hoped however, that I wasn't a leave a man behind kinda person...turns out my self preseration skills are better than I thought.

So, we are snooping around, trying every door to see if it's unlocked and success! the planateriam door is ajar. Chandan leads the way and it is dark. We round the bend and suddenly all I hear is a male voice say "Hey!" and I am spin around and gone! so fast, I split leaving Chandan to, I don't know, get scolded, get arrested, get made into a skin coat.

In my defense, I do go back for him after a few minutes when he failed to appear (and because I thought I was locked into the Space Wing). It turned out Mr. Hey! was just the screen operator and he was nice enough to let us stay to watch an awsome planaterium film about Black Holes. Go figure

Back in the Lab (shoot day 4)

2009-09-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

Prep

Yah, it's a real lab

Found this hat in the office...couldn't resist

movie magic

So this was a monster shoot day. We were suppose to shoot everything else that happens in the lab today, it was do or die. Luckily, come round 1am we got the good news that we could come back another day to finish. Thank goodness...but we still wrapped at around 2am.

Lab (shoot day 3)

2009-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

The bagel professional

Scene from the Lab

The Red One in action

Some crew utilizing my jump rope during breaks.
Its a jump off!

This morning we stopped off at a bagel place on our way to set, a place called Hole-in-One and it was definitely another "you know you're in Boulder when..." moment. There was a worker? in the kitchen methodically stirring what we can only assume was venison chilli on a hot pot and he was dress in...well please consult the photo. you can't write this stuff.

Ok, so major props to location scouting because our "Beta Lab" is actually a real lab where they make Lasers for people who want lasers (including the government but beyond that they couldn't tell us). It looks really good...for real.

Shooting went a little faster than yesterday so I'm taking this as a good sign that we are all finding our bearings and soon we'll get into rhythm. We are already behind though...and we have so much more to shoot. But somehow, it always gets down...sometimes on sheer willpower.

Labyrinth (shoot day 2)

2009-09-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Sushi Zenmai

On the Bus

Day 2: we got our first look at the Labyrinth built in a Denver warehouse space turned sound stage. I have to say, in-camera and with some post work (and some amazing, awed-expression acting of course), we might just pull it off.

So it turned out to be a rather long day of shooting (the first of many I predict) and couple that with being trapped in a room the whole time...well, T and I fled the scene as soon as we wrapped. By the way, hats off to crew who always have so much work left to do even after the w-word is pronounced. They are the first to arrive and last to leave...amazing.

Anyway, the two of us have been hankering for sushi since the start so, as recommended by Djana the DP, we hit up Sushi Zenmai in downtown Boulder for a late dinner. Guys, it was so good. We were famished and I know that throws off perception but putting those rolls in my mouth made everything right in the world. The amount of food we ordered and consumed alarmed and borderline appalled our server...it was to the point that he actually had to vocalize his amazement. whatever, we earned it.

You know that we don't have any transportation out here? yup, totally reliant on the kindness of any involved with production with a vehicle. This makes us feel...well, bad. "Hi, sorry to wake you. I know you worked really hard today making us look good, but Migina and I have just finished stuffing our faces. Could you come pick us up and take us back so we can get some sleep and be fresh for out call time which is 5 hours later than yours? thanks." So, it was really great that T figured out that there was a bus stop close to the restaurant that would drop us near Paula's house. Brilliant, we'll definitely be utilizing that again.

Camera's Up (shoot day 1)

2009-09-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

We arrive on set, 5:30 AM call. This pic pretty much sums that up.

Sunrise in Boulder Mountain National Park

My first trailer!

Yay animals! there was a whole herd

On Set

The Rocky's in the distance (the white ones)

You know you really love this stuff when you are actually looking forward to a shoot even with a 5:30 AM call time. Normally, if I am up at 5:30 AM it's because I haven't gone to sleep yet so, waking up to darkness (Colorado style darkness)...very confusing.
Set was up in the mountains, very beautiful but cold for New Yorkers coming from high 70s temps, hence our Northface-ing it up between takes.

Other than the cold, things seemed to go pretty well...all I know is that we were wrapped by 1pm. Michael (dir.) was nice enough to take Trevor and I to lunch at The Sink which is located in "The Hill" area of Boulder (guess they like making proper nouns out of...ordinary nouns?). The Hill is like everything you'd imagine a Colorado collegiate area to be: longboards are the perfered method of transportation, white blonde-headed boys can dred it up with the best rastas, bongos are sounding on every corner, and yes, Bob Dylan is pumped out from the loudspeakers at various outdoor seating areas.

After lunch, T and I strolled to the downtown area which we recognized only because of the sign that said, "Downtown Boulder". I'm not knocking it, it was just way quieter than I would have thought. We went and got some tea at a cute place called "The Tridant" (see, what I mean about the nouns?) where I met Perry. Perry, was a shaved headed biker, decked out in full motorcycle leather suit (of the racing persuation opposed to Hells Angles) who sat down next to me with his tea cup and saucer. "I don't really like the cold," he says as the groan of leather comes to a rest . "Last week I had to put the liner into my bike suit! What's your name? Hi, I'm Perry." I swear, full truth. Know what else I learned? He's been riding a motorcycle for more than 20 years, I should hitchhike up to some early snow covered mountain and then ski down it cause that's much better than a chairlift, and that when it gets to 30 below zero he fully intends to sport his electric motorcycle outfit that is powered by batteries which are stored in his leather chaps.

oh Boulder.

Here We Go

2009-09-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Heading off to LaGuardia

At Denver Airport waiting for our checked luggage

Popeye

Amy

Trevor (the other lead in the film) and I arrived in Denver last night after a more eventful flight than usual for me. We flew Frontier Air but were seated apart. I was in a middle seat with a woman prone to hysterics on my right and an elderly women who was extremely pleasant but slowwwww to my left. Right discover spilled tomato juice on some of the reading material in the seat pocket and understandably was concerned that it may have been stranger vomit. What was unnecessary was the shouting to the flight attendant that she "Better not get AIDS" and her subsequent refusals to change her seat. Left's response to all this was whispered in my ear: "I call people like her pistachios...cause their nuts." good one Left, good one.

Anyway, everything else was smooth. We are staying at the 1st AD's house in an out of the way part of Boulder called Gunbarrel (goes without saying that I would like a T-shirt) and joy of joys, she has two great dogs, Popeye and Amy. and yes, my salacious ones, we are in separate rooms.

The air smells great here and people are rediculously friendly. Case in point, stocking up at Wholefoods today, I'm grabbing some Quinoa and another customer comes skipping down the asile holding a thimble full steaming liquid and enthusiastically informs me, "Did you know that there are free samples of hot apple cider?", like it was a dream come true. Then later in the checkout line he spys me again and comes over to check and see if I had found the samples...obviously not recognizing a New Yorker's honing in abilities for free shit.

We had a loose rehearsal/read thru today and tomorrow is our first shoot day. I'll let you know how it goes.

First Post!!

2009-09-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hello,
"Let's give the blogging thing a try," I said. "I'm a crap journal-er and even worse speller, but this could be ok," I said. So here we are. Ready, Set, Go...

Basically, I'm prepping for my Finalist Showcase show at The P.I.T which goes down this Monday night. By the way, this is a F to R to the double E show so if you are looking for a Monday night activity check it out (info at http://thepit-nyc.com/diversity.html).
I am freaking out because 1. I'm sick, and 2. the day after the show I jet off to Colorado to start filming "Spectrauma". To The Aspiring, there is phrase in the acting world that you'll get sick of hearing because it's true: "When it rains it pours".

Anyway, "Spectrauma" is the prime reason I started this blog. The goal here is to try to keep my pals up to date on the filming and my Colorado experience in general.

Oh, and Full Rich is not as uppity, or House of La Perla as it sounds. It's a term I heard when my tv remote froze on some NASCAR race. From what I gather it refers to the condition of an engine when it's push to its full output. I like that...go all out, don't hold back...you get the picture.