The calm before the storm...

So...

It's been about two weeks since my last post. I haven't blogged because I've been working on lots of personal projects. One of them has been an effort to not overwhelm myself and to get organized. I honestly went through a weird period for the last month. I left school and had free time but it wasn't very free. I followed the pattern that I typically follow which is hopping from one activity to the next...dealing with the "have to's " and "said I would's" instead of just sitting down and processing my life. Thus, that is what I am doing right now...trying to get it together. Don't get me wrong, I"m so happy about all of th things that are happening in my life. But, if I am always worring about "what happens next" instead taking just a little bit of time processing what has happened or what is happening now, I may not enjoy and appreciate things as much. Thus, I'm making some changes and trying to adjust my turbo speed life and bring it down to super speed...at least for now.

I titled this blog "The calm before the storm" because things are a bit balanced right now in my life, and rarely it is this way. I don't see the "storm" as a storm of negative things, I see it as a storm of positivity and opportunity that will propel me towards my goals. I am focusing on stability for now so I can handle anything that comes my way.

With all of that said...allow me to update everyone on what's been going on:

1) I shot the Chinet commercial last Thursday...YAY! It was very exciting. We shot it at some rich person's house in Evanston (some will argue that they were not rich, but upper middle class but hell, they seemed rich to me). So...our call time was at 9:30 and the first thing we did was check in and visited the breakfast trailer where the cook served up made to order omelets, hot oatmeal, fruit, cereal etc. Nice! Next we were rushed through makeup and wardrobe ( and I do mean rushed). The director kept pushing up the shoot time...it went from 11, to "we need the girls ready in 30 minutes, to "in 15 minutes he's just going to start pulling talent." Yep, that's the business folks. Luckily, I was one of the first in the chair so I got my makeup and hair done early (after all, I was the "bride" of the bridal shower *smile*). We came down to the living room area and I was given a tagline "OH...I love it!" as I pulled the same ceramic teapot out of a box at least 50 times. It was difficult at times. For on-camera work, they need specifity and they need it right away. If they tell you to make an adjustment that want you to do it right away and do it perfectly, while still holding your arm at a 90 degree angle, holding your head just a little, smiling with no teeth and winking your left eye. Literally. There was a moment where the director had me look in one direction almost a trillion times and I was given the note that my look was "too big." (Theatrical sh-, from being a theater actress). That's all I will say...cause like I said, you never know whose reading these blogs. Overall it was a fun and exciting experience. I think I am still in shock that I will be on tv soon. Yep, still haven't processed it...Ha!

2) I had another commercial audition! This one is a SAG commercial that shoots in NY. Those who know, know what cell phone company it's but here's a hint...it's on of my favorites! I find out by the end of next week!

3)I'm enrolled in an advanced TV and Film class. One thing I learned at Stepp School, on-camera work is so different that theatre work...I am hungry for more trainig in this area so I will be starting class in two weeks. I can't wait!

So like I said...trying to get my self organized and settled...because I have a feeling things are about to get super busy soon...since the stars are the limit...I am gearing up for flight:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvD6qyNxVAI In the quest for fortune and fame, don't forget about the little things...

R. Marie

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!

Okay...let's start with some okay news:

1) I am no longer a part of the show in Madision. My only co-star had to bail out of the project last week due to personal issues and I had several reservations about the show as the process continued. Thus, professionally I thought it was the best decision to make. I could go into more detail, but...you never know who's reading this stuff

OKAY GOOD NEWS

2) I got an AGENT! I am now represented by ARIA talent, one of the top-notch agencies in Chicago! They actually sought ME out after seeing me during presentation week at School at Steppenwolf. Man...Stepp School is the gift that keeps on giving!

OKAY...GREAT NEWS:

3) I booked the COMMERCIAL! YAAAAAAAAAY! I will be shooting this Thursday and I got cast as the BRIDE. If you look back two blogs ago, I talked about the scenario they had me do.

I can't WAIT! My first COMMERCIAL! It's NATIONAL also...people will see it all around the COUNTRY! YAAAAY!

I am so blessed! I will be blogging soon to keep you folks updated on everything...THANKS FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT!

R.Marie

Inspired...

Wow...I'm so inspired...trying to figure out my next move: Allow me to gather my thoughts...kay.

1) I got called back for the commercial , I have one more audition...Yay! Send those prayers up folks! If I get it I shoot next week! I can't wait to shoot my first commercial...AAAAH!


2) Meeting with an agent on Thursday! Can't wait to see what work he will have in store for me


3) Was in the wedding of one of my best friends! YAAAAY!

















I had a few thoughts recently about my career and where I want to go. I say all of these nice quotes like "sky is the limit" and blah blah blah but do I really think that? Am I really trying to acheive what I said. I had two stalk moments for two of my fav actresses. These actresses are great...are they the greatest? No, that's another blog...but I relate to both of them and I'm pretty sure we will be competing for roles in two years (my goal). Do you know who they are?? Do you???

If you guessed correctly you win...NOTHING (y'all serious, I aint got no money):

Sanaa Lathan and........my gurl

TARAJI P!

Okay yeah...so I know there are many of my friends that have special affinities to certain stars...i.e. Beyonce! I love 'B' as well but not as deep as some of my friends. BUT...nobody better not say nothing bout my girls 'Na...and 'Ji. Seriously.

Now...I enjoy Sanaa because she always expresses her roles with honesty and humaness. The characters she develops are often real and relatable...you can tell she's Yale trained (like my auntie Angela...not my real auntie Angela but Angela Bassett.) I see us as a similar type (although she has a few years on me...quiet as kept) and appreciate her work all the time...she's so beautiful and confident and anyone can tell that she works hard on her craft.

Now...I was all about Sanaa since LOVE AND BASKETBALL but...I must say that through the years my girl Taraji has won me over. Despite the similiar roles some argue that she may have played in the early days...Taraji is a beast when working on her roles...she is ALWAYS consistent and she ALWAYS nails it! I am never dissapointed. From playing the hood ass girlfriend on "Baby Boy" to "T" (yall know "T") in Smokin Aces, to a preggers prostitute in "Hustle and Flow" (well it is hard out here for a pimp), to a Louisana woman who ages from 20s-70s in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." I also feel that I can relate so much to Taraji as a person...she is me...if she can be from an urban area (she's from D.C., I'm from the Chi) and be nominated for an Oscar...dang-it...so can I. And she's so freakin real. Love her! Check her out on Ellen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1bvIUptr8A and then check her piece about success in acting:

Act Natural

My first commercial audition, yay!

I went to the casting directors office and there were at least 15-20 actors there auditioning for I beleive 2-3 different projects. In my audition I was told to be a bride at a bridal shower and I was paired with 5 other girls and 5 guys. It's supposed to be a dual shower (men don't have groom showers, I think?) but there is also a group of men together looking at a gift on the other side. The girls all slated(said our names) and we all had to hold up our hands to the camera...(wow, wish I would've gotten my nails done). Then we had to respond to recieving lingerie. We did it once and then the auditor told us to be more natural (we were really getting into it). We did it twice more and then we were done. Pretty simple, fun...callbacks are next week so we will see. They will be shooting it in Chicago in two weeks. Send some prayers up yall!

R.Marie