some things

That is how I have felt and still feel about The Mooring. Sure I have journal entries, but those are not going online, no-sir.

So yeah, I know everyone wants to hear about it, but I'm (still, I know) not up for talking about it at the moment. If you have any specific questions about the shoot, though, let me know, and maybe I'll do a FAQ post or something? hmm.

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Most of you know this already, but for those who don't, I'm moving in about two weeks. From Idaho to Arizona, with my family. I thought I'd better mention it here because moving will definitely affect my life as a performer. I haven't had a ton of time to research fully the opportunities available there, but I'm excited for the transition. And living in a city is a really exciting change for me as a person and as an actress.

A couple of weeks ago, I went and saw a production of Willy Wonka the musical. (Actually, it's the production I auditioned for back in July. Only I had a flu badly during callbacks so I couldn't make it to them.) Afterward, I said goodbye to the director, John, who was also the director for Fiddler on the Roof and I Remember Mama. He has helped me grow creatively so much, and he's the best theater director I've worked with. I will miss working with him a lot. I said my farewells to some other theater family, too. I'm incredibly grateful for the people I've been blessed to work with and grow with as an actor here.

reunion week

I leave tomorrow for pick-up shots for The Mooring! I was sent call-sheets yesterday, and we certainly have an intense week ahead of us. Praying the weather is like today: SUNNY. Either way, I have a feeling the days of freezing on set are not over for us just yet.....

Can't wait to see everyone again. And film. Yayyyyy.

9 Juliet

The Mooring teaser trailer #2, featuring Hailee (aka "Holly"), is up at the website! There's going to be a teaser featuring each of the girls, yay.

Glenn and Hallie recommended this program to me and any of my friends who are also technology-addicted, haha. Check it out. :)

currently....

While I still plan on reminiscing about this summer's shoot in a series of posts, in the meantime I thought I'd keep you abreast of other goings-on.

My dance class started up beginning of last month. This is my third year taking from this teacher. We're currently choreographing a super-fun hip-hop routine, and discussing possible recital songs.

In a couple of weeks, Hallie is coming up to Spokane to give a few acting classes! I'll be taking a couple of those. So excited to be back in class learning more.

The best news is that we will be doing pick-up shots for The Mooring at the end of this month. You have no clue how happy this makes me. No clue. "Ecstatic" doesn't even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to see my people and film again . . . aaahhhh!

Speaking of The Mooring, there's a teaser trailer up on the site! (key word: tease) I can't wait to see more. Even that short little blip makes me so excited.

before they were stars....

I found a really hilarious gallery listing famous actors who appeared in various horror films before they "made it big." Everyone from Tom Hanks to Jim Carrey to Jennifer Aniston and more. I recognize almost all of the names.

My favorite has to be Leonardo DiCaprio's entry:

The third movie about alien porcupines? Seriously? (I found out there was a fourth one, even. Wow....)
Just a few years later, he would be nominated for his first Oscar in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

the end of the beginning

I left for work on The Mooring July 14th.
I returned home August 16th (or, to be exact, in the early hours of the 17th).
I've been back for almost three weeks, now.

It's been much more difficult than I'd thought it would be, this readjusting to life outside of the movie. For almost five weeks, nothing existed for me outside of The Mooring. I woke up, came to set, worked, ate, slept, then repeated. It was glorious.

Beforehand, what I was about to do never set in. I assumed it would once I was finally on set, once I heard "Action!" and started to film.
It never did.
I waited and waited for it to set in, for the reality of it all to hit me, but it didn't. Each moment, each day (or night) of shooting was as surreal as the next.
The night of August 16th was the wrap party. At one point late in the evening I was saying goodbye to Glenn, my super-wonderful-brilliant director, and suddenly, BAM. It hit me. Everything we'd done settled into my mind. It was like getting a punch in my gut. I could hardly breathe. And the moment it finally set in, I had to say goodbye to it. To everything and everyone. I felt like something inside of me was shattering. I know, I know, I realize how melodramatic that sounds. But whatever, I don't care, because that's what it was like. I felt lost, I felt misplaced, I felt wrong.

For the longest time after returning home, I wondered if I was ever going to stop hurting. Everyone wanted to hear about it, "how was filming? what was it like?" and I talked about it, but it was painful. Looking at pictures and showing them to others was painful, too.

I grew a lot as a person, and even more-so as an actor, during this experience. I can't even begin to tell you how much. It was the most incredible experience of my life. I felt more alive, more full, than I've possibly ever felt. I don't know how to help people understand what this was to me.. How much it meant. Why I felt like something died in me when I had to leave it.

I still miss it. I miss it so much. I miss the people--oh, do I miss the people. We girls in the cast became like a sisterhood. I don't see how you could not, spending that much time together. It wasn't like just being friends; it was something deeper. I miss them. The crew . . . they became friends and uncles and second-parents . . . I miss them. So much. I miss going to set everyday. I miss acting. I really, really miss the acting.

But I finally feel ready to write about it. Hopefully I can type up quite a few posts over the next few weeks, sharing different moments and details about all that happened.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this (click on it to see it larger):

It's my name. On a movie poster. Oh my oh my oh my!!

we're off to film The Mooring

So . . . I leave the day after tomorrow (the 14th)! There'll be a week of pre-production prep, then filming starts! I'll be gone for about a month. Away from my family, away from pretty much all technology (except a phone to call home!), and hopefully having the time of my life. Keep everyone in your prayers--that everything will go well and everyone will stay healthy. If you want updates, make sure to keep an eye on the production blog. Otherwise . . . I'll see you on the other side!

(ohmywowthisisreallyhappennninnnnggggg!!!!!!!)