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Archive for 2010


I just finished principle shooting of a short film called “American Dreams”.  The film, inspired by true events of Italian writer/director Gaia Bonsignore, is a story about two girls, Lisa and Diana, and their search for the “American Dream”, both having quite opposing ideas of what that is and how to achieve it.  Diana, played by Jacqueline Leal, seeks freedom in support and stability of a marriage that has inevitably lost its love. Lisa, my character, is an anarchist protester who finds freedom in running and retaining an uprooted status, constantly fighting for the cause of the moment.

It was an amazingly ambitious shoot (a super low budget that opens with a street riot scene, which achieved superb footage from what Ive seen).  It also provided an opportunity for me to work on a more gritty/ street kid character, as ive been seeking.

I just finished a fun (and funny) country music video with the band Fred Andrews & Honeybrowne (Facebook Fanpage Link).  The song is called “Beautiful Waste of Time”.  I play the waste of time…  Somebody’s gotta do it ;)

Shot in one day, this video was Directed and Edited by Jay Galvan, Produced by Dan Grosser and features the lovely Tina Rodriguez and Carlos Gacharna of DirtyBill’s Bar in Austin, TX.

Fred Andrews & Honeybrowne are at #23 on the Texas charts and climbing!

Photo shoot with “Blood & Glitter” makeup artist Wendy Sanders and photographer Steve DeMent under the theme “Austin Pinups”.

Jay Galvan shot this as a behind-the-scenes look at transformation from makeup chair to pinup flair. This video was submit to “One Day On Earth”, documenting a collaborative of the world’s story on 10-10-10.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot as it unfolded.

I was a Principal in a Sonic Commercial – its on air and now on YouTube. The first 2 seconds are scratchy, but the rest is clean and crisp.

LINK TO COMMERCIAL ON YOUTUBE > >


Here is a clip from Episode 2 (first after pilot) of ABC’s “My Generation”.

You can view all 8 episodes on HULU.com.

“Vicky & Sam” receives fantastic accolades from Steve Weiss and Philip Bloom on their show “Critics”.  That is, after Phil slams it in all aspects then reveals that he loves it so much it sets a new bar for standards.  The blog and gear resource, Zacuto.com, has hundreds of thousands of filmmaker followers around the world.  Nuno Rocha, the Director for Vicky & Sam, also received the “Z-KUDOS” award, which is not a commonly passed out acknowledgement for Steve Weiss.  Praising films in their entirety is also not common, as Steve and Philip are honest and genuine in their critiques.  They dont take filmmaking lightly.

The full film is unavailable on the web while it makes it’s festival rounds.  Currently, it has been accepted to 44 film festivals internationally.

Here is a short clip of the “Critics” episode with just Steve & Philip’s critique of “Vicky & Sam”:

See Nuno Rocha’s Z-KUDOS feature filmmaker write-up HERE >

See “Vicky & Sam” and the FULL “Critics” episode HERE >
(Vicky & Sam is the third film to be discussed)

Vicky & Sam: Behind the Scenes

Vicky & Sam: Behind the Scenes. Director Nuno Rocha and Cinematographer Drew Daniels

Vicky & Sam: Behind the Scenes

Vicky & Sam: Behind the Scenes

Marfa, Texas… sigh~  What a unique place to visit and amazing place to shoot a film.  While shooting as the lead the feature film “Far Marfa”, my inner photographer was rekindled.  Armed with an iPhone I could hide in my boot, the Hipstamatic App and being on set at all times, I was able to capture the essence of the amazing characters involved in this project.

Marfa is welcoming, indeedy

I was welcomed in Marfa with the cutest casita.

Biking is a way of life.. good thing!

Julie Mintz, Susannah Lipsey & Jesse Bernstein lounge near set

Myself, Johnny Sneed, Julie Mintz & JD Fabbio in our fabulous "Marfa Table" aprons. Marfa Table made our oh-so-delicious lunches everyday. mmm... Marfa Table...

Joe and Adam Bork (in that amazing green suit)

Dorothy Moore (M/U & Hair Artist), Myself and Adam Bork (of "Food Shark" and the new "Grilled Cheese Parlour and Museum of Electronic Wonders"

Stopped to readjust equipment on the roadside.

Riley, King of the Tumbleweed

The lovely Julie Mintz, caught mid-silly :)

Makeup Artist Dorothy Moore going in for the powder!

Adam Bork & his close up. In this scene, he makes a big reveal.

On-set lifesaver and Executive Producer, Carolyn Pfeiffer

Johnny Sneed & Jesse Bernstein review their scene

David Garcia, he plays a hipster in real life too :)

Allison Graham, Cory van Dyke & Iskra Valtcheva scout a desert location before an all-nighter shoot.

Johnny Sneed fell asleep at the party. In the scene, of course!

My trailer at a most amazing super remote location called the "Hip-O House".

The Big Bend Sentinel produced a real/fake paper headline for the film

Myself and the wonderful Jennie Lyn Hamilton, Producer

Marfa Table, family style dining and just as good as momma would make!

The quintessential cowboy, Ty Mitchell and myself.

Dan Siegelstein sets lights for a "day for night" warehouse scene

John C (plays Martin) holds his bonafide solid aluminum foil ball. He says there is a secret object inside that only 2 people know the identity of

Such an odd capture, this photo. Dorothy preps John C for a bleeding gag, Riley listens in for instruction

Iskra Valtcheva and a 7D rig

Tigie and her tractor, classic Marfa amazingness

Day trip with Boyd Elder deep in the hills of west Texas. It was a burly ride getting to this place!

In front of the Prada Store near Marfa.

No west Texas photographic compilation would be complete without a tarantula shot!

A down-on-his-luck music producer stumbles upon a lost work of art that could change everything. But to win, he must surrender his notions of success and embrace the mystery and absurdity of life.

My latest project is shooting in a place Ive longed to spend time in since I moved to Texas 5 short years ago.  FAR MARFA, which shoots in, well, Marfa, TX stars Johnny Sneed as CARTER and myself as QUARRY.  Jesse Bernstein, also with my agency (The Atherton Group), will play a supporting role as DAVID (pronounced “Da-veed”).

There will definitely be more info to come as I continue on this journey.  Aside from dynamic filmmaking, I have a feeling there will be plenty of great conversation, biking around town and hopefully a bonfire or two in the desert!

Sam Doonby, is a happy-go-lucky drifter who takes up residence in a small Texas town but seems suspiciously immune to the misfortunes that beset the other townsfolk.

John Schneider, star of Doonby, talks about the film and his role on FOX News yesterday.  I played supporting role as “Lisa” in the feature.  Needless to say, this interview sparks my excitement for the film to be released!  (Im hoping mid-fall…?)

The link to the seven minute interview with John is here.  (The preview footage is at the beginning)

John Schneider (Sam Doonby), Jenn Gotzon (Laura Reaper) and Robert Davi (Sheriff Woodley) in a screenshot from the film.

John Schneider discusses Doonby clips (shown on right with Brandi Blevins as "Jolene")

What an amazing project to be a part of.  I Guest Star as JUDY COOPER in the first episode of “My Generation”, a new TV series on ABC.  The show premiers on ABC Thursday, September 23 @ 8/7central.  In the first episode, I play opposite Kelli Garner and Keir O’Donnell and will be 8 months pregnant with flippy hair and a chipper disposition.  My first experience with a documentary style three-camera shoot, I had so much fun diving into the freedom of more ‘being’ and less ‘calculating’, as is often the case with traditional feature shoot styles. The show’s creator, Noah Hawley, has written a brilliant script and the Producers have put together a dynamic cast and crew.  Episode 1 was directed by Michael Katleman, who has an amazing sense of raw, dynamic, truthful action.  I have no doubt this show is going to be a super success.  I feel fortunate to be a part of it.  (Sending intentions that my character will be written back in!  Hey, it happens ;)

You can see good clips from the pilot and detailed info here.  The official trailer is here.

"My Generation" promo poster

Me and my 8mo. pregnantness for "My Generation" Episode 1

Im in a commercial spot for KGSR.  It ends with Lyle Lovett.

This is Lyle Lovett

Here is the spot:

 

 

Myself and the lovely Rocio Garza waiting to shoot

The Barn Scene

Transfer band members Shawn, Matt, Cooper and Jason. Look for them very soon!

A most fantastic music video I was honored to be a part of is premiering at Encore this Saturday, March 20 @ 4pm. The director is Laura Wallgren, founder of Make Love Music (you should friend her, she’s great :), the band is called Transfer and the video is for the song Get Some Rest. They are showing the video before Transfer’s set at 4pm. I have only seen screenshots, and I must say im pretty stoked about it!! The event in its entirety is a two day lineup (SAT, SUN March 20, 21) with bands (of course, this is SXSW), good food by Root and good vibes by all. Emphasis on the good vibes, as the crew putting it together is super stellar good stuff.

Listen to Transfer’s new album, Future Selves.

Check out the party on Do512.

Obscure Magpie Music, Club Encore, & Old Flame Record Present the “TWO HEADED PARTY” at CLUB ENCORE on 611 Red River Street in Austin, Texas on March 20th from Noon-6pm, and March 21st from Noon-6pm. BOTH inside and outside stages, amazing customized lighting by RED STAR PRODUCTIONS, free admission, and ROOTS will be Party-Q’n up their famous award winning CANDY LEGS & BUDDA POPS!

I hope you will come in the midst of the SXSW crazy!

Cast and band members gather on the porch for a period piece photo

I get saved!

Jay and I in front of the farmhouse, me in my fancy dress by Stephanie Fellabaum. (Apparently, I really like holding it out like that :)

Feelin the music, feelin the love..

Transfer as sleeping dead

Into the river to our deaths.

Late last year, I was fortunate to be asked to act in Laura Wallgren’s music video for the song “Get Some Rest” by Transfer.  Transfer is a rockin up and coming band out of San Diego.  They composed the music for our investment pitch film last year, El Coyote, and are interested in composing music for our next feature film, Lucifer’s Bounty.  What an amazing day with an amazing cast and crew that Laura put together.  It was wonderful to work with actors Roze Fromsalt and Rocio Garza, who starred in El Coyote together with myself as 1st AD.  I completely appreciate my production experience, though now that im focused on acting and writing, its refreshing to hang out with the crew and cast without a million production aspects in the back of my brain.

Here are some pics from the day o’ being saved and then walking into a river to our deaths.   Good times, indeed!

I get saved here

I get saved here

Cast and band members gather on the porch for a period piece photo

Cast and band members gather on the porch for a period piece photo

Transfer band members Shawn, M@, Cooper and Jason

Transfer band members Shawn, M@, Cooper and Jason

Shooting in the barn

Shooting in the barn

Myself and the lovely Rocio Garza waiting to shoot

Myself and the lovely Rocio Garza waiting to shoot

Get Some Rest

Braving the cold river waters, crew and all!

Myself, M@ (lead singer) and Mark Thielen

Myself, M@ (lead singer) and Mark Thielen