Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr.

"Directing Actors" workshop

One of the exciting projects I'm working on is with writer/director Ela Thier.  I'm a writing student of hers as well as her casting director for The Independent Film School.  I'm fortunate to be able to see casting from the other side of the table, i.e. what stands out when looking at other actors' resumes, which headshots really stand out, how actors handle the communication process, what's deemed as prepared vs unprepared, and the list goes on.  I especially take pride in being able to give my opinion and suggestions for how to make the process a more positive one for actors since I usually share the actor side of the table.

Our upcoming workshop will help directors create a safe, inspiring and creative environment that will only support actors in their quest to bring truth to their work.  If you're an actor or a director interested in learning more, visit http://www.theindependentfilmschool.com/directing_actors.html.  Also check out Ela's work and words at www.elathier.com.

Lil Kim is the Best that Ever!!!

Oh my goodness...

Quote UnQuote

Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass. - Fran Lebowitz, writer

Meet: K(Rob)...The Artist formerly known as Kenya (Robinson)

Last week, I received a call from my good friend Kenya.  In short, Kenya is an artist.  In long form, she's an installation artist, a writer, a painter, a designer, a performer, and the list goes on.  She invited me to perform with her in her latest show called "Displaced Threshold."  We (Kenya and myself) were the worker bees constructing a runway of mirrors for model Isis (from America's Next Top Model).

The best part about this performance was that it was completely improv, which I usually shy away from.  She instructed me to take a look at her artist statement or as she refers to it..."performance score" and come with a pair of sneakers.  I showed up, and we just let it flow.

Check out pics from "Displaced Threshold" here:
http://kenyaworkspace.tumblr.com/post/2380957795/check-the-some-of-the-images-from?ref=nf

Check out K(Rob)'s "Displaced Threshold" performance score here:
http://kenyaworkspace.blogspot.com/2010/12/displaced-threshold-performance-score.html

Gratitude

Today is Turkey Day, and I've been spending the whole day back home with my family.  There are so many things to be grateful for this year.  All of my family members are with us and are healthy for the most part.  My grandmother is 95 and three-fourths and as sharp as ever!  It's quite amazing, she's better at remembering names and the turn of events than I am.  In fact, half the time I can't keep up with her stories and have to ask about 10 follow-up questions for clarity. 

At dinner, I got the biggest chuckle because she lit up showing us everything she's "collected" from her assisted living home that the other residents don't use.  She pulled out from her bag of goodies: tea, tissues and cereal.  It was funny to see her in action...a cross between an auctioneer and your local street hustler.  She's extraordinarily skilled at not wasting a dime (read: cheap...oh er uh i meant fiscally responsible). 

Me, on the other hand...I've been admiring my new calgel manicure that I got yesterday before leaving the city - $78 of pure fabulosity.  New obsession alert!  Especially since I'm prone to nail biting, peeling, picking when random thoughts, what ifs, and "i need to's" visit me and I find myself spirally down into the land of anxiety.  Check out http://www.nailspasakura.com/.  If you ever take a visit, see Leela...she's the bomb diggity.

So on this day, I'm thankful for many many things but especially my family, my Grandma, and my fresh glittery calgel mani.  Happy Thanksgiving!

The idea of DAY 1...

today i created my own blog.

i have a blog with my actors' group - Kaleidoscope Actors (feel free to take a looky www.kaleidoscopeactors.blogspot.com), but this is my very own blog.  i've been thinking of blogging for who-knows-how-long, and i just kept shying away from it...for a host of reasons that maybe i'll share another day.  bare with me, starting this blog alone is a huge step into crossing over that proverbial line of fear.

this is my first step into a new philosophy i'm trying out...the idea of DAY 1.  we get so stressed out, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful about the future...it prevents us from making a decision today in the direction of where we ultimately want to be tomorrow.  so instead of worrying about what i'll write about tomorrow or what i'll end up saying here that's way TMI or whatever the constant stream of thoughts in my head leads me to next...i'm just grateful that i took this first step...here...today...on DAY 1.