Post Reading "Acting Professionally"

After reading this book i would give it a rating of 9 out of 10. Robert Cohen has filled this book with plenty of information or enough information to set you on your way. Even before that he gives you enough information in the beginning of the book to make the decision on weather or not you want to attempt to get into the industry. What i really liked about the book is that he gave a lot of cold hard blunt facts in all seriousness. I loved that about it because when it comes to reading about something your interested in getting into, you do not want the negative things to be sugar coated or thrown to the side, so i would say that’s one of the reasons why i gave it such a high rating. “Let’s face the facts squarely: Acting is one of the toughest business in the world to break into. Maybe the toughest. The majority of people who try fail even to get their foot in the door, and the vast majority of those who do get their foot in the door don’t keep it their very long.”(Cohen 3). The way he states things puts you in the position to take some deep thought into the point he is trying to make.

“Wanting success isn’t enough, studying for it isn’t enough, and no amount of dedication or commitment will, on it’s own, get you into the casting office.”(Cohen 3). This quote was the one that actually got me thinking. I started wondering what more do they want but then later on it explains what you need to do and how you need to do it and that was another reason why i rated the book a 9 out of 10. I liked the way it goes into depth of each section that you were probably questioning in your mind, it gave you a better understanding and more then what you were looking for. I really appreciate how he will talk about a section of why you need something like a manager for example and then he would tell you how to get a manager and when you will need one. He does not just tell you, you need a manager and move on to the next topic. The author gives you a list of other options relating to the arts/theatre just in case you have changed your mind about acting, so he does not just leave you in the gutter if you decide on dropping the industry. 

The only reason why i gave it a 9 is because at some points he would talk about a section but then slowly drift to something else for a long period then switch back to what he was trying to get at. The second reason was that i did not like how in other chapters he would repeat things over that he has already mentioned and go into a whole paragraph about what he already touched based upon instead of saying “refer to chapter...page..” He has done that but only for some. All in all, Robert Cohen fills his book with plenty of information and knowledge that you can soak up and it is up to you weather or not you want to use that info to your ability.

What it takes to be an Actor

I believe it takes a lot to become an actor, there is so many things you have to do in order to even be seen or get your foot in the door, not only just to get your foot in the door but to make sure you stay there because it is never a guarantee, it is a very competitive industry. I would most definitely have to say it would take plenty of talent, determination, patience, and passion. You need to have the talent, no question about it, it is the most important factor for a performer. If you do not have the talent, you will not be seen or heard and that is basically it. Allow your confidence to run with your talent. “Confidence is the power you have over your own personality.” (Cohen 12). Determination will allow you to boost your self esteem and it gives you a reminder that your trying to obtain or accomplish your goal. 

This industry its self is one of the most competitive industries out there, so being determined to make it would be a plus for you, keep the faith and keep moving on. Patience is a sense of stability. Things won’t be moving as fast as you want at times because your just starting out, at the moment your nobody to those casting directors, so it will take time to rise. It could take weeks, months just to get a call back and years just to get noticed. Patience is required, i would consider it a requirement along with the other ones.  Passion is key because having the talent, determination and patience may not even be enough, the passion has to be there, if you love something enough to put aside all the negatives about it then i believe that is what will get you through or help push you along the way when you feel like your about to fall off the edge. 

Another thing is you can’t be lazy, you have to be a go getter because your constantly working trying to get contacts, upgrading your resume, head-shots, going for auditions, meeting with agencies, marketing your self around the world and more. Putting your self out their to get recognized takes a lot of work and energy. In addition, having faith can create a big impact on your life and with everything you strive for, faith is what you need for sure in this industry. Turn to your faith and turn to your God because in the end it is really god’s decision weather he will make this happen for you or not. You can only get so far without him, with him you can go all the way, as long as you keep him by your side.

Moving On

 

I smile and I laugh because for the first time I can see the glory out of this whole thing. I thought I was lost and dying to be found or maybe I didn't want to be but now i let out a sigh of relief because I know I'll be okay, I'll be free I'm no longer in your captivity.

Post Media Presentation

Nerve Racking

We finally got to execute all of the media presentations and I'm glad i finally got it over with because for the first i found it nerve racking to present. Building the poem was good time well spent and i enjoyed doing the work because i love writing poetry but i don’t know what came over me when it came time to present.

I felt the lights in my face, the heat building up, i completely felt like i was melting. I felt as if at times when i messed up everyone noticed and the room just seemed to be silenced. For the first time in my life, presenting was difficult. I guess i could say some of the reasons on why felt like that would be because i didn’t have my poem fully memorized and maybe i was worrying to much about if they would like it or if they liked it when i was done and is it good enough. My worst fear was if my teacher my adjudicator would like it and feel what i felt when i wrote that poem and saw the truth of life on the streets.

I have to say it was not one of my best presentations but i do plan on continuing to get better and gradually grow to be stellar at presenting. I will work on my memorization and i will try not to worry so much in the future. Doing these kind of challenges allows you to open up your eyes, view the streets with a different perspective and be more gracious to your surrounding people living their life struggling day to day. It also allows you to keep in mind how great your life is disregarding the mini situations or problems. It also teaches you to not take everything for granted and to enjoy the life you live.

Make wise decisions, for you only have one shot at life. I hope the class enjoyed my presentation and was able to connect with the message i was trying to deliver. I hope they can now open their eyes to these people struggling and will try to make a change. Let’s all contribute and make that change.

Pre and Post Scripted Scenes

“The Suspect”

Last week we were given scripted scene work to do with a partner. we were given a whole bunch of different scripts to choose from and my partner and i saw one that caught our eye right away. The script was titled “The Suspect”. we skimmed and scammed through the dialogue going over each character. Person 1 was the detective and person 2 was the suspect. We both equally decided that my partner would play detective Dickerson and that i would play the suspect, Ms. Hansen.


Plot Summery:
“The Suspect” is about a wealthy business man who died mysteriously in a hotel while on a vacation, this man is Ms. Hansen's father. When Ms. Hansen’s father died his doctor claimed it was caused by a heart attack, but the FBI thought they would do some more research on his death on how the heart attack was caused, so an autopsy was done. During the autopsy they found out that Ms. Hansen’s father had traces of heart medicine in him but that did not make any sense because her father was a completely healthy man so things did not add up. Now, this is where detective Dickerson comes in. It is Dickerson’s job to find out who killed Ms. Hansen’s father and detective Dickerson believes there were two people involved in his murder, a man named Joseph Chambers and the victims daughter Ms. Hansen. Ms. Hansen gets accused of being an accomplice of her own fathers death and that’s were the story begins. The setting takes place in a interrogation room.


I found this scripted scene to be a lot of fun and for the first time i found it easy to memorize my lines. I thought it would be difficult to memorize the whole dialogue but it turns out it wasn’t, i even ended up remembering some of my partners lines. I would say the only challenging part in executing this scripted scene was trying to remember full frontal acting, nuances and having the right pauses. Other than that this scene was fun to do and i think my partner and I did a wonderful job but it is obvious we could of polished up some things in order to fulfill expectations and to go beyond our expectations.

Love One Aother

For the past week I have really been trying to get closer with my Christan life and share thy wondrous work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I think it's a beautiful thing that I am pushing my self to go through this because, I can look at my self and see the progress I am making and my attitude and willingness to be apart of God's plan.

I want to share with you the weekend i had, the day i was going to church Sunday morning. I woke up, said a prayer and as i was getting ready i turned on the t.v to hear the word of God on channel 49, and i sat there for awhile taken in what the man was saying, but anyway i carried on and i was more happier then ever. Full of enthusiam and excitement, i was just plane hyper and my Grandmother looked at me and said " Jen, you look extreamly happy today, why are you so happy?" and i said "because i was listening to the word of God". She smiled at me and said good and allowed me to carry on. I have to say i felt good saying it was because i was listening to the word of God. Then for the past couple of days in church our message was Love and i connected to that preaching and expanded on it by reading more into the Bible on loving one another and so on. Now, i want to share a couple verses with you.

Matthew 5: 4-12

4. Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 

5. Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 

6. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

7. Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

8. Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

9. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 

10. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

11. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

Matthew 5: 38-48

38. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 

39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also. 

41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 

42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

43. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 

44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 

46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 

47. And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 

48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 

Now I just want to encourage everybody to Love Thy Neighbor and Love your Enemies. Be humble and holly for you are God's child and he is watching you at all times. Try to be the people that God wants us to be. You may think it's hard and it is but ask for help and he will guide and lead you. We must love our sisters and brothers, for If we don't love the people in this world then how do you expect to get into the gates of heaven. We have come from  a Loving God so he expects us to love one another.

We Can't Be Friends

Can't Stop, Refuse To Stop

I cant seem to stop writing. The more I write, the more i start to feel better inside.
This is my forth entry since that night. My pencil can't seem to part with the paper.
My mind is eager to share it's thoughts. I don't know why but i'm just going with the flow.
Maybe it's because i can't seem to let go.

This must be poetry season. I can't believe I'm actually smiling.
I've been looking at this the whole time thinking negative
So why i'm i smiling when i can't see the positive

I guess I'll just keep writing till i figure it out.
I still feel the pain in my chest but it's getting better as i write this
im looking for healing, trying to remove the bad feeling

I couldn't sleep last night. I wonder if i will be able to sleep tonight.
Take my mind of things, give my self a break, from all this hardache
I still can't believe i seen it coming, knowing i had to do something

I didn't work hard enough, because if i did maybe i wouldn't be in this predicament
Love conquers all. I wonder who lied to you. If i make it through this. Then maybe it could be true.
I could write for days on just this one category.

That's exactly what I'm going to do. Let my poetry count the days till i work this through.
Not a day goes by where i don't think of you
Love.
This is what "love" does to you. After this I'm through.

Broken Pieces

As of yesterday, I'm back in the fighting game
Fighting to keep my heart strong, and to make sure it doesn't shudder and break once again.
I'm Torn up but i will be strong once again, I gotta find the strength and fight this to the end.
So i call on God, but I can't believe I'm going through this again.

The pain aches through my chest, no matter how strong, the pain comes regardless
Tears flow heavier then ever. Confusion and headaches come more frequently, hoping things will get better
but will they ever. Listen to your gut feeling. I choose to ignore it and look past it.
I shouldn't of did that because now i cant seem to move past this.

I don't get it. I've been through this before but this time it just seems different.
My past and flashbacks are back, because of this i feel used and i cant seem to understand that.
You wouldn't understand, because you don't know my past,
So i guess you wouldn't understand why i felt like that.

I put on a smile to the people around me, faking my grin from cheek to cheek. Trying to be the most discreet.
I write poetry because that's the only way i feel at peace.
Peace. I'm guessing that's were your at without me.
I know my heart has broken pieces, but I'm not broken yet you see.
But patience is key. So let me wait and see.
Everything is in your hands now, every move and decision you make, it all comes down to you now.

"Have You Ever"

"Have You Ever?"
[Chorus]
Have you ever loved somebody so much
It makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever

Have you ever been in love
Been in love so bad
You'd do anything to make them understand
Have you ever had someone steal your heart away
You'd give anything to make them feel the same
Have you ever searched for words to get you in their heart
But you don't know what to say
And you don't know where to start
[Chorus]

Have you ever found the one
You've dreamed of all of your life
You'd do just about anything to look into their eyes
Have you finally found the one you've given your heart to
Only to find that one won't give their heart to you
Have you ever closed your eyes and
Dreamed that they were there
And all you can do is wait for the day when they will care
[Chorus]

What do I gotta do to get you in my arms baby
What do I gotta say to get to your heart
To make you understand how I need you next to me
Gotta get you in my world
'Cuz baby I can't sleep
[Chorus]


Brandy - Have You Ever
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Essence

I read an article called Allow us to reintroduce ourselves. When I read this I loved the fact that it focused on black women and how it allows black women to show their true beauty. It allows people who are afraid to encourage themselves, in this article this is exactly what Angela Burt Murray is talking about.

Angela has been writing magazines like this for 4 years now. Sharing the lives of black women and giving them advice on how to lift up their self esteem. Angela created this magazine to empower and inspire black women to be bold and beautiful and I find it extraordinary and very lovely that she wants to get out there and help our black women to stay strong. Angela had a vision and in my opinion I think she’s doing a fabulous job on completing that vision.

After reading this article, I too want to get out there and encourage black women, but not only black women but every kind of women or men out there who have low self esteem or are afraid to let their true beauty and intelligence to shine. I encourage everyone to be strong, be bold and stand out.

Se7en

In my Acting Academy class, we watched a movie called Seven. It was my first time watching this movie. First off i would like to say as scary as it was for me, I would like to watch this movie once more straight through, because i did not have the advantage of doing so. I believe if i was able to watch it straight through i could consume and take in everything properly.

The movie seven is about two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, working in a crime filled city who become deeply involved in a murder case. The murders are all correspondence to each of the seven deadly sins:

Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.

Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.


Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.

Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.

Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.

Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.

Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

Seven was a great movie a little disturbing but that was okay. It allows you to reflect back on your life and think about the things you do. You will start to try and figure out whether the things you do now or have been doing are right or wrong, and which of these seven deadly sins are you doing. Since we are all human i think we all at least have or done one of these sins. I will admit that there is one there that i need to work on and i have been working on it since the day i was baptized. Living right and staying away from the pleasures of sin is something i am trying to accomplish. It's not easy, not at all and that's why i will continue to live my life trying to live right in Gods name.

In the movie i liked how they allow us to take the time to understand what each death signifies, rather then going from one death to the next and not giving any space in-between to let the viewers take in and understand whats going on. The story line was good and the actors for this movie were chosen well. Who better to play the part of a detective who can barley hold is temper in then Brad Pit and who better to play the part of the calm , reasonable detective then Morgan Freeman. Both actors did a great job but i do have to say Kevin Spacey as (John Doe) did a remarkable, stellar job. I think his character was probably the hardest to play. I mean come on the guys playing a psycho path. Well that's what they make him look like in this movie. I can tell that this movie had some serious method acting involved.

John Doe: Oh really? So, what were you doing? Biding your time? Toying with me? Allowing five innocent people to die until you felt like springing your trap? Tell me, what was the indisputable evidence you were going to use on me right before I walked up to you and put my hands in the air?

One of my favorite parts was when they were riding in the back seat and John Doe (Kevin Spacey) starts explaining how these people are not consider innocent in his eyes and how each and every one of them deserved to die.Here is a quote from that scene,"[interrupts] A woman... so ugly on the inside she couldn't bear to go on living if she couldn't be beautiful on the outside. A drug dealer, a drug dealing pederast, actually! And let's not forget the disease-spreading whore! Only in a world this shitty could you even try to say these were innocent people and keep a straight face. But that's the point. We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial. We tolerate it morning, noon, and night. Well, not anymore. I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed... forever".  Very well done. This was a real good movie and i recommend everyone to go and watch it and then reflect back on your life After you have watched it, believe me it will get you thinking and you will want to consider changing the way you do things in life and control the things you do. Also it will make you think of they way you treat people. I know i will continue to try and live right till the day i die, it will be my mission.

One Fabulous Musical

Wicked, the untold story of wizard of oz. One of the interesting, eye catching, standing ovation, breath taking show I've seen yet. A must see. This musical is about one girl born with emerald green skin, very intelligent, fiery, misunderstood young lady. The other girl is labeled as the beautiful, ambitious and popular. How ironic that these two people meet and become the best of friends. A little shaky in the beginning of course but later on actually develop a relationship. One grows to be known as the wicked witch of the west and the next becomes Glinda the good.

The Cast members were amazing. Each and every one of them performed with a 100%. I can only imaging how many times they had to rehearse and perform this over again.There voices were strong and beautiful. I couldn't understand how they not once ran out of breath signing those high notes. I have watched the Wizard of Oz. and i can tell you that the story is nothing like Wicked. They have transformed the story into their own perspective and i think that is what i loved about it the most. If you have no idea of what i am talking about then your just going to have to go and watch it for your self. Don't expect to go their and think your going to be watching the play version of Wizard of oz because you will be disappointed. You have to go their and watch it with a whole new lens. You are now watching it with somebody else point of view.

Everything was lovely. The lighting, the stage sets and transitions, the stage voices being used, the props, the emotions, nuances, costumes, make-up, blocking, background and especially the music. I mean imagine what this play would look like without the music. The musicians did an amazing job and are truly the ones who made this musical happen. When i sit there and watch these kind of plays and i think back to my self and say, "yup, this is exactly what i want to get into. Theatre is defiantly the way i want to go, there is no mistake." I mean i may not be able to sing like them but i sure wouldn't mind learning. The acting part looks fun and i know it probably was fun rehearsing this play with all those people. I can just imaging the laughter going on during rehearsal times. Though i do know it not all laughs and fun, it is also about getting down to work and being seriously in the moment of your character and nailing your parts. Practice! Practice! Practice!

"Toss Toss " Only Glinda!

One of my favorite parts was when Glinda and Elphaba were having a conversation in their dorm. Glinda was trying to help Elphaba look more appealing and to teach her how to become popular. Her song in this scene was amazing, i loved it. In this scene you can see how much Megan Hilty (Glinda) was in the moment. She played her character well. They both did. They were able to lose there selves in their character. I want to be able to go to the extent of becoming your character as much as Megan Hilty did. I also want to be as transparent as Eden Espinosa. Both actors were amazing. They did a stunning job and both have beautiful strong voices.

I think that every cast member was the perfect person for this play. There is so much more i would like to say about it but I wouldn't want to spoil the whole thing. If you have not seen this musical, I suggest you get out there and watch it. I have seen other musicals, plays, Broadway shows but not on a regular. It is now my mission to be in and to go see as many musical/Broadway shows as i can. I'm in love with theatre life. I hope other actors/actresses love it as much as i do.

-WICKED-

The Story I Captured

The Sad Reality

Why do people have to suffer? Why do people have to live their lives struggling, day by day? It makes my heart weak to look into their eyes and see the reality of how they live. It makes me want to reach out and help them. To give them everything they need. But it’s hard to give what you don’t have yourself. There are people out there with mental conditions, being looked at different. People always watching them and nobody wants to be their friend. They’re too afraid of them. The poor. Afraid to reach out to them. The week. Afraid of the reaction they might give them. The Mentally Challenged.

Nobody knows what could happen. They sit there in their little corner, watching these high class people walk by giving not a care in the world. Yet in their mind their probably thinking I wish I had the strength to get my life back on track. To be able to stand tall and walk like that, or maybe their not thinking that. They could be saying who cares. Nobody cares about me. No one wants to acknowledge me, because to them I’m a freak, just a bum on the street. They look at me and say I’m not going to help you. You did this to your self. Don’t look at me for help. But how could they say that. To these unfortunate people. You don’t know their story. You don’t know how they got there.

It makes me sick to see the world we live in. We have all these governors, presidents, prime ministers, over the top people in control but yet our cities remain to be out of control. I have failed to see what they have done for these people. It’s more like our humanitarians out there who really care for them. The ones who really want to help them and not just pretend. Then again I could be wrong. Maybe these people in control our doing something and it’s cause there’s too many people out their struggling that they can’t help all of them. Let’s just hope they don’t give up on them. I wonder why some of these people go crazy. What is their mentality? Have you ever thought how easy it is for us to survive in cold whether but a struggle for others? These poor people are out their stuffing news paper in their shirts, cuddling together trying to warm each other. They don’t care if it matches or if it looks good. People like us will take a year and a day to leave there house if they can’t find the right outfit. Don’t Lie. Don’t shake your head and say you don’t do it. It’s not like that for them. The weak, the poor, the trouble minded. The addicted ones.

Yes. Let’s talk about addiction. The crack heads. Can we really blame them? It was hard for them to say no. It was hard for them to resist so rehab couldn’t aid them. People look down at them. But we really should be looking down at the people selling these drugs to them. Messing with their heads, their health. But it’s like a circle of poverty because some of these drug dealers are selling this stuff because their struggling their self. Broke, with no where to go.  Should we have pity on these unfortunate people? Do you want to help them? Help change their lives, the ones who have made the streets their homes. Aren’t we all tired of seeing the weak? The poor, the sick or are you guys already used to seeing it. It’s sad that no matter what, people will continue to walk past them. They will continue to look down on them and you know why, because it’s just the sad twisted reality of the world we live in.

Queen And Ossigntion Trip

What an amazing experiance i had on Friday October 29th 2010. A day i will never forget. I had a great time downtown toronto with my classmates and my sqaudrant (Q2). Our trip was tied into our challenge that i blogged about yeserday. I never knew vintage shopping could be that much fun.

I had no idea what vintage shopping was until this day. I was clueless. With the help of my group i was able to understand what vintage was and how vintage shopping worked. I was amazed by their fashion from back in the day. I always used to hear my mom talking about her fashion from back then but i didnt really pay much attention to it. i would just simply laugh everytime she brought up one of her story's about how they used to dressed when they went to school, when they went out to parties or just simply what they wore around the house. Vintage shopping opened my eyes.

The fact that these clothes were worn from other people slipped my mind when i went vintage shopping. I was to excited by the time i rememberd and i didnt really care by then. I guess most people would say most vinatge shopping is for people who cant really afford to buy anything else. I strongly disagree with them. The clothes are cheap but i wouldn't consider it for the less fortunate because i would glady love to shop their. they have some pretty good stuff. Not to mention there are vintage clothing there that are quite expensive. I think that vintage shopping is for people that like to kick it like the old days and still look good doing it. There were so many things in these stores that caught my eye. Things that i would actually consider keeping for my self. In my opinon vintage clothing would be a nice collection to have.

While we were on our trip we were asked to capture a story. You had to capture it in some type of way and i choose poetry. I believe poetry is my strong side when it comes to being in depth and touched emotionally. Dancing is another way but i rather perform it to my class through poetry. It was challenging to capture a story and vintage shop at the same time but it wasn't impossible. Glady we all got through. It will take me a little time to put together my poetry because in order for it to sound good i have to be in the moment. In my opinion i believe if you write when your not in the moment it wont sound as good or emotionally connected in a way to leave an impact on your listeners or readers. I am currently still working on it and i can't wait to see the finish product.

For everyone out their i encourage you to experiance vintage shopping if you havent already experianced it. It will be a memorible day for you. i also suggest if you have a camera to bring it with you. You will feel the need to take pictures of the things you see and beleive me, you dont want to miss out.

Challenge 3

WOW! Challenge three, here it is. Last week we were finally launched into challenge number 3. I can tell you right now that these challenges keep getting bigger and more fun if i might add. The first and second challenge were good but this challenge was a bit of a shock and exciting at the same time.

Our challenge was to go down to Queen and Ossignton and go vintage shopping with the limit of 10 dollars.  It was mandatory that you stay within the budget price. You can either by one piece of article or a full costume.  Your group must come together to construct a performance and incorporate that piece of article you buy into your performance.

Before we went on our trip our teacher wanted us to create a blue print of where we are going, how long it will take to get there,  the name of the stores, locations, numbers, EVERYTHING. That means we had a lot of research to be done before anyone went anywhere. I think that it was a good idea for us to do that because people should know where there going at all times. My group did some major research and we each divided the work appropriately, so everyone had something to do. Since i knew nothing about vintage shopping, the research came in handy for me. It was easier for me to have a visual of what vintage shopping would be like. Having a blue print played a big and important role for our trip.

I found choosing a theme and a year you were going to focus on to be the easiest part of the challenge. Our group went ahead with the 80's and i loved how we all agreed and how everyone felt positive about the decision we made. Each and every single one of us came together with a theme but later on were convinced that it might not work out well. We were convinced to choose another. We came up with a second theme and everyone loved the idea. We started planing ahead of the type of clothes we should be looking for and what characters would be involved. We thought about our characters, nuances, relationships, climax, denouement and much more. All that was left was to go shopping  and do our best to win this challenge.

Shopping wasn't the only thing we had to do we also had to create a story from what you see around you. For example: homelessness and the effect vintage shopping has on you or other people. What a challenge we had. A little tough but achievable. Nothing will stop us Soul Visionary's.

Favorite Tragic Mono's

 - Tell Me Your Story -

In my 2010 Acting Academy class my teacher has prepared an assignment for us called Favorite Tragic Monologues. The objective is to find a famous person, research about them, and find some tragic things that they went on in their life and then create a monologue about them. After the monologue is created you must perform it. Costumes, lights, sets, pre-show music and everything. This monologue has to leave our teacher more then impressed.

I found this to be a difficult assignment. In the process of finding these famous people and their life stories you also have to make sure these people have a similar look to you. There look is important because you will be performing as them or whomsoever you choose. You can admit that finding someone who looks somewhat like you and always has a good story behind it is very difficult.

So far i only have one person in mind. Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's Wife). I do plan to keep on researching more people in order to get this monologue down packed. For me searching for someone to do is the hardest part but i think once i found my person, writing the monologue would not be that hard for me. When i have found more people to do i will report back in and continue my blog. Until then stay tuned.

Thank you for staying tuned in. So i have done some research and have come up with a couple of names i found interesting and thought i could work with. Most of these black women were born in the slavery days. The names follow Lil Hardin Armstrong, Marita Booner, Gwendolyn Brooks, Old Elizabeth and Betty Shabazz from my earlier suggestion. Each of these women have an interesting story but i have grown found of Old Elizabeth's story. Sadly there is no picture of her and there not sure of her real name or surreal name. Here is a list of each person of what there known for.
Lil Hardin Armstrong: first major woman jazz instrumentalist; part of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band; marriage to Louis Armstrong and promoter of his career; part of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Hot Sevens recordings.
Old Elizabeth: emancipated slave, wrote and published an autobiography
Gwendolyn Brooks: poet laureate of Illinois; first African American to win Pulitzer Prize (for Poetry, 1950)
Marita Bonner: Harlem Renaissance writer

Down below if you click on their name it will direct you to a link of their biography.

Betty Shabazz

Marita Bonner

Gwendolyn Brooks

Old Elizabeth

Lil Hardin Armstrong

Anger Is A Wasteful Emotion

We yell. We scream. We fight. Were angry and can't seem to think right. 

Our mind and judgment is clouded. Our actions and words become violent.

Suddenly a nice charming person becomes disrespectful and unpredictable.

No one knows what your capable of. No one knows whats to come.

Once your friend and now your enemy.

You start attacking everybody and now they've turned on you.

What do you do. Your family and friends won't talk to you.

All it took was one stupid move. What makes it worse is that you can't remember.

You can't remember why you were so angry. You can't remember what made you lash out on everybody.

You were just so angry that nothing mattered to you anymore.

Your safety didn't mean anything. Your emotions were uncontrolled. 

Your friends and family couldn't stop you. Nothing else mattered to you.

 You just wanted to go crazy on everybody and by the time you came to you senses it was too late.

You've already hurt somebody. You've already hurt the people close to you. 

The people that mattered to you. Your anger took control and made your heart go cold.

Anger is a wasteful emotion. Anger is an emotion that only brings hate and bad reputation.

But how do we control our anger. That's one thing we have yet to master.

Artical Precis

If you are currently acting or looking to become an actor you should continue reading this blog. I was reading this article about "How to get rid of memorized vocal patterns" and i would like to share it with you. Basically the whole topic was giving advice and methods on what to do to get rid or your vocal patterns. They find this important because they say, getting rid of memorized vocal patterns is the basic element of good acting. We all want to be good actors. Some people will do pre-planned acting. As actors you do not want that, You always want to make it seem as if that’s how you’re really feeling at that exact moment. A good actor will just study their lines, figure out how they should say their lines and then rehearse them the exact way every single time. Wrong. You do not want what you say to sound predictable.

Here are some methods to avoid memorized vocal patterns:

• When rehearsing, don’t say your lines out loud
• Run through your lines in your head instead
• Get familiar with your lines enough to have them memorized in your head that way when you perform, your performing it fresh each time. 
• Try not to over prepare yourself 
• Rehearse your lines but say it in a robotic voice
• Speak each word in each sentence with the exact same monotone inflection

These are some good pointers for you to follow if you feel your one of those people who have a memorized vocal pattern. Everything should be fresh and real and that’s exactly how you want it to be with no vocal patterns. If your already in the habit, now would be a good time to break that habit.    

If you wish to read the full article: click here  

My Photoshoot

Amazing news everyone. I just had my first professional photo-shoot. It was an experience i will never forget. I felt like a real model. Lights in my face, getting my make-up done, wardrobe and everything. I even got the chance to take photos on the rooftop with the beautiful view of downtown Toronto.

It was so nice to have the wind blowing in my hair while he took photos of me. I felt real nice, like a real professional. The poses were beautiful and the looks were all right. At first i was a little shy to smile because i personally don't like showing teeth but would you believe after 5 min past by, I was all teeth for the rest of the photo-shoot. My photographer was loving it.

My hair stylist complimented me on a lot of things. He loved my hair, my smile, the complexion of my skin and he even loved my white skinny jeans. These guys had me laughing all day.  My cheekbones were killing me. We talked, we laughed, we took photos, we did hair, and had a fabulous time. I would do it again if i ever get the chance. Which i will, because this is now my path. Bring on the Lights, Camera, and Action. Look out world. Here I Come!

-Photos Coming Soon-

Why Did I Choose Acting

I fell in love with acting. I fell in love with playing different characters. I fell in love with the idea of being on t.v. I fell in love with the motivation to get better in the hardest industry out their. I fell in love with the hard work and the great results. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION.  I fell in love with it all, but why?

I am a movie fanatic. I love watching movies and i love to re-act them, it's just what i do. Watching a lot of movies is part of the reason why i fell in love with acting. Your wondering how, aren't you? Just like everyone else I too have a role model. I too have someone to look up to and think about when i act. Watching her movies allows me to connect properly with my acting side. It makes me feel to go further and further in my acting. I want to one day become as good as her. Who am i talking about? Angelina Joli.

Angelina Joli grew up in LA. Her father was the amazing Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight. Joli also has a brother named James Haven who directed five student films she was starred in. Angelina trained at the Lee Strasberg institute. She was in a lot of stage productions, I too want to be in a lot of stage productions. That will be one of my goals to complete. Angelina was also a model in London, New york and LA. She began modeling at the age of 14. I also have an interest in modeling.

Ange is an Oscar award winning actress. An icon to me. I believe the movie that boosted up her career was Tomb Raider when she played Lara Croft. She performed some of her own stunts in these movies. I also want to be starred in action movies. Action movies is what really gets my attention. Other movies that also gave her a boost in her career are Hackers (1995), Fox Fire(1996), True Women(1997), George Wallace(1997), Gia(1998) and Girl Interrupted(1999) - really good movie. Angelina had years of acting training, from the age of 11. No wonder why shes so good. Not only that she had parents who were actors, the talent and genetics just flow right into her body. It's like she was made for this business. Acting basically became her life.

Joli is a great humanitarian. She goes around the world helping who ever she can. She's a superwomen like Alica keys. I love that she has a strong heart for aiding people and especially attending to children. Angelina is a mother of 6 kids. 3 of which she adopted and 3 that she gave birth too. Her love for people in need never stop. I also want to connect with the world around me and help children, teens, and women. I hate to see people struggle. Which means i hate to see myself struggle. That's why it's so easy for me to never give up. I am a competitor, i hate failing in things i do. This is why i always have to press on, this is why i always try to win, win, win in life. Nothing should become impossible for me. There is always room for possibility and success. Even if i fail, i know i did at least try more than once. Angelina Joli reminds me of me. She's also a person who likes to fight for what's right. I believe she too is also a competitor and does not like to fail in things she does.

My role model. My inspiration. My favorite. Angelina Joli is my Iconic Actor. 
She is the reason why i choose acting.

"Therapy? I don't need that. The roles that I choose are my therapy."- Angelina Joli. 

Acting Professionally By: Robert Cohen

Robert Cohen writes a guide book for inspirational people looking to turn pro. In this book he states the reality of the acting business and the blunt truth. No lies, no beating around the bush. Robert Cohen just comes right out and says it all. He does not write about it to put you down or to ruin your dreams but only to make you open your eyes and to really see if this is what you really want. He also gives plenty of advice for acting. I want to share a little about his book with you.

Getting into the acting business is real tough. Most likely the toughest profession to get into. Robert Cohen does not consider the acting business to be a profession but instead a club. He calls it a club because only a handful get the chance to make it in. It is a very slim chance for anyone to get into the acting business. It's a cold hearted "club". Actors get paid thousands/millions just for starring in a film and millions more for starring in Academy Award winning films. It's a lot of money to live of off, but the people who get paid big time money are big time people. Big time movie stars. Superstars to be exact. As a beginner you won't be making that kind of money any time soon. Your basically at the bottom of the food chain and you will stay there until you get this gig or cast that will help you make a name for yourself. Not even just getting a name for yourself is enough. You could get into the business but who knows for how long. Your position isn't stable it's always up and down-in and out.You got to be everything they're looking for. Robert Cohen says " The number of people who actually become self-supporting through acting alone is probably no larger than the number who win the lottery or a seat in the U.S. Senate. Acting is one big competition and you do have chance at it as much as everyone else.

If your going to be try and be in this "club" then you got to know how to take criticism and how to handle rejection and stress. You also need to know how to pick yourself up. Nobody out their is going to be able to hold your hand anymore and show you the way. No body's going to be their to tap you on the back and say good job at your audition and keep up the good work. There won't be anyone to help you point out what your doing wrong and what you need to fix or work on. Your going to be all alone in this business. You got to know how to make it on your own.

You have to be passionate about this career and you have to really want it. You have to be willing to make sacrifices. Shockingly Robert Cohen says "wanting success isn't enough, studying for it isn't enough, and no amount of dedication or commitment will, on it's own, get you into the casting office"."No. you're going to have to work harder than you ever have on your acting, and to work even harder on learning how to present yourself-and represent yourself-in the job market". Hello. Are you awake yet. I hope you have opened your eyes wide and started to pay attention because this guy's serious. Well that was a short summery in the book on chapter one-The Way It Is. If you are really serious about acting then i suggest you buy this book and read it before you find out the hard way.

Iconic Actors

To be iconic is to be powerful at what you do. To be spiritual and to love what you do. You put your heart and mind into every little thing. You work hard to be able to leave a great impact, not only on your self or the people around you but on the whole world. Iconic actors/actresses do just that. These actors have wonderful integrity. They have the power to make you sit there and cry after you have watched their movies. Whether it be a sad, happy, funny, dramatic, romantic, or action movie. It's just the way they make it feel and seem so real. These are the people who really understand the essence of acting and what it means to find it and use it.

These actors are the ones who watch their own movies over again and look to see if there was anything they could of fixed or improve on. They know how to better themselves through there acting skills. Such talented and remarkable individuals.  Because of their phenomenal acting skills and movements they are known to be legendary people.  They care about their work. They care about how it will have an effect on themselves or to the people out their in the world. If they did not care then there work would not be as good. It would not be stellar and they certainly would not be labeled as legendary.

Academy Award winning movie stars. Movies stars that make the box offices sky rocket. The actors who make billions off of one film. They were able to put their all into their work, they took their work seriously because they know what good comes of it all. The hours, days, months with hardly any sleep was worth it all for them. Day after day having to get up early in the morning and not being able to rest till pitch black darkness hit them was worth it all.  Do you think you have what it takes to give up days and hours of rest and still give 100 percent on filming days? Can you take that risk? Well if you want to be stellar and be the best of the best that is exactly what you have to do. These iconic actors suck it up and do their jobs, they are amazing.

These actors learned it all. They learned it, consumed it and performed it. They executed everything that they were ever taught. From the basics right to the complicated acting lessons. They did it all. They took the criticisms, they noted everything from their acting teachers or professors, they dealt with the stress and became unstoppable.

Now imagine you did all that and was serious about what you do. Imagine you were legendary. Imagine what it's like to be legendary. Everybody knew who you were and looked up to you. There is no need to imagine, you only imagine something that is not possible. You may have a slim chance a very slim chance but that does not mean it is impossible. What do you have to lose. Mine as well get out their and start working on it. Work as if you are a legend and sooner or later you will become that legend.

Lets try and get out there. Let's be legends like Audrey Hepburn, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Joli, Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Brad Pit, Halley Berry, Jet Li, Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig, Denzel Washington and many more. We can be legends too.

Click here to see a list of iconic movie stars
Click here to see pictures of iconic movie stars

Why Do We Pretend?

There are times where you act like everything is okay. So you try and pretend things didn't go that way. But then you realize it did and Things start going the wrong way. How do you fix it? How do you make it go away? 

Fine. I Admit It. I'm Falling and I Can't find my way. So now what do you have to say? I'm falling because of you. You only see things your way. The way you expect things to go. So when i tell you the truth. You through it out the window. You ignore me. You don't listen to me. All of a sudden your not trying to hear me.

You wanna act this way. Go ahead. But listen to this. The more you ignore me the more you're pushing me. The more you push me the more i grow angry. The more angry i get. The more my heart forgets. It forgets why i ever fell for you. It starts to see the new you. I might be wrong. Not the new you. But maybe the person who you really might be. The one you hid from me when you first approached me. 

Where is that person. Where is that person i fell for. This isn't you. I can't handle you. But it's okay. It doesn't matter. Because you don't know how i feel. You don't know how i feel because I'm only pretending everything is okay. I'm only pretending things didn't go that way. So it's okay. Keep ignoring me that way.

Too Close

Yesterday around 4:15pm i was on my way home from school. I had just come off the bus and began walking toward my street. There was a million things going on in my mind. I continued walking and came to a cross walk. I looked at the cross light and it was telling me it was my turn to go, so I continued walking. Then something told me to look up, so i did. I glanced at the red light facing one side, then i glanced at the green light facing the next. I thought nothing of it and kept walking, and in a split second it hit me that it's not actually my turn to go but i could of sworn that the cross walk said it was my turn to cross but apparently it didn't and before i could think to run across the street. BOOM. A car screeches right in front of me haling to a stop. I almost got hit by a car. I went home and thought to myself, saying i could of just died right there. I could of been gone in a second, dead on the ground, who would know? and if not dead paralyzed or seriously injured. From that day i could not get that feeling thought provoking matter out of my head. WOW. This is the third time i almost got hit by a car. The first time was when i was on my bike, the second time was when i stupidly stopped to pick up the pencil i dropped right in the middle of the road and this incident was the third. Could you believe that. I was too much in my mind that I did not pay attention to what was going on in front of me or in the world. It's time to be more alert and focused, so my life could be spared.

Define Love

What is the definition of love? How does one define love?
To be in love and to love someone is consider two different things.
To define love you would have to be in love. But what is it to love someone.
How do you know the love you feel is real? Is it the butterflies you feel inside, or is it the pain you feel and the tears you shed on the outside. Or is it when you cant stand to be far apart from each other?

The single thought of just having each other warms your heart and gives a breath of sanctification.
So much dedication, to the relationship, bringing two opposites or exact replicas together for a perfect fit.
What does it mean to be qualified for a perfect fit? To have a perfect relationship?

You may say it's impossible to have a perfect relationship, but is it? What makes a relationship?
The first time you laid eyes, the very thought of your lover makes you smile and laugh, the jealousy, the sacrifice, the fights, the make-ups, and even the break ups, the i hate you's and i love you's. The lies and the truths, and lets not forget the forgiveness. There's your perfect relationship.

Everyone wants to find "the one". So they could fall in love and settle down. Do you think that's what it means to be in love? To be able to settle down with that "perfect" one. Love. To be able to spend your life with that one. To put a vow in marriage and be able to fight through all hell that breaks loose. To be able to put things in the past and not look back. To over come and conquer. To Love one another. So now tell me, are you in love or do you just love? And have you yet defined your love? Because not everyone has the same definition of the love you create with "that one".

Thanksgiving

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name".  Psalm 100:4

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for all that has happen. A day to prove that our God is able. A day to thank god for the many blessing that come with this special occasion. He made it able for our family and friends to come together and reunite with each other. A chance to feast around a table and enjoy all of the delicious cooked meals. It's a time to put all your troubles aside and just smile and laugh with the loving people you're surrounded by. A time to catch up with your "long time no see" family members and friends. A day were our hearts our warmed and filled with all of the love flowing through the air. A deep breath of relaxation.Thanksgiving is also a day to go around helping people and making sure they also have a blessed thanksgiving. A day to give to the people who may be struggling. A day just to help one another. A time to thank God for all the people in your life. A time to thank god for providing meals for our family and fulling our belly's. Thanksgiving is a blessed day. A wonderful day. If only everyday was a day like today. If only every day people were filled with happiness, joy and love with smiles upon their face. If only we were always close to our families and not so far away. Good times. I wish they never had to go away. I wish Thanksgiving could last just one more day.

Peace Is Within

Looking into the distance, I close my eyes and take in the silence.
I leave my mind with my thoughts and allow my smile to show on the outside. Nobody knows why I'm smiling so I just laugh and keep everything to my self. Such happiness can only be shared between me and my God not anyone else. So leave and let me smile and enjoy my self. Only God Knows what it's truly like to be at peace with yourself.

This Is My Testimony

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON  THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PARISH, BUT HAVE EVER LASTING LIFE". JOHN 3:16.

God is my father, my best friend, my savior, my provider, my keeper, my maker and my healer. I give him praise at all times for 'He' is the one who gave me life. For he is the one who sacrificed his son and his all for not only me but for all of you in this world today. God is the almighty one.God is the reason why we can wake up in the morning, God is the reason why we can breath, eat, sleep, crawl, walk, run, jump for joy in his good grace, yell his name and give him praise. Not a day goes by where i forget to give him thanks for his merciful ways. I am so glad I'm in my right mind. We may not see him but that doesn't mean we should ignore him. For he is real and we must answer to him. For we are his beautiful creations, and how would you feel if he was to ignore us, his children. How would you feel if one day he just decided to stop answering our prayers because he grew tired of us. He grew tired of all the hatred and peoples sinful ways. He grew tired of us not following his ways. Everyday I pray for Gods covering. Everyday I pray so my faith grows strong so that i can one day stop making sinful mistakes. We are human and full of flesh and this is why we struggle from right to left. If we accept God as our king our father our savior then he will come into our lives and fill our spirits with his ever lasting love. Love. A love so strong and beautiful that only he can give to us. A love not a mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend can give. He forgives you of your sins, He watches over you, He listens to you, Hes there for you, He protects you, He never goes behind your back, He gives you the help you need, He never gives you more than you can not bare, He will help you carry your burdens because he hates to see you carry them alone. He loves you for all eternity. He hates no one. Who in the world can do all those things for you. who in the world can treat you like how he treats you. Nobody. So why not give him praise. Why not sacrifice the pleasures of sin to be in his great glory. What is it that your afraid of. There's nothing. The Devil is a liar. Don't Let him Bring You Down To A Place You Don't Belong. You and I belong in the gates of heaven. Up There is our true home. Lets accept him and follow his ways so we can all go home. 

"I've made up my mind to go God's way the rest of my life - It's time for you to make up your mind"