One film that I’m particularly proud of is “Maple Syrup.” Written and directed by Alexander N, a recent graduate of the New York Film Academy, Maple Syrup is a short romantic comedy about a lonely man (Keith) who tries to avoid a friendship that found him.  Keith is played beautifully by LA Actor Jesse Steele.  Great job, friend!

Student films are great because you get to meet and work with talented and passionate young filmmakers, some of whom are the next generation of Hollywood.  I have no doubt Alexander N is an up-and-comer.  Why am I so sure?

I first met Alexander at my audition. I just had a feeling.  I felt comfortable with him.  He had a good energy.  I wanted to work with him.  Thankfully, I got the role.   It was a small part, so I didn’t film many scenes, but I appreciate the time I did get to work with him.

Maple Syrup was well received at the screening.  The Program Director called out the technical effects with the leaf and Alexander’s ability to create a heart-warming film in less than six minutes.

Maple Syrup has been submitted to 40 film festivals across the globe and just received news that it was selected for The Short Film Center Competition in Goa, India.  Congrats, team!

Alexander has a powerful combination of talent, passion and drive.
I have no doubt that he’ll continue to make great movies.  I just hope he keeps me in mind for future films and lets me audition for them.   Wink, Alex.  Check him out here.

Here’s the trailer:

http://youtu.be/7SYSBnOhBkA

ACCLIMATION.  It took a couple months to settle in and acclimate to the area.  LA is quite large, and VERY dispersed.  The highways and traffic are a nightmare.   I learned the different neighborhoods, and am happy to report that today GPS is rarely used.    Not to mention…. I know three ways to get over the canyon to the valley.   Making friends and finding a permanent home fall into this bucket too.

GETTING IN SHAPE was next.  I gained (hmmm…) a tad of weight post-surgery and while traveling last year.  Daily wine + rich foods/eating out – exercise = 20+LBs for Kristin.   Not
good.   I had one pair of jeans that fit – and they were the stretchy kind.    One
needs to be confident in order to make it in this business.   This is something that was never a problem for me but I will say my confidence was lost with the extra weight.    If I
had any chance in this town, I needed to get it back.   So, I cut back on food and alcohol and started working out with an amazing trainer.   I need to give a shout-out to Jim Barcena.  He’s worked on numerous celebrities, and was kind enough to give me a deal so I could afford him.   Ladies/gents, if you’re in LA, he’s fabulous.   I lost all the weight and
attribute it to him.  Thank you, Jim.

EDUCATION.   I started acting classes.  Up until this month, I was attending classes regularly at two well-respected schools – Margie Haber and Lass Moss studios.   I recently
wrote about my experience with Everybody Loves Raymond’s Brad Garrett.   Pepper in some one-off improv classes and workshops, and my daily reading (including books, trade rags and plays), I’m learning the craft.   I plan to start classes again once the holidays are over.
To be an actor is a lifetime pursuit.  I will take classes as long as I can afford it.

Attending productions is important too.  Part of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way is taking yourself on weekly artist’s date.  One of my fav experiences was attending John Lithgow’s one-man show “Stories by Heart.”  I drove downtown to the Mark Taper Forum to see Lithgow’s autobiographical solo performance.   He began by greeting the audience, seating himself in an armchair with the only prop being a family-owned book of tales, and then stated the evening is going to be about storytelling.  He acted out his favorite short stories from his childhood while sharing memories of his dad reading to the family. I have always admired Lithgow as an actor but to see him act out multiple characters was impressive.

EXPERIENCE/THE WORK.
My first project in LA was taping integration pieces (or b-roll) for an Emmy-winning medical show.   I never actually saw the episode air so I have no idea how it came out.   Nevertheless, I appreciated the opportunity.  Thank you to my actor friend, Svetlana, for the invite.    I started auditions with my old DC head shots.   Auditions are tough!  This is an
animal in itself that needs constant attention and practice.  I’m getting much better though.

For the first year, I’ve focused on student and short films.  I figure this is the perfect place to learn and make mistakes.   I’ve been involved in some great projects, one of which is called “Maple Syrup.”  I’m dedicating Thursday’s post to it so stay tuned.  As the other projects are
finalized, I will plug them on Damn the Odds.

One of my favorite pieces of advice or words of wisdom that I have received is “do shit!”
Along the same lines is what my former acting teacher in DC, Brenna McDonough,
used to say at the beginning and end of every class…”Do something for your career every day.” These are simple but so very true.   An actor needs to put in the work if he/she wants to make it.  As Actor and Instructor Adam Hill says, “Work produces work!”

Admittedly, I haven’t put in the time/work this deserves and what is needed to make it.  Over the last month, I’ve been deep in self-reflection about what I have and haven’t accomplished.
First of all, friends, plleeeease don’t do this.  DO NOT focus on what you haven’t accomplished.  This is not good.  Trust me.  Look at the things you have done.  When I did this, I realized that I have done some great things in my first year – things that have helped me build a good foundation for what I’m trying to achieve here.   Also, I had some unexpected challenges happen that took my time and energy away from acting.  Thankfully now,  these are close to being in order.

I am looking toward the future now.  2012 will be different.  It’s all about putting in the work.   I am motivated more than ever to do this.   My new head shots are done
(thanks to Lorenzo Hodges) and come the new year, I will start auditioning again.

I’m making a commitment to work harder…..to put in the work….to do shit!!!!  You can hold me to it.   Please do!