End of the Year Overview

Wow, how time has gone by so fast. Many things have happened good and bad. Let's review of what has gone on since March. I am no longer a part of J&M Pictures/Madwhitter Entertainment. Back in June I decided that I wanted to have a production company that was my vision and founded Athena Pictures. I am working with some truly amazing people that have been a huge help. For Athena Pictures we have already finished our first film called 'Faith'. Which I am very proud of, it was one of my scripts that were very close to my heart. It was my first directing and acting in a film. It went amazingly great. I had some amazing actors on board, Maddie Poe from 'Big Rich Texas', Donny Boaz from the new 'Anna Nicole Smith Story', Neill Skylar from 'Dallas Most Eligible' and many more amazingly talented actors. We even had people comment on the how well organized the production was. I found an amazing crew that I am going to have on many more of my productions. 'Faith' has been submitted to SXSW film festival, Dallas International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Aspen Shortsfest. We also plan on submitting it to Sundance, Seattle International Film Festival, LA Film Festival, just to name a few. We are having a premiere in middle of Jan. to late Jan. We wanted to do something cool so we made a contest to win a pair of tickets to the premiere of 'Faith'. 'Faith's trailer is up on YouTube since Dec. 7th and we have over 60,000 views!! Just a couple days ago Athena Pictures filmed a trailer for our next project 'Believe Not'.We have a very well known director on board and looking to starting filming in the next couple months. The trailer will premiere at the premiere of 'Faith' to show what Athena has coming up next. We worked with some of the same crew as we had on 'Faith' and have partnered up with Hukup Indie Films and Digital Media Productions to complete our future projects. Athena Pictures has been asked to go on the Drew Pearson Show to talk about 'Faith', 'Believe Not', and what Athena Pictures stands for. For those that want to check out our website it's: www.athena-pictures.net FUTURE PROJECTS: What is to come for Athena Pictures in the new year. Our first project 'Believe Not' is scheduled for filming in Feb. Athena has also been asked to start a webseries which I will be able to direct also. Then on to my two part feature films 'Shadows in the Moonlight' which is set to film this summer. Athena is also happy to be part of a t.v. pilot/series going to be made after a book series. Which I am going to be fortunate to be directing also. Athena has also been asked to be part of a web series that is being made by Hukup Indie Films. Which we would love to be a part of. So many amazing projects coming up for Athena Pictures. This is going to be a great year for me personally and for my business Athena Pictures. I want to continue to grow as an actress and also push my production company to the limits. I of course am going to continue to write. I want to extend 'Faith' and turn it into a feature film. With all the talk and support we've gotten so far for 'Faith' turning into a feature is the next thing. But first I have to write it.

Amazing things happening...

It has been a long time but I have been so super busy. First off M.A. Mohammad and I have started a production company named J&M Pictures, you can check out the website at www.j-m-pictures.com. It has the projects that we have coming up 'Hear Me Whisper' and 'Shadows in the Moonlight Part 1 & 2'. As far as 'Hear Me Whisper' goes we are making great progress, we are in talks with the manager of a very well know LA actor to play a very crucial role. We have also added to our cast 'Big Rich Texas's Melissa Poe as Ruth another very crucial role. We at J&M Pictures are very pleased to have her on board with us, she is very funny and an amazing talent. We look to start filming end of April/beginning of May. We are starting with video auditions and I have seen some amazing talent in the last couple weeks. We also are doing a contest to for anyone to win a featured role on 'Hear Me Whisper' all you have to do is go to our IMDb page http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2203805/ We are at 2,422 'likes' which is an amazing number for a film not even started filming yet. So many things going on there for 'Hear Me Whisper' now about 'Shadows.." we have recently come across 3 songs that we are trying to get for the movies. We have also contacted 3 well known LA actors and they are interested, working on contracts for them. 'Shadows..' is going be an amazing thing to film, very large undertaking! More details on 'Shadows..' and 'Hear Me Whisper' as everything is finalized. There is also another project that I am looking forward to doing, it's a short that I wrote that is going to be my first director debut, more coming soon. Acting wise I have been studying my script for 'Hear Me Whisper' and 'Shadows..' because if everything falls into place than we will be shooting back to back all three films!! Which will be an amazing and fun filled time. That is all I can think of right now. I have a meeting with Mo tomorrow and will get the plan for the coming week. Will try to do this more, I know I say that every couple months but I will try. So for now, we shall see what tomorrow brings.

So many things....

Hello all, it has been awhile but I'm here now so let's see what's going on. First off today is the day after the big North Texas Mini Film Festival that I hosted. It was a great hit, everyone that made it out had an amazing time. I even got to talk to someone about coming on board to help make next years not only bigger but much better and less stressful. So stay tuned to all the amazing things that are about to come. I have worked on 'Dallas' a couple times and look forward to going back. As far as other stuff I have been focusing on producer things to get 'Hear Me Whisper' and 'Shadows in the Moonlight Part 1 and Part 2' made. Not only working on funding but we are talking to some well known actors. I'll keep everyone posted. I will soon be posting new website, blog, facebook fanpage, and twitter accounts for the now named North Texas Movie Pictures Festival. Like I said before I want to start a production company and just a hint it's going to be happening sooner than later. If you are an up and coming actor, filmmaker, writer, or anyone in this industry work hard and if you believe it will happen. There are many things that are going to be happening in the next few weeks and this coming year. So for now we will see what tomorrow brings.

What I've been up to

Ok it's been a very long time since I have blogged. I'm checking in on what's going on. I have been pretty busy working on getting in shape for films that are going to be coming up in the next year. I have finished writing my feature films that are a part one and two. These films are some of that I will be doing within the next year. I have also finished a short film that I am thinking about directing. The only thing is I am thinking about turning it into a feature film and I don't know if my first time directing should be a feature. I also know some really good directors that would be amazing at it. So really been busy with those projects. As far as acting I have done several things. We ended up having to reshoot all of my scenes for 'Tips'. Which was really a lot of fun to see everyone. It was cool because I look really different than I did last time. We even did some really cool stuff to my shirt to make it look more feminine. I have also done some video auditions but nothing has really come out of it. I just recently done one that was for a paid short film. The character seems like she would be a lot of fun to play. Fingers crossed on that one. As far as 'Hear Me Whisper' (previously HMW) has been pushed back a little because of funding but I'm ok with that because it gives me more time to be in better shape. I have a lot of running and physical things that I will be doing during the filming of 'Hear Me Whisper'. It looks that I will be moving the film festival to a different venue because the cost of it is about 1/4 of the other location. I'm working on getting sponsors in order top make sure it to be an amazing event. It is a lot of stuff, but I really do love it. To write is amazing because it is what my mother used to do and to do what she could is very cool. I also like while writing I am shaping characters, giving them back stories, trying to find the way to make it more interesting. Well I think that is all of it. So for now we will see what tomorrow brings.

What's been going on...

Well it has been awhile but busy (which is a good thing). Where to start...recently I have decided to submit myself to agents. Which is a trying task. I have tons of pictures and it isn't easy to figure out which headshot to send. I have recently gotten some really good advice about play the part of what I am. Not trying to be something else. I have actually found some really nice headshots by taken old bodyshots and cropping them really close on my face. I looked at the agencies websites to see what looks they have and when submitting sent headshots that look somewhat like what they have but with my personality on it. So we will see what comes of that. Next my biggest project that is coming up in Oct. (which is 10 weeks away). I know time is going to fly by and it will be here before I know it. So I am preparing myself for the lead role, Karen, in 'Hear Me Whisper'. I know I have to talked about it already but the writer/director M.A. Mohammad has added even more suspense and scary things to this already intense psychological thriller. Karen is one of the most complex characters I have had the chance to play. So I have been reading threw the script and beginning to dive deep and deeper into he mind. She is in my head and I can't wait to see her on the big screen. There has been some amazing things going on with the production side of the film. I will let you guys now as soon as I can. As far as the North Texas Mini Film Festival goes it is going along wonderfully. We may have some really big sponsors providing their products during the event which will be amazing. Also looks like it will be a red carpet event with all the bells and whistles!! Super excited. My husband, Todd Besser, has come on board to help me in getting this event to come to life. He is amazing and with his help I know I can make this an even bigger event. As far as auditioning goes, I have taken a little hiatus. But with God's help and my new agent (once I hear back from all the agents) I will be auditioning for bigger (and more pay) roles. If you haven't heard, the new 'Dallas' from TNT will start filming again in Oct., and I look forward to getting a speaking role on the show. So I am awaiting responses from agents. I'm working on studying and become "Karen" for 'Hear Me Whisper'. So for now we will see what tomorrow brings.

What's been going on...

Well it has been a while and I'm sorry for that. I have been super busy. I have been doing auditions for several SAG Ultra Low Budget films. We will see if I get any callbacks. Also I have been studying my script for 'Hear Me Whisper' which is the psychological thriller feature film that I am lead in. You can see the promo for the film on my website under HMW page. I am diving into my character, she is an amazing and difficult character. Just from doing the promo I have grown as an actress. Right now I'm starting a workout plan to get my cardio up because in the film I have not only a lot of running but I have other physical things I will be doing. We are looking to start filming in October with pre-production in Sept. We even found a city that would let us film anywhere. Once we get 'Hear Me Whisper' green-lit and ready to start filming, we'll submit my films to the production company. Had a little hiccup in putting the festival together but it will get done and this year will be amazing. I have met with an agent who is from LA. He is helping get the right look so that he can submit me to projects. He has also helped me realize that I don't need all the crazy stuff that I had on my website. Which here is a pointer for any other actors with a website out there. Minimal is better than over doing it. Which if you have seen my website I have redone it completely. Check it out and see what I mean minimal. Also when going to take head/body shots watch commercials, see how the people (that are your age) are dressed. Your headshots should look as if they can take you and just put you in the commercial. Have a business look, going out look, and play look. But make sure it's not you trying to be someone else be yourself. There probably more that I am forgetting but this is all I can think of. I will continue to send my information into casting directors for roles.

Many things going on...

Wow so many things have been going on since my last blog. It has been a little over month an many things have happened. First let's start with my IMDb (www.imdb.com/name/nm3461570) has me listed in 10 films and 6 television projects!! Which incredible!! There is a couple more films that I'm waiting for them to added also. I have been checking the usual places and I audition for a film called "The Tribe" it was a good audition. I am finding that I am more relaxed during auditions, I believe the reason for it is that I have already done 3 films this year with another feature film with me as the lead will be filming in October. Speaking of HMW (working title) there are some really amazing developments where we could have all of the financing sooner than we thought. "Shattered Reflections" is a big project also, why do I say this is because I not only played a role in it which was really fun because we ended up doing some improv during the scene. But I also ending up getting to be an executive producer!!! I organized a whole scene (finding location, getting extras, and much more). It was amazing to do stuff behind the camera. I was in charge of the extras and also I got to help with some directing (I am now thinking seriously of doing my own film while directing!!) Now on to my script(s) I am pretty much done with part 1 (besides any grammar or punctuation) but I recently had an amazing idea to add to part 2 which really added some drama to it. I am looking forward to working on this project. It is looking like it will be filmed next summer (we need the weather since that is what the scenes are mostly outside and sunny!!) Than part 2 will be shoot shortly after that. Super excited. Mini Film Festival is looking really great. We have had a lot of inquiring on submissions. I also have recently started working with Withoutabox to make submitting easier and also make the festival a IMDb qualifying festival!! So that would mean any film shown during the festival would get IMDb credit and also every film submitted threw withoutabox would also me able to get IMDb credit. As most people know in the industry that it is hard to not only one get your film shown and seen by people but also getting it put on IMDb. This is just another reason I have put this festival together. I think that is all for right now. So for now we will see what tomorrow brings.