13 days from today Jen and I will begin our journey east to Pennsylvania. We've both been extremely busy these past 5-7 days packing and getting so much together for our trip, but it's nice to know that now all we have to do is load everything into the U-Haul and get goin'.
I've been in contact with several producers/directors on the east coast for projects (as an actor), mostly films. I've been really pleased with the repsonse I've been getting from those I've been in contact with. I even recorded an audition tape for a director in Kentucky yesterday, sent it to him, and he's told me that he loves it. I am potentially up for 2 roles (both leads), so keep those fingers crossed. I haven't done any acting since filming my web series last summer (www.SavingRent.com). That was a great experience but it left me tired. So I focused my attention to another passion: writing. Since last August, I've written a feature film screenplay and several short film scripts. So that's something I'm pretty proud of. But I've been itching to get back into the acting game. I'm finally refreshed enough to want to puruse roles, which I have been doing. I'm excited to get back in front of the camera and bring a character to life. I also love being on sets. Whenever I'm not in front of the camera, I'm right next to the DP or the director, asking as many questions as I can and taking as many notes as possible. This is my schooling, you know? It will help me when it's my turn to direct my first film.
I've also been in contact with several professional theater's in Baltimore. They are having their seasonal auditions coming up in the next couple of months (July, I believe). What that means is that they do one or two auditions for their entire season, as oppose to auditioning each show individually. So hopefully I will be out there and can participate. I'm really eager to get back on stage and be in front of a live audience. Film work is great, but I get such a joy out of theater acting. It's where I started and it's always been so much more satisfying. I would love a career in theater, all while doing the occasional film role.
There is a mass audition on Sept. 26 in Baltimore where actors audition for more than 20 production companies looking for actors in their upcoming film projects. It's strictly for film, which is very exciting. Each actor prepares a monologue fit for tv/film and presents it on stage. There is a camera set up that feeds into another room and projected onto a big movie screen, where directors/producers/writers/etc. view it and take their notes. If any one of them likes you, they call you up and talk about their projects. It's a really cool thing they do twice a year, I believe, in Baltimore. Again, keep those fingers crossed.
Also, while you're checking this out (if you're checking this out), take a look at my first (very) short film: http://www.youtube.com/user/j8kesterFilms It's based on a poem I wrote a few years ago. It doesn't have anything to do with Peter Pan, but it does have a similar meaning behind it. I wrote it a few years ago while I was looking back on my childhood and trying to come to terms with the fact that my biological father was never around. It was me, at the age of 21 or 22, writing about needing to move on and trying to figure out how to do that. I, personally, have succeeded in that aspect of my life, which I'm greatful for.
I'm still working on my feature film screenplay. Overall I've had a really great response to it, so that's rewarding. It's very dialogue heavy, so I'm trying to figure out how to trim some of that and keep the emotion/meaning of the film. It's been tricky so far, but I believe I'm heading in the right direction with it. Once I get out to PA, I'll be taking several trips to Baltimore (Maryland) and doing some writing. I've also been looking to alter the title and think I've found something that fits nicely into the Baltimore tradition. I'll keep you posted. I've started mapping out another story, this one taking place in another grand city: Chicago. More on that sometime down the road.
Jen and I are both really excited about our move. Early on we talked about it only being a year, but now we aren't so sure. If things progress well out there and we're making money and saving money and making a nice living, we'll probably find a nice house we like in Maryland or Pennsylvania and make a life there. We talked about relocating to the east coast way back when we first started dating. It's always been something we've wanted to do, as a couple, so we're really excited for this part of our lives. It's going to be a great journey, and that excites us.
Thanks for all the support, too. It means a lot to us that everyone has been so supportive of our journey.
Hugs,
- j8ke
