Looking at numbers and making plans

Every morning I wake up and count how much sleep I got ... say what you will but I have a sleep tally.  I then go to the computer and check the numbers.  On my youtube channel it tells me exactly how  many views each video has.  I write them down for each letter.  I recently posted the P scene and it did get 100 views in one day but is only at 143 now so the thoughts run through my head ... uh oh, have they lost interest?  Awful right?  Then I see how many overall views for all of my videos I've got.  Today's total was 11522 when I checked.  The word obsession comes to mind or on the more positive side ... FOCUSED.

The M scene is climbing and the C scene is always growing in numbers.  The trailer was a big hit and I have hundreds of views on each scene.  At this point there are a few people I really need to see them.  Meryl Streep comes to mind.  Ellen Degeneres springs to thought.  Hollywood agents, directors, producers and writers also are at the top of my wish list and let's not limit that to Hollywood.  I'm open to hearing from those industry folks from NY too or any other city for that matter. Still, I want to thank all of you who have watched and commented.

Next up, I plan for the Q and R scenes.  There's so  much to do and you will be seeing lots of thanks all next week because I need to tell you all about who helped me on the N, O and P scenes.  I'm gonna be a writing fool.

Off to Detroit

Today I'm headed to Detroit or thereabouts to shoot for a company called Burning Daylight.  We're doing a video for Volkswagen.  I've worked for them before and I love it!  It's on camera, spokesperson, talking head stuff.  All I have to do is recreate this look.  The only challenge is that hair!  As you know, I wear it straight for the most part but when I do the wavy or curly thing it's just a little bit different every single time.  This looks like I worked very hard to curl it and it lost all the curl before I arrived.  That should be sort of easy.  We'll see how I do.  Wish me luck!

Then yesterday, I got a video of me on my birthday wrapping up the shoot.  Jay surprised me with a cake.  I was laughing my head off, very sweet of him.  They all sang to me and there were 6 candles and everything ... my favorite!!!

Kinda hard to believe that just two days ago I was shooting and editing for hours upon hours, I had a birthday and now I'm going to Detroit to do something that has nothing to do with A to Z.  At least I got some sleep yesterday.  By the way, no call from Meryl or Ellen on my bday.  I couldn't be disappointed because I suppose there's an outside chance that Meryl Streep doesn't actually KNOW my birth date.  I'll let her slide ... this year ;-)

Postcards from the Edge

P is for Postcards from the Edge starring Nancy Telzerow.

Carrie Fisher wrote this semi autobiographical screenplay about her relationship with her Mother, Debbie Reynolds. In this scene, Doris Mann was in a car accident just following an argument with her daughter. Suzanne goes to see her Mom in the hospital and together they help pick up the pieces of their mutual addictions and relationship.

Before I forget ... Postcards from the Edge shooting day!

Yesterday we shot Postcards from the Edge or was that today? Well, truth be told, we shot it yesterday but only a few hours ago I went to bed hoping that I'd awaken to the actual scene up on youtube. Whew, sometimes editing can take forever but in this case, not for the reasons you might expect.

The shoot was awesome. Jay and I went to the site which, btw, was mere perfection. Our contact, Maria was awaiting us with our PA, Lee Johnson who would be helping us with the production ... duh, Production assistant will be helping us with the production. Did I really write that? Sheesh ... mama needs her rest. Marje was also already there and had every prop, all makeup and costume accents that any one character could need. What I'm constantly amazed by is how much people prepare and dedicate to these performances. Uh oh, I'm about to gush ... but I'll hold off for now.

We were getting all set up. Marje was covering up her eyebrows (integral to the scene), I was fixing my side pony tail (why again did I wear my hair like that?) and we were discussing the real life relationship of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. While this was happening, Jay and Lee were setting up for the shoot. Marje and I decided to run lines and work on the many logistics of the scene when Jay called me into the other room to say "Had an issue but it's already taken care of (great lead-in by the way). My 10,000 dollar camera just broke but we already called the Tri-C Metro campus and they are loaning us one of theirs. Lee and I just need to drive over there to get it." I knew that Jay possibly losing his camera was not great news but I also knew that having an immediate replacement was a godsend. While Jay and Lee went on their retrieval, Marje and I rehearsed. This was our first time performing together, we figured it all out and there was a lot to figure. I really didn't want to imitate Meryl and Shirley Maclaine who originally played our roles so we had to work out our own chemistry, one that I felt was most reflective of the real chemistry between Carrie Fisher and her Mom, Debbie Reynolds.

By the time we were done with all of that, the boys returned with the camera! All set up and ready to go I was loving the timing. Meanwhile, Maria, our sweet contact at the Tri-C East Campus, was outside the room fielding calls on my cell phone just in case the press called. OK, that might sound like I'm getting full of myself but I actually had an appointment, set up by the wonderful Liz, to meet with a reporter and photographer from The Willoughby Herald. So, we began shooting. It was going wonderfully well and the photographer came. He shot in between camera set ups right when we were about to shoot my half of the scene. He took several stills of Marje and I and off he went ... um, timing again? PERFECTION! So we shot my half and right at the end, Jay walked in with a cake, lit with 6 candles, singing with all in the room, Happy Birthday to me! Didn't I say yesterday there would be no cake? Wrong.

As we were having our cake and eating it too, the reporter showed up to interview me. He recorded it ... bonus! He typed it also and shot a tiny video of me for their online stuff. He said the article would be in the paper a week from Sunday. You know Terri will post it for all to see and I think it will be a good one! Yay, more press!!!!

As if all that weren't enough, Jay spoiled me with presents, I got flowers and cupcakes delivered and Marje was amazing. Sheesh! Am I fill in the blank or what? Clue, it's more than blessed and lucky!!!! Didn't I say no presents? Wrong.

Then came the dilemma of how do we get the footage to the editing system which we had yet to pick up since we don't have the actual camera with us. OK, without completely boring you let's just say, Jay and I split up to get all of the necessary gadgets to edit this puppy. The edit itself went very quickly but I'm afraid cupcakes and cake were dinner. At 4:05 AM I went to bed leaving poor Jay behind to tie up the loose ends. Again, Happy Birthday to me.

I love the scene. That's always the bottom line, isn't it? Another wonderful A to Z experience, at least for me. I'll ask Jay in a few days after he has rested ;-)

My Birthday! Happy day to me!!!

OK, yes, I wrote that as my title for the day.  And yes, that does make me about 4 years old ... better make that 6 (ha ha Jenny) but that's how I feel.  All of Cassie's life I've said to her "Once upon a time I had a dream I would have a little girl and she would be cute and smart and funny but then I had you and you were so so so much more.  I love you."  I used to say that to her all the time and still do so today my morning next from Cassie was this ...

"Happy birthday mommy. I love you and I hope you have the bestiest day ever!!!!! Once upon a time I had a mommy that was pretty, funny, smart, and talented.  She was the best mommy I could ask for!  I love you!!!  Hope you like your purse.  I'm eating soup it's your pretend birthday cake at midnight.  It's the mommy soup.  I'm typing this text at 11:58 so I can send it on time and I'm babbling so I don't mess up and be a minute late.  Everyone says happy birthday that I'm with!! Love love love love you!!! It's 11:59 and a watch pot never boils ay yi yi ain't that the truth.  Man oh man.  Ready. set... go!!!!!!!! Happpppppppppy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Is she a good writer or what?  It's lucky she got that I-phone (that was sarcasm people).  Anyway, I'm blessed doncha know it?  I also awoke to more than 45 wishes on my facebook page and already got 3 cards.  I just love it.  When I was little I always loved my birthdays and not much has changed.  There won't be any cake. There won't be any presents to unwrap (Cassie gave me my purse early, which I LOVE) but there is so much love floating around me. Yep, I'm a goof on my birthday. And The Jimmy even sent me an email of my favorite birthday song, an original of his and boy is it original! I love it!

Now Meryl Streep, I do realize you're fighting the good fight for the National History Museum on behalf of all the women out there BUT there is one woman, girl, actress, that would LOVE to hear from you today so make my sister, Jenny, right and gimme a call. I'll answer between takes.

Yay, it's my birthday!

Now to learn about Carrie Fisher

Today I will go to scout the location for tomorrow's Postcards shoot.  Did I mention it got moved to Wednesday?  Did I also mention that Jay (in from Chicago) and Marje (from Sandusky) were so accommodating and made the switch with ease?  Well, that's what's up.  So that's my 2:00 appointment for today and Maria is getting us two students to act as Production Assistant's on the shoot too!  Is everything good or what?

Now I need to learn about Carrie Fisher.  I've done little prep work for this scene and the movie is semi auto biographical, written by Fisher about her relationship with her Mom, Debbie Reynolds.  So, my performance should not remind you of Meryl Streep but instead Carrie Fisher.  Here's my plan, I'm going to wear my hair like Princess Leia and call it a day!  Just kidding although I happen to know lots of people who like that look ... go figure.  The studying will begin now and it's a real cram session.  I love this scene and I'm going to make it great if I have to plaster the sides of my head with cinnabons.

No word from Meryl Streep or Ellen Degeneres but I'm sure they'll be calling soon.  My sister Jenny said that I'll hear from one of them on my birthday, tomorrow.  That would be great as long as it's between takes.  Let's hope Jenny is right!

Whew ... that was a close one

Looks like I just got an early birthday present.  I received a call from Maria and she found me a location for my Postcards from the Edge shoot!  Whew!!!!  Double Whew!  Oh my goodness, I was about to convert my office into a hospital room and it wasn't going to be easy.  Did I mention, whew?  Thank you Maria!!!!

I went to the library to get the movies for the two scenes to be shot on green screen but they weren't there.  I looked for Bridges of Madison County so I could make a final selection for that scene and it wasn't there either.  I still need to get a hospital gown for Marje for the Postcards scene but I know I can swing that rather easily.  I have yet to learn my lines or find my wardrobe.  I think I've been in producer/director/networking mode too much.  It's time to start thinking like an actor or Meryl Streep, the ultimate.  You can bet she would know her script by now.  Actually, as I've studied her, Meryl is rather liberal with her words.  She's not verbatim with the scripts at all but let's keep that between us, OK?

So now I will go learn my script and decide what I'll wear and move on to all the other scenes after Wednesday when my big birthday present will be an awesome scene, shot by Jay and acted with Marje.  WHEW!

Sunday Funday

Today I'm at CBF's aka Chuck Chubbuck's house. I'm helping him with filing and taxes. Chuck directed and edited the Ironweed scene and edited the Trailer which is one of my most popular videos and just edited the O scene. He also did the Kickstarter video which I must promote more and more every day. CBF, as I like to call him ... short for Chuckleberry Finn, doesn't ask for a dime but said if I ever had time he always needs office help. Well, heck, it's the least I could do, ya know?! I've been trying to get Dev to have me do stuff like that for him too. Do you get the feeling I don't just like to take and really don't prefer to owe? Cuz that's how I feel. I'm just so grateful to all who have helped me... oh crap, that reminds me I need to do the thanks for the N and O scenes. What the heck am I thinking? I've been so wrapped up in waiting for Meryl Streep or Ellen Degeneres to call that I completely forgot about writing those. OK, I better get to it soon.

Love and kisses to all!!!!!