Loft in Translation...REDUX

2009-05-17T15:44:00.002-04:00

A Last-Minute Quickie (blog entry, that is...) /

So...back in January 2008 when I actually used to do this thing called "blogging", I diligently followed each shooting day of a little movie called The Last New Year. And now it's having its Toronto premiere! The first screening is tonight at 7pm at the Royal (608 College St., near Clinton) and the cast and crew will be on hand afterwards for a talkback Q&A thingy. (I hope no one asks me anything. I have a terrible memory. For example, I forgot -- yet again -- that I had a blog.) Some of us will also be around for the screenings tomorrow night and Tuesday night at 7pm. I'll definitely be there tonight and tomorrow night.

I haven't had a coffee yet today (or even a piece of soy bacon), so I think it's very likely that I'm making this sound more complicated than it really is.

Here's a facebook link to help you get tickets:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=86860432960

If you check the Loft in Translation archives from January 2008, you might get even more of a kick out of seeing the film, as there are some behind the scenes stories.

I have never seen this movie (never ever!), so I'm super nervous as always, but the director Garfield Lindsay Miller is incredibly talented and the cast and crew rocked (to bring back a term from the nineties) so I can't wait to finally see it...

Hope to see some of your friendly faces there. Leave your angry faces at home. And your drunk faces. Well, save those for after the movie.

k.

2009-03-12T22:51:00.003-04:00

Lions and Dry Bars and Beers, OH MY! /

So...I went to Las Vegas last week, which I think justifies an all-green blog entry (you know, to symbolize all the money I won. Ahem. AHEM! Cccccough. Excuse me. I just got something stuck in my throat there for a second. Maybe a candy. Or a BIG FAT LIE...or something.)
This is going to be quick, because I have an audition tomorrow morning and I should be working right now. Or sleeping. But definitely not blogging.

So...yeah. VEGAS! It was my second time going there and I absolutely loved it. There is no better place to completely let loose and enjoy yourself and laugh your head off...and play penny slots. I have (well, had) one hundred dollars in the world, so the penny slots were my only hope. And I actually won a hundred dollars! I doubled my bank account balance. How d'you like THOSE odds, suckahs?

Anyway...what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (unless it's a head cold or a bottle of Scotch you purchased at the Duty Free) but what I will say is this: I haven't felt this relaxed or cheery in a very long time. I met a bunch of really fantastic new people, got to know some of my friends a little better, chatted with some scantily clad but stereotype-shattering women, discovered the joys of vodka, re-discovered the joys of Corona, bought a five-dollar coffee (and it wasn't even a latte -- MAN, that place is expensive), had the best meal of my life at a restaurant called "Stack", saw the MGM lions up close and personal, thought how much they resembled Rufus, missed Rufus, bet on horses (little tiny plastic horses with little plastic 1970s jockeys on them), strolled in the sun and thought how nice it must be to live in a place where you don't have to put on seventeen layers of clothing before you go outside, danced a LITTLE bit -- I'm shy about dancing, stayed at my favorite hotel, saw the lions again (loved those lions -- are they happy in there, though? The foliage is made of styrofoam...), lay in the sun (in jeans, but still), tossed veganism aside with a vengeance (eggs are delicious), read some scripts, drank far too much sugar-free Red Bull (I know, I know), and stayed up until sunrise. Repeatedly.
That was actually quite a thorough report, wasn't it? Well, the DETAILS stay in Vegas...

Hope you are all well and happy.

I am loving my new home, loving my new roommate and loving the fact that Spring is on its way.

I am also officially obsessed with Twitter. It's a problem.

K.

2009-02-26T09:37:00.003-05:00

A Cool Dude Goes Out On His Own /

So...Steven Page has left the Barenaked Ladies after twenty odd years and is now focusing on his solo career. Here is a link to his facebook fan page if you want updates on concerts, media bookings, etc.:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Page/67259946954

I have seen him perform live as a solo artist and he is WONDERFUL. He's also a really lovely and funny person, which gets him bonus marks in my book (not that I have a 'book'. I have a MacBook -- does that count?)

Also...thanks so much for all the responses to my last post. Now I have no excuse! Let the writing BEGIN!

k.

2009-02-25T13:31:00.002-05:00

La la la la writing a musical la la la /

Heeeeelp! I am at a coffee shop "writing", which actually involves drinking faaaaar too much coffee, stalking people on facebook, stalking people on Twitter, switching tables every thirteen minutes to see if it the new scenery will inspire me, checking my email, checking my email, checking my email, noticing that the artwork here is really freakin' creepy, checking my email and ordering another coffee.

If anyone is reading this, I am in need of inspiration. So I'm turning to you! Can you post a comment that includes:

1) A first name for a guy
2) A first name for a girl
3) A location
4) An adjective
5) A pet peeve
6) The title of the best play or movie you've ever seen

This is obviously just for fun, but you never know what will spark an idea for a scene...

k.

2009-02-22T01:10:00.002-05:00

Hi there... /

Well, I had decided to update my blog with talk of peanut butter and roast wheat sandwiches (I've temporarily gone vegan), then I saw the comment about how I only update when I'm trying to promote something. So now I guess I'd better promote something, or I'll be proving that awesome dude/dudette wrong.

Um...I'm writing to promote my...cat? Yeah. My cat. He has just recorded an album about a movie he wrote starring him and my other cat, Martha. It's called "Self-Promotion: The Movie Musical About Me". Hope you enjoy it.

I'm also writing to promote my new roll. I stopped working out a few months ago and I just noticed that I now have four hips instead of two. So that's exciting. My new roll will no doubt be expanding until the summer, when I can start running again.

Also...I'd like to promote my new house. I moved (YES. AGAIN. I HAVE A PROBLEM. I KNOW) in the middle of December and I have a proper home now, with one roommate, two cats, a real live staircase...and a dishwasher.

Most of all, I would like to promote self-promotion. 'Cause hey -- it's important.

Hope you are all well and WARM. It's freakin' cold in Toronto.

k.

2009-01-22T10:23:00.002-05:00

The First Song on my New EP! /

So...twenty five lovely and supportive and German people at the convention in Bad Salzdetfurth kindly purchased the five songs from my first ever EP. On my reverb nation page, you will find a sneak peek (sneak listen? sneak...uh...hear? sneak...ummm...i need a coffee) from that album. I won't post the other four songs because I'm saving them for those twenty five people who put their faith in me and bought the songs in advance! And again, to those delightful people: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY. The other songs are coming -- I swear. Technical difficulties. Recording is hard. (I'm done whining now. Wait...no...Waaaaaaa! Weeeeeee! Waaaaaaa. There. Now I'm done.)

I hope everyone is having a happy Thursday/January/new year/miserable grey Toronto-y winter. So far, I am in love with 2009! Humans Anonymous went really well; I've got great friends; I haven't stuck to a single one of my resolutions; I've discovered vegan carrot cake; everything is as it should be. Also, just for the record, I liked 2009 before it even started, because 9 is my favourite number. It's the last single digit! (I know, I know...just like me. Hardy har.)

If you don't mind, please go here and become a fan:

http://www.reverbnation.com/katehewlett

(even if you kind of hate the song a bit. Or it makes your ears bleed or reminds you of your first boyfriend or gets stuck in your head for weeks at a time. I really need some fans.)

It's called Grey Suit Collar and Chris Stanton did the arrangement, as well as the vocals, piano and guitar. I wrote the music and lyrics and I sing with Chris in the recording.

Thanks!

K.

2008-12-14T21:16:00.001-05:00

Join the 'Humans Anonymous' Facebook Group /

My play Humans Anonymous is coming to Toronto! Please come and see it if you are in the Toronto area, or if you are uber-rich and love to travel, or if you just can't get enough of snowy weather, or if you've always wanted to see the CN Tower, or if you love theatre, or if you have so much vacation time you don't know what to do with it all, or if you love to laugh until it hurts, or if you have ever had your heart broken, or if you are a big a fan of the following actors, just like I am:
Michelle Giroux, Philip Graeme, me (well, I'm not a fan of me, but I'm in the cast, so I can't leave me out), Mayko Nguyen and Gregory Prest

Directed by Andrew Hachey (the 'A' in 'PHARK', for those of you who remember...) Stage Managed by Sherry Roher At the Factory Theatre Mainspace from January 8-18th.

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP FOR MORE INFO! PLEASE JOIN! EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN VENEZUELA AND THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SHOW, JOIN!

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=51298981584&ref=mf

K.

2008-12-04T17:00:00.000-05:00

Hilfe! /

Here are some pics from my trip to Germany and Italy. Thanks to everyone who made it so much fun...

I feel almost human again!

K.

2008-10-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

Ah, the Life of an Actor /

Okay! I just submitted the picture of Rufus to catsinsinks.com. Another full morning for Kate Hewlett...

k.

2008-10-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

I have a tea strainer instead of a brain /

So...sometimes I forget things. I forget where I put my keys (daily, especially if I'm in a hurry), what my PIN number is, who I made plans with, why I made those plans, what time my audition is at (possibly because they only happen once every leap year), where I keep the cleaning products (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it), whether or not I put my iPod in my purse, where my purse is, what my name is, whose cats these are, etc. etc.

And in this instance, I forgot that I had a blog. Seriously. I'm not even going to make one of my "Hey! Look at me! I'm back in Blogland! I'm gonna update every three hours for the rest of my life!" promises, because I wouldn't stick to it anyway.

Instead, I'm going to give you a brief update of my thrilling life, and say that my excuse for not updating is that I had a baby, got married, finished a series, wrote a whole bunch of new projects and renovated my house. OH. NO. WAIT. That was the OTHER Hewlett.

I have no excuse (except for the whole memory thing. See? I even forgot that I already had an excuse) but I do have updates. Okay...here goes...

The Swearing Jar (my newest play) happened in July and got extended for a week, which was very exciting. The cast, director, stage manager and everyone involved were incredible and I have become besties (to use a term they use a lot in Ugly Betty) with Janet Porter, the lead actress, whose talent blows my mind a little bit. She will be famous one day -- you heard it here first! In August, I did a lot of leisurely traveling (cottages and things) and saw one of the best plays I have ever seen: If We Were Birds by Erin Shields. Inspiring and moving and funny as well. I myself have not been writing, because procrastination has once again become my main focus. It takes a lot of time to really, truly, thoroughly commit to being a Grand Procrastinator of the Highest Order, but I am slowly climbing the ladder. Or doing other things while the ladder just sits there.

I have stayed in my current apartment (in Toronto) for almost a full year, which may well be a record for me. The rent is going up more than it is legally allowed to, which fills me with rage and thus cake, but as a Grand Procrastinator of the Highest Order In Training, I'm not going to do anything about it. Ooh! Ooh! I just moved up a rung.

In November, I am going to Las Vegas for a girls' weekend (my first time EVER in Vegas) and at the end of the month, I am heading to Germany for a small convention in Bad Salzdenfurth. I am pleased to say that I will be selling my new EP at the convention! It will have five original songs on it, written and sung by me, and arranged and performed (instrumentally) by Chris Stanton, the most ridiculously multi-talented man alive. Seriously. I'm not even using hyperbole. I may try to sell the Cds online in the new year if all goes well at the con!

In December, I will begin rehearsals for a brand new version of Humans Anonymous. It will be a one-act, 75-minute draft and the cast will include: Michelle Giroux, Philip Graeme, me, Gregory Prest and Mayko Nguyen. I'm so freakin' excited! The play itself will happen at the Next Stage Festival here in Toronto from January 7-17 at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. Andrew Hachey will be directing. Right after that Festival, I will begin shooting She Said Lenny, a short film that I wrote (loosely based on Humans Anonymous), which will also be starring Michelle Giroux and myself, directed by Michael Schultz and produced by Paul Lenart. We won funding from BravoFact, so it's actually going to happen! Wheeeeee!

Well...that's it for me. Hope all is well with you if you are reading this. Wait. That came out wrong. I hope that all is well with you if you aren't reading this, too. It's just that you wouldn't know that I hoped that you...oh forget it. Happy Wednesday/Thursday!

k.
p.s. The photos are just random shots from the last few months: me in a flower shop in Montreal, my sister's tree-climbing twins, a cat in a sink, a cat in a box, another cat in the same box.

2008-08-23T19:47:00.000-04:00

And anotha one... /

I have been invited back for a second day of autograph signings at the Fan Expo here in Toronto tomorrow, so please come and see me if you can!

I'll be signing autographs (well, I'll be signing silly pictures of David and I) from 1 to 4pm, right next to Battlestar's Aaron Douglas.

Here are the details:

http://www.hobbystar.com/fanexpo2008/

My table is right at entrance D in the big main room. I'll be sharing a table with Aaron Douglas again, so come and meet the Chief, too!

(I'm a last-minute addition, so you won't find me in the program...
I'm mysterious like that...
Well, I like to pretend that I am...)

K.

2008-08-23T01:58:00.000-04:00

It's 2am and I should be asleep... /

Hi there! Just a VERY quick post to say that I will be signing autographs from 12:30pm(ish) until 3pm tomorrow (SATURDAY...which is technically today) at the Fan Expo at the Convention Centre here in Toronto. I'm a last minute addition to the con, but Aaron Douglas and I will be sharing a table, so come and meet us! Please! Otherwise, I'll be bored and he'll be all busy being famous and signing things...

Sleep. Now. Must. Sleep. So. Tired. Too. Many. Beers. See. You. Tomorrow.

(It's at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.)

k.

2008-07-04T14:20:00.000-04:00

The Swearing Jar at the Toronto Fringe Festival/

Hi everybody! We've been getting some terrific reviews, so don't wait too late to get your tickets to The Swearing Jar.

Here's just some of the feedback so far:

From THE GATE.CA...

http://www.thegate.ca/reviews/01560/toronto-fringe-08-swearing-jar/
Rated: 9 out of 10

Jory Brophy said: "The Swearing Jar is a richly textured drama, with well paced staging and sharp and engaging dialogue... As the story unfolds in a seamless series of flashbacks and vignettes, the jar becomes a symbol of the emotional capital invested in a marriage... The four actors all give outstanding performances, enlivening playwright Kate Hewlett’s bright banter. Indeed, Hewlett has written a gem, complete with plaintive songs, that clearly touched the audience."

From EYE MAGAZINE...

FOUR STARS!

David Balzer loved the "uniformly likable cast (especially cute-as-a-button Janet Porter as the lead), and Hewlett’s remarkable talent for capturing the essence of casual-yet-meaningful exchanges between partners."

And THE GLOBE AND MAIL...
theglobeandmail.com

Kelly Nestruck writes "Hewlett, whose earlier play Humans Anonymous was a sell-out at the Fringe two years ago, should have another festival hit on her hands here. Cleverly structured and interspersed with song, it always stays light, funny and charming."

Please come out and see the show -- I'm so proud of the cast and crew!

Just to remind you about the details:

The Swearing Jar
by Kate Hewlett
in the TARRAGON MAINSPACE (30 Bridgman Ave., near Bathurst and Dupont)
Wed Jul 2 / 8.45 pm
Fri Jul 4 / 10.30 pm (tonight!!)
Sun Jul 6 / 1.15 pm
Tue Jul 8 / 7.00 pm
Wed Jul 9 / 4.00 pm
Thu Jul 10 / 2.15 pm
Sat Jul 12 / 9.45 pm

NO LATECOMERS
TIX $10 / Cheaper with a pass!

To buy tickets, you can show up at the door (at least half an hour before the start time) or go to fringetoronto.com OR phone 416-966-1062.

So many options. Wow.

See you there if you live in or near Toronto!

K.

2008-06-17T10:22:00.000-04:00

Martin Gero is my Hero /

If you haven't seen this movie, SEE IT. I loved it loved it loved it. Great writing, great performances (from hot people -- a rare combination), lots of heart, lots of sexy (I know that doesn't make grammatical sense, but still), lots of laughs, beautifully shot. I was so impressed.

So see it!

K.

2008-06-13T16:28:00.000-04:00

And also... /

More details on The Sound Plays, including show times:

Newly commissioned original scripts on the themes of journeys from some of Toronto's most exciting young playwrights (playwrights Kate Hewlett, Daniel Karasik and Brendan Gall) to be directed by emerging directors (Michael Murphy, Brendan Healy and Ravi Jain) and to be read by actors as radio plays and performed in three formats -with live sound design by Richard Feren, with live foley artist Brooke Graeff, and with live musical accompaniment by Adam Sherkin on piano. Starring: Lindsey Clark Scott Clarkson Noa May Dorn Rick Jon Egan Shira Leuchter Benjamin Mehl
*Each show plays at every performance*
Performance Times:
Friday June 13 - 7:00, 8:30pm
Saturday June 14 - 12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 6:30, 8:00pm
Sunday June 15 - 12:30, 2:00, 4:30pm Running time: 50 minutes

Thanks!

K.

2008-06-13T16:17:00.000-04:00

The New Catbook Air (um...and the Catbook Not-So-Air) /

So. Yes. It's true. I took my credit card out of the freezer and bought my favorite computer of all time. I am madly in love with it (not in a creepy way. Well, maybe a little.) I know that not everyone is a big fan of the Air (MacBook, not Jordan) but it is WONDERFUL. I love it. It is perfect for me, because I write out of the house a lot and it is as light as...well, you can probably guess the rest.

Anyhoooo...the cats appear to like the velvety box it came in more than the computer itself (thank god. The last thing I need is an eighteen-pound cat sitting on a three-pound laptop. That wouldn't be a fair fight.)

So I thought I'd share these pics and confirm my status as a crazy cat lady...

K.

2008-06-11T23:43:00.000-04:00

An Update! /

Just a businessy one this time, I'm afraid...

For anyone in or around Toronto:

The Luminato Sound Plays (at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District)
Newly commissioned original scripts on the themes of journeys from some of Toronto's most exciting young playwrights (playwrights Kate Hewlett, Daniel Karasik and Brendan Gall) to be directed by emerging directors (Michael Murphy, Brendan Healey and Ravi Jain) and to be read by actors as radio plays and performed in three formats -with live sound design with a live foley artist (Brooke Graeff ) and with live musical accompaniment by Adam Sherkin on piano.

Go to luminato.com for details.

If you can make it, I'd love to see you there! Two of my talented friends (Shira Leuchter and Scott Clarkson) are in the cast.

Thanks,

K.

2008-05-21T22:19:00.001-04:00

Humans Anonymous in La La Land! /

For any of you who live in or near the Los Angeles area, here is the info on a reading of my play, Humans Anonymous, that is happening tomorrow night:

"Hey Friends and Theatre Folks! I am directing an awesome play reading of a piece I saw in NYC - I am hoping to produce this amazing, funny and heartfelt piece in 2009. If you can come, that would ROCK MY SOUL - Tomorrow night, see:

HUMANS ANONYMOUS
BY KATE HEWLETT

A reading with Tom Markley, Michael Matthys, Rochelle Rose, Marja-Lewis Ryan, Philip de Souza and Jennifer Weaver

8pm, Thursday May 22nd
FREE READING
@ Son of Semele Theatre
3301 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90004

Thanks,
Reena Dutt"

It would be great if some of you could be there -- I can't, so I'd love to hear how it goes!

K.

2008-04-29T19:12:00.003-04:00

The Swearing Jar/

Well, it's been...oh...two and a half months since my last post. My time away from you lovely people has included:

ahem

A visit to Vancouver, my brother officially becoming OLD, a bad haircut, a new pair of pants (they're not easy to come by), trying to embrace singledom and failing miserably, copious amounts of sushi, meeting and working with the lovely and talented Jewel Staite and Robert Picardo, driving a golf cart for the first time (NOT over Joseph Mallozzi, despite rumours to the contrary!), a bladder infection (no, no, not ME -- my cat. It was expensive. I'm considering euthanasia...not really), exploring my new neighbourhood, a successful cleanse/ detox/ de-chocolafication, writing a brand new short film script called "By Any Other Name", a growing addiction to Dancing With the Stars, attending a dance recital that my twin four-year-old nieces were in (cutest thing I've ever seen), a horrifying audition in front of Ben Elton (who was hilarious and kind, but whose ears may never recover from my glass-shattering high E), a new short play I wrote for UnSpun Theatre's fundraiser, a pair of busted kneecaps (from running, not from an encounter with the mob), a book launch for Jacob McArthur Mooney's first book of poems, an absolute obsession with the new MacBook Air (it's so tiny. I want to eat in in a sandwich), neglecting to pay my student loans, neglecting to do my taxes (I'm working on it), getting a spot in the Toronto Fringe Festival (yaaaaaaay), casting said Fringe show, discovering my new favorite brunch restaurant (Insomnia on Bloor Street), falling even more in love with Amy Adams, discovering Luke Doucet two years after everyone else did, getting a joe job that I actually LIKE...and...last but not least...buying a cool new raincoat.

Phewf.

Now that THAT'S out of the way...

Here is a little blurb about the play I am currently writing for the Toronto Fringe Festival. I hope you will all come out and see it!

THE SWEARING JAR

by Kate Hewlett

directed by Geoffrey Pounsett

starring: Deborah Grover, Andrew Pifko, Janet Porter and Christopher Stanton

"You are the love of my life, you asshole.”

Simon and Carey are the perfect couple. But when Carey performs at Simon’s fortieth birthday celebration, she is forced to come to terms with the greatest lie her husband ever told. From the writer of Humans Anonymous and the director of A Quiet Place comes a bittersweet comedy about marriage, music, migraines…and swearing.

Acclaim for 6AM Tango’s last show:

"Five stars! Great pacing, engaging comic performances and a generous sprinkling of laugh-out-loud lines…” – Eye Weekly
“Best of the Fringe”, “Best Ensemble” – NOW Magazine
“Sharp, funny and heartbreaking” – Online review
“Critics’ Pick” – Backstage Magazine, New York City

More info to come...

K.
p.s. The fantabulous jar drawing is by Peter Mooney, the multitalented actor/artist/demo-reel-maker/screenwriter/dvd stealer/old dog adopter.

2008-02-15T17:03:00.001-05:00

All Done! /

So...The Last New Year is done. Well, for me it is. For the director, much of the work has just begun, but for me...vacation time! I really, really, really, really, really want to go somewhere hot and sunny and write my face off (not literally. Faces are important.) Unfortunately, I am broke (yet again) and I don't really tan anyway (scottish/irish/english heritage) and I probably wouldn't get any work done if I DID go, because I'd just drink seventeen pina coladas a day, sleep it off, then go back for more. So I'm thinking of doing a vacation-at-home type of deal. You know, booking a massage, exercising (remember exercise?), eating chocolate, taking myself out for dinner, seeing movies, getting a haircut, buying a lint roller, taking long baths with bottles of beer/wine (not mixed together), getting my eyebrows waxed (not off. Just thinned. I'm going to have to buy mine collars if I don't do something about them soon), write a musical, write a short film, hang out with my friends (some of them NEW friends -- I love clicking with new cool people. eg. Mayko from the movie), going for brunches, giving up Red Bull, buying some new boots, spending quality time with Rufus and Martha (my cats -- not my eyebrows) and catching up on some family/friend/business emails.
Sounds fun, huh? (And significantly less expensive than going to Puerto Plata. Depending on which boots I buy.)
I have a big musical theatre audition on Sunday which is FREAKING ME OUT because I haven't sung Andrew Lloyd Webber-esque songs in a LOOOONNNNNG TIIIIIIMMMMME. My only goal is to get through it without crying, coughing up a hairball or shattering any windows.
After that, a big Stratford audition to prep for.
Then...the non-vacationy vacation begins...
K.

2008-02-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

Day 13 /

I got the giggles while eating breakfast this morning (an All Bran bar -- surprisingly delicious) because I realized that I blogged about sitting on the camera and then never posted again! You probably all think that I've been in bum surgery ever since. Not so. I just got busy. (Not like "got busy". Just like "became busy". I don't want to start any false rumors here.)

So, we have three days left on The Last New Year and then we are FINITO. Phil finished on Friday and left for some sun-soaked adventure (jerk), but the rest of us are still going strong. Today, I get to have a big argument with Mayko (not in real life -- she's waaaay too nice for that), see Andrew shirtless, play with an ice pick and hopefully not sit on any expensive camera equipment.

These twelve to thirteen hour days are killin' me! (And making me drop my g's, apparently.) But it sure has been (and continues to be) a wonderful adventure.

p.s. Mike, if you're reading this: GET BACK TO WORK, LAZYPANTS!

2008-02-04T19:16:00.000-05:00

Day Eight /

Today, I sat on the camera.

It was an accident.

I also broke my zipper, got the giggles, needed seven tries to get a match lit, had a crying scene, and patted a partially naked lady on the shoulder.

That's all you get.

K.

2008-01-30T12:57:00.000-05:00

DAMN IT. I MISSED DAY 4 /

So here's the thing. Usually, in my limited experience, film and TV work involves a lot of sitting around, eating triple chocolate donuts, drinking seventeen cups of coffee, trying not to fall asleep on those cozy trailer sofas so I won't mess up my hair, going back for more donuts, chatting with handsome tanned men and fake-breasted women, avoiding trips to the bathroom JUST IN CASE the sound guy forgot to turn off my microphone, etc. etc...

Not so with The Last New Year! THERE IS NO SITTING AROUND. There is very little waiting. There is not a lot of down time. (I still manage to be consuming my fair share of chocolate treats, though. Let face it: there's always time for sugar. And partially hydrogenated oils.) This is making the experience a fantastic and challenging one, but it is making the blogging difficult! Today is a lighter day for me, so I should be able to put together a proper post. So far today, I've only eaten M&Ms and Advil, so forgive me if I sound high. Or wired. Or both.

Anyway...yesterday (Day 4) was a phenomenal day. Before I go into that, let me first explain the premise of the film: It tells the story of a group of twenty-somethings that get together every year for a New Year's Eve party. But this year, one of them has gone missing. So it's a very interesting movie to shoot, because it all takes place in one night, at one party, in one location (which fortunately comes well-stocked with triple chocolatey goodness.) Yesterday, we shot all the dinner scenes. We sat on the floor all day (on cushions, thank god) and drank "schnapps" (water) and "wine" (apple juice). We got to improvise like crazy, which was loads of fun. I have never had the opportunity to improvise on camera before, and it was a blast. We all laughed and talked and made up new dialogue, but also managed to find our way back to the script whenever necessary. My character is bossy and uptight (I can't think WHY they cast ME) so I got to tell everyone what to do. Fun times.

So day 4 involved some more great work with a stellar cast and director -- they really are amazing -- and the discovery that when I hit thirty, I stopped being able to sit on the floor for long periods of time. I've got the knees and hips of a grandmother.

Day 5 /

Now on to TODAY. It is 1:30pm. So far, I have been on set for three hours and it feels like three minutes. (It's funny how on set, time either flies or crawls, depending on how many scenes you are in.) I shot a scene this morning with Phil (my buddy from Humans Anonymous and the P in PHARK) which went okay, I think. We were both sort of struggling with what the scene was about, but with the help of Garfield (the director extraordinaire) we figured it out.

time time time

la la la

Okay. Now it's 6:45pm! Where does the time go? We did a whole bunch of dancing scenes earlier this afternoon (without music!) and fortunately, I got to be the wallflower. No dancing for me. This evening things might change. Ohhh dear. Is the world ready for me dancing on film? No. No it isn't.

Gotta go!

Hope these updates are somewhat interesting...

K.

2008-01-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

Day 3 /

Today was good but LONNNNNNG. (Yes, with six Ns.) It was the first day of shooting for the lovely actor/co-writer Casey Austin and she did a bang-up job. (And apparently I have turned into a 70-year-old, pipe-smoking British man, because who the hell else says "bang-up"? Ohhhh dear.) She (Casey) looks just like a young Susan Sarandon -- it's uncanny!

What else to report...

Mayko did a shooter (of water, but still) without using her hands. That's an image I'll never forget.

For now, that's all I can leave you with. I need to sleep. Twelve-hour days are brutal! Who knew?

Soon,

K.

2008-01-27T21:54:00.000-05:00

Day 2 /

Wowsers. There wasn't even time to BREATHE today, let alone blog. (And I'm already having difficulty breathing, since I'm wearing a corset for half of the film!)

To summarize: lots of laughter, too many gummie bears, not enough water, a little bit of partial nudity (ohhh dear), some crazy costumes, a tickle trunk, characters masks, fake beer and a whole lot of whispering.

Curious yet??

I promise a more detailed update tomorrow!

For those of you who were at Pegasus 3 this weekend -- how did it go?? Hope it was a blast...

K.