Wednesday, March 13, 2013

An Agent (and much more!)

What's up, my friends? Yeah, it's been a chunk of time again--I'll get back in the groove, eventually!

So last news you got was that I'd completed a tremendous workshop of agents and CDs--and from it, I ended up finding the most WONDERFUL agent, and we signed just last month! We have such a great rapport and I'm just over-the-moon about our partnership.

While she and my manager have been taking good care of me, pilot season has been BUSY! Three pilot auditions, interspersed with lots of episodics and films. I have been feeling so blessed and it's just been non-stop! The most exciting bit of this is that one of the films is with my dream team, a studio director and producer who make work that resonates SO much with me, and every time I see their work, I see myself in it. So fingers are crossed that they loved what I sent them! If not this one, planting the seeds for later on down the line. :)

Amongst all these auditions, I've had the big win of booking my first pilot ever--and it's with one of the hottest show runners in TV! We just filmed last week, and I'm returning to another set later this month and working with one of my favorite comedic actresses!

Stay tuned on more news coming atcha! :)

<3
Jen

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Heeeere's Jenny!

What a nice blog hibernation! Now that all the craziness of THE DRUNKEN CITY, the holidays and my newest venture has cleared, I'm SO ready to share again with y'all. :)

THE DRUNKEN CITY opened immediately after my last blog post and ran for 3 successful weeks. What an awesome starter project to produce! Sam (EP) and I were able to hustle in ways I've certainly never been able to before--we were calling press, inviting industry and doing our darnedest to get buzz just through our work alone (when a publicist bails on you, you get to test your efficiency). We even got Backstage to come and give us a review--thanks, Jonathan! :) And thank YOU to all the friends and loved ones who donated to the production and/or attended--this was a huge success because of you! Below are 2 of my favorite shots from the run:





The holidays provided a nice respite, complete with babysitting a Golden Retriever puppy and watching the entire series of GIRLS and GAME OF THRONES. :)

And finally, 2013 has been electric, having just completed a HUUUUUGE acting and networking workshop/class/intensive wherein I met with and auditioned for 16 casting directors and agents. It's right on time, too--getting some more face time before pilot season, as well as meeting some great agents now that my manager and I are looking to expand our team!

More fun news to come, my friends--I'm back!

<3>Jen

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

"The Drunken City" Stumbles In!

My friends, what a jam-packed Fall this has been! From working on GIRLRILLAZ to starring in and co-producing this awesome play to my film KING KELLY premiering, there's been so much buzz!

This Friday, "The Drunken City" (my play) finally opens at the WorkShop Main Stage Theater! We have had an EXTREMELY eventful production already, all the way from when producer/star Sam and I began talks about the show. We've weathered oodles of cast and creative swaps, budget surprises, and a freaking HURRICANE, and here we finally are, our show about to be on its feet!

This has been my first time producing, and I'm SO glad that I wanted to--I have learned SO much!

  • I might panic every other time ever, but not while producing. Nnnnnnope. Cool as a cucumber, and each obstacle has just been that--an obstacle, something to be moved around or jumped over. Without any effort! This has been an exercise in continuously thinking outside the box.
  • My career coach has conditioned me perfectly for this moment. Since working with her, I have learned over and over to think outside the box, to eliminate my limiting beliefs, and to believe that there's a way to achieve nearly anything (even by myself). With a foundation that has been undulating for months, Sam and I (both Dallas-ites) continue to engage endless 'Plan B's, making things happen all by ourselves OR by unorthodox means.
  • Producing is hard, but so worth it! I can't tell you how many text/mental/verbal high-fives Sam and I have throughout our day as we plow through and around the obstacles that come up. This has been so affirming for our show, but also for us and how dynamic we've learned to be!



We open FRIDAY and run for 3 weeks--won't you come on our and see our baby? :)
http://drunkencity.brownpapertickets.com

<3 p="p">Jen

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Post-Sandy Spookiness!

Y'all, it has been an INSANE few weeks. I'm grateful to report that I am fine and well and safe after the hurricane, and I hope very much that you all were, too--at most, we were inconvenienced with a week of no power. (Though our freezer has really seen better days.)

Thanks to this natural disaster, Halloween was pretty much canceled here in the tri-state area. So how about a smile to lighten the mood, as well as a nod to our poor, creepy holiday that was left behind?

Myself and fellow actress (and horror geek) Kelsey O'Brien have started the web series HORROR HOTTIES, which is a micro-talk show about horror movies and the quirky parts of the genre. Come have a giggle on us!























<3 p="p">Jen


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Glamour of the Movies (or, Filming in an Abandoned Pool)

I am in the middle of my newest movie, GIRLRILLAZ! I'm having such a blast on set (especially because half the crew was my rock star crew from FRANNY), and one of the coolest parts has been our amazing location.

We've been filming in the lower levels of a Manhattan hotel that are super funky-artsy-indie, but even BETTER, this hotel has a long-abandoned pool from the days when it was a subterranean YMCA!

This is an old YMCA pool from the 1920’s that is under the hudson hotel in New York
Yes, it looks this creepy when it's well-lit.

Let alone when we dress it up for creepitude with no flourescent lights.

(Thanks to my amazing make-up artist, Morgan Gates, for taking the picture!)

We're having an absolute blast! One of the other coolest parts is that it's very much a girl-power film, and in that vein, almost every single person working on it is a gal. A gal who's really freakin' good at her job, at that.  Female director, producers, DP, crew, actresses, production team. :) I can get behind that!

Here's to another 2 weeks of me on set with such amazing people!

<3 p="p">Jen

Monday, October 8, 2012

H-B-Oh yes!

Friends!

I'm happy to announce that this upcoming Sunday (10/14, 9pm EST) will be my premiere on HBO!

Where? Why, on the hit series BOARDWALK EMPIRE, of course!


I can't say exactly what I'm doing, but suffice it to say--it's scandalous! I work in a couple of scenes opposite Margaret (Kelly MacDonald). :) This was a really fun shoot! I met so many wonderful new people, it was my first time really working in period film (AND they actually USE film on this show--that was fascinating!), and we were on location in this well-preserved '20s building. With the perfect set and all the actors in period garb, it was easy to believe we'd been transported to a different 'when'!

Don't get HBO? Don't sweat it--neither do I. Though it's *super* adorable that my parents took out a subscription expressly to see me! 

See you on the premium channels! :)

<3 p="p">
Jen

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

My LUSH Palace

I'll have so much ACTUAL news soon that I figured I could post something fun and helpful! :)

For most people, if they're strolling down the street and a stranger says, "You smell real purty," it's a red alarm. For a Lushie, it's just another day.

What's a Lushie? Most people who know me personally know--Lushies are people who have an unending love for LUSH, a quite natural, handmade body stuff company. I've been using it for 6 years without fail, and I've got squirrel-like stores of goodies in every drawer, on every shelf, in every closet. I've found that not only has my long-standing devotion kept me smelling nice, but also helps *big time* in my daily grind. :)

Here are my must-haves:

BIG Shampoo
Big
As an actress--with fine hair, no less--any bump to volume helps, as well as a clarifying shampoo to get out constant product. Big is made with sea salt, lemon & seaweed--getting the gunk out of the hair, adding shine and softness. Loves!

Ocean Salt

If you aren't exfoliating, why in the world not? Make it a tremendously rewarding experience with Ocean Salt--this stuff is chock full of sea salt, limes & coconut, to buff, brighten and soften. Also works wonders on tired hands and feet!

Ultrabland

*Nothing* will remove cakes of make-up like this sweet, gentle balm! This soothing blend of rose, honey & beeswax softens, moisturizes and very gently removes every trace of liner and mascara, so you can avoid the normal scouring-pad-like process. Also a fab cleanser for sensitive or dry skin. I can't recommend this enough!

Grease Lightning
Grease Lightning
Audition with a breakout? Not a worry--this stuff is my secret to staying clear. A gentle gel of witch hazel, rosemary and tea tree, this gets rid of blemishes lightning-fast! AND it won't dry your skin out!

Ultralight
♥ LUSH /...
There's something BIG to be said about using a good moisturizer--and LUSH's are top-notch. My personal favorite has been Ultralight--full of seaweed and St. John's Wort and myrrh--but they've discontinued it. I'm also a big fan of Gorgeous!

Honey Trap
Honey Trap
I used to be a compulsive lip-balm-addict. I would apply, reapply, and slather it on every 20 minutes or so. Those petrolatum-based lacquers weren't actually moisturizing. Honey Trap is! I only have to reapply this honey, vanilla and shea butter goodness a few times a day...good for when you're on set for long hours!

It Started With a Kiss
It Started with a Kiss
Need make-up in a pinch? This is my jam! This cherry lip tint can easily handle lips and cheeks for a dash of color. I wear cherry very well, but there's also a more neutral color if you're not into red. :) So handy for quick, rushed make-up, which happens a lot.

Jackie Oates
Jackie Oates
I don't really wear foundation, but to just even out the complexion and spot-conceal, this is my go-to. It's the palest of the pale, so if you're a little darker or yellower or pinker, there are more!

Buffy

I am a moisture nut--I love having my skin feel lotion-y soft, and one of my favorite products for that is Buffy. Buffy is a cocoa/shea butter bar that you use in the shower, and oodles of crushed almonds and adzuki beans polish you--the softness lasts all day, no need to reapply lotion. FOR REAL.

Aromaco
Aromaco
Can't really tell if this is TMI, but oh well--I haven't used standard antiperspirant in 6 years. I've been using Aromaco deodorant ever since, and it's amazing. (The switch to deodorant is to avoid aluminum.) Aromaco's based in witch hazel, patchouli and baking soda, and it protects me even on the longest days, in the hottest temperatures--this stuff is the real deal!

Hope these were helpful! Have YOU ever used LUSH? What product(s) do you like the most? 

<3 p="p">Jen