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






Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Back to the Thea-tah!

Ahh, as per my post a couple of weeks ago, theatre has come back to claim me--I've got an audition for a wonderful play in CT, AND I'm going to be doing a production of Adam Bock's DRUNKEN CITY with some amazing actor friends! :)

All the details will be coming soon--along with some other great news down the pike! Keep your eyes peeled for news on theatrical releases of KING KELLY and JACK & DIANE, as well as the Sundance submission of FRANNY (fingers crossed ever-so-tightly!), AND an episode of BOARDWALK EMPIRE in October!

<3
Jen

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Power of Gratitude

I think I've already posted a lot about gratitude, but it kind of never gets old. Why? Because gratitude is a foolproof font of joy and happiness--fear and gratitude cannot coexist.

When you're feeling truly grateful for life and its gifts...fear, anxiety, sadness, apathy--all these emotions that keep us down and limit our potential--fade away, and you're left with a glowing warmth inside you. THAT's why gratitude is so important. :)

So, all that said, how do you maximize its cultivation? I'm on a quest to find that out. This is my challenge:


[Not gonna lie, there was definitely some resistance here--I would sit at my desk and my mind would go blank. So I made a shortlist last night, and I now have no excuse to not write one out.]

These daily extensions to loved ones will be coupled with writing in my gratitude journal every day. I'm so excited! How do YOU celebrate gratitude?

<3
Jen


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The 2-Year Itch

It's NEVER been this long since I've done a theatrical production, but here we are--it's been 2 whole years since my last full-length play. How is that possible!?

My itch has been acting up something terrible! I've been seeing some WONDERFUL shows ("Danny and the Deep Blue Sea", "Tender Napalm", "One Man, Two Guvnors"), and it makes me long to completely throw myself into the messy practice of rehearsal and character creation. I've had the best time working in so much film and TV--and doing a really solid show would be like actor yoga. :)

No sooner had I wished such a thing, when my dear friend tells me she's planning on producing a *killer* show in midtown this fall, and would I be interested?

How am I surrounded by all the right people?! <3

<3
Jen

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Medium Fish, Slightly Smaller Pond

Boy, that old adage holds true, even when the 'little pond' is NY!

In the *5* weeks I was in LA (which has certainly over double the work that NY does), I was called in for 1 audition. Even having met people, having established relationships beforehand, and seeing a lot of work that was a GREAT match for me--1 audition in 5 weeks!

I get home, and what happens? Within 24 hours, I'm called in for a new primetime episodic. Then, in only 2 weeks of being home, I'm called in for yet another, AND a lead in a studio film. In a place with half the work--3 auditions in 2 weeks.

NY, you might be the smaller pond, but you sure show me love like a big fish. <3

<3
Jen

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back Home in a NY Minute

I've now been home for just over a week! Boy, is it good to be back, and just in time--I wasn't on East coast soil for 24 hours when I got an audition for a new episodic. :)

I learned SO much while I was there, but moreover, I think I now have a bigger appreciation for NY--and how to take advantage of all the wonderful things we have here. :) I mean, aside from hikes and jogging around canyons. Look at how many fabulous film festivals and screenings and red carpet events we have here--time to tap those for what they're worth!

Coming home also made me SO grateful for all the wonderful things and people that I missed here--my wonderful husband, my best friend, my bunny, the GREENERY, the summer thunderstorms (I missed some of the best ones while I was away!), my entire closet of Lush--and, hey, even the humidity.

See all that green?! I really need that in my life--I can't get behind desert shrubbery. Just not my jam.

LA, you taught me so much, and I really liked you. Thanks for letting me visit, thanks for treating me well, and thanks for showing me how fun you could be. I promise I'll be back--even if I'm not a permanent resident!

(That said, exactly 1 week from my return, I went to Seaside Heights. My Jersey-o-Meter is once again full!)

<3
Jen

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

California, So Much to Plunder!

Hello, friends! :D

As of tomorrow, I will have been in LA for *4 weeks.*

What has a month done for me?
I know how to get around (it helps that I'm a human GPS). I know where neighborhoods are, generally, and what they're like! I know where all my contacts are--and I've visited their offices! I've met with NEARLY everyone I'd pledged to see while I was here, and I am so much darker than my idling shade of porcelain that it's alarming. AND I'm getting the creeping utz that I'd be much more comfortable out here than I'd previously imagined. ;)

I've done some REALLY fun LA things, too--my favorite movie in the history of time and space is THE BIG LEBOWSKI, and they do outdoor screenings of films at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Last weekend they screened the light of my life (read: Big Lebowski), and the lawn was FILLED with Little Lebowski Urban Achievers, Dude costumes and buckets of White Russians.

Me & Babster, Urban Achievers.

AAAAAAAAAAND: Since TBL is based upon a real Dude, guess who showed up?!

Jeff Dowd, the actual Dude.

I also took a pole dancing class here. It was A*W*E*S*O*M*E. Admittedly, I was reminded that I get motion sick very easily--but otherwise? Epically amazing, and it won't be the last of that in my life!

And I'm seeing movies that I've wanted to see--there are also plenty of opportunities to do that in NY, so I'm gonna get on some mailing lists--but here was a screening of Fat Kid Rules the World, Matthew Lillard's film which took SXSW by storm this year!

Ya herrrrrrd.


So that's all the fun stuff that I've been digging into! And there's much more to do--but I have a feeling that this is far from the last time I'll be out here in La-La-Land. :) After all--it's FRANNY's turn, soon!

What else do I need to see and do while I'm here?

<3
Jen

Monday, July 23, 2012

Hitting my West-Coast Stride!

I've now been in LA for 2 weeks--YAHOO!

What's happened since my last post?

5 workshops, my first LA premiere (PETUNIA, OutFest), catching up with a fair amount of my LA friends, LOTS of traveling and discovery and--as of yesterday--my very first audition out here! :D

Pelicans on a rock in Malibu!

I've been SO well-received out here, I'm really really pleased. I'm doing good work in front of people that I want to meet; I made my very first LA friend all by myself; I'm driving around enough to get familiar with the layout of the town, and I'm getting out and meeting people and seeing good work! It's clearer to me every single day that this was the EXACT right time to come out. :)

Cars like this are EVERYWHERE. I want one with wood paneling SO BADLY.

So what am I in love with? The cool night breezes, the flora--oh lord, the flora!, the Alice-in-Wonderland-eque trees everywhere, the integration of celebrities virtually everywhere you go (I've met a ton already), driving everywhere--yes, I know, I am a terrible New Yorker. But I really REALLY love to drive. And--of course--the PLETHORA of work. There's just so MUCH here, how can you not love it?

What do I not love? For one thing, these flowers.
They are super-gross and I squinch up my face every time I smell them.
(I do, however, love that there are purple and magenta flowers everywhere.)

I'm not sure I can see myself out here permanently, but it DOES make me ready to figure out the best way to be bicoastal--and I already have a bunch of great ideas and plans brewin'!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

I'm honestly so grateful to be out here with dear friends, doing good work and having fun--oh, and sunscreen. Very very grateful for sunscreen.

Director Ash Christian and his cast of PETUNIA at OutFest!

Here's hoping I have a great excuse to have an extended stay!

<3
Jen

Monday, July 9, 2012

Living it Up in La-La-Land

So excited to be writing this from a 3-hour time difference! :D

Let's go over the most important things I've learned during my stay thus far.

1. People aren't crazier here, they're just less afraid. Yeah, the crazies here are a LOT louder and prouder than they are in NY. In Manhattan, the lunatics are quiet--they keep to themselves and most of their mutterings are on a private level. Why? Probably because they don't want to get themselves killed. But here? Oh, Los Angeles loonies are WAY more comfortable being completely batshit. They will gladly share with you that they think the aliens are landing RIGHT NOW, MAN. And while it's really uncomfortable being around the raving, I guess the overall message is soothing--it's safe enough here that you're allowed to be crazy. ;)

2. LA works for YOU. In NY, you're either a city-dweller or you're not. Here, you don't like the urban metropolis? You need somewhere more peaceful and rural? Heck, they've got that. They've got LOTS of that. You can customize your LA living experience to basically live your dream life. Which is simultaneously amazing and terrifying.

3. Learning this city is like learning a state. It's SO big and spread-out that, to get the lay of the land, it requires loads of repeat trips to all corners. On the plus side, it always keeps things interesting, and it means road trips without ever really leaving home!

4. As a New Yorker, be prepared to sloooooow dowwwwwwn. They WEREN'T KIDDING. Egads! Not even the fast food is fast. :/ 5 minutes easily means 30 minutes; deadlines aren't that pressing, and people just aren't working that hard, in general. (Comparatively.) I was also told that, here, weekend and vacation boundaries were more respected than back in NY, where we workaholics are constantly on-call. It's totally maddening to expect speediness and efficiency here, and then 'get around to things.'

That said, I AM finding it beautiful and fascinating and enjoyable, and I'm starting to fall in love with this city little by little. Maybe bicoastal love. I do have an inkling that I'm on the right path, here. :)


Yup. That was actually my fortune on my first full day here. WINNING!

<3
Jen

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Well?!


As I was poring over whether or not to write a blog, I realized that I last left at a sort-of cliffhanger...did I get the role in NY, or am I going to LA?

My callback was great, but they decided to go a different way with the role. That said, I suppose I can now spill the beans that it was such a BIG audition because it was for The Public Theatre's production of Into The Woods for Shakespeare in the Park--and the role was for Little Red Ridinghood, one of my most cherished roles in musical theatre! *I* just love that I had a callback, and the gal who got the role is a BIG Broadway veteran--she's gonna kill it. :)

After I got that news, I decided to cement my plans there and then. I bought my ticket (yes, ticket--one-way) and started the preparations for leaving!

I have a half-packed bag on the floor, I need to mail myself a box of marketing/business products that will be too heavy for my luggage, I thiiiink I have notified all the appropriate people that I will be in town...it's a lot of work!

And I just realized that, taking my time writing, I'm avoiding that entirely. ;) HOORAY! Next blog will be from La-La-Land!

<3
Jen


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Gratitude

I'm about to go in for a super-wonderful callback today; if I get this role, it's another game-changing job for me. :) If I DON'T get this role...also a game-changer, since it means I'm going to LA!

I want to share with you the immense gratitude that's essential in all of our lives. Not only because it's wonderful to be grateful and full of joy about your life, but also because gratitude and fear cannot coexist. When you're in a place of gratefulness, you're no longer operating from the scared, resistant reptile brain that we all have--the one that keeps us shamed, that keeps us frightened, and that keeps us from reaching our full potential to experience joy and actualize our dreams.

Gratitude doesn't wonder--what if I suck? What if they hate me? What if I can't do this? Gratitude says I'm so blessed to be here and have this experience, so I'm going to cherish it and live it fully! Keeping a gratitude journal can definitely help in your cultivation of happiness--so here's my publicized gratitude journal for today!

I am so grateful and blessed for a loving support system of family and friends.
I am so grateful and blessed for a life of abundant work and fun and love.
I am so grateful and blessed for opportunities that I've dreamed of all my life.
I am so grateful and blessed to see my friends succeed, excel and actualize their dreams.
I am so grateful and blessed to share my joy and passion with the world, doing what I love to do.

:) I'm really, super-duper-extremely grateful for my path, whatever that is--staying in NY for some amazing theatre, or flying to LA and discovering what awaits me there! Whatever it is, my arms are open wide, welcoming it to me with love and joy and gratitude.

(If you're up for some more metaphysical goodies, check out my podcast Manifesting Mastermind, and give this a read--a report on the mass expansion of consciousness. Also, my friend's blog Heart in Paradise is BEAUTIFUL.)

Big love to you all!

<3
Jen

Monday, June 11, 2012

The Muppet Film! (Photos with Commentary)

Last week was the the shoot for our Muppet short! It went VERY well, and we had so much fun--and I was super-psyched to include my burgeoning Muppeteer friend, Kay Koch!

David Rysdahl and Kay Koch with Muppet, David! 

Monitor connected to the super-sweet RED Epic by DP, Axel!

David waiting for his close-up!

Muppets come with detachable mustaches, apparently! :D

Muppet snuggles!

Engaged and in love with a Muppet.
 

Oh yes, *I* get a Muppet, too! Isn't she fab? Meet Muppet Jen!

Getting the right look on the monitor--puppet up! :D

She knows I love her.

Kay with her creation!

So epically awesome! We had an amazing time. And though we mostly wrapped the Muppets that day, the next day wasn't a let-down, since David and I got to do some nice nitty-gritty scenes sans puppets. Overall, a fun film, a great group, and a dream come true!

<3
Jen

Monday, May 28, 2012

YES: Muppets, Here I Come!

Sooo....I booked that Muppet film! :D


My dearest dreams are being actualized with a fun director, a fantastically hilarious co-star, and HENSON-BRANDED MUPPETS.

Oh? What's that? MuppetS? Oh yeah, see--because, I get to act with a Muppet. I also get to be one.


I was gonna make this short, but I figure, why not give you all the details I possibly can?

As you have probably been able to divine, acting with Muppets has always been my #1 dream. After all, how could we better measure the success of actors in the '70s and '80s than if they had a cameo in a Muppet movie, or were guest starring on The Muppet Show?

Me and my ragtag bunch over at Manifesting Mastermind decided to challenge ourselves--we were going to see if we could manifest a miracle. Anything Henson related is always a hot topic on our podcast, so that energy was being funneled into the miraculous intentions. Within 2 days of our podcast, I was contacted by a Columbia director who's reached out to me a number of times (none of them have synched with my schedule until now). He says to me: Hey Jen, I'm making a movie about a man who is reincarnated as a Muppet, and I'd like for you to audition for the role of his girlfriend.

Thus, my miracle. :) I auditioned, was then called back, and finally got the news that I'd booked about a week ago. More ways it's a miracle? It's a long-form improv movie; my co-star is hilarious; not only does he become a Muppet, but SO DO I (as per the picture above). Oh--and my director is incorporating my fellow Masterminder Kay, who is a fledgling Muppeteer in the making (and that was HER miracle).

I feel SO delighted and fulfilled about all this! It's fun, it's with good people, and it's calling into my life something that I've dreamt of since I first saw Kermit. :D YES! More fun pictures and maybe even videos to come!

<3
Jen

Monday, May 21, 2012

My Anniversary!

As of tomorrow, I'll be married for a year! Holy smokes!


Things I learned:

-We're always on the same team. No matter how often he leaves his socks in the recliner, or how often I don't replace the trash bags.

-We weather tough stuff--and it's easier together.

-We really are each others' best friends. Aside from my ohmazing female best friend, who is basically my husband in chick form, he's my biffle.

-Learning to live as a unit is horrifyingly scary at first, then interesting and exciting, and finally a bonding experience.

More good tips for us for the years to come? Right here.

And what are we doing to celebrate? Going away for a few beautiful, peaceful, much-needed days! Tape the cans to the bumper, time for some R&R!

<3
Jen

Monday, May 14, 2012

Acting With Muppets? Check.

YUP! DID THAT!

And might do it some more, if my callback results in a booked film. :D I'm SO excited! My *biggest* dream ever has been to act with Muppets, and the opportunity to do so literally fell into my lap the day or two after my mastermind group suggested that we all attempt to manifest a miracle. Mine officially ROCKS!

If I book it, I may ask the director for my audition footage to keep, and at least share a few stills of me holding hands with, counseling and kissing a Muppet.

Yup. That happened.

<3
Jen

Friday, May 4, 2012

Filming BOARDWALK EMPIRE!

So, fun news, here--I booked BOARDWALK EMPIRE! I was cast last Friday, and we shot on Tuesday--super-quick!

Their team was FANTASTIC, and I worked with so many great people--including one of the sisters from THE FIGHTER, the eldest brother from ATONEMENT, and the wife of Broadway star Danny Burstein! And I had a superb surprise--turns out my role was bigger than I'd expected, which I found out when they handed me the sides that morning!

I wish I could share pictures or story or plot or anything of the sort, but of course, mum's the word. :) But it's Season 3! Yay!

<3
Jen

Friday, April 20, 2012

The Strands of Change

I haven't had a REAL haircut in 12 years. Not since I was 15 years old, storming into a salon and thinking I'd found the secret for eternal bounciness--loads and loads of layers!

"Start them at the tops of my ears!" I demanded. "Do as many as possible!" My stylist looked dubious at best, but she sure did what I'd requested. By the end I had a madly mobile SHAG with ridiculously short and plentiful layers. I thought I'd died--I was mortified at what I'd done to my head!

As it started to grow out, I was pleased to discover that (as my shag grew to normal lengths) it looked DARN good on me. It was fun, voluminous, easy to maintain...and I was pretty in love with it. If a hairstyle could echo a personality, that did it for me.



My hair grew out (like ya do), and as it did, I grew comfortable with length. I started putting it in fun little buns all over my head, with clips of astronauts and rockets. I had LONG hair for the first time, and for 12 years, every time I went to the stylist, it was always, "Just a trim, please."

"Just a trim."


"Just a trim."


"Just a trim."

"Just a trim."

You can see that I was rather attached to my long locks. But something has been pressing me to shake it up again; to get with a hairstyle that was more fun and versatile. So today, I went to my new stylist (by far the fanciest I've ever gone to), and I got it chopped the heck off. Shorter than I'd imagined, definitely--but I think it's good. :)


Some say time is cyclical. Clearly this is true--my shag is BACK, baby!

<3
Jen

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Finally: UNDISPUTED is streaming!

2 years ago, I filmed this flipping fantastic spec pilot with Black20 Studios for FOX--a pilot called UNDISPUTED, which is about the writers for the WWE/WWF. It's HILARIOUS, and I had such a marvelous time filming it!

I hadn't heard anything since, and assumed it was just buried in archives. However! Through the magic of the internet, I stumbled upon my episode, which is #3 in the series:


Yes, I am the frozen screenshot.

It's REALLY REALLY funny and so good--leading man Mike O'Gorman is so funny, and I know he's gonna blow up (in a good way). Oh, and this show stars real WWF/WWE wrestlers...like Mankind (Mick Foley), who has recently taken an affinity to comedy.

Enjoy! And there are more episodes here!

<3
Jen

Monday, April 2, 2012

"Are You In LA?!"

Nope. ;) (Huh. I suppose this post could end here, but--)

So, a LOT of people are excited and pleased with the way my career's moving along (Yay! Thank you!), and over and over again, I get, "Sooooo...when are you moving to LA?"

This is such a loaded question for a NY actor! Some actors never want LA to be in their scope, some were already there and prefer NY, many can't WAIT to get there.

Beloved Mayor Bloomberg just introduced 5 more sound studios to the city, and this has facilitated the first time NY actually trumps LA in drama pilots! That's pretty powerful. 2011 was a record high of 23 TV shows in NY, and I trust that 2012 will be even more. :) Not to mention, of course, that every lick of work I've done has been here--all the TV shows, the movies screening at prestigious festivals, everything has been NY-based. So anyone who says there's no work in NY is just plain wrong.

For me, though? Yeah, I think LA is the ultimate destination for me. Why? Because I want SITCOMS--and as of right now, La-La Land is Sitcom-land!

So what'll it take for you to get on a plane?

I have a strong gut feeling that work will be what gets me out there--that the work comes first, THEN I fly out. And if it's time for LA to be my home, I'll know it. :)

<3
Jen

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Best Inspiration Ever

For me, comes from TUT.com, where The Universe (God, however you relate to the Powers That Be) writes you a personalized note every morning to remind you of your job in this world.

If this all sounds a little ooey-gooey, well, that's because I've had an *extremly* ooey-gooey week, full of lots of spiritual enlightenment and a stronger connection to the universe than I've ever felt before. It's leading me to a peaceful, blissful meadow where I can trust that all the wonderful things that I see for myself will pan out exactly as they should, exactly on schedule. It's quite wonderful, and what's even MORE wonderful is that it's happening to myself and some very close friends all at once--almost like a movement!

So what is the best inspiration ever? I'd love to share it with you--it's one of my personalized notes.

Would it be enough to know, Jen (and you can know this through deductive reasoning), that long ago, when the two of us carefully mapped out your pending adventure into the jungles of time and space; the hills and valleys you would traverse; the setbacks and advances you would encounter; the good, the bad, and the ugly, and all of the lives you would touch; when our planning was done and the 'big picture' was revealed...

You burst into tears of joy, overwhelmed with its perfection and who you'd become.

Yeah, like a baby--
The Universe

Yeah, Jen, I'll never forget it, because I cried too.

I was so touched that I *did* indeed cry reading it, and was so convinced that I couldn't let one more day pass without seeing it that I printed it out, and it's now on the wall next to my computer.

I do hope it gave you just as much joy and butterflies as it gave me!

<3
Jen

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Official FRANNY pic!

Much of FRANNY is under wraps until later in the year, but here's a really solid shot that our production company (Ironclad Pictures) has released!



If this is indicative of how good the rest of the film looks (and I hear that it is!), we have such a killer movie on our hands. :)

My hopes are that FRANNY rounds out a year full of solid film success--KING KELLY's triumph at SXSW, JACK & DIANE's upcoming premiere at Tribeca (and distribution in June), and then...FRANNY at Sundance! 

<3
Jen



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

KING KELLY Rules SXSW!

I would love to be in Austin more than ANYTHING right now--not only to see a ton of amazing films, but also? My KING KELLY team is *killing it* over there right now; we're being called one of the must-see films of the festival, they've added screenings for us, and the feedback is pretty overwhelmingly great!

Here are the 3 most extensive online reviews:
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/film-festivals/sxsw-king-kelly-rhunt.php
http://blogs.indiewire.com/criticwire/sxsw-review-capsule-king-kelly
http://www.indiewire.com/article/sxsw-review-king-kelly-is-an-intense-found-footage-indictment-of-generation-me

SO proud of my film and team--and bonus? K5 bought international distribution rights! Booyah!

<3
Jen

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

JenPonTon at TriBeCa

I couldn't be more thrilled to share MORE cool, great news: 


My first film (the highly-anticipated Jack and Diane) is having its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this April!


Jack & Diane


We shot J+D in the summer of 2010, and since then, this quirky, supernatural love story has been in post-production. I had the pleasure of playing opposite Juno Temple, and getting to work with Broadway actor Blake Daniel and indie star Lou Taylor Pucci. And it was all run by a lovable, incredible director/producer husband-and-wife team!


J+D has been one of the most talked-about indie films over the last 2 years, and with good reason--it's going to be a GREAT story, a great melding of genres, and (what I understand) is an AWESOME use of SFX and animation!


So, the best part? I won't be at King Kelly's premiere at SXSW (unless my fairy godmother steps in with plane tickets), but I *can* make it to Tribeca with no problem--and wouldn't you know it?--I have a dress! ;)


<3
Jen