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