Ya we're gonna see a movie, starring everybody and me!

Day 38

Well, it actually happened. We started shooting scenes for "The Bard's Bane" today. And let me tell you, nothing makes me feel more like a fail actor then getting up in front of a camera. It's a completely different acting beast. And I realized that going in, but I guess I didn't know the true measure of it until we actually started acting.

We filmed a scene between my character, who is the secretary, and her boss, who owns the theatre. It was just a short, 2 1/2 pg scene, but it took us about 3 hours to film it. Grant it, we did have to basically create an office out of nothing, so that took a while. But there are so many little details that you have to take into consideration. You have to do the scene in sections, depending on camera angles and how much movement is involved in the scene. Then, on top of all that, you get to worry about your acting.

As I've said before, I'm a big, over-the-top actress, so toning stuff down is a little hard for me. I think I did a pretty good job after a while. I learned it's really all about being natural, but really thinking about everything that's going on. It's not like onstage where you can get away with just standing there and looking involved. The camera picks up eeeeeevvvvveeeeerrrrrrrryyyyyyyy little detail, so you can't half-ass your way through it. You have to be constantly listening and reacting. Which, you should probably being doing that in theatre too; but it's much easier to get away with not doing it.

I know I was probably really stiff at first because I had no idea what I was doing. I felt like I was in 7th grade again trying to get up onstage for the first time. But after we rehearsed a couple of times and did a couple of takes, I got more in the groove of everything. I'm interested to see how I look and sound on camera. I always hated watching myself on tape in dance recitals or past performance, so I bet this will be the same. I just pray that I don't suck hard core.

I want to be a part of it, New York, New York!

Day 37

Well, I am pleased to inform you that I, Christina Jones, am officially booked to fly out to NYC over Spring Break!

HUZZAH!!

This whole idea started in August, when me and a friend of mine were eating at Ruby Tequila's and I was in a horrible place in my life. We decided that we were either going to NYC over spring break or the study abroad program they have through the school. So we discussed it and decided to try for NYC because it would be cheaper. We both have been there before and done the touristy things...Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, etc. But neither of us had seen a lot of the shows. I've seen Wicked twice and The Lion King, but I really wanted the chance to see more. So, our trip is completely dedicated to seeing shows. We are theatre majors after all.

So, besides paying for flight and hotel, most of our money is going to tickets for Broadway musicals. So far, we plan to see Next to Normal, Hair, A Little Night Music, God of Carnage, Rock of Ages, and The Adams Family. Which means I have the chance to be in the same room as Angela Lansberry, Catherine Zeta Jones, Lucy Lui, Nathan Lane, Jeff Daniels, Bebe Neuworth, Alice Ripley....OMG to the max!!!

So, needless to say I'm super pumped about this trip. Now that we've booked and paid for the flight makes it official. It still doesn't seem real, though. It probably won't hit me until we get on a plane that I'm making one of my dreams come true...going to New York City and only seeing musicals. It is truly heaven on Earth for me. So, more details to come!

Tell us, where did we go right?

Day 36

I forgot to mention that I finally performed my character exercise for my principles II class on Wednesday. It was sort of a last minute deal, because we only had about 7 minutes left in the class, so he asked if anyone wanted to perform. I was in no way ready to go, just mindset wise, but my partner volunteered us to go. So we kind of half-assed our way through it. It was fine. We got through it and talked about it a bit before we were dismissed. Today we got to talk about it more in-depth.

I think I personally did very well with it. If I could have had more prep time with it, I could have dove a lot more into this guy's head. But I think with what I was given, I did a good job. My partner on the other hand...well, I won't go into that. I got a good critique from the class. They said they could see the thought process going on, that something was really bothering me. I've been working on that for me personally. I want to be onstage and for people to see the thought process going on rather than just a blank face. It gives the character more motivation. I also have been trying to go through those thought processes in my head while acting. I've gotten a lot better with it, but I know I still have a ways to go.

I really didn't get any negative critiques. I hate that. I want the bad critiques along with the good. I might have done some things that were good, but I know I did bad things too. I hate the fact that there are only a few people that will actually tell you if you sucked or something didn't work. My professor will sort of tell you, but not really full out. I'll go into more detail about this at a later date, I'm sure.

Is that my little squirrel...with the bushy tail....and little beady eyes...and the pointy whiskers? Yes, I suppose it is...

Day 35

Geez, I'm finally caught up. I've been bad with these lately, I apologize to all of 3 readers.

We just read "A Doll's House" for my theatre history class, and before we took notes our professor showed us this video. I find it hilarious, and wanted to share it with you.

It's the Magical Mr. Mistoffilies!

Day 34

I'm really excited about an new project coming up really soon. Like within the next month. Back last year in my principles of acting two class, our professor wanted to show us that we can use anything as a monologue, just as long as it's awesome. So he found this magazine at Walmart that was all about cats. A little question and answer section about cat problems. So we took the answers and created given circumstances for them and performed them for the class. It was hilarious. Some of the situations people came up with were so funny and creative. We joked around that we should do them all together, like The Vagina Monologues. We wanted to, but no one ever got behind it and organized it.

Now that dream is coming to life.

I wanted to do something for a type of fundraiser for APO for banquet. We will official funding next year, but this year they are planning a big banquet which we may not be able to afford. So, I thought this would be perfect for us. It's something that won't cost anything to put on and would be hilarious to watch and be involved in. I've taken over the reigns to get it going and organized and planned. I'm really excited. If I can get everything into place, it could be a really neat performance. I'll have to update about it if it actually does happen. And of course, pictures will be included :)

“The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.” - Robert M. Hutchins

Day 33

I had to write an essay for my education class about teaching, since I'm getting an education minor and taking education classes. One of the questions was about why I think my field of teaching is important to a student's education. It's probably not the best because I wrote it in like 5 min, but it's got some good ideas. Here's what I wrote:

I think my area of teaching (theatre) is one of the best areas to truly educate children. Theatre isn’t tested on through a state standardized test. I, as a teacher, am not required to teach to any test. That, more than anything, gives me the freedom to teach what I feel would be most beneficial to my students. Theatre encompasses so many different areas of education, it’s astounding. You learn about history, science, music, art, English, math, and many, many more subjects through plays. It also is culturally informative because you get the chance to learn about different societies and cultures that are portrayed through different plays. Theatre also prepares students for the real world. You learn how to work with others, manage your time, be confident in what you do, deal with deadlines, and so many other things all through working on a play. Theatre not only educates the mind, it also educates the soul. You get to observe human behavior at its purest form and try to recreate it on a stage. You get to feel empathy for the fallen hero or rage for the evil villain. And through portraying different characters and observing others, you learn a lot about yourself as a person. Being a teenager is challenging enough, but when you are involved in theatre, you are given that extra time during the day to learn more about yourself that you didn’t know through taking a test or studying for an exam. Theatre can play a crucial role in the education of children.

So, there's my two cents about that :)

I'm just a soul who's intentions are good...oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood

Day 32

I like people. I can deal with people of all personality types, usually. I'm patient and I don't have a bad temper, so I can deal with people. Angry people. Depressed people. People who don't have a clue. All kinds.

But, my dear friends, I cannot deal with people who don't care.


That is one of my pet peeves. You can be the biggest prick in the entire world (and I might get annoyed by that) but if you have a passion for what you are doing and try your hardest, then I can't fault you. I respect you for that. But if you don't have the drive, the passion, just the want to do something, then I don't want to deal with you.

The reason I say this is because I encountered a person like that today. I won't say the class because then it will be obvious who it was, so I'll just name this person Pat. I was partnered up with Pat for a certain activity that my class was doing. We were given instructions and then told to work on it. As soon as we were given time, Pat shut down and didn't say anything. Pat, apparently, wasn't engaged at all in the activity. Pat just wanted to leave. This infuriated me so much that I just shut down. I worked on what I needed to do in my head and wasn't worried about helping Pat at all. The fact that Pat didn't care about the class...I'm getting angry just thinking about.

This is my life and hopefully will be my career. I'm taking this class because I want to become a better actor and better understand the art of theatre. I know not everyone views it this way, but I would hope that if you are a declared theatre major or minor that you would give a rat's ass to some extent to learn about it and at least try. Why waste my time, the class's time, or even the professor's time? If you don't care, then don't show up. I just don't want to deal with people who don't care when I don't have to. I only have a year left here. I want to soak up every opportunity that I can. And I know I will be dealing with people like Pat for the rest of my life, but I wish they would just get a clue and stop wasting everyone's time!

*end of rant*