Another Chapter Coming To A Close

2014 has had some ups and downs, but in the end, I'm glad to have experienced everything that has happened.

Here are 14 things I have learned this year

1. I love acting and will continue to pursue my dream

2. If you want a friendship to work it takes two to communicate effectively 

3. Friendships can have an expiration date

4. I'm glad to have the friends I do have

5. I'm happy with where I am but continue to want to grow

6. It's ok to make mistakes

7. Crying isn't a weakness but when it happens it's never pretty, however very therapeutic

8. I want to see the world and thankfully I've renewed my passport to do so

9. Being a responsible adult may not always be fun but it's a necessary evil to overcome

10. My personal life is personal but I enjoy telling my story...within limits

11. Working the overnight life is a lot easier than some other jobs that some people have

12. I enjoy turning off all electronics on my day off when I go to bed

13. Braces have made improved my teeth but I miss smiling

14. 2015 will be a great year of new adventures!

Cheers and I'll post tomorrow of my resolutions!

=]

Opportunities Abound

It's a new month and I'm really excited because I've just been working hard to pursue what I love and it's slowly coming together.

I'm part of an AMAZING organization, the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and this year I've finally paid my dues (literally) to become a professional member. I had been a part of the organization through the International Thespian Society as a Junior Thespian (Troupe #88331) and Thespian (#Troupe 6513). Now living in New York, I've been asked by the Chapter Directors of the state to be the new Student Thespian Officer (STO) Coordinator. Which I was thrilled to have been asked and honored to have been consider. I of course humbly accepted and now I'm getting to work with a great group of kids. Though I'm still relatively new to the role, I have plenty of leadership experience and hope that I can make an impact.

Also with the organization, since the National Festival, held every year at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, I've been making a push to reach out to other state festivals/conferences to help out. I'm happy to say that I'll be getting to go to the Georgia Thespian Conference in February to teach Beginning Hip Hop. I'm really excited for the opportunity and it'll be my first time visiting the GA Thespian Conference. Hopefully this will be the beginning of more to come! Here's a link of me dancing during a Hip Hop Class at Alvin Ailey taught by David Terry to see my moves.

I also had the privilege last month to help out with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids annual Flea Market. It was great getting to be a part of the event and help out! So many theatre goers at the event supporting the cause! Here's a pic from the event, where I was at the EdTA table along with this year's International Thespian Officers (ITO)

Last month I made my debut on a New York Theatre at The Flea Theatre performing in #serials@theflea in a show called, "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dragon," by A.J. Ditty. The best part of doing it was the show was selected to come back this month and I'll get to perform with it (hopefully) in two weeks. It just needs to survive this next week and I have a good feeling it will! The writing and the cast has been great! Plus the audience has been very receptive and loving it! However it will have to place in the top three against four other shows!

I've also been cast in another Flea Production in The Cutthroat Series: Grand Guignol Duels - Night Terrors in the show "The Blind." I'm excited for another great opportunity with this theatre community. I look forward to the rehearsals and the experience! 

Besides my theatre involvements, I've finished another year of blogging as a freelance writer for CBS Detroit for the show Big Brother. Now that it's been announced for two more season, only continues to fuel my desire to be on the show! But I'm thankful for the opportunity that I've had to write and even though I'm not getting paid for it, I'm doing it for the experience. Plus the byline isn't so bad as well as the exposure I've gotten. I love reading the comments (both positive, negative and random) as well as emails from fans of the show. I get into weekly conversations with a friend of mine who now lives in Canada about the show! Check out all my articles on CBS Detroit!

My job has been good too! I've been giving the opportunity to train the new hires as they start with the company. It's always great being able to mentor and resource for my new co-workers. Plus I'm thankful my job has been able to work with my passions of acting and be able to have a "survival job" and do what I love. 

This weekend I head back to Michigan (or home you could say) to be the photographer for a friend's wedding. I am honored and excited for this opportunity. This will be my third wedding I'll be photographing. I'm just hoping the rain won't be an issue as this will be my first outdoor wedding I'll be doing, but rain or shine I will be capturing the moments! I look forward to the challenge!

One Year in NYC

I've officially lived in NYC for one year now and it's been nothing but an adventure to say the least. Learned a lot about myself and I continue to learn and grow as a person. Friends have come and gone but the memories are still intact. I only had to move once while in the city, though even once was enough. My roommates are great even though I'm barely around the apartment. I try and explore the city as much as I can. I've gone to multiple dance classes and continue to audition.

Today being my one year I also am performing tonight in a show! I'm so thankful for the opportunity and experiences! I've made some new contacts and new friends from it!

I can't wait to see what this upcoming year has in store!

=]

Big Brother Season 16

If you haven't already known...
I didn't get cast but I am continuing to write about the reality tv show Big Brother for CBS Detroit 62 as a freelance writer!

Check out my entries for this season by selecting the tab at the top!

Do it!

=]

Tonys 2014 Predictions

Just like when I (miserably) put my predictions for the Oscars, I'm doing it again but this time for the Tonys! 

I have the great opportunity to be in the city, however not fortunate to be in Radio City Music Hall. But I will be with friends and watching it at a viewing party!

We'll see how I fare this time around with these predictions, let's hope better than the Oscars...

These predictions are completely guesses and I had to do some research on some of the shows since I haven't seen all of them. 

Best Play

Act One 

All The Way

Casa Valentina

Mothers and Sons

Outside Mullingar

I predict: All The Way

Best Musical

After Midnight

Aladdin

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

I predict: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Best Revival of a Play

The Cripple of Inishmaan

The Glass Menagerie

A Raisin in the Sun

Twelfth Night

I predict: Twelfth Night

Best Revival of a Musical

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Les Misérables

Violet

I predict: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Book of a Musical

Aladdin (Chad Beguelin)

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Douglas McGrath)

Bullets Over Broadway (Woody Allen)

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Robert L. Freedman)

I predict: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Robert L. Freedman)

Best Original Score

Aladdin (Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Time Rice and Chad Begeulin)

The Bridges of Madison County (Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown)

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Music by Steven Lutvak; Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak)

If/Then (Music by Tom Kidd; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey)

I predict: The Bridges of Madison County (Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown)

Best Actor in a Play

Samuel Barnett, Twelfth Night

Bryan Cranston, All The Way

Chris O'Dowd, Of Mice and Men

Mark Rylance, Richard III

Tony Shalhoub, Act One

I predict: Bryan Cranston, All The Way

Best Actress in a Play

Tyne Daly, Mothers and Sons

LaTanya Richardson Jackson, A Raisin in the Sun

Cherry Jones, The Glass Menagerie

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

I predict: Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Best Actor in a Musical

Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Ramin Karmloo, Les Misérables

Andy Karl, Rocky

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Bryce Pinkham, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

I predict: Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Actress in a Musical

Mary Bridget Davies,  A Night with Janis Joplin

Sutton Foster, Violet

Idina Menzel Adele Dazeem, If/Then

Jessie Mueller, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Kelli O'Hara, The Bridges of Madison County

I predict: Jessie Mueller, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Best Featured Actor in a Play

Reed Birney, Casa Valentina

Paul Chahidi, Twelfth Night

Stephen Fry, Twelfth Night

Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night

Brian J. Smith, The Glass Menagerie

I predict: Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night

Best Featured Actress in a Play

Sarah Greene, The Cripple of Inishmaan

Celia Keenan-Bolger, The Glass Menagerie

Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in the Sun

Anika Noni Rose, A Raisin in the Sun

Mare Winningham, Casa Valentina

I predict: Celia Keenan-Bolger, The Glass Menagerie

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

Danny Burstein, Cabaret

Nick Cordero, Bullets Over Broadway

Joshua Henry, Violet

James Monroe Inglehart, Aladdin

Jarrod Spector, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

I predict: James Monroe Inglehart, Aladdin

Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Linda Emond, Cabaret

Lena Hall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Anika Larsen, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Adriane Lenox, After Midnight

Lauren Worsham, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

I predict: Linda Emond, Cabaret

Best Direction in a Play

Tim Carroll, Twelfth Night

Michael Grandage, The Cripple of Inishmaan

Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun

John Tiffany, The Glass Menagerie

I predict: Tim Carroll, Twelfth Night

Best Direction in a Musical

Warren Carlyle, After Midnight

Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Leigh Silverman, Violet

Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

I predict: Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Best Choreography

Warren Carlyle, After Midnight

Steven Hoggett & Kelly Devine, Rocky

Casey Nicholaw, Aladdin

Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway

I predict: Warren Carlyle, After Midnight

Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Bullets Over Broadway

Jason Robert Brown, The Bridges of Madison County

Steve Sidwell, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Jonathan Tunick, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

I predict: Jonathan Tunick, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Best Scenic Design in a Play

Beowulf Boritt, Act One

Bob Crowley, The Glass Menagerie

Es Devlin, Machinal

Christopher Oram, The Cripple of Inishmaan

I predict: Beowulf Boritt, Act One

Best Scenic Design in a Musical

Christopher Barreca, Rocky

Julian Crouch, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Alexander Dodge, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Santo Loquasto, Bullets Over Broadway

I predict: Christopher Barreca, Rocky

Best Costume Design in a Play

Jane Greenwood, Act One

Michael Krass, Machinal

Rita Ryack, Casa Valentina

Jenny Tiramani, Twelfth Night

I predict: Jenny Tiramani, Twelfth Night

Best Costume Design in a Muscial

Linda Cho, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

William Ivey Long, Bullets Over Broadway

Arianne Phillips, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Isabel Toledo, After Midnight

I predict: Linda Cho, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Best Lighting Design in a Play

Paule Constable, The Cripple of Inishmaan

Jane Cox, Machinal

Natasha Katz, The Class Menagerie

Japhy Weideman, Of Mice and Men

I predict: Natasha Katz, The Class Menagerie

Best Lighting Design in a Musical

Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Christopher Akerlind, Rocky

Howell Binkley, After Midnight

Donald Holder, The Bridges of Madison County

I predict: Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Sound Design in a Play

Alex Maranowski, The Cripple of Inishmaan

Steve Canyon Kennedy, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Dan Moses Schreier, Act One

Matt Tierney, Machinal

I predict: Steve Canyon Kennedy, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Best Sound Design in a Muscial

Peter Hylenski, After Midnight

Tim O'Heir, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Mick Potter, Les Misérables

Brian Ronan, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

I predict; Brian Ronan, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

In Flight Recap

After my Oscars predictions, I pretty much fell off the from blogging, not because I didn't want to, but because I just didn't. But I'll try and recap what has happened since then...

March: 

My Grandlittle and very good friend came to visit as well as perform in his senior showcase in NYC. It was great to see him and know that I'll have another friend coming to the city! We also caught "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder," which is nominated for 10 awards! Fun fact a former professor is a part of the talented group and it's great to see this show doing well. If you get the chance to see it, you should!

While my GrandLittle was visiting, a friend from Michigan was also in town for a conference and I was able to catch up with her.

I also auditioned for a Broadway show that featured a hip hop dance audition, which was interesting because the musical typically doesn't have hip hop in it. The audition was so much fun and it got me really addicted to the song they used for the piece.

Since I attended nine of the same theatre festival, I have made countless friends and I had the great opportunity to catch up with a one of them. It had been over seven years since we last met up.

April:

On the 1st of April, which is also known as April Fools, I entered the Book of Mormon lottery for NY residents, to win discounted tickets for the following day's performance. To my luck I had won, which I thought was first a prank, but turned out to be a great surprise! I was able to go and bring a friend to the show. It was also my friend's first Broadway musical and they and definitely enjoyed it!

I decided on a whim to go and visit my friend in DC to see the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was my first time in DC and I had a great time! I even got to catch up with my Senior RA from my first year at my university as well as another friend. 

For Easter I was able to spend some time with family and meet some new relatives in the same process. With work my schedule, I now have the weekend off, so I was able to catch up with family and friends who normally work a 9-5/Mon-Friday job. 

Went to the New York International Auto Show with some co-workers from work. I had mentioned to some that I really wanted to go and it would be my first time going in the City. I have gone to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but wanted to see what NY had to offer. There were definitely some similarities as well as differences. Also was a great opportunity to hang out with co-workers outside of work and make new friends!

That's pretty much what has been happening, it doesn't seem like much but after writing it all down, I can say I've kept myself busy and look forward to this month as well as what the rest of the year brings.

Oh and I also started the process of straightening my teeth, meaning I got braces. I have overcrowding in my teeth as well as an interesting bite. So I finally made the decision to get them fixed. Definitely worth the investment and luckily I'll have them off in two years. Though definitely changes the types of roles I'll go for, but again will be worth it in the long run. I'm thankful to have a job that has a good dental plan and I'm able to make this investment affordable.

I'm currently on my way back to my Alma Mater to wish one of my Little, GrandLittle, fraternity brothers and friends the best as they graduate today and tomorrow! 

(Hopefully I'll be able to add more pictures later)

=]

My 2014 Oscar Predictions

Just for fun, I'll post my prediction of this year's 2014 oscars. Then we'll see how well I do too! In all seriousness I've seen a handful of these and in no way am I giving my expert advice on these choices.

Best Picture
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
12 Years A Slave

Should Win: 12 Years A Slave
Will probably win: American Hustle
Why?: Saw American Hustle, it was good, but I've heard nothing but great things about 12 Years A Slave, but again I'm no expert.

Best Actor
Christian Bale - American Hustle
Bruce Dern  - Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio - Wolf Of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years A Slave
Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

Should Win: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Will probably win: Leonardo DiCaprio
Why?: Apparently the movie was good, also he's been nominated plenty of times and has yet to win, isn't it time to give him a win?

Best Supporting Actor
Barkhad Abdi - Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper - American Hustle
Michael Fassbender - 12 Years A Slave
Jonah Hill - Wolf Of Wall Street
Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

Should Win: Jonah Hill
Will probably win: Jared Leto
Why?: He's a rockstar turned actor and his acting in the movie was apparently really good.

Best Actress
Amy Adams - American Hustle
Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock - Gravity
Judi Dench - Philomena
Meryl Streep - August: Osage County

My personal want to Win: Meryl Streep (I'm bias, because I love her work and she's MERYL FREAKING STREEP)
Should Win: Amy Adams
Will probably win: Cate Blanchett
Why?: Because apparently if you star in a film by Woody Allen, most likely you win an Oscar...but the competition for the ladies this year are FIERCE...lol

Best Supporting Actress
Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts - August: Osage County
June Squibb - Nebraska

Should Win: Lupita Nyong'o
Will probably win: Jennifer Lawrence
Why?: Because Katniss Everdeen never loses...lol

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Ernest & Celestine
Frozen
The Wind Rises

Should and will win: Frozen
Why?: "Let it go," "Do you want to build a snowman," broadway singers Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, and Olaf the Snoman!

Achievement in Cinematography

Philippe Le Sourd - The Grandmaster
Emmanuel Lubezki - Gravity
Bruno Delbonnel - Inside Llewyn Davis
Phedon Papamichael - Nebraska
Roger A. Deakins - Prisoners

Should Win: IDK
Will Win: Phedon Papamichael
Why?: Only movie I saw and enjoyed it

Achievement in Costume Design

Michael Wilkinson - American Hustle
William Chang Suk Ping - The Grandmaster
Catherine Martin - The Great Gatsby
Michael O’Connor - The Invisible Woman
Patricia Norris - 12 Years A Slave

Should Win: IDK
Will Win: William Chang Suk Ping
Why?: Costumes looked cool I guess...idk

Achievement in Directing aka Best Director
David O. Russell - American Hustle
Alfonso Cuarón - Gravity
Alexander Payne - Nebraska
Steve McQueen - 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese - Wolf Of Wall Street

Should Win: Steve McQueen
Will probably win: Alfonso Cuarón
Why?: He's apparently a front runner...so why not, plus it's a movie set in space, imagine having to literally direct that film. Luckily it's all done thanks to special effects and tons of strings on the actors.

Best Documentary Feature

Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen - The Act of Killing
Zachary Heinzerling and Lydia Dean Pilcher - Cutie & The Boxer
Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill - Dirty Wars
Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer - The Square
Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen and Caitrin Rogers - 20 Feet From Stardom 

Should Win: IDK
Will probably win: ?!?!?
Why?: Your guess is good as mine...Let's just say the The Act of Killing will win...it sounds uplifting (sarcasm)

Best Documentary Short Subject

Jeffrey Karoff - Cavedigger
Jason Cohen - Facing Fear
Sara Ishaq - Karama Has No Walls
Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed - The Lady In Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Edgar Barens - Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

Should Win: IDK
Will probably win: ?!?
Why?: Yeah again, your guess is as a good as mine....I'll say Facing Fear, no reason...

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers and Alan Baumgarten - American Hustle
Christopher Rouse - Captain Phillips
John Mac McMurphy and Martin Pensa - Dallas Buyers Club
Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger - Gravity
Joe Walker - 12 Years A Slave

Should Win: IDK
Will Probably Win: Alfonso Cuarón & Mark Sanger
Why?: You try editing a movie about space and trying to survive in zero gravity with the possibility plummeting to Earth or forever lost in space. There's probably a lot of footage that had to be cut...(sarcasm)

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Belgium - The Broken Circle Breakdown
Italy - The Great Beauty
Denmark - The Hunt
Cambodia - The Missing Picture
Palestine - Omar

Should Win: IDK
Will Probably Win: ?!?!
Why?: The Hunt, because it sounds like a fun game that I want to watch as a movie (sarcasm)

Achievement in Make Up and Hairstyling

Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews - Dallas Buyers Club
Stephen Prouty - Jackass Present: Bad Grandpa
Joel Harlow and Gloria Pasqua-Casny - The Lone Ranger

Should Win: Adruitha Lee & Robin Mathews
Will Probably Win: Stephen Prouty
Why?: Wouldn't it be great if an MTV movie won? Plus surprised it even got nominated, though the make up work and hairstyling was definitely on point.

Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Best Original Score)

John Williams - The Book Thief
Steven Price - Gravity
William Butler and Owen Pallett - Her
Alexandre Desplat - Philomena
Thomas Newman - Saving Mr. Banks

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Best Original Song)

"Happy" - Despicable Me 2 (Music and Lyric by Pharrell Williams)

"Let It Go" - Frozen (Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez)
"The Moon Song" - Her (Music by Karen O; Lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze)
"Ordinary Love" - Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (Music by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen; Lyric by Paul Hewson)

Should and Will Win: "Let It Go," from Frozen
Why?: If you have not heard this song, you must literally be living under a rock. Plus it shall be performed tonight by Idina Menzel! It's going to win, it's like Adele for "Skyfall." It's a no brainer, just saying.

Achievement in Production Design

American Hustle (Production Design - Judy Becker; Set Decoration - Heather Loeffler)
Gravity (Production Design - Andy Nicholson; Set Decoration: Rosie Goodwin and Joanne Woollard)
The Great Gatsby (Production Design - Catherine Martin; Set Decoration - Beverley Dunn)
Her (Production Design - K.K. Barrett; Set Decoration - Gene Serdena)
12 Years A Slave (Production Design - Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration - Alice Baker)

Should Win: IDK
Will Win: !?!?
Why?: Gravity, because thinking of the set design for space must have been very difficult as well as the set decorating (sarcasm)

Best Animated Short

Daniel Sousa and Dan Golden - Feral
Lauren MacMullan and Dorothy McKim - Get A Horse!
Laurent Witz and Alexandre Espigares - Mr. Hublot
Shuhei Morita - Possessions
Max Lang and Jan Lachauer - Room On The Broom

Should win: IDK
Will Win: !?!
Why?: Because Feral just sounds so pleasant (sarcasm)

Best Live Action Short Film
Esteban Crespo - Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
Xavier Legrand and Alexandre Gavras - Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson - Helium
pitÄÄkÖ mun kAikki HoitAA? (Do i HAve to tAke cAre of everytHinG?)
Selma Vilhunen and Kirsikka Saari - Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have To Take Care Of Everything?)
Mark Gill and Baldwin Li - The Voorman Problem

Should Win?: IDK
Will probably win: ?!?!?!
Why?: Because what problems does a "Voorman" have?

Achievement in Sound Editing
Steve Boeddeker and Richard Hymns - All Is Lost
Oliver Tarney - Captain Phillips
Glenn Freemantle - Gravity
Brent Burge - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Wylie Stateman - Lone Survivor

Should Win: IDK
Will probably win: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Why?: It's LOTR, duh!

Achievement in Sound Mixing
Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith and Chris Munro - Captain Phillips
Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro - Gravity
Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Michael Semanick and Tony Johnson - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Skip Lievsay, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland - Inside Llewyn Davis
Andy Koyama, Beau Borders and David Brownlow - Lone Survivor

Should Win: IDK
Will probably win: ?!?!
Why?: Because I wonder how you mix sound from Inside Llewn Davis (sarcasm)

Achievement in Visual Effects
Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk and Neil Corbould - Gravity
Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and Eric Reynolds - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Erik Nash and Dan Sudick - Iron Man 3
Tim Alexander, Gary Brozenich, Edson Williams and John Frazier - The Lone Ranger
Roger Guyett, Patrick Tubach, Ben Grossmann and Burt Dalton - Star Trek Into Darkenss

Should Win: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Will Probably Win: Gravity
Why?: I mean space looked almost real, from what I heard from watchers of this film.

Adapted Screenplay
Before Midnight (Written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke)
Captain Phillips (Screenplay by Billy Ray)
Philomena (Screenplay by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope)
12 Years A Slave (Screenplay by John Ridle)
The Wolf Of Wall Street (Screenplay by Terence Winter)

Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
Will Probably Win: The Wolf Of Wall Street
Why?: Hollywood likes corruption financial movies, I guess...

Original Screenplay
American Hustle (Written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell)
Blue Jasmine (Written by Woody Allen)
Dallas Buyers Club (Written by Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack)
Her (Written by Spike Jonze)
Nebraska (Written by Bob Nelson)\

Should Win: IDK
Will Probably Win: Blue Jasmine
Why?: Apparently it's that good.

-------------------

Keep up with my twitter to see the updates for tonight!
Twitter follow me: @whoismarkdrum

A Much Needed Vacation

So last month when I went to my friend's wedding, their family asked if I had any vacation time next month to join them in Florida. Luckily I did have some vacation time from work and planned to go on vacation!

Two weeks ago I had the amazing time of going to Florida with my friends and their family. As much as I love NYC, it's really nice to get away from the fast pace and just relax. Which I can definitely say was needed.

I arrived to much warmer temperatures and in open arms! What the vacation taught me was that I am pursuing a lifelong dream, that it's nice to just take a step back and enjoy life. That's exactly what I did during the vacation! I was spending time with friends and not having to think about work or NYC for a week. It was such a blast!

While on vacation I even got to see my Grand Little, who I haven't seen in two years, since him and his family moved to Florida! It was great to catch up with him and his girlfriend.

Below are some pics from that week! I went to the Universal Studios theme parks and Disney World, specifically Magic Kingdom and Epcot! Took a day trip to Cocoa Beach, which a good friend of mine just moved from to NYC and luck would have it was visiting while I was there.

Enjoying a Butterbeer in Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Island of Adventures

With Sideshow Bob and Krusty the Clown outside of Kwik-E-Mart in The Simpsons at Universal Studios Theme Park

Awaiting to go into Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom

At Walt Disney World Epcot meeting Duffy the Bear

In front of the Epcot Ball at Walt Disney World

At Cocoa Beach, FL

With my Grand Little

-----------------

Now I've been back in the city reenergized and ready to continue to pursue my dreams!

=]

Auditions in NYC

So there was one resolution that I know I should have included, but I see this as more of a life goal than just a year resolution. You could honestly say that resolutions shouldn't just be a yearly thing but a lifelong betterment of oneself right?!

Anyways a goal of mine is to work on Broadway and be hopefully one day (sooner rather than later) be part of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Now there was a really great article I just found from Backstage that explains how to join AEA.

Then there is another caveat, trying to find out the auditions.

With social media I feel like it should be easier right? WRONG! I look at the linsk and some are for different states or they're looking for "EQUITY/AEA" members and/or I just don't fit what they're casting for.

A friend of mine has said they've even still submitted their stuff for shows that call for EQUITY people only. However for me, I feel like that's some sort of taboo or they'll just throw it out the pile when they see my resume and it doesn't say I'm a EQUITY person or even an EMC (Equity Membership Candidate).

Which then lies the issue of auditions. Do I do what my friend does and submit my headshot/resume too? Do I sacrifice my time to wait in the lines with everyone else who may not be union and give it a shot?

My inner child voice says, "YES!"
But the logical adult voice says, "No!"

And I feel conflicted. However it's a new year and I know I can't get a role without auditioning or even just getting a chance to show my stuff.

I'm just rambling....
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tl;dr
I want to be a Professional Actor that is a part of AEA & SAG-AFTRA. Auditions stress me out. I will be auditioning for anything and everything I can. New Year, New Opportunities!

=]

A New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Although the last day of 2013 ended on a sour note, I'm feeling optimistic and positive about this year! Even though it's just another day, it's a new year and with a new year resolutions!

Last Year's Resolutions (& If I stuck to it):
1. Blog every day - whether it be a short or long or somewhere in between I shall blog. This will help me just look back at the day and to reflect. Plus I enjoy just rambling and a story usually ensues.
Now I definitely tried for the first few months but it just inevitably didn't last. 

2. Work Out  - Generic yes, but I shall stick with it. I did good the past few months so I'm going to continue with it. Luckily I am able to go to a gym that's near my work and where I live so I can't really complain about not having time when the gym is right there. Also when it gets warmer running outside
I had a good routine for a while, fell off then got back on but then fell off. 

3. Find someone - Let's be honest we all want to be in a relationship so I think this year will be a good year. Granted I've to stick myself out their and just go for it so we'll see how this one goes.
Tried, didn't happen.

4. Continue to pay debt - We all have bills and this isn't going away until it's all paid for. So good resolution right?!?
I actually did and still have debt but it's getting less!

5. Positivity - End the day on a good note as well as start the day with the expectation that it will be a good day. Trying not to let the negative get me down or stress me out.
I actually did this too! 
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What I learned from these resolutions, some were very overly ambitious but with a tweak or two here are my resolutions this year:

1. Continue to pay off debt - Since I deferred my student loan debt for a few months, I've increased some amount but it's not going to stop me from getting my debt paid off!

2. Positivity - Even though I don't acknowledge this everyday, I know that this has been a good resolution and nobody likes negative people, right? Right!

3. Be Healthy & Fit - Instead of committing to work out, I just want to be healthy and fit! So going to the gym will definitely be a part of this resolution but it's about feeling good about myself physically. 

4. Find someone - They're out there somewhere and it'll only happen if I just let it happen. So we'll again see how this year will go!

5. Blog when I want - I won't say everyday but when I want. If I feel inspired to blog I'll blog, but I'm not going to force myself to do it when I may just not feel like doing it. Blogging for me is a great way for me to express my thoughts and opinions. 

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Again Happy New Year!