Rúnda

2011-11-24T14:37:00.002-05:00

Tons of press for Kid Shamrock, opening tomorrow!

Hey all,

In addition to the links below, we also have segments on the MSG Network and BBC America coming out in the next week. On a roll, baby! For tickets, go here... Buy Tickets!

ESPN

Saddoboxing.com

Levittownpatch

Press conference with interviews

Boxing.com

Chelseanow.com

2011-11-14T00:53:00.002-05:00

Winner Take All Productions

presents

KID SHAMROCK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 11, 2011, New York City -- The acclaimed Off Broadway production KID SHAMROCK returns with an exclusive run of 10 performances at the TADA Theater from Friday, November 25 to Sunday December 4. The heart-wrenching and inspiring true story of middleweight contender "Irish" Bobby Cassidy will be directed by former WBO heavyweight champion of the world, Michael Bentt.

"KID SHAMROCK rocks, rolls and provides a raw slice of what we think it is to be a fighter," said Bentt. "A fighter intuits that after every congratulatory pat on the back, (literal or metaphorical) a shot, or a punch delivered from the blind side awaits. It's the nature of the game and the nature of life; It takes maniacal and monumental courage to endure and get up every morning, which is why the storytelling in KID SHAMROCK is truly transcending."

Examining the depths of a fighter's soul and celebrating the proud tradition of the sweet science, KID SHAMROCK provides a rare glimpse into the mindset of the fighter. And providing that glimpse are fighters themselves. The cast is replete with former boxers, including John Duddy, Seamus McDonagh, Wayne Kelly and Cassidy himself.

"These fighters have shown a tremendous amount of heart inside the ring," said executive producer David Schuster. "Guess what? They display the same heart and courage on the stage. The fighters, the actors, they lay it on the line every night."

The cast is anchored by veteran actor Vinny Vella (The Sopranos, Casino), the show-stealing Patrick Joseph Connolly, the explosive Nick Roman and the heartbreaking Shannon Lower.

Each performance provides a message of perseverance and hope. As such, the cast and crew of KID SHAMROCK would like to extend a sincere thank you to Maxim Group LLC for sponsoring an evening in which tickets will be given away exclusively to teenage fighters from boxing gyms in the New York area. We applaud Maxim Group's desire to expose young men and women to such important life lessons played out on the stage.

Praise for KID SHAMROCK:

"The boxing scenes may well be the best-choreographed fight action ever seen on a New York stage, on or off-Broadway," -- George Kimball, The Irish Times

"Kid Shamrock packs a punch," -- The Irish Voice

"For boxing, today it's Off Broadway, tomorrow Broadway!" -- New York Daily News

"Poignant ... superbly written," -- Brian Doogan, The Ring Magazine.

For more information:
Email Kidshamrockplay@gmail.com or call Gary D. Morgan 646-772-8704

Twitter: @KidShamrockplay

Facebook.com/KidShamrock

Tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets ::: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/208529
For tickets by phone call: 1-800-838-3006 in the U.S, in the UK call 0800 411 8881, in Europe and the rest of the world call +44 122 444 3375. Tickets are $40.

The Play will be performed at:
The TADA Theater:
15 West 28th Street
NY, NY 10001
(Between Broadway and 5th)

The Cast

John Duddy - The recently retired middleweight contender had a 29-2 (18 knockouts) as a professional boxer. Among his victories, John has wins over former IBF world champion Yuri Campas and former European champion Howard Eastman. As an amateur fighter, The Derry Destroyer notched over 100 wins and was national champion of Ireland. Immensely popular in New York City and Ireland, Duddy's fights were social events not to be missed by the boxing crowd. Upon his retirement from the ring, John turned to acting and scored a role in the critically acclaimed television series, "Lights Out." John also calls fights for the BBC and the MSG Network. He was voted one of Ireland's 10 Most Beautiful People.

Seamus McDonagh - A former New York Golden Gloves champion, Seamus turned pro and became a cruiserweight and heavyweight contender while fighting regularly at Madison Square Garden. In 1990, he fought Evander Holyfield for the United States heavyweight title on HBO. The St. John's graduate has a long list of acting credits. He has appeared in the films "2by4" (Sundance Film Festival) and "The Shankill Road," and "Whatever Happened to Rocky Sullivan." He also appeared Off Broadway in, "Bobby Sands' M.P."

Vinny Vella - A veteran actor and New York City institution, Vinny is most famous for his role of Jimmy Petrille on HBO's emmy-winning series, "The Sopranos." He also played Artie Piscano, in the Martin Scorcese-directed film, "Casino." Among Vinny's other film credits are, "Kill the Irishman," "Find Me Guilty," "Analyze That" and "This Thing of Ours."

Patrick Joseph Connolly - His film credits include, "Gardener of Eden," which premiered at the TriBeCa Film Festival, was directed by Kevin Connolly and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. He also appeared as the truck driver in the final scene of the final eposide of the HBO hit series, "The Sopranos." His stage credits include, "Prisoner of Second Avenue," and "A Letter from Ethyl Kennedy."

Bobby Cassidy - Bobby fought from 1963 to 1980 and the southpaw was world-rated in the junior middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. In 1975, he was ranked number one in the world as a light heavyweight by the WBC. As a trainer, Bobby led two fighters to the world title, Donny Lalonde and Lonnie Bradley. As an actor, Cassidy has appeared in three films, "Rocky", "Uncle Joe Shannon" and "This Thing of Ours".

Mark Breland - One of the most decorated amateur fighters in history, Mark compiled a 110-1 record. He won a record five New York Golden Gloves titles, a gold medal at the World Championships and a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. As a pro, Mark is a two-time world welterweight champion. His movie credits include featured roles in "Lords of Discipline," "Summer of Sam," and "He Got Game." On the small screen, he has appeared in "Miami Vice." Mark is also a boxer trainer who has worked with numerous fighters.

Wayne Kelly - A former pro fighter and longtime sparring partner of Bobby Cassidy, Kelly is now a world-renowned referee. He has officiated over 50 world title fights.

Mike Brooks- Brooks came into boxing at age sixteen and currently trains in the Westbury Boxing Club in Long Island."I have aspirations for going all the way with boxing. I want to hold a world title and unify it one day. God gave me the gift of having the drive and being healthy. People don’t realize what they got and I want to make the best out of it. I want to get in there and make the Pacquiao-Mayweather money. I want get in there, win the title, and be the 135-140 pound Marciano.” Mike is a lightweight with a 6-0 record. As Mike said in a recent article. “Bottom line, I stay humble and try my hardest. I’m just rolling with the punches, having fun with this, I’m in a good place right now and hard work pays off. You got to work hard in life to get what you want. Go hard or go home.”

Tommy Rainone - A slick welterweight prospect, Tommy 'Razor' Rainone has a 16-4 record as a pro. He was inspired to get into boxing by the "Rocky" movie series. Tommy was a part of the first-ever boxing card at the new Yankee Stadium. He has also fought twice at Madison Square Garden's theater. Rainone's amateur career was brief, consisting of approximately 40 fights. In that short span he fought a variety of world class fighters including former welterweight world champion Luis Collazo and light-welterweight contender Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa.

Mark McPherson - A former junior middleweight contender from Long Island. As a pro, he was 20-3 with eight knockouts and was a regular attraction at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum in the mid 1980s. He fought two world champions -- Frank Tate and Duane Thomas. He beat notable fighters such as Keith Adams, Anthony Holt and Jeff McCracken. Mark has been published as a writer in The Ring magazine. This is his acting debut.

Shannon Lower - As a lead-in to her acting career, Shannon has held other roles such as carnivalbarker, professional Ballroom and Latin dancer, professional Congolese dancer, and a genuine, bonafide comic book character. She has performed on stage and film in NYC, L.A. and Europe, with a best actress nomination at the Shockerfest International Film Festival in California for her role in Headhunter: The Assessment Weekend. Her film subHysteria had a successful string of theatrical runs throughout South America and Los Angeles. In theatre, she has performed in numerous productions throughout NYC - most recently as Sonia in Yasmina Reza's Life X 3 at the historic ACC Theater and in various productions as a founding member of the theater company Ticket 2 Eternity Productions. She is also currently producing her first film, pitching a television concept and developing a graphic novel. She is happy to have absolutely no spare time, whatsoever....

Peter Wood - Peter Wood was the New York City Golden Gloves Middleweight Finalist in 1971. He represented America by fighting in Canada and in the Maccabian Games in Tel Aviv. He is a playwright whose two plays have been produced. He is an English Teacher at White Plains High School. He is the author of three novels Confessions of a Fighter—Battling Through the Golden Gloves, A Clenched Fist—The Making of a Golden Gloves Champion, (Ringside Books), and To Swallow a Toad.Peter has had his writing published in the New York Times, Commonweal, The Ring, Boxing Illustrated. Peter has been interviewed on television and radio. Among the interviews he has been on ESPN, ABC, WOR, and WFUV. He was the head boxing coach at The Youth Bureau in White Plains, N.Y. Finally Peter Wood the renaissance man is an artist with professional showings.

Director Michael Bentt - A modern-day renaissance man, Bentt has excelled in both athletics and the arts. As a fighter, Michael is the former WBO world heavyweight champion, winning the title via first-round knockout of Tommy Morrison on HBO in 1993. He is one of the most decorated amateur fighters in U.S. history, winning four New York Golden Gloves titles and five U.S. national championships. He earned a bronze medal in the 1985 and 1987 World Championships. In 2001, Bentt played the role of Sonny Liston opposite of Will Smith in the Michael Mann-directed "Ali". His other film credits include "Public Enemies," opposite Johnny Depp and "State Property 2," opposite Damon Dash. His TV credits include, "Saturday Night Live," "JAG" and "Sons of Anarchy." In 2003, he was the first actor-in-residence at Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, where he played the title role in Othello, The Moor of Venice. Michael has also written about boxing for HBO.com and Bert Sugar's Fight Game. Kid Shamrock marks Bentt's directorial debut.

Executive Producer, David A. Schuster - David grew up in Bayside, Queens, New York and was a 1977 graduate of Cardozo High School. He received his BA in Communications from University Of South Florida (Tampa) in 1981. Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, David was a manufacturer of designer jeans in the garment industry. For the last 10 years he has been involved with investment banking and raising money for different projects and businesses, including independent films. As a result of his life-long interest in both boxing and the cinema he has formed "Winner Take All Productions." Among WTA's first projects was a feature-length documentary on the plight of Cuban boxers. Winner Take All is currently in pre-production for a feature film on Roberto Duran.

Producer, Gary D. Morgan - Gary is an actor/director/producer whose credits include stage, film, and television.

Playwright Bobby Cassidy Jr. - A sportswriter for two decades, Bobby has covered a variety of major sporting events, including the World Series, U.S. Open, Belmont Stakes, Stanley Cup Playoffs and more than 100 world title fights. His work has appeared in Newsday, the New York Post, Time Out NY, ESPN.com and The Ring. He has authored or co-authored four books. In 2006, he directed the documentary short film, "Pride and Passion: Negro Leagues Baseball," which screened at the Coney Island Film Festival.

West Side Girl returning to Hell's Kitchen...

2011-09-03T14:30:00.000-04:00

Hey all,

WEST SIDE GIRL is a film about Patty Reilly (me, of course), a Hell's Kitchen local being evicted from by her heartless bastard of a landlord in the middle of winter. She and two friends take it upon themselves to get even...

... aaannnndddd, after already screening at various film festivals and the SAG shorts nights, it will be having three more screenings in September! The first two will be at the New York Hell's Kitchen Film Festival (ahhh, it's like coming home...) and the third will be at the NY Short Buzz. Details below!

New York Hell's Kitchen Film Festival:

Location:

Producer's Club
358 West 44th St.NYC

dates / times:

Thurs., Sept. 8 @ 3 pm
Sat., Sept. 10 @ 7 pm

more info / tickets:

http://events.nydailynews.com/new-york-ny/events/show/207836306-nyhkff-shorts-competition-program-j

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/195306

http://newyorkhellskitchenfilmfestival.com/

NY Short Buzz:

Location:

Nuyorican Poet's Cafe

236 East 3rd Street(btwn Ave's B and C)NYC

date / time:

Thurs., Sept. 22 @ 7 pm

more info:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=182408608495223

See y'all there!

Shannon

2011-08-07T20:21:00.002-04:00

New Gallery Pages and Show Dates...

First up, new production pages in the gallery, with new pics in the Miscellaneous section coming soon, so hey, check it...

Next, the new production from Ticket 2 Eternity Productions is set! we sent out a call to up and coming playwrights around the country and picked the best of the bunch according to our theme, and I will be performing in two of these very cool short plays, so don't miss it!

Disjointed Love Shorts
Theatre Lab NYC
137 West 14th Street, NYC
Sept 22-25, 2011

Also, on September 23 and 24, after the first show, there will be performances, directed by yours truly, of "Here Comes the Night", the one-man show written by Matthew Ethan Davis and starring Nick Neglia!

"Step by step. inch by inch..." and soon to be leaps and bounds... I'll be seeing you soon.

Until then, be amazing, folks!

Shannon

2011-07-27T19:24:00.002-04:00

Talk about a downpour! Woohoo!!!

An embarrassment of riches, so to speak. Well, an embarrassment of projects, anyway. They are basically the same thing in my world. Starting with playing producer for the stage to film adaptation of Matthew Ethan Davis' wonderfully reviewed short play "A Dark Suit in Honolulu". Ticket 2 Eternity Productions' first film production! Starring the actors who originated the roles on stage, the amazing Jay Rivera and m'self, of course.

And as we go along, Ticket 2 Eternity Productions will be staging a short play festival at the end of September as a prequel to our first official theatre season. More info later...

And to jump into another medium, several photography projects are happening over the next couple of months. Exhibits? Coffee table books? Hey! You never know! (Heck, I'd be pretty happy with my mug in a print ad, thankyouverymuch Lady Luck.)

So that's the short of it. More details as things progress...

Hope no one is melting in this summer heat!

Shannon

2011-05-27T15:57:00.002-04:00

subHysteria screening in LA!!!

Yes, after several theater runs throughout Venezuela and Colombia, subHysteria will be screened at the Downtown Independent Cinema in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28.

Now if I can just get my lil' old self there, too....

2011-05-22T13:34:00.003-04:00

Why yes, I AM crap at updating this thing... :)

Hi! So, a LOT has happened since last November. The company, Playing with M.E.D.s, has been redubbed "Ticket to Eternity Productions". We already put up our second show in March and are currently planning our first official season (and other titillating projects to be unveiled at a later date).

I have also performed in two other plays this year, back at the ACC Theater. Yep, I have been VERY busy this year. First up was Agatha Christie's "10 Little Indians" in late February, and most recently Yasmina Reza's "Life X3" this month.

I am now taking a well-deserved break to catch up on that thing called Life. At least for another week...

I will be updating the gallery page in the next couple of days with pics from all of these projects, so stay tuned!

Best,

Me

2010-11-29T18:19:00.003-05:00

The fabulous Adyana de la Torre, our fearless producer!

In our next promo for "16 Characters who Found an Author", our superpowered producer takes the stand, er, camera...?

Go to: "16 Characters who Found an Author - Adyana de la Torre"

2010-11-29T18:10:00.004-05:00

Introducing the writer (and namesake) of Playing with M.E.D.'s!

Meet Matthew Ethan Davis, the resident writer and collective stream of consciousness of the latest group of talented folks I am a part of. Better yet, let him introduce himself! Here he is in our first promo video for the upcoming show "16 Characters who Found an Author".

Go to: "16 Characters who Found an Author - Matthew Ethan Davis"

2010-11-29T17:46:00.007-05:00

Playing with MEDs, an introduction...

Come see the show that introduces the new company "Playing with MEDs".

Two nights only, with two more projects already in the works, so...

Come see me!

www.playingwithmeds.com

2010-11-29T17:30:00.002-05:00

More long overdue updates...

OK, OK, so I finally got around to updating the gallery section. Go check it out!

Lots of things coming up through December and into next year, so stay tuned.

Over and out!

2010-05-10T16:15:00.002-04:00

Picasso at the Lapin Agile!

Hilarity, a pinch of sass, and jam-packed houses so far with one more week to go! For our final week, almost every performance is sold out.

I've got it all here: a great role, a quirky play, a cast that has fun on and off-stage, and (thanks to the fortunate circumstance of having a chef or two in the cast) amazing food!

I'll be sad when this one ends. Pics soon!

2010-02-02T12:05:00.002-05:00

Pieces of a Playwright - REVIEW!

...at NYTheatre.com. Here it is!

2010-01-14T01:27:00.002-05:00

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Pieces of a Playwright
by Matthew Ethan Davis
An Equity Approved Showcase
Produced by Oasis.nyTheatreGroup
Directed by: Albert Insinnia

January 27th-31st
Mon-Sat evenings @ 8PM
Sat/Sun matinees @ 3PM

$18 Tickets
TheaterMania.com : (212) 352-3101 OR use this link

At Gene Frankel Theatre.
24 Bond Street, in NoHo/East Village, Manhattan, NYC, NY
Take the 6 train to Bleeker St.; or the B,D,F,V to Broadway/Lafayette

Actor company members:
Teo 'Raven' Solano
Stefanie Tara
Hugo Salazar, Jr.*
Laura Michelle Cleary
Adyana De La Torre
Shannon Lower
Christopher Frederick
Ian Campbell Dunn
Sara Minerd*
Ed Zimic
Adam Auslander
Nick Neglia
Emilio Paul Tirado
Taylor Curtis

Production Manager: Scott Rodrigue
Technical Director: Raven Solano
Production Stage Manager: Erienne Wredt*
Logo Design: Solomon Pobanz
Ad Graphic Design: Sara Minerd*
Photographs: MannyH Photography

*member of AEA

2009-12-23T13:57:00.010-05:00

Oasis TheatreGroup.NY Rehearsals

Well now! Holidays are here, New York finally got some snow, and we have entered the holiday blackout period for rehearsals. *sigh* May the new year come quickly so we can get rolling again!

In the meantime, I am posting rehearsal pictures to calm the fidgety nature that arises from lack of creative outlet (in me, of course - maybe you're doing just fine...). Here goes:

Myself and Ed Zimic, photo by Adyana de la Torre

The rest of the photos are by Manny H.

Raven Solano and Chris Frederick

Hugo Salazar, Jr. and Adyana de la Torre

Ian Campbell Dunn and Laura Cleary

Emilio Tirado and myself

Stephanie Tara, Hugo Salazar, Jr., and Adam Auslander

The term for a male harem... Anyone? Anyone?

Yup, just one big happy family.

What? Why, no, I won't tell you what the plays are about. You'll just have to show up in January.

OK. Now that's done. Pictures posted, random thoughts processed. Hmmm.

I think will sit with a cup of tea and memorize lines. Or do some script edits. Or dance, just for the heck of it.

Happy days.

Happy holidays.

See you next year.

2009-12-13T21:31:00.003-05:00

Upcoming performance and so much more!

Hello all,

First off, I will be performing this Thursday at the In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series with the amazing Mo Beasley and a great line-up of artists, authors and performers.

The show will be at the Happy Ending Lounge (hah!), at 302 Broome Street, Manhattan at 8PM.

And for more about what to expect at the show and to read about the performers, you can go here (I'm not on the bio list yet, being a late addition, but...).

Also coming up: The debut performances of the Oasis TheatreGroup NY! Yes, at long last, at the end of January, we will be performing a series of one-acts written by Matthew Ethan Davis. He's an amazing writer, and my roles are really, really, really cool. :D. OK, all the roles are cool, but I'm biased. Heh!

More info on that coming soon!

And then there is the top secret project I am working on but...shhhhh...unveiling after the new year.

Stay tuned.

Happy Holidays, people.

Shannon

2009-09-19T17:08:00.003-04:00

Aannnddd, another one. Heck, I'm on a roll!

The OFFICIAL subHysteria trailer!

Take a look, comment on it, rate it. We're making some waves - Spain, India, France...

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTK97j6kAJ8

2009-09-19T16:28:00.011-04:00

Ach! Procrastination... it is my middle name.

Because I can never seem to do these updates on a timely basis! What can I say, I've been a little busy. :)

OK, so, first up - a new romantic comedy I am working on called Celibate in Chelsea. It's a Hare Krishna love story.

Yes, really.

And it's also quite an education about a faith I knew close to nothing about (insert airport joke here). As in any religion, there are all kinds of people who follow Krishna, from stand-up comedians to landlords to rock musicians. Not that I had any solid opinions about Hare Krishna followers, didn't really think of them at all, really, but it was nice to get an inside view compared to the Hollywood movie stereotype most of us are fed. And I am happy to say I made some long-term friends on set.

Some pics from the trailer we shot a few months ago (REALLY procrastinating, ugh).

Ram (i.e., the very funny Yadu). Prasadam anyone?

We fight...

...a lot.

Me, frustrated, before...

...and after. I am pretty, oh, so pretty! Who wouldn't love to dress up like this?!?

Just because I like this one. It's my blog, I can do that.

Ah, the happy couple. :)

2009-07-03T14:30:00.006-04:00

A Bit of What I've Been Up To...

So.

A few things in the works lately.

First:

subHysteria is finished!!! We had the cast and crew screening last Tuesday at Monkeytown in oh, so trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and it was a blast! A huggy kissy reunion of all us subHysterics, and the movie was great! I am my hardest critic and I am saying this movie is good! A relief, too, as there is a movie screen on every wall of the screening room at Monkeytown, so it's impossible to turn away from the parts you don't want to see. Heh...

Surrounded by 12 foot screens and my face on every one. Aaah!

Everything is getting fuzzy at this point...

4AM, and the manager is kind enough to take our picture before kicking us out.

You can also check out a clip from the behind the scenes documentary by going to subHysteria's facebook link

In more news, I recently finished the short film "Westside Girl", formerly titled "One Cold Night", influenced by the Irish Hell's Kitchen gang called the Westies. Check out the gallery for some images and a better idea of that. Coming soon to a film festival near you!

In the Miscellaneous gallery, you'll see a new image from the Adam and Eve shoot I did in Berlin oh, so long ago. Trippy. It's the only word to describe it. Very cool. Hopefully a couple more images to come soon, once Philip gets back from his latest exhibition in Paris. (Yes, my picture has been in art galleries in New York City, London, Paris and Berlin. That dang picture has done a lot more traveling than I have. And that's pretty darn cool.)

And last, but definitely not least, for the last few months, I have been working with the Oasis Theatre Company New York and loving, I mean LOVING, it. We are working on a number of original plays by playwright Matthew Davis to be produced in the fall. More on that later, just know it is going to be amazing.

That's enough for now. More to come (very) soon.

Everyone enjoy the holiday!!!

2009-04-21T15:02:00.002-04:00

Been too busy to write!

Hi All,

I know it has been a while, but here are some basic updates (no details on the new stuff yet...keeps away the jinx factor). :)

Coming up this summer will be some new plays I will be participating in, written by an amazing playwright named Matthew Ethan Davis, with a great cast of actors.

I am currently finishing a short film loosely based on the old Hell's Kitchen gang known as the Westies (eight hour overnight outdoor shoots in the New York winter. Can I tell you how much fun that isn't?), and am also waiting to hear the final decision on a romantic comedy I am up for the lead on.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

More details later, as things get rolling.

See ya!

2008-12-26T21:11:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen it yet...

Here is the trailer for subHysteria!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U23mKj3gyTA

2008-12-18T11:02:00.006-05:00

subHysteria is taking off and going Viral!

OK, first, check out my gallery for some really amazing behind the scenes photos of the cast and crew.

And second, today at 12 noon, the subHysteria teaser will go online via YouTube and we want to spread the news far and wide, so...
GO TO MY VIDEO PAGE, click on the link and then FOLLOW THESE THREE EASY STEPS:
1) favorite the video, rate the video, comment on the video. (This will help us get featured.) The categories of being featured are 1. Today 2. This Week 3. This Month 4. All time.
So if we all send the youtube link on the same day (the day its released) we'll first aim for the Today slot and if we get featured that will help us get even more hits and hopefully for This Week and so on.
2) Send the youtube link to your friends, and ask them to send it to their friends and ask them to favorite, rate and comment on the video on youtube.
3) Post the video on Facebook or other social networking websites with the youtube link using the URL box. Don't upload using the embed mode as it won't amount to youtube hits. Lots of ways to do this, best thing is probably posting or getting it on somebody's wall.

We already have a Spring theater release, but hey, nothing wrong with being proactive and getting the word out early. So watch, and I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks!

Shannon

2008-11-07T23:31:00.002-05:00

If You Had Five Hours to Live, What Would You Do?

In rehearsals every night now for the new film. Every night I get to imagine myself trapped with a bunch of strangers, and I ask myself, every night, "What do I do with five hours to live?"

And it's scary and disturbing, and who really wants to admit what they would do with nothing left to lose, with certain death a few hours away? Well... I do, obviously. We actors are admittedly twisted that way.

And so... I have come home every night this week exhausted and knowing a little more about myself than I am completely comfortable with.

Knowing this, still, I wouldn't give it up for the world. Terrified as I am at times, I learn so much that no one has ever challenged me to truly experience, and for that, I am grateful.

So, friends, I ask you...

"What would YOU do with five hours to live?"

Let us know. http://subHysteria.wordpress.com

2008-10-25T18:27:00.003-04:00

Latest film, "subHysteria", in pre-production

Wow, things are just getting more and more exciting for me these days. My latest film, called subHysteria, is now in pre-production and the whole concept is intriguing, intense, the kind of opportunity that zings electricity all up and down my nerve endings. Yup, I feel it. Creation. Metamorphosis... my addiction...

Ahem...anyway...

Said best in the words of the director and creator, Leonard Zelig:

"Sixteen people get stuck in a subway car in NYC for 36 hours, without communication, food, a way to escape, and with a fatal sensation that they are going to die.

A raw display of human behavior when one confronts the possibility of death.

Denial, Fear, Anger, Acceptance . . . Anarchy"

Are we gonna have fun, or what?

And, even better, we are taking suggestions from our fans, so a story suggestion you put in could end up in the film!

A great cast, an amazing idea, and away we go. Check out the links.

http://subHysteria.com
http://subHysteria.wordpress.com
http://indiegogo.com/subHysteria

2008-10-18T17:56:00.016-04:00

"After You're Gone" Wrap-up

So, I'm a little behind on writing this, what with the wrap party blooper reel hilarity and downing a bit too much Lambic. But here goes...

Alas, I must put away the hippie wear and retire my wig, and try really, really hard not to brood over imperfect takes and misspoken lines (as we are always our own worst critics and things are rarely as bad as imagined). Now comes the waiting, with eager impatience and annoying emails to the director of "Is it done yet?" and "You're not going to use THAT take of me, are you? That angle makes my nose look big." ;-P (Inside joke, y'all. MY nose, of course, could never look big. My teeth, on the other hand...)

Anyway, here is another pictorial glimpse into the film, and the makings of. Enjoy!

The "Wedding", with the wonderful Ayesha Mansur playing the minister.

This could almost be the DVD cover... :)

Er...wait, something's not right here...

In the middle of a take.

This is another one of those I can't really explain. But it was certainly fun to watch...heh.

Kristen Wheeler as "Andrea".

In character and ready to hear "Action!"

The three funniest people on set, Kristen, Matt and Dennis.

After weeks of me in a wig, no one was used to seeing the real me, so...

The End (sort of...)

2008-10-01T22:54:00.014-04:00

Behind the Scenes on the Latest Project...

Well, I don't want to give too much away, but I'm in a new feature film called "After You're Gone", written and directed by Brian Fairbanks, currently being shot in NYC and, as usual, I am having a blast...woohoo!

So, here are some behind the scenes pics from a couple of our shooting days.

Oh, OK, I'll give a couple of hints about the film. 3 words: Canada, INS, and lesbianism.

Have fun!

Sean Flanagan and me getting crispy at Coney Island. Why yes! It IS a wig!

Sarah Fischbeck, Matthew Naclerio, and Joanna Schubert, just a-posin'

Jeremy Fernandez, my son. Whoa! I'm playing a mom?!

Me and Angela Church, m'main squeeze...

Yup, this film gave me my first girl kiss, and you know what? It wasn't as awkward as one would think. (No, you shouldn't read too much into that statement. Tsk tsk ...)

Nadja Hoyer-Booth, Sean Flanagan, me and Brian Anthony Wilson after the arrest...er, yeah...

*sigh* I'd try to explain, but you wouldn't believe me...

Wow, I still REALLY love my job. More to come soon! 'Til then, have a great weekend.

Me

2008-09-25T18:56:00.001-04:00

Hey all,

So, not only is "The Assessment" nominated, but my co-star Keith Blaser and I are also nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Horror Film!

Wow. I'm not sure how to react yet... heh!

Check out the link below (and wish me luck?)

Shockerfest

Best,

Me

2008-09-14T23:28:00.003-04:00

"THE ASSESSMENT" - Film Festival screenings and nominations!

Hey all!

The film I did a while back in Germany will be screened here in the states! Woohoo! So check out the links, and if you are in either Michigan or California. . .

Here's the info:

"The Assessment" will be playing at the following festivals:

www.thrillerchiller.com

www.shockerfest.com where we are a Finalist in the Feature Horror category!

www.bmoviefest.com/site here the movie will not be screened (?!) but we are nominated in the categories:

-Best Foreign Feature

-Best Writer: Christoph Willumeit

-Best Actor: Keith Blaser

And a big congrats from me to both Christoph and my co-star, Keith! And of course, to our director, Sebastian Panneck!

OK, I have to go dance wildly in my living room now. I am WAAYYY too excited...

;-)

2008-08-03T14:09:00.002-04:00

8/3/08 New Site! New Pics! . . . and Video! (sort of)

Hi everyone! And welcome to the new Shannon Lower site, only a month and a half late....

...but worth it.

So, check it out. Lots of pics from new projects, and a little teaser video until I get a good editor for my stuff. Demo reel soon! Yay!

So wander through and let me know what you think...

Thanks!

Best,

Shannon

2008-05-16T18:47:00.002-04:00

Resurfacing

Hey everyone! All is not as it seems, hooray! Many updates and a complete overhaul of the site coming very soon, complete with tons of new photo stills and (finally) video!

Busy little bee am I... :)

2007-11-22T18:41:00.001-05:00

Goal reached!

The Congolese benefit evening was a success! Well past the goal of $2000, at $2141 and counting, all of the proceeds are going directly to the Panzi Hospital in the Congo to help build the City of Joy community living center to aid the victims of violent rape.

On a slightly lighter note of the evening, here are a couple pics of Fushadance performing!

Best to all, and a good Turkey Day, if you're into that kind of thing! ;-)

2007-11-06T17:10:00.000-05:00

It's a bit last minute, but all for a good cause . . .

Tonight, I will be performing at a small benefit show with Fushadance Company. If you happen to be free . . .

To celebrate their birthdays, Gary Weingarten and Anna Williams invite you to the

"CITY OF JOY" & PANZI HOSPITAL BENEFIT

- a "Safe Space" and treatment center in the DR Congo for women and children who are the victims of sexual violence.
“City of Joy” will be a focal point for education, leadership support and economic empowerment for survivors of brutal sexual violence in Bukavu, DR Congo. The project is organized by V-Day, UNICEF and Panzi Hospital which provides the life-saving surgeries for these survivors.

We aim to raise $2000.00
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007. 7PM

LIVE CONGOLESE DRUM AND DANCE PERFORMANCE BY
FUSHA DANCE COMPANY @ 10 PM
DJ MSG SPINS THE BEST AFRO GROOVES ALL NIGHT!

VERLAINE, 110 Rivington Street. 212/ 614-2494

A donation of $10.00 or more for THEM means
Happy Hour 'till midnight for YOU, including $4 Lychee Martinis!

The UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs calls
the systematic rape of women and children in the Eastern Congo
the most prevalent in the world -- likened to "a cultural phenomenon."

Human Rights Watch reports that as many as 30% of rape victims are tortured
and mutilated during the assaults, usually with spears, machetes, sticks or gun barrels.

for more information, please call Gary (646.872.7434) or Anna (831.601.0576) or check out the following links:

http://www.vday.org/congo_splash.html
http://www.glamour.com/news/articles/2007/08/reallifedrama
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/08/1340255
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/world/africa/07congo.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
www.crisisgroup.org

2007-10-05T22:55:00.000-04:00

FUN, FUN, FUN BEHIND THE SCENES

Woohoo! Night before opening. My first time doing outdoor theatre, and lucky me, we have a beautiful space to work in (and even luckier? No construction workers on weekends!)

Through the last few weeks, we've run through all kinds of things: staging, fight choreography, dance choreography, the best way to represent blood and wounds, figuring out our characters, and running somewhat risque dialogue on a crowded A train . . . and so on.

But we made it. We're here. And we're opening tomorrow. And as a teaser, here are some spoiler pics from our dress rehearsals. Enjoy!

2007-09-29T15:25:00.000-04:00

Witches, hexes, hangin's and some vaudeville shtick!

And she's on a roll!!! Another play opening next weekend!

Hi all,

Something I've noticed - I haven't done a behind the scenes blog since this time last year! So, after this and starting on my next rehearsal, that's what I'm going to start doing again. There will also be some post-show blogs coming up soon about the show I just finished, simply because it was such a cool experience.

Now . . . on to next week's play.

The weather has been amazing and beautiful this month, and a good thing, too, because this next production is in an outdoor space up by the Cloisters and Ft. Tryon Park, possibly the prettiest place in Manhattan. The play, "Vinegar Tom" by Caryn Churchill is all about witches, and yes, I can hear some of you who know me saying "Gee, Shannon, how apropo." Harumph.

Anyway, you should all take advantage of the nice fall weather and the A express train to come out and see it. The postcard below will give you all that informational stuff . . . See ya!

2007-09-04T13:04:00.000-04:00

"Shortening the Distance" - a collection of short plays by Josh Kaufman.

A new play! A new play! Well, a bunch of plays, actually. Acting in some, directing others, I am working with a very talented group of performers for this show, so you should definitely come check us out.

See you there!

For advance tickets: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=SHO44

2007-09-04T11:48:00.000-04:00

Long overdue updates!

So, finally, some pics from "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway" back at the end of June. I know, I know. "A bit late, aren't ya?" Well, yes. Yes I am. . .

We had everything. Boxing, drama, celebrities. So! Here's some pics from the show. Any boxing fans out there may recognize some of these guys. Woohoo!

First up - Me! The MC for the evening!

Not exactly elegant and cool, but just wait a bit...

Next up was Sportswriter and author Ron Ross, reading from his book "Bummy Davis vs. Murder Inc."

...followed by a multimedia piece done by Chris Cassidy, Bobby Cassidy, Sr.'s younger son. Really beautiful piece.

Then came the roundtable discussion hosted by Showtime boxing commentator Steve Farhood, which included some pretty big names in boxing lore.

Steve Farhood (very cool, mellow guy, with an insane amount of boxing knowledge)

Juan Laporte (big flirt! (; )

Mark Breland (strong silent type, and how many Olympic athletes does a girl meet in her lifetime?)

Reynaldo Snipes, whose pic, unfortunately, I don't seem to have.

and Carlos Ortiz, possibly the sweetest man ever (except to those he trains, of course)

And let us not forget, for the final show of our run, the man all of this was created for in the first place - Mr. Bobby Cassidy, Sr., Kid Shamrock himself.

Then came intermission, followed by the play for the evening, "Kid Shamrock", written by Bobby Cassidy, Jr., and directed by Gary Morgan. And introduced by little ole' me. Remember the goofy pic at the top of this post? Well, I looked a bit different for the play's intro. And of course, I have no pic of JUST me, so you will have to wait until the end of the post to see it. Hey! Don't skip ahead! It's like reading the end of a book first!

Anyway... the play. Not what you would expect from a boxing play. Not so much about the boxing as about the internal struggles of the boxer himself - drinking. Written with love by Bobby Jr., I have to admire the honesty of it.

Here are the pics of the actors in the play:

Seamus McDonagh, the title character of Kid Shamrock

Shane McCaughey, playing the younger Kid Shamrock

Patrick Connolly, playing the roles of the trainer and the businessman. He was on stage for the entire play, pretty much.

Then there were David Morgan as the bartender and Ron Ross playing, you guessed it, a sportswriter!

And last but not least, the new me! along with everyone else, for our curtain call.

Heck, I just wanted an excuse to wear a dress like that. . . gotta be girly sometimes, right?

2007-06-24T23:25:00.000-04:00

Hello, all.

Welcome to my latest endeavor. I find myself in the lucky position of working with some nationally recognized folks in the sports, writing, and acting arenas this weekend! I am mad excited about this show, not just as a boxing fan, but as an actor, so I hope you all come out and see us.

And just for the record, we've gotten oodles of press on this already, so a good tip . . . get your tickets in advance!

First, the official press release with all the info you need, followed by links to any other info you might want about some of the players, and I'm even providing parking info for ya. Because I'm that nice....

So I hope you all come check out the show. See you soon!

Shannon

A NIGHT OF BOXING OFF BROADWAY

An unprecedented evening of pugilism and the performing arts at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44th Street, scheduled for June 29 and 30. Former world champion boxers, actors and writers command the evening. "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway" is a multimedia event that explores the depths of a fighter's soul and celebrates the proud tradition of the sweet science of boxing.

The main event is the world premiere of "Kid Shamrock," starring Seamus McDonagh, who fought Evander Holyfield in 1990, Patrick Joseph Connolly, fresh from his role in "Gardener of Eden" at the TriBeCa Film Festival, and former middleweight contender, Bobby Cassidy. This one-act play has been inspired by the life and times of Cassidy, a veteran of 18 years in the ring and the trainer of two world champions.

The play also features Shane McCaughey as the young Shamrock, Shannon Lower as the M.C and ring card dame, David Morgan as the bartender and Ron Ross as the reporter.

The production is a five-round event that brings authors, actors, artists and tough guys to the same stage.

Round One - A reading by Ron Ross, from his acclaimed book, "Bummy Davis vs. Murder Inc."
Round Two - Video: A highlight reel that pulls no punches, with musical accompaniment.
Round Three - Portraits by Chris Cassidy: Boxing photography, with narration.
Round Four - Fighting Words: Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood moderates a round-table discussion with former world champs Vito Antuofermo (Friday's performance only), Juan Laporte, Carlos Ortiz and Renaldo Snipes.
Round Five - The Main Event: The world premiere of "Kid Shamrock", written by Robert Cassidy Jr. and directed by Gary D. Morgan.

The show will premier Friday, June 29th at 7:30 pm and have two performances on Saturday, June 30 at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

The venue is the Producers' Club Theaters, 358 West 44th Street (8th and 9th avenues) and there is a ticket price of $28.50. Tickets may be purchased through TheaterMania online or by phone 212-352-3101.

About the cast members:

Seamus McDonagh graduated from St. John's University with a degree in English literature. He is a former New York Golden Gloves champion and was the No. 3 ranked cruiserweight in the world. In 1990, he fought Evander Holyfield. He has appeared in several Off Broadway productions, including "Bobby Sands, M.P.," "The Risen People" and "The Shoeshine." He also has been cast in the films "2by4" and "Whatever Happened To Rocky Sullivan?"

Patrick Joseph Connolly returns to the stage fresh off his feature film debut in "The Gardener of Eden," which premiered at the TriBeca Film Festival. Connolly will also appear in the final episode of the HBO hit, "The Sopranos." He also has appeared a theater production of "A Letter From Ethel Kennedy."

Bobby Cassidy fought professionally from 1963 to 1980 and was a world-rated contender from junior middleweight to cruiserweight. In 1975, he was the No. 1 rated light heavyweight by the WBC. He has trained two world champions. As an actor, he has appeared in the films, "Rocky," "Uncle Joe Shannon," and "This Thing of Ours." He also had a co-starring role in the television drama, "Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This."
_____________________

And now for other press:

http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5157/bobby-cassidy-life-one-act/

http://www.saddoboxing.com/5469-night-boxing-broadway.html

http://www.irish-boxing.com/june07/18_June_2007_McDonagh.htm

http://hotboxingnews.com/

http://womenboxing.com/upcoming4.htm
_____________________

And last, but not least, the ever-frustrating parking issue:

The Producer's Club gives a sticker that allows parking up to 10 hours for $20 on Wed and Saturday and $18 on all other days. The place to park is 332 West 44th Street, Central Parking System.

And that's all, folks!

2007-06-15T00:35:00.001-04:00

UrbanErotika this Saturday!

Hey all,

Another UrbanErotika coming up this Saturday night. Come check us out! All the info is at this link.

Also, mark your calendars for next month's show: on the beach! and Fushadance Company will be performing! Yes! For those of you who have been asking when we'll be doing a performance open to the public, this is it! So keep looking out for the details on that one.

See you soon!

2007-05-18T23:20:00.000-04:00

Last minute announcement. . .

OK all, another UrbanErotika show coming up tomorrow night, and yes, I'm in it. So....

...here's the info:

Mo Beasley's
UrbanErotika

proudly presents a

Special Evening
with
JEREMY JAMES

with performances by
CLITTY POP, SHANNON LOWER
and a few
SURPRISE GUESTS!
(old and new)

THIS SATURDAY
May 19, 2007
The Bowery Poetry Club
10:00 pm

tickets: $10 at the door only
(tables of 4 available online now at $40 per table)
go to www.thelovestorm.com to buy your table now!

The Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery • New York City
bet. Houston & Bleecker

for venue info/ directions,
go to www.bowerypoetry.com
or call 212.614.0505

and check out
www.jeremyjamesmusic.net

UrbanErotika is Presented
Responsibly for Mature Adults!
(must be 21 years to attend / cash bar, no drink minimum!)

2007-05-10T00:40:00.000-04:00

Loooonng overdue updates....

So, it's been awhile. Where, oh where, should I start?

OK, first, the short film I participated in last summer, "Keep It Clean" by Sena, has been invited to its second film festival, the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival 2007, taking place in New York City July 19th-26th, 2007. More info as I get it. To see some of what it's about, just go to Http://www.myspace.com/sena_productions.

Next, I will be performing at the end of June in "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway", featuring the new play "Kid Shamrock", about real life boxer Bobby Cassidy. Not only am I the MC for the show (as well as being the only woman amongst a host of boxing champions! My girly side gets all aflutter, the aggressive side wants free training... (; ), but I will also be the ring card girl. And I don't mean the kind you see on the WWF. Think "1940's sexy sassy class". For more on that, go to http://www.theateronline.com/playbill.xzc?PK=15495, or for tickets, go to www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/132445where. I'm really looking forward to working on this...

And that's not all! I just found out today that I have been invited (after a long, nail-biting audition process) to join the Jazz Acting Ensemble here in NYC. Their company and methods are new to me, so far, so I can't tell you a whole lot yet, except that I have a good feeling that this is the type of acting group I have been looking for, a place to truly create and to grow, and you should look forward to updates that include performances by us!

Lastly, I am waiting on the completion of last year's films (because post-production takes FOREVER), which I should be recieving in the next couple of months, and then - yes, folks - film clips on the site! This is probably more exciting for me than for you, but to me, each good first is an awesomely memorable moment.

As it should be.

Until next time...

Shannon

2007-02-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

I'm just forwarding the info about the rescheduled Valentine's Day show. And Mo Beasley, creator of UrbanErotika, says it so much better than I... See you there!

Dear UrbanErotiks,

As you know, we postponed the Valentine’s Day Treat that was scheduled two days ago. You also know that that event, “Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika: The Multi-Media Experience” (featuring images by michael scott jones), will now take place Friday, February 23, 2007 at 8:00 pm.

But what you don't know is that we have deceided to adjust the price too! We figured that we should treat you since it's technically no longer a "Valentine’s Day " event :-) So now, you can come check us at for $15 ($10 in advance). See the details below.

click on the image above to visit the Kumble Theater website

Purchase tickets at www.tix.com (keyword: kumble)

The first 10 people to RSVP and purchase a ticket will receive a sexy gift
to take home and share with their lover(s)! Email us at rsvp@akilaworksongs.com

If you are new to this listserv and you're asking yourself, "What is UrbanErotika?," then CLICK HERE.
If you want a glimpse of how great and creative a photographer Mike Jones is, then CLICK HERE.

For other questions, please call The Kumble at 718.488.1624.
You can also visit the web at www.kumbletheater.org.

Love All Ways,

Mo Beasley

Founder and Producing Director
The LoveStorm Entertainment Group
info@thelovestorm.com
www.thelovestorm.com
www.myspace.com/mobeasley

If you purchased tickets and want a refund or an adjustment, please contact the box office. The box office is located at The Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), One University Plaza (at corner of DeKalb and Flatbush)

2007-02-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

A storm's a-comin'!

Valentine's Day Performance postponed until Friday, Feb. 23.

If you have trouble reading this email, go to the online version.

Dear Friends

We have been watching the weather forecast for New York City and if you have too, then you know it ain't good. We thought it best to postpone the Valentine's Day Treat that was scheduled for tomorrow. So, "Mo Beasley's UrbanErotika: The Multi-Media Experience" (featuring images by michael scott jones) will now take place Friday, February 23, 2007 at 8:00 pm. We figured that there are cozier things to do on Valentine's Day then to trek to The Kumble in the freezing rain :-)

Let us know if you plan to attend. Do so at rsvp@akilaworksongs.com. The first 10 people to RSVP and purchase a ticket will receive a sexy gift to take home and share with their lover(s)!

If you are new to this listserv and you're asking yourself, "What is UrbanErotika?," then CLICK HERE. If you want a glimpse of how great and creative a photographer Mike Jones is, then CLICK HERE.

For other questions, please call The Kumble at 718.488.1624. You can also visit the web at www.kumbletheater.org.

Lastly, if you purchased tickets for tomorrow and would like a refund, please contact the box office. To everyone else, the ticket price for the show has not changed - $25 (or $40 for couples). You can buy them online at www.tix.com (keyword: kumble) or in person at the box office. The box office is located at:

The Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus)
One University Plaza (at corner of DeKalb and Flatbush)

We're looking forward to seeing you next Friday at 8 pm! Tell a friend or forward this email!

Sincerely,

Rodney Hurley (The Kumble Theater)
Mo Beasley (The LoveStorm Entertainment Group)
April Silver (AKILA WORKSONGS)
Michael Scott Jones (MSJ Images)

----
Put On BLAST! is a direct email marketing service,
est. 1997 by AKILA WORKSONGS Public Relations
1185 Carroll St ? Brooklyn, NY 11225
718.756.8501 ? 718.756.8502 fax

General Inquiries: frontdesk@akilaworksongs.com
Press and Media: pr@akilaworksongs.com
Specifically interested in the Put On BLAST! service? pob@akilaworksongs.com

As a subscriber, your email address is mobeasley@thelovestorm.com
Your options are:

2007-01-31T23:36:00.000-05:00

. . . and here's the info (because I know you've been waiting) on the Valentine's Day show I will be performing at. Come if you're single, come with your sig. other, whatever. It's a great way to celebrate this holiday without showing allegiance to Hallmark and the chocolate industry...

See you there!

Join us for our first UrbanErotika special event of the year. We hope you can handle it.

buy your tickets now: www.tix.com (keyword: kumble)

Our shows are NOT pornographic, but they are
created for mature and liberated grown folks!

For more information, please call
718.488.1624 or 718.484.0266 or 718.756.8501

* don't forget to join us for the PRE-VALENTINE'S DAY public forum on The Erotic As Power. We'll discuss love, sex, and sexuality in the 21st Century with the legendary poet, activist, humanitarian SONIA SANCHEZ, and others! Learn More...

2007-01-29T15:40:00.000-05:00

Ok, folks, here's the scoop on the first show I'll be doing this month. It's funny, it's sexy, it's silly. You'll dig it. Here it goes...

THURSDAY - FEB. 8TH at 6:30 PM

SEX SCENES
by Polly Frost & Ray Sawhill

EROTIC & COMIC
tales of Hollywood read by actors

with: SHANNON LOWER, FRANCESCO PALADINO, KAREN GRENKE, RAMFIS MYRTHIL, CAMILLE DELGADO, ADONIS WILLIAMS, MINDY MATIJASEVIC, DOUG BARRON, ALI DIZIKES & JAKE THOMAS

$6 (includes a free house drink)

CORNELIA STREET CAFE

29 Cornelia Street (between Bleecker & W. 4th)

(212) 989-9319

to read more about this event:
visit: http://pollyfrost.com
for more information about the cast visit:
http://www.pollyfrost.com/page2/page22/page22.html

To read the TIME OUT NEW YORK article:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TONYWebArticles1/584/out_there/aural_sex.xml

And in the Santa Barbara Independent:

http://www.independent.com/artsandentertainment/2006/12/erotica_uncorked.html

for more information about Cornelia Street Cafe, which was voted one of Downbeat's best 100 clubs, visit: http://corneliastreetcafe.com

2007-01-25T04:53:00.000-05:00

01/25/07

I Got A Boy-Cut!

OK, OK, not really. But close. Pics coming soon...

In other news, this woman has NOT been sitting on her derriere, as could be assumed with no updates in over a month.

I have two shows coming up in February. But really, if I told you about them now, would you remember them by the time they came around?

No.

So I'll just give a teaser, maybe you'll mark down the dates on your calendar... ;-)

On Thursday, February 8, I will be reading a brand new piece from Sex Scenes by Polly Frost at the Cornelia Street Cafe.

And on Valentine's Day, UrbanErotika will be hosting its first multimedia show at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn.

Details to come soon!

And that, folks, is all for now. But, as always, there's more to come...

Bless.

Shannon

2006-12-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

12/10/06

Looooong Overdue Updates....

Hello all. Well, things have been a little crazy lately, as it goes from time to time. I have been busy trying to get the dance company website into existence (at the moment, we are settling for a myspace.com page. Just look us up as Fushadance Company...we're a newbie page, so we need more friends!). Also working on two shows, both happening this upcoming weekend! Yay! So, here's the info on both of those:

First, on Friday and Saturday, the 15th and 16th, I will be in a show called "Feathers From the Lower World II -- A Dance Theatre Circus Extravaganza," described as "Full of lots of fun and intriguing scenes with acting, modern dance and amazing juggling, these shows are not to be missed."

Two nights only so be sure to call and reserve your seats as seating is limited.
Call 646-489-4796 for reservations. Only $10. You can't get a better deal.

And for the next show, well, 18 and older only, please. . . I will be reading a new piece written by my good friend Jake Thomas and read with another good friend and awesome actress, Camille Delgado, at the 4th Annual All Raw Suite UrbanErotika show this Saturday night (yes, I will be racing from one performance to another that night!).

Info:

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika 4^th Annual ALL RAW SUITE!

10:00 to 12 midnight

Location: The Bowery Poetry Club

Address: 308 Bowery • New York, NEW YORK

Contact: 718.484.0266 or 718.756.8501

info@thelovestorm or frontdesk@akilaworksongs.com

* NOTE TO ALL FIRST TIMERS: this show does not include our standard soft, sensual, and sweet bliss art…it’s strictly the “wild and explicit” version of UrbanErotika

Co-produced by AKILA WORKSONGS

And last, but certainly not least, there will be a private first screening of "Dagober", a film I worked on earlier this year, this Wednesday night, by invite only (I feel so posh!) ;-P

My first "premiere". Cool.

More to come soon, because this girl is staying busy! I'll get back to y'all later....

Goodnight!

2006-10-31T14:24:00.000-05:00

10/31/06

LATEST UPDATES:

Well, folks, here's what I have been up to the last few weeks (besides painting my new apartment so I can FINALLY unpack all those dang boxes)....

This week I am working on a neat little film currently titled "Hotel". I get to yell and throw things and be very POed through most of it. I always enjoy roles like this, it's kinda like anger management therapy, with a paycheck. Hah!

Next week I will finally finish my part in "The Fay-Lindsey Jones Story", a film I started before the trip to Berlin. I can't wait until this film is edited and out in the world. The writer/director Greg Emetaz is pretty brilliant.

Other than that, you will see some new headshots soon, as well as updates in the media and resume sections.

So, I hope everyone has a wonderful All Hallow's Eve!

Shannon

2006-10-17T19:13:00.000-04:00

10/17/06

Email link is up and running again, folks. Sorry for the delay and thanks for your understanding. ;-)

Shannon

2006-10-14T15:33:00.000-04:00

Performance Update:

I will be reading from POLLY FROST'S upcoming story collection "DEEP INSIDE".

Erotica? Yes. I'm reading? Yes. Don't look so surprised, we all have a little kink somewhere. It's fun. It's sexy. (Nope, no nudity, folks. It's only as x-rated as your imagination makes it.) So be prepared to laugh and thoroughly enjoy yourselves... Read the reviews!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 6 PM at CORNELIA STREET CAFE, NYC

DEEP INSIDE was edited by the wonderful PAUL STEVENS and will be published by TOR BOOKS in JUNE 2007

Praise from RON JEREMY for DEEP INSIDE: "Dear Readers, I found this book difficult to read, because the blood kept leaving my brain and entering my penis... (it's called a boner). Very erotic stories you'll find here. If porn as we know it is on the edge, then Polly Frost has leaped over it, with a double somersault and a twist. If I directed some of these fantasies, I'd either be the world's greatest adult film director... or I'd be in jail. Enjoy this. I certainly did. And if you'll excuse me, I'm looking for a female Serzan."

Praise from RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL: "With Deep Inside, Polly Frost turns erotica on its head, making readers expect the unexpected from page one. Her stories' twists and turns make them all the hotter, from piercings and blood-suckers to magical dildos and futuristic sex machines, all featuring characters whose fetishes will dazzle you with their originality. Kinky to the extreme, these horny perverts know the brain is the biggest sex organ, so be prepared for mind-fucking extraordinaire as they leave their mark, often literally, on their lovers. However fantastical her scenarios, though, one thing Frost doesn't forget is the very human power of lust for another which pushes us along our individual erotic paths. Frost will very likely change the way you think of sex with this collection� It's never as simple as it seems. Go deep inside her exotic world of dirty dreams, and you may never want to come out."

COST: JUST $6 (includes free house drink)
LOCATION: 29 Cornelia Street
(CROSS STREETS) (bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.)
RESERVATIONS: (212) 989-9319

A FULL MENU IS AVAILABLE DURING THE READING

for more information visit: www.pollyfrost.com

2006-10-10T12:31:00.000-04:00

10/10/06

Technical update...

Hello all,

Apparently, any emails people have been sending me throught he site have not been reaching me. They are lost in the ethernet somewhere. My apologies. We are working on it and it should be up and running again soon. As an alternative, you can always post a comment here in the updates/blog section. I do get those.

Blessed be, y'all.

Shannon

2006-09-30T16:44:00.000-04:00

09/30/06

I'm a'Goin Home......

Sigh... I must bid a bittersweet farewell to Berlin and all of those I have grown to know here. I will be boarding a plane to NYC in the morning.

For my first trip out of the States, this has been a blast. Berlin and parts east, Hamburg for a lovely couple of days, and a spur of the moment bohemian trip to Amsterdam....I couldn't ask for better.

But now it's time to move on. Coming up is the completion of another film project in NYC (more on that later), and getting back in the groove with the dance company (and my waistline is saying I need the exercise...if I never see hard rolls and cheese again, it will be too soon. Ack!). I will also be doing a couple of erotic readings in October, so check back from time to time for those updates! ;-)

So, Berlin and all my new friends in it: I will miss you. But....

I'll see you all when the movie comes out!

Tschüss!

2006-09-17T17:18:00.000-04:00

09/17/06

Flying

Soaring like a bird, pretending you're a superhero, whirling around like a Jedi knight. I got to do this yesterday.

Keith and I were treated to some stunt wire training by the film's stuntmen, Alister and Wolfgang. And it was awesome! I got a bit of video on my camera (thanks to Maxim Matthew, who was there to photograph the session), so here it is. Not bad for a first try, yeah?

Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Stunt wire training in Berlin. Ooh yeah!

Get this video and more at MySpace.com
My Crouching Tiger moment. ;-)

Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Too much fun for words...

And a huge "Thank you" to Alister and Wolfgang for being so generous with their time and knowledge (and patience!). Don't forget to check out their websites, soon to be in my links section, as well.

www.perfect-action.com and www.amazzotti.com

Now, if you will excuse me, I must go recuperate. (ouch....whimper!!!)

2006-09-14T07:42:00.000-04:00

09/12/06

And.....It's A Wrap

I have been procrastinating on writing this blog. Why? Because it's the end of shooting, the last time I'll see most of the crew (other than Wednesday's wrap party, but I won't be writing about that. Some things stay among us and only us. Thhppbbtt!), and almost time to go back to my normal life, such as it is.

The last day was also the LONGEST shooting day we have had. But it was amazing and fun, and I had such a good time. Everything that went bad yesterday went great today. I was bloody and screaming (and running, like forever it seemed), and I got to wield weapons. I have been waiting the last 6 weeks to be all bloody and, finally, it's my turn! Yay!

I have never been more happily exhausted as today by the time we wrapped the film at 11:45PM. We finished everything from today as well as what we were missing from yesterday. Everyone was tired, but seemed in a good mood by the end, we all had a toast with our beers or Jagers or whatever, and then at long last (and for the last time), we packed up the set and headed home.

And then there is Keith, my partner in all this as actors. We were the first to set on day one, and the last to leave on day 25. It's nice to have someone to come full circle with in all of this. We started and ended this film together. We have lived in the same house with Sebastian for the last six weeks, gotten on each other's nerves (but only a little... heh), worked together, partied together, and just enjoyed this whole blessed Berlin experience.

So Keith, a big hug.

And a punch to the arm. You'll understand.... ;-)

What? We ARE smiling.

Our final character pic... so sad.

And Sebastian, our director and host for this whole crazy thing. It was quite fitting to share a bottle of champagne upon arriving back in "Oopsy-Daisy Town" (sorry folks, inside joke). I have learned a lot from working on this film. I can always work with a man who thinks more blood is always the better option! And I love that even the actors don't quite know how the film will end...

A toast to us all. Cheers!

And a final note. Just because the film is wrapped does not mean this blog will end! This blog is about the things I am doing in acting and dance, so hey, keep checking it out from time to time. To start with is the film I will be returning to when I go back to NY, as well as my dance company. More info on those later. For now, I'm going to enjoy my remaining time here in Berlin.

So this is me. Signing off of Headhunter for the last time...

...exhausted and happy.

2006-09-14T07:41:00.000-04:00

09/11/06

Murphy's Law

The second to last day of shooting, and everything seemed to go wrong that could. Misplaced crew members and camera equipment, broken props, changed camera settings, wardrobe and makeup issues, yadda, yadda. The list goes on.

Sebastian's car falling apart first thing in the morning - not a good omen.

The shooting that should have started at 8AM finally began around noon. By the time we wrapped at around 11:30PM, we had only finished a little over half of the day's planned scenes. Which we will be picking up again tomorrow after the already scheduled scenes have been done. Oh boy. Tomorrow is crunch time. But I must say, the location for the final scenes is awesome!

Smallest damn room I have ever filmed in.

How we all felt by the end of the day. ;-)

All things considered, I'm actually surprised that we got off as easy as we have throughout the last weeks, luck-wise. Our sets weren't destroyed or stolen, we didn't have too many diva issues with the cast, and everyone basically got along really well (and that's a miracle when you have to live together for a month). This is probably the most fun I have had on a project.

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day. It doesn't feel like it should be over yet.

2006-09-10T08:04:00.000-04:00

09/09/06

And All Good Things Must Come To An End

Two days left of filming for the crew, Keith and I, but for the rest of the cast, this was it. Done. Over with. The final day.

Kind of sucks. So, even though I will see these people again on Wednesday at the wrap party, here are my goodbyes:

Clayton, you flirt, you. My partner in the fastest filmed kissing scene in history. ;-)

Neils, "my brother", you are probably the most genuinely nice person I have ever met, and you, together with Jesse, give me hope that there are still good men out there.

And Jesse, you of a thousand words with one look. After weeks of geting to know you, you still fascinate me.

Mareike, thank you for being so incredibly cool and down-to-earth, for being someone I can really enjoy hanging out with, and for giving me a repreive from the testosterone scene! (And for the bottle of Jager. Heehee!)

I hate endings sometimes. But it's not quite over. Keith and I are the last remaining cast members, with two very harrowing days left to go.

So here it goes....

2006-09-09T17:16:00.000-04:00

09/08/06

Prepare for Final Countdown...

Today was rough. Beautiful, but rough. My personal most difficult scene so far, followed by my favorite scene so far, a fond farewell to two crew members, and our last night together in Belzig.

Today I had to cry. This is my personal bane. I HATE crying. It's like a trigger: As soon as a camera is pointed in my face, my tear ducts shrivel up and hide, eyes dry as a bone. And at the same time, I love the challenge (and deeply thank Jesse for being so giving during the scene). Especially since, in the scene following, I got to be an absolute bitch to Jesse's character. Loved it!

Goddess bless Jesse for giving me so much to work with in this scene.

A plane, a plane! Oh, my kingdom for a rocket launcher!

Two of our crew members are leaving us today. Sabina, from Wardrobe, will be starting another job tomorrow and Louise, our prop assistant/intern, is leaving tomorrow morning to go back to school.

I'll miss you two! Please keep in touch.

(Note to Louise's dad: "Cute as a bug" is a compliment. I promise!)

And to end the day, we all met up at Reni's, the local bar, for our last night in Belzig (and the last night of the cast as a whole, tomorrow being the final shooting day for most). Unfortunately, all the pics ended up blurry, but just know that Jager, absinthe, and Beatles tunes figured prominently in the evening (hmmm, maybe I'll just keep some of the photos for blackmail purposes later on. Hah!).

Tomorrow should be interesting....

2006-09-09T17:15:00.001-04:00

09/07/06

Talk, Talk, blah, blah, blah....

The short version of today? Talk, talk, wait for clouds, talk, talk, film(!), talk, talk, (Jagermeister break), talk, talk, un endlich...

A bit more detail? Ok. This was another one-scene day, where Sebastian and Ian just couldn't seem to agree on the shots (hence the talking portion of the day). At some point, we all got the giggles over the ridiculousness of it, and then someone broke out the Jager (very subtly, of course, with sneaky passes from person to person). It was only a sip, honest! I think, as we get down to the last few days, we've all come to an unspoken agreement to just relax and have fun with it while we still can. Darned good idea, too.

Mmm! Appetizing way to start the day.

I always seem to have a gun in my hand these days.

It's warm and sunny today. The weather here is such a tease.

In a few seconds, I'll be slapping her. Yes, really.

Keith - wild man of the woods.

These two should have their own section on the DVD, just for their outtakes and comedic bits.

Ummm, me, after the Jager... (only a sip, I swear! (: )

OK, all. Must sleep now....*yawn*

2006-09-09T17:14:00.000-04:00

09/06/06

I was wrong. TODAY was the longest frickin' day on earth. It was also Manu's last day on set. :(

I'll just let the pictures tell it today...

Today's most often seen pose...damned planes.

Then there's Natalia, the ever-smiling! I don't know how she does it.

Last chance for a cast photo...(because I don't really want to carry a camera around at the wrap party next week)

Bye Manu!!!

Oh, the possibilities! Kidding, guys, kidding! ;-)

*sigh* Things are really starting to wind down now. Only five shooting days left...

2006-09-09T17:11:00.000-04:00

09/05/06

After today, it is exactly one week until final wrap (six shooting days plus Sunday off). Strangely, it seems that will take quite a while to actually happen…

…because this was the longest frickin’ day on earth! Sun, clouds, the goddamned airplanes! Boom mikes, aarrgh! It’s just one of “those” days, you know? However, I do think the scene will be a pretty good one. Yes, I said scene, not scenes. One scene. Not even one, only part of one (tomorrow, we finally get to finish it).

Oy!

And even with the 5:45AM call time and everything else, damned if I don’t still love this acting stuff. It’s the only thing I don’t mind rising earlier than the sun for.

I might as well take pics of the crew while we're waiting for yet another damn plane.

Tip: Don't mess with two pissed off females.

:) See you tomorrow!

2006-09-09T17:07:00.000-04:00

09/04/06

Melancholy

Wow, down to the final stretch. Our last week here at the horse farm, and only 7 days of filming to go. Strange. What happens when the little bubble we’ve created amongst ourselves pops and we burst back into our own lives? How many of these people will I stay in touch with? Probably not many, to be honest. This isn’t a matter of likes or dislikes, it’s just the nature of the business. As much as some of us would like to keep in touch with everyone, the reality of it is that we won’t see these people again unless we end up on another project together.

In my case, how likely is even that? I will go back to America on October 1, and when will I ever run into anybody from this production? Not likely, is it? And that is very sad.

A big part of me doesn’t want to leave, wants to sell my furniture, have my cats shipped to Berlin, and just stay. For a number of reasons…

…sigh…

If only…

Anyway, back to the film. Today, I think I did my worst scene. Not happy. At all. But I’m told it looks fine, so I think I’ll take their word for it and relax. (I’m finally getting better at that part.) ☺ Oh, and I got to do more running today. Oh, yay.

Just some random scene pics today...

'Til tomorrow.

2006-09-03T08:21:00.000-04:00

09/03/06

When It's Done Right, Part II...and it's a long one.

A big thanks again to Maxim Matthew for letting me put his pics up here. Here's another bit of retrospection on the filming so far, from his lens.

Same ole' Nilo!

Cold. Why? Hours of laying on cold wet sand.

Awesome scene pic.

Maxim does so many good candid portraits, I'll try to include as many as I can.

Poor Uli, in a freezing cold lake all day...

Forever on the phone, this guy.

Be vewy, vewy quiet.... ;-)

Brrr!

Ian. The most chill guy I know.

I LOVE this picture! I look like I'm about to kick someone's ass. Heh!

Total promo pic, yeah?

A great pic of Ines.

Ooh, it ain't always pretty. I didn't know my face could DO that...

Nikko, our gun guy. An intrinsic observer.

Hahahahahahaha! Can't help but giggle.

ooph!

Bergfest!....

.....

.....

Finally! The fire show pics!

Boris - tired of the rain, as are we all.

A moment of levity.

Still love my job, rain, cold and all the rest notwithstanding. Hopefully, I will have more Maxim pictures in a week or so. I'm off to the woods again tonight.

See you soon!

2006-09-02T06:13:00.000-04:00

09/02/06

A Little Somethin' Different...

Something completely non-"Headhunter"-related:

Let's start at the beginning. I belong to a Congolese dance company in New York, Fushadance Company, and Funmi, our director, introduced me to an artist and filmmaker named Sena (actually, she is from Germany, now that I think of it...). Sena needed some dancers for a really interesting video project being filmed on Coney Island, I loved the concept, she liked my dancing, it was a match!

So, the weekend before coming to Germany, that is what I did. Sena created some amazing tribal costumes for all of us, and hired Lazarus, my new favorite make-up man, to do our faces. Live drummers, cool people to hang with all day, going on the Coney Island rides during our break...it was a big party!

Sena was nice enough to send me a couple of pics from the shoot, so here I am. A little bit different.

2006-09-02T05:33:00.000-04:00

08/31/06 - 09/01/06

Two Birds, One Stone

SO, almost all of the characters have died by now. We'll be resurrecting everyone next week for more shooting, but all of the death scenes, save one, have been done.

Yesterday and today my two favorite characters were killed off.

A moment of silence, please.... ;-)

Amen....

Wow, talk about busy days. So hectic that Sebastian started to forget I don't speak German. Good thing I'm a mind reader, yeah?

I took SO MANY PICTURES of these deaths, and I can't show you a one. Poor you...

Meet the Lump. Our co-star for the morning. Eww.

Can't complain much when you are surrounded by all this.

I am so jealous of the stunt one of the actors got to do on Friday...

So cool that we needed both of our stunt coordinators here to do it. Hi Alister!

This stunt had the whole crew at attention. It was so much fun to watch.

And we even have our special effects guy back for the day. Which means....much blood.

A last note: We started our morning in the makeup apartment with croissants, champagne and M&M's to celebrate Pretty Nina's day. Happy Birthday, Nina!

On a different note, I am SO glad it is the weekend. I love nature and all, but being among the same group of people for 6 days who all speak German most of the time, it gets a little lonely sometimes. No internet, no phone, no TV. Aaahh! The feeling sneaks up on me occasionally, though luckily is short lived. I really, really wish I had learned German back in school. Then again, I could end up saying the same thing about Spanish or French, or whatever, next trip.

Whoever invents the universal translator (you know, like on Star Trek) will rule the planet.

2006-09-02T05:19:00.000-04:00

08/30/06

It’s Time to Gloat…

Because I got to sleep in until 10AM this morning! Woohoo! Talk about luxury.

In fact, today became a sort of unofficial day off for me because the weather was so unbelievably crappy that our final scene of the day (the only was I was in) had to be pushed back. I was in costume and makeup for the afternoon “just in case” the weather got better, but….no. It didn’t.

That’s the way it goes, I guess. At least I got to sleep in this morning. ;-)

The one scene that was finished.

And this is the rest of the day...

...

...

In the pouring rain...

..."Why don't we shoot the scene right now?" asks Sebastian...

.................no..................

The production drinks enough of this, Jagermeister should seriously consider sponsoring us. Seriously.

Of course, I’m first to hair and makeup tomorrow morning at 6AM. Ah, the laws of balance. Drat!

2006-09-02T05:18:00.000-04:00

08/29/06

…And Then There Were Three

A make-out scene, being slammed to the ground, tied to a tree, knocked out with the butt of a gun, and lots and lots of blood.

It was a damn good day! And I’ve got the bruises to prove it. Maybe I’m twisted, but I love this stuff. It was cold and rainy, the ground was hard, and we did everything at least a dozen times, but it was so much fun!

It’s a shame I can’t give you the who and how of today’s death scene, because it was awesome! Really well done, and the pics I took of it …heh heh. Nice (as far as pictures of bloody mangled corpses go, that is).

Hangover, anyone? One day, Keith is gonna lynch me for the pics I post of him.

Preparing for death. "Hmm." Finger taps the chin. "Who could it be?"

Gonna be real sorry when all the stunts are finished....yep.

The pink box has been dubbed "Priscilla, Queen of the Wilderness". I think. It was in German.

Amazing. You can actually see how cold we are.

You think all the plastic is for the rain, right?

Nope...

...the blood.

And the mysterious Maverick makes an appearance on set.

See y'all tomorrow. Cheers!

2006-09-02T05:16:00.000-04:00

08/28/06

Bergfest!

Literal translation: Mountain party.

Ask someone here what a mountain party is, they will say that in the middle of a production, you climb up a mountain, have a party and climb back down again. (Ha ha, Fabian) This amuses them.

But yes, there is a party. No climbing required. It’s like a hump-day party to us Americans, marking the halfway point of a project. We had a barbeque with sausages and reindeer steak, music to dance to, and beer and Jagermeister aplenty. And a special treat for the evening, Uli did a fire show for us! Sorry, no pics yet on that. However, my camera was passed around throughout the evening, so lots of other pics were taken. Here goes with a few:

Groups...

Pairs...

(My favorite pair of the evening: Johannes and Joey!)

Ones...

Ah ha! Our director's true face emerges! Bwahahahahaha! (He'll get me for this one, I know it.)

Sabina - Belated Birthday wishes!

Pretty Nina

Fabian. How can you not like this face?

Manuel! You dancin' fool, you!

And finally, moi...

Oh, and I learned my first insult in German! Du bist bescheuert (DU BIST BISHOYAT) (You are stupid), or, alternatively, Bist du bescheuert oder was? (DU BIST BISHOYAT ODUH VAS) (Are you stupid or what?). Pronunciations are approximate.

Now if only I had someone to use this on…..

6AM call time in the morning… Ugh. G’night.

2006-09-02T05:12:00.000-04:00

08/28/06

Some Cooperation, Please

Sometimes the weather is just damn annoying. This morning we started more than an hour late because the humidity made the camera damp, and so we sat around waiting for it to dry.

OK, it’s dry! Let’s shoot. Now if the sun and clouds would just cooperate. Not to mention the airplanes! As soon as the clouds are in the right place, a passenger plane strolls leisurely by somewhere above.

Line of the day: “Hold for plane.”

Sebastian swears he will never do a film in the woods again. Next film – in a studio!

Towards the end of the day, they brought out a “butterfly” (large white tarp on a frame…I learned something new today) and some lights. I believe Clayton summed it up when he said, “Uh oh. They’ve figured out how to make daylight at night. This is not a good sign.”

General mood of the morning...

...and so on. (Cool color composition here, though)

Ian was sleeping in this position 5 seconds ago.

Keith, of course, knows exactly how to handle the situation. Naptime.

Going a little stircrazy at this point.....grrr

Aaahh! The things we do to amuse ourselves. Sheesh!

Just because...

A very long day for everyone. But tonight – Bergfest!

2006-09-02T05:02:00.000-04:00

08/27/06

I Am Eve...

No, not even close (I'd rather be Lilith). But Manu Cortez, as well as being a celebrity here, also creates photo art and had asked me to be one of his models for his newest project...as Eve.

Of course I will!

He had a whole crew of people working with him. The location he chose for his new "Eden" was a cold white surgery room, and well, the whole concept is is pretty damned cool. These pics are just behind-the-scenes, but hopefully you'll get the idea of it.

FIRST, GOD MADE ADAM. Hahahahahahaha! Kidding. Meet Costa, our Adam for the shoot.

Hair. Hair for days. Damn, that's alot of hair.

10 points if you can guess what's under the robe.... ;)

Manu and Phil, creative geniuses.

This is Phil, the guy actually behind the camera (damn, that was alot of hair!)

Eden where? Check the plastic tent in the back.

Susan. Or, er... God?

Mmm, it's good to be Eve.

Who knew hair was that heavy? Mad fun, and a very sore neck in the morning.

Worth it.

And last but not least, Manuel has a showing of another project all of September. Here's the info:

Shan Rahimkhan, Am Gendarmenmarkt, Marktgrafenstr. 36, Berlin.

Go see! Go see!

And so another week in the woods, coming up!

2006-08-27T03:59:00.000-04:00

08/24/06 - 08/25/06

Night Shoots

Ah, I was wondering when it would happen. Everyone is tired, communication goes awry, tempers flare.

And noone brought the marshmallows to roast over our campfire. *sigh* I pine for s'mores!

The last two nights were very long, very cold (when not next to the fire), and very wet. Only a 7% chance of rain my ass! We're all on a tight schedule because of light, and we're sitting under umbrellas half the time.

But you know what? It got done. All irritations aside, we're still on schedule.

Cool.

Now, after a day off, we're all heading back again for another week in the forest...but thank the Goddess, no more night shoots!

I'll catch you all up more later.

See you!

2006-08-26T04:18:00.000-04:00

08/23/06
Two Down, ? To Go...

Our first night shoot! Technically, I don’t even need to be here, but hey, how else am I going to get pictures? (Of course, later I realize that all the pictures I take end up ruined anyway because I'm not allowed to use a flash. Sometimes I’m not the brightest bulb.) Besides, they were shooting some pretty cool fight scenes so it was fun to watch.

OK, it was really frickin’ cold by 2AM and I ended up wearing the coats of three other people who were smart enough to come prepared. I looked like a Russian doll. You know, peel off a layer, there’s a slightly smaller version underneath. Or maybe an Oompa Loompa. Hmm.

Anyway…

Lot’s of blood and yelling. Very cool scene. And once again, that’s all the info you get, so you’ll just have to wait for the premiere.

Natch.

Goodnight. Or morning. Whatever.

2006-08-26T04:05:00.000-04:00

08/22/06

Woohoo! Today was so much fun! Even with the rain and such, we all had a pretty good time.

One small sad note. Today we lose Sven of the broken ankle (*sniffle*)...

...but continue on with our new AC, Boris.

Before our first scene today, standing around waiting to start, we all quieted and listened to the trees swaying in the wind. Creeaaakkk. Creeaaakkk. Then Neils said, “I used to think that when a door creaked, it was the hinges needing oil, but now I think it’s the wood remembering the wind.” He blew his words off as silly, but I thought they were lovely. If you let your mind wander a bit, you can believe the trees are speaking to you.

I love it here…

Group shock

Method acting? Hmmm.... ;-)

You can't help but love 'em

Keith's favorite pose

Sebastian's coveted pink box

The other half of our day - waiting for the rain to stop between shots.

CREW UPDATE:

Meet Gisella, our new script continuity gal, and Nilo's replacement.

It took forever to get a decent picture of this guy all by himself. Say hi to Tom, our gaffer.

Cute as a bug, this is Louise (but for some reason, I've been calling her Lucy...oops). She's kind of like an intern, I guess. Helps out wherever she's needed.

Tonight, drinking aplenty! Because tomorrow everyone gets to sleep late in preparation for our first night shoot.

Oh, and I learned how to say “matchbox” in German, but it’s a really long word that I have no idea how to spell. How useful is this word to a non-smoker, anyway?

G'night!

2006-08-26T03:54:00.000-04:00

08/21/06

Bye-Bye Bambi

Not many pics today, but do you really want to see a dead baby deer more than once? Me either. Relax folks, the deer was originally killed for food by local hunters. We didn't kill it for the film or anything. So put the pitchforks down.

Today we did what is probably my least favorite scene. The one where I have to squat for a pee. Yeah, there is no way this scene can be even remotely flattering. And before you ask: No, I did not drop trousers for this scene, though one crew member thought I should in order to be “realistic” (funny, I was shown only above the waist the entire time. Huh.). Luckily, we don’t see that person very often.

There’s always one, isn’t there?

Poor baby deer....

Finding Sarah in an awkward position. Aack!

Unfortunately, that set the tone for the rest of the day. We had our first (and hopefully only) accident. Sven, our Assistant Cameraman, broke his ankle in the woods (and then WALKED back to base by himself before going to the hospital, where he waited 3 hours in the emergency room because they forgot about him. I guess hospital care is the same just about everywhere).

And finally, a note: For anyone who only speaks English – Learn another language. Seriously. Because it can get real lonely sitting in the middle of a crowded room and not understanding ANYONE. I am kind of ashamed, actually. I am working with a bunch of people, all of whom know at least two languages, and I only know one. It’s embarrassing.

Goodnight.

2006-08-26T03:30:00.000-04:00

08/20/06

A Marathon Runner - What?

Got up late. Damn, I hate that. This morning, it’s only Keith and I on set (for the actors, anyway. No break at all for the crew). Today, I get to run. And run. And run. And run.

I’m really not built for running.

However, I also get to shoot at things today, and that’s pretty exciting. Let's call it aggression therapy, shall we? (-;

Oh yes, and the big stunt of the film…

…………….

OK, the day is over now and here’s the reality of it:

Handling guns? Scary as hell. And we won’t even talk about the time I managed to release the clip after firing. Yep, just watched it drop to the ground…which everyone found very amusing. And actually pointing a gun at someone while pulling the trigger? Whoa, talk about a reality check. Even knowing it was loaded with blanks, it was a frightening situation (for the person in front of the gun as well, I imagine. Two words: Brandon Lee). Luckily, we had our stuntmen back again, keeping everything cool.

Wolfgang and Nikko (gun specialist), making me feel just a little bit safer...

And the running? Still hate it. This will never change. Ever. Damn, my ankles hurt.

Pop quiz: How do you get Shannon to run? Shoot an arrow at her. (Yeah, Sebastian won't let me ride a horse, but shooting arrows at me? No problem.)

But the stunt was awesome! Heck, seeing Wolfgang in a shower cap and a wig was enough to make it worth the trip. Heh!

You should see the wig. Ha!

This is what Keith does...

...and this is Wolfgang's version. Three times and not one scratch on him. Whoa.

I, of course, get the easy part. It looks kinda cool, though, yeah?

And then we were off to another location, a really cool old worn down military medical building where, upon leaving, we found we were locked in at the gate. But, it seems our AD is adept at picking combination locks, so within a few moments we were out. (A very convenient skill, Manuel!)

Oops.

I am exhausted. I will be sleeping very, very well tonight.

2006-08-19T08:33:00.000-04:00

08/19/06

OK, On A Personal Note...

Meet my newborn baby niece, Lauren! I know this isn't movie related, but I really don't care. My baby niece is here! A big congrats to my bro Cody, and to the beautiful mom, Jenell!

And now for the obligatory baby pics of this absolutely gorgeous child (and I'm not just saying that because she's related to me, either...) ;-)

Oh, the cuteness...

...it just doesn't quit!

My baby brother with his baby girl.

(As much as I would love to put up the momma and baby pic, Jenell might not appreciate being posted to the world right after giving birth. We'll see.)

Over-the-moon Auntie Shannon, signing off.

2006-08-19T08:11:00.000-04:00

08/19/06

To the Deep Dark Woods We Go...

This may be my last blog for a few days. Tonight we drive out to the woods, where we will be staying for the week, and well, I don't hold great hopes for the internet situation. But I will have LOTS to catch up on when I get back on the weekend. To start, tomorrow someone gets shot, and at least one more character gets killed later in the week.

Did I mention that I LOVE this job? Yeah.

Talk to you all soon.....

2006-08-18T09:41:00.000-04:00

08/17/06

This Is How It Looks When It's Done Right.

The pictures, I mean. Our still photographer, Maxim Matthew, has graciously agreed to let me put some of his pics up, so now you can see what all of this should really look like. And take a look at more of his work. His fantasy series is pretty damned cool.

www.maxim-matthew.com

Day 1

Still shot of "Tom" looking very rugged and manly. ;-0

"Sarah and Frankie" still shot

"Roman"

My absolute favorite pic from Maxim so far.

Hopefully, I will get more pics soon. (Hint, hint, Maxim! (-;) So, y'all, I think that's it for today. Have a good weekend!

2006-08-18T09:22:00.000-04:00

08/16/06 - 08/17/06

One Dead....

and if you don't already know who or how, I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to wait until the film comes out. (Thhppbbtt!!) I will say that I have never had more fun on a movie set, and it's fascinating to me to see how these effects are done.

I'll also mention that it included hours of laying on cold wet sand and way too much time in 55 degree lake water. And those are the only clues you get....

It's morning, it's wet, it's cold. I laid here for about 2 hours....

but that's nothing compared to this poor guy. Uli was in the water most of the day...

And then there's Keith, who had to go in the water half naked.

"This is awkward," says Keith. (Well how would you feel if 5 or 6 men told you to bend over....to put the weights around your waist so you can sink in the water. Get your mind out of the gutter!)

Awww, poor babushka!

Our fabulous stunt coordinator, Wolfgang, back again.

I hope Keith remembers - he ASKED for this photo...

Rough day, dude, rough. ;-)

Luckily, Thursday was much easier. The woods we are filming in are truly beautiful. And VERY alive. As soon as I got out of the van I took a look at the ground, which was moving. Spiders and ants all over the place. It's like Jurassic Park here. I keep expecting a Raptor to come barreling through the trees. If you stay quiet for just a moment, you can hear the forest "buzz". I'd love to tell you about the "spider on the shirt collar" episode, but the parties involved would probably lynch me (relax, boys, I won't name names. Hee!).

First thing in the morning.

My favorite pic of the day.

This was our last day before a two day break. On Saturday, we all move to the woods to stay for the next three weeks. woohoo! We're also losing a couple of crew members after today: Nilo, our 2nd AD, is going back to New York on Saturday. We've been sharing living space for the last three weeks. He will be missed.

*sniffle*

And our wonderful caterer, Stephan, will also be leaving us, as the farm we'll be staying at will be providing the food while we are there. But we'll see him again after it's all done - at the wrap party!

So, next week:

Our biggest stunt is coming up on Sunday. SO cool!

2006-08-15T16:37:00.000-04:00

08/15/06

Allow Me To Introduce . . .

The Crew

OK, so I've been taking tons of pics on set, but it has taken me a while to actually learn who everyone is (actually, our director Sebastian is helping me out with this one, because I suck at names). But now I've got all that worked out, so here goes:

These are the people who are making this film actually happen: the cameramen, the gaffers, grips, production assistants, and so on, who start the day before we actors show up on set and end when we've already gone home. I don't understand most of what they say (it's that whole German language thing, ya know...), but they are all very nice to us anyway. I am SURE I am missing some people, but here are most of them, in no particular order.

You've already met Ian, our DoP, so I just wanted to show him in action. Today was the first time I saw him smile on set. He should do it more often.

Uli, kep grip. You see his hat? He told me it is from his army days. He was in construction for the military (but I've forgotten what his platoon(?) was called).

You remember Nina, don't you? She goes all Samurai on us with the makeup brushes after every take, keeping us looking pretty.

I have never been able to get a good picture of these two! This is Olaf and his assistant Sabina, the wardrobe staff. And thank the Goddess they were nice enough to consider what we liked as well as what worked for our characters.

Andreas: car captain. Picks people up, takes them home. Pretty self-explanatory, really.

Manuel, our AD. I'm pretty sure that headset is surgically grafted to his skull. I don't think I've ever seen him without it. (:

Alex (blue shirt) and his assistant Peter, our sound engineers. Peter is very quiet, and Alex, well, he always cracks me up. (You'd have to meet him to really get an idea. He's cool.)

Stephan, our caterer. I always feel like his personal pain in the butt, being the only vegetarian on set, but he has been incredibly nice to me about it.

Johannes, Production Assistant. Always a smile on this one's face...

Fabian, our Production Manager. I'm not sure what all that entails, but it's very, very important. (Hi Fabian!)

Boris, our prop man and all-around nice guy.

I call these ladies our "Power of Three". These women pretty much run the show, practically speaking. From left: Julia - Production Assistant who seems to be everywhere at once and knows everything; Natalia - Production Coordinator, who has been with the film since pre-production (and runs a daily movie quote contest of which I am currently in the lead (hee!)); and Ines - Set Manager, it's her voice we listen to on set...usually telling us to be quiet.

Sven, our Assistant Cameraman. It's the only pic I have of him with a smile...

Whew! That's it for now, until I get more, and hopefully better, pics. With 21 days of filming to go (and living with each other most of that time), I'm sure we'll all be getting to know each other alot better. So stay tuned.

Bye for now!

2006-08-15T16:12:00.000-04:00

08/14/06 - 08/15/06

Well, two more days gone. I've heard that we have filmed about 13 minutes of the script so far... some random trivia there. Yesterday, we finished up the Berlin section of the film, and today, out to the woods! Where most of us huddled under tents or froze our asses of in the rain for the first few hours. (And yes, I still love my job.) Everyone seemed to lighten up a bit more today, cast and crew alike. Even our DoP smiled a few times! (-; It must be the fresh air, because even the rain couldn't get people down today. I might have an outtake clip for you all a bit later!

Lots of pics from the last two days, so have a look... and there's a bonus at the end of this blog.

Heh heh!

Finally! Our mystery actor in the film. This is Maverick (playing Takahashi), doing his green screen presentation.

Now THIS is what you call a detailed operation.

I just really like this photo, so I'm putting it up. I'm sitting as an eyeline for Keith during his close-up.

Crap weather, just crap. Freezes your bones, makes your teeth chatter, and fogs up your glasses (as demonstrated by Nilo here).

Damn, do we look professional or what? Big budget movies ain't got nuthin' on us. Huh...

Woohoo! Sebastian smiling at the monitor is always a good sign.

"Reset for shooting!" "Reset for shooting!" "Reset for shooting!" and so on. You get the picture.

A great shot of Keith while filming.

Ah, final scene of the day!

Even better, final take of the final scene of the day. Let's all go home and sleep!

And, as promised....(drum roll)....

The first pics of all the severed heads were sent to me last night by Fabian, our Production Manager. They are not finished yet, but here is the general idea.

And don't they look tasty?

Ugh.

And I'm off to dreamland, to wake tomorrow and....

wait for it.....

do our first death scene! Yes!

'Night now.

2006-08-13T16:01:00.000-04:00

08/12/06 (and 08/13/06, because I was really freaking tired last night)

Hi all! First and second days of shooting are done, about 23 days left to go. Whee!

Did I mention my job is the most wicked, awesome, amazing thing in the world? Yeah. It is. 4:30 AM wakeup calls, 12+ hour days, and it's still the best job in the world.

Unfortunately, my camera refused to download the pics from today, but here are some of the Day 1 photos. The cast finally all together, on set, in wardrobe and full make-up. Our cool-as-hell crew making everything work the way it's supposed to (and making us look good in the process).

..... Yeah. damn good days.

Mareike and Jesse, in costume. Totally completes the character, doesn't it?

Keith. Yes, he's always this smooth... ;-)

Sebastian and Ian, our Director of Photography

On set for the second scene of the day.

Manu, always in character!

Mareike and Clayton, waiting between scenes (and waiting, and waiting. It's a general rule of every film set. LOTS of waiting.)

My long lost big brother! Neils and I have been told we could easily be siblings. What do you think? (My favorite shot of the day, by the way.)

Well, tomorrow we get to sleep in until 6AM.....feel me weep with joy.

Anyway, script review and then to bed. Up and do it all again tomorrow. (Yes!!)

2006-08-11T19:05:00.000-04:00

Truth and Art

In 5 hours, our first day of filming begins. And I am terrified. Can I admit that? Stone cold sweaty shaky clammy hands clutch my chest that can't breath and can I please go home now type of terrified.

I am not prepared, forgot my lines ten times today, afraid I will completely screw everything up, I need more time, damn it, there's not enough time to get it right! What if I suck? What if I'm brilliant, which could be worse. What if I'm the actor about whom the audience comments "wow, that character really blew!" while the credits roll? What if, what if , what if? Oh shit.

And this is the point where I read what has just been written and realize I sound like a schmuck.

So be it. For the next ten minutes, I am a schmuck. Because this is the biggest role I have had so far in a film of this caliber. And I desperately want to get it right. I know, "right" is a completely subjective term, and the wrong one for this situation. But it's the word that runs through my head. Shall I replace it with "well"? I want to do well? be spectacular? shine on the screen? Yes, all of those and more. But can I? I would love to have the self-confidence to unhesitatingly say "Yes!", but let's face it, insecure is a modern day catchword, and I am not exempt. Damn.

A pause.

Funny, reading my own words makes me a bit more determined, because being weak is irritating. I suppose that, in reality, none of it matters. Either way, in 5 hours the camera starts rolling and the huge group effort that makes a film will finally start to show results. Then we'll see what's what. Yes? Yes.

So.

Deep breath.

Here goes everything.

.................... thank you, friends, for listening. Good night.

2006-08-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

08/11/06

I Wanna Be A Stuntwoman

If there was anything I would want to be except an actor, it would be a stuntwoman. Remember the 80's TV show "The Fall Guy"? Yeah, I loved that show as a kid. I thought those tricks were so cool (right up there with McGuyver). And today, I got my first professional stunt experience. And I haven't stopped smiling (of course, the feeling in my shoulder hasn't come back either). Let me introduce you to Alister and Wolfgang:

These guys are amazing. Alister even went so far as to help me learn how to do a back walkover and to improve my handstand. They have worked on big movies, like "V for Vendetta", "The Pianist" and "Aeon Flux". Check out their websites...

Alister showing us the ropes. Check out his company at www.amazzotti.com

See Wolfgang's martial arts moves at www.perfect-action.com

Our session was awesome and I'm sure we'll be sore tomorrow, but it was worth it! We did a warm-up, learned some rolls and basic rules of fighting on film. Ah hack, it's better described in pictures. So here ya go...

Yeah, I know. Total goofballs . . . oh, stop laughing.

When did somersaults get complicated? ;-)

And then Manu arrives...

...as his usual charming self...

...and the boys teach Keith how to beat the crap out of him.

And then he gets to beat the crap out of me (we're very progressive. Equal opportunity ass-kicking)

*ouch*

And last, but not least, Alister gave me some practical gun weilding tips. Good thing, too. I'd hate to be one of "those" girls in the films we've all seen. You know the ones, they're more likely to shoot themselves than the bad guy. Oh please, please, don't let me be one of them!

And, oh, I have so many more photos! Alas, no time. But you'll definitely be seeing these guys in future entries. Look forward to it. G'night.

2006-08-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

08/08/06

Mommy's Womb/Mummy's Tomb

Meet Lester.

He's our special effects and makeup guy. Today, he and Nina covered my head in plaster.

Here's how it worked:

First, Nina slicked my hair back with gel goop and pinned it all down, so they could fit the latex cap over my hair and ears.

Then they trimmed the cap to fit around the edges and glued it down to my skull. Next, they constructed a box frame and had me lay my head and neck down in it. After tracing a line divinding the front and back of my skull with a green marker, here comes the plaster. I had to keep a rag in my mouth so it would stay open (like a dead person's mouth), and as they poured the plaster around me, it started off cold and then got really warm.

So far, so good. I laid there for about 15 minutes, then pried myself out of the mold. Lester and Nina filled in the gaps where my hair was, let it set and then back onto the table...

After slathering vaseline all over my face and neck (mmm, pretty), I laid back into the mold...

where they covered my eyebrows with paper and glued my eyelashes down with more vaseline. I am now blind. My eyes truly feel glued, like I couldn't open them if I tried.

Next step, the plaster strips. First my forehead...

eyes...

nose...

mouth...

And now I wait.

Strange. I cannot see. I cannot hear. I cannot move.

All sound is muffled and it is warm. I let my face relax, there is nothing to see, nothing to say. I listen to the echoes of voices around me and just -- exist -- for a moment. No thinking, no anything.

An unexpected moment of peace. A wonderful 15 minutes....

and then it's time to take the cast off. An assisted lift to sitting, a peeeeeeelling of the plaster cast, and lo, I can see! (and it's very very bright!)

"I am pretty, oh so pretty.........."

Wow! Three and a half hours later, we're done! And in walks the next victim (BWAHAHAHAHA!!!)

...Clayton

And I'm off wardrobe shopping for the next six damn hours. Luckily, Olaf is a pleasure to be around (how many men offer you their arm to walk along the street these days?). To keep this short, most of our shopping was done at H&M. Natch.

Tonight, seeing live bands with Manu and Keith, and sleeping in tomorrow. Ahh. Lovely.

2006-08-07T12:31:00.000-04:00

08/06/06

Hair and Makeup Day

This is the most professionally run independent film I have ever worked on. We had the makeup artist (Nina), and the wardrobe guy (Olaf) here today to work on our "looks". Usually on an indie, wardrobe is supplied by the actors and hair and makeup is figured out the day of shooting. But no, these people are very concerned about our look every step of filming, making sure of continuity throughout. I am verily impressed! Maybe one day, this is what I will be used to, but for now.... I'm just going to enjoy.

Nina: hair and makeup extraordinaire

A work in progress

Damn, I'm sexy! Er, yeah....

2006-08-07T12:21:00.000-04:00

08/05/06

Saturday Night On the Town

I LOVE getting VIP treatment! Keith, Nilo and I went out with Manu tonight. Manu, being the German celebrity he is, was on the VIP list for some parties, so off we went. No waiting in line (a good thing, it was cold and raining), no paying for drinks, and a special VIP area to hang out in. Personally, I was on the dance floor the whole time, but the others seemed to really enjoy the VIP area (free drinks will do that to a person). Dancing non-stop. Yeah! Nilo danced with me for a while... and don't let his calm exterior fool you. He's a wild man on the dance floor. Luckily, a couple of party photographers were around, and they seemed to like me (Bet they've never seen club style Congolese dance. Hah!). Here are a couple of the photos they put up on their party sites.

Manu and Keith hanging in the VIP area

Don't'cha just LOVE those candid photos?

Quote: "Shake that ass, baby!" and "Where's my drink, bitches!"

This was a VERY good night...

Damn, we needed this. And a sincere thanks to Manu for being our host for the evening. And I lost count of how many women freaked out and whispered to each other, "Oh, isn't that Manu?! Oh my God!" when he passed by. A genuine celebrity and a true gentleman.

Getting home, it's 6AM. So sleepy...... goodnight.

2006-08-05T10:48:00.000-04:00

08/05/06

First Rehearsal

Well, so far, so good. The people I am working with have all turned out to be laid-back, easy to talk to types. It does feel a little odd when all the conversations going on around and in front of me are in a foriegn language (That's not quite true, is it? The language is native, I'M the foreigner...).

So here goes:

Neils and Jesse being their usual adorable selves

Manu throws himself fully into his work. It's one of the things I admire about him. Later tonight, he is kind enough to take us out to experience some Berlin nightlife...

Keith and Clayton. Excellent character shot.

Sebastian going over some points in the scene. Oh, and me.

A group shot, just for good measure. Manuel, Clayton, Jesse, Neils and me.

Unfortunately, it started pouring, so rehearsal was cut short. Even with these tarps, we all got soaked!

My favorite shot of the day. What a ham! (-;

More on my night out in Berlin later. See ya!

2006-08-04T17:57:00.000-04:00

Ads you will never see in America, but should. And some touristy stuff.

I laughed my ass off at these.

And here are some of Keith (playing Brad in the film) and I just doing the tourist thing today.

(Handsome, idn't he?)

(I don't know what this place is called, but it's kind of surreal) (08/07/06 Note: It turns out, this is the Holocaust Memorial. I wonder how much different this picture would be had I known.)

(At a Berlin Wall memorial at Potsdamer Platz)

And that is my day off. Tomorrow, rehearsals begin...

2006-08-04T17:31:00.000-04:00

I went sightseeing today and it finally feels like a foriegn country....

Mainly because it is so clean! America could really take a cue from Germany on some things, such as:

In Germany, you have to bring your own bag for groceries, or they will sell you a plastic bag for about 15 cents. Imagine all the litter and street garbage that would disappear if people actually had to supply their own bags.

Germany REALLY takes their recycling seriously. There are recycling bins and separators everywhere, and they manage not to be ugly eyesores, either.

Public pay toilets! Yes! For about 50 cents, you can use a very clean public bathroom. (Actually, for you New Yorkers, you can find one near the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island next time you're there, if you want to avoid those oh-so-pungent beach bathrooms...whew!)

Tiny cars: Check it out. The car in teh first pic is coming out in the US next year, called "SmartCar". I haven't seen one Hummer sized car since I've been here. Woohoo!

And I love the walk signals. Every time I see one, I can't help but think of leprechauns (maybe it's just me, who knows?).

There are some very American, and even New York-like traits here as well, such as:

The subway stop I needed was under construction (of course!).

I saw at least 3 Starbucks today and we only walked about 2 miles around Potsdamer Platz.

Dunkin Donuts, also gaining a foothold in Germany.

The live statues we always see in the subway stations, only they hang around the Brandenburg Gate area.

Homeless musicians with their dog laying beside them in the subway station.

Man, the world just seems to be getting smaller and smaller....

2006-08-03T12:46:00.000-04:00

8/3/06

First Day On the Job

Deep, dreamless sleep. Ahhh. I never get this at home (car alarms, sirens, garbage trucks at 2AM....you know).

We did a read-through today, meeting the other actors for the first time. I don't know much about them yet, but let me introduce them to you anyway.

Neils Kurvin ("Bernie") and Sebastian Panneck (our director)

Jesse Inman ("Simon") and Neils

Manuel Cortez ("Bjorn" with a possible name change), Jesse and Manuel (AD)

Clayton Nemrow ("Tom"), Nilo (2nd AD) and Keith Blaser ("Brad")

Mareike Fell ("Frankie") and Manuel Cortez

Nilo, Keith and me ("Sarah")

So, that's all of us except one, who, for specific reasons, is being kept from the rest of us until we start filming (ooh, secrecy and intrigue...).

We may not know these actors in America, but they all have pretty good careers here in Europe. I will admit, it is almost intimidating. Instead, I choose to think that it's a sign I am going in the right direction.

Coming up in the next few days: My head will be cast for a mold (I'm told it's very itchy), and we get to train with the stunt coordinator (so people can die safely...hah!).

Stay tuned.

2006-08-03T11:13:00.000-04:00

Berlin via Milan

You know how your brain can refuse to believe something, even when it's happening, at that very moment? That was me on the plane to Berlin.

I look at the TV right in front of my seat. I see the little digital plane over the Atlantic, then France, and then Italy on the map. The number on the miles-to-go counter is dwindling. I still don't believe it.

(A beautiful sunrise somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean)

(Somewhere over France)

Now I am in the airport at Milan. Funny, it's just like American airports. Half the people here are American, as are most of the ads on the walls. But wait! What is this? On the way to my transfer flight, I have to go through the passport line! Yay me! My first passport stamp! (And I am wondering, briefly, if I should be this giddy over a stamp....)

And finally, I am in Berlin, where I am somewhat disappointed to find out I will not be getting another stamp. :( It's a European Union thing. Sebastian, our director, picks me up and we're off.

A number of the actors and crew are staying at his apartment throughout the shoot, so it was an interesting evening of watching horror films ("The Descent", which comes out in the US this Friday (and is worth seeing), and "The Devil's Rejects" (gross and violent, if you like that sort of thing . . . yes!)). And finally, a collapse into dreamless sleep.

It still doesn't feel like a foriegn country, dang it.