This year has been such a rollercoaster and it's certainly flown by.
Personally and professionally I've experienced so many changes - many of which I wish I'd done a better job of chronicling here - but all of which I've hopefully learned from in one way or another.
One major shift over the last few months is that of seeing myself as an actress who likes to dabble in writing and producing to seeing myself as a creative person, period. I've been doing a LOT of writing lately, much more writing than acting actually (a big part of that is simply because you don't need to wait on anyone to hire you to write, you just DO it) so the thought of being able to make a living as a writer and in turn using my writing to open up more opportunities for me to act, is very appealing. I did resist this shift at first because it felt like a change in my identity, and I talk about that resistance in an interview I did with Lisa Nicole Bell on her podcast, "Behind the Brilliance." Ultimately though, I have let go of my need to define what I do by one label. Yes I'm an actress, but I'm also a writer (I have a literary agent now, whaaaat?!?), producer (packaging the feature version of Muted is priority numero uno), event planner (I don't get paid to do this anymore but I have an event series for women in the industry in the works for 2015 that I'm excited to plan) and baker/cookie decorator (I DO get paid for this and it's been a lovely thrival job during the holidays - www.sugarswag.com), not to mention someone who loves to sing and dance (yes I will be in a musical again one day!). Simply put, I'm a Creative.
With this revelation, writing a blog under the "Adventures of an Actress" heading, no longer makes sense. It doesn't fit who I am anymore since my adventures now fall under many creative categories, not just acting alone. So in the new year I'll be changing my blog to "Candid Confessions of a Creative". With a new blog name comes a new web address so please add the new link to your bookmarks or subscribe via email if you'd like to stay updated since it won't automatically switch over your subscription.
I hope you'll continue to take this journey with me as I start a new chapter but if not, it's been quite a lovely ride. :-)
May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and for those of you continuing on, I can't wait to share much more in 2015!
I'm a firm believer in writing down my goals to help reinforce my faith that they will come to pass. To that end, I've made a visionboard once again and I love it.
These words and photos represent my goals and desires in many different areas of my life from my family to my career to stepping up my image fashion-wise to my bakery business.
*Oh and yes Shonda Rhimes is on here twice and Kerry Washington is on here a good 4 times. I need to work with these ladies! I can play her sister or something!
Producing
I'm back in the producer's seat again. Tara and I hired a wonderful talent by the name of Rachel Goldberg to direct Muted and things have been pretty much nonstop since then. We've posted a breakdown and requested some of the actors to put themselves on tape. We're meeting with DP's (another word for cameramen mom/grandma). We're putting the final touches on our Kickstarter (fundraising) campaign and we're even planning a party to kick it off which should be a lot of fun.
Writing
I finished draft 3 of my screenplay. I'm happy with its progress but I know it's time to get a script consultant to read it. I have a few in mind but my funds are reserved for other more pressing needs right now so unless they're willing to barter their services for some baked goods, I have to wait.
Acting
I filmed a nice procedural scene with my classmate & friend Yvonne. It's still being edited but we were very happy with the rough cut. No audition updates, yet, but I'll keep submitting knowing that my roles are right around the corner.
Headshots
My agents want me to get new headshots and I'd love to but my funds are being saved for another car. As soon as we get a second car (which will hopefully be in the next 4 weeks), then I can start planning my shoot. I've already selected the photographer and my agents were very specific about the looks they want me to capture so I've just gotta book the shoot. In the meantime, my buddy Hugo shot these:
Pretty happy with them! Though I'm really giving someone the evil eye in that second one. :-)
Day Job
So already I'm sick of transcribing. It was fine when I was doing it as a supplemental thing but to do it every day for such a small amount of pay is ridiculously monotonous. If I were to go back to working at a production company then the pay would be a lot better but as an independent contractor working from home, it's low (and will be even lower once taxes are paid on them next year). So I'm back in the day job seeking hunt once again. I even thought about going back to waitressing but that makes my soul shudder at the very thought. I love people and I love food but working as a server can really make you hate both and I just don't wanna do that. I've been looking at Event Sales and Event Coordinator jobs lately and I just had an interview today that went really well. I have to do a second interview with the owners of the venue and I'm hoping to knock it out of the park as I'd be coordinating a lot of birthday parties, premiere parties, screenings, wrap parties, etc. - all events that I enjoy working on. So we'll see.
Khristy's latest clients are an Italian couple who both love hard and fight hard as they plan a lavish wedding that has them at odds all along the way.
Day 236: Location scouting for episode 6 of DWP. I have a quick scene that needs to take place either in the lobby or right outside the front door of a wedding venue so I visited The Sportsmen Lodge Events Center in Studio City and The Albertson Wedding Chapelin Mid-Wilshire. And speaking of DWP, we released episode 5 earlier this week. Here it is...
Day 135: DWP Party! So.Much.FUN!!!! Seriously, we had a BLAST. Our turnout was great. Lots of friends came out to show their support as well as many local wedding industry professionals. The flowers and linens were gorgeous. The lighting was beautiful and the catering was delish! The best part though, was that my family drove and/or flew in from all around to come be by my side. I love them all so much!! Here's a taste of the fun we had....
Day 131: Mailed over 70 postcards to CD's, agents and managers inviting them to the DWP screening.
Day 132: Last minute shopping at Michael's and Target for a few remaining items needed for our raffle at the party.
Day 133: Joined Sold Out Crowd for free for the month of May.
From their website: Sold Out Crowd is the only Los Angeles-based service that connects theatre producers withtheatre loverswhen those extra, unsold seats need to be filled. Our members gain free access to some of the best shows in town. That’s right; the tickets are free! Members just pay a small processing fee. Plus, we donate 10% of proceeds back into the L.A.-based, non-profit theatre community!
How much is that small processing fee you ask? Only $3 per ticket. That's right, just 3 bucks to see live theatre all around town! In order for this to be possible, you pay a membership fee of $50 a year {though as a member of The Actors Network it's half-off!} but for the month of May you can try them for free to see if you like their service. If you're interested in taking them up on their free offer, and why not? then follow these easy steps...
Two weeks from today we're gonna have ourselves a grand ole time at the screening party for DWP. There will be complimentary passed hors d'ouevres, a cool photo booth to snap shots with your friends and a bit of magic to hopefully leave you in awe. If you're free that night and want to come join in the festivities be my guest! RSVP at the eventbrite page and I'll look forward to seeing you there.
Day 119: Tweaked the e-vite design for the DWP screening party. I freaking LOVE it and can't wait to send it out to everyone! We're trying to secure just a few more sponsors before it goes out but the invitations will be sent out by Tuesday at the latest. Other than this I enjoyed my Sunday with my family. I think most Sundays will continue to be this way. Church in the morning, family time afterwards and something very light that doesn't require a lot of time or effort for my daily career task.
Day 120: Met with Kevin at TAN to learn all about how the website works and requested to join a Power Group. These groups meet once a month to basically exchange ideas, resources, career activities they've done in the last 30 days and those they plan to do in the next 30 days. I'm very much looking forward to going to my first PG meeting.
Day 118: Today I attended the inaugural fundraiser for Mitrice Inc. at the Pasadena Playhouse Library along with Lex & Greg. MitriceRichardson is the beautiful young lady who we're producing a documentary about and she would've been 26 years old today. There was a silent auction {and I actually won one of the items that I bid on} as well as a lovely program explaining the goals and future plans of the Mitrice Inc. organization. It was nice to meet people whom I had only previously read about in my research of this story. There were a few tears shed but for the most part the mood was celebratory and there was definitely a spirit of determination in the air as we all want to do whatever we can to get to the bottom of this case and help bring Mitrice some justice.
Day 116: Got a new sponsor for the DWP screening party. I contacted Greg Riley of Urban Illusionist and let him know the type of event we were planning and that I thought he'd be a good fit for this crowd since it will be a mixture of both entertainment industry professionals and wedding/special event industry professionals. He agreed so I'm happy to say he'll be performing his street magic at our screening! I love magic! Not black magic of course, nor the corny pull a rabbit out of a hat, but I think the type of illusions he creates is pretty cool. Maybe that's the Vegas in me.
Day 108: Mailed my headshot & resume to the CD's of the following TV shows...
Days of Our Lives
Fresh Beat Band
Entourage
Bones
In Plain Sight
General Hospital
Love That Girl
Memphis Beat
Hung
NCIS LA
Private Practice
Rizzoli & Isles
Some of these shows I can easily fit into (Love That Girl) while others are more of a stretch (Entourage) but I wanted to send them to all of these anyhow because it is feasible that I could get a small co-star role on any of these shows. It's definitely time, however, for me to order some postcards for my continued contact with these CD's. It's less expensive and it's easier for them to receive.
Day 109: Met with Aaron Graham at the SAG/AFTRA building for a postcard design consult and had lunch with Tara T. to catch up on what each of us are working on and how we can continue to support each other in our endeavors.
Day 110: Visited Aqua Lounge to make sure it will work for the DWP screening and it does! It looks tiny on the outside but once you walk in it's quite spacious and full of comfy lounge seating. They're giving me a phenomenal deal thanks to Alexandra Rembranc of Sterling Engagements, the real wedding planner who is helping me produce this event. Houston we have a venue, thank God!!
Day 101: Spent hours searching for the perfect venue for our upcoming screening + fundraising party. The Bungalow Club won't work as they won't allow us to collect money for the fundraising portion {though otherwise it would be a PERFECT venue since they offer free screenings with fantastic happy hour deals on Monday nights} and after checking out Boardner's tonight I've had to cross them off the list as well. Funky cool little bar but totally the wrong vibe for this crowd. So the search continues...
Day 102: Visited Bluebird Cafe and Royal T Cafe in Culver City to see if they'd work for the party. Bluebird, while quaint, won't work at all since their event space is kind of being used for storage right now. Royal T on the other hand, is very unique, though I have a feeling that that out of the box quality comes with a hefty price tag. We'll see once the owner gets back to me.
Day 98: Watched a screener for the documentary "Forgiveness: A Time to Love and A Time to Hate" which will be airing on PBS April 17th & 24th. I found it to be very engaging and as a Christian who believes in forgiveness in all circumstances {as Christ forgives us}, it definitely made me wonder how I'd be able to forgive people who've committed atrocious acts of evil such as some of the ones depicted in the film. That kind of forgiveness, I believe, can only come with God's help. Well worth watching if you get a chance.
Day 99: Contacted potential sponsors for the DWP screening + fundraiser. I have interest from a few vendors but I need to find a location first before they will commit to participating. I also added my reel to my Actors Access page.
Day 100: Met with the director of the documentary to kind of get to know him better and find out why he's so interested in telling this story. We discussed the direction we want to take this in and I think our vastly differing backgrounds will provide a well-rounded perspective as we shape this film. We've decided to meet every Tuesday from now on.
Day 75: Spoke with a local wedding planner who has agreed to help us produce a fundraising party for Diary of a Wedding Planner. Can't tell you much more than that just yet because we have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time to make this happen but with her help it should be an awesome event!
Day 51: On Sunday we shot episodes 3 and 5 of Diary of a Wedding Planner and had a blast! It was a long 12 hour day but so worth it because we got a lot done. The apartment we shot in was so colorful and had so much character that there were very few items we had to bring in for production design. And we all breathed a sigh of relief once the sun came out because it had been raining so hard the night before but there was no sign of it on Saturday so yay for Mother Nature smiling on us!
Who doesn't love a good cupcake? Thanks Nikki Hayden aka Rachel the Roomie.
I said it wasn't rainy. I didn't say it wasn't chilly!
Best. Roomie. Ever. This chick is seriously hilarious!
Who do we have here? Why our fearless director Allison Vanore, that's who!
Can someone say cray-cray?!?
She loves me. She loves me not. Guess which one doesn't want to hire me.
This past weekend I coordinated a retirement party for a good friend's mother {pictures coming soon}. While I was excited to coordinate an event {that was a BEAUTIFUL success}, I realized that all the time and effort I put into planning it could have been time and effort put into furthering my REAL career. So no more wedding/event planning for me. What I will be doing however is assisting the wonderful Tami Brown with Fabulously Wed with her clients. Tami has two more weddings this season and I'll be working both of them, helping her tend to the many details that a wedding brings. This way, I don't have to plan anything. I just show up and do whatever's needed to help make their wedding beautiful and special. {I know ya'll didn't think I was going to completely give up the wedding industry- it's a part of me!!} Seems like the perfect side gig! Here's hoping she books lots of clients next year.
Got a callback for “Low Count,” the student film I auditioned for on Saturday morning. It’ll be held this Friday and apparently we’ll be paired up this time so I’ll be doing the same scene with a potential husband. Though Low Count is the working title, it refers to the low count of white blood cells that patients infected with HIV have. I’m auditioning for the lead, who finds out she has contracted HIV. Though she originally thinks it’s from a one night stand she had during a “weak moment” she eventually finds out it’s from her husband who’s been living on the down low. Heavy stuff- and to think, some women have had this happen to them in real life, it’s heartbreaking.
On a lighter note, however, we had two casting sessions to find what we need for the pilot episode of Diary of A Wedding Planner and it was definitely an eye-opening experience. Although I didn’t want to hold callbacks it looks like we’ll have to in order to make a final decision on 2 of the 4 roles we need to fill. I told Stephen I’m enjoying the producing process so much that I want to do more of it. It’s very similar to wedding planning actually- there’s tons of preparation, you have to develop a reasonable budget that can fulfill your vision and source vendors/locations/crew/actors that fit within it, you have to scout locations and negotiate rates, you have to have a reliable team you can count on and you hope to ultimately end up with a great webseries/film/video that rewards you for all of the hard work and effort you put into it. For now I’m gonna stick with producing material that fits me as an actor but in the future I hope to produce some things where I’m not involved in the acting at all because switching from the producer hat to the actor hat is a lot to take on.
