We all want the work we're making to be as good as our ambitions but it takes time (and a lot of work) to get there. This video is such a simple yet effective reminder of that.


Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Click this link if you can't see the embedded video above: http://vimeo.com/24715531

"Dear Brandi,
We are pleased to inform you that your script MISSING has been selected for the second round of consideration for the 2013 Sundance Screenwriters Lab!" 

That was the news I got via email about 3 weeks ago and needless to say, I was thrilled! I was also under the gun as I had to send them the complete script for the second round by August 17th (only had to send the first 5 pages along with all this supplemental material like a synopsis, my vision for the project, my bio, etc.) but I've always worked best under pressure and I'm proud to say I finished the first draft in the nick of time.

According to their site, this is what will happen next: Filmmakers selected for the second stage of the review process are asked to submit full screenplays of their projects, which are reviewed by Institute staff. A short list of projects is then recommended to a Selection Advisory Committee comprised of writers, directors, and independent producers who work with the staff to make final decisions.

Ultimately only 12 projects will be selected for participation in the lab and while I'd LOVE for my script to be among them, I'm very happy that this news forced me to complete writing my first feature, which is an accomplishment in and of itself.


In other news I recently participated in a manager and agent showcase at SKS and I've started a support group of actors, writers and other industry folk called 3-2-1 that meets once a month to discuss 3 goals we will work towards achieving, 2 industry people we will contact and 1 person or organization that we will help. I'm very pleased with how motivating, supportive and collaborative the group has already become and I look forward to wonderful things happening because of it.

Finally, as the summer starts winding down and episodic season begins winding up, it's time for me to really get focused on what the hell I'm doing on the acting front. I mean literally, nothing's happening right now. Mind you, that's not a complaint, just a reality. My reality. I have friends and colleagues who are going on plenty of auditions right now but that's just not me. Part of it is that I'm unrepped (my commercial agent dropped me back in May) and have been really focused on working on my short. But a bigger part of it is that casting directors don't know who I am, so I have to change that. And now that I have a day job that I'm really liking and hoping will work for the long haul (we'll get to that on a later post) I really don't have the time to intern. What does that mean?...

Time to dip my toes into the CD workshop waters. Ah the controversy! Yes it's "pay to play" and no, I'm not a fan but I've come to accept that it is what it is. It's certainly not the best or only option out there for building relationships with casting directors but it is a popular one and it's one I'm going to test out over the next few months. We shall see what comes of it.

This is EXACTLY how I've been feeling lately! I'm Jennifer and the ballroom dancers all rolled into one...



Got some great things in the works. Don't wanna share until everything is signed and it's a done deal but just know that I'm in a really fantastic headspace right now.  Loving my family, loving my friends, loving my LIFE in general and truly Focusing On The Work as I said I would this year.

Hope you are all doing well.

Shot this scene for Kirsten's reel. Loving how my twist-out looked. :-)

Booked a Hertz industrial that was shot only 5 minutes from where I live. There were only 3 of us in the cast, and the crew was also small and pleasant. My scenes were over in 3 hours but I still get paid for a full day which is lovely.


1 booking down, 4 to go.

DWP Episode 6: Fire & Ice

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.

THEME: Focusing On The Work!

Goals for this year- I have a lot of them both big and small but the ones below are the goals I am focused on the most...

• Spend more time with them. {Meaning a lot less time working nights}

• My target weight is 130 lbs so I've got some work to do. More important than reaching that number however, is that I want to do some form of physical activity at least 3 days per week. If I can stick to that then not only will I look better but I'll feel better too!

• Book 5 things - TV, Film, Theatre, Commercials, Webseries, Industrials and/or Print all count
• Join SAG-AFTRA {The joint name of the new union once it merges}

• Write the first draft of my feature film with Tara {1 scene down, about 25 more to go} *Didn't end up writing the one with Tara but I wrote another one so I'm still happy!

• Produce the short film I recently wrote
• Produce a sizzle reel for the Mitrice Richardson documentary

• Give my time to an organization that helps troubled girls such as Aviva or Children of the Night

As always I'll keep my goals posted at the top of my blog year-round and will check things off as progress is made.

For the majority of last year I was in a conflicted headspace:

• Happy to deepen friendships that I've made out here while disappointed with some of the friendships I had to let go. 
• Happy to live in LA rather than Long Beach while frustrated to not have a car. 
• Happy to have family support while saddened by Stephen's desire to leave LA. 
• Happy to get auditions for shorts and student films while anxious to get representation and better opportunities. 
• Happy to be self-producing while disheartened by the rising costs of it all. 
• Happy to have a night job while dissatisfied with the amount of family time it requires me to sacrifice. 

But that was all in 2011.

In 2012 I am...

• Thankful for the friendships I have and the lessons learned from those I've lost.
• Thankful for the car we share and the patience to wait until the right time to buy a new one.
• Thankful for my husband's flexibility and understanding especially since I know he misses his family.
• Thankful for the auditions I'm able to get and the industry relationships I'm able to develop on my own while I continue to seek the right people who will be excited to represent me. 
• Thankful for the knowledge gained and the connections made from the projects I've produced and excited for what is in store for those I'm producing.
• Thankful to be receiving unemployment until my job starts back up again so I can take a much needed break and spend more time with my family. 

Basically I have a different mindset. And though I didn't necessarily need to wait until the new year started to begin to think this way, I'm one of those people who loves the freshness that the new year brings. It feels like a clean slate where I can start anew or the first act of a whole new play. It invigorates me and gives me the impetus to make changes in every area of my life. And so, with the new year comes a new mindset where I'm much more focused on the blessings that I have instead of the things I lack. It's a much lighter state of being and one I hope to remain in for the rest of the year.