“Lean into your fear, it is then that you will pick up speed and gain control. Lean back and you will fall” ~David Strasberg
So here I was promising to write every month…and it’s already September ;p Sorry folks, it’s because I’ve been busy doing what I love most, acting, teaching and spending time with my loved ones. Since I last posted, right around SIFF 2013, lots has happened…
I was in the 48 hour film festival as a producer and actor. I was “Clutch” the head mechanic in the short film “Ship Shifters”. A film that follows a crew of women, all dressed Rosie the Riveter style, who travel through time and space. Of course with every 48 HFF, there are curveballs throw into the mix. The line “there must be something in your ear”, cheese and a barista must appear in the film AND we pulled sci-fi! It was 48 hours of fun and an amazing cast and crew to work with (Faith Vs. Fate Prods). We won best costumes and our film screened twice at SIFF Uptown Cinemas.
I was honored to be asked to read leading roles in a couple SIFF film center new screenplay readings. The movement of film making in Seattle keeps growing and growing. Most recently, I read the role of Amanda in the quirky and hilarious comedy “Second Nature” written by Michael Cross, Jc Ford and Douglas Horn. They hope to film in the Spring of 2014.
Then I was called into one of my favorite Theatres, Village Theatre, to audition for the role of Catherine in The Foreigner. I was thrilled! I was beyond thrilled when I found out it would be directed by Mr. Tony Award Winner Brian Yorkey. My audition went great and then I got a callback. Once I was in the room with Brian, I was at ease, He is such an incredible director and gives an actor so much to play with. I am happy to post that I was cast as Catherine and you can see me on the Village stage in February!
In Mighty Tripod Productions News… My husband (David S. Hogan) and I started teaching our Camera 1 and Camera 2 Summer classes. Our returning Mighty Tripod students are getting callbacks and booking work. Our new students are already so MIGHTY and eager to learn more. David and I, along with Tony Doupe, love working with NW actors and helping to make our city the place for film makers to come for talent. Mighty Tripod is over a year old now and we’ve produced a web-series pilot “The New Jack”, the short film “Enmity Gauge”, The SIFF Fly Film “The 3 stars”, teaching regular Monday and Wednesday night classes, started our youth division which I teach, and have held 2 Los Angeles Casting Director workshops (Amey Rene and Paul Weber). We have so VERY exciting projects coming up in 2014, more details soon!
When it comes to my craft, I take it very seriously. I think every Teacher and Actor should continue to train and learn throughout their career. We are never done, there is always more to find, explore and share. My ongoing acting coach is Steven Anderson. He has worked with me and taught me how to let go and truly jump into my fears. It is then, in our rawest form, we are free and can begin. I am going down to Los Angeles to train with Steven there in his North Hollywood workshop. I look forward to the challenge and/or uneasiness of being in a room with people I do not know. Jumping in!
Tonight, I started day 1 of 3 with David Strasberg…sound familiar? Yes, David is Lee Strasberg’s son. The Method. I remember in College, professors talking about and lightly touching on “The Method” but we never got to dive into it. So much in college, for me, was just the surface of what I now know as an actor. I have grown and learned so much more by DOING, BEING and LIVING. Being on stage, filming a movie working with many coaches, teachers and scholars. David Strasberg has already won me over. He didn’t stand in front of the room and tell us that his Dad’s way was the only way to act. Quite the opposite. He told us that this method, The Method, lends itself to all other techniques, and it will only add to our tree of craft. Another branch of wisdom, growing along with the rest of you, the Actor. It is all about BELIEF and EXPRESSION. The quote above was from the workshop today, David said it perfectly…He was making a SKIING analogy with ACTING…he nailed it. I cannot wait for tomorrow, we will be working more with our bodies and adding in text. Since it’s already past midnight, I better crawl into bed.
Be Daring. Be Honest. Be Yourself. Be Mighty.
Angela DiMarco 