My Newly Acquired Drive To Be An Actor

When I decided to re-craft my blog during my move from Blogger to WordPress I chose some categories that I thought would be the most useful for my mom’s lifestyle blog.  When I chose to call one “acting/modelling” I was pretty sure it would be used to follow Emma, my eldest daughter, in her trials and tribulations of slowly inching her way into that world.  I had no idea I would be able to apply that category to myself and my new drive to be an actor, even if it’s just an extra.  The fun thing about extras is there’s a lot less pressure!

As you may know I read for a part in a film being done locally this summer.  It’s called Boneyard and there’s a Facebook page here for it.  I don’t really know the plot, but it’s a scary, horror-type movie and I read for a female lead.  Magically I got a callback to read again – this time I had to do it standing up, and with another woman who (I assume) was also reading for a part in the film.  It turned out that woman was currently in a play going on in town and she’s the lead.  No pressure though…

So while I wait to hear back about the Boneyard job – or at least have the option to be an extra in the film – I went and spoke with another director of a different film about working on his project.  This production company is Slinger Pictures and this story sounds hilarious.  It’s a film about a tourist group in Kingston, but the town is being overrun by demons (I hope I’m explaining the basic plot right.)  The joke is that the tourists drop off one by one during their group tour and no one notices.  I think maybe the director guy explained it better, but it sounds like it’ll be a blast to film.  I don’t know about Boneyard, but this second film, Sir John A and the Curse of the Anti-Quenched, is a just-for-fun unpaid extra part.

The Boneyard film is having a fundraiser next week to, well, raise funds for the movie.  If they tell me I’m in for an actual part, I will do my best to get to this party, but it’s during Emma’s dance time which means extra hassle for Pat and the girls if I’m not available.  I’d love to show my support, but not at the expense of my family.

I only stumbled over these films while trying very hard to get Emma some exposure in the dramatic world.  Mode Elle isn’t having much success getting Emma any jobs (or auditions) so I’m hoping to find her some things locally that she can do, or courses she can take to help her expand her theatrical experience.  And on the way to helping her, I’ve found my drive to be an actor as well!  I just think it would be loads of fun to see myself on film, and work with talented local people and make those connections that may work for both Emma and myself going forward.

So, my faithful readers, if you are local to Kingston (or somewhat close) and you know of any other upcoming films or productions of any sort that Emma (born in 2008) could try out for, we’d love to hear about it.  And also for me – anything that needs background people or is willing to audition nobodies who have zero acting experience – please leave some details in the comments!  I promise to share our travails with you all in future posts (providing no projects are top-secret!)

Update: I have worked on another production that filmed in Kingston Penetentiary (and I got paid!)  Read a little about that experience.  I can’t share everything yet, as it’s not on tv until later in 2017.  More updates to come!  And please, follow along on my journey by signing up to my blog:

~Jess

Edit: The film Sir John A and the Curse of the Anti-Quenched is playing at the KingCanFilmFest this year. I’m so excited!  Boneyard is there too, but they’re on the same day and I really can’t manage both.