On April 14th it will be 2 years since I stepped on a plane to leave my small town in the Pacific Northwest to find out what happens when you act on the question "What if...?"
And on April 14th I will begin shooting the short film I wrote, am co-directing, producing, and starring in. 2 years exactly.
Although I arrived pretty fresh faced and pretty green behind the ears (when it comes to "Hollywood stuff"), the more I learn and experience the more I see how green I still am.
It's a constant education through trial and error to find the right acting classes/studio, learning what are considered "good headshots", who to trust, who to walk away from. Who is sincere and who is just a lot of hot air. I think overall the biggest learning experience is discovering who to take as sincere. I am thankful everyday for having such a lovely wonderful core group of friends that I know care for my best interest.
It's a funny place, this town of tinsel. So many of us are in the midst of a handful of projects (myself included) that it becomes too easy to miss out on taking time aside and just make sure you know where your focus is. I've caught myself doing this all too often. I'm in mid meeting when I remember I need to send an e-mail to someone about another project, or I'm on the phone with one person discussing a writers meeting while on my way to rehearsal for my improv group, or shooting something. I love it. I do. But there comes a point when you need to put everything aside and do something that is just for you. Not something to add to your resume, or to increase the depth of your networking, or whatever else.
I spent 7 hours at LACMA a couple weeks ago and I felt like I got to peer deeper into myself. All was quiet and it was just me and these artist's work (although I was with a dear friend- we enjoy museum going together but alone).
I don't know where I was going with this. But just that I've learned the importance to take a moment to slow down. Living out my dreams is great, but I don't want to get swept away by the crowd or the current because I think it will get me further ahead. What keeps you on track is having a strong hold on who you are.
And knowing who you are and living it out is what gets you ahead in the end.
And that "end" may be somewhere you never dreamed of. But you'll be happy.
I just know it.
So.
Happy 2 year anniversary! It's been a close call to having to pack up and move home a couple times...but somehow, I'm still here.
Thank you.
