Time to make a change.

This morning I got a touching testimony from my Acting Academy teacher Mrs. Thomas about giving back to your community and being a humanitarian when you are older or even starting now. She was explaining that we shouldn't wait on others to change the world for you, when the power is mainly in in your hands. She also explained that now in our society, most of us don't give back because we don't even have it for ourselves. Not every family has enough money to go out for dinner, spend a night out to watch a movie or bad enough eat for the night. So us as our youth today have to make a change.

We have to take the initiave in wanting to learn. We have to take the initiative in wanting to help our community. We have to start now, because if we don't, then who will? Like Mrs. Thomas explained, she said that The icon Oprah Winfrey is known for giving back to the world and this is because of her riches which helps alot and her humble spirit. But everyone seems to always depend on her to help. But eventually Oprah will not be there to save the world. She will not be there to pick up the scraps. So I feel that its our job to step up to the plate  and take care of each other and what we are looking forward too. Unity is power, and it us up to you.

Note to God.

This song really touches me. One of my favourite songs. It's originally by Jojo but Charice P made a version and their both GREAT. I just wanted to post the lyrics to get a taste of how compelling the song is.
If you would like to hear it there is the link to jojo's version : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RUCJ2mTp9w

If I wrote a note to God

I would speak what's in my soul

I'd ask for all the hate to be swept away and for love to overflow

If I wrote a note to God

I pour my heart out on each page

Id ask for wars to end and for peace to mend this world

I'd say I'd say I'd say

Give us the strength to make it through

Help us find love cause love is overdue

And it looks like we haven't got a clue

Need some help from You

Grant us the faith to carry on

Give us hope when it seems our hope is gone

Cause it seems like so much is going wrong

On this road we're on

If I wrote a note to God

I would say what's on my mind

I'd ask for wisdom to let compassion rule this world

Until these times

If I wrote a note to God

I'd say please help us find our way

And all the bitterness put some tenderness in our hearts

And I'd say I'd say I'd say

Give us the strength to make it through

Help us find love cause love is overdue

And it looks like we haven't got a clue

Need some help from You

Grant us the faith to carry on

Give us hope when it seems our hope is gone

Cause it seems like so much is going wrong

On this road we're on

No no no no we can't do it on our own

So so

Give us the strength to make it through

Help us find love cause love is overdue

And it looks like we haven't got a clue

Need some help from You

Grant us the faith to carry on

Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone

Cause it seems like so much is going wrong

On this road we're on

If I wrote a note to God...

The simpliest things can teach you so much.

What I came across was an article by Kristen Tretbar who expressed her thoughts on the show America’s Next Top Model and how it relates to the acting industry. She explained that acting and modelling have many similarities in many fields, and they both have to deal with acting professionally. From the show America’s Next Top Model, it teaches you many things that an actor can learn from. Tyra Banks (the host of the show) is a modelling icon who teaches aspiring models on the show how it really is in the modelling industry and she teaches each model how to make it in the modelling world. There are a lot of things that you can learn on this show that you can adapt with yourself as an actor when watching America’s Next Top Model.  Kristen Tretbar explained numerous points and first is be yourself. That is really important to just be you, not act like something that you aren’t.  On the show, all the winners are themselves which get them the big prize in themselves. That is a great point for actors because you should be yourself when entering an audition. By showing the casting directors your true personality and how relaxed you are they will definitely be impressed because that is what they are looking for. Another thing that is taught on the show is that humility goes a long way. When you are at an audition or call back it’s very important to leave your ego at home. When you are at an audition or call back, leave it to the professionals. They don’t want somebody who’s always talking back or acting like they know everything they need to know. Even though they may be wrong just keep your mouth closed and take their advice because the professionals are always right and know what they’re doing. 

 On America’s Next Top Model it displays how the contenders who talk back to the professionals get cut first. So just take criticism with pride, grasp it and use it to become better. Nobody in the industry wants to work with somebody that is hard to work with. One of the most important points is most important is to be on time. As Tyra Banks emphasizes on the show, she mentions to never be late. On the show, Tyra Banks creates challenges for the contenders on the show to go out on go-sees. She gives them a limited amount of time to go and come back at a designated area and if they are late they are automatically disqualified, no excuses. It is extremely important to be on time in the acting or modelling business because time is money. If you are casted for something and you are always late you are costing the director time and money. So if anything, come 15 minutes early, and prepare yourself so you are relaxed and ready for your audition with an open mind. Another important factor is to do your research. On ANTM a lot of the ladies when questioned about professional models, and they are clueless as to who they are. Whether it is the acting or modelling industry you need to educate yourself. When auditioning for a director, do your research. Learn about their previous work they have directed, watch their films and go online and research. By knowing more about them you can show an impression and you will know what they like when it comes to character types. You have to know who you are meeting and the work they have done. By showing them respect and a positive attitude you will definitely learn something.

Tips to succeed in the industry.

This book that I am reading right now is called Acting Professionally ‘Raw facts about careers in acting’ by Robert Cohen.  I really do recommend this book to all aspiring actors because it really gives you knowledge and tips on how to succeed and what you should expect in the acting industry. In this book it tells you many things, like how to act during an audition, how to take your headshots, the difference between acting on film and in the theatre, establishing yourself, what you will need, and much more.

What caught me the most so far is the chapter called your first decisions and what caught me the most was a section called ‘who are you?. In this section of the book explains that before an audition you must establish you who are as an actor and establish yourself as a person most importantly. If you really don’t know your own status and you haven’t defined yourself, then what is the point? It is an actor’s biggest task to define themselves because not all of us know right away who we really are and what we stand for.  Ron Shurma a casting director says “Actors have to know who they are. Whatever that is, bring only that choice into the audition. Discover who you are in life, and bring that in.”

That quote really got to me because as an actor personally, I really don’t know who I am yet and I am still trying to figure out. By facing many different experiences in the acting field, it is a learning experience for me and I am still figuring out why acting is my calling in life. I love acting but I still need to figure out why am I acting? Why do I love it so much?  And why do I even consider myself as an actor? Now by being a part of Soul Visionary Productions it gives me the chance and the opportunity to grasp on to new things about theatre and adapt them into my acting skills so I can do better. Also it gives me the chance to find out who I am as an aspiring actor and why I chose the path that I am choosing today.

Still I Rise.

                                         My favourite peom of all time from the fabulous 

                                                and ever so graceful Maya Angelou.

 

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

The Industry's Finest.

Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Jaime Foxx, Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith, Cuba Gooding Jr., and the list does go on. These are just some of the most iconic actors and actresses that I am extremely lucky to witness on film. Well what is an iconic actor? In my opinion, an iconic actor is somebody who takes risks with their character, somebody who steps out of their comfort zones and takes control of the set or stage. These iconic stars do all those things. They take control of their character and they are in the moment which they do not unravel from. To be an iconic actor you have to have the persona in a film to make it look like you are not necessarily acting but you are what you are representing in the film. If I believe that you are that character and it doesn’t even look like acting; it is brilliant. Like for example, Jamie Foxx in the movie “Ray” he is representing the late Ray Charles who was a great musician but had a hard life, from losing his vision and brother at a young age, and fighting the use of drugs. The thing that makes Jaime Foxx an iconic actor is because in that film, I believed that he WAS Ray Charles. Just by the way he studied Ray Charles himself, the way he carried himself and the way he acted was perfected. Not only Jaime Foxx, but there the numerous amount of actors and actresses that I have mentioned before do the exact same thing but the bar is raised even higher.  To become an iconic actor it comes with complete hard work. It comes with sleepless nights, studying, tough criticism and finding the essence of yourself as an actor. It may be a struggle to get there but if you are passionate and willing to put in the work become a Denzel Washington or a Meryl Streep then your time will come. Your Destiny lies in your hands.

Million Dollar Baby.

                  

One of the best movies I have seen in awhile. I have recently been assigned to watch a movie that had Morgan Freeman starring in it and I chose to watch Million Dollar Baby. I couldn't of chosen a better movie to watch. This movie starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman shows their acting abilities to a whole new light. Their acting was perfection. Hilary Swank showed passion and never gave up on her character the whole movie. I believed that boxing was her only desire and that is what she loved. Just by watching the movie I knew that she gave it her all to perfect that character and to carry that whole persona correctly which she did perfectly. Clint Eastwood was amazing too because she showed commitment. His character was a strict character that never game up on the game. He was committed to his character because while I was watching the movie he was determind and willing to make his boxer the best she can be. Morgan Freeman was undescribeable in this movie as well because he never gave up on his character. I was never bored or not amused by this movie at all. I recommend this movie to anybody that hasn't see it because it is truly remarkable.

ME + MY OTHER HALF

                                       

Yes I have to talk about her. My other half, my amiga, my twin sister Tanisha Teape. This girl is amazing. She is mainly one of the best people that is in my life right now. We are extremely close and I don't know what I would do without her. When she cries, I cry. When I laugh she laughs. When shes mad Im mad. It's just that unbreakable bond that we just have that nobody can interfere with. I am just extremely blessed that she is in my life because I can't imagine anybody else taking her place as my younger twin sister. I know sometimes sisters aruge or fight but we barely do, and if we do it doesn't even last a day because we can't stay mad at each other for that long. Tanisha is a very humble individual whos smile never dissapears. We have jokes that nobody understands and a friendship that nobody can describe. She is not only my sister but she is my best friend. I love her to death.

Happy Thanksgiving !

                           

Well, today s thanksgiving and it is the day to EAT TILL YOU DROP! But most important today is the day to give thanks. Today is the day to thank God for everything that he has done for you, and to give thanks that your are living, PERIOD. Personally I would like to give God thanks for being ALIVE, breathing and healthy. Also, I would like to thank him for my amazing family and their ultimate love and support. Most importantly I would like to thank my parents because they have done sooo much for me just to have a great life and a wonderful living. I take their hardwork and dedication into consideration and I thank them dearly.  I would like to thank God for blessing me with amazing friends that are always there for me no matter what. And not only today should you give thanks to God, but you should thank the ALMIGHTY everyday for all he has done for you. Not everybody has the opportunities that I have, or the chance to spend quality time with their familes. So I thank God everyday because without him, I wouldn't be where I am today. 
So today I give thanks and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!