A few months ago I was really struggling with what I wanted to do for a living. After my entire life had changed from losing my business and my home and moving across the country, I had the opportunity to start my life over. I believe that we create our realities with our thoughts, which means I needed a focus. I love health education, but my heart has always been in acting, particularly film acting.
I’ve done plenty of public speaking, starred in four plays (a drama, a comedy, a musical, a farce), and was the lead singer of a rock band in Germany named The Pirates. I’m one of those weirdos who loves public speaking.
I finally decided that if I were to choose any career, it would be film acting. Two days later on a Friday night I went to the Erie poetry reading. After the poetry a fellow named Greg announced that he was making a short film and two roles were still open. I attended the cast meeting that night and got the role of an insane woman who spoke only French after falling out of a tree. When we started shooting we still needed a lesbian, so I got that role, too.
It was so much fun filming this. I think I could do this every day. But then I began questioning the cost: living in congested LA, no private life, little time for self. Still, there’s no way I’d turn down a lucrative acting gig if it fell in my lap. I’m just not sure I’m willing to expend the effort struggling to get a job in Hollywood.
Now I’m leaning towards producing health education films and interviews. I’ve picked out a video camera, a camera stabilizer, and the editing software. Now I just need the money to buy it all.
One of the actors (a slightly-known jazz singer) refused to sign the acting release after we shot the film. She had to be cut and the crippled story was salvaged from the remaining dialog. This explains a little why it makes no sense. But then again, we knew ahead of time that it made no sense.
And now, I present to you Project Redlight!
