Even though there are still a few weeks left in the year, I tend to always feel around this time a winding down and closure. Perhaps it is because the entertainment industry slows down a bit during this month, the final couple weeks being a wash to holiday festivities (hey, I’m not complaining!). Maybe it’s also my own mind shutting down, saying to myself, “Hey, you’ve had a productive year, Kimberly—now slow down, appreciate these celebrations, and reward yourself!” “Any new beginning is forged from the shards of the past, not from the abandonment of the past.” -- Craig D. Lounsbrough “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” -- Neil Gaiman “What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” — Vern McLellan “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt I'm definitely excited for all the possibilities that await and hope you are too!
--Kimberly
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For the past year and a half, I've been self-producing works for myself and also producing some projects for others. Web series, shorts, music videos -- even a commercial. It's been so cool to develop something from just an idea into a fully-realized film ready to share with the world. And the best part of it all is that, through this work, I've learned so many valuable lessons about collaboration and filmmaking, which in turn I believe has made me a better actress. Here are some of my favorites: 1.) Be a Teammate.There are so many hardworking crew members on set, doing grunt work, focused technical work, creative work -- and all are important and deserve respect. Love them. Treat them well. Offer assistance, kind encouragement, praise, laughs. It'll make the shoot so much more fun and easy, and you'll most likely make some awesome new friends. 2.) Be on Point.Know your lines, and be as prepared and ready as possible. So many factors go into a great shot -- lighting, camera stability, angles, focus, sound -- so have the goal of always giving a fantastic take! Don't be the one to mess up the shot when everything else is perfect. 3.) Be Consistent.Make it easy for the editors in post-production to craft their cuts. Keep continuity of movement, speak clearly, etc. This will also make them more prone to keep your takes, and less likely to dump you on the cutting room floor! 4.) Be Cool.If stuff happens, stuff happens. Be flexible, open, and laid-back for any snafus or delays on set. It happens. Don't be a diva. Go with the flow. That said... 5.) Be Communicative.I haven't yet met a filmmaker who didn't want to make sure that his/her actors were comfortable. So speak up. Be honest about your dietary restrictions, let them know if you feel unsafe (Safety First!), and ask any questions about things you're unsure about. Stay in the loop and be on-board. To Sum Up...Work in the spirit of collaboration and show your best self in every way. Through this, you'll have amazing experiences on set and establish professional relationships for years to come.
Happy Filmmaking! --Kimberly Confession: I love, love, love short films. I especially love watching blocks of them screen in a row. Whenever I have to choose a screening block to attend at a film festival, I ALWAYS choose shorts. Seeing multiple stories, different visions, all together -- it’s my jam. It’s literally seeing a clump of movies quickly in a small amount of time. 6 features? Half a day at least. 6 shorts? Less than an hour! This fast-paced NYC woman laps that up. :)
So, you can imagine my excitement upon discovering the monthly IndieWorks screenings hosted by Congested Cat at The People’s Lounge & Bar in the Lower East Side. I went to check them out last month, and boy I’m hooked! Absolutely fantastic films, well-chosen by staff, with interesting Q&A’s of the filmmakers. The venue is laid-back, a bar setting, so it's perfect for mingling before, after, and during the intermission – but when the music fades and the two screens start the selections, the attendees are hushed and respectfully enjoy the show. Plus they give out two awards each night – an Audience Choice award and a staff-rated “Best of Fest” award called the Silver Whiskers. Seed&Spark is an official sponsor and provides perks for each winner. Definitely worth it to submit if you’re a filmmaker. I’m definitely going back for their November screening next week on Wednesday the 19th. Want to join? Visit here for more info: http://www.congestedcat.com/indieworks/ See ya there! --Kimberly
In memoriam, here my cover of the song, "Oh Sweet Lorraine" by Fred Stobaugh. The song itself has a remarkable story, which you can learn about here. Rest in Peace, Nana. I will miss you.
I’d like to kick off this blog by sharing with you one of my favorite poems and motivational quotes: I first read this poem in high school, and it has always stuck with me. The passionate urge to hold onto one’s dreams and desires in order to make life meaningful strikes a real truth. If someone doesn’t have something that keeps her going – career, family, whatever it may be – life is empty and cold.
I have kept this poem in mind through the tough times, to remind myself that pursuing dreams is the reason for living and giving up on one’s passions means giving up on one’s life. And conversely, what is life with dreams? A flying bird in the sky, a beautiful field of wildflowers in the warm summer air. What gorgeous imagery for inspiring motivation. :) |
What MattersThoughts and ideas about the things that move me most. Passions, desires, favorites. Archives
February 2022
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