The Vanessa Waller Show is in the can and the post production team has begun editing it. Wait until you see the show!! The footage and debates we got on camera are eye opening!!

We are in the auditioning process for "Esperanza, Wing Thief" and are looking at actors throughout the country. It will be fun to start watching the video sides come in.

Got a couple of more gigs for the month of May, mostly Microsoft gigs and short films.

Looking forward to a busy summer film season here in Seattle. Lots of exciting big projects in the works.

Enjoyed going to Kathy Kohlins auditioning and monologue class to see her train local actors for the auditioning process. It was amazing as always to see the transformation of actors when a good teacher is at work.

Cassandra's class in June is coming up soon. Hopefully she'll get more and more actors to sign up for her classes. It's great to have someone with a connection in LA and also that she comes up every month with her classes and on going training. I know money is tight but I wish all the actors I know could have the money to afford some of the great classes and workshops that come here to Seattle.
Having prepared actors in an audition is a wonderful thing!! Directors are thrilled to find such talent and of course I'm thrilled because it makes me look good too, to have found such wonderful actors to present to them. Classes like those offered from Cassandra and Kathy are invaluable to an actor's career. As well as continuing to work theater when you don't have a feature film you are working on.

Let's continue to show out of town producers and directors just what a talented place the Pacific Northwest is!!

Three days away from taping our first episode of "The Vanessa Waller Show" and of course trying to tie everything together cast, crew, script, equipment etc...
Sometimes you want to pull your hair out and then other times things fall into place, people amaze you and you're inspired to move forward.

And then for "Esperanza, Flutterby, Wing Thief" our writer/director just returned from LA where she attend the NALIP (National Association of Latin Independent Producers) conference and pitched our scripts and got a very good response. Our production company, Lolita Moon Productions, is now moving forward with casting, locations and fundraising.

And last but not least just did a test screening of our short "Of Tomorrow and Yesterday" where we got some great feedback and are working on tweaking the film here and there before we start submitting it to film festivals. Once that is off our plate we will start diving into "150 Years of the Perfect Woman", a documentary about how the media portrays women. We'll start setting up interviews here and on both coasts while also working on acquiring funding for crew, equipment and travel.

So as usual busy, but let's not also forget all the big projects coming to town (and the small ones) that require casting, extras, coordinating and food. The casting and coordinating jobs that I love, provide the means for me to produce worthwhile  and life changing projects. Since there really is no money in producing independently UNLESS they are successful and well received. And that of course is at the very, very end and sometimes years after you first start.

Perseverance is the name of game, not glamour.

A huge thank you to Vanessa, Ileana and Michael who are so patient with me and allow me to work on a million projects outside of producing theirs.


And now, back to work....

We have been having such a blast working with director Rick Stevenson!! And the rest of the cast and crew on the Seattle International Film Festival promotional Short.
Last night we filmed a crazy scene at Gas Works park once it got dark. We had Mardi Gras revelers, drag queens, homeless and roller derby girls all encountering our main character along with KOMO 4's Connie Thompson and famed local comedian, John Keister. Everyone had a fun time and with such an awesome crew we wrapped earlier than expected!
Once again, lots of compliments about the extras about how wonderful, kind, hardworking and professional they are as well as how well they take direction. I didn't think about what to say other than, thank you, until this morning. I think one of the main reasons why our extras are so professional is that 85% of these folks are actors. Many have worked theater and are starting to break into film, some did theater in high school and are wanting to get back into performing and some are professional film actors who just LOVE being on set and don't mind being in the background when needed.
As I've said before I love how we are all a big family and take care of each other on set and treat one another with respect and kindness.
Thank you, thank you my wonderful extras!! You make me so proud

Hard at work casting extras for Rick Stevenson's SIFF Promo for the Opening Night Gala Event. It stars local Seattle celebrities and is a spoof of the film "It's a Wonderful Life".
So far it's been going very well in the extras department and of course ALL departments. Our extras have been prompt, full of energy and professional on set. Plus, have been getting a lot of compliments from the director and crew that our people look FABULOUS!!
EXCELLENT!
It's a privilege to be working with this crew, the talented actors and kind celebrities! It also feels like this is the opening to the 2009 filming season. Our first large high profile local project of the year with so many professional and hardworking people involved. We may all be giving of our time as volunteers, but what I love is that everyone is working as hard as they always do, no matter if they get paid or not. Gotta love that dedication and the beautiful finished product that we can all be proud once it's finished.

Have a busy week ahead: Casting and filming for a Sound Transit PSA, more days on set of the SIFF promo, private screening of "Long Time Gone", premiere of "The Phone" on MTV on Tuesday (we filmed it in January in Seattle) and let's not forget all the producing responsibilities and things to do for:

The Vanessa Waller Show (filming first week of May)
Esperanza, Wing Thief (filming this Fall)
150 Years of the Perfect Woman (ongoing documentary with filming in NY and LA)

Have a great week everyone!!
Stay happy, healthy and safe!
Denise

Well, as we all know times are pretty tough right now with the recession and I as many of you, have a little more time on my hands than I like. I'd rather be on set directing, producing, casting, wrangling and even cooking food then being at home searching and digging for work. No work means no money. No money means bills are not getting paid. Pretty scary.
But on a good note when there isn't any work coming to you then that means you create work. Huge shout outs to all the small independent filmmakers locally that are spending the few pennies they have left to continue to create, write, coordinate and produce their original works. And of course HUGE thank yous to the cast and crew members that donate their time and talents to work on these projects. Doing work for free is very hard especially in this economy but as the famous Scottish author said:

In idleness there is a perpetual despair.

Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)

Don't give up hope. Stay busy. Keep those creative juices flowing.

Denise

Welcome all to my first website for my company, Foreground Background.
A big shout out to Megan Griffiths for naming me!
My hope is for my success as well as the good people I've met in front of and behind the camera. I've learned a lot from many people and am looking forward to continuing to grow and learn as well as provide opportunities to those in our area as well as abroad. Another one of my dreams is to see film come roaring back to Seattle. With so many talented individuals and such breathtaking beauty, how could it not happen!
I hope you check back often and see what the latest news is that I hear, new opportunities on the calendar and you can help me out by adding in your headshot to our talent photo album.
Gotta run and go pick up some sweet extras to take to set today on "True Adolescents". We're filming at Bop Street Records in Ballard with the Seattle band "The Blakes" as featured extras. Take care and best wishes,
Denise