Posts made in March, 2012
Day 81: 13 words
Day 81. I look like a chipmunk. Thank god for pain meds. More words tomorrow. Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media. Follow...
Read MoreDay 80: Three words
Day 80. Oral surgery. Brutal. Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media. Follow...
Read MoreDay 79: Hungry
Day 79. On a plane to Los Angeles. No Wi-Fi. I doze off. I wake up and immediately munch on the Doritos I bought right before I ate a Big Mac, fries and a chocolate shake at terminal B in Chicago’s Midway airport. I can’t remember the last time I ate at McDonalds. I’m not proud of this return to teenage traditions. I am only continuing the poor eating habits I began six days ago. I’m not going to sugar coat it. I did not eat well or light while on this shoot. My plan was simply to “not be high maintenance”—if there were only gluten or sugar containing products to eat then I’d eat them. This is a micro budget film. I eat what they offer. No biggie. Well,...
Read MoreDay 78: OH
Day 78. This is my last day in Utica, Ohio. I’m overwhelmed by the incredibly generous, kind people in this small town USA. The entire cast and crew were welcomed with open arms. I feel connected to everyone I met while filming. I’m thankful, grateful, exhausted and happy I have a whole new group of friends. Flying home tomorrow. Until tomorrow, create from what you have. Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media. Follow...
Read MoreDay 77: It’s a Wrap!
Day 77. I filmed my last scene this morning. I was able to wake up, slip on my robe, put my hair up in a clip and I was in my wardrobe and camera ready–no make-up required. Love it! No, it was not a glamorous role. My character can’t be bothered with such nonsense. She doesn’t have time to worry about what she looks like, she’s too busy living. Such a lesson. Until tomorrow, create from what you have…and get busy living. Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media. Follow...
Read MoreDay 76: More fun
Day 76. I only had one scene this morning–the funeral scene. After that, I was able to relax and blend into being a part of the crew and help out. The writer, producer, director, lead actor, John David Hartfield, had an intense scene today. All I’ll say is I, along with several other people from the crew, watched the performance on the monitor and we were all in tears by the end of the take. He was brilliant. Really amazing. Tomorrow is day three. I have one more scene to shoot in the morning. It’s not as weepy but it’s emotionally charged, like the whole film. I’m a broken record but I just can’t wait. Making movies is so...
Read MoreDay 75: Weepy Day
Day 75. Ohio rocks! It reminds me a lot of Missouri–lovely, kind people and rolling hills. We had a wonderful first day of shooting. I balled my eyes out for most of the day…not that I was crying on camera the whole time but the emotion was intense. So much fun! Not kidding. I’m completely wiped out and have to call it a day so I can get some rest. We have a funeral scene first thing in the morning. I can’t wait! Seriously. This is so much fun. Until tomorrow, create from what you have…and have fun with it. Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and...
Read MoreDay 74: Flying
Day 74. The alarm sounds at 3:45am. It feels ridiculous to be awake at this hour and to actually be putting on clothing. I’m not sure I ever really slept even though we were in bed with lights out by 9pm. My thoughts were on my lines. I keep saying, “figure out” instead of, “decide” and that’s bugging me. “Decide” is the much stronger word in the context of my scene. Decide, decide, decide. When I do drift off it’s fitful sleep. I wake up at one point above the covers in the fetal position with one arm up in the air. No idea what that’s about. Maybe I had a question for my dreams. The Midwestern weather has shifted my scene schedule and my big emotional...
Read MoreDay 73: Our Aging Population
Day 73. There’s nothing quite as awesome as anticipation—positive anticipation anyway. Negative anticipation sucks. But the good kind is awesome—the kind you have when you’re getting ready to rendezvous with your new lover or, go on a really cool trip. Well, I’m about to go on a really cool trip to Ohio. I’ve actually never been to Ohio so I’m really looking forward to it. But that’s not the only reason why I’m excited about this imminent journey. I’m excited because I’m going to be a part of something special. I’ll be playing a character that I admire in a film that I not only think is a good project but that I also believe in—it moves me on a deeply personal,...
Read MoreDay 72: Discouraged? Encourage.
Day 72. I woke up to find an email from a dear friend. She shared a photo of a monk in meditation with the caption: Student says, “I am very discouraged. What should I do?” Master says, “Encourage others.” Beautiful. Thank you, my friend. This reminds me of the power of putting the focus on someone other than myself. It strengthens me to strengthen others. I caught the tail end of the “I Am Bruce Lee” documentary on SPIKE last night. I’m not going to lie. I’ve never seen a Bruce Lee movie in my life—martial arts have never been on my radar—and the person in charge of the remote was not about to change the channel. So, there I was, watching Bruce be interviewed...
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