Monday Multitasking Day

I wore all my hats yesterday!

Started with my actor hat, depositing paychecks for my recent stints on Grey's Anatomy and Don't Trust the B-- in Apartment 23 with tremendous gratitude. (Though the latter took more than twice than the former in federal withholding for the same number of allowances. What's up with that?) News on those airdates to come!

Then switched to my producer hat, driving to Silverlake to pick up the (almost) final cut of the short film I produced for John Lopez --

And hand delivering them to the Sundance Institute. Saw this fantastic piece of the Berlin Wall outside --

Then head to my favorite Mid-Wilshire writing spot, The Corner Bakery --

Where I put on my writer hat and cranked through more revisions on my series proposal over a turkey sandwich.

Also edited the fiction piece I'll be reading at the inaugural Relax & Write Work in Progress event on Sunday --

RSVP for this live reading event here!
Finally, ended the day with my fangirl hat at a "Writing for the Web" panel at the WGA, featuring the most impressive spread of food I've ever seen at the Guild --

There were plenty of bigwigs on the panel - Anthony Zuiker, who created the CSI franchise and Web series Cybergeddon, Erica Oyama, who created the hilarious Bachelor-like satire Burning Love, and Dennis Leoni, who created the family drama Los Americans.

But I was there for one reason and one reason alone - to meet the uber-talented Jane Espenson and Brad Bell (aka Cheeks), the creative team behind the groundbreaking and fiercely awesome Husbands the Series, a comedy that is sharper and and more deliciously daring than anything on broadcast television.

I heart this show so much! Jane and Brad were kind enough to chat with me after the panel and pose for pictures. Cheeks photo bomb!

I'm holding a flyer they signed announcing a Husbands digital comic series in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics, launching October 24, 2012. Can't wait!

The panel was a thoughtful discussion on the evolution of original content online, which is just getting better and better.

Hmmm, maybe I should write that mental hospital thriller Web series that's been swirling around in my head...

Sunday Market Day

Began the week at my favorite place - the Mar Vista Farmer's Market! It seems to get bigger and more colorful every time I go --

Spotted Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill and Top Chef Masters fame doing some shopping. Mar Vista Farmer's Market FTW!

Indulged in a few of my favorite things --

Took in a pirate show --

And ended with a stop at my favorite booth, the Homeboy Bakery!

Homeboy Industries is a non-profit that provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. And they do that by making delicious food!

Picked up a garlic bread loaf that is to die for! Their extra virgin olive oil is coming soon - can't wait to give everyone a bottle for Christmas.

After a huge lunch of farmer's market goodies, I settled in for a day of writing. Alternated revisions on my series proposal with catching up on new fall television.

Two new shows I'll definitely be watching - Nashville on ABC --

Soapy and satisfying, plus you know how much I love country music! Connie Britton's Rayna is the perfect diva and Hayden Panettiere's Juliet acts exactly how you hope Taylor Swift doesn't.

Most surprising was Charles Esten as sexy, hunky songwriter Deacon Claybourne. Looked him up and realized it's Chip Esten of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame! He went from this --

To this --

Hubba hubba.

Speaking of hunks, I also watched the pilot for Arrow on The CW --

An unabashed superhero action drama - fantastic. I loved the script when I read it in the spring and I found it very well-executed. Can't wait to see this season unfold!



What are your favorite new fall TV shows?

Black and White Magnolias

I was discussing the creative merits of Lifetime’s all-black remake of Steel Magnolias with a friend when I mentioned that 6.5 million people had watched it.

“On BET?” she asked. “No, Lifetime,” I replied. She said, “Oh that’s great, because most black people probably didn’t see the original because it was all-white.”

Slightly confused, I asked for clarification. “You think that back in 1989 when the first Steel Magnolias came out, most of the black population in America didn’t go see it because it had white people in it?”

“Without a doubt,” she replied. “Black people hate white people. They wouldn’t have wanted to see a story about white women in the South.”

I was shocked. Her statement sounded absolutely absurd to me. When I said as much, she went on to say she’d had extensive conversations with black people in recent years and every one expressed a deep-seated hatred toward all things white. “Even today, they hate white people with venom.”

Now I’m certain that I could poll all of my black friends, and not a single one would tell me they refused to see the original Steel Magnolias because it was about white women in the South. But this isn’t about what I believe or how open-minded and progressive my friends are – this is about my friend’s view of race relations in this country.

Because she wasn’t stating an off-the-cuff opinion. She was stating an honest conclusion drawn from her conversations and interactions with black people around her. And they all led to one assessment – black people still hate white people.

To me, Steel Magnoliasis a story about mothers and daughters, about having dreams and facing reality, about the community between women who scream and fight but love each other fiercely. It has nothing to do with race. The idea that black people could make it about race sounds crazy to me.

But maybe my surprise at her statement comes from the fact that I live in post-racial America, meaning I don’t define myself or others by their race. I believe people are people. Intolerant idiots come in every color, shape, and size, and the truth is we are all more alike than we are different.

Though I have to consider that my view could be the exception in this world. My first real experiences with black people – and really all races other than white – happened as an undergrad at MIT, where everyone was intelligent, accomplished, and frankly, incredible. MIT was only 35% Caucasian back then. We were a United Colors of Benetton student body and I was much more likely to judge people by what dorm they lived in than the color of their skin.

But not everyone had my upbringing. My friend mused at the likelihood of black communities in the South that still teach their kids to hate whites and white communities that still teach their kids to hate blacks, and she’s probably right.

There are myriad examples in the past where hatred has defined a community. Black Americans have a really good reason to hate white Americans because of slavery. Jews have a really good reason to hate Germans because of the Holocaust. Hatred has been a common thread in world history and plenty of groups have been defined by their opposition to another group.

In considering how I felt about this morning’s conversation, I started to think to myself, “Thank goodness I’m not defined by hatred.” But then I realized that’s not totally true either. I can admit that I have an inherent disdain and distrust toward China because of my Taiwanese heritage. I learned it from my parents. I believe their reasons are valid. I’m guilty of holding an old opinion over a current group of people. I’m no better than the next person.

So is my belief in post-racial America just a pipe dream? Will we always have aspects of hatred in our very beings? Is it even possible to eliminate hatred as a method by which we are defined as individuals and communities?

It’s an interesting question. All I know is that I prefer the ideal of making connections over creating divisions. I encourage each and every one of us to get current and move beyond our history of hatred. I’ll be working on mine – won’t you commit to doing the same? We are a new generation of humans on this planet and we can make this world community what we want it to be. It starts with us.

Video Distractions: Political Edition

It's election season! You're registered to vote, right? If not, click on the Rock The Vote button over here and do it NOW! --->

Then enjoy my favorite political-themed video distractions, starting with a gem featuring the one and only Samuel L. Jackson --



And another hilarious video featuring Sarah Silverman --



Have you registered to vote yet? Go ahead - I'll wait.

Of course everyone's talking about this secret video of Romney talking to wealthy fundraisers --



That led to yet another hilarious debunking from The Daily Show --

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Chaos on Bulls**t Mountain
www.thedailyshow.com
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Can you tell I'm voting for Obama? :)

Who are you voting for this November?

Five More Things I’m Shocked Actors Still Do

As if the first five shocking things actors do weren't bad enough, I've seen actors doing this nonsense lately --

1. Lying on Their Acting Resume - Sorry honey, but you were not a Supporting Actor in The Avengers,You were a background extra running down the street. And unless you were the guy playing Galaga on the SHIELD ship, you weren't Featured either. Resume lies always catch up with you - don't do it!
   
   
2. Not Having their Acting Resume Link on Facebook - This is a repeat because I know so many actors who still haven't done it. Are you trying to not get hired for a job? Producers like me will only hunt for your info for so long before moving on to another actor. Get that resume link on your Facebook/Twitter profile now!
   
   
   
3. Having Headshots that Don't Look Like You - Who do you think you're kidding? If your picture is from 15 years ago, they're going to notice as soon as you walk in the door. You're doing yourself the opposite of a favor. It's better to have a simple snapshot of yourself today than a glamour shot of you from the past.
   
   
4. Not Having Resumes in their Car - Wanna know who's not creating opportunities for themselves? These people. You never know when you're going to be called in for an audition or meet someone who wants your resume. Keep at least 5 in a folder in your trunk - easy peasy!
   
   
   
5. Not Knowing Television Shows - I don't watch The Mentalist regularly, but as a working actor auditioning for TV roles, I know everything I need to know about it. I know the premise, I know the main cast, I know it's on CBS, I know it shoots here in Los Angeles - and I've seen at least one episode so I know the tone. Can you say that about every show on TV? Because I can - and you should too! Saying you don't know TV is not something to be proud of - do your research!

Writing Links Roundup

A few great articles about writing I found this week. Passing on for inspiration - happy writing!

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The Journey to Publication

Author Laura Kilmartin blogs about how she wrote her novel three times before getting it published. So inspiring to hear someone talk so honestly about their journey. Reminds me of Kathryn Stockett's story of getting rejected by 60 agents before publishing The Help.


Zadie Smith's 10 Rules of Writing

Every time I look at this, I find a new rule that's my favorite. Yesterday, it was number 9 - "Don't confuse honours with achievement." Damn. After I post this blog, I'm following number 7 - "Work on a computer that is disconnected from the ­internet." So true!


30 Indispensable Writing Tips From Famous Authors
Take them into your heart or post them on Facebook, these quotes leave their mark. This is my favorite:

Genius Video Distractions

There are video distractions that amuse or entertain. The ones that make you laugh or say, "That's so true!"

Then there are the video distractions I've been watching lately, which are inspiring pieces of pure genius from incredibly creative people that I hope to work with someday.

For example, I can't stop watching this timeless puppetry performance, recorded from The Muppet Show in the 80's, but originally created by Jim Henson when he was 20 years old. Pure genius!



Speaking of The Muppets, here's an incredible collaboration between Ben Folds Five and the characters of Fraggle Rock. Even better than The Muppets invading Weezer's video.



Then there's the latest extravaganza from the multi-talented Todrick Hall that blends a statement for marriage equality with classic Disney fairytales.



And speaking of gays I love, the second season of Husbands has hit the Web. OMG! IDEHTW! Every episode of this Web series from the brilliant Jane Espenson & Brad Bell makes my jaw drop. The writing is sharp, the performances are on point, and the cameos are hi-larious!


Color me inspired - I'm off to write. Zooooom!