<![CDATA[ - Christinna\'s Vlog]]>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:55:44 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Good for Your "Acting Health"??]]>Wed, 29 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/good-for-your-acting-healthOur studio's Youtube subscriber Ben asked, "Christinna, when it comes to networking, how can I surround myself with people that are good for my acting health?" Hmmm...very good question! 
When it comes to networking, there are a million ways of connecting with people in this industry so I'm not gonna offer too many specifics on that - SAG/AFTRA offers events, there's The Actor's Network, my friend & colleague DaJuan Johnson has a podcast and an online community. There's so many ways that you can reach out and connect to other actors, writers, directors and people in the industry. But I think what Ben's question is really getting at is distinguishing between those relationships that are healthy and those that are toxic. I really think it breaks down to one primary ingredient and that is when you spend time with this person do you get a sense that they have your best interest at heart and vice-versa, that it's a mutually beneficial and supportive dynamic between you both - or do they compete with you?

Competitiveness is fine, it can be stimulating, but being an actor and pursuing work in this industry is already tough enough. If auditioning was a sport it would be more like golf where your biggest competition really is within yourself, only in this game the rules are not meant to be objective or fair, and there could be a million reasons why you may or may not book that job that have absolutely nothing to do with your performance. So, I think that if you surround yourself with people that are constantly competing with you who have a hard time saying "Congratulations!" when you book a job and they're playing the comparison game nonstop, after awhile that's gonna take a toll. 

Also I think a healthy relationship in this industry is one that is not going to cause you or encourage you to cross your own boundaries. I am not of the belief that as an actor you have to be willing to say yes to everything. I recently did a video on the channel on knowing your boundaries and being willing to say no (see "Time Away & the Power of No", Dec 2021). As an actor you do not have to lay yourself out flat and be wiling to do anything and everything to prove yourself. No, no you don't! You are a human being first, and you have boundaries. 

We all need people in our lives who are going to shoot straight with us, we need honesty, we need accountability. Someone who is willing to be honest with you - even if it's uncomfortable - but in a way that is edifying, in a way that is stimulating, in a way is inspiring, and in a way that is encouraging. These are the type of healthy relationships that I think help you as an actor, and especially, having that person in your life who is truly joyful and celebrates with you when you win and is genuinely happy for you - that is a healthy relationship to have in this industry - and in life! 
]]><![CDATA[Auditioning the "Role" - VS - Auditioning a "Human Being"]]>Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/auditioning-the-role-vs-auditioning-a-human-beingToday’s question is brought to us by Ally, a wonderful student who has been with this studio for a very long time. Ally asks, “Christinna, you once mentioned in class 'Auditioning the human being as opposed to auditioning the role' – can you please explore that more?"

Alright, I’m going to shoot straight with you….  
When I worked in casting, you could basically put all auditions into 2 piles. In one pile you have actors auditioning the role, and in the other pile you could put actors who were auditioning a human being. Huge, huge difference! Anyone can pick up a script, read lines aloud, give it some emotional intent, give it some drive – but if it doesn’t feel like a human being complete with all the messiness and behavior and nuances that go along with being human – then it’s a static audition.

Write this down: this is one of the best phrases you can write down on a piece of paper, tape it to your refrigerator and read it before every audition and that is simply: Life is Messy. 

Only actors attempt to live life perfectly in an audition – but that’s not life! In life we’re messy, in life we have a moment, we have a thought, we look away, we use our hands, etc., but it’s not conjured, it’s not contrived – we’re just living in our very messy shells of humanity. The actors who know who they are in their own skin and can bring their own nuances to the character – nuances that the writer’s not going to include on the page – this is our job as actors – to explore the meat and visceral juices that surround the bones of the character. The writer is going to lay out the script, and lay out the bones of the character but it’s our job to fill in the juices, and to bring oxygen.

If your audition is too safe, if it’s too on the nose, it’ll probably go into the pile of auditions where yeah, ok, you did a good job, you auditioned the character, you auditioned the role, you said the words correctly...(meh!). You want your audition to go into the pile where it felt like it wasn’t an audition – it felt like we’re right there with this person thru the lens living their life, and it doesn’t feel scripted, and it doesn’t feel like an audition – it’s simply you understanding the story, understanding what drives the story, understanding why your character’s there and then driving forward and letting life happen. 

I encourage you to embrace messiness. Yes, you want to get the dialogue down correctly – we have to always honor the writer and the writer’s words – but when it comes to the life surrounding those words? That’s up to you, my friend.

So don’t be afraid to messy. Messy is a wonderful thing!
]]><![CDATA[Announcing! New Q&A series!]]>Sun, 08 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/announcing-new-qa-seriesHappy New Year everyone! I hope your 2023 is off to a great start! I'm excited to announce that I am going to be starting a series of short videos on this channel that's basically a Q&A…
...and it’s going to be all about you and the questions & concerns that you have regarding auditioning, self-taping, virtual callbacks, dealing with your nerves, dealing with scripts, script analysis, etc...basically anything you want to talk about and have a concise, clear answer delivered to your question – that is what this video series is going too be all about. So! I need you to start sending in your questions, and there are 2 ways in which you can go about doing this:

1 - Leave your question in the comments section of this video, or...
2 - Email your question to questions@oncameraclasses.com

I’m excited to get your questions! See you over on the channel!
]]><![CDATA[Returning from hiatus...a brief update & message...]]>Thu, 29 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/returning-from-hiatusa-brief-update-messageIt's been almost a year since I released the last video on this channel talking about the power of taking time off and the power of the word "No," specifically, not being afraid to utilize the word "No" in this industry as an actor, and especially when it makes you uncomfortable. Sometimes, it’s the greatest thing you can do for yourself, and for your career…  
As it turned out, I've needed a lot more time off than I originally anticipated, and I’m so glad I took my own advice because it has been what was necessary to get me to this place, right now, where I am feeling refreshed, revived, revved up and ready to go.

There is so much that I want to share with you based on what I have absorbed, what I have gained during my time off. But I'm not going to share all of that right now (it would be too much), instead I will be sharing bits and pieces with you that are relevant to you and your own journey as content is released in the coming days. That's my main reason for popping on here today, to let you know that I have content ready to roll out and it’s coming your way soon. 

You know...the pandemic affected all of us. I know that it affected you in a very specific way, I know that there are things that you have faced, things that have challenged you to your core, and things that you have personally overcome. Each of us has our own very specific story related to the pandemic and everything that this unusual period of time brought to us. The one thing that really connects us all as actors is that we have all had to adjust our approach to auditioning. You have been thrust into this situation where you have had to become your own production coordinator, producer, editor, DP, and your own director...and as we know, it’s not going away. Pandemic or no pandemic, self-taping is here to stay. So... there’s a lot to talk about, and there’s a lot to address, and I am here to serve you and to help you. 

Now, I know that many of you also have questions with regards to classes and what’s happening with the studio – and all of that will be addressed as well in the days ahead. 

For now, I will simply say…

In this world where we are so driven to always be doing, producing, building, strategizing, networking and striving for that next great opportunity and there’s the pressure to constantly be churning out status updates [on social media]…don’t be afraid to not do that. Don’t be afraid to step away for a moment, and nurture your soul, that part of yourself that gains its satisfaction not by being plugged into the chaos of the world, but by tapping into something so much deeper, and so much richer. Because this part of you is just as relevant, if not much more so than your fan base, or your following, or even that next great acting job. In other words, don’t be afraid to be quiet, to take time, to just be human. To be. 

2023 is going to be a very interesting year. Let’s get ready for it! 
]]><![CDATA[Time Away & the Power of "No"]]>Fri, 31 Dec 2021 08:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/time-away-the-power-of-noSo....there’s a reason why professors take a sabbatical. Typically a professor teaches for 6 years and then takes an entire year off from teaching to explore, travel, get creative – it all goes into the mix of making a professor more well-rounded, fulfilled and full with their own cup so that they can then pour into others....
About 5 years ago I started to get the inkling that I needed to take a sabbatical. For me, I had been teaching 18 years straight when the pandemic hit, and though I’m not a professor teaching at a university I am a teacher nonetheless pouring into other people, and as I shared with you in a previous video, when Covid hit I quickly learned that I was overdue for a break. So as much as I wanted to pour my energy back into teaching at the top of 2021, life continued to unfold in such a way as to show me that it was not time yet. And I have learned the importance of "listening". 

There was a fascinating TED talk that was given back in 2009 by Stefan Stagmeister, a very successful graphic designer based in New York. In it, he shares that every 7 years he shuts his entire business down completely, and takes a creative sabbatical. He says that doing so is the key to his success, that without it it’s easy for the creative juices to get bored, stagnant, and continue to produce the same exact kind of results. Taking a sabbatical forces the system to unlock and unleash new ideas and new creativity because you’ve gotten out of your comfort zone. So, I decided to get uncomfortable in 2021 by embracing what the pandemic brought to my business and turning it into an intentional, creative sabbatical in order to pour back into my cup so that I could then pour out of my cup so much more powerfully and more creatively, and take innovations with my business to the next level. 

"Growth does not occur in the land of comfort" - Christinna Chauncey (yep, I just quoted myself).

The word “No” is a very powerful word. In fact, if you do an internet search on the phrase “The Power of No” you’re going to see about 5.5 billion results. If you do an internet search on the phrase “The Power of Yes” you’re going to see about half the results. I think that’s fascinating, because in life we often glamorize the word “Yes.” In fact there was a movie that was made a few years ago starring Jim Carrey called “Yes Man” where his character had taken this self-empowerment seminar which taught that in order to have what you want in life you have to say yes to everything, and then of course hilarity and chaos ensues. 

There is power in the word “No.” Now, I’m not talking about “No” as a negative connotation. I’m actually talking about using the word “No” as a facilitator of the “Yes’s” that you actually want to have in your life. “No” can be a frightening word, especially for artists & actors. Let’s just be honest...often the auditions can be few and far between. So it’s easy to feel the pressure to always say “Yes,” right? But there’s power in the word “No”...knowing your boundaries, knowing what you will and will not do and not being afraid to exercise that.

You do not have to be a celebrity in order to say “No.” Every actor at every level can utilize that word and embrace its power. Now, you don’t want to overuse and/or abuse the word “No” because that’ll drive your agents crazy. But...just listen to what Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us much too soon, had to say on this very topic…

“I had agents that would give me things that were more stereotypical, you know, roles that I should take…and they would tell me you have to go in for this because it’s this director or this actor…and I was like, 'I want to work with that actor but I don’t want to play that role. I want to meet him when I’m doing something better than that’. Because I said no at certain times, it made me available for the things that have gotten me to where I am. So for me, it’s always been, like, first who are you? Who am I first? I have to know who I am first in order to navigate this thing, because if I’m navigating this thing and I become someone I’m not supposed to become, then I’m in the wrong place, whether I’ve made it in other people’s eyes or not.”  - Chadwick Boseman

Great advice. Listen, the entire point I’m trying to make in this video is that whether you’re like me and you need to take an intentional time off, a season away from that which is comfortable in order to embrace that which is not comfortable in order to expand, in order to grow – or – whether you just need to say “No” to a particular audition – sometimes the best thing that we can do in order to get to the next necessary stage either in your career or in your life, is to do what is uncomfortable. 

I’m a teacher. I’m an encourager. It is in my bones and in my blood to do the very best that I can to inspire, guide and help other people. But for a season, I have needed to set aside teaching classes – and that’s ok! The time passes very quickly, and if there’s anything that we’ve learned over the last year and a half in dealing with this pandemic, is that we do not know what tomorrow may bring. So, as we get ready to turn the page on yet another year, I want to offer up this challenge to you for 2022: Is there something either in your life or in your career that you are willing to say "No" to? Are you willing to get uncomfortable and say "No" to this in order to open up the door of "Yes" to that?

It’s completely up to you, my friend! And on that note, I want to wish you and yours a most joyous and safe happy new year celebration – and I will see you in 2022! 
]]><![CDATA[New Rules for Production [Covid-19]...What to Know...]]>Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:51:41 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/new-rules-for-production-covid-19what-to-knowHey guys! I’m back in L.A. from my shoot in Utah, and there is so much I want to be able to share with you, and I was actually delaying filming this video because I was hoping that by now we would have announced something in the press and I could talk about it [the project], but we haven’t…so for now mum’s still the word! But what I will share with you today is that this project was one of the best professional experiences of my life, and I know that’s a big statement to make but it’s true...
On set, there was an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Everyone was so happy to be there, so happy to be working, so supportive of one another, and it was really wonderful. So in the midst of these challenging times, there is such opportunity to also experience really beautiful times. So I wish I could share more details on it (I can’t wait until I’m able to) but for the sake of this video, I am going to be going over 4 areas that I think encapsulate what’s different about being on set and what you can expect in this “covid world”. 
 
Now, bear in mind that every production is going to vary in how they handle the new protocols that are in place, so I can only share with you my personal experience with this particular production. But suffice it to say that in my conversations with other actors who are working on set currently, it comes down to 4 main areas of protocol:
  1. Quarantine 
  2. Testing
  3. PPE
  4. Separation
 
Quarantine:
Now, I did an entire video on Quarantine, so if you’re watching this video right now and you haven’t yet seen that one, perhaps pause this video, go watch that one, then come back to this one. Because that video pretty much covers it all, and it’s also a little goofy so you’ve been warned! 
 
Whether or not you’re actually going to have to do a 2-wk isolated quarantine is really dependent upon the circumstances of your booking and whether or not you had to travel, as well as what that particular state’s (your destination state) restrictions are may affect how long you’ll have to quarantine. In my situation, because I flew into Utah from Los Angeles – according to that particular state’s travel laws right now in relation to the Coronavirus – I was required to isolate for 14 days. But if you are a local actor here in Los Angeles and for example, you book a guest star role on a show that shoots here locally, you’re [likely]not going to need to quarantine for 2 wks, but you will be tested for Covid-19. 
 
Testing:
You can expect to be tested for Covid-19 prior to showing up to set your first day – whether it is a nasal test or in my case, a saliva test – and it can possibly affect your employment if your test shows a positive result. So, all the more reason to practice good safety and common sense on a daily basis to ensure your optimal health prior to booking any acting role, period! 
 
Amount of testing: if you are only contracted to be on set for one day, you’re probably only going to be tested once.  If it’s a weeklong contract, you might be tested 2-3 times. In my case, since I was contracted for multiple weeks I was tested every 2 days – and sometimes twice/day every 2 days – because, as we know, there have been a lot of false positives, so it was very wise of production to administer 2 tests just in case one of them showed up positive, that would help them determine more if it was a false positive. 
 
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
This will be mandatory: masks, gloves, and whatever else that particular production requires in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
 
Separation:
You know in the “old days” when you book a show and you show up to set, and lunchtime rolls around? You could go under a big tent with everyone, eat your lunch and socialize, and perhaps sit next to a producer or whomever and have a chance to get to know everyone? Yeah, that doesn’t happen now, because separation is part of what helps to keep you safe. In our production, when lunch arrived, we [the cast] were escorted individually to the catering truck to get our lunch, then escorted back to our designated holding area. In my case, I was escorted back to my dressing room and I ate lunch by myself! So that’s a little sad, because a large part of the tradition of getting to know everyone else in the cast and in the production is mealtime.
Some productions have what are called “pods” and they divide them up into Pod “A” or Pod “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” – and these pods represent certain cast members and/or crew members that are designated for that particular pod, and they can only be around each other. 
 
Hanging out on set, even with a mask on, to watch other actors’ scenes? Nope, that’s also strongly discouraged, and everyone’s really nice about it. I kinda learned this the hard way because I like to watch other people’s work!  So I was hanging out when the 2nd AD came up to me and said, “Christinna, um…do you need anything? Would you like me to escort you back to your room?”  In other words, Go back to your room you’re putting yourself at risk!
 
If you are not in rehearsal or shooting a scene [or in hair/makeup], you are to be in your room or designated holding area and this is for the safety of yourself and everyone else on set.  So it can feel a little isolated yes, because it is! But separation is there for a reason. If an actor tests positive, it can delay production.  If one crewmember tests positive, it can delay production – and our production was delayed twice. 
 
Separation is an important protocol that helps keep you healthy and to ensure the least amount of risk. But it’s also a bit of a bummer because if you’re like me and you like to hang out on set and you like to walk around and talk to people when you’re not shooting or in rehearsal, you don’t get to do that anymore. Not until we’re thru this phase with this virus. For now, what matters the most is we are getting back to work…and that – well, that indeed is a beautiful thing. 
 
I hope you found this information helpful, and I hope it gives you better insight and a clearer picture of what you can expect when you show up to set the next time. 
 
In case I don’t see you before the year is over – because I intend to focus the next month or so thru this holiday season really connecting with my family and spending as much quality time as possible – in case I don’t see you, I wish you love, I wish you connection, I wish you joy, I wish you peace, I wish you health, and I wish you happiness. 
 
As always...Be good to yourself, be good to the world – and I’ll catch you next time! 

]]><![CDATA[I'm in Quarantine!! [Pros, Cons, & Tips!]]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/im-in-quarantine-pros-cons-tipsHey guys! I am coming at you today from Salt Lake City, Utah where I am here prepping (not as a coach, but as an actor) a really cool project that, unfortunately I can’t say too much about right now because we haven’t announced, but what I will say is that it is a very cool project with a provocative story, an amazingly talented director is on board, we have a solid production company, an awesome cast & crew, and I’m excited! I am also excited to be bringing you this firsthand account, this birds-eye view, of what production looks like in a Covid world...
Now, obviously up to this point I can only report back to you what I’ve experienced so far which is this mandatory 14-day quarantine, so that’s what we’re going to look at today…the Pros & Cons of this 14-day pre-production quarantine.
 
Let's get into it!
 
So having been in quarantine now for 13 days, there are 3 Critical Areas of Quarantine that I want to look at today:
 
  1. Time
  2. Isolation
  3. Restricted movement
 
1) Time. The exact time commitment for quarantine is 2 weeks, or 14 days, or 336 hours, or 20,160 minutes, or 1, 209,600 seconds of your life! Now, I always like to end on a positive note, so let’s look at the “Cons” first.
    Con: It’s 2 weeks! That is a heck of a lot of time, and if you just focus solely on the amount of time it can certainly feel overwhelming. So how you choose to look at it is key (#perspective), which leads us to the “Pros”!
    Pro: The biggest pro is the fact that this period of time is not just quarantine – it’s quarantine with a purpose! You are here for a very positive reason and there is a huge light at the end of this tunnel (#purpose), and it’s that purpose centered in the work that’s going to help fill the time and make it incredibly productive and fulfilling. Quarantine provides a distraction-free environment in which you have 2 solid weeks to focus in on the character, do backstory, journal, research, allow your mind to explore and really dive in deep! This is a luxury and honestly, kind of a genius element because I’m telling you that by the time I get to set I’m going to be so relaxed, centered, focused and ready to dive into the work...and excited!! Now, on the other hand there’s only so much prep that you can do with the character every day so you want to make sure that you balance it out (#balance) so that you don’t risk burning out on the character. It’s really important to keep it fresh, so I would recommend filling your time with other creative endeavors as well.
 
2) Isolation. This is probably the biggest challenge of quarantine.
     Con: You are going to be spending 14 days by yourself. This is where we want to be so grateful for technology that allows us to connect with our families, connect with our friends, and feel like we’re not alone. Human beings are social creatures and we need that interaction. I know that we’re all experiencing that sense of isolation even out of quarantine right now because we have to stay 6 ft from each other, we can’t reach out and hug and touch, and these are really important elements of humanity. So I know you’re feeling it as well, and we’ve just got to get through this time together.
     Pro: There are no distractions. No schedule. No obligations. Nothing that you literally have to do. How often do we get to indulge in something like that, while at the same know we’re getting paid for it? Because yes, you do get paid to self-quarantine!  Oh, I almost forgot, there is a visitor that’s going to come and see you during your quarantine and this you can certainly look forward to! This visitor is known as the Health & Safety Officer for production and this person will be coming to administer a Covid-19 test whether it’s a saliva test, or nasal test. How fun!
 
3) Restricted Movement.
      Con: I can’t leave the property. That kinda sucks! Quarantine is going to challenge your sense of physical freedom, and we all love our freedom. It is an essential ingredient to being human and an essential ingredient to life.
      Pro: It’s only 2 weeks, and reminding yourself that it’s for a short period of time and that at the end of those 2 weeks you get to go play on set, well this helps your restricted movement to not be suffered in vain! You have something to look forward to, again it’s all in how you look at it (#perspective).
 
Ok, so that is my take on the Pros & Cons of quarantine and now before we close I have a couple of really quick tips for you…
     Tip #1: Plan ahead, especially if you’re traveling.
     Tip #2: Stock up. If you have essentials that you need every day in your routine you'll want to make sure to stock up ahead of time and perhaps even find out the address of where you’ll be staying when you arrive and have that stuff shipped out. For example, I knew that even if they [the production co] put me in a box somewhere I was going to get my workouts in, because physical fitness is a really important area of my life and I have a solid commitment to it. So I had my weights and my yoga block shipped out so that it [the package] would be waiting for me when I arrived. And as soon as I got off the plane I told the driver I need to go to Target and Trader Joe’s so I could stock up and load up and I had my lists ready and prepared. I even packed up my Nutribullet so I could make my green drink. I swear by this drink – if you haven’t tried the recipe yet, the video is on the channel. Check it out.
     Tip #3: Take Care of Business. Be sure to take care of your bills and make sure everything is pre-scheduled because you’re not going to be in your normal routine. Like, I’m here for 7 weeks. That’s a lot of time for me to be away from my home, so I had to do an enormous amount of planning so I wouldn’t be stressed during this time which would allow me to focus on my character and really do the work in a relaxed manner.
     Tip #4: Bring Extra Fully-Charged Power Sources. Just in case mother nature brings on a weather situation that blows out the power! (Yep, happened to me first day of quarantine!)

The Working Actor’s PPE:
Prepare + Perspective = Enjoy!
]]><![CDATA[Demo Reels: Some HOT Advice]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2020 21:16:38 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/demo-reels-some-hot-adviceAlright, you guys know that a demo reel is one of the most important marketing tools you’re going to have as an actor when you are building your resume, when you are building your credits and when you are trying to get in the door. It’s one of the smartest most effective marketing tools that your agent or your manager can use to pitch you and to convince the casting director to take a chance on you in getting you into the room...  
What’s the ideal length of a reel?
A 2-3 minute demo reel is fine.
 
How long should be clips be?
Clips for a demo reel should be anywhere from 15-30 seconds, and then you move onto the next clip. Just go to the most important part of that scene, you only want to feature the most important part of that scene and then you want to get on with it. If you can have a speedreel version of your demo reel, that’ll be very helpful to your representation.
 
What’s a speedreel?
You have your larger demo reel, and then you just take the most essential snippets from each of those scenes put them together in about a 60-second overall “speedreel.”
 
Now…there’s something about demo reels that needs to be addressed…seriously…and I’m gonna rant about it…ok here it is…
 
The MONTAGE (sigh).

Nobody in casting cares about the montage - they don’t wanna see the montage - NOBODY cares about the montage!

The only person who cares about the montage is you and whoever put the demo reel together for you and said, “Ooh, this would look really cool at the beginning of it!” For those of you who may not know, a montage a series of quick little images of you that you splice together and set to music, and it opens up at the beginning of your demo reel and we see all of that before we actually see the scenes that those images are taken from (to see an example, watch this video). If anything the montage is just annoying, because when you work in casting time is of the essence and you don’t have enough of it ever! And this is one of those things that as an actor I didn’t realize until I worked in casting. I would get off the phone with an agent who had just pitched their client and I'd said, “Sure send over the demo reel I’ll take a look at it.” I’d open up the demo reel file and see a montage? First thing I’m gonna do is go, “Ugh!” and then I’m gonna try to skip to the end of the montage, which is going to be a bit time consuming because I don’t know where the montage ends if this is the first time I’m seeing it, I don’t know where the actual scenes are going to start so I’m going to have to hit the fast-forward button to find it. Either that, or while the montage is playing, I’m gonna get up and go refill my coffee! The only thing that casting cares about is the scenes themselves – they wanna go straight to the meat. If you must have that montage on your demo reel, put it on the end. Make it like an afterthought, or a closing kind-of-thing.
 
What if I don’t have any footage?
Obviously if you’re an actor just starting out, it’s likely that you won’t have any footage to draw from, and you don’t want to put together a demo reel with just your stage performances where the camera’s way in the back of the theatre and everything’s shot on a wide master and we can’t see what’s going on here [your face, your expressions up close]. There are companies out there that you can hire to write, shoot, edit, and put together a fantastic demo reel for you. Now, I have some strong advice regarding these companies because there are a lot of them out there and you want to be very wise with the type of company that you hire.
  1. High Production Value. Make sure the company you hire shoots on a high quality high-def camera, and that their sound quality is top notch. Ask to see samples. Also, make sure they know what they’re doing when it comes to editing.
  2. Don’t go solo, have a scene partner. Make sure that you are in the scene with another very strong actor. This is very important because of the next point listed here.
  3. The scene should look like a film clip from an independent film that you shot. It should not look like you hired a company to put together a demo reel for you and I can tell you that having worked in casting, you see a lot of these type of “made at home” demo reels, and if the scene that you are shooting only features your character and is shot the entire time over the shoulder of another human being, that is one of the most obvious signs that you hired a demo reel company to put together your demo reel for you.

It should not cost you an arm & a leg to put together a great demo reel. It should not cost you multiple thousands of dollars. If it’s costing you multiple thousands of dollars, you might want to rethink who you’re hiring!
 
Now for those of you who are based in Los Angeles, there is a company here in town that I’ve recommended to my students and coaching clients over the years and I think they do a fantastic job covering all of the elements I just mentioned, and for the high level of quality and comprehensive services that they offer, I feel their prices are more than fair. Now (I gotta say it!) this video/vlog is not being sponsored by Relentless Filmworks, nor do I get any kind of kickback for recommending them. I just happen to really like these guys and think they do good work. They also offer a free consultation which is nice, and they generously agreed to offer a 10% discount to my viewers – all you gotta do is be a subscriber to this channel and leave a comment at the end of this video. I will leave a link with more information and a discount code in the description box for you.
 
So that’s my advice when it comes to demo reels – and bear in mind it is simply my professional advice, take it or leave it – always when it comes to professional decisions, be sure to seek wise counsel from a number of legitimate resources.
 
Good luck! 👍

]]><![CDATA[Intensity & the Book of Triggers...]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2020 22:56:15 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/intensity-the-book-of-triggers​When the world is experiencing intensity, or when there is intensity in our environment, we all have our different ways of dealing with it. For me personally, even though I’m a teacher and I spend a lot of my time standing in front of other people expressing myself, in my core I’m actually much more of an introvert and I’ve been so since I was a child.  It’s been both an asset and a challenge in my life... 
So when intensity hits, instead of hopping forward and immediately making my voice known, I tend to take a couple of steps back so that I can observe, take everything in, listen, be present, and process. I refer to this in my life as going "into the cave". So if ever this is a period of time on social media or on this particular platform where there seems to be an extended period of quiet, like Where’s Christinna? especially if intensity has hit our world, I’m more than likely in the cave. So I say this to you so that if you relate to what I’m saying, if at times you feel overwhelmed and find yourself “in the cave” processing, just know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you. 💕
 
Now, let’s talk about what’s happening in our industry. We are experiencing a dramatic shift, and it’s taking place right before our very eyes and there are a lot of question marks up in the air as to what production is going to look like in the coming days. But one thing that I think you and I can agree upon at this point in time is that self-taping is going to be the primary method for auditioning in the days to come and possibly indefinitely. As well as virtual callbacks. I highly encourage you, if you have not already set up a self-taping area in your home, I highly encourage you to get on that. And if you have not yet viewed my video “Self-Taping: 5 Key Areas…” I highly encourage you to watch that as well. 
 
I have a lot of thoughts regarding this new paradigm in production that’s coming our way, and I’ll be bringing these thoughts to you on our Youtube channel in the near future. But for today, here’s what I want to get into…
 
During my days studying with the incredible Larry Moss, whom I will forever consider my master teacher and mentor and who also wrote an incredible book on acting called “The Intent to Live” (if you have not yet read it, now’s a good time). We were encouraged in class to keep what we’d refer to as “The Little Book of Triggers.” What is the Little Book of Triggers?  
 
When intensity hits in your life, and you find yourself going from one emotion quickly to another, you have been triggered. So as an actor you want to be responsible to that emotion that has been ignited in you and write it down. So the Little Book of Triggers is simply a book that you keep on hand, maybe something you can fit inside your purse or your bag or the glove compartment of your car, and when life hits, and you experience that rush of emotion, grab that book and while you’re experiencing this emotion, the actor in you needs to start making notes about it. Pay attention to the temperature that’s around you, write it down. Pay attention to what the day looks like, the weather. Is it sunny out? Is it overcast? Get immediately present to your environment and write it down.  Get specific. What specifically affected you? Write down the image, write down the words that were spoken, write down the sensation, the heat, where did the heat rise up in your body? Was it on the back of the neck, was it in the chest, was it flush in the face? Get specific. And the same applies to when you’re having an incredibly high (positive) emotion. For example, you’re out for a walk and something crosses your environment and it’s profoundly inspiring to you and you find yourself in that moment feeling elated. Write it down. Write down what you were looking at, who was there, etc. Get specific. 
 
What you are doing here is you’re building a reference point of emotional sense memory so that when you take on a project and you have a character that is going through a parallel emotion, you’ll have a reference point in your Little Book of Triggers that you can go to and put yourself in that same emotional sense memory recall, and that can help bring back up those emotions when you need them for the audition or on set. 
 
Often times in class when I would have an actor upfront and they’re working on an especially challenging scene, emotionally, it’s not uncommon to hear, “Christinna, I’m stuck. I’m not feeling it, I can’t go there." We all go there at some point in our life, it just can be a lot more difficult to go there when the pressure’s on in the audition or in class when you’re aware that you’re supposed to be having this emotion. In life, we just experience it. In life, intensity happens and it provokes a reaction and we’re there. Again, we all process and experience intensity and input differently, and it’s really important that you as an actor know your instrument better than anyone, because it is your instrument.  
 
I know, to those who aren’t actors it may sound crazy, it may sound nuts that in the middle of having an emotional breakdown you reach over and you grab a little book and start making notes, but that’s what we do!  That’s what we do as actors, that is our calling, because our job is to communicate the human condition thru truth, and thru story. It’s our responsibility to be truthful in communicating story. 
 
There is an opportunity right now at hand, with so much that’s going on in the world, so many emotions are heightened, so much intensity is in the air and it’s our responsibility to be surveyors of the human condition. As actors we should be more invested in the human condition than anyone on the planet because it’s our job to climb into the skin of another character and bring that character to life. So we take it upon ourselves to go to that deeper level, to really go deep. The question is…just how deep are you willing to go? 
 
In 2010, Meryl Streep gave a commencement speech and in it she said, “Empathy is at the heart of the actor’s art.” In other words, empathy is the actor’s greatest gift. It’s what allows us to climb into the skin of another person, even if that person is very different than ourself. Because our job as actors is never to judge the characters that we play, our job as actors is to justify the characters that we play. You guys! This is The Golden Rule! To Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You (Luke 6:31), by taking a moment to stand in the shoes of another human being. 
 
For 17 years, this has been one of the most important guiding principles of what we do, and aside from the fact that we have incredible human beings who choose to study here, I really believe that because we practice The Golden Rule within these walls, our students are loving and supportive of one another in an industry that is known for its competitiveness. I’ve said it before many times in class, and I’ll say it again here now on this channel in this video and that is I really believe that if the world simply practiced The Golden Rule more, the world would be a much more loving and peaceful place. 💗
 
“When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, the world will know Peace.” – Jimi Hendrix 🌷
]]><![CDATA[Mega Supercharged Immunity-Boosting Green Drink!]]>Wed, 27 May 2020 22:58:12 GMThttp://oncameraclasses.com/christinnas-vlog/mega-supercharged-immunity-boosting-green-drinkI know, not what you expected, right?! 😃 But let me tell ya, this green drink has earned such a reputation at my studio with so many students & coaching clients requesting the recipe for its incredible immune-boosting and energy-boosting properties that I decided to dedicate an entire video to it! 
As film/tv production 🎥 kicks back into gear (hopefully soon) it'll be more important than ever to have a strong immune system, and this drink packs a powerful punch (not kidding here).

It’s designed to be used with the Nutribullet system so that none of the ingredients are wasted (and nope this vlog is not sponsored by Nutribullet, I'm just a huge fan).

Unlike traditional juicers that only pull the juice and discard all the nutrient-packed fiber, all the ingredients listed in this recipe go straight into your bod – nothing is wasted. If you don't have a Nutribullet you can try using a Vitamix, the key is to not waste any of the ingredients.

I swear by this green drink and I personally have it 3x per week. I credit it with keeping my immunity strong through countless 12-15 hr days at the studio, esp during grueling pilot seasons & episodic seasons.

Now bear in mind - I am not a nutritionist - just a regular gal who happens to really dig this drink.

So if you have any specific digestive issues, food allergies, or other health concerns including diabetes, please check with your physician first to get the green light on all of these ingredients before making this drink for yourself at home, and feel free to add or substitute to your hearts desire!

Also - if you already have your own green drink recipe or other awesome juice recipe that you love and are willing to share, then please leave it in the comment section!! ❤️

As always, for max impact be sure to watch the video above all the way thru to the end. 👍

Hope you enjoy – and here’s to your health! 💕🥦

CHRISTINNA'S SUPERCHARGED NUTRIBULLET GREEN DRINK RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 handful dark green organic Tuscan or Lacinato Kale
1 handful organic spinach leaves
1/2 apple (remove seeds) - any kind of apple will do (Granny Smiths have less sugar)
1/2 lemon (lightly shave the rhine, leave the thick white pith underneath)
1 whole banana (for less sugar use less-ripe banana, for more sweetness use more-ripe)
1 quarter slice of fresh ginger (shave off the edges/skin)
Couple shakes of cayenne pepper (more if you want it spicier 🔥)
Couple shakes of turmeric powder

You can also add:
1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
1 tsp organic chlorella/spirulina 50/50 mix 
   (order online at Amazon... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...)

Directions:
​Fill the Nutribullet cup with these ingredients (starting first with the leafy greens in the bottom of the cup then add the rest) then pour in purified water to the max line. Spin the ingredients inside the Nutribullet for 40-45 seconds to completely liquify. Remove the cup from the base of the machine, remove the blades, then screw on the rim of your choice or pour into a separate glass and enjoy! Note! The more spinach & kale you put into the cup, the more pulp your drink will have and the thicker it will be. So unless you want your drink to be like sludge, don't overdo it. For a nice smooth low-pulp drink, don't pack it too much with greens - just a small handful of each will suffice! :) ​​

Drink - and enjoy! 🍏🥦🥬
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