For the past few months I’ve watched interviews of my acting role models when I have down time. I really enjoy the Variety’s Actors on Actors and The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtable Discussions, (THR). I find them on YouTube and watch as many as I can.
  
I wish I wrote this article when I first discovered these videos—I viewed so many the first week I won’t even bother with a wild estimate. I felt such a rush while watching them. Some of my favorite actors, like Tom Hanks, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, and Viola Davis (just to name a few) asked each other questions and shared their experiences as actors. (Variety’s Actors on Actors) Then, there was the thrill of the Round Table Discussions with several of my favorites—casually expressing their feelings and history, (Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Denzel Washington, and many more).
 
I was excited by the interesting pairings. I learned many had a shared director,  co-star, or worked on a film together years ago. I was completely enthralled. It’s entertaining and insightful for me as a member of the audience but also as a person interested in exploring the human condition as an actor.

Thanks to all our friends who were involved:
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      Holly Williams: "Poppyseed FeatherChild," Story concept, Writer
      Meghan Lima-Bona:  "Meghan"
      Kelsey Connolly: "Kelsey"
      Cody Pepin: Writer
      Victoria Clougher: Director
      Chris Love: Cinematographer, Editor
      Andrew Bona: Boom Operator


Feeling zen yet?
Let us know what you think in the comments below!

​Do chocolates really matter?
 
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and that question has tickled my mind a few times this month. Valentine’s Day: is it one of the longest running marketing campaigns that provokes gimmicks to buy chocolates, cards, and roses, or is it a holiday totally devoted to couples to make the extra effort that show they truly love each other?
 
I’ve never been bothered by the commercialization of the holiday, so I either am the target market to the “T” or I just think it’s a nice reminder to show extra affection.
 
Now, money is tight and I’m not demanding a fancy dinner at a candlelight table, or a dozen roses--or any roses, actually. A cute card, homemade or purchased, would be nice. Chocolate isn’t necessary,  and depending on my mood, if I’m attempting a sugar detox, it’s refused; or if I’m indulging my chocolate craving, it’s greatly appreciated.
 
My boyfriend and I have always done something for V-day but it’s always within our financial means and lighthearted. We’ve gone to out to dinner, movies,  made homemade cards and gifts for each other and shared some special time together ;)
 
I won’t be devastated that we’ll be thoughtful on a budget. In fact, I think that this creates an opportunity for creative and truly personal ideas.

Forget about the mature adult relationships you may have had for just a moment. You know the ones: The perfectly planned out Valentine’s Day gifts—with greeting cards and expensive chocolates, perhaps even a tiny box of jewelry that was meticulously gift wrapped. You know those relationships where you talk about feelings and futures, make promises, commitments, investments and share responsibilities; before there were foot and backrubs, dinners to be made, date nights, in-laws, kids and noticeable idiosyncrasies. 

Go back as far as you can and remember a simple time when you were younger. Maybe it was a first crush or puppy love. Perhaps it was a young love or first kiss that sent shockwaves through your entire body. 
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In third grade, a boy named *Doug moved to our school. He was a fraternal twin. Doug was a sweet, soft spoken, but silently strong type of boy. I could tell he’d been through a lot, as I was also quiet and observant, inquisitive and insightful at a young age.
*{I’ve changed the names of the people in this  reflection of my first love /puppy love, sheer bliss, or whatever you want to call it; of simple times and of pure feeling of thoughtfulness and friendship.} 

    Dear Diary, 
    Today, Doug smiled at me and said ‘good job’ 
    when we played capture the flag in gym.