Interests:Have you ever heard of that Jesus guy? Yeah, he is pretty cool and getting to know Him better interests me.
Movies. I love to watch them, study them, and make them. Expertise:Everything.
........Ok, so maybe not. I'm pretty good at sleeping, eating, and putting my shoes on in the morning. Occupation:Other Industry:Media
I now have a new favorite show. It brings my little nerdy heart so much joy. That show- Dollhouse. I do believe that a beautiful, messed up world is the best way to describe the world of the dollhouse. I actually modified the phrase from a comment I read about one of the relationships on the show. They described it as a "beautifully F***ed up relationship". That description describes pretty much everything on the show. It is beautiful because of the first glance look on the surface (like the appearance of the dolls), but upon closer inspection, you realize that nothing is what it seems. People are being used and manipulated, and in odd ways. It is not always clear who is the victim and who is the victimizer. Why this show is so intriguing to me I will now attempt to explain.
The Themes- I love when a show has a meaning behind it. And this show is nothing if not about meaning behind the image. I mean the main characters are bodies in which they add personalities! The same is true for most of the show. Things are constantly changing right under the surface. I also love the theme of what makes a person a person. As you still you if your memories and personality traits removed? What if just your memories are removed? Are you still you if your personality was "inserted" into another person's body? I could out down so many questions raised on the show. And when you think you have a question answered, they throw in a situation that questions your original answer. They keep me pondering well after the episode has ended.
The Characters- Ok, what actor would not love to be a character that can become another person in an instant? But beyond that lovely built-in character creator, the more "stable" characters even have some great multi-dimensional awesome twists. This is defiantly a show that blurs the "good guy" and "bad guy" lines. I tend to love the not main characters. Not minor, because that implies a lack of importance, but characters with less screen-time. They, for whatever reason, can make just as much, if not more, of an impact with less time. This impresses me. And these characters also tend to have more quirks and "ticks" that make them unique. I found this video. Example of 2 characters in one (a character "inserted" into an active's body). Such an amazing performance. If you have not seen the show, the guy in the chair is an active but with the personality of another character on the show. The actor did a phenomenal job portraying him.
And I just love Alan Tudyk in this episode. He is plain awesome. Little clip here
The Writing- I know that both the themes and characters come from the writing, so this is redundant, but it is still true. Though some of the episodes, especially early on, were very weak; the writing has much improved. Sad too that, at least to me, even the "bad " episodes of it are better than the majority of television out there. Still, not up to the Whedon standard, but last episode gave much hope to how amazing the show can get. So, basically my view of writing- bad Whedon writers > average television. And great Whedon writing team writing blows all other tv out of the water.
I could talk all day about this show, but I realized that I don't want to put lots of spoilers for those who have not seen the show. I hope to soon do a whole blog about one couple (both together and the characters separately) and how they are examples of major themes.
I know a long time ago I agreed to make posts based on other's suggestions. One of the first I got was to tell about what has been going on in my life. So here is a quick summary of Mindy.
Mindy was born almost 23 years ago. The first child to her parents, she was an active and attractive child, a perfect angel . As she got older, she became a bit more inwardly drawn. Though close to her family, she had only a small circle of friends. (to be honest, Mindy has a fussy memory of her life before high school).
So, on to high school- where memory is better. High school is where little (well, not that little) Mindy found her place. Though introduced to the theatre and acting in Middle School, she became much more involved in High School. Drama was a place of refuge for her. It is where her friends were, but also where she found a much needed confidence boost. As odd as is it to say, by creating different personalities to play- she found herself. She may not have been the top actress, her love of the environment grew.
College- Mindy then graduated high school and had to move on in life. And as much as she loved her friends, she was very ready to make the move. Once in college, she made to then decide what life path she would take (no small decision for a teenager). Because of her love of the stage she took a theatre class, and then saw a film introduction class being offered. Never before had she imagined of such a life. She remembered her love of seeing movies, her ability to recite the lines, the awe of the big screen. She signed up, with this thought "If I like this class, I will have found my major." And she did. Film was her major, and the more she learned, the more she wanted to know. She soon became excited about the idea of creating her own movies. However, with a few small, but wonderful, exceptions, she had little chance to act on her growing passion of filmmaking.
"Adult" life Once out of college, "grown up" Mindy had to make even bigger life decisions- like where to live, and what job to have. Also, would she still be known as Mindy, or by her legal name of Melinda. interesting point, the third question took the longest to answer. (which was Mindy, btw). She quickly moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the Film Industry. She soon found a job as a Page at Paramount Pictures. At Paramount, Mindy began to understand the true nature of film making. And the more she saw, the more she fell in love. The process, though tedious, messy, and tiring, was beyond thrilling. At her church, she soon joined the film crew. Right out of the box, she was asked to do some acting for them. An her old love of acting was reignited. The flames of passion for breathing life into character were burning her from the inside out. To ignore them anymore would cause a very messy scene. So, while looking for auditions and opportunities, she stubbled across a chance to go to New York with an amazing group. This chance would allow her to put her talent and self out there to be seen. This chance would hopefully open many doors.
Currently, Mindy is getting ready to go to New York. She still works at Paramount, and loves the people she both already knows, and the people she gets to meet. All is right with the world. Well, at least in this area of this Mindy's life. Can't vouch for anyone else in the world. Or even other parts of Mindy's own life. So scratch the "right with the world" comment.
I hope this gives somewhat of a picture into the life of Mindy.
Things to look for in the near future of Mindy- Photo shoot for headshots, Mom and brother visiting, birthday, and New York.
Now for random stuff. The cutest character on tv, in my opinion-->
And I love Dollhouse more and more everyday. I think I will talk about it next time.
Now some people may separate characters into basic roles like- The Hero, The Best Friend, The Comic Relief, etc. I like to think of them more as parts of a whole- like a body. This makes the roles things like- The Brain, The Heart, The Reflexes, etc. I got this idea from the show Firefly. (I know, I know). I heard once that the characters are all different aspects of Mal that he lost during the war. And since I happen to really like shows with lots of characters (I think a show can really live or die based on its "minor characters")
So here are some basic roles I have come to see. Let me know if you agree or disagree (with the general ideas, or even the examples)
The Brain- These are your people that basically are the thinkers. They are scientific in their thinking. Often they are described by others as geniuses. They function out of fact, not faith. Examples- Lost- Jack . Firefly- Simon . X-Files- Scully (you might notice a professional link here as well.)
The Soul- These are basically the opposite of the Brain. They rely on feeling or faith. They first priority is to doing "the right thing", whatever that is to them, versus always following logic and the rules. Examples: Firefly- Shepherd Book . Lost- Locke . X Files- Mulder
The Heart- These are different from the Soul. I know, it is hard to think of them separately, but try. While the Soul is on faith, the Heart is the person who brings joy. You know those characters that everyone just seems to love. They bring a sometimes childish love and happiness where ever they go. These characters are easy to spot in shows that take place in difficult places (like the Lost island, or lost in space on a Firefly). Examples: Lost- Hurley . Firefly- Kaylee Chuck- Chuck
The ID- This is the person that does what feels good to them. They don't particularly care what others think. Their id rules their decisions. Examples: Firefly- Jayne Farscape- Rygel
The Reflexes- Basically, the protector. If anyone can come up with a better title for the body's central for protection- let me know. These people are dedicated to protecting anyone they consider part of their "circle". They usually have no problem using force or pain in order to keep everyone safe, and once safe, they like to keep the peace amongst the "circle". The "circle" may be people, or even a cause or idea. Examples: Firefly- Zoe The Office- Dwight
There are many more. But I am tired. Maybe I will add some later. Goodnight.
Small in terms of amount of words, not in terms of meaning.
It amazes me how I have been able to support myself out here. If nothing else, that fact makes me sure that I am where I should be.
I love television shows that touch on dark themes, or just make me think. If I don't think about it throughout the week, I have a hard time giving my time to it.
On that note- I think everyone should watch Dollhouse. But see it from the beginning, not this week episode. Or at least start at ep. 6- Man on the Street. But there has only been 7 episodes so far, so not too much catching up to do.
If you want to start there, here is a promo for the show as a whole- . The only things to really know before hand is that in the Dollhouse there are Actives (who are like children and completely innocent and trusting in their "doll" state) and their Handlers (who the Active is "imprinted" to trust wholeheartedly through a few code phrases, like "do you trust me?" and "it is going to be alright"). The Actives are basically clean slates to which the technician adds whatever personality and skills are needed for the specific "engagement" they are given. One forewarning- a big theme in this episode particularly is the idea of the misuse of power- specifically through the idea and concept of rape. Not an easy show to watch, but worth it- IMHO.
I have a slight addiction to chocolate milk. The stuff is so yummy.
I am trying to turn one of my walls into a wall o scripts. Basically using sticky notes with plot points, character descriptions, unanswered questions, setting, etc. to show my whole pictures to myself at any time.
The "trying" part of the last section is partly because the sticky notes keep falling off the wall. And so I tried to put up and paper thing on the wall so the sticky notes would stick to it. But it keeps falling down with the sticky notes still sticking nicely to it.
I don't think I will ever be a great writer but I keep getting ideas for scripts and I want to at least have one that I finish and can be proud to let people read.
I am wasting too much time on here tonight when I have stuff to get done.
Ok. I was in desperate need of an update. I will get to doing the posts I was requested to do, but first I thought I would share a piece of great and exciting news.
I passed preliminary auditions to attend a IMTA convention in New York in July. Basically I will be be involved in a week of talent contests in front of hundreds of talent agents, casting directors, and personal managers.
For the next six months I will be getting prepared by attending workshops and seminars, old-fashion practice, as well as raising support so that I can attend.
Hopefully this will allow me to really become an actress.
. As she got older, she became a bit more inwardly drawn. Though close to her family, she had only a small circle of friends. (to be honest, Mindy has a fussy memory of her life before high school).
. Firefly- Simon 
. X-Files- Scully 
(you might notice a professional link here as well.)
. Lost- Locke 
. X Files- Mulder 
. Firefly- Kaylee 
Chuck- Chuck 
Farscape- Rygel 
The Office- Dwight 
