| Thursday, September 09, 2010 | journeys, How I Simply Leaped, choice, acting |
How I Leaped into Film and TV
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"You will work on a film project that last six weeks."
It was a familiar voice, the inner one that whispers when I least expect it. I smiled inwardly, wondering how its truth would show itself ~ for often the voice within speaks in riddles that our conscious mind dissects to mean something entirely different.
I knew it would come true, but the how remained a mystery.
By Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World.
It was a rainy day in December 2008 when I embarked on a me-day to Munich for some shopping and exploring that would change my life forever. Months prior I had read a great review about a film that had been made in Munich. After a few holiday purchases, I set out to look for a theater that might still be showing it.
As if lead by Spirit, I came upon a theater in a side street that happened to be showing the film in thirty minutes. It gave me enough time to grab something to eat before I settled into my seat for a delightful two hours.
I had gone to the movie on the pretense of helping a client. Commissioned as a talent consultant by an Italian music composer for film and live performances, I wanted to investigate the film industry scene in Munich where he wanted to resettle.
While reading the final credits, I stumbled upon the name of a casting agency. When I Googled it later, I realized it wouldn't help my client fulfill his goal to work in Munich, but it might help me reach a lifelong dream of becoming an actor and doing camera work.
So I signed up with the casting agency, telling my husband: "I am turning 40 next year. I have nothing to lose, nothing to prove and a life dream to live."
He smiled in that knowing way and told me to go for it. I filled out my online profile, then promptly forgot all about it. A few weeks after the holidays I got several offers from the casting agency for TV shows. By February, I had already played a receptionist at a doctor's office, a hotel guest on a soap opera and a lay judge for a court show.
Soon I was asked to be a part of the crew as an "extra's wrangler," which is the person in charge of the extras on set. My most memorable gig was managing 55 extras during the filming of an Indian wedding ceremony for a long-running German soap opera, complete with two Asian elephants!
Every job is different. One commercial I did for BMW was wrapped in 90 minutes. For a beer company it took fourteen hours. Sometimes I have lines; other times I am "behind the milk glass," serving as a part of the background to make the scene look real.
No matter what part I play, I feed off the creative energy in the room and always leave feeling a sense of fulfillment that I've learned something new.
Through my various acting workshops, I have made friends with my acting coach who herself is a well-known German actor. She and I are thinking of collaborating on several writing projects, including a screenplay. Whether it is the film project my inner voice foresaw remains to be revealed.
But now I know it does not matter. It was the nudge I needed to take that leap of faith.
What I have learned from taking that special leap that rainy day in December is your dreams are the outline for your truest purpose. Live them. Honor them. For they are the reason you are here.
Fulfilling them brings you not only joy, but also impacts the entire planet with the positive energy that is unleashed when you take that first step in faith, love and humility.
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Having been raised to be responsible as the firstborn of 6; "Bren take care of your brothers and sister while your sister helps me to clean." I was not surprised when after choosing to follow as Spirit leads as an Adult, I heard 'You need to learn how to play.'
Like you, I surrendered to the mystery with an inner knowing; "I smiled inwardly, wondering how its truth would show itself ~ for often the voice within speaks in riddles that our conscious mind dissects to mean something entirely different."
The circumstances which immediately presented themselves offered me two parts in two different plays. The Roles I played turned out to be Prophetic, by way of preparation for that which was to follow in my personal life. Your Article reminded me of this and the creative energy that I too walked into as I stepped onto the Stage. It was a Energy Zone I am delighted to be reminded of via your Article. I am reminded of how all fear left and I became the Character. I did not have to think or remember my lines ... it was as if I was one with that historical figure for a moment in time and eternity.
On a later occasion, once again being told of my need to learn how to play, an unexpected opportunity to act in 9 short Skits about Women in the Workplace led to my writing 60 odd short Scripts *for others to act out*. What fun I had writing them! I was able to do this without pressure, because initially I was unaware these Skits were being requested via UVA as fodder for a Book which was being written by a Harvard Professor.
About that time I met your Mom through the Synchronicity of life we have come to rest in as Spirit manifesting It's Presence and unfolding plan for those who choose to have a listening heart. She told me your Grandfather raised she and your Aunt to 'take life by the scruff of the neck and to shake it for all of it's worth'. Through their friendship 'fun' has increased in my life. I am being reminded even now of a moment when I first sat in the Hot Tub at Listening Heart Farm Bed and Breakfast. I was relaxing as an Inn Keeper there, looking at that wonderful view of Skyline Drive it so eloquently offered rejoicing in my heart, when suddenly I heard the whisper of Spirit as it said, 'Life should be fun. Life should be fun. Life should be fun.'
While reading 'The Power of Slow', and after hearing of your upcoming Spot on Oprah, it came to mind; as Spiritual Leaders you and your Family have been given the confidence to boldly put yourselves 'out there' so life can fully manifest who Spirit created you to Be and to be a light so others may seek to do the same.
I had forgotten all about these memories and insights ... reading your Article brought them to mind and has given me the unction to write this comment, enabling me to continue to have fun, my having learned to 'put myself out there' too.
Am truly grateful for the opportunity to do so..... and for having met you and yours.... bren