It’s my birthday!! I spent the first half of today writing (what’s new) and the second half with my family and boyfriend. Dinner was amazing, the cheesecake was divine, and my gifts were perfection.

 

And, of course, I couldn’t help but look back on the last year, what I’ve accomplished, who I’ve met, how I’ve changed, and where I’m going. August brings my consecutive string of filming months to a grand total of 12 now. I shot a short film in Brooklyn a few weekends ago, and we’re set to shoot some pick up scenes in September. I’ll have footage from some of my recent films to add to my reel soon, so stay tuned for updates.

 

I also met with another casting director, Candice Alustiza, at the Actor’s Green Room and am going to be signing up for additional classes, workshops, and voice over intensives in September at a few different schools.

 

But right, back to the last year -

 

After my birthday last year, I told myself that I would devote the next year to films, and I did just that. It has been an incredible (and exhausting) experience. For this year? I want to continue that intense dedication, together with my agent, who I also met and signed with this past year.

 

In regards to writing, I did a lot more copywriting and ghostwriting than I had first intended, and while I am extremely pleased with the body of work that I have put out, I know that my true passion lies in my creative writing, my thesis (which will complete my master’s degree), and my magazine, The Vigilant Monkey, that had to take a hiatus because of some of the craziness that the past year also brought. So now that I’ve focused on every form of writing but the writing that really drives me, it’s time to change direction. As the summer comes to a close, I know exactly where my priorities are and what goals I have to reach. That’s something to smile about.

 

So the last year? Was a great year. And now? To an even better one.

Happy New Year!!

 

Things are still busy – always a good thing – but I'm working extra hard on getting and staying organized this year, both personally and professionally. When you're doing so much and you have so much more that you want to be doing, it's far too easy to get bogged down doing…not very much at all. For instance, that pile of receipts that was building up for the greater portion of last year took several tedious, undisturbed hours to sort through and make sense of – two good hours that I could've spent being far more productive in the creative realm. But nevertheless, it got done, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. Note to self: Don't let paperwork build up, ever, unsorted, unchecked, unmonitored. Lesson learned.

 

I recently signed up for the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) International Winter Conference in NYC at the end of January. The last time I went was…two years ago? Since then, my writing goals changed a bit, from concentrating on my novel to working on freelancing, ghostwriting, and copywriting projects, which I am doing all of now. But while I love my current work, I'm aching to complete my children's literature novel. The idea is that this conference is the kick in the pants I need to sit down, tough it out, and finish my manuscript by, dare I say it, May 2010.

 

As for acting, we finished filming on a NYFA short film this past week. Nothing says commitment like 1 AM call times and bitterly cold temperatures in Central Park. I have gained a new level of respect for warm socks, winter boots, and the power of layering.

 

Also, we're happy to announce that the two-part film we're shooting in Boston, where I play one of the leads, has now been moved up to feature-length status and will be ready for festival submission by mid-February.

 

Stay tuned for more headshots, my updated reel, and additional writing excerpts to be up on the site soon!!

 

- Melissa

It has been an amazingly busy few weeks!!

 

I was just cast in my third film, this time in a supporting role. It's a short being shot in January in NYC.

 

I also went back out to Boston for more shooting on a two-part film we're doing out there. And I even got to check out a rough cut of the trailer last week. After some more pick-up shots in January, the final product should be finished by February.

 

As for writing, we have been busy working on The Vigilant Monkey. I'm looking forward to creating new advertising relationships in the new year.

 

And finally, I am thrilled to announce that I am now signed with Michael Rodriguez of The Roster Agency. I first met Michael last year when he came in to speak to my on-camera acting class at the Penny Templeton Studio. By total chance, we ran into each other again at a headshot workshop at TVI Studios last month and once more at an Actors Connection seminar. Words cannot adequately describe just how happy I am to be working with him =)

 

2009 has been an amazing year, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make it such an experience. Have a Merry Christmas, enjoy the festivities these next two weeks, and I'll see you in 2010!!

 

- Melissa