Monday, June 6, 2011

House-keeping

Balance is a funny thing.

And by funny I mean that it's hard, like in the way I say that playing darts is funny (well, it is when I do it.) I mean, let's face it, I suck at balance. A lot. And I'm not even talking about physical balance here, either. I'm talking about the balance that all of us carefully navigate each day of physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental balance. I spend a lot of time in the zone when I'm really trying to accomplish something in my life, which is great, because then I become uber-focused... but then I look up from what I've been doing, and oh look, the dishes are piling up the sink, the cat has died of hunger*, and I haven't blogged in three weeks.

Whoops.

So hello, blog world! How have you been? And where have I been, you ask?

I've been working my butt off, actually. Doing that other thing that I love so much besides writing - acting.

In 2009 I was the lead in a little award-winning web-series called Hell Froze Over (I'm not using "little" ironically, sadly, but the part about it winning an award is true). Hell Froze Over is a quirky, hilarious, occasionally raunchy and sometimes blood-splattered show that I just fell in love with and had a blast working on. (You can check out all ten of the episodes here and a pretty fair review of the series here.) And since it debuted two years ago everyone who worked on it has spent a lot of time and energy trying to make a Season 2 happen.

So we decided to use Kickstarter, a fundraising website that asks the creators of a project to set a financial goal and a deadline, and then the creators in turn ask friends, family, frenemies, and total strangers to "pledge" a donation to get the project funded. If we hit our goal by the deadline, we get to keep the money - if we don't hit our goal, we don't get to keep ANY of the money. So it's an all or nothing thing here, folks.

I have spent the last few weeks beating the pavement, asking people to donate money over Facebook, in real life, and on YouTube... while not wearing a shirt. (Yeah, you read that right. Um, this video of me is not quite safe for work, as I would rate it PG-13.) But in the end- WE HIT OUR GOAL!!!!!!!!!! And we still have 8 days left for people to contribute (people have been going here to donate) and are still getting more and more contributions a day. You guys, I am so excited, and so completely and utterly grateful for how generous people really are. We start shooting in a few weeks and I'm just about hyperventilating in anticipation of all the fun things I get to do this season. YAAY!!!!

The other news is that I got cast in a low-budget feature horror film which will be shooting over the summer, and I've never acted in a horror film before so I'm excited to scream my little blonde head off and possibly be soaked in blood while running away from a psychopath. All at the same time.

And I also got new headshots taken for my commercial agent, I've been doing the rounds to get a new theatrical agent, I started a new acting class that is kicking my ass, and oh yeah... it was my birthday on Saturday so I've been feeling spoiled rotten by my friends and family (and I think I'm still on a sugar high).

So I know I've been gone, but I'm gonna be better about keeping everyone updated on what I'm doing and trying to stay up to date with everyone else's lives. In the meantime, I'm off to go visit some of your blogs and looking forward to reconnecting with everyone.

Have a wonderful week, guys!



* the cat didn't really die of hunger, but acts like she is going to Every.Single.Morning.

31 comments:

Robin said...

I am so excited for you. I would be donating like crazy for your project if I had any money to donate!!! However, now I totally want to watch it. Go you:-)

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

That is such great news- I love the idea of all or nothing- makes it worth fighting for-
Happy Bday!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

great video BTW!

JJ said...

We all go crazy with work from time to time. That's what we get for working at our passions. I, for one, could never sit at a desk. Good luck with your newest venture. It sounds exciting. And you look balanced, too!

Heather Taylor said...

Tracy, you are amazing. That video was hilarious, "dic-tionary!"
Coincidentally, I too have been away from the blogosphere for some time as well so I myself have lots of catching up to do as well. Gotta love being super duper busy!

Gwen said...

I am so proud of you for going for your dreams! Congrats on meeting your goal early and YAY on the horror film job. I sure hope we will get to see you scream (as in you'll share the video right and not as in I'm going to hunt you down...LOL!). I also hope you'll share your headshots. The last ones you had were stunning!!!

Happy belated Birthday! You definitely deserve to be spoiled!!!

P.S. Glad your cat is okay. Mine thinks he's starving all the time too.

Bathwater said...

Happy birthday dear. Can't wait for season two. Glad you are working hard.

Marion said...

You GO, girl!! Loved your cute video, you slut-dog. I can't wait to see the movie. I'm so happy you're having a great time doing what you love. Who could ask for more? xoxo


Love & Blessings,
Marion

Anonymous said...

Well, it looks like I will be burning up the YouTube servers watching every single episode.

And for the record, I absolutely love a woman who realizes her potential knowing full well that sex sells! Nice Promo!

Wine and Words said...

Ha! I'll be coming back for the episodes, but of course I had to check out the top-less Tracy! Such a tease! And to this....

"I'm excited to scream my little blonde head off and possibly be soaked in blood while running away from a psychopath..." I have to say...MY SISTER FROM ANOTHER MISTER! Horror on. W00t! Can't wait to see it!

Anthony Duce said...

I did enjoy the episodes, very good. And the energy is infectious. Left me with a few images I would love to draw/paint.

Rosaria Williams said...

Good to see things are perking up. Looking forward to seeing some of that work of yours.

Dionne said...

So exciting, and you know i am a big fan of that "little web series". Hooray! can't wait to see more!

Avo said...

Cats and their cat like ways... I'll bet yours also does the two to three tone pitiful mE-oww (trans. "Oh, how I hunger so!").
Glad to hear you're so busy doing things that you love!
Gambatte Tracy!

Purple Cow said...

Looks like you're getting somewhere, babe! And you deserve it.

I want to donate! How? I got into kickstarter but don't know what to do?

Birthday? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Phoenix said...

Thank you, Robin! I know things are tight right now so in now way do I expect you to donate anything other than your wonderful support and enthusiasm (which is more than enough). Love and hugs!

Ren-Lady - thank you so very much! For both kind comments! :)

JJ - Thanks JJ! I'm working on balance every day (and trying to get away from my desk more often.)

Heather - yeah, catching up is always a little daunting but fun too! I hope everything is going well at your new job!

Gwen - thank you and thank you!!! Yes, my cat is in a permanent state of begging. Sigh. I think she thinks she's a dog.

Bath - thank you so much :) I think you'll like the second season a lot.

Phoenix said...

Marion - Slut-dog? I LOVE IT! I'm totally gonna get a t-shirt that says that...

Joker - yay! The episodes will be sexy and totally disturbing, which I know is right up your alley. ;)

Annie - I am becoming such a lover of horror, it's amazing! As soon as I know more about it, you'll be the first to know. I'm really excited!

Anthony - I love your energy as well and what a great compliment that the episodes inspired you to draw :)

Rosaria - thank you very much. I'll be keeping everyone updated and I'm trying to be much better about blogging in the meantime :)

Dionne - awww, thank you, I know you've been a fan since the beginning and that means so much to me, hon. I hope you've been well in Texas!

Alesa - my cat is definitely a talker, she will climb up on the bed, then climb up on top of me while I'm sleeping and meow in my face. "GET UP!" I'm pretty sure that's what she's saying. ;)

Purple Cow - you are just too cute :) Thank you so much in advance and if you'd like to donate, here's the link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bennipierce/hell-froze-over-needs-you-for-season-2/posts/79719

When you get to that page, hit the green button that says "Back this Project" and then you sign up for a Kickstarter account (don't worry, they don't spam you) and "pledge" a certain amount. On June 15th all the money from everyone who pledged will be taken out of their accounts.

Hope that helps - and every little bit counts so thank you again. <3 <3

Dave said...

Happy Birthday! (either late for this year or early for next) Congrats on your upcoming projects...the dishes can wait.

Gisizee said...

This is all such great news! I love when people vanish from the Blogger for GOOD reasons like being busy with projects that involve their passions! I'd be a lot more worried if you were writing every hour because you had nothing better to do! Belated birthday felicitations, btw...you go, grrrrl!

Carissa Thilgen said...

I'm not so good at the balance thing either! work basically takes over my life, leaving no time to blog or read others blogs... but hey, I'm here today, so yay! :) I am so glad to hear about all your success in the acting side of your life!! I know I already posted on them on fb, but your new head shots look INCREDIBLE. you're such a hottie! :) and congrats on Hell Froze Over meeting its goal! that's amazing. oh, and I totally want to see you covered in blood, screaming your head off and running from a psychopath! hehe. maybe you'll post a trailer or something when there is one? I'd love to see it!

drollgirl said...

DUDE! congratulations! lots of good stuff going on in your world.

and can you believe you will be getting paid to scream?! that is good. real good! :o

Barbara said...

Happy Birthday!
And the reviewer certainly liked you...a lot.
Congratulations on raising the money for another season.

The horror film ought to be great! After all, Jamie Lee got started that way!

Lydia Kang said...

That promo was so funny! How cool that you get to scream your head off in a horror flick!

* said...

Yes, life has a way of running forward, doesn't it?

Kickstarter sounds like an interesting concept, one I'd consider using, too. Glad you guys met your goal, way to go!!

Ed Pilolla said...

congratulations on all your success. you have suffered and sacrificed for your work and you deserve all good things happening. and now you are spreading it around. i have received so much positive energy from you post. thanks!:)

Snowbrush said...

You've been keeping busy, haven't you! I was about to conclude that the cat scene at the end was a still photo, but then they moved.

Along These Lines ... said...

Sounds like you might make a good Lady MacBeth?

Lori ann said...

shameless self promotion, haha, you are so funny tracy, if i were you i would have a blog dedicated just to your acheivments!

the video is fabulously adorable, you are fabulously adorable, i am so GLAD you raised the money for season 2. i'm going to spend many happy hours watching the first. (why am i always the last to know about these things?)

good luck with your movie, happy birthday dear beautiful girl, may this be your best year yet!

xxx

asssparagus hee hee :)

Snowbrush said...

As for the hair versus no hair video, I would vote for hair. This is a fad that I hope will soon pass.

The Kid In The Front Row said...

Great to hear about your projects :D

Pretty Zesty said...

Congrats on the new prospects. that's so exciting. I'm going to go check out your webisodes tonight.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin