We're still making episodes! Movie Q has two in the can and a third that for some reason I can't share with you at the moment- it's bizarrely not loaded on YouTube. But here's this one! We review CLUE and talk to Paul Kazee about film festivals and what he likes about them.
Like and share! Please? Kthx.
November 18, 2013
November 17, 2013
Hells Yeah! Vacay!
Oh my gosh, you guys!! I went to Los Angeles earlier this week!
"But Katherine, what were you doing in LA?"
Well cats and kittens, I was visiting my friends Barbara and Becca. And while there, I hung out with my friend Billy too. And had a drink with Beebe! (I know most of you don't know who these people are, but I'll get to that.) It was the SHIT. It was awesome in so many ways. Let me count them for you.
1. I went to Los Angeles. That's in California. It's warm there. I live in Schenectady. That's in New York. It's cold here.
2. I read two, that's 2, books! And started a third. In four days. (2, 3, 4- see what happened there??) I LOVE IT.
3. I didn't work. (Except that 30 minute window where I checked my work email and went a little bonkers…) I took a real vacation!!
4. I got to reconnect with people who knew a different Katherine. Barbara, Beebe and Becca are friends of mine from college. I wasn't doing so hot in college- my parents got divorced, I gained at least fifty pounds and struggled with my self esteem (I say struggle but really it was like trying to wrestle a bear with my feet tied together.) But things are actually pretty awesome right now. And we all got to share in the Happy. It was so excellent to see them. Thank you, ladies!
8. I got drunk each night save the first because I wanted to stay awake despite the jet lag (and I did!) I was so drunk that when I got home and went to bed something felt off. I realized it was because I was sober.
9. Becca and Barbara take an acting class and I was in town on one of their class nights. I was able to audit the class and had such a great time warming up with them and watching the class. There is so much I miss about performing and watching them go through the process and work on their scenes was just amazing. It refreshed my soul.
10. There was this one time I was in the same room, at the same time, as a couple celebrities you might know. My friends are members of the Screen Actors Guild and get invitations to screenings and talk backs. When I was in town, a screening of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY was happening with a talk back with- are you ready- George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Juliet Lewis, Chris Cooper and others. Awesome RIGHT??
Not only did I get out of town, had a great time and saw some famous people but I came back feeling clear headed about some things that had been hanging over me. I can't wait to travel some more. I am deeply grateful to my friends for letting me stay with them and making this dream a reality.
"But Katherine, what were you doing in LA?"
Well cats and kittens, I was visiting my friends Barbara and Becca. And while there, I hung out with my friend Billy too. And had a drink with Beebe! (I know most of you don't know who these people are, but I'll get to that.) It was the SHIT. It was awesome in so many ways. Let me count them for you.
1. I went to Los Angeles. That's in California. It's warm there. I live in Schenectady. That's in New York. It's cold here.
2. I read two, that's 2, books! And started a third. In four days. (2, 3, 4- see what happened there??) I LOVE IT.
3. I didn't work. (Except that 30 minute window where I checked my work email and went a little bonkers…) I took a real vacation!!
4. I got to reconnect with people who knew a different Katherine. Barbara, Beebe and Becca are friends of mine from college. I wasn't doing so hot in college- my parents got divorced, I gained at least fifty pounds and struggled with my self esteem (I say struggle but really it was like trying to wrestle a bear with my feet tied together.) But things are actually pretty awesome right now. And we all got to share in the Happy. It was so excellent to see them. Thank you, ladies!
Me, Becca and Barbara in Malibu
5. I went to a beach. BEACH.
6. We went to the Getty Museum. Holy smokes you guys. This place is more than a museum- it's a religious experience. There was this exhibit by the photographer Abelardo Morell and his work is breathtaking. I now have a legit favorite photographer.
7. I got to see my friend Billy. He's a friend from high school which makes him one of four people from that time in my life that I have regular contact with. He makes me laugh a lot so it's always a complete pleasure to see him. He took me to the Griffith Observatory where he kindly took a photo essay of me.
I'm having such a good hair day that you probably didn't even notice the HOLLYWOOD sign back there. Did you?
8. I got drunk each night save the first because I wanted to stay awake despite the jet lag (and I did!) I was so drunk that when I got home and went to bed something felt off. I realized it was because I was sober.
9. Becca and Barbara take an acting class and I was in town on one of their class nights. I was able to audit the class and had such a great time warming up with them and watching the class. There is so much I miss about performing and watching them go through the process and work on their scenes was just amazing. It refreshed my soul.
10. There was this one time I was in the same room, at the same time, as a couple celebrities you might know. My friends are members of the Screen Actors Guild and get invitations to screenings and talk backs. When I was in town, a screening of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY was happening with a talk back with- are you ready- George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Juliet Lewis, Chris Cooper and others. Awesome RIGHT??
Not only did I get out of town, had a great time and saw some famous people but I came back feeling clear headed about some things that had been hanging over me. I can't wait to travel some more. I am deeply grateful to my friends for letting me stay with them and making this dream a reality.
October 28, 2013
Making It Up As We Go Along
I'm three weeks into a four week long improv class and I am loving it. This sounds hokey but I really think it's helping me in my every day life. The most important principle in improvisation is the concept of "yes, and?" It means you acknowledge what your partner is setting up, accepting it and going along for the ride. There's a lot of power in saying yes. In saying yes in scene work and other improv exercises I've starting doing it in my day to day life. Simple things like saying yes to blind dates or yes to bacon on my sandwich! It's pretty awesome.
I'm not going to get too philosophical here. But yeah, man. YES TO LIFE!!!
The first class had about fourteen of us but the numbers have dwindled down to half of that. I'm okay with the shrinking class as long as my favorite classmate Susan is there. I realized I fell in love with this woman when we were trying to figure out who hadn't arrived to class yet last week and I kept saying "Sue, Susan. Susan isn't here. Susan" This woman makes me lol like very few people can. She thinks she doesn't understand the concept of our exercises and then she makes the funniest skits. And she doesn't even mean to!! Her honesty is what makes her funny. I can't do her justice in writing this. All I know is I got to do scene work with her three times tonight and it was awesome!!
This class is a real treat. I didn't realize how much I missed improv. I didn't do it much in college and very little of it in high school. Maybe because I'm more confident and comfortable in myself (and have more theatre training under my belt) I can approach improv in a totally different and whole way. If that makes sense. Whatever, man. I'm saying yes. YES I SAY!!! And if Susan wants to be my friend, I say hell yes.
I'm not going to get too philosophical here. But yeah, man. YES TO LIFE!!!
The first class had about fourteen of us but the numbers have dwindled down to half of that. I'm okay with the shrinking class as long as my favorite classmate Susan is there. I realized I fell in love with this woman when we were trying to figure out who hadn't arrived to class yet last week and I kept saying "Sue, Susan. Susan isn't here. Susan" This woman makes me lol like very few people can. She thinks she doesn't understand the concept of our exercises and then she makes the funniest skits. And she doesn't even mean to!! Her honesty is what makes her funny. I can't do her justice in writing this. All I know is I got to do scene work with her three times tonight and it was awesome!!
This class is a real treat. I didn't realize how much I missed improv. I didn't do it much in college and very little of it in high school. Maybe because I'm more confident and comfortable in myself (and have more theatre training under my belt) I can approach improv in a totally different and whole way. If that makes sense. Whatever, man. I'm saying yes. YES I SAY!!! And if Susan wants to be my friend, I say hell yes.
October 2, 2013
Perk Up Buttercup
I don't know how long I can do this. I don't know how many first dates I can go on. I don't know how I'm going to put myself out there, 100% each time. I'm not a rock star, doing a show a night and putting it all out there for every ticket-buying fan. I'm just me. Looking for someone to share all of this with. Someone to whom I'm worth it.
There is no question I'm worth it. I'm worth someone's time. What I have to offer is valuable. So why am I feeling this way? Probably because I drank beer and listened to The National. That was a bad idea. Note to self- DON'T DO THAT AGAIN. A monotone, melodic, soul-bearing band who sings songs about "not being vacant anymore." Songs that say "I'm going to be open to life." And that means being open to heartache, to pain and ultimately to love. Oh how my heart aches.
Love comes in many shapes, sizes and flavors. My life is full of love. My family loves me. My friends love me. I... like myself a lot. I'm pretty funny I guess. Frankly, I'm happy. I'm not crying mascara tinted tears onto my keyboard right now. Or plain tears for that matter- I didn't wear mascara today. Pondering. I'm pondering out loud into the big cave that is the Internets.
Perfection is a falsehood. I'm not looking for Mr. Perfect. He doesn't exist. But I refuse to settle. What does that mean for me? I don't know. No one knows. There are millions of people searching. I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't have to search for a roof over my head, a family who loves me, friends who help me grow with love and laughter, a job that brings me joy. And I am grateful. So where is someone who can share in that gratefulness with me?
I don't need someone. I have me. I will always have me. I suppose I worry about the past affecting my future. No one wants to hurt. I've been hurting. I thought I found someone. I was wrong. I recently went on a date with someone who could lead to something. Not IT. But something. I was wrong about that too. I'd like to be right about the right thing. I don't want to be right all the time about this one not working out for whatever reason.
What am I saying? I'm not alone in my feelings and I'm not alone frankly put. It's time for me to call this a day. Watch the Vicar of Dibley get married. Sleep this beer off. Turn off the National. And dream of a future filled with promise. Whether I'm with a partner or not, my future will happen. And I'm the only one who makes my destiny. So imma make it.
There is no question I'm worth it. I'm worth someone's time. What I have to offer is valuable. So why am I feeling this way? Probably because I drank beer and listened to The National. That was a bad idea. Note to self- DON'T DO THAT AGAIN. A monotone, melodic, soul-bearing band who sings songs about "not being vacant anymore." Songs that say "I'm going to be open to life." And that means being open to heartache, to pain and ultimately to love. Oh how my heart aches.
Love comes in many shapes, sizes and flavors. My life is full of love. My family loves me. My friends love me. I... like myself a lot. I'm pretty funny I guess. Frankly, I'm happy. I'm not crying mascara tinted tears onto my keyboard right now. Or plain tears for that matter- I didn't wear mascara today. Pondering. I'm pondering out loud into the big cave that is the Internets.
Perfection is a falsehood. I'm not looking for Mr. Perfect. He doesn't exist. But I refuse to settle. What does that mean for me? I don't know. No one knows. There are millions of people searching. I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't have to search for a roof over my head, a family who loves me, friends who help me grow with love and laughter, a job that brings me joy. And I am grateful. So where is someone who can share in that gratefulness with me?
I don't need someone. I have me. I will always have me. I suppose I worry about the past affecting my future. No one wants to hurt. I've been hurting. I thought I found someone. I was wrong. I recently went on a date with someone who could lead to something. Not IT. But something. I was wrong about that too. I'd like to be right about the right thing. I don't want to be right all the time about this one not working out for whatever reason.
What am I saying? I'm not alone in my feelings and I'm not alone frankly put. It's time for me to call this a day. Watch the Vicar of Dibley get married. Sleep this beer off. Turn off the National. And dream of a future filled with promise. Whether I'm with a partner or not, my future will happen. And I'm the only one who makes my destiny. So imma make it.
September 22, 2013
It's Getting Pretty Queer Up in Here
One of the most awesome parts of my job is that I organize an LGBT film festival called QFEST. The founder of the project, my friend Joey, left the company to get a master's degree and they asked for volunteers to be involved. I'm not kidding when I say I was immediate in my response. I love movies, I believe in activism and I like being in charge organizing things.
QFEST is in its fourth year and when I got involved we only had two months to pick movies, schedule speakers and promote it. This time, I'm taking a more whole approach. We've been making ourselves visible at pride events around the area- which has been great because though we don't have our films picked I've been getting awesome feedback from what I do tell people about what we've been considering- and keeping up with Facebook. I've been trying to think of ways for QFEST to be in the minds of people all year round. Just like Sundance or Tribeca. Granted, those are much larger scale events with much larger sums of money to play around with. But still. It's not like they didn't start from somewhere.
A few weeks ago an idea hit me like lightning. My company also manages Schenectady County Public Access television production and WE SHOULD HAVE A QFEST MOVIE SHOW!!! We could talk about movies, gay movies, what queer means, how to make movies, WHATEVER.
Hells to the yes.
So. We recorded our first two episodes already!! We're going to do two a month. Fifteen to twenty minutes each. And they're going to be fuuuuuuun. Next Monday we'll be recording October's episodes and I can't wait. The whole thing has been a really exciting and engaging experience for me and my co-planners. We've interviewed a graphic designer about movie poster design and a friend who goes to a lot of movie festivals about how to make a good film festival. My next guests will be two lovely ladies named Becca and Barbara who I went to college with and who are half of a new film production company called The Fold. They're trying to finance this great webseries called Freeloaders. Check out their projects! They've got some great tricks up their sleeves.
Here's our first episode. I hope you like check it out and like it. Like it, dammit.
QFEST is in its fourth year and when I got involved we only had two months to pick movies, schedule speakers and promote it. This time, I'm taking a more whole approach. We've been making ourselves visible at pride events around the area- which has been great because though we don't have our films picked I've been getting awesome feedback from what I do tell people about what we've been considering- and keeping up with Facebook. I've been trying to think of ways for QFEST to be in the minds of people all year round. Just like Sundance or Tribeca. Granted, those are much larger scale events with much larger sums of money to play around with. But still. It's not like they didn't start from somewhere.
A few weeks ago an idea hit me like lightning. My company also manages Schenectady County Public Access television production and WE SHOULD HAVE A QFEST MOVIE SHOW!!! We could talk about movies, gay movies, what queer means, how to make movies, WHATEVER.
Hells to the yes.
So. We recorded our first two episodes already!! We're going to do two a month. Fifteen to twenty minutes each. And they're going to be fuuuuuuun. Next Monday we'll be recording October's episodes and I can't wait. The whole thing has been a really exciting and engaging experience for me and my co-planners. We've interviewed a graphic designer about movie poster design and a friend who goes to a lot of movie festivals about how to make a good film festival. My next guests will be two lovely ladies named Becca and Barbara who I went to college with and who are half of a new film production company called The Fold. They're trying to finance this great webseries called Freeloaders. Check out their projects! They've got some great tricks up their sleeves.
Here's our first episode. I hope you like check it out and like it. Like it, dammit.
August 15, 2013
Just Another Way For Me to Show Off Fluffy
There's a lot of social media out there and I try to keep on top of it. I like to check out new stuff. Just this past Sunday I set up a Vine account. I only posted two videos. Of my cat. It's not very captivating. But it's a start. I enjoy the format of Vine- 6 seconds, looped. I have a bunch of ideas of how to make it part of a project I have at work. I also have Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I have a Tumblr, but it's terrible. I haven't figured out what to do with it yet. In all honesty, my Twitter could use some work too. But I very much enjoy Facebook and Instagram because they're more my speed. Here's some of my favorite pictures. Filtered and all.
That is all. I just wanted to share and see if there are any cool new apps you guys have found. Anything? Bueller?
August 13, 2013
Sexy Playlist aka Maybe Skip This One, Dad
The other day I was listening to Radiohead's Ok Computer when "Climbing Up the Wall" came on. I love this song. Hell, I love the album. It's easily in my top ten. I know, it's on a lot of top tens. It's considered their best album, and one of the best albums in at least the past fifty years. Anyway. I remember how that song in particular used to make me feel back when I was sixteen. It made my heart rate slow down and warm all over. Really warm in my special place. The song doesn't affect me as strongly now as it did then, but man something about it really does it for me. There are a couple other songs that had the same effect on me in t, and I played those over and over and over again. If they were on a record, I would've worn that groove out.
Here's my list of songs that made me tingle. In my pants.
Radiohead "Climbing Up the Walls"
The lyrics are not sexy. No. It's the creeping base line.
Blur "Sing"
Maybe it's Damon Albarn. Dude's hot. But if I had to guess, it's the driving anticipation of the chords.
Janet Jackson "If"
This one may be kind of a cheat. The video, the lyrics, JANET, the smoldering and threatening sexuality, all of it. But then again, the whole album is a known baby maker. For me, it's this song.
B.R.M.C. "Love Burns"
"She's all I want to see."
July 7, 2013
No Halfsies
I have to commute to Albany for work this month and there's a pool at that YMCA branch. I have access to a pool with my branch but it's at Schenectady High School and it's a hot, muggy and totally wet locker room. I'm talking my glasses are fogged up all the time and there's a filmy layer of water on the floor. It's not the most conducive to starting my morning from there. However, the Albany branch is so I want to get more swimming in this summer while I commute.
I was so excited to get some swimming in but I woke up with my leg in pain so I brought my bag to swim after work. I got all my shit together out of the bag- swim cap, nose plug, ear plugs- and took my pants off. I go to unwind the swimsuit only to realize it's just a sports bra. "This isn't a swimsuit." I put my pants back on, packed up my stuff and left. Super bummed. At home I immediately found my swimsuit and put it out.
On Friday I had time to kill between shifts so I brought my bag again. Was really looking forward to some laps. I love swimming. LOVE it. I got all my shit together out of the bag- swim cap, nose plug, ear plugs- and took my pants off. I went to unwind my swimsuit only to find out IT WAS THE SAME SPORTS BRA. What the eff??? I didn't take it out of my bag!? Where the eff is my swimsuit? Didn't I put it in my bag???
No.
Once home, I went looking for it. It was right where I left it- hanging on my closet door. WHY DID I DO THAT??
When I told my mom about it she asked why I didn't just put the sports bra on and go swimming? BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SWIM IN A SPORTS BRA AND PANTIES. In a public pool. I don't think that's even legal.
The swimsuit is now safely in the gym bag. I'm going to try this again tomorrow. Wish me luck.
I was so excited to get some swimming in but I woke up with my leg in pain so I brought my bag to swim after work. I got all my shit together out of the bag- swim cap, nose plug, ear plugs- and took my pants off. I go to unwind the swimsuit only to realize it's just a sports bra. "This isn't a swimsuit." I put my pants back on, packed up my stuff and left. Super bummed. At home I immediately found my swimsuit and put it out.
On Friday I had time to kill between shifts so I brought my bag again. Was really looking forward to some laps. I love swimming. LOVE it. I got all my shit together out of the bag- swim cap, nose plug, ear plugs- and took my pants off. I went to unwind my swimsuit only to find out IT WAS THE SAME SPORTS BRA. What the eff??? I didn't take it out of my bag!? Where the eff is my swimsuit? Didn't I put it in my bag???
No.
Once home, I went looking for it. It was right where I left it- hanging on my closet door. WHY DID I DO THAT??
When I told my mom about it she asked why I didn't just put the sports bra on and go swimming? BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SWIM IN A SPORTS BRA AND PANTIES. In a public pool. I don't think that's even legal.
The swimsuit is now safely in the gym bag. I'm going to try this again tomorrow. Wish me luck.
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