#Comp Card

I just finished up another comp card and thought you may want to take a look at it.  My new agency will be designing me one as well, but I needed something for current castings as I hate to show up without pictures. I feel it is very unprofessional to go to a casting call without a comp card, or at least a head shot.

My Rode Reel 2014 film competition

Hey there friends I know this is mostly for modeling but since I act too I thought I should share this with all of you. Please vote for the video through the link by clicking on the heart. Redcastle Productions is based out of Ogden Utah. http://www.rodemic.com/myrodereel/watch/1176
If this get enough votes it will become a web series.

Eating Right and Exercising with Small kids.

I have many friends that keep asking me " Kristen how in the world did you lose so much weight after having three kids?"  Well, It was not easy but anyone can change their lives for the better and become more healthy. Remember not to get mad at yourself for occasionally having a treat or enjoying food. Food is such a beautiful part of life so enjoy it but learn to make it good for your body and mind as well

After having my first daughter, I was overweight, depressed and had no energy. I took a lot of things for granted and even took the ones I loved for granted. That all changed when I lost my parents to Cancer. I realized that what we put into our bodies and how we exercise our minds and spiritual well being is such an important part of finding peace. I found that through exercise, I could slow my mind as if to meditate while moving.  I had always been able to do this while swimming laps but I now am able to do this while running.

My running time is mine no one can take it away, nothing can make me stop doing it. I find time everyday with or without kids to enjoy this now peaceful event.  If you are not in good enough shape to run long distance than walk .  If you have to take little ones they get restless than give them an activity to do while sitting.  My kids love the tiny magnet drawing pads or etch-a-sketch pads. I even made them small chalk boards.  I also let them listen to disney music through my smart phone when they are being especially restless. Little ones love to engage in conversation so if your walking take the opportunity to see everything around you and ask your kids what they see or give them something to examine such as a leaf. We have even seen small garden snakes on our walks which is always exciting.

If you don't have the equipment to exercise with small kids I strongly advise you to invest in a good jogging stroller, hand weights, a yoga mat for sit ups or yoga, a bike trailer, bike and a good exercise video program for rainy days.  You could also sign up for a gym that has a daycare for your kids I go to the gym everyday except Sunday during the winter months.  Below is a bike I invested in and it has paid for itself with the gas money I have saved not to mention all the smiles it has created. This bike is called a Madsen and it literally holds up to 4 kids as you can see my youngest is in a car seat strapped in with seatbelts.  Paying more money for good equipment is well worth the investment.  Looking back on stroller choices I wish I had bought a Bob jogger instead of the one I have. Well made equipment lasts so much longer and is worth the money and will most likely save you money in the long run if you use it.

Food choices are such an important part of life.  No one can force you to consume something if you don't want to, so taking certain foods out of the house is sometimes necessary.  I used to stock my pantry with chips and refined grains along with sugary cereal and candy.  Occasionally I still buy these things but when I start to have problems consuming to many poor food choices I take them out of my house and discontinue buying them for a while.   This takes self control I was so proud of myself this Easter after I threw out the extra cupcakes and cookies. I knew I would be the one munching on them so I got rid of them and into the garbage all those sugary fatty calories went.

I know for certain that my choices in health have affected my kids.  They witness me taking time for myself everyday to do something good for my mind and body. My oldest daughter is now 6 and she regularly says oh is this food good for my body or Mommie if I eat too much of this it will make me feel bad. If I instill this knowledge of self awareness and health conscious decision making into my kids lives now they will continue these habits into their adult lives.

My next and last point for this post is very important and I hope that if you gained anything from my writing this post it is this:  No matter what size you are today or what you think you look like you are loved and you should show yourself love.  Stop saying I'm to fat, to short, to this or that.  You are a person worth loving and a friend to someone or a Mom to someone or a Wife to someone and the calories you burn are not equal to the person you are.  Find a routine that works for you in your situation. Stop comparing yourself to other women.  You may think that because I model, I have no idea what it feels like to see thin women in magazines and want to be like that.  Your wrong.  Because I model, I am compared to other thin women who are all gorgeous and rejected by casting directors on a daily basis because they don't think I am thin enough or young enough or this or that.  However, my reality is: I am beautiful and I finally realized it even if I don't always have the right look for someone else's standards.

My first Runway show.

So I had a wonderful opportunity to be part of a runway show here in SLC.  It was the RAW Couture show that is held annually for up and coming designers in the area. I was lucky because I had met Olga a designer while helping out at a high school student showcase at the SLCC. I gave her my contact info and two of her models flaked out on her the day of her showcase. So she called me and said can you please walk and I thought oh yes yes yes I can so I did  and it was a blast.  I love runway I want to do runway every week but alas that is impossible.
Some of you are probably thinking well this girls is brand new why in the world would anyone think she can walk without training.  Well I had been practicing for quite some time reading and watching instructional videos but I think what really gave me the confidence and ability is my background in theatre. I love putting on a show and  acting is important in runway  you have to put forth  an attitude that sort of reflects the garment that is being displayed. I critique myself after everything I do and I know I will do much better the next time around but for a first this was pretty well done/  I really hope I get a character piece one of these days I would rock it.

Ryan Housten took this image at the show these are Olga Assayah's designs

https://www.facebook.com/ZaiyaCollection
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Houston-Photography/195057250539649

I'm no longer with Stars Talent Studio I am now represented...

I made a somewhat hard decision the other day.  I gave up representation by Stars Talent Studio.  I still think the owner is a great lady and highly recommend the agency to individuals who do not know how to find their own work as well as to those who need classes for self esteem and confidence building.  Plain and simple if I stayed with Stars I would have been kept on the back burner forever and I was not willing to be set there not by anyone.
Two days after leaving Stars I was picked up by NIYA Casting Network.  They have already sent me to 3 castings   NIYA is a great team to work with and  although I can not tell you the ins and outs of their methods, I do know she cares about me and that is very important to know that your agent is looking out for your best interest.  

My first experience with film!!

So I had a wonderful opportunity to do my first filmed job with Redcastle Productions right here in the Ogden Utah area.  We did a PSA video for some very wonderful ladies.  Each one of them a great mom trying to teach others by their unfortunate experience of tragedy.  I was very affected by each one of their stories and their bravery to share a very important message that hopefully puts parents and care givers to action in trying to prevent such tragedies from happening again.  I found and auditioned for this production on my own.  My agency Stars Talent Studio has yet to find me any work.  

Here is a link to this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMLdE0jAM1A

A Good Head Shot vs a Great Head Shot

So when you go to get your headshot done it would be wise to select a great photographer however you start with what you can pay.  My first head shots were done for trade not for trade work, I literally traded a lady who is now one of my best friends a car seat for photos. I think I got the better deal my headshots that she took turned out great.

Shows personality

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fuller

My most current headshots taken have a variety of options. Some are really good for acting but some very generic and maybe could get me a job washing dishes in the background.  I however don't want to be in the background I want to be a main player a thespian front and center. 

Generic but pretty. 

Photo Credit: Rick Wallace 

Mysterious

Photo Credit: Rick Wallace 

If you want to stand out it's best to use a picture that makes your casting director look twice. I could use any of these headshots they are all good but I have a couple favorites and I'm sure when you look at them one stands out above the others.  So when you get your headshots remember to select the one that causes you to pause and take as second look.