Ramblings....: Snuff and Deathtrap...

Tonight was the screening of a film I did 10 years ago! Yup, you read that right. A lifetime ago, when Dave decided to get into film making. This was his 1st attempt at a full length flick. He rounded up a bunch of Rude Guerrilla regulars and put this puppy together. This was also before social media was the mega beast it is now. All this time later, here we all are, gathering in Downtown Santa Ana at the Frida Cinema for a screening of the flick!

A time long ago shooting the scene

We're on a marquee!!

Here's the trailer: Snuff Trailer

My dear friend Melissa was planning on attending so her, Brenda and myself met up for dinner before hand and the yummy C4 Deli. 7pm we met up with everyone filtered into the theater. It was a pretty small turn out, mostly just cast members, but there were some of our loyal patrons that used to be Rude Guerilla/MonkeyWrench Collective regulars. It was so friggin great to see them as well as some other friends who came to support.

The theater got dark and a trailer or two played for upcoming movies and OMG - I'm about to see myself for the 1st time ever on the big screen!

The movie played. There were sighs, laughs and tears. I promptly burst into tears when I recognized our dear friend Stephen's apartment where a lot of the movie was shot. We lost him too soon if you recall me writing about that here. I miss him so much. I felt his presence there last night and when the Q&A followed I leaned over to Brenda and whispered "Stephen would have been so annoyed by this." The movie was just a beautifully shot as I remember all those years ago. Dave has quite the eye. Keith and Scott (The leads) gave moving and touching performances and I felt all of us Rudies with our small supporting roles did great! I was a little mortified to see myself in all my glory doing one of the most promiscuous scenes of the whole damn movie but it was as cool as I remember it. Dave loops my cracked out voice over and over through the collage of shots and it was fucked up and weird and beautiful. The movie ended and applause filled the house from the little passionate group that was there.

A Q&A followed, which was a bit long but listening to Dave speak with such passion about his work made me proud to be a part of it. I also really respect the folks that run the Frida. They chatted a bit before hand talking about how the theater is an art house. They really do a lot of great stuff there and I've made sure to get on their newsletter so I can keep up with the great things they're doing.

Oh Keith...

Dave talking about Snuff

Afterwards we milled in the lobby a bit and I tried to snap a few pictures since no one else was. Sadly my phone camera BLOWS. (Hopefully will be getting a better one next month). I wish now I actually brought my nice camera and really took the time to get shots of everyone since we rarely gather like this anymore.

It was so wonderful to see some of these people and hug on them and reminisce a bit about the old RG days and how much is different in all of our lives now. I look forward to hopefully working on more film projects with Dave in the future!

Brenda and Ryan - both in the movie

Miss Cynthia. Seriously love this woman.

Jeff & Mitzy came to support

Christine and Scottie also in the movie

It was a really lovely evening!

So, currently up on the docket is the play Deathtrap. My friend/director Jack contacted me and asked if I would play Helga ten Dorp the Dutch Psychic. It will be playing at The Attic Theatre in Costa Mesa. Apparently some group pulled out and they had some open slots pop up and decided to throw this in there. Jack contacted actors he trusts to step in and put this show on in a bit of an accelerated rehearsal schedule.

It's been a bit of a tough road so far. I'm not used to Jack's directing style so I'm having to adjust. I only know one other person in the cast (It's a 5 person show) but everyone seems very cool. My character has changed a few times. It's written in broken English apparently to help with the Dutch accent. I was just starting to study and learn how to talk with a Dutch accent when Jack called me and said forget the Dutch. I was like what?! I'm just now learning. He told me he cast me because he likes my dry humor and I'm funny just as Jami. Flattered of course, but now I'll need to adjust my thinking and memorizing because the lines aren't written for Jami talk. I find this comes easier than I expect. Then, just last night Jack says "Do it with any accent! Have fun!" The only accent I can pull out of my ass is New York. So I channel my inner Marissa Tomei and have at it. They loved it. I'm now a New York Psychic. Ha! Ok. then. A bit more adjusting. But I actually like it better and it's way more fun to play with.

Another issue - we don't always get to work on the stage. The theater is mainly a children's theater and they get priority. We get booted to a little mirrored room but we make do. There was also an almost cancel of the show because of a rights issue, but that's all been ok'd so we're good to go!

I haven't ever worked in a Community Theater so this is a bit new for me. The run is only 3 weekends and I'm not working on anything and I really have been itching to get back onstage. So although it's another gig I'm not getting paid for - I think it'll be fun. Last night we had a really good rehearsal. I think the lead guys are starting to find their groove. Keeney and I will always have a fun scene and it'll be great to make some new friends! Here's a few rehearsal shots.