RODEO & JULIET: BILL

Welcome aboard Chris Ranney

for the role of Bill

From IMDB:

Chris Ranney is a consummate actor of thirty-five years and a dedicated producer who has worked on over 250 films, TV shows and radio productions. After a ten-year career of managing multi-million dollar construction projects for the Air Force and the US Government, Chris decided to leave construction and follow his dream of acting full time. Chris has appeared in films such as "$5 a Day" starring Christopher Walken and Sharon Stone; "Fright Night (2011)" starring Colin Farrell and David Tennant; "La Vida Robot" starring George Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis. Chris has also had Guest starring roles on AMC's award-winning hit series, "Breaking Bad" and A&E's "Longmire". Chris is also Producing/Line Producing several feature films as well as projects for web and television including: "Hunter's Game" a webisode series, "Duke City", a TV series starring Steven Michael Quezada, Dean Norris and Wes Studi and "The After After Party", a late night variety show.

We will also have the honor of working with Chris behind the camera as Line Producer!

RODEO & JULIET: HUGH

Welcome aboard Tim Abell

for the role of Hugh!

From IMDB:
An exciting, eclectic actor, Tim Abell is a man of his own making and when that making includes teaching ballroom dancing, horse training, writing, cooking, acting, producing and being a US Army Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment, you can see it is a formidable combination.

In recent projects Tim has been behind the camera as well as in front of it. He was co-producer on the multi-award-winning film Soldier of God (2005), directed by W.D. Hogan and produced by Mir Bahmanyar. To date, "Soldier of God" has won Best Feature Film awards for 2005 at The Deep Ellum Film Festival in Dallas, The Stratford upon Avon International Film Festival in England and The Berkley Film Festival in California. As well as being co-producer on "Soldier of God", Tim took on the emotional intensity of portraying the eponymous anti-hero, Rene. It was a tour de force for this talented actor.

Tim also starred in and was associate producer on the Thadd Turner-written Miracle at Sage Creek (2005) starring David Carradine, Wes Studi, Michael Parks and Irene Bedard.

He has recently finished filming "The Tom Campbell Water Story", a.k.a "Breathe", in Florida and Santa Barbara, California. The film, directed by and starring Don Murray, is based on the true story of three scuba divers trapped in an underwater cave.

We look forward to working with Tim again!

RODEO & JULIET: MONTY

Welcome aboard Zeb Halsell

for the role of Monty!

From IMDB:

Zeb is an actor and writer, known for Robin & Chase (2013), Gutter King (2010) and Strange Love (2014).

RODEO & JULIET: JULIET

Welcome aboard Nadine Crocker

for the role of Juliet!

From IMDB: 

Nadine Crocker is an actress, model, writer, singer, songwriter. Recently, y ou may have seen her as Linsay Silver on ABC's No Ordinary Family, or with Hannah Montana on Disney, or as Lexi in 10 Things I Hate About You.   Soon you will see her in Cabin Fever, a contemporary reboot of the horror-comedy franchise that ignited the career of Eli Roth.

RODEO & JULIET: KAREN

Welcome aboard Krista Allen
for the role of Karen!

From IMDB:
Krista began her career in daytime TV starring in the Bold and the Beautiful, followed by roles in thevmovie the Haunted Sea, and TV shows such as High Tide, Pacific Blue and Silk Stalkings. She was the "the busty woman in the elevator" in Liar Liar.

In 1996 she performed in another popular daytime show "Days of our Lives".  After her contract expired, she had numerous TV and movie roles:  UPN miniseries Avalon: Beyond the Abyss; Baywatch Hawaii, and appearances on many TV shows such as Friends, Frasier, Just Shoot Me, Two and a Half Men, Andromeda, X-Files, Fastlane and much more. Recent flicks: Anger Management, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and Paycheck. She also starred in independent films: Totally Blonde, Meet Market, and Shut Up and Kiss Me.

Creole Queen

Sunday we took some time off and took a riverboat cruise in the Creole Queen Paddlewheel to the Chalmette Battlefield.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the narrative information as we travelled down the river of the history of New Orleans landmarks and river lore.

Here are some images:

This the the Natchez- a bigger paddlewheeler available for excursions.

The Chalmette Battlefield site.

Love what is hapening to his hair!

Info on the Battle of New Orleans

Love the moss!

The Creole Queen

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today my parents celebrate their wedding anniversary...

guess how many years?!

Every year a couple is married is a MILESTONE to be celebrated.

I salute my parents for creating a marriage that is inspirational to their children.

Here is an article on marriage to read for more inspiration: 

Husband And Wife Hear Each Other's Thoughts On Marriage After 56 Years

Skinny Jeans to Flare Jeans...

OK, NO this image is NOT me.. but those that know me do know that I sport many 'vintage' jeans.. complete with embroidery.  

Funny thing is that i JUST bought my first pair of SKINNY JEANS as felt I should be more 'stylish'!  Who knew that I just needed to wait it out a little longer!

St Patrick's Week in NOLA

Happy Birthday to me!

While I am not counting birthdays anymore... the boys did take me out to dinner, then we spent a quiet night at home watching a movie. (Enjoyable movie called The Identical).

THIS Woman...

VOTE for LUCY!

Over $800 in prizes with this contest by the local classic rock station Bayou 95.7

My Pet Rocks!

Please lay your vote down for Lucy!

In this picture, she was all decked out for Mardi Gras! 

She got more attention then all 3 of us in our garb!
VOTE!

Mustache Contest

Goorin Brothers Hat Shop on Magazine Street (just blocks from our house in NOLA), in conjunction with Whistlin Dixie Mustache Wax, had a mustache contest Saturday.  Thadd was stopped in the street and asked to enter... and of course he didn't say no!

Pictured at left are the top 3 winners. From left to right: Thadd, Salvador (owns an oyster wholesale supply company- and we have arranged to supply our crew!), and THIS fellow (name to follow), who performs in a circus!

Each contestant was judged on their mustache PLUS style points.  Normally I would say that Thadd would take the competition by a storm, yet who could compete with this guy (YES he IS walking on glass & laying on a bed of nails WHILE singing!) :

He placed 1st- which had the awesome prize of ANY hat from the hat shop!

Thadd won 2nd, which his awesome prize is a personal suit fitting, from  Luca Falcone, (whose owner told me he will be fitting Al Pacino this week!).

Congratulations to all!

LOVE those BEIGNETS!

Caught on google camera "see inside" (fortunately not feeding my face).. at Cafe Beinete Musical Legends Park!

I am sitting at the 2nd table from the fountain, with Carol (she is wearing my jacket).  You have to "walk inside" and turn back to see me!  Of course, our faces are blurred.  (The boys went to get the car).

Rodeo & Juliet.. by Garth Brooks

On Garth Brooks' album, "Man against Machine", there is a song titled "Rodeo & Juliet".

While at first thought, this song would be perfect accompaniment while titles roll on our film, the context is a young girl who is in love with the rodeo... whereas our film is about a young girl and a horse named Rodeo.

WHAT do you think?

Here are the lyrics to consider (courtesy AtoZ lyrics):

"Rodeo And Juliet"

Rodeo & Juliet
If there’s ever been a greater love
Thoust hasn’t found it yet
What’s to be or not to be
Is anybody’s bet
Rodeo & Juliet

Those two were seen in Faraona
Riding queen from Arizona
The fairest in a pair of stud blue jeans
Oh rodeo where for out though
She knows how to play the role in any cowboy’s dream

Rodeo & Juliet
If there’s ever been a greater love
Thoust hasn’t found it yet
What’s to be or not to be
Is anybody’s bet
Rodeo & Juliet

Now Shakespeare cowboys dare to find her
Men will poem paint and rhyme her
But a rose by any name is still a rose
She’ll barrel race and chase tomorrow
Parting is such sweet sweet sorrow
To thine own self be true is all she knows

Rodeo & Juliet
If the world’s ever seen a greater love
Thoust hasn’t found it yet
What’s to be or not to be
Is anybody’s bet
Rodeo & Juliet

Rodeo & Juliet
If the world’s ever seen a greater love
Thoust hasn’t found it yet
What’s to be or not to be
Is anybody’s bet
Rodeo & Juliet [x2]

LIFE is not a Fairy Tale?

My sister posted this quote today... and I was flabergasted... WHAT?!
Life is NOT a Fairy Tale?  :/ 

I DO like Fairy Tales, dress-up & costuming... perhaps why I created StoryBook Productions with my friends!

YES, I know that fairy tales are fictional, but I believe that daydreaming is healthy.. as long as you know what is pretend and what is real!

(Important to note:

1. We all have FLAWS. It isn't just the evil antagonist that is ugly;
2. "Damsels in Distress" do not get the guy!  Today's men like self-supporting, happy women;
3. and even your PRINCE will be flawed... expect it.. live with it!)

Fairy Tales free our imaginations... they are simply fiction stories that are retold to each generation.  AND each fairy tale does have a lesson to teach- read some today!

LIVE a Better Life, #8

8. Choose kindness.
Be kind to everyone you meet. No matter how they treat you, you can always be polite, smile and offer help.

Most people are sad, that they’ve experienced bad things, had their heart broken or lost a loved one, never reached their dreams, or never dared to follow them and now live in regret. Most people aren’t satisfied and can’t see the beauty of life, therefore don’t trust anyone. They’ve lost hope and tend to think life is unfair to them. Many are alone too.

So keep that in mind. And when you least expect it, you’ll become the reason for someone like that to change their mind.

Start making these eight choices a regular part of your life. You’ll soon be able to appreciate and enjoy every single day and make the best of it.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/live-better-life-making-these-8-choices.html?mid=20150210&ref=mail&uid=326097&feq=daily

Casting for Rodeo

Met with local barrel racers today, as need two riders plus a horse for Juliet (horses name is Rodeo in script).
We really like this horse- beautiful AND it knows how to give hugs!
What do you think?

LIVE a Better Life, #7

7. Always be on the lookout for something new.

You can truly live a life full of excitement if you choose to live outside your comfort zone every once in a while.

Take risks, try new things, do what scares you and challenge yourself as much as you can. That’s how you grow and improve, and that’s how you feel free and full of life.

Custom Order

Yes2Years Fashions (www.yes2years.com) received a custom order yesterday- it will be an awesome completed costume!

The client purchased a striped bolero and bustled over-skirt (which is upcycled!- pictured below)  We will be matching the rust/red color and making the underskirt, as pictured on left.

As I am tied up doing wardrobe for Rodeo & Juliet, my awesome partner and sister, Pam, will be making.
Need a custom outfit for upcoming event?  Send me a message and we can design!

Rodeo & Juliet

SINCE we are now entering the month of March, I will start today by announcing the film production of Rodeo & Juliet!

We will be officially in production March 13th, but have been busily working behind the scenes since we arrived in NOLA- scouting locations, talking to film crews, production staff, and of course the most important item- securing the contract for funds and distribution.

Will give brief synopsis later, and you can look for regular blog updates here. The website is in developement: www.rodeo-juliet.com.  Cast & Crew will be announced here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The production company (us) is actively seeking a short-term loan or further investors as we are in a catch-22; the investors require a chain-of-title, sag registration, and application for Lousiana film credit prior to release of first funds.  Thus, we need cash to perform- approximately $10,000. (revised $5000 now!).

If you are interested, we can forward the production agreement & budget, will assure that repayment can and will be made in short-term.  Interest will be paid on your money, as well as an invitation to come on set, or even walk-on screen time!

We are excited about this film and look forward to sharing our adventures in production, directing, & costuming!