Tag / acting

Who wouldn’t double take a movie with the word lesbians in the title?  I love ‘em, you love ‘em – let’s show some love to the lesbians of the world!  And lesbians of the other worlds, too, for that matter.  Because the title of this film doesn’t stop there.  We’re not just talking about lesbians here.  We’re talking about lesbian zombies.  Wait, it still doesn’t stop: from outer space.  You may think the best thing a film called Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space has to offer is probably the title, but in this case, you’d be wrong.  Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space is a truly funny screenplay.  Sure, in a teen sex-comedy way, but truly funny nonetheless.  It was a silliness blast being on the LZFOS trailer set with all this sensual gore.  I can’t complain a bit.  Check us out on Facebook and enjoy our film trailer here:

Your favorite Video Game Reunion actors are at it again!  Star Squad, a Hunger Games fan film, announced cast and pre-production today.  Brendan Bradley (VGR’s Mega Man) directs and acts and Woody Tondorf (VGR’s Link) co-writes and acts.  You’ll also see Courtney Merritt (Lil’ P), PJ Marino (Luigi) and myself (Princess Peach) acting in the just-announced Star Squad film.

Rather than recreating existing Hunger Games scenes, Star Squad is an entirely original story about the trial of Katniss Everdeen and the rebirth of Panem after the rebellion.  Read Star Squad concept spoilers and production attack at our website.  The first character poster was released today: Tonya Kay as CRESSIDA.

I got to do sketch comedy with Neil Patrick Harris on the 38th People’s Choice Awards last week!  What greasy gravy gig it was, too.  First of all, I direct booked it because the amazing Erin Lamont was hired as choreographer.  For those of you who follow my performance career, you know Erin is also the company director of The Lalas Burlesque, a company I burlyQ and MC with regularly (come see our next show).  So Erin, is like ‘why cast models without dance training when I could cast my own gorgeous, talented AND funny company members?’.  A performer’s dream come true:  direct booking.

I’ve been training with Second City for a while now and really have come to admire good improvisation skills separate from good comedy skills.  So working with Neil Patrick Harris, who has BOTH skill sets was inspiring.  He was down to earth, kind, had lots of ideas he wanted to implement right as we went live and had big hugs for his fellow performers after our skit was done.  I live on good hugs.

Feed me.

Since cutting my dread locks recently, no one has actually styled my hair.  So I was entertained and delighted by James’ showgirl bouffant as my first styling since soft hair!  And those gorgeous beaded costumes (Marsha let us keep the shoes!).

Isn’t the Universe just cosmic?  The day before I am on set for the People’s Choice Awards, I write this piece about Natural and Cruelty-Free Cosmetics on Set and how no health-conscious vegan actor should worry about asking their stylist what is in their cosmetics because:

The more professional make up/hair artists are generally genuinely grateful to do what they do for a living and have enthusiasm to continue learning about the next newest product, cruelty-free alternative or natural option.  You can really tell the difference in artistry through their open mindedness to their own craft.  It’s like offering a sculptor a brand new clay – a true artist will want to work with it and see what they can do.  The jaded artist will say, “I can’t possibly use that clay,” before they even try it and never grow as an artist again.

And low and behold, when I offered Polly my foundation and make up brushes, she was super enthusiastic, saying I have great brushes and she even loved my raw, organic foundation so much she took photos with her iPhone of the packaging to remember the brand.  She made me look and feel stunning.

We rehearsed and performed in the state-of-the-art Nokia Theatre.  I grew up doing theatre and after 5 cumulative years of touring different stages and stadiums, I have a deep love for the space of a beautiful theatre. Nokia is a performer’s dream come true.

When I came off the road from touring with STOMP, I had a young-life-professional-crisis.  When you’ve lived your dream gig so young, what else is there to dream about?  I spent a lot of time soul searching and traveling the world to discover that to me, having worked my dream gig already, what was most important in my future career was that I have fun, create art that means something to me and work with people I enjoy being around.  Fun, meaning and friendship – those are my current career goals.  So performing with SaraAnne Fahey, one of the most lovely human beings this world has to offer, on the People’s Choice Awards was really just my cherry on top.

Check out the video of our comedy sketch with Neil Patrick Harris on the 38th Annual People’s Choice Awards here:

I was asked recently if I’m concerned about the cosmetics and hair products used on set as a professional actress/model/dancer whom also happens to be a health advocate, vegan and environmentalist.  My answer is simply:  of course!  I spend a lot of time and energy researching the highest quality natural and cruelty-free  products in my personal life, so you know that sort of care oozes out into my professional life, too.

In case you don’t know, when a performer gets hired, their job is to know their material and have their personal shit together so they can deliver AND be a pleasure to work with (that’s how I see it, at least).  We arrive on set and are whisked off to the Make Up, Hair and Wardrobe departments so those artists can do their magic, too.  The first important thing for a concerned performer to remember is that the make up, hair and wardrobe crew are, like you, hired because they are good at their jobs.  They have their reasons for using the products and fabrics they use and you should remember that they deserve the utmost respect at all times.

That being said, you, as the performer, deserve the same respect and it is absolutely okay to ask what is in the products that will be placed against your skin or in your hair.  It is your body after all – you are not a dress up doll or a talking head robot, but a real human being who has to live with your skin and hair and ethical choices after this gig is wrapped.  It’s absolutely okay to ask questions.  Esspecially when it comes from that place of mutual respect for the others’ professionalism in the craft.

If you are a series regular or film lead, you are going to be on set a longer period of time and have the opportunity to get to know your Make Up/Hair/Wardrobe departments personally.  In my experience, when you all know each other, everyone takes your concerns into consideration.  Most higher budget make up artists will have OODLES of products to choose from, so look through!  Mineral make ups are surely a part of their kit at this point and maybe some other surprising stuff.  If it’s a lower budget production, then bring your own kit.  In either case, they are cool people who want you to feel happy, healthy and beautiful on camera – that’s what they do!  So treat people with respect, respect yourself, get to know each other and be patient and flexible.  I’m personally always impressed.

(Except for that one time with the high budget fashion modeling gig where the make up artist seemed like too many photographers had insulted her work during her long career and she was stuck in her ways, refused to use any brushes I brought and threw a snobby fit.  That’s not normal, performers.  She had a horrible attitude.  The more professional make up/hair artists are generally genuinely grateful to do what they do for a living and have enthusiasm to continue learning about the next newest product, cruelty-free alternative or natural option.  You can really tell the difference in artistry through their open mindedness to their own craft.  It’s like offering a sculptor a brand new clay – a true artist will want to work with it and see what they can do.  The jaded artist will say, “I can’t possibly use that clay,” before they even try it and never grow as an artist again.  I feel sorry for bad attitudes – fortunately, it’s not common.)

Unfortunately, when you are a day player or shooting shorter duration gigs, you don’t have the chance to get to know your Make Up/Hair departments and I suggest a fine combination of two things: again, brining your own kit and also a healthy amount of flexibility.  Sometimes, you might bring your own foundation and hair gel and make up remover, but socially, for what ever reason, you had to use products you know had formaldehyde (like mascara) in them.  Try to remain a pleasure to work with (that’s your job) by remembering that your body is so healthy that it will detox 2 days of exposure to this chemical amazingly quickly.  Also remember that consciousness-wise, sometimes just having the conversation and speaking the words does important work and might inspire new perspectives after your work there is done.  Keep your attitude high.  I know it can be trying to care, but it really is worth it and people respect you for it.

Respect yourself.  I say ‘know what is essential’ and bring it with you.  For me, the brush cleaners that make up artists use makes my eyes instantly blood shot and watery.  No one wants me to look like I have hay fever on camera!  So I bring a very nice, clean set of my own, cruelty-free brushes.

Since my eyes are so sensitive, I actually find it essential to request using my own mascara, eyeliner and unless it’s mineral make up, my own shadow.  There are a few brands of make up I can not have anywhere near my skin, for some reason and one is Mac and the other is Smash Box.  I don’t know what they both use in their cream eye shadows, but it’s like hot asphalt fumes to my eyes and sensitive membranes.  Mac is no good for any bit of my skin, actually.  Instant break outs means low-quality chemical-based ingredients.  I know Mac is supposed to be good, but my skin and eyes can’t be fooled with marketing.

I used to start the conversation with “I’m really sensitive (or I’m “allergic”).  Can we use some of my products?”  And again, no one wants your eyes all red and skin all blotchy, so that goes over well.  But the catch is, you MUST have excellent alternatives.  I have a high quality make up kit with more stuff than I ever personally use.  I want my make up artist to feel inspired to see new products and have great stuff to choose from, so I bring options.

Now that I’ve worked with many make up/hair artists multiple times, am doing longer duration gigs and am well-known as the healthy, raw chick on set, I don’t really lie and say “allergic”, I just respectfully say, “I like to use cruelty-free, organic products and yes, I am very sensitive, would you consider using my brushes and some essentials from my kit?”  People are cool!  And there’s always some meaningful conversation that goes down when I’m in the chair.  I really appreciate people sharing that space with me.

Like I said, I bring my personal essentials: brushes, eye liners, mascaras and black shadow.  Next tier is 100% silica high definition powder, vegan lip-glosses and quickly becoming vital is this new brand of organic, raw vegan food-based foundation – it’s like wearing high-quality moisturizer more than a cosmetic.

I use macadamia nut oil to remove my eye liner, gentle oils to ease away my foundation, a clay-based exfoliant twice/week, rose water spritz after a bath to tighten things and pomegranate/rose-hip oil for moisturizer.  I cut my dreadlocks so recently, I don’t really know what products I would need or can support in terms of hair.  I’m still learning about shampoo and stuff myself here.

And finally, I’ve known of several actors whom won’t wear fur or leather as part of their costumes.  Fortunatley, there are great looking replacements for those things.  Eating is usually a case-by-case situation, but I’ve felt super supported by the craft service and catering departments and have learned that if you are to be a long duration regular hire on set, the earlier you can let people know you are a raw vegan, the easier it is for them to help you out.  If you are a short duration hire, then bring your positive attitude and your alternatives.

Remember that nothing is worth being a jerk about – that’s not part of anybody’s job description, so no matter who you are on set, if you are being a jerk, I think you’re doing a bad job.  The more you respect others’ ways of living, the more respect for your lifestyle is reciprocated.

Check out some related links:

Cosmetic Safety Database

Live Studio Audience

True Hollywood Make Up: How To Moisten Mineral Foundation

Most Dangerous Woman In Hollywood Wears Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

RMS Beauty (organic, raw make up)

Alima Pure Cosmetics (clean, loose mineral make ups)

Aveda (killer company on all levels – right down to the packaging)

Rawnessa (really raw skin care out of Los Angeles)

I’ve certainly worked with my share of unexplained phenomena.  Mostly intentionally conjured, of course.  Does it still count as “paranormal” if you went looking for it like witches and occultists do?  City Monsters thinks so and so do I.  On City Monsters I am the only female host of five paranormal experts.  In our pilot episode we search to prove or disprove the Native American lore of a reptilian race living in tunnels underneath Los Angeles from times past AND present.  Yes, we get our feet wet in the LA sewers and canal in this pure renegade pilot shoot, produced by Ping Pong Productions.  I think I got some unexplained phenomena under my finger nails that nite.  Check us out:

I’ve got some killer stunts in this film.  You can see snippets of a few of them in our new trailer!  And check it out – I even am a stunt coordinator on Within The Darkness, so those stunt snippets are partially my choreography, too!  Enjoy our new trailer:

Sometimes people ask me if it can be done. If one can actually be a professional athlete on a plant based diet.  The truth is, I can’t imagine how one could on any other diet.  I imagine bogging my system down with slow digesting animal products or lifeless over cooked foods and I think to myself how much my performance would suffer.  In fact, if I eat a cooked vegan meal or two on a weekend, my balance is off in my yoga class on Monday and I’m just kinda tired in general until my body finishes digesting the heavy meal.  I THRIVE as a vegetarian (vegan/raw food) professional dancer and danger artist and consider it the OPTIMAL lifestyle because I am serious about my physicality and physique.

I get asked that question all the time.  But rarely do I get asked the question this tv segment asked me.  Supreme Master TV‘s “Vegetarian Elite” series profiled me as, well, an elite vegetarian (wow!) and asked me some pretty thought provoking questions on spirituality and art.  And my favorite was a question I’ve never been asked before:  does the raw vegan diet make me a better actor?  Watch our segment to see my surprised, impromptu answer:

Video Game Reunion held several firsts for me: first time I was stunt woman in a HUGE VAN EXPLOSION, first time I ever ate lipstick (over and over again), first time I had tampons shoved up my nostrils, first time I ever wore a princess dress. And it all felt so natural! Please enjoy highlights from my performance as PRINCESS PEACH in MTV Network’s Video Game Reunion:

Watch the full series at videogamereunion.com

reel editing by Marti Matulis

Tonya Kay on IMDB

The Mudman feature film wins 6 awards at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival, including BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE. Tonya Kay plays FEATHER BLACK, the dark witch.

Arresting performance by an actor is not a matter of style or rehearsal, but of self-knowledge and an inescapable desire for complete personal exposure. That compulsion for public emotional nakedness drives the actor to ask not “who must I become to create the character”, but to ask “who does the character become because I play it?” - Sir Laurence Olivier