Actors Direct (themselves) 8 week workshop
Mystic Film Festival
LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED is an official selection of the Mystic Film Festival and can be viewed virtually on demand anywhere in the US from Oct 22-25 2020 as part of Block 1. View and buy tickets HERE!
Q&A with Catherine Black and the other filmmakers from Block 1 on zoom on October 22, 2020 from 3:00 PM ET to 3:45 PM ET
Opening Night!
MainStreet Theatre Company opening night! “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” I am so proud of this play and honored to tell Anne Frank’s story. The direction and design team continue to blow my mind performance after performance. I play Anne Frank and “Mutti” – Fritzi Geiringer, in this important production about three Jewish teenagers during WW2.
Box Office: (909) 477-2752 | lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
And Then They Came For Me
Remembering The World of Anne Frank
Beyond honored to tell this story and excited to be included in this production. Get tickets HERE!
Cast announcement
Horror Comedy Short Film “GIRL TRIP” | EXCLUSIVELY by Cat Black
Girl Trip hometown premiere!
Toronto! Hope to see you at the hometown premiere of Girl Trip at Toronto International Spring of Horror & Fantasy on Saturday April 6th @ 9:15p! When I was a teenager I skipped high school and spent my days at The Carlton Cinemas watching indie films. I’m so happy to return with my own movie! I wrote a song in Toronto for Girl Trip titled ‘Daymare’ with 3 of my closest friends who will also be in attendance. ‘Daymare’ is my favourite moment in the whole movie and I can’t wait to share it. Hope to see you there!
Girl Trip online premiere!
Girl Trip (2018) from Black Stare on Vimeo.
Support female driven horror! Girl Trip dropped online TODAY! Watch a crazy fun scary revenge horror about female friendships! Sometimes the scariest things are the people closest to us!
Girl Trip is the pilot ep./ proof of concept for broadcast TV and Premiered Oct. 29th, 2018 on Fun Size Horror, NSI Online Festival (National Film Institute of Canada), and vimeo.
Nice International Film Festival
YES for complex female protagonists and congrats to the entire cast and crew! Girl Trip has been nominated for Best Short Film and Best Actress (Catherine Black) at the Nice International Film Festival! Nice IFF happens in the South of France in May 2018.
Photo of the Day
I had great photo shoot with James Depeitro just recently. Here’s one of my favs.
Audience Choice Winner!
Thank you to my rowdy supporters and to Hollyshorts Monthly Screening!
Girl Trip Screening!
Girl Trip will be screening October 26th at 9:30pm as part of the Hollyshorts Monthly Screening at the TCL Chinese 6 Theaters. Hope to see you there!
Tickets: http://www.hollyshorts.com/monthlyscreenings/
Happy St. Patricks Day!
Girl Trip COMING SOON!
Screen grab of Catherine Black as the moody ‘Naomi’ in Girl Trip. Coming soon!
Girl Trip – Official Trailer – YouTube
A fun road trip ends in murder and mayhem when hidden resentments between best friends surface and everyone learns the hard way never to get in the middle of a catfight.
Directed by Catherine Black
Co-Written by: Catherine Black, Brooke Lenzi
Cinematography by: Matthew Boyd
Produced by: Catherine Black
Edited by: Travis Flournoy
Sound Design by: Jason Stare
Original Music by: SWAIN (‘I don’t really want to be friends’)
Starring:
Micah Parker (Vampire Diaries, Mob City,The Flash), Catherine Black (American Psycho, Odyssey 5, Playing House), Crispian Belfrage (Rushlights), Rich Ceraulo (Supergirl, The Walking Dead), Brooke Lenzi, Matthew Tully Brown, Suzanne Birrell
GIRL TRIP ‘Official Trailer’
#1 Horror in LA on kickstarter Don’t you want to see 2 girls try to kill each other in a hyperbolic satire about female friendships?!? Girl Trip is my 2nd film as a director/writer and I couldn’t be more proud! Please donate if you can, but mostly just enjoy the trailer!
US vs Film – Interview with Catherine Black
I had a ton of fun being interviewed about GIRL TRIP by James over at Us vs Film ep. 195. I yap a bunch about my visual inspirations for Girl Trip, loosing our 1st AD while filming, but somehow enjoying the challenges of making and keeping schedules for an action film with special effects and fight sequences while also acting and directing. AND, why I’ll never do that again!!! I share the podcast with Oliver Stone’s SNOWDEN and chime in at 37:17. Check it out and enjoy on itunes ep. 195!
Check out Girl Trip’s Trailer EXCLUSIVELY on Kickstarter!
Girl Trailer EXCLUSIVELY on Kickstarter By Catherine Black
A multi genre satire about the dark side of female friendships.
American Psycho
Directing & Acting in Girl Trip
The End of Suffering “The Great Bell Chant”
I didn’t expect this to be so powerfully moving. With all the immense suffering in the World right now, and everyone ‘an expert’ on social media, feeling the pressure to say something, contribute something of meaning, it’s really hard to know what to say, worrying about saying the wrong thing, being true to yourself and contributing something that will bring healing and justice. If you wish to be brought back to a state of peace and send healing vibes to the whole World, this is well worth your attention.
The End of Suffering "The Great Bell Chant" https://t.co/HTCYpzzp7i
— Catherine Black (@dubhcat) July 20, 2016
LA a Queer History – Promo Short
WATCH L.A. A QUEER HISTORY HERE!
Proud to be a narrator for L.A. A Queer History, especially now. Education and Love is the best defense against ignorance and hate. Please watch the promotional short for the feature length of this important documentary. Following the tragic events of this past weekend it’s become more clear than ever that even today, after the LGBT community has come so far in the path to civil rights and equality, there is still much work to do. During this time of extreme pain and confusion, it is the filmmakers wish to provide educational hope and ultimately some healing. Spread Love, Spread the word!
Fun New Headshots!
Sneak peak from last weeks fun photo shoot with The Sheltons Of Highland Park!
DIRT: dates, reviews, discounts!
“An edgy contemplation of the cosmos and our place in it…unfolds like an opera, beginning with solos which segue into duets and trios. Skilled actors hit every beat to keep the audience engrossed.” – LA Splash
“…clear, well-paced staging mines both horror and unlikely comedy. Lavery’s literary flair for juggling far-flung philosophy, technical minutiae and poetic imagery are apparent.” -Los Angeles Times
Dates I am performing are March 25th, 26th, April 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 22nd. Hope to see you there!
Discount code:
$15 tickets online @ BROWN PAPER TICKETS with code: dirt15
Sunday April 17th at 2pm, 2 for 1 tickets can be purchased at the door.
$20 tickets at door on all other days.
West Coast Premiere of DIRT!
Industry folks & friends, please reach out for exact dates and comps if you’d like to attend a performance!
Rogue Machine Theatre and SRS Production Wing present the West Coast Premiere of:
DIRT
by Bryony Lavery
Directed by Ann Bronston
Playing Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm & Sundays at 2pm
Thrilled to have joined the talented cast of Dirt for the West Coast premiere of Bryony Lavery’s newest play! A unique piece of theatre about quantum mechanics, chemical pollution, human ecology, mortality, the cosmos and our place in it. Industry folks & friends, please reach out for exact dates and comps if you’d like to attend a performance!
INTRUSIONS OF GRANDEUR
Friends and fellow Girl Trip‘ers (Matthew Tully Brown & Micah Parker) and I made this 5 min short film, INTRUSIONS OF GRANDEUR, and made it to the TOP 20 SEMI FINALS in the 100 Hour Film Racing competition! Intrusions of Grandeur is a 100% collaboration between 7 filmmakers about filmmakers collaborating!!! Please watch and VOTE for us here:
http://www.filmracing.com/100hour2015awards
Catherine’s Award Winning Film NOW ONLINE!
WATCH Catherine’s award winning short film De Puta Madre A love Story on NSI Canada!
L.A. A Queer History VIP Holiday Mixer
Excited to be included alongside these talented actors and a voice in this important documentary.
Online Premiere!
Catherine’s film, De Puta Madre: A Love Story, is NOW available to watch for FREE on the National Screen Institute of Canada online film festival!
Online Premiere & Special Mention!
Catherine’s multiple award winning film, De Puta Madre A Love Story, receives a Special Mention at I Filmmaker International Film Festival in Marbella, Spain! Awards on her birthday. So…. you know what to get her.
Official online premiere of De Puta Madre A Love Story
Monday November 16th on nsi-canada.ca
Girl Trip
Just returned from Locke, a historic town in Sacramento, with the most character I’ve ever seen, directing my 2nd film; Girl Trip. Girl Trip is a Horror-thriller-comedy about 2 girlfriends trying to kill each other. It’s a multi genre satire about the dark side of female friendships. 8 actors, 6 locations, stunts and spfx and my head was spinning. Starring in a movie on this level that I’m also directing is sheer madness. I had the time of my life!
Mary Loss Of Soul
Catherine Black stars in the Supernatural Thriller Mary Loss Of Soul NOW available for streaming on VOD!
Women Filmmakers Shorts Program Highland Park IFF
The happiest day of my life was when I directed De Puta Madre A Love Story. Playing today as official selection, in competition, at Highland Park Independent Film Festival – HPIFF as part of the WOMEN FILMMAKERS SHORTS PROGRAM. Last stop to see Catherine Black’s multiple award winning film on the big screen in LA is TODAY Oct. 9th at 4:30pm at Occidental College at the Historic Choi Auditorium!
Ticketing information can be found on the facebook event page
We are excited to share the screen with DEAR FRIENDS (Argentina) directed by Paulina Dana, ADD EDIT directed by Anjoum Agrama, NO STRINGS (England) directed by Anna Jones, SLUMFLOWER directed by Nicole Taylor Roberts/Tremaine Romeo! WIF panel follows a 5:30
‘Hounddoggin’ the ‘Officer of the Year’ with Keegan-Michael Key
Muskoka Independent Film Festival
De Puta Madre A Love Story Picnic TeaserOntario Cottage people, come and watch Pierluca Arancio destroy a romantic picnic in De Puta Madre A Love Story in the Village of Rosseau on Friday, Aug. 28th, 2:40pm! #MIFF15 #MuskokaIndependentFilmFestival #Muskoka #DePutaMadreAloveStory
Posted by De Puta Madre A Love Story on Monday, August 24, 2015
Honored to receive 4 category award nominations at Milan IFF 2015!
Catherine’s film, De Puta Madre A Love Story, receives 4 category award nominations at Milan International Filmmaker Festival 2015!
PLAYING HOUSE
Catherine Black plays Giselle Zarkovic in Season 2 of Playing House!
Girl Trip
My 2nd film as a filmmaker/actress, GIRL TRIP, just got Green Lit!!!! I’m making a movie again!!!
Best friends on a road trip stop in a shady town off the Sacramento River. They soon realize that only girlfriends know how to destroy each other.
Film Fervor Podcast – Interview with Cat Black
Catch me yapping about how to direct yourself on today’s episode of Film Fervor
Season 2 of Playing House
Catherine Black, Keegan-Michael-Key, Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham behind the scenes on season 2 of Playing House
I had so much fun with Keegan-Michael-Key, Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham on Playing House! You can catch me playing Giselle Zarkovic in season 2, beginning August 4th, 10/9c on USA network.
BEST DIRECTOR!!!
I’m so incredibly delighted to have WON Best Director of a short film at the London International Filmmaker Festival! So thankful to the jury and my talented crew. I was blown away to be in such great company, let alone win. As a 1st time filmmaker this award is very important to me. I am beyond proud of my film, and I fought hard for my art and had no idea that I would adore filmmaking as much as I did. I love my movie with all my heart and I shed a tear while accepting this award. The trophy will always remind me to make more films and never compromise my art. I missed my own screening and was heartbroken about about it, but when I arrived for the awards, I was swarmed by all these excited, and talented, filmmakers from around the world who all saw De Puta Madre A Love Story and loved it. I never would have known that I had this effect if I didn’t take a chance and come. To me, this is what it’s about. Filmmaking is a harrowing adventure of rejection and recognition, and more rejection, which just makes you stronger, and I love it all.
Beyond Honored to Receive 4 Award Noms at London IFF!
Post by Catherine Black.
Award Ceremonies and Summertime Red Carpet Events
Another WIN!!
De Puta Madre A Love Story is my 1st film as a filmmaker and I’m so proud that it is getting recognized! Right after winning Best Lead Actress in Madrid, my film WINS again!!! De Puta Madre A Love Story’s talented DP, Brad Stonesifer, just won Best Cinematography at Columbia Gorge International Film Festival for his stunning work in De Puta Madre A Love story!! I’m over the moon with my movie, and Brad really gave me the gift of honoring my vision; a true gift for a first time film-maker. Read all about what a joy it was for me to work with Brad here.
Hollyshorts Film Festival 2014 Spotlight: Canadian Vixen Catherine Black
My Dad was the first to say it when he came home with a video rental of Labyrinth, and I have since heard it every single day and counting…
“..Catherine has a wonderful poise much like Jennifer Connelly and leaves just a little mystery about her that’s pretty appealing..” Check out the full article on Actress & Life Obsession
HollyShorts!!!
When I set out to make De Puta Madre A Love Story, all I wanted to do was act, and it is incredible to have won a Best Lead Actress award for my performance in a film that I orchestrated. What I did not know, was that I would love filmmaking as much as I love acting. Los Angeles, please join me for the LA premiere of my first film as a filmmaker! Join my EVENT PAGE. See you At HollyShorts August 16th at TLC Chinese Theatre!
Best Lead Actress!
Producer Jason Stare and Filmmaker/Actress Catherine Black wins Best Lead Actress (De Puta Madre A Love Story) at 2014 Madrid International Film Festival.
PRESS RELEASE – Filmmaker and Actress Catherine Black wins awards with…
July 28th 2014 PRESS RELEASE for IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEST LEAD ACTRESS WINNER!
With my girls on the red carpet after winning the big award!
Catherine Black takes home the award for Best Lead Actress at the 2014 Madrid International Film Festival!!!
WMMfest within Hollywood Fringe Festival!
Hey Los Angeles! Come see a Special Advanced screening of my baby at WMMfest on June 18th, before I take it to the Madrid International Film Festival in July!
Post by Catherine Black.
Canadian Film Fest
Catherine Black on stage at Canadian Film Fest during Q&A for her film De Puta Madre: A Love Story.
With my family taking up 4 entire rows at The Royal, I’m feeling quite at home on stage! Still reeling from such an incredible premiere and the thriving film community in Toronto.
Elizabeth Catherine Black
Fierce, classy and always celebrating life. Forever in the centre of my heart.
I had a dream that Grandma Black was so incredibly happy. She was beaming with happiness. All her friends & family came to say goodbye, and she was the belle of the ball. RIP Grandma Black xo
ELIZABETH CATHERINE BLACK (nee STEWART) 1931 – 2014 Formerly of Toronto With sadness, Elizabeth passed away April 2, 2014 in Owen Sound, ON at Lee Manor. Beloved wife of the late James Arthur Black (November 2013). Dear mother of Nancy (Vern) Foley, Arthur, ON; David (Grace) Black, Owen Sound and Bruce A. Black, Port Perry. Beloved grandmother of Miriam and John Foley, Catherine Black (Jason Stare), Kaladar and Kiran Williamson- Black, Kris, Alex and Vanessa Clark. Only daughter of the late Williamina (1978) and David H. Stewart (1954). She attended Runnymede Public School, Humberside Collegiate, Toronto and the University of Toronto – Victoria College. Member and Past President of the Canadian Women’s Opera Committee (CWOC). Elizabeth (and Jim) travelled the globe for business and pleasure, spending many winters at St. Pete Beach, FL. They lived with vitality and dignity and gave generously all of their lives. Elizabeth was a wonderful artist and a lover of music, particularly Opera. Her greatest love was entertaining friends and family. They enjoyed their cottage on Sunny Lake, Muskoka for 45 years. Send your memories of Elizabeth and Jim to david.black@cibc.ca. Resting peacefully at the Greg Roberts Funeral Home, Mildmay. Funeral will be held Friday, April 11, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in Melville United Church, 300 St. Andrew St. W., Fergus, ON. Interment in Belsyde Cemetery, Fergus. Luncheon to follow. Donations may be made to Parkinson Society Canada.
Published in the Toronto Star on Apr. 5, 2014
‘Surreal and Sexy’
‘Surreal & Sexy’
Festival Director, Bern Euler, of Canadian Film Fest, calls De Puta Madre: A Love Story ‘Surreal & sexy’
Join filmmaker and leading lady, Catherine Black, in Toronto for the Canadian premiere of De Puta Madre: A Love Story on March 22nd 2014 as part of the Homegrown Shorts program at Canadian Film Fest.
3 Nominations
Actress/Writer/Director Catherine Black receives 3 Nominations at 2014 Madrid International Film Festival
So beyond honoured that my Big baby, De Puta Madre A Love Story is official selection at 2014 The Madrid International Film Festival, AND that I was nominated for ‘Best Leading Actress In A Short Film, ‘Best Short Film’ and ‘Best Story’! I just found out from my very good friend, Layne Coleman, who’s film, The Shape Of Rex, was also nominated. Layne saw my nominations before I saw the email from Madrid IFF. I love that that was how I found out, and that my very good friend will be with me for this very special event. Can’t wait to see all the other films….in MADRID!
Mary Loss Of Soul premieres in LA
Movie I star in has a few screenings in upcoming film fests. Premiere’s in LA March 18th!
Catherine Black stars in Mary Loss of Soul
eSalon commercial!
We're filming an http://t.co/fA5PxfUZ2M commercial! #brunette #redhead #blonde pic.twitter.com/oSjx3dG3uj
— eSalon (@eSalon_com) December 16, 2013
I’ve been using eSalon for about a year now. I have the bride of Frankenstein streak of white hair right across my part (a genetic gift I received from my father). I love eSalon, so it was really cool to support them! eSalon is salon grade custom hair dye that is delivered straight to your home every month. The esalon staff are all so personal and passionate about finding the right hair color for you. You get a personal & professional little kit with your name on each product as well as supplies that make it all so easy to get salon quality results. After years of hair that is either too dark, or too plum, my greys are finally the color that they used to be when they grew out of my head as a kid, and that just makes me feel like myself again. I like doing my own hair because my schedule is so erratic and who has time to sit in a salon for 4 hours every 4 weeks? Not me!
Tribute to my hero James Black
I lived with my Grandparents growing up. We were tight. This is a big one. As devastated as I am, I’m happy he went out strong and is not suffering. It just wouldn’t have been his style to stick around stuck between 4 walls. When I was 17, my grandfather told me to never quit acting. After my performance of Juliet at the Leah Poslun’s Theatre in Toronto, he said “Boy oh boy are you good, don’t you dare listen to your father, you are meant to be an actor.” We used to drive down the Don Valley Parkway every morning as he drove me to school. Racing under bridges, alley ways and side streets trying to beat traffic (Grampa’s favorite pass time) and one day he told me a story about a moment in his life where he chose happiness over anger and a commitment towards that philosophy. It really stuck with me and I even quoted him on this in a movie I made last year. My grandma was always snarking at him, “You eternal optimist!” And he was. We were all with him when he passed. He deserved that. I had a private moment with him just before his last breath. I will never forget it for as long as I live. Last week, at first, I felt like a part of me died, but now I see that he lives on in me. My grandfather lived passionately with the love of his life (Elizabeth Black), and every moment was chosen with integrity, honesty, clarity, love, joy and responsibility. He jumped into life with his whole body. I’m proud to be his granddaughter. The funeral was beautiful and healing, and the innocent stories of homemade explosives, and other shenanigans Grandpa and his brothers got up to, at his grave in Fergus Ontario, were hilarious and cathartic. Proud to be a Black.
JAMES ARTHUR BLACK Formerly of Toronto, passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Sunday, November 17, 2013 in his 85th year. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Stewart) Black of Summit Place, Owen Sound. Dear father of Nancy and her husband Vern Foley of Arthur, David and his wife Grace of Owen Sound and Bruce of Port Perry. Loving grandfather of Catherine, Miriam, John, Kaladar, Kirian, Kris, Alex and Vanessa. Brother of Jack and Velma of Fergus, Robert and Norma of Owen Sound, Olive Roberts of Fergus, Fred and Delores of Holstein and Mary and Val Glen of Mount Forest. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother- in-law, Al Chyc. James was born in Toronto on December 17, 1928. He attended Humberside Collegiate and was quarterback of the football team and continued his post-secondary education at The University of Western Ontario. His career spanned over five decades at Wood Gundy where he became Director of Government Finance. In retirement, Jim was our mother’s right hand as she soldiered through her term as President of the Canadian Opera Finance Committee. In 1994, Jim became President of the National Club in Toronto. He often would attend luncheons with his Bay Street friends at “The Club” as he truly respected and enjoyed their company. Later in years, Jim was devoted to our mother Elizabeth and he particularly loved his grandchildren. He also was a huge fan of sports, loved his Maple Leafs and The Argonauts. Jim Black is resting at the Greg Roberts Funeral Home, Mildmay. Visitation will be held in Central Westside United Church, Owen Sound on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 from 1 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 3 p.m., with the Rev. David Shearman officiating. Interment at Belsyde Cemetery, Fergus on Thursday, November 21st at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to the Grey Bruce Regional Hospital. Toronto Star guest book dedicated to James Black
Still photo from De Puta Madre A Love Story
TEASER
I whipped this up on Saturday night. TEASER TRAILER for my short film De Puta Madre A Love Story. YAY!
Mary Loss Of Soul
From Left to right: Jose Zuniga, Anne Bex, Catherine Black and Emma Gruttadauria in Mary Loss Of Soul
I just got back to LA after filming a starring role in the psychological thriller “Mary Loss Of Soul” in Massachusetts all month. I worked so hard, I didn’t go anywhere except set. It’s kind of like I wasn’t even there!
De Puta Madre A Love Story Poster
Malcolm McDowell and I on the set of Shock Value
I play Malcolm McDowell’s ex girlfriend, Donna, in the dark comedy Shock Value!
Director / Actress Catherine Black
Director Catherine Black and producer Jason Stare
Directing & Acting At The Same Time!
What made my job almost easy as a director and actor on the set of De Puta Madre A Love Story, for starters, was having an amazing cinematographer; “Bradley Stonesifer”. Bradley became an extension of my own mind, while also adding invaluable wisdom and a sharp artistic eye. On top of a detailed shot list created over 3 days with Bradley, we photo-boarded the entire movie on location which became much more illuminating than my story board sketches. I had two staged readings with anonymous audiences and was lucky enough to have extensive rehearsals with my other actor, Pierluca Arancio, over the better part of a year. Some rehearsals were filmed for my reference. I probably taped myself performing the entire movie in one shot at least 10 times over with prerecorded audio of Pierluca’s dialog. I later went over these videos with a fine tooth comb. This all allowed me to not only be so prepared as an actor that it became second nature, but also to be 100% confident, deep in my bones, of what I wanted to see from both myself and Pierluca, as well as from each shot. On the day, we all just did what was planned. The preparation gave me all the freedom I needed on set.
Behind the scenes on De Puta Madre A Love Story
Still photo of Director Actress Catherine Black on the set of De Puta Madre A Love Story
Still photo on the set of my 1st movie as a filmmaker, De Puta Madre A Love Story!! Massive gratitude to my amazing crew, Meher Mount & Meher Baba for the gift of filming on sacred land along with all the love and generosity. Our footage is beyond my wildest dreams. This is happiness. Photo by Jason Paul Bennett
Kharmic Donation
Help us help a Universal spiritual center and make a beautiful film! Consider it a Kharmic donation. Please check out my movie on IndieGoGo
Catherine Black at Meher Mount
Here I am overlooking the beautiful Ojai Valley on the north, the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands to southwest, and the Topa Topa Bluffs in the Los Padres National Forest to the northeast at De Puta Madre’s filming location; Meher Mount. Meher Mount is a 173-acre universal spiritual center dedicated to Avatar Meher Baba. I am beyond honored that I have this opportunity and I know our movie will be so much more powerful and go on to touch even more people. I am also grateful that I can help Meher Mount in return, by filming there and bringing awareness to Meher Baba’s message in celebrating Divine Love and Oneness, service, and for loving God through nature.
Craters Of The Moon
We woke at 9am in Yellowstone and hit the road Oregon bound. No time for Old Faithful, or Grand Prisma. I heard that jumping off the waterfalls in Fairy Falls is a must. I guess I’ll have to return one day. On the way out we saw Pronghorn, more Bison with their babies and Bull Moose. We suited up in Canon Village Montana with some pretty serious cowboy hats and drove straight until 5:55pm when the geography told us to stop. In Idaho Falls, just outside of Areo, off the Oregon Trail (US 20) was an ocean of lava, known as Craters Of The Moon. It was an ominous pit stop that was beautiful in its silence of life. Like Mother Nature paved over a huge lush garden that was now forever sentenced underground. My pictures don’t do Craters of The Moon any justice. It was stupid windy and tumble weeds were chasing us and sticking to my prized paintings, so I rushed this shoot. My inner Harley homing device directed us right at Idaho Falls Harley Dealership where I was offered a job and scored a classic black HD t-shirt. We settled down in Baker City Oregon late that night with sloppy chicken wings and a local rock band in a strip mall parking lot.
Yellowstone – A Forest
We woke with the world at 9am. I sat listless on a log drinking my coffee with a bird. That bird just starred at me while sitting mere inches away. I felt special, but I think that bird is just so used to people and was probably just hanging around longing for a crumb of my breakfast. There was bison everywhere. They kind of took my breath away. It is so strange to me to be completely engulfed in nature while simultaneously entangled in society. That is Yellowstone in a nutshell. We spent the day in Yellowstones Grand Canyon, known as Lower Falls. Magical and stunning, even with the herds of people everywhere. There was no escaping these families, they were hiding in every nook of those woods. After a 3 hour hike to the falls base we were awarded with a DOUBLE RAINBOW!!! The crowds of people, young and old, that braced the trek down were all ironically freaking out just like the actual Double Rainbow guy. It was a moment of pure and silly consciousness, where we were all apart of the whole. After a vigorous day on no sleep we had a great dinner in the Canon Camps dinning room. This fancy camping is not really for me, it just seems so wrong, and takes all the fun out of the experience, but I must admit, I was grateful for the warmth, comfort and the wine tonight. Crowds of people make me want an expensive dinner. Later that evening we had another manic gorgeous photo shoot with Benevolence 2 in the woods. I was reminded of The Cure song, A Forest. When I look at these photos I feel such eery darkness and isolation. I wanted that. I don’t even remember the screaming children, the classic rock or the hum of conflicting mass conversation in surround sound. In these photos, I feel only the forest.
Yellowstone or Bust – Chardron Iowa to Yellowstone Wyoming
Finally ate a real breakfast of hash browns, eggs and salsa! I was so deprived of nutrients this made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Guzzled our watery coffee, and hit the road by 10am! I even bought myself a trashy pink Harley t-shirt in Casper. The old Oregon Trail is long and beautiful, even at 70 mph, I just can’t imagine it by foot. My cozy road trip in our VW SUV felt as if we would never make it to Yellowstone, let alone California. Traveling for years on foot and wagon, in a state of perpetual expansion, must have just been the most strikingly helpless buildup of excitement. In some ways, I long for such an experience, to travel through the unknown to the other side. No one in this day of knowing will ever truly know what that is like.
Today was the day. We stopped for so many adventures. Boysen State park is where my next vacation must be. That reservoir was gorgeous. I wanted to just pull over and set up camp forever. Wyoming felt like home. The terrain, the sky, the people, the way the cattle are raised and the fact that there is no cell phone reception in the entire state. I fell madly in love with Wyoming. Before ever setting foot on American soil, as a child, my first love was of “Americana”. I dreamed of the smell of Wyoming, of cowboys, open range, endless sunsets, freedom and motorcycles, and here it was. Had a mad feet dip dash in “The Worlds Largest Mineral Hot Spring”. My feet were vibrating for the next 48 hours. Our second meal that day was in Thermopolis – Whiskey, Steak, rainbow trout and vegetables! First vegetables since Canada, best steak of my life AND I managed to have it all without a trace of cheese thrown on top. You know you are headed towards civilization when there is no cheese on top of everything, vegetables and good coffee. Stopped again in Cody, the birth place of Jackson Pollock; a cool bustling town, and bought camping gear. We rolled into Yellowstone just after 1am, saw 2 otter, and 3 deer before setting up our fancy complicated tent. Freezing, absolutely terrible sleep by 4am.
Dragon Flies, barbed wire, Cowgirls and memories of the Sioux
Hit the road at 11:11 am and scored breakfast in Rockwell City. Everyone was so nice here compared to Fort Dodge. We drove like banshees on the two lane road and didn’t see a single car. This was the longest part of the drive because the geography, essentially, wouldn’t change and there was nothing to stop for and run around and enjoy. We ate hummus in the car and just drove. Peaceful magic hour photo op/yoga break in Cherry County Johnston Nebraska with hay stacks, giant sunflowers and billions of dragon flies. Two cowgirls came down to see what all the fuss was about. They were sweet as pie as we photographed Red Dance on their land. Finally settled in Chardron NE, late that night in the most striking 1800′s throw back saloon. Played board games and drank whiskey in the Old Main St. Inn where General Nelson Miles stayed right after his men massacred the Sioux Indians. I couldn’t sleep knowing there was blood on the floor, or maybe it was just the authentic lumpy beds that were surely from the 1800′s.
Morning Shadows
What I did not know that morning I took off from Fergus to LA, was that my inner world would never be the same again. Everything that had been in the shadows would come into the light and there could be no more hiding. I don’t know if it was because I pushed myself to drive 12 to 14 hours a day. I don’t know if was the desolate roads to seemingly nowhere and the sheer vastness of the geography that expanded my mind. Or was it the cold hard reality that I would never go home again. Maybe it was simply the stars. Whatever it was, this was the beginning of a new life.
One Province and 5 states later
Lost a day in Chicago. One Province and 5 states later I brush my teeth at 70 miles per hour to save time. Finally abandoning the Inner State for the Old Oregon Trail- US 20 West! Just like the original settlers of the West. So beautiful. I am so happy, so free, in love and excited. With my fresh Canadian Maple Syrup my aunt Nancy gave me at my side. Magic Hour opp somewhere between Stockton township and Woodbine township IL. I want to walk through this wood gate and follow the path to the setting sun.
We stopped driving around 2 am in the only hotel open in Fort Dodge Iowa, 6 states later. Slept soundly in the dirty honeymoon suite, in a King size bed, conveniently situated right beside a jacuzzi.
Benevolence 1 somewhere in Illinois
Mad Magic Hour photo opp, I was so sure I was going to miss. As my bare feet were sinking in the mud, this pic looks exactly how it felt – Free -
From the beginning
Researching for the role has got to be my favorite task of acting. Of course I love to perform, but I really couldn’t have one without the other. However much time I am given, I will take it, and I will do nothing but indulge from the moment I am set loose. This is where it get’s into my blood, into my bones and becomes intimate. There is a waking up in the middle of the night obsessive kind of thing, where characters become apart of me. For the role of Ann, I had about 2 months to prepare. I read everything I could on The Donner Party, and that time period in America. I even traced Ann’s genealogy back to England. I was obsessed. When I’m done with a role it is impossible to say how long she will linger with me. Sometime, I couldn’t get away fast enough, and sometimes, she never leaves. Part of my letting go of Ann involved having my own Westward Expansion.
My journey began at my 6th generation family farm in Fergus Ontario Canada. After a hot humid night on the front porch, we woke at 6am to fresh farm eggs, fruit and coffee made by my aunt Nancy, took a tour of the old barn before it gets torn down and the giant silo’s full of spelt, snapped a few photo’s and headed for the border!
At the border I got the same immigration officer that gave me a hard time 4 years ago. With 2 suitcases and a cat for my 1st pilot season, he cut my trip in half, and said “I’ll be watching you” as I walked away. It was nice to see him again green card in hand! We then drove 4 states and I called my 3 year old niece Emma. She cracked my heart wide open screaming “WHERE ARE YOU?!!” “WHERE ARE YOU!!??!!” I LOOOOOVE YOU!!!!”
Here is Benevolence 3 and Red Dance at the beginning of their tour from Canada to LA, across the old Oregon trail and down the coast to California.
Red Dance in Redwoods
