Iʼm going to tell you a story about inspiration, love, and support all in the form of a little
white butterfly.
This semester, I have the honor of getting to write and direct a 10-minute short film at
Chapman University. The last movie I wrote and directed hit my creative tone perfectly - it
was a realistic, gritty short about a husband accusing his wife of cheating on him and
the fight that followed from it. I wanted to create a more light-hearted movie for my next
film which led me to writing quirky comedies, a movie in the style of
The Bicycle Thief,
a comedy similar to
The Graduate that I so aptly called
The Undergraduate, and
several other films that just werenʼt me. Nine scripts later and at the last hour before I
would have to stick with a project I didnʼt care for, it finally hit me - Stockholm
Syndrome. I was always fascinated by the concept of Stockholm Syndrome and upon
researching it I came up with characters and scenarios and finished a first draft in
a heartbeat. After that, I researched prisons, watched documentaries, spoke to Chiefs of
Security and Wardens, and then put together my final draft. So there it was,
Monster, a
dark and twisted love story about a prison inmate who is desperately in love with his
prison guard and is doing anything and everything he can to pursue her. I loved it. With
a script that I could really sink my teeth into, I found myself surrounded by a cast and
crew who were just as excited, passionate, and driven as I was. We were all ready to go
- stunts coordinated and costumes ready - and set to shoot at the most incredible
location, a prison in Whittier that ran from 1890-2004 and now hosts television shows
and movies, when something incredible happened.
White butterflies are really special in my family. When my dadʼs elder brother passed
away, my grandmother found herself surrounded by little white butterflies. They would
flutter around and comfort her with their spirit and freedom, and in their presence she
knew her son was with her. My uncle was always so passionate about theater and
movies, and my dad said that I must have gotten a little of my passion (and taste in
gangster films!) from him. My family always waves to and blows kisses at a white
butterfly when we see one because we know that it is my uncle letting us know that he
is with us.
The day before my shoot started, I was running around Los Angeles picking up the last
props, costumes, and camera equipment, and was on my way back to my final
rehearsal in Orange. I was about to get on the freeway to face the horrors on rush hour
traffic when out of the corner of my eye I saw a white butterfly fluttering around the
freeway entrance. I noticed it, but it didnʼt hit me what it meant, and I drove onto the
freeway feeling the same. As I was driving, a white butterfly flew three lanes over to my
windshield and then off the freeway again as if to say, "Notice me! I am here with you!" I
watched it go and and a smile grew on my face because I was so touched and elated
and beaming and ecstatic, and I knew at that moment that everything would be alright.
More than alright, everything would be perfect. I had the support of a man I never met
but who means so much to me, and I knew I could do what I have always dreamed of.
The set went beautifully. The location gave the whole cast and crew that extra
something special, and I was so honored and excited to have them all by my side. We
shot a movie that I am so happy to call ours, and I canʼt wait to enjoy the screening with
them and my family in May. As if to cap off the importance and meaning behind this
shoot, after my dad left the set on the last day of shooting, he sent me this: "Karina it
was so wonderful and touching for me to see you in action today. I love how you work
and your easy yet so professional way with people. You really know how to get the best
out of them and they want to give their all. I actually had to step out to catch my breath
as tears formed in my eyes. On the way out I saw your white butterfly." Itʼs just amazing
how inspiration and support can form in the most beautiful and simple means. For me, I
will always have my white butterfly.
Oh wow. Ok what have I been up to lately???
Being in LA out and auditioning is a unique experience. So yes, this is Film School, but I want to share some thoughts especially for my fellow thespians out there.
I haven't gotten the privilege of interviewing an actor on
Life After Film School yet, but getting to hear or conduct interviews with writers and directors such as Joe Carnahan, Mike Henry, and Carlos Saldanha helped... a lot.
Lately, my days have started off looking for auditions then driving around to do a scene, improv or silent sketch in front of casting directors, directors, agents, and of course fellow students in film schools around Los Angeles. It's a whirlwind, busy, and entirely unpredictable. But it's fun!
I just did a "featured" role in a music video, and the main thing I learned there is that everything changes in rehearsal. Wardrobe is set. Makeup is set. Concept, filming, wrap time, and of course lunch... it's all set. But anything that can change will. So I find myself the lucky recipient of a pair of real antlers. How are they ever going to get them out of my tight curly hair after this shoot is over???
While my awesome make-up artist is problem-solving with the antlers, the director is diligently preparing and double-checking the last bits on her set before starting filming. No matter the obstacle, she has a clear vision of what she is creating and allows her team (costume, hair/makeup, music, camera) to do their thing as she smoothly gives a direction here and there.
Now this is one of the most fun and intense experiences because it's going to be one elaborate and continuous shot for the first half of the song. As you can imagine, there were several takes involved. And this is when I really learned the importance of doing the same take over and over exactly the same. Seriously though, it was an amazing experience.
I think of when I was talking to director Joe Carnahan about the environment he created on the set of
The A-Team with the music. Or director Carlos Saldanha's passion when he was talking about 20th Century Fox's soon-to-be released film,
Rio. I saw these things come out on the set last week, and all the things I've learned in school start coming off the page more. It was magical.
The team of artists that is takes to create a film, music video, commercial, TV show, whatever it is... it's truly a collaboration, and everyone has to do their part.
I'm glad I've gotten to learn so much from people who aren't actors as it has prepared me more for when I am driving around LA, character morphing with every new destination I set out to.
So here are some things I have found crucial to pay attention to for actors out there whether in film school or even working with those in film school:
- Be someone people want to work with. Like many of the Life After Film School interviewees have shared, they have relationships or love to work with certain performers. That's because life on the set filming is not just what you see on screen.
-Take direction well. While it's fun to be filming on location, daylight is precious and time is... you know... so be able to change up what you are doing quickly if directed to do so.
-Make a decision and go! Sadly, no one can ever see exactly what is in the writer's mind, and a great director likewise can only tell you, maybe show you, what's in his head. In the end, it's going to depend on the actor/actress actually made a choice that works. But no choice will go nowhere.
-Ask questions to learn from others. At the last Life After Film School filming, I was able to talk with LAFS alum Annie Melchor and get tips from her on breaking into acting in LA and some things she learned from her time on the show. I've carried out some of her advice, and it has been very helpful!
-Love what you are doing! Very rarely will there be people on set who are just there because they are bored and have nothing else to do in life. So do your best and make the project the best it can be.
Mike Henry, co-creator and executive producer of the FOX series
The Cleveland Show, shared "The Most Important Thing in Film School" is to somehow get "around how things are made." These last couple weeks have proven that advice gold. As those of us who've been in film school have learned many things, it's getting out there and starting, messing up, experimenting, and just doing it with a passion that is the real test of where we will go in this industry.
Can't wait to see what is next!
