Wednesday, August 21, 2013
SO MANY FIMING OPPORTUNITIES (in Chicago, NOT France)!!!!
Why is this year the year that the film and television industry finally realizes that Chicago is an amazing place to film!?!?! This year, there have been so many things filming in Chicago, one of which I am extremely grateful to have had my first experience as an extra (good news is that this film is part of a trilogy and last I heard the sequel was either going to stay in Chicago or go to Toronto, I'm hoping they just keep it in Chicago and not mess with it anymore). "Jupiter Ascending" just wrapped, "Transformers 4" just began Monday, and there are 6, count that, 6 tv shows filming September-January. And of course, because I leave for France in 32 days, my availability sucks. I was asked to be part of the core group of extras for one of these 6 tv shows-those are the people that are on set for the majority of filming. I was told we would be featured in practically every episode, but because I leave for France a month into filming, I couldn't do it as they were looking for people with more availability. I just submitted for another show that needs people this Thursday and Friday. *Fingers crossed* that they pick me to be a patron at a downtown diner!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
So many things to do in Chicago
This weekend there was plenty to do in Chicago, and great weather to accompany all the free events. Friday night I attended the Grant Park Music Festival's performance of "The Rite of Spring". It felt odd to be back and enjoying the concert while eating dinner and drinking wine. This was the first concert in 4 years that I wasn't working for the Festival. I must say, it's part of my top ten favorite festivals. Chicago should consider itself lucky to have such great music during the summer- Ravinia, Lollapalooza, and the Grant Park Music Festival. Sadly, this year I missed the majority of GPMF since I was in Virginia. Nonetheless, the orchestra led by Carlos Kalmar was fabulous, you could tell everyone was a season pro. I heard some gorgeous singing by the chorus as well. I just love when everything is perfectly tuned to the surroundings, it can be such a surreal experience (and a must go if you are ever in Chicago during the summer).
Yesterday was day one of the Air and Water show. My favorite part was the new way companies (and people) are skywriting. Today concludes with another performance and more skywriting! I've seen way too many air and water shows (I do feel sorry for the pilots, it can reach up to 130 degrees inside the cock pit), and this was the first year of this new way of skywriting that involves a computer typing up words and a bunch of old technology mixed with new technology.
Here's are some pics from the weekend. 
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Sweet Home Chicago-French Consulate time
I landed into O'Hare airport a couple of days ago, the flight even arrived a whole 15 minutes early! Nothing too exciting about the flight or O'Hare.
Yesterday was my French Visa appointment day, wow, it was not what I was expecting. It did go a lot better than last time, where they forgot to call my name and I waited for two hours. This time, it was 45 anxiety filled minutes. I kept doubling checking all my documents and kept reminding myself to remember to tell the woman behind the counter that I didn't fill out my address in France (why has the school not told me where this apartment building is?!?! They just keep saying, oh don't worry you'll be housed in an apartment complex on-campus with other teaching assistants), occupation (for the past 6 months my pay checks have been coming from theater gigs, so do I put Artist or Teacher-what I'm actually going to be called during my time in France, the French don't really want to invite any type of artists into their country, will my visa get denied because they'll figure out my ulterior motives), and employer's name, address, and phone number (I have not even emailed the Principal of the high school so I had no idea what to write). Then, after the first person had been called up to the desk, that's when I heard ONLY FRENCH. UM, WAIT, WHAT?!?! I have no idea how to ask my questions in French. I didn't even take my dictionary. I guess in their mind it's like, you better get used to answering in French because NO ONE in your department speaks English. But, I HAVE ONE MONTH! Of course I'm going to finally attend all the meet-ups I've been too lazy to attend. I even have two French friends (and believe me, when they are not in rehearsal, we will be going out for coffee). I'll be fine by October 1st.
Then, after this one mec whose appointment was 11:15 was called up to the counter before myself whose appointment was 11, I began to worry a little. Then, the girl across from me turned to me and asked what my appointment time was, turns out we both had 11am appointments. How did this guy get to go ahead of us?!?! No idea, but we started talking. Turns out she'll be teaching in the 7th arrondissement (of Paris), know what's in the 7th arrondissement-THE EIFFEL TOWER! I was in shock that someone actually got what most likely was their first choice in the best district EVER. She then asked me where I was going, I told her in the Champagne region, in a small town 6 miles from Belgium. She said that Reims was gorgeous and I'd have a great time. Um, neeedless to say I didn't tell her the same as we both knew a year in Paris would be AMAZING. Instead, I added this lovely blague "Epernay grows the grapes for the champagne, Reims bottles it, and Sedan drink it." That's how I've been describing Sedan to everyone, then to get the point further across I said "75% of the population is on welfare". -That's when my name was finally called.
The appointment went rather well. We started in French but ended in English. She told me to put Artist on the form (as this was my current occupation) and to leave my address and info about my employer blank, woot! I was also told that I could apply for jobs with the Cannes film festival, since my work visa will be valid until June and it's only two weeks, yes! Now, I just have to remember to check the Cannes employment website daily in April. I thanked her in French and wished her a good day.
The trip ended with an afternoon spent at Barnes and Noble where I found 5 books on France and settled in to begin my research. Now is apparently the time where I *should* draft some itineraries, according to three out of the five books. Unfortunately I still haven't decided how long I should stay in Paris before making the 3 hour trek to Sedan, which includes transferring trains at Reims (I don't know how I'm going to do this with two suitcases and a very heavy carry-on).
Stay tuned as updates will become more frequent now that I'm back home and getting ready to leave for France!
Yesterday was my French Visa appointment day, wow, it was not what I was expecting. It did go a lot better than last time, where they forgot to call my name and I waited for two hours. This time, it was 45 anxiety filled minutes. I kept doubling checking all my documents and kept reminding myself to remember to tell the woman behind the counter that I didn't fill out my address in France (why has the school not told me where this apartment building is?!?! They just keep saying, oh don't worry you'll be housed in an apartment complex on-campus with other teaching assistants), occupation (for the past 6 months my pay checks have been coming from theater gigs, so do I put Artist or Teacher-what I'm actually going to be called during my time in France, the French don't really want to invite any type of artists into their country, will my visa get denied because they'll figure out my ulterior motives), and employer's name, address, and phone number (I have not even emailed the Principal of the high school so I had no idea what to write). Then, after the first person had been called up to the desk, that's when I heard ONLY FRENCH. UM, WAIT, WHAT?!?! I have no idea how to ask my questions in French. I didn't even take my dictionary. I guess in their mind it's like, you better get used to answering in French because NO ONE in your department speaks English. But, I HAVE ONE MONTH! Of course I'm going to finally attend all the meet-ups I've been too lazy to attend. I even have two French friends (and believe me, when they are not in rehearsal, we will be going out for coffee). I'll be fine by October 1st.
Then, after this one mec whose appointment was 11:15 was called up to the counter before myself whose appointment was 11, I began to worry a little. Then, the girl across from me turned to me and asked what my appointment time was, turns out we both had 11am appointments. How did this guy get to go ahead of us?!?! No idea, but we started talking. Turns out she'll be teaching in the 7th arrondissement (of Paris), know what's in the 7th arrondissement-THE EIFFEL TOWER! I was in shock that someone actually got what most likely was their first choice in the best district EVER. She then asked me where I was going, I told her in the Champagne region, in a small town 6 miles from Belgium. She said that Reims was gorgeous and I'd have a great time. Um, neeedless to say I didn't tell her the same as we both knew a year in Paris would be AMAZING. Instead, I added this lovely blague "Epernay grows the grapes for the champagne, Reims bottles it, and Sedan drink it." That's how I've been describing Sedan to everyone, then to get the point further across I said "75% of the population is on welfare". -That's when my name was finally called.
The appointment went rather well. We started in French but ended in English. She told me to put Artist on the form (as this was my current occupation) and to leave my address and info about my employer blank, woot! I was also told that I could apply for jobs with the Cannes film festival, since my work visa will be valid until June and it's only two weeks, yes! Now, I just have to remember to check the Cannes employment website daily in April. I thanked her in French and wished her a good day.
The trip ended with an afternoon spent at Barnes and Noble where I found 5 books on France and settled in to begin my research. Now is apparently the time where I *should* draft some itineraries, according to three out of the five books. Unfortunately I still haven't decided how long I should stay in Paris before making the 3 hour trek to Sedan, which includes transferring trains at Reims (I don't know how I'm going to do this with two suitcases and a very heavy carry-on).
Stay tuned as updates will become more frequent now that I'm back home and getting ready to leave for France!
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