West Christy: Finding His Way Home

Westly "West" Christy is a man of many talents.  Most notably, he has worked as a highly skilled and creative photographer for 8 years, but he also has talent as an actor, writer, director, and cinematographer.  He lends a hand with what is needed because he loves the art of story-telling in whatever means.  "I just want to be useful and interesting," he explains and fears, above all, being boring.  He is anything but that.

He was pursuing his dreams of film-making when as he puts it, he got roped into a wedding photography gig, even though he didn't own a camera at the time.  During his experience with the camera he used for the wedding, it led him to purchase his first DSLR to use as both photographer and film-maker.  He began using his natural talent as photographer to help fund his films.  However, many discouragements within the film-making endeavors, led him to step back from that and focus primarily on the "survival job" and poured himself into his photography.  But, choosing that path led him to Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc first as a set photographer for "Nate & Laura & How They Met" season one, then continuing forth with more and more opportunities to lend a hand, such as being co-director for "TimeKeys" and as director of photographer/co-director for season two of "Nate & Laura & How They Met".  He is now thrilled to be working as a film-maker again and looks forward to so much of the upcoming projects, including "Guilt", the feature length film he wrote, to be filmed in 2020.

West says two opportunities stand out as being those that he is most grateful for, being asked to initially be set photographer for Cafe-Girl which led to re-joining the film world and being able to display his photography at a local community theatre.  But, most notably, he recalls the time he was asked to photograph by a man to photograph his family, which included his wife and daughters.  West recalls that the oldest daughter was uncomfortable having her photo taken and didn't want it done.  However, once she saw the finished product, she ended up asking him to take her senior photos.   Seeing someone light up after seeing their photo is his favorite part of being a photographer.

The most challenging aspect of his career is, to quote him, "EVERY.WEDDING.EVER".  He says that every wedding brings its own challenges, whether it be too many mirrors, smoke, way too much sunlight, or a dark interior, each experience increases his anxiety yet he perseveres and his confidence grows as clients keep requesting him.

He feels he brings his knowledge of how to make quality films on a budget to Cafe-Girl as well as his technological skills as a photographer with his understanding of lighting and framing, which better enhances the logistics and procedural part of film-making.  He also believes that his supervisory skill enhances his directing.  Taking some time for himself to reflect on his past film-making experiences, he believes has made him a better person and he feels that this can help Cafe-Girl be the best that it can be in bringing quality productions and services.  He is truly thankful for the amazing people is working with in Cafe-Girl and has no idea where he would be without them in his life.

Within Cafe-Girl, he feels for the first time that he is truly being heard and his input is being valued.  He also sees that he is not alone in this feeling and believes that everyone who has worked in whatever fashion for Cafe-Girl is equally heard.  Now that he is moving forward in a larger way as producer, he wants to continue that culture of listening and valuing, ensuring that no one feels left behind.

One aspect of Cafe-Girl that he is excited about is finally being able to see his screenplay, "Guilt" brought to life.  This feature length film is something he has been working for ten years, in many different ways, with much difficulty.  He is happy to know that it will finally see fruition and thrilled with the opportunity to share this story.

In addition, West is honored to be a part of Cafe-Girl, to see stories come to  life, and to help others bring their stories to life.  He is also elated to help birth the other products and services of Cafe-Girl and to help build the relationships required for all to be successful.

For more information on Cafe-Girl's newest feature, 

watch Video Audition Commercial

For more on West Christy, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/westCphoto

For information on the feature film, Guilt, go to:

Guilt

For more information on Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc, go to:

www.cafegirlproductions.com

www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions

9/11/01 18 years later

And here we are, 18 years since 9/11/2001.  I honestly never imagined that we would be here.  Not in some apocalyptic way like the church used to teach me, but just in the very nature in pondering the actual reality of that day in 2001.

When I awoke this morning, my Twitter feed was filled with "where were you when" posts.  I did not answer, I could say from the busyness of life, but really it was just that I wanted to internally reflect on the day.

So much has occurred since that fateful day, 9/11/01, that it has almost become just another day, wherein in the city adorns the streets with flags, social media is filled with "we shall never forget" hash tags and memes.

But truly have we not forgot?

18 years is a very long time, after all.

As I drove around today, I noticed an occurrence today that was not present on that day in 2001.  People going about their lives as business as usual, doing their jobs and daily routines almost as if it was any other day.

Growing up as a kid and teenager in the 1980s and 1990s, I was told often by my parents and other adults about their day of infamy, December 7th, 1941, when Pearl Harbour was bombed by the Japanese or even the assassination of JFK on November 22, 1963.  Before 9/11/01, these were merely dates in history that had little to no significance to me on a personal level.

Then, 9/11/01 happened.  I was heading into my senior year of college and was finishing up my last summer visiting the parents' as an undergrad.  I awoke to my father bellowing to come downstairs and so I did.  There I was, standing in my pajamas, hair a mess from the night's sleep, the night's sweat still on my face, watching as a major airline crashed into the world trade center....

It was surreal.

I had only just begun my journey into fundamental Christianity and already the study of eschatology, or the end times, had gotten a hold of me.  I stood there, trembling, had the rapture happened, was my first thought?  After calling my then, sorta boyfriend, who professed outwardly to be a Christian but was basically a big creep, the rapture had not occurred.  (And would never, but that's a story for another time.)

The next thing I did was make a phone call that is now infamous to my soul.

The previous day I had visited my old high school. I had spent time with my favorite high school teacher and mentor, Fernando Nugent.  We had laughed and talked.  He had hugged me close and wiped the excessive eye shadow from my eyes.  He was a true fatherly spirit to me.

So, on 9/11, I called him.  He was at school, of course.  The secretary transferred me without thought.

"How are you?" I remember asking him.  I heard the TV on in the background.

"Not so good," came his reply.  Without thinking, I said,

"I love you."

"I love you too," came his immediate response.

A few weeks later, I flew up to Oregon to finish my final year of college, a wash with the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, that was that year.

Seven months later, April 2002, I got a call that was my personal day of infamy, my mentor and spiritual father, Fernando Nugent, had died tragically in a car accident due to a heart attack.  It was earth shattering for me, the first real death of a loved one I had ever experienced at that time.

We spend so much of our lives focused on the daily grind, the business and busyness of life, that it often takes a tragedy like 9/11 or even a car accident to reflect on what life is all about.  I can look back on 9/11/01 and recall it as the last day I heard his voice, the voice of the man that mentored and guided me through my teenage and early twenty years, that would visit me in my dreams during the dark years of depression, his spirit attentive to my soul in the purity of purpose of a true teacher.

I told him I loved him and he answered that with his confirmation.  In the wake of such epic tragedy, I am thankful for that knowledge, that I told him, that I know he knew, and that he loved me.

Today, 18 years later, what would he think, of the world as it is today? No doubt there would be a fascination, a hunger to enact and bring forth change, a disgust of the current state of our union, and would inspire that need for action among all those he came into contact.

But on a personal level, what would he think of me? Would he be proud of me? I want to believe truly that the answer is yes.  I have fully taken on the lessons he gave me, not just those of sociological, educational, or political, as a woman embracing her power and worth, but also on a personal level.  "No guy is worth it," he would say to me as I sobbed in his arms after a break up.  I see now its more that what is said after a devastating heart break, but a true anthem.  I see now that I am capable of standing on my own two feet, able to love myself, and worthy of love.  He showed me that.  I fully appreciate when he stopped me in the hallway that day in my sophomore year, busy with the other students passing by, looked deep within my eyes, and professed, "you are magical."

Its true, I am, and not only because of his influence.

Since that time, I try my hardest to not fail to tell those I love that truth, that I love them.  Regardless of what may come in our relationship, how long or short our mutual story will transpire, my love for them is pure and true, and I will show it, make them aware.  Life is short, fleeting, and the beauty of it can be taken at the slightest of moments.

https://www.facebook.com/takenotessaysnugent/

To Sir With Love

Michael Meyer: Persevering & Pursuing Art No Matter What

As long as he can remember, Michael has pursued his calling as an actor and found the ultimate joy in making others' laugh.  From a very early age, he discovered he could get positive attention, rather than negative scolding, through his performance antics and sense of humor.  Then, in 1996, something occurred that changed his perspective on life even further.  He had a near death experience through coming down with Meningitis, which caused him to fall into a coma.  When he awoke, he suffered damage to his short term memory.  During that time of the illness, he was cast in a play called "Table Manners" and had a great deal of line memorization.  Through the process of learning the lines and performing in the play, he re-developed the confidence in himself and came to a deeper realization that he was meant to pursue the art of theatre and film as an actor and director.

He believes that his work as an actor and as a director (which he views as an extension of his acting craft) is to portray the experiences in life that give audiences' the ability to reflect and explore aspects of their own identities and existences.

Michael looks back with fondness at a wide plethora of acting and directing opportunities he has had in his life.  First, he is most proud of his time as an instructor and director traveling with the Missoula Children's Theatre Group, calling it "the best gig he ever had".  He recalls how rewarding it was working with a different set of children each week, coaching them with their acting abilities and in a limited amount of time helping them to fulfill the goal of performing in a real play, and he hopes that this experience caused them to have life-long memories, as it did for him.  Next, he looks back with utmost affection for several plays and films he participated in, such as his role as Major Arnold in the play,"Taking Sides", his role as Tom in the play, "Light Sensitive",  and his role as Billy in the film, "Besetment".  He will always feel grateful for the experience working on "Besetment", seeing Billy as his favorite film role to date, being able to see a part of Oregon he had never yet viewed, finally feeling truly respected as an actor and artist, and making good memories that created life-long friendships.

He believes himself to be still in "film school" as a film director and views every opportunity on set as a learning process.  He extends a warm shout-out and personal thank you to his good friend, Ray Nomoto Robison for his mentorship.  Because of this, he is truly excited about the process of starting up Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc and is thoroughly enjoying the process, saying that it is not something he would ever imagined he would do and he is infinitely proud of Lia for founding it and for all her hard work.  The strengths he brings to Cafe-Girl are his years of experience working as a professional actor and as an artistic director for a local community theatre.  He says this knowledge gained gives him the ability to coach the rest of the organization without over-stepping his bounds or causing them to feel less than capable in their artistic endeavors.

Michael looks forward to the continuing unfolding of all that Cafe-Girl will bring forth in the world, through the focus on community, creating meaningful productions that increase the value of individual and society, and helping each other and others to thrive as artists.  He especially looks forward to not only all of the future productions and services of Cafe-Girl but one day producing an original work that he wrote with his first mentor, Nancy Jones, his high school speech and debate coach, bringing it forth into the world in her beloved memory.

For more information on Michael, check out his facebook page at: 

Michael Meyer

To find out more about our new audition video and headshot service,
view the commercial here:
Video Audition Commercial

For more on Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc:

www.cafegirlproductions.com

www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions

Life On My Own Terms

Photo Credit: Laura Irene

So this is me now: I am an actress, writer, model, and film producer.  I took a risk and auditioned for a play in 2012 and was offered a part, an experience which awakened me to my truest purpose and calling.  For years before, I had been floundering, feeling that I was meant for more than the 9-5,  the "American Dream", you know, the job, the house, the two kids, and the two car garage.  No, deep down it was always clear to me that whole thing was not my jive.   And, try as I meant to conform and try to merge with the status quo, it never worked but always left a deep dissatisfaction within my soul.

 So, I took a risk and went against the status quo, against the standard of normalcy and appropriate life goals, in short, I reached for my highest ambitions and as I stretch, my faith and love for myself increases, I leap forward.  No matter the setback, its momentary as I keep moving forward.  

I started Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc after tipping my toe into producing a script I had written, loosely based on a Doctor Who Fan Fiction web-series entitled "HomeSick".  But, it was the previous summer, while on set working as a production assistant, that a friend sat down with me and said, "I think you would make a good producer, Lia."  I thought he was crazy and had no clue as to where he was getting that idea or why he even thought that.  Turns out though, he was right, I mean, he's a pretty smart guy, he is my friend after all.   Throughout those early days of HomeSick, I discovered he was right, I did have skill in setting up locations, gathering props, crew, actors, food, filming, and then editing the short youtube video episodes.  Not only could I begin something like that, I could and did finish it.  It was on set filming HomeSick that I asked the cast and crew, what do you think of Cafe-Girl Productions?  "I like it," said my friend, Susie, with an encouraging smile.  And, that was all the confirmation I needed.

However, the term "Cafe-Girl" did not just appear out of nowhere.  No, it most certainly did not.  The phrase originated with me, coming from a year way back when I spent way too much time at a cafe, which you can guess it, was populated by way too many boys and scant amount of girls.  In fact, at times I was the only girl amidst those boys.  But that one year set me on a course of life that would color and define the rest of life, truly helping me to finally discover who I am and what is my highest purpose.  Ultimately, that purpose is to be true to myself as a human, in my art, and to help other people to find that truth in themselves and to be able to create art that fulfills them.  That is my personal reasoning for starting and continuing Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc. 

There are a myriad of productions both in theatre and film that have been notable and life-affirming for my growth as an actor and artist.  One that stands out that was somewhat difficult while doing a production of "A Christmas Carol" at a local community theatre.  During the show, in the dead of winter, the roof was leaking and we were rehearsing, performing during a major rain and snow storm.  However, the cast and crew, including myself, chose not to complain against these harsh conditions.  In actuality, we were happy and that joy warmed our hearts.  We joked, in our 19th Century English garb, how we were method actors truly understanding the reality of life in the 1800s.  In fact, at one point during a big song and dance number, I slipped, graciously sliding to my knees, never missing a beat, and getting up continuing on with the dance.  It was that togetherness and determination to create art that made audiences love our show and the theatre.  It was that experience that has shaped my determination to continue and persevere no matter the challenge or hardship that arises.  

I recall the summer I spent in Eugene, Oregon acting as one of the leads in "In Her Blood", a low-budget independent film.  All of my life, I have felt this inward unworthiness and disbelief that anyone could love me.  As I was on set, I'd look around at the cast and crew, full of love and admiration, but truly doubt the validity of their affection for me, believing that they were just tolerating me for the sake of the project.  That turned out to be false and it was their involvement in my life during that time, creating and seeing the final product together, that helped me realize my worthiness of love.   During that summer, I also spent the majority of my time at work within my own production company filming the next installments of the Doctor Who Fan-Fiction webseries, this time with Hearts-Sick & Homesick.  I had never felt that I had successfully fulfilled the ultimate vision for HomeSick when we filmed it previously and so this gave me the opportunity and ultimately the lesson to 'never settle' for myself and for my art.  Furthermore, it also helped me to realize my worth as a human and as an artist as I developed deeper friendships with the cast and crew, feeling their love, respect, and appreciation.

In addition to all this, there have been some very dark times.  Times where I have felt severely betrayed and wounded, where I felt like throwing in the towel of Cafe-Girl Productions and even my life.  One time was in the end of 2016, when working on the production of "Daggers In Men's Smiles".  I initially tried to do as a play but felt the backlash and wounding of many of the actors, as well as director and stage manager with the ultimate betrayal of breaking up with me, backstabbing me, and walking away from not only the production but from me.  After that wounding, I hit pause for a week, examined myself thoroughly, and once I had re-set myself, I got back up and decided to continue forward with this project as a film.  My heart will ever be grateful to the cast and small crew that joined me in helping to bring my vision to fruition, under at times harsh winter conditions or while under the weather they stayed true to me and to the film.  I had a similar experience with the first season of "Nate & Laura & How They Met" with the first attempt at filming.  I had hired a very green, new director and director of photography who proved to be extremely manipulative and abusive.  It shattered me horrificly and almost led to my removing myself from this planet, if it hadn't been for the love and belief I had from the previous cast and crew of Cafe-Girl, my ongoing family.  But, beauty from ashes, I watched as the majority of the cast and crew of Nate & Laura stayed with me and along the way new faces began flocking to me, faces that I now call family.  With this cast and crew, I have witnessed the most professional and hard-working bunch which has set the standard for productions moving forward with Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc.

Starting out, I feel the foundation for Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc that has been laid and which I am truly grateful for, is that of self-care and compassion, building one another up to help each other see their strengths, total teamwork as we work together focusing on our mutual end goals of creating beautiful, meaningful productions, lifting each other up and holding space for those of us that struggle in whatever way without casting judgment.  These components have long since been my core values for myself and for others, it fills me with warmth that it has extended forward into my business and all my professional dealings.  In addition, to our passion projects, our film and media productions, we give out these values in our dealings with the community, by helping to film quality audition videos for up and coming talent, in addition to headshots, and working with local businesses to film educational videos raising awareness about their company.  In addition, we look forward to renting out our equipment to other local film companies and producers.  We also are excited about other future community based products and services such as film reels for actors, directors, and more, acting classes, fun merchandise items that will bring a smile to many, and are excited about our newest media venture, The Raccy Podcast Network.  With the podcast, we will engage the audiences with fun radio theatre style plays, interesting interviews, and more.  Furthermore, as always I, as well as my colleagues, and those who work for Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc are committed to bringing forth productions that truly benefit society by raising awareness of a variety of social issues, such as mental health, #MeToo movement and women's rights, and political and environmental concerns.  

I believe that my history as a professional actress in theatre and film, but also as a person with a mental health condition can influence Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc in a positive manner by not only moving the business forward productively but by keeping the focus on the relationship.  For it is in relationship that we heal, create, and thrive!

Audition Video Commercial

For more information on me, check out my facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/liarosedugal/

Also, find out more about Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc at:

www.cafegirlproductions.com

www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions