Life, Camera, Action‪!‬ Victoria Ruke

Today is the season finale for Life, Camera, Action season 2. To wrap us up, my guest Harriet and I will be talking about how she takes designs and brings costumes to life for both theater and film. 
Harriet is a professional costume, prop, and puppet maker based in the UK. When she’s not working on set or backstage she co-runs The Wardrobe Chronicles, an online space to educate and encourage creatives aspiring or currently working within the costuming industry. In her almost decade-long career, she has worked on everything from regional theatre to Disney's Aladdin (2019) and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, currently streaming on Netflix.


Remember: Costumes are the final element that make a character real. They are the symbol that people literally buy into and wear to emulate their heroes. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to choose the right team to work with to make your designs a reality. Only choose people who truly get and appreciate your vision. Research: To bring your costuming to the next level for your storytelling projects, compare your designs and explore their functionality. If they will be used on stage, is there a practical place for a mic pack? If you have a design for screen, are there features that will potentially set you up for continuity errors? The more thorough your design, the more efficient the construction process will be.Challenge: It’s important to know your worth as a creative and stand by it. This honors you, the people you collaborate with, and the projects you take on. So take some time and calculate your typical cost for a project including base materials, time, extra resources, equipment rentals, etc. Then add on an additional amount that you would like to receive for your services. If that total comes out as a number that feels great to you, stick to it! If not, recalculate and adjust as needed.http://www.victoriaruke.com

To learn more about Harriet, her projects, and The Wardrobe Chronicles: https://www.thewardrobechronicles.com/

Follow her on social media: @chronicleswardrobe @endlessworkshop

Today my guest Leanna and I will be discussing how she and her team produce meaningful stories and take filmmakers’ scripts to the next level. This includes how to research your characters, bring them to life and edit fluff from your script.
Leanna is the founder and CEO of Billings Productions. Starting out as an actress, she became familiar with the business side of filmmaking. After earning her doctorate in clinical psychology, she understands the parallels of her academics and the film industry. The main missions for Billings Productions are to tell stories highlighting mental health and social injustices while moving away from how filmmakers present stories from a white narrative and to include diverse characters and topics.


Remember: When selecting cast and crew, it's important to not overemphasize a resume to the point of overlooking attitude and ability to collaborate. In order to create a fun, close-knit and effective set, interview everyone for character traits to make sure they’re a great fit.Research: What scenes, details, plot lines, or conversations, within your script truly add to the story? What ones don’t? Continually ask yourself what each element contributes to the story arc as you write and edit, then take out or adjust anything that could be seen as filler content.Challenge: Starting with your main characters, document all of your characters’ personalities. This can be done through personality tests like the Myers-Briggs tests. Then keep track of their storyline and for each major decision or reaction, compare it for accuracy against the test. This will help you stay true to the character or intentionally make an out-of-character choice.http://www.victoriaruke.com
To learn more about Leanna and her work: https://www.billingsproductionsinc.com/

Follow her on social media: @BillingsProductionsinc

Today my guest Vickie Sampson and I will be talking about how to set your sound up for success during production in order to make the sound editing process a seamless experience with a great end result.  
Vickie Sampson is a Writer, Director, Film and Sound Editor who has worked on over 200 films as a Supervising Sound Editor for feature films since 1973. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also known as the Oscars and Alliance of Women Directors. She has directed over 7 short films, 15 commercials and is attached to direct the upcoming feature film titled Revolutionist in Fall 2021 starring Virginia Madsen. You can explore more about her career in the award-winning feature documentary called Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound.


Remember: Overlooking sound on set, will only make the sound editing process that much more difficult. So don’t take shortcuts to save time and daylight, but rather plan ahead and be flexible enough to prioritize the quality of the project as a whole.Research: When vetting your locations for your shoot, make multiple trips to the site at various times of day before making the final decision. This way you can get a feel for the naturally occurring sounds that may enhance or interfere with your project and can make a plan moving forward.Challenge: Go through your current script and take note of what sound would make up the ambiance of your scene. Schedule a few hours dedicated to capturing those sounds to use throughout your film.http://www.victoriaruke.com

To learn more about Vickie and her projects: https://www.echocreekfilms.com/

Follow her on social media: @vickiesampson @directorgal

Today my guest Ele and I will be uncovering how common sounds in entertainment get made through the art of Foley. 
Ele is a stage Foley Designer and Performer who has designed, choreographed, and performed Foley for over 80 productions in Chicagoland, with companies including Theatre of Western Springs, Lifeline Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre, and The Second City Training Center. She is a Foley designer in residence for Locked Into Vacancy Entertainment's monthly live comedy serials, and for WildClaw Theatre's Deathscribe, the annual international live horror radio festival. She contributes to the next generation of Foley Artists with her guest lectures at Northwestern University's School of Sound and at Harvard University's School of Music, and with her consulting for theaters across the globe.


Remember: Sound is an essential part of the storytelling experience. Whether you’re in theater or film, it’s easy to get excited about sound when it comes to sounds effects like body hits for a fight sequence or blasts in an explosion. But those are not the only sounds that carry a story forward, so don’t overlook the “everyday sounds” within your project.Research: Review a current script you’re working on. What everyday sounds that would naturally be in the scene are important in order to tell the story? What sounds showcase a character’s emotions? What sounds can be used for foreshadowing? Make sure to take note of any sounds that need to be prioritized during production or post-production.Challenge: As an ongoing challenge, focus on collecting sounds for your project. This can be done through collecting physical objects that create unique noises or simply taking notes of interesting sounds you hear that you would love to incorporate in your next story. 

http://www.victoriaruke.com

To learn more about Ele and her projects:
http://www.wildclawtheatre.com/
http://www.lockedintovacancy.com/

Follow her on social media: @WorldBShiny

Today my guest Michael Forsch and I will be talking all about auditions! What to expect in the audition room, how to calm your nerves, and tips and tricks that you can use to deliver a show-worthy performance! 
Michael Forsch is a Producer, Actor, Director, and Writer. Originally from Los Angeles, Michael Forsch started working in show business early as a child actor. After moving to Las Vegas 15 years ago he has been very active in the Vegas independent film scene. His film credits include “Party Bus To Hell” (acting alongside Tara Reid) and as a Producer, he has produced award-winning short films as well as internationally distributed feature films.


Remember: Casting directors are rooting for you to succeed. So when you step into the audition room, focus on just giving your best performance. Even if you don’t receive that particular part, your memorable audition can get you booked for other roles that the casting department is looking to fill.Research: What local acting and improv classes are available in your area? As you research your options, don’t forget to research the instructors. What are their credentials? Do they have positive reviews? Are they currently working? Acting classes are not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Make sure the environment and the instructor is what will bring out the best in you.Challenge: If you’re trying to break into the industry as an actor or uplevel your current acting career, go get up-to-date headshots. Look for a professional photographer who specializes in headshots. This will ensure that they don’t simply capture a “pretty” photo, but one that highlights your features in a way that showcases your suitability for a variety of roles.http://www.victoriaruke.com
To learn more about Michael and his projects: https://www.michaelforsch.com/
Follow her on social media: @michaelforsch

Today my guest Carrie and I will be talking about how to create value in everything you do in order to live a purpose-driven career. Everything from finding peace in the audition room, to bringing awareness to societal issues through the roles you play.
Carrie Gibson is a professional actor, singer and writer.  She has founded two touring theater companies that toured character-driven original work on social issues to schools, and communities throughout the U.S. Carrie’s credits include Bones, Scream Queens, Superstore, All Rise, Hollywood, This is Us, and a recurring role on the Netflix comedy The Politician.  She has co-written several screenplays that are in development and set to go into production in 2021-22.
Remember: Auditions, while necessary for actors, don’t have to be evil. Going into an audition with the singular goal of encouraging people you come in contact with welcomes in an entirely new experience in the audition room. Research: How can you implement active empathy in your personal and professional life? Not only will this enhance your relationships and your interaction with the world around you, but it will also strengthen your ability to embody a variety of characters with different backgrounds. Challenge: In your next audition, observe those around you and see how you can encourage them. Intentionally look for something about them that you can compliment or highlight to put a smile on their face. This ensures you’re remembered for your talent AND your heart. http://www.victoriaruke.com

To learn more about Carrie and her work:
http://www.imdb.me/carriegibson
http://carriegibsontheactor.com/

Follow her on social media: @carriegibsontheactor