I want to feel like I COULD be in Toronto, but I'm not.... it FEELS similar to home but the streets are all new and there is so much to explore... Chicago seems to satisfy this need for change for me..... now if only I could get a green card....
We started off our day filming at an amazing yoga studio called Nature Yoga. As I watched the vinyasa yoga class, I realize how much I MISS yoga. The heated room, wonderful incense, stretching out every inch of my body and clearing my mind.... I'm long overdue to get back into it. Maybe over the holidays when things are quieter for a second....
Out of all the people I've filmed with so far, Michelle is the gal I've connected with most. Not quite sure why -- we're very different. Maybe it's as simple as we're both ambitious creative women around the same age? Regardless, I had an amazing time getting to know her and as I looked at all of the things she has on her plate, and the upcoming projects too, it made my head spin. I might not be the multitasker that I think I am. Here I am, working on ONE FILM and having trouble seeing past it and beyond.... but it's the perfectionist in me.
(funny picture of the 'boom in shot'. Even though I've been working with location sound for so many years, it appears as though I'm still daunted by the boom mic above my head. :) )The other special treat on this trip has been the addition of a really lovely young lady, native to Chicago. She was hired as a PA but she's actually an amazing filmmaker and photographer. Lucky us! I have to say, as much as I love my crew, introducing a little estrogen into the mix is a welcome change!!!
(a silly pic of us mugging to the camera)
But the real excitement today was my first ever burlesque lesson. If you know me, you know I love to dance. But for me, dancing= moving without choreography or thought when I'm drinking at a bar. Preferably with Justin on the soundsystem.
Lessons are a first. Never had lessons. Ever. I was majorly daunted -- with choreography, dancing can become something really beautiful but also it makes something fun into WORK! Regardless, after sitting through an "advanced" burlesque class, I wanted to look sexy and move like that too! I was curious enough to shake off my shyness and join in! It helped that there were a few other first timers in the room. All in all, the choreography was quite basic. I could tell that Michelle was trying to get us comfortable with moving and looking sexy as opposed to bogging us down with complicated moves. I got the moves down more or less... but I found it REALLY HARD to check myself out in the mirror. Think back to how much you get the music in your body and move uninhibitedly on the dance floor. Seeing yourself can spoil, at least for me, that blissful reverie.But I was here to learn -- so I had to sneak a peek every now and then of my reflection. And I looked.... ok!
But what I was unsuccessful at in this class, was LOOKING sexy, from the neck up. I am in utter awe at Michelle's ability to turn on the "minx" in her eyes and expression at any time. When I try to intentionally look sexy, I just feel like a droopy-eyed, little-kiddie-pout mess. I suppose sexiness is a state of mind and if you feel it, you'll exude it. Clearly, I haven't gotten there yet...
(the "anonymous" class)So half of the class was warm-up, stretching and basic moves to get all loose and sexy... Then, we all had to grab canes to work on a mini-routine. Props are fun! They allow you to focus your attention on them and away from your body (which you might still be self conscious about). We danced to Esthero's "If Tha Mood" -- perfect song to put you in the mood! So after laughing and sweating through an entire class, I felt good by the end. Not sexy necessarily, but more confident. Burlesque is addictive!
(Working the pole, er--CANE)
With my lesson out of the way, I was now able to focus on directing and capturing the essence an life of this magnificent goddess who had welcomed my crew and I into her life....
More to come....
T
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