Running with Scissors

There is no good way to describe this project without quoting the casting call notice:

We are casting... a one minute short that requires a high amount of dramatic and physical talent. The shoot is a parody on the dangers of running with scissors. The actors will be required to slip on the floor, act out severe injury, and express the suffering that occurs after one is accidentally impaled with a pair scissors. Rubber scissors will be used in the production of this shoot to ensure the actors' safety.

Shooting for 2 days this week and next, this is for a Masters class at the Academy of Art.

E.P., A.D., Zombie

This weekend I was a Zombie. And I don't just mean that I felt undead from lack of sleep... I worked on Zombie Staffing, a short spoof of the 1950's-style industrial videos.

I was Executive Producer, Assistant Director, and "Female Zombie."

A little bit of post production and it should be completed in a few weeks. I'm so proud of Eric for handling his first shoot so well. We did good, my friend. :)

Broken Arrows

I just got cast as a hitwoman in Broken Arrows, written and directed by Reid Gershbein, of Thrave. I take it as a compliment that he went with someone who looks older and "more like a librarian" for the lead. I also take it as a compliment that he liked my "tough persona" and "piercing gaze" enough to consider combining 2 small roles to make a bigger role for me. Many thanks, Reid. Now, let's talk more about the possibility of my character having a fight scene. :)

Shooting is currently slated to start in February.

Is that really me?

Originally uploaded by Larissa Kasian through flickr.

Look at me on the Pathogen set- exuding happiness. From the pictures, you'd never guess my character was so pissed off. :)

Remembrance: wrapped

I spent this weekend in Salinas, shooting a part in a short called Remembrance. I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy anything that came on the heels of such a great experience as Pathogen, but fortunately, I surprised myself. It was a lot of fun, and it felt quite low pressure, which was exactly what I needed. Plus, the character was interesting, and I'm always game for interesting and weird characters.

Remembrance will now enter post-production, and should be done by December.

Pathogen: wrapped

Upon reflection, it is pretty amazing that the opening shot of the movie was our first shot, on day 1 of shooting, 1 month ago. And the last shot of the movie was our last shot on Thursday when we wrapped. It is quite rare for a shoot to work out this way, due to locations and other scheduling practicalities. Plus, it was particularly cool for me, since I was in both those shots.

I'm really going to miss this production. Not only has it been a whole slew of good memories and good experiences, but it has been creatively gratifying. I know in my heart that this was the perfect experience for me at the perfect time. I was even talking to Sharif on Thursday about how I know I was meant to be working on it because I absolutely cannot imagine my life without it. I love that feeling- knowing something is perfect and 100% right for me at that moment in my life. It is such an amazing confirmation of being on the right path and doing what's right for me.

A month of long night shoots has come to an end. No more commuting 100 miles every day, no more heading home at 3 or 4 in the morning. No more french twists pulling at my scalp. No more frustrating attempts at parking in downtown San Francisco during rush hour. No more sleeping late and leaving work early and hoping my boss doesn't get too angry... Until next time... Which can't arrive soon enough.

Until then... A little bit of rest and recuperation, and a whole lot of amazing memories that won't be topped for quite a while.

Thank you thank you thank you. I am so grateful I was chosen to be a part of this amazing experience, and this amazing movie. I would do anything to work with many on this crew/cast again.
Larissa

Pathogen week #4

The final week of Pathogen was grueling, yes, but not as bad as it had seemed it would be, from all of Sharif's warnings.

We finished up our final location, at the hostel, where we shot Angela and Willard's bedroom, Sharon and Harold's bedroom, all the hallways, and this past week, the kitchen, laundry, and "front door" (in the basement).

I thoroughly enjoyed my last 2 days of shooting. Tuesday in the kitchen was a long night, and Patrick, Jay, and I shot the proposal scene at the very end of the night. By that point, everyone was punchy, but somehow we managed to get it done amidst the giggles. We were also commenting on how strange it was to be shooting scenes with other actors that night. I think that added to the punchiness. But we did it, and we got some great production photos, as well.

Thursday was our final day of shooting. Luckily, none of the shots were too difficult, because wrap day always poses its own unique challenges. The people involved are excited to be at the end of the project and want to celebrate. And there are always more people on set, people who want to witness the miracle of movie magic, and help us celebrate the birth of a cinematic masterpiece. :)

What a great day, though... I loved the last location. The basement is pretty cool looking, and we got a great shot of me coming down stairs, and this amazing circular dolly shot in this really gritty room with lots of wiring. And we shot what I think may have been my favorite scene to perform from the movie- the one where my mom finds me trying to open the door and we have a fight. It wasn't very long, but Sharif's writing style is so concise that I think it may have been my longest dialogue. Plus, I got to yell and release some anger, and that was fun. :) I could have done take after take of it, and in fact, I even asked if we needed to do it again. Someone (Tasha, maybe) said "You can always tell when Larissa likes a scene. We'll be ready to move on and she'll ask if we're sure we don't need to do it again." Well, yeah, sometimes I feel like I could give more to my performance, so I ask Sharif if there is anything at all different he's looking for. Plus, once you perform it and move on, you never need to revisit that scene again. For the scenes you really like, it can be sad because you want to perform them again, yet those are often the ones that you're the best at and nail in one take. :)

2 Weeks of Pathogen Pics

See W. Jay Moore's site for more Pathogen pics. Jay plays our goofy and endearing Willard.

Pathogen week #3 [late nights]

This past week and next week we are in our final location, at Tasha and Sharif's. We've had our latest nights yet, going until 4:30am just the other day. I'm doing well, and even in the wee hours of the morning, I am excited and energetic. My only problem seems to be my inability to get to sleep at a regular time on the days we're not shooting.

Noteworthy shots this week: some cool hallway dolly and handheld shots

Days I've been on set: 13 (only 4 left)

Meanwhile... Check out the Pathogen photos I slapped on to a makeshift page. All the production photos are amazing, but these are just a few good ones of me.

Thanks for tuning in,
Larissa