Thursday, May 31, 2012

LOCK THE GATES!!!

I am an avid podcaster. Lots of NPR shows (Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, RadioLab, This American Life), but the one that truly hooked me was Marc Maron's WTF Pod interviews.  If you love stand-up, comedians, and exploring the comedy realm in a much deeper and more personal way, check this out: 


There's an app for your phone that's cheap and COMPLETELY worth it.  Maron is so wonderfully neurotic, adroitly raw with every guest, and you can't help but relate to the emotional honesty of this man.  I even went so far as to bring him pizza to a live show once....it was kind of awkward...but the live shows are my fave now - it's like a sampler platter of comedians. Yes, I said sampler platter because I am from Kentucky and this menu option is dear to my heart.


I've gotta say that the interview with Rob Corddry was my first and I was ROLLING on the floor at his Oliver Stone anecdote as well as shocked at his honest outlook on being a parent. I've also gotten an education about the dark, bitter world of stand-up. It's wildly intriguing and terribly rough. This podcast is also free on itunes and includes the last 50 episodes. DO IT!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Eva's Reel For Real


REEL UPDATE: This reel was edited, and re-edited and re-edited, by Nate Miller (a talented, tireless young man).  Originally, there was more pop and pizazz in terms of music and this and that, but Renee Missel said "Hey, no pop, no pizazz, just actin', kid, just actin'." Okay, she doesn't really sound like Humphrey Bogart, but she had a good point - a reel is a reel, not a show. Enjoy.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Minimoto Training with Mike Franklin

There's this hip motorcycle guru named Mike Franklin. He took me out Friday, May 25th to Antelope Valley - specifically, to Willow Springs Race Track.  Seven Straight Hours of Motorcycle Training from SCRATCH, people. I have never driven a stick-shift so my only concept of a CLUTCH is a cute handbag accessory that holds my license, cash and car keys.

Mike has shown me otherwise; he dressed me in leather from head to toe, he commanded that I bring my own helmet and gloves (purchased at Thunder Road on Santa Monica Boulevard for a sweet little discount - thank you,  Max!) and he shoved me into the windiest wind as I "felt" my way through some fabulous motorcycle training.  Mike's method is: do it, feel it, know it and don't worry so much about it, kid. 


In answer to your questions: yes, I crashed and rolled through the dirt, yes, I did some wheelies and yes, I had to give up the track multiple times to a 6-year old in a tiny go-kart. He would have lapped me anyway.

I had a blast - and I look forward to crashing again.

The Mighty JUNGLE LA LA

I haven't told many people yet, but my next role is in an upcoming low-budget SAG feature comedy entitled JUNGLE LA LA.  Story by Limor Gottlieb (creative woman fresh out of Pasadena's prestigious Art Center College of Design, where film luminaries such as Michael Bay and Zack Snyder got their start) and screenplay by the young and talented Kit Steinkellner (a UCLA grad who is now an accomplished playwright, screenwriter, and regular contributor to BOOK RIOT; she has another screenplay in development, CHASTITY, with Community Entertainment). 

We recently attached a director to this project: Sara Sugarman.  This woman is incredibly talented and I am OH SO THRILLED to begin working with her. Her most recent feature is VINYL, a hilarious punk-rock film that she directed around her home town in Wales for almost NOTHING. Sara is such a stand-up gal that it is obvious to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her that she is not good, but GREAT peeps. Not only that, but she has wonderful instincts within her profession - just watch Vinyl - it is a fresh, lovely delight.

So enough about these people who are amazing! Who am I in the film?

I play MOLLS HARLAN, a tough loner cookie with no dad, no mom, no inhibitions and no regrets.
A character description:

MOLLS - 27

Molls could be the next female Jack Kerouac.  She’s a self-educated loner, who rides a motorcycle and she can fist bump with any working class dude in LA. She’s a broken girl from a broken home with nothin’ but a pen, a bed, and Mac. Her seed money to finish her novel was stolen by a certain Nick Rattray and now she’s out to get back her cash with a high interest rate of revenge. She prides herself on separating the men from the jagoffs and she’s pissed that her Asshole Radar missed Nick.  Molls is gorgeous, vintage, sexy and perfectly cool. Don’t go by appearances though, you’ll get her fist halfway down your throat.  If there’s a conquering theme in Moll’s life, it’s self respect.  If there is a rule she adheres to, it’s that there are no rules.

So, in answer to your question, yes, I will need to learn to ride a motorcycle. That has already begun, my friends...



5...4...3...2...1...Blog Off!

This blog is going to be (gulp) all things EVA.  What I'm doing, what films are upcoming, what is developing, happening, going on and blowing up - mostly in connection with th entertainment industry.  I may even throw out advice from time to time.  There will definitely be shout-outs, digital high fives and html hollas to other people that cross my career path.  One thing I'm all about is giving credit where credit is due.  Another thing I'm about is being completely honest in my assessments, critiques and recounts of experiences and situations. Warning: I might review a film or two as well because hey, I love to watch movies. Don't you? On top of all of this, I LOVE to share good news - a great film I've seen, a great person I've met, a great class I'm taking, etc etc etc.  I won't go so far as to say "no holds barred" in this blog, but there will definitely be an onslaught of entertainment-related information. Keep reading for the latest and thank you for visiting my blog.

Much love,
Eva Swan