A Departure From the Norm...

For some unknown and probably unknowable reason, I was inspired today to find examples of some of the worst romance novel covers I've come across in my three years of bookstore service. So, working our way up the ladder...

I wasn't going to include any of the Harlequin series romance covers (they're all pretty bad, but usually it's the titles that are the worst part of a Harlequin cover), but this one pushed it just enough over the top that I had to add it. This is the 5th Runner Up...

 We're getting chiropractic adjustments from our lusty highland lovers now? Meet the 4th Runner Up...

Really, honey? The ship is sinking! Untie the man and let him batten down the mainstay. 3rd Runner Up...

 No self-respecting Viking would end up in this position. This one made the list on principle. 2nd Runner Up...

In the spirit of the season, he stole Santa's boots before heading home. 1st Runner Up...

 Now, sadly, in the midst of all this giggle-inducing badness, I could not find an example of what I consider to be the very worst romance novel cover of all time. So, until I find it, you are stuck with the runners up. Take heart though; I'm still searching, and I won't give up until I can present the Grand Prize Winner here in my humble blog.

Modeling for the Photography Clinic

I have twice now worked for a photographer who occassionally hosts clinics to teach outdoor photographers how to use studio lights. This last time was particularly interesting; it was the first time I've actually worked with another model. Because they managed to book a male model to work with me, Jim (the teacher) decided that he wanted some "beach" photos. So I, in my purple swim suit, pretended that I didn't care that I was in a swim suit. Apparently I'm a very good actress, because the male model (Han) had no idea that I had never worked with other models before. Matter of fact, if I'm any judge, he was much more uncomfortable than I was, especially when Jim asked if Han would pick me up (of course, that discomfort could have been because Han only weighs about 20lbs more than me, and I'm a lot more solid than I look).

The best part of the shoot was when I changed into my black dress with the big skirt. It's my own fault for suggesting it, but I thought it would be cool to get a picture of me spinning with the skirt flaring out. Now, it was very cool... until I realized that it wouldn't be just the one picture. There were five photographers who all wanted that shot. I spun for several seconds until I couldn't stand anymore, then I spun the other way for a bit. I fell more than once and hit the wall full force. But I wound up with some lovely shots from that series, so it was worth a little dizziness.

I enjoyed working with the ladies very much, and as always, Jim was wonderful to work with. He's going out of his way to accomodate a shoot I've been wanting to do, a series of shots with me and my gun. He even contacted a range to see if we can do the shoot there and provide them with copies of the shots, which they can in turn use for advertising if they like.

Another friend of mine got me in contact with a photographer who does ads and spreads for gun magazines and manufacturers. I may be doing another gun shoot before too long.

I will be filming my part in a short film this coming weekend, and I have an audition coming up for a local collaborative production. I've been asked to help an acquaintance with some youtube videos, and I'll be submitting myself for a speaking role (or an extra role if I don't get a speaking role) for Ironman 3, which is filming in North Carolina next year.

Basically, the moral of this blog post is...When opportunity knocks, open the bloody door!

New Photos

An, you may notice the new haircut, as well. The first three photos are courtesy of JD Mitchell Studios, and the fourth, the black&white, is from Ellis McKay. To see more, check out my Facebook fanpage https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jocelyn-Jae-Tanis/199260820127141

Positive Experience

As someone looking to get into a new business, I did a some looking into the whole modeling game before I decided to use it as a stepping stone into acting. Now, there are plenty of stories about perfectly normal experiences with very normal people and few to no major problems... Then, there are the horror stories of models being taken advantage of by absolute creeps, photographers pushing for shots the model isn't comfortable with (or photoshopping them when he can't get them naked enough), photographers telling a model they will never get anywhere in the industry unless they will pose nude. Honestly, the horror stories are enough to put anyone off the idea of even trying it.

But I tried. And guess what? In a two month period, I have had five fantastic experiences with phototgraphers.

Tonight, my good friend traded work shifts with me so that I could go to a photo shoot. I was called at the last minute (on the recommendation of a photographer I met a few weeks ago) to replace a model who dropped out on short notice. This photo shoot was actually a workshop-type deal, with one experienced photographer teaching a small group of amateur photographers how to work with indoor studio lighting.

I had three outfit changes in front of a variety of backdrops, and six photographers playing with various lighting techniques and posing me (or letting me choose poses). One other model was also there (with her mother - she was underage), and between the two of us, we kept the photographers in a constant rotation around the studio. It was a lot of fun, and a nice confidence booster.

The best bonus of the night (besides the fact that it was a paid gig and I get copies of the top ten photos from each of the six photographers) was that three of the photographers asked to shoot with me again. Much as I'm looking forward to the day when a guy asks me for a shoot and he means "at a range with guns and ammo," I'll certainly take shoots with cameras for the moment  :)

Same as last time, I'll post at least a few of the pictures when I get them back.

My First Real Foray into Modeling

Moday, I did a photo shoot with a local photographer in Reynoldsburg, Digital Grace Photography (check out his facebook, he does good stuff). This photographer has done mostly weddings and senior pictures in his career, but recently decided to get into more model photography. Since we're both trying to build our portfolios, the shoot was done in trade (TFP).

The cool part is that he does body painting. I was painted like something between a ninja and a comic book heroine with a samurai sword. It was actually pretty cool, there's one shot in particular I can't wait to get back from him (a week or so from now - I will post it as soon as I get it). It was a fun shoot, I would definitely work with him again. He still does senior pictures and weddings (which is almost a specialty after 20 years), and his rates are reasonable. He also does videography for weddings, and he has shot music videos for local artists. Being in Reynoldsburg, you can imagine that most of the music has been r-rated rap and not at all family friendly and he hasn't posted any of it on his site for that reason. But I'm hoping he'll have something to show off pretty soon, as I've been talking for a while about filming a music video of just me and my guitar. It'll be something I can show to filmmakers I'm trying to work with, and it'll be something he can feel safe putting on his website.

I appreciate when local artists are able to help each other out. Any branch of the performing arts industries can be extremely cutthroat, but I feel better about getting into the industry when I meet such wonderful people who are coming up at the same time as me. I have two friends who are very capable screenwriters who both helped teach me how to write screenplays; not threatened by potential competition, just willing to share what knowledge they have.

I know that not everyone I meet on this road will be as good as the people I've met so far, but this is my foundation. If my foundation in this industry is solid and is layered with the memories of people who were good to me when I was nothing, then I can whether anything... and that's not true of just my road into performing, it's true of my whole life; if my foundation is solid, I can whether anything.

THE AVENGERS

I just realized it's been almost a year since I started this thing and I haven't contributed a single thought to it. I suppose I ought to remedy that.

Recently, I was seen on the set of Joss Whedon's THE AVENGERS. I was hired as a background artist for this project, finishing filming after 13.5 hours on set. It isn't the longest scene in the movie, but it's a pivotal plot point, and honestly, I was just honored to be a part of it.

Unlike some people (who were removed from the set for it) I won't break a confidentiality agreement. I was privvy to some potential spoilers on set, but I still don't know the whole story and I'm going to have to wait and see how it plays out, just like everyone else. Come May 4th of 2012 though, I won't be able to keep my mouth shut any longer!

So, until there is no longer a danger of spoilers, suffice it to say that I was in a room with Joss Whedon all day, I chatted with several of the crew and the 2nd Assistant Director (I even asked him if I could get hit with radiation and come back as the supervillain in the next movie - he thought it was hilarious), and I saw Chris Evans and a few other familiar faces. I also got the awesome opportunity to see the stunt crew in action up close; those guys are amazing to watch!

My sincere hope is that this first professional job will be the first step into my dream career. It was an incredible opportunity for me personally, and I hope it proves just as lucrative professionally.