Toronto Makeup Artist: Behind the Scenes: My first feature film experience

This month, I had the opportunity to work on my first feature film, entitled Saving Dreams directed and produced by Isioro Jaboro. I was taken on as a second makeup artist and hairstylist however, I ended up being cast a roll in the film as well! That's right, I can now add, 'ACTRESS' to my resume and I did pretty well considering... I was cast as Carol, the owner of a woman's shelter -. a role I was destined to play! That's one of the beautiful things in an indie production - you end up doing things you would never have imagined doing *winky face*.

Here's a bit about the film...

Synopsis

BRENDA JACKSON has the talent to become a great singer. But her other dreams interfere with her following that path. When she meets STEVE REEDS she seems to have hit the jackpot he has it all and he promises to introduce her to people in the music biz. Yet as time goes on, after their marriage, the promises fade and abuse becomes the norm. He even forbids her to sing around the house. Then surprisingly, he asks her to sing at a fund raiser for his new foundation. There, she is profoundly shocked to learn that his foundation helps abused women and children around the world. He is more powerful than she imagined! She finds it difficult to sing, but somehow manages to wow the audience with her angelic voice. At that banquet, she meets BAYO FRANKS, a music producer who gives her his card. Soon after, she finds herself pregnant. She hopes her pregnancy will soften her husband's attitude toward her, but he kicks her down the stairs, causing a miscarriage. When she returns home from hospital, she finds him with another woman. She takes that opportunity to make her escape. Now on her own, she starts a new life and reconnects with Bayo. He tries to convince her to make a demo. Brenda finds it hard to believe in herself, but with Bayo's support she begins to work on her singing. Brenda's song becomes a hit. Bayo asks her to marry him, but she is still tied to the devil Reeds. He refuses to sign the divorce papers and offers her a humiliating choice. In desperation, Brenda buys a gun. Things don't go as planned when Brenda confronts Reeds, but she manages to turn things around and forces him to give her half his assets. Relieved, Brenda and Bayo make plans for their wedding, but Reeds has one more secret in his sick arsenal that may pierce their future happiness.

The production spanned two weeks and was filmed in the Greater Toronto Area. It was hard work and long days were had but the cast/crews' skill, talent and sense of humour made the days just, "fly by"! There were lots of highs and alotta lows but I came out with 30+ new friends!

In between applications, acting and slating, I managed to snap a few photos...