BETA LAUNCH
Sharon Freedman has been a professional actor and voiceover artist for the past 15 years. About 5 years ago she was feeling a bit frustrated because she wanted to figure out how to be more of service. She studied at The Coaches Training Institute and learned tools to help people bust through their BS and get moving in a positive direction. Visit her website, Stress Reduction, Joy Production here.
Stephanie Prince Ling is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that practices in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. She is married and has two children, ages 4 and 3 months. Stephanie enjoys people, personally and professionally. Her purpose as a therapist is to empower others by accessing awareness then adapting tools to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Christine Brondyke is a Certified Life and Relationship Coach who has studied with some of the greatest teachers of our time. She studied for four years with renown relationship experts and best selling authors Drs. Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks, including graduating from their apprentice program. Christine appeared as a guest on the Oprah show sharing her holistic approach to healing domestic violence, and is currently working on her first book. Visit Christine's website for more information
If you are experiencing any personal problems, relationship issues, or career challenges and would like to receive advice from Sharon, Stephanie or Christine please feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will try to address your concerns in a timely manner.
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality By Sharon Freedman
Actors, writers, directors, we’re all pieces in the big puzzle that makes up a particular project. It often feels like we’re at the mercy of other people to make all of our decisions for us. Sure, that’s the case when it comes to whether or not someone chooses to collaborate with you, but we always have a say in the decision too. More importantly we can choose how we feel about a situation. Just because you don’t get a certain job doesn’t automatically mean that you have to be upset and feel down and unfocused. The key to having greater control of your emotions is being able to get clear on what you’re actually feeling without judgment. This leads us to the second part of Mindfulness, DESCRIBE. Read More
Outta Your Head And Into Your Life By Sharon Freedman
There’s nothing average about the life of an actor. You rarely stay at a job for years or even decades and you’re continually building relationships so you’ll get your next job offer. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be fully engaged in your current project. In fact, the more invested you are in your current project the more desirable you’ll be to perspective employers. You’ll notice how a particular TV actor will all of a sudden start working in films. People want to work with someone who is killing it in their current job because they know they will get the same dedication to their project. Also, don’t you love the auditions that you do some focused prep work before and then move on to the next part of your day after you’re done? This is easier said than done if you don’t have some simple yet effective tools to help you gracefully move from moment to moment. Read More
The #1 Stress Reduction Technique By Sharon Freedman
One of the many things that actors love about their lifestyle is how exciting it is that every day can look different. That being said, actors are no strangers to being crazy busy, running between auditions, classes, bookings, workshops, extra income jobs, while still maintaining a social life. Wouldn’t it be freakin’ awesome to actually enjoy the journey and to not be always focused on what’s next in your schedule. Read more
Performance Anxiety Isn't What You Think! By Christine Brondyke
It’s so common for performers to experience anxiety prior to going on stage that it’s expected that it’s a hurdle that everyone must simply bear. Many performers have specific ways of dealing with the butterflies (or buffalo?!) that dance in their bellies before a show—including vomiting, pushing the feeling down as far as it will go, and/or jumping around nervously backstage while breathing like they’re in labor. Read More.
Life As A Balancing Act By Stephanie Prince Ling, MFT
As a mother of two (one just 4 months old) working full time within the mental-health industry, I decided that my theme for the new year (note: I did not use the term “resolution”) is balance.
I had an epiphany just a few short weeks ago as I was running late for work. After almost forgetting to put baby in the car, I realized I really needed to slow down and figure out how to incorporate more balance into my lifestyle. I realized that I had to examine all facets of my life (time for family and friends, work, self-care, spirituality, etc.), and make sure that I was giving enough attention to each aspect. Read More.
What Have You Done For You Lately? By Stephanie Prince Ling, MFT
Do you find yourself wondering what you’ll be pouring yourself tonight once you get home? (whatever time that will be). Do you question why you feel older than your actual chronological age? Are you concerned that at times you feel depressed; defeated; easily annoyed and frustrated with others? Work is hard. Life is hard and if you are not treating yourself well in the process, you may start to find that what was once your passion now feels like a nuisance and “just a job." Read More.
Keeping The Dream Alive By Christine Brondyke
Big dreams are wonderful! You wouldn’t be a creative person if you weren’t using some of that creativity to dream up big, beautiful ways to get your work out into the world. Dreams give us something magnificent to shoot for—a goal, an experience, or an expansion of our current reality. Dreams are born out of our innate creativity. What we dream tells us so much about ourselves and where we are headed. Read More
Using Rejection as a Launch Pad for Succcess By Christine Brondyke
There’s nothing more soul crushing than working for weeks, months, or even . . . gulp . . . years, on a project, only to hear a polite, “No, thank you” after submission. Whether it’s a screenplay, song, or audition that you’ve lovingly prepared, all entertainers crave recognition for their work, and when it doesn’t come, it can be devastating.
Of course, most artists learn to develop a thick skin over time . . . or at least find a story they tell themselves that eases the disappointment. (“They wouldn’t know good art if it bit them in the ass!”) But there are times when rejection of your work begins to get in the way of self-confidence or makes you question your purpose for creating art in the first place. When that happens, it’s important to know there are things you can do to ease the pain and endless thoughts of “I’m not good enough.” Read More.
Say What? The Basics Of Communication By Stephanie Prince Ling, MFT
Communication - one of the most vital concepts needed for human interaction. Whether you talk; write; text; online chat; or utilize social media, reaching out to someone for the purpose of exchanging ideas; professing a feeling or expressing thoughts, is a daily task that we all engage in. Within the Entertainment Industry, the standard of communication is key as so many creative ideas are thought of and shared daily.
Along with that, having good communication is essential with regards to functioning within a team dynamic; working with difficult people; managing conflict and so on. So the question is, are YOU a good communicator? Do you spend time forming your thoughts/ideas/feelings before articulating them? Do you share emotional reactions electronically? Do you ever send a request or directive and receive an answer back that is questionable or perhaps out of character for the person intended? Read More
Life As Improv By Christine Brondyke
The beauty of improv is that we are constantly challenged to find a way to say "yes" to whatever is tossed our way. Whether in comedic realms or jamming in a musical session, improv is all about flowing with the moment--receiving what's been offered and then responding.
Such can, and should be, the practice in all of life. When we approach life as an opportunity to play, invent, and to say "Yes!" to what shows up, it becomes Art. Sometimes it's dramatic, sometimes comical, but always fresh and new. Read More
We encourage DIARY writers to use their own voice and sensibilities to express their daily creative, tech, financial, social intercourse, and personal challenges facing them during their development – pre-production – production – marketing – and distribution phases.
1. Provide a short bio of all key DEPARTMENT HEADS and TALENT you want to include in your Diary. These can be added later on as you acquire more cast, staff, and crew. But please include at the very minimum your own bio to kick things off.
2. Please include a description of your project. Depending on the nature of your project (film, video, webisode, music, art, book, product, etc.) include a short synopsis of your project’s story – or you may also choose to just include log lines, etc.
3. It's good to describe the genesis of your idea and the inspiration you had for your project. This allows your followers to really get a grip on who you are and what you had in mind for undertaking this project.
4. Dates and times are important to be given since this is a DIARY of your project.
5. How often should you provide a DIARY post? Ideally daily – but often there are delays between events and you just might be too pre-occupied to post. So how should you handle this? Well, if you can get someone to say they are posting for you because you are off on a plane or such-and-such that is totally cool to do – just credit that person who is taking over the writing. If you know you are going to be off and busy for a while – please alert REAP that this is taking place so we don’t worry about you disappearing – and also include a POST on your DIARY that you will be back in a few days or as the case may be.
6. Pictures/images/video clips are great to have in your DIARY. Send us some good pix with descriptions of what they are and we will use them – likewise with an interesting video clip. You could also just shoot yourself reflecting on progress and your current state of mind or your colleagues' states of mind.
7. It’s great to be as honest as possible in your DIARY posts but we have a great sensitivity at REAP that we DO NOT WANT TO HURT PEOPLE’S FEELINGS. For instance: If you just auditioned an actor and they weren’t of your liking please don’t tell us this actor's name or their picture if they aren’t being cast in your production. It’s best to respect the artist’s privacy. Remember that REAP is a SUPPORTIVE site for creatives and techies and we don’t want to be specifically targeting anyone. FOR INSTANCE: You can generally say that your Director of Photography was not working out for you or you had creative differences and you had to replace him/her with so-and-so. It’s not necessary to say that they couldn’t light a scene to save their life. You get the picture.
8. Whenever possible break down your posts into sections and sub-sections. For example: LOCATION HUNTING/EXTERIORS/INTERIORS – CASTING LEADS/SUPPORTIVE – REHEARSING – BUDGETING – PRE-PRODUCTION – POST PRODUCTION – SOUND MIXING – PUBLISHING – INTERVIEWING – MARKETING – FESTIVALS – STORY BOARDS, etc.
9. You can include interviews with your crew, actors, producers, composer, graphic artist, etc., but must receive written permission from them for these purposes of being uploaded onto REAP for viewing, etc., as part of our PRODUCTION DIARY SERIES. You may use film clips and trailers, etc. Long form clips should be discussed via email with us so we can decide the placement for them.
10. Details are important to provide so readers/followers of your production journey can learn from you. Such as: Camera you are shooting on – lighting kit/technique – dolly/crane/jib/steadicam – generators – how many crew members and what do they do – grip truck – craft services - how do you deal with viewing dailies and work with an editor – what software are you using – production design challenges – how do you get your props, costumes, etc.
11. It’s fine to use quotes from other people involved in your production and please credit them correctly and let them know you are doing an online DIARY for REAP. Again be sensitive here that you don’t quote someone and it’s about a highly personal situation. No kiss and tells. Try to keep these quotes about the day-to-day professional happenings on the pre-production – production – and marketing end, etc.
12. It’s fine to discuss how exhausted – frustrated – confused you are feeling about what you are doing because this is the nature of the beast of producing anything creative. It’s a tremendous daunting challenge but also incredibly rewarding. Feel free to reach out for ongoing support from your followers and any ideas they may have to help you through difficult times.
Ok – That should pretty much cover the guidelines but never hesitate to contact us via email with any questions or concerns you have. We’ll respond as quickly as possible. REAP wants you to be successful and is trying to continually provide more and more services and resources to help you live your dreams. Thank you for participating in our PRODUCTION DIARY SERIES and we hope great things come your way from the experience!
Snail Mail: 20929 Ventura Blvd., Suite 47-212, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Telephone: (818) 302-0095
Fax: (818) 979-9559
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Reap is always interested in receiving your story suggestions or any new ideas you have to enhance the website. PR Reps, Managers and Agents are also encouraged to contact us.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to submit your story suggestions and we will respond to your input. Thank you for taking the time to do this! We appreciate it!
Reap is offering discounted advertising packages as a promotional special to celebrate our launch. In addition to advertising on our site, we also offering Newsletter sponsorships. For more information, contact our Advertising Sales associate, Martha Ruiz, or call us at (818) 302-0095. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tina Valin
Shirley Craig
Dale Angell
Marina Anderson
Bridget Brady
Mary Carreon
Tony Craig
Sam Davidson
Kia Dargahi
Nathan Edmonson
Andy Greeene
Wendy Justine
Terry Larch
Brittany Lombardi
Erica Lopez
Andrew Mathwick
Karen Meglar
Luis Antonio Miguel
Elisabeth Oei
Alex Ostroff
Ralphael Prepetit
Alice Perez
Sa'iyda Shabazz
Mende Smith
John Tommasino
Brian Taylor
Amber Topping
Autumn Topping
Eric Weintraub
Erin Whitney
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Mira Zimet
Stephanie Prince Ling, MS, LMFT
Chrstine Brondyke, Certified Life Coach
Trevor Ziegler
Amber Topping
Autumn Topping
Mende Smith
Autumn Topping
Martha Ruiz
Kleber Rodrigues Jr.
Jennifer Anderson