Best Buy Shoot

Best Buy Shoot. The shoot went pretty well. We shot everything with the green screen, but still took ALL day. Not that I'm complaining, I met some great people on set and they took very good care of us.

My biggest problem with the day was having to wear those dickie pants! Now, it's not the pants fault...I'm the one who can't resist Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, LOL. Anyway, after seeing myself in the monitor, I now understand that something's gotta give. After putting on those dickies, that polo shirt and them pinning my hair down...I don't even look like the same woman who was at the awards show two days ago! I look more like her second-cousin...you can tell we kin (that means 'related' for you non-Southerners), but it's obvious I've had a tougher time comin' up, lol.


  
This is my very WEAK attempt to pop my collar in my Best Buy uniform, LOL. I'm so not hip.

BET Awards Show!!!

So, I've been really busy, but wanted to post these pics. Hopefully, I'll get some pics of us on the Red Carpet and put them up soon! Also I'm planning to do some serious blogging this weekend and fill you guys in on everything!! In the mean time check a sista out :)...

  
On my way to the Awards Show

  
Lamman and I in the Parking lot of the BET awards...we couldn't take our camera in :(

  
Big Thanks to Michelle for helping me find these Awesome shoes!!

  
BET Courvosier After Party. Dress courtesy of AjaImani!

  
Lamman and I at the After Party

Quest for a Dress!

I spent the ENTIRE day looking for a dress to wear tomorrow. I have to say shopping really isn't my bag....but thanks to my great friends we got it done!! Thanks LC, Angela and Michelle for all your help!!! Oh and excuse the hair...a sista was tryin to get stuff done, lol!

Catch Let's Talk on BET!!!

Let's Talk airs today at 12 Noon and 10pm EST/PST. (Satellite users check your guide for correct times)

Don't Miss it!!

www.letstalkthemovie.com

  
Jillian Reeves de Oritz & Lamman Rucker
in "Let's Talk"

  
Let's Talk Screening Party!

BOOKED!!
Good news: I booked the Best Buy spot...which just so happens to be the first audition I had after officially becoming SAG :)

Bad news: I thought this was for a commercial...which it kinda is but it will only play in Best Buy stores, which means it's technically an industrial. For those non-actors out there, that basically means I'll only be paid a day rate, no residuals. It's cool though and hopefully it's just the first of Many jobs :)

Audition: Discover @ Lisa Fields Casting
Audition: Saturn @ Francine Selkirk Casting

Audition: Pepsi @ Francine Selkirk Casting
Audition: State Farm @ Sarah Stuart Casting

Today I had my first newspaper interview! I spoke with a staff writer for the South Carolina Black Media Group's newspaper Black News. The interviewer's name was Allen and he was a very cool guy. We spoke for about an hour about a host of different subjects. He was pretty well prepared with questions for me, I'm sure in part because he'd read my blog! I've really got to be careful with this thing, LOL! He asked me about the film and my journey from SC to Chi-town to LA, the kids, E, you name it. It should be an interesting read...though I guess you never know how you'll come across over the phone. It was fun though, at one point Allen was like "I can tell you love to laugh". What can I say, it's easy to laugh when you find your own jokes funny :) Anyay, should be interesting to see how it turns out. You better do me right, Allen!! :)

Callback: Best Buy @ Tolley Casparis Casting

Audition: Best Buy @ Tolley Casparis Casting

San Francisco Black Film Festival

Arrived in San Francisco eeeearly yesterday morning. My castmate and I left at like 3am Sat morning/Fri night, arrived at in San Fran at around 8am and we're leaving tonight around 8pm. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but it has been SOOO much fun. I'll fill you guys in later...but it's been a really awesome, Awesome time :)

Audition: "Where There Is Smoke" @ JS Snyder & Associates

Hello SAG!

Sooo, I officially joined SAG today. I figured, "Why wait, right?!" It's time for me to really do this LA thang.

The cutest thing happened when I went into the SAG office. I walked through the door and asked the information desk for directions to the membership office. There were a few people standing around the desk including the mailman for the building. He asked me if I was about to join the Union, and I told him yes. Then he was like, "Follow me, let me show you something." I started follow him then I was like, "Wait a minute! What you wanna show me?!" LOL. Anyway, I followed him into the mail room where he showed me this kinda mini "wall of fame". There were a few unknown faces as well as a few well-knowns, including Halle Berry. He told me that he'd really appreciate it if I'd contribute something to his wall, ya know...in case I blow up...LOL. I told him I'd drop by after I joined...which I did. I gave him a headshot and a postcard for the film. He was a very nice older man, and was very appreciative...he even asked me to autograph it...lol! I told him I would if he would let me take a picture of him with my picture next to the wall. He agreed and I took the first picture, but he was looking all mean...I was like, "Look, you holding my picture, you supposed to be smilin'!" We took another one (posted below) he gave me a little smirk, and I autographed my headshot for him. I'm so bad at signing stuff...I wrote "To Iris, 'Keep smilin' :)! Thanks for your support, Jillian." It seemed cute at the time, but when I got to the car I thought...dag...I probably sounded like a broke a** Dionne Warwick, lol. Anyway, it was cute signing the autograph for him, he was very nice...he showed me pics of his family and he told me I to stop by anytime. Awwww....what a nice man...and a great little story about my first day joining SAG.

This was the last day of my friend Marie visiting, so I spent the rest of the day being a beach bum with her. Hopefully, I can make it to Chicago this summer to hang out with the crew before they all move away!


Iris and his "Wall of Fame" :)


Marie and I hangin' at the Beach

I attended a little party for my friend Marie from Chicago tonight. I miss my Chicago crew :(! Anyway, we had a bunch of fun....it's really cool having her here!

  
Partay for Marie!

My friend Marie from Chicago is in town!! She just graduated from DePaul University's MFA program and they had a grad school showcase tonight. It was a pretty cool event and alot of casting directors and agents attended. I even got to see my old grad school teacher Dexter Bullard...which was kinda surreal! He was like, I remember you when you were doing that "Oh, Eglamour" monologue from Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona, lol. Wow, that seems like forever ago! It was cool to see them, and hopefully, Marie and I will get to hand out more while she's here.

R.I.P. Honey...You were a True Soilder. I Love You.

Official Air Date & Time!!!

"Let's Talk" finally has an official airdate!

June 25 @ 12pm And 10pm! Tune in, Tivo...whateva... but don't miss it ;)!! National AIDS Testing day is June 27th.

Also, "Let's Talk" is now an Official Selection of the San Francisco Black Film Festival AND a current FINALIST for the Mario Van Peebles Award!