New Video Clips!

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New Clips!

Oh happy Friday. I've got a little entertainment for your holiday weekend kick-off. I've added a ton of new clips and photos to my website, so feel free to check it out and let me know your thoughts!

We Need to Talk.

Let's have a word on self-promotion. You probably won't believe me, but I pretty much hate it. It's very, VERY uncomfortable for me to be spamming the world with my every entertainment move. It's kinda so awkward to be all, "Hey world, let's talk some more about ME!" However, entertainment is the industry that I want to be in, which means, basically, I need to play ball. In order to accomplish my aspirations, I've got to be putting myself "out there" and expanding my reach. So if you're like me, and find the phenomena of taking "selfie" photos a little uncomfortable/strange, please just extend your grace and understand that I'm really not self-obsessed. Seriously. However, I am un-apologetically dream-obsessed, and I WILL take the necessary measures to accomplish my goals. So, if you're half-annoyed with my blog posts, web updates, set photos and video clips, please feel free to un-friend me. I won't take it personally (that's probably a lie.) But in all seriousness. This venture I'm embarking upon is an uphill battle, and I could use all the encouragement and support I can get! Whew. I'm glad we had that talk. I've been meaning to put that out there. I wish I could give you a hug right now. And a Girl Scout Cookie. Now, let me tell you about a few projects.

Psyche.

Filmed in Boston this past spring, Psyche is an experimental film based on the mythological Greek love story of Cupid and Psyche. This little film packs a punch, featuring a back-and-forth "glitch" between myth and reality, some interesting animations and (don't say it!) a flirtation with having an affair. I know, I know. Crazy stuff. Check out a few clips.

Psyche (4) - "Where Is Your Husband." from Kristen Nicole Hale on Vimeo.

Kiwi Promo.

Kiwi is a mobile app that lets you store your paper/electronic receipts in one easy-to-use application. I recorded the voiceover for this in Boston, but the commercial was filmed in Atlanta. A big shout out to Drew Kaiser and his AWESOME team at Southern Lights Productions for this one!

Kiwi from Kristen Nicole Hale on Vimeo.

More.

You can also check out my brand-spankin' NEW voiceover demo, recorded by the ever-so-talented John Pitzer.  Listen here. Heh, or here.

Even MORE.

AND I have an updated reel. Can't be going on auditions without updated "stuff."

Kristen Nicole Hale Reel from Kristen Nicole Hale on Vimeo.

Media overload? I know, me too. But thanks for tuning in and being awesome!

If you like these updates, shout it from the rooftops! (Or from the tweet-tops!)

All these clips are up on my website. I hope you have the happiest holiday weekend!

New York Moment: Celeb Sighting

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It Was A Tuesday.

I think I have this syndrome. The one where you think you keep spotting celebrities? Yeah, I have that. Is there a name for it? I swear, I keep thinking that I'm seeing everyone fromAllison Janney to  Jay-Z. I'm out in the grocery store, and I swear that I see, like, Michael Jackson (not possible.) Why have I fallen prey to the excitement that buzzes around celebrity culture? I should be thrilled to spot someone like Christiane Amanpour or Thomas Friedman or some other great influential thought leader. But no. I keep wanting to see Blake Lively, in mad hopes that they're secretly filming a Gossip Girl reunion. (I mean, I would be amped to see Thomas Friedman. Because I've got questions for him.)

Aaaaaaaaanyways, I was leaving an acting seminar the other day in Times Square, and I'm just walking along (half-lost), looking for the subway, and then I see him. It's only a glimpse, and it's only for a mere second, but Woody Harrelson is walking toward me in a loose crowd of people. I did a double take, and we locked eyes for a moment's fraction. And I'm thinking, "I know your face!" And then he was gone.

IT WAS SO COOL.

He looked like any other normal business person on the street. He was wearing a suit-type jacket and carrying a black leather computer bag. Oh Woody, did you really have a computer in that bag?

Apparently he's producing a play here in the fall. Oh Woody.

I just had to share. When I was in town visiting last fall, I saw Snoop Dog with his posse. That was cool, but this was almost cooler. Because, you know, this is now.

How to Combat Stress.

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Sleep much? 

I took a moment to breathe this morning.

Whew.

Full disclosure. I've had insomnia since we moved to NYC. I just can't sleep. Lists keep running in my head like the opening, scrolling scene of Star Wars. Long long lists that appear to extend into the darkness of outer space... it's odd. "

Long ago in a galaxy far, far away....

I dreamed of moving to New York!" And now here we are. It's an odd exhilaration, because I've also been on an extreme high, thrilled to walk down the street to the drycleaners JUST BECAUSE I AM IN NEW YORK. I feel like I'm hopped up on coffee all day long (even though it's only half), yet my frenzied heart can't rest when the nighttime comes and the lights get turned off. Frantic, flooded with to-do's, drowning with feeling like I'm ever-so-late to the game. What game? I don't really know. Isn't that the lie we all believe when we're trying to do something new? I am attempting to juggle several things and it's keeping me awake. It's sort of silly. But not, because the bloodshot eyes are starting to make me look like I'm on something. I know I'm not the only person in the world to experience this. But I've got to get it under control. Because sleep is necessary to accomplishing all those to-do's!

So, I decided to set all my lists and to-do's aside and just reflect. Just for a hot minute. 60 seconds, that's all.

Ha. It hit me all at once. The bevy of beautiful people who are WONDERFUL and love me so vastly. The smiles of my loved ones blur together into a sloppy, gleeful image in my mind, and wow. I am so grateful. My thoughtful sister who sent me a powerful book on art in the mail last week and my dearest friend who sent me a delightful Anthropologie housewarming present in the mail this week. The flowers my Aunt sent. My mom, who has called me and encouraged me everyday. My cousins, my sisters, my Dad, my friends. They care. Sheesh I am so blessed. I am overwhelmed with the unfathomable, infectious, present-infused love. And I am so incredibly thankful for these genuine pillars of strength in my life. These people quite literally create a firm foundation; I believe I can be big and strong because they tell me I can.

Get Grateful.

So I just want to encourage you today. Stress, anxiety, tension; they're all natural responses to transition. And if you're experiencing transition, whether severe or thrilling or somewhere in between, you don't have to experience an on-going bought of the painful stress. Take a moment, allow yourself to focus on the beautiful gifts around you, the joy of your relationships, even the lovely colors of summer. Whatever it takes. For your mind to quiet, your face to relax, your eyes to finally close. Your gratitude breeds peace. And once you have that peace, it's yours to keep.

Try It.

If you need to do an exercise to pull you out of a funk, unearth some of that pretty stationary that I know is sitting somewhere in a side drawer. Take a moment to think about 3 people who have really impacted your personal journey in the past year. It might be your mom, it might be your husband, it might even be a co-worker that you're not that close with, but has recognized your contributions and verbalized it. Whoever comes to mind, take 5 minutes and write it down. Tell them why they are wonderful to you. I promise that you will feel. So good. And now... look what you've done! Not only did you quiet your mind and find your peace, but now you're giving it away to others! Mmm win/win. Stamp it. Mail it.

Final Note.

In case you haven't heard it yet, you are enough. All the to-do's, the busyness, the job stress, the family tensions and the responsibility you feel toward all of it. Of course you have your reasons to be stressed. Of course you are justified in all your emotions. And there is probably so much that "needs" to be done today. However, you just need to know. You are. Enough. Just you. So give yourself a slice of grace today. Because seriously, you are enough.

Love to you today.

DIY: Pretty Up Your Bathroom for $7

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Easiest DIY Ever.

Want a weekend project? I've got the EASIEST ever DIY for you. Project "pretty-up-my-creepy-bathroom" has been enacted on all fronts since we moved in. NYC apartments just aren't the cleanest. Or remodeled. Or pretty. So little by little, my apartment is getting a facelift. The bathroom got voted first. Mostly because it's small and easiest to tackle and see semi-quick results!

Materials.

Ok, here's the deal. My bathroom mirror is an old-school medicine cabinet that opens in 3 panels. Behind each mirrored panel is some of the oldest, skeeziest particle board ever. I tried scrubbing it when we moved in, but to no sparkling avail. The next best thing? Covering it up. I bought this Green & Gold Tile paper at Paper Source down the street for approx. $7. And that is all you will spend on this marvelous project. Seriously.

// Sorry for the spooky lighting. Bathroom lighting is always a tough one for me. //

Method.

1. I pulled out all the toiletries in the medicine cabinet and wiped everything down again. I removed the shelves and then I tucked the paper behind the mirror. Some excess paper hung outside the cabinet. It's all good.

2. & 3. I folded the paper back when it needed to be trimmed. Using my husband's favorite tool, I cut along the edge of the paper. You can also use an x-acto knife.

4. Using tape (it doesn't have to be any specific kind), I carefully taped the back of the paper to the edges of the inside cabinet.

5. Voila. Open the cabinet, prettiness abounds. Thank goodness. It's the little things that can make you feel better about the space you live in, am I right?

6. This post was NOT endorsed by Tom's. Ha but I do love him.

Let me know if you decide to give this a try! I will be doing some more work on our apartment this weekend and will have more projects to share. Have the happiest of happy weekends.

New Headshots!

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Start spreading the news I'm leaving today I want to be apart of it New York, New York. - Frank Sinatra, "New York, New York"

Let's Get It Started.

Well... we've moved. To New York. For those of you who don't know, my husband got a post-MBA job here in this big, apple-icious city, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I have worked part-time as an actress and voice over artist in Atlanta and Boston over the past several years, and I am eager to take the plunge full-time and learn the industry in New York. Because it's out there! Right out my door! And I've gotta leverage that.

All that being said... I'm excited to share my updated headshots with you. Shot last month in the grand green pastures of Georgia with the uber-talented photographer/acting coach extraordinaire Barbara Benevil, these snapshots are ready to showcase a new (and hopefully improved) Kristen to the entertainment industry. Check them out and let me know what you think in the comments section!

These are just a preview! Link over to my acting site for more photos and stay tuned to my new Facebook page for more info and updates on my journey in entertainment - there are exciting things brewing over here in the Hale household! Excited to share more in the coming weeks!

You can help! If you are someone or know someone I should reach out to in the Manhattan/Brooklyn area regarding Film/TV/Voiceover/Print work, please don't hesitate to reach out! I am eager to meet people in this industry. I've got a lot to learn!

Thanks for your support!