Finally wrapped up 2 feature films!! (ps it's my birthday next month)
Added 2019-05-12 09:40:59 +0000 UTCApril was such a busy month.. Callbacks for HBO's Room 104 & booked roles in two feature films!! I know I've been a bit slow replying lately, and that's because I was sooo swamped with acting jobs.. I now have time to focus on myself and my patrons. I will be sending out hand-written letters and skyping you very soon, i promise :)
I booked the horror film for STX Entertainment to be released THIS October starring Elizabeth Lail from Netflix's You & Once Upon a Time, and Peter Facinelli who is mostly known for his role as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the Twilight Saga!! I also worked on an independent feature film starring Emma Kenney from the American version of Shameless, Chris Lee from CW's Legacies, and Hassie Harrison from Southbound.
Results for my callback for HBO's Room 104... so I didn't get the part I originally auditioned for, but the director/producer/casting gave me ANOTHER callback for Room 104 for a DIFFERENT role in a different episode!! Even though I didn't get the original role, I believe it's still a WIN that I was even considered for another role and was brought back again. But to be brutally honest, I cried for a week straight because I was disappointed they didn't choose me for either roles.. It's super exhausting mentally and physically to learn and prepare pages of dialogue and monologues and to do it multiple times at the auditions & callbacks.. I had a mental breakdown last week and sometimes I think I'm pathetic and my work is shitty and blah blah blah.. Don't worry about me though, when this industry brings me down, it just takes time for me to get inspired to get back on my game again.
Now that I'm done with my films, I want to focus on doing a horror game live stream with you all to celebrate 200+ patrons!! :) I am thinking a Saturday is perfect! I am SO grateful that you are staying loyal and supportive even when I've been so busy. I see that some people have left, which makes me a little nervous, because this patreon page is literally saving my life right now, so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for helping me out. I would not be able to pursue my creative endeavors without you..
My short film Holly is ALMOST DONE!!! It's pretty much done being edited, and now all we need to do is some voice-over work, sound mastering, and getting a film score done by a composer!! Then we will be sending my first ever short film to festivals :D THIS IS SO EXCITING!! I know I've been focusing on acting, but my real true passion is film-making. I want to create stories in my own voice/style/tone. I am hoping to start pre-production on a short 4 episode comedy series about space aliens soon :)
By the way, it's my birthday next month!!! I don't want to ask for a lot, but if you noticed, I stopped making youtube videos because my camera is super old and has been malfunctioning unexpectedly when I film, so it's been super discouraging lately. I am also hoping to expand my knowledge and educate myself by taking comedy improv classes at the famous Upright Citizens' Brigade. If anyone is able to help contribute via Patreon or Venmo (@jeanxmai) or paypal (jeanniemai@ymail.com) it would make my birthday sooo much more amazing & I would be so grateful.
It's been such a special year for me.. It's the most I've ever worked as an actress and I am so incredibly appreciative for every opportunity and every one of YOU that is helping me get to this point.. and it's only the beginning!! I love you all so much. Thank you so much again for helping me manifest amazing opportunities. Can't wait to see what else this year has in store for us!!
Comments
you are amazing chris!!!
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 21:48:07 +0000 UTCThis message means the universe 2 me; I hope I will do my best 2 b part of all ur moments in the near future; btw I will get ur sweaters dont worry (during the winter) I PROMISE; sorry if I can’t skype anymore since I’m donating a small amount hope we can Skype in the future 2 bless ur heart; don’t give up & look up #MaiSquadAndDshit
Chris Gabino
2019-05-15 02:31:02 +0000 UTCif i didn't before, welcome brandon!! i am so grateful to have you along my creative journey with me. thank you so much for the positive encouragement. it definitely lifted me up when i needed it.. you are so kind. i am so honored to have your support. thank you so much again. much love to you :)
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:28:40 +0000 UTCchris, i love you so much. you have been there for me since day 1 and i will never forget that. i am so grateful and have so much love for you. you really hold a special place in my heart. i am so honored that you are a huge part of my journey. you are the kindest, sweetest, most genuine supportive friend i have ever met. i am so blessed life brought you into my journey.
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:27:20 +0000 UTCAHH i love tangerine!! such an inspiring production!! thank you so much for your elaborate, valuable insights josh. a huuge reason why i think patreon is a blessing is getting to interact with such intelligent, kind people who are willing to help me.. this industry feels so lonely. the higher i go, the less i see genuine support. of course it's amazing to work with such amazing actors and actresses, but they are so involved with their own careers that it's really hard to making lasting friendships in the industry. i am so grateful to be able to hear from you and read your extensive responses to my posts. it's like art to me. you are such a wonderful writer & it excites me every time you reply :) i definitely want to start making mini projects!! i was uninspired after getting rejected from my dream role for Room 104, but you are so right. it has nothing to do with my work. they liked me, that's why they called me back! they do have a very specific vision. thank you for the reminder that i am doing good work regardless :) i am so happy to have your support & friendship. thank you for always lifting me up <3
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:25:40 +0000 UTCdoug, i am so thankful for this inspiring and insightful message. you are so right. one of my favorite movies is Tangerine, and it was all shot on an iphone!! i've just been down being rejected from my dream role and i am just making up excuses for not creating.. anything is possible. thank you for your words of empowerment.
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:17:19 +0000 UTCwow thank you so much brett!! i had no idea that people think of me as articulate :') thank you for congratulating me!! you are right.. the immediate successes that didn't happen is giving me the building blocks for future opportunities. gotta remember that when i get down. YOU are so amazing! i am so appreciative of your support.
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:14:33 +0000 UTCjacob!! thank you so much for your positive reminder to me that i am working hard.. sometimes i forget because of one rejection... i was a lil sad for a week, but i'm back on my grind now!! i am so grateful to have your support my friend. much love to you !! xx
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:10:12 +0000 UTCaw john thank you so much for your positive encouragement!! i have been a lil down lately, but you're right.. i am hopeful that in time, the goals i am working towards will manifest into reality. thank you so much for reminding me <3
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:06:04 +0000 UTCjohn, thank you for such a thoughtful message!! you're right.. i should take some time to relax and not beat myself up. it's been a crazy busy month and been really emotional lately because of how close i was to getting the part.. it would be amazing if you were in CA! what part of the world are you in? thank u for the reminder to breathe :)
Jeannie Elise Mai
2019-05-15 02:04:48 +0000 UTCRelatively new to your patron but I have seen such passion for your acting career as well as directing is a refreshing sight to see ☺️ I wish you nothing but the best of luck and happy to be part of your journey and can’t wait how you shake the world with your talent ☺️☺️
Brandon
2019-05-13 16:39:49 +0000 UTCI’m sorry dat I haven’t been with 4 this part of ur journey; but I’m just wishing u all my love & support 2 u from afar & I hope ur gonna keep grinding on this universal journey of 2019; I’m still gonna support u here; even if it’s not much like I used 2; but anything counts hope 2 talk 2 u again soon, again I’m sorry if I wasn’t there 4 these recent events; but I believe ur still gonna b doing even better #MaiSquad #Dshit #DshitAndMaiSquad
Chris Gabino
2019-05-12 17:51:48 +0000 UTCThat's a lot to comment on, but that's a good thing! That means there's a lot going on for you. First, I was excited to see Elizabeth Lail announce that she was in a new horror film because she's great. Then saw that you were also in it, so I got even more excited! Emma Kenney is also great. I love Shameless. It's exciting that you're getting your face out there more. I believe with the release of these films will bring you more opportunities. That is a huge bummer about Room 104. That's one of my favorite shows, actually, but I wouldn't take it too personally. From watching the shows and many other Duplass Brothers productions, it seems like they're very particular about who they cast to fit their weird visions perfectly. It's not that you're not worth while (look at all the other roles you're landing), it's that they're looking for something very specific. Happy to stay loyal, and even upped my pledge a couple months ago. I assumed set life is what was keeping you busy, and to suddenly not support you for living the dreams we're here supporting you for in the first place would be weird haha. Very much looking forward to Holly! Probably more than any other project you've been involved in. Because it's you as a creator 100%. I'd love to see what comes out of your creative vision. As for film making and needing new gear, happy to donate, of course. But you should really even do small projects too. Little micro-films. Like 2 minute shorts or whatever. For one, it lets you get more hands on experience, so when you do land those larger project, you're far more prepared. Also, look into Sony Mirrorless cameras. Even my lowest end a6000 takes some great looking footage. Especially if you upgrade the lens. Or hell, getting an app like Filmic Pro on the iPhone can give you some great results! Watch the film Tangerine. That was all filmed on like an iPhone 7 I believe. Okay. This was longer than expected to basically say you're doing great! Keep your head up and keep pushing through. You're killing it this year and you will continue to.
Josh Peters
2019-05-12 16:45:09 +0000 UTCIf film making is the goal I think you should look at trying lots of mini projects to work on your skills and gain feedback. The comedy sounds promising to start this and I look forward to seeing what comes from that. Using YouTube, Instagram and even a basic modern smartphone could give you the opportunity to really push these goals forward. For example, if you wanted to practice building suspense in film, a simple 1 min Insta vid could provide a challenge to try and use cinematic skills to build suspense in a short time and your follows can provide real feedback. Over time this can build into YouTube films, short films, longer format then who knows. Putting stuff out there will also help your grow your Patreon and you could over time make that more based on your film making. Don’t let an old camera hold you back from working on these things. These are excuses for not achieving our goals. Smartphones can do amazing things these days. Just shoot stuff. You’ll be amazed at what you can pull off with vision, effort and desire.
Doug
2019-05-12 14:59:56 +0000 UTCThis entry is a perfect example of what makes your Patreon so wonderful. To hear your story articulated in such an open and honest way is so interesting, and also very inspiring. Congratulations on all the successes! And congratulations on the other things that are not immediate successes, but we will call building blocks for future successes. You're amazing!
Brett Love
2019-05-12 13:33:42 +0000 UTCThis is all very exciting!!! I'm sorry to hear about the rules you didn't get but you are making huge strides getting into multiple movies and you've created your own short film. I can't wait to see you in action as all of this content is available!!
Jacob Tibbetts
2019-05-12 12:39:35 +0000 UTCcongrats gorgeous, all the best things come to those who wait, so even if it's only small parts you are getting just now, the big break might just be around the corner x
John McGoldrick
2019-05-12 11:51:15 +0000 UTCCongratulations Jeannie I am super proud and happy for you. All of your hard work is paying off. Don't forget to take a moment to breathe once in a while. I wish I lived in California so we could be friends for real and watch all happen in person. Anyway keep up the hard work. Remember to breathe.
John shavers
2019-05-12 11:41:24 +0000 UTC
