Being Claudia: My Life Unscripted

2006-11-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

Proximity2Now (www.proximity2now.blogspot.com) has inspired me by posting a slew of inspirational quotes. I am in dire need of inspiration, motivation, salvation, appreciation, emancipation....I could go on, but instead I will blast you and I with the following words of wisdom from Sri Chimnoy. (found these lovely cards at my favourite vegetarian restaurant, 'Perfection, Satisfaction, Promise' (located below my ex-apartment) Sniff...Sniff...

Here goes:

Dream, dream, dream!
You will never
Have time to suffer
From despair.

To silence enthusiasm
At any moment
Is absolutely wrong.

Do not blame the world,
Better it.
How?
By bettering yourself
At every moment.

Turn your
Wishful thoughts into
A powerful
Will-power.

Do not be afraid of tasting
The bitterness of failure.
Be brave!
The sweetness of success
Will before long
Befriend you.

Break your bad habits
By dropping them.
Strengthen your good habits
By treasuring them.

How can one get
The greatest joy?
Not by possessing,
But by sacrificing.

True humility
Means
Giving joy to others.

Truth is in all
But love is all.

To serve
And never be tired
Is love.

By seeing the past
I gain nothing.
By knowing the future
I gain something.
By living in the present
I gain everything.

First be sure
That you know the truth,
Before you talk to others
About the truth.

Be happy.
You will get
What you like most.
You will be
What you like best.

If you do
The right thing,
Eventually
You will inspire others
To do the right thing.

2006-10-27T08:12:00.000-04:00

Ladies & Gentleman,
the last few weeks have been chock full of nerve-wracking episodes (ie: trying to get the poster/DVD/DVD Case completed for 'Alien Harvest', booking extras at the last minute (nothing new there), trying to move from my apartment to my new home (uhhh..still working on that one...must get everything out by Oct.31...eeeek)...have spent countless days on the wire with phone companies....oh how exciting that was - how do you choose which provider to go with when they all seem to 'p' you off?? and finally - have been trying to eat healthy during it all...(hmmmmm...still working on that too...)

And finally...finally...have been inviting all my dearest friends, enemies (?) and family to the world premiere of ALIEN HARVEST - if you're reading this, I better see you there (with all your closest friends, enemies & family)...

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!

Come check out A.C.T.'s up and coming young actors in its latest production, 'ALIEN HARVEST' on Friday, October 27, 2006

6:30 pm - Light Refreshments & Mingling

7:00pm - Screening

Alumni Auditorium, 90 University
(located on the University of Ottawa Campus, across from the Residential Complex)
and help us raise money for A.C.T. equipment upgrades by entering a 50/50 draw!!

This is event is hosted by A.C.T. (Acting for Cinema & Television) and will be screening a number of short films (Alien Harvest, La Commercial, Murder for Beginners & Ring of Vision) produced by A.C.T. students, alumni & members.

A.C.T. proudly presents the premiere of
Alien Harvest (Directed by Jared Cote, Claudia Jurt, & Rob Thompson), a short film starring a group of very talented ‘Young Movie Makers’.

Join in the fun with Ottawa’s finest industry folk.

RSVP by email Info@ACTottawa.com
or call 613.565.2107

Admission is FREE

www.ACTottawa.com

2006-10-07T08:43:00.000-04:00

So I'll be hosting my very first Thanksgiving for my family (in my new home). Funny that I should add this kind of pressure to my life...but that's me I guess. I look forward to filling my home with guests, but I have yet to move my couch set from my apartment to my house....eeeeek...need strong men and truck. Anyone out there? Is there anyone that wants to take time out of their Thanksgiving weekend to help C move her couches? Yeah....didn't think so... There are rewards for helping though.... what are they? I don't know yet (but they'll be good, I promise).

Oh and who wants to be an extra today at 5pm? (must be male, 50 +)

Love,
C

2006-09-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

If nothing else, just keep your head above water.
That's the plan for today.
Work and the life that surrounds it have been
coming to a head - feeling overwhelmed. Though, this is
better than feeling underwhelmed , I have to
remind myself to tackle one thing at a time.
Breathe...just breathe...and keep writing. It has been
supremely rewarding for me. Lately, I've been enjoying that
sense of accomplishment after finishing any given task.
Whether it's cleaning my room, washing dishes, writing a scene,
booking extras or simply making my bed - if I leave a negative,
'uch...I hate doing this, can't wait until it's over so I can
get on with it', I experience so much more quality & joy in living.
Regardless of what you do, if you truly put 100% effort
into it, you feel great. I think it's because when I really
delve into something, I'm not worried about before and after.
It's amazing. I guess those moments feel so good because in them
I am truly PRESENT. It's like a drug, but free and healthy.
If you haven't already, you should try it... ;)

2006-09-23T10:06:00.000-04:00

As promised, the SADC blog has been launched!

Check out www.sceneadayclub.blogspot.com

If you haven't joined already, it is definitely time now!

Cheers,
C

2006-09-23T06:49:00.000-04:00

Wowzers...I'm back...due to my crazy scheduling with the movies I've been working on, I now wake up even earlier than I usually do...ie: 5am or 6am ish instead of 7am ish. Insanity... but yes, Ereek, I am definitely alive and kicking (kicking myself that is). Set was a lot of fun yesterday. I have been expanding my roster of background artists - the more fresh faces the merrier. And how did I finally find these new people...well...one way was through a new agency, Shadz of Talent and the other was my new favourite website. www.ottawa.craigslist.org. So much fun! I even bought an amazing cottage from that site. You can buy, sell, give away and/or receive anything from that site...and you don't pay a penny to post anything. It's great! Ummm....what else? I have been working on my newly founded SADC (Scene a day Club), with it's ever growing membership (which is easy & free btw), I have decided to create a new blog dedicated solely to it. (stay tuned for that). Following is a list of current members and their recent work:
1. Claudia Jurt (favourite scene to date "It's Funny Cause It's True: Ep. Sex a La Telephone" - we had a read-though of this w/ the background performers on set yesterday...well in the holding area...not ON set..lotsa laughter though) Yay!
2. Nancy Kenny (has been sending me numerous scenes...great committment)Super!
3. Meghanne Kessels (has written an amazing children's story) Amazing!
4. Stephanie Halin (hmmmmmm....not sure...but she did participate in the read of one of my scenes yesterday)
5. Steve Stransman - newish member - has his own SADC blog www.sadcsteve.blogspot.com
6. Corry Burke - joined unofficially on Sept. 18 (when he started to work on a feature film script) and officially yesterday when he found out that the only rule that must be followed as an SADC member is to write at least ONE SCENE A DAY - he has written well over one scene a day since September 18 - thus he is granted membership as of that day. Welcome Corry Burke!
7. Normand Laniel - joined as of September 22 - he heard all about the SADC on-set yesterday - I received an email later that night with a request to join the club - welcome Normand!

Other potential members that have expressed an interest in the SADC: Robert Reynolds & Caitlin Emond! We're also waiting for Eric Schmidt to join the club...stay tuned..

At any rate, it is exciting to see that the SADC is growing quickly - before you know it, we will have organized meetings to read one-another's scenes, daily, weekly and/or monthly challenges, actual productions, publications, screenings, presentations of our work...the possibilites are endless!

So, I shall begin with today's challenge:
Use the word: LOVE at least 3 times in your scene today.

This challenge is inspired by the show Grey's Anatomy, my roommate was watching it and from where I was sitting, I was vaguely listening, but I swear, I heard the word JEALOUS used at least ten times in that episode. Interesting...very interesting...great show btw.

Sorry..no pics today...I broke the knob off my camera that allows me to click between take and view photo...uck..maddening, maddening I tell you.

Gosh I'm random sometimes... RANDOM - love that word...we'll have to use that one in tomorrow's challenge! (it's a total Stransman word or a word that makes me think of Stransman - Random Stransmon)...wow...I'm velly creative.

I better get working on my scene for today.

Have a brilliant day.

Oh and...HAPPY WRITING!!!

Love,
C :)

2006-09-13T08:47:00.000-04:00

So...I have been looking for a roommate for my very first home!!!!! Eeeeeekk... Below are all the details if anyone else is interested in the possibility.

And thank you for everyone that has called/emailed so far - I have been taking down a list of names and although the builder is still putting finishing touches on the place, I will start meeting people/showing the new home. So far, everyone sounds cool...so we shall meet and find the right combination!

Details:
Brand new, just built, metropolitan, 2 bedroom, 3-storey loftstyle townhome. 2 Full Bathrooms. Balcony off kitchen. Large Windows. Stainless Steel appliances in eat-in kitchen. Beautiful Hardwood floors in livingroom, dining room, kitchen & bedrooms. Porcelain Tiles in bathrooms. Funky loft den. Washer & Dryer. Includes Parking. Steps away from Coliseum Movie Theatre, Tim Hortons, Andrew Haydon Park, Britannia Beach, etc... Room can be furnished or unfurnished (cost is same for basic furnishings). Access to high speed internet & Cable tv. I'm an entrepreneur and primarily work in film & tv, teach at an acting school, cast actors & extras for local productions, etc... Cost of Utilities is TBD as I am moving in at the same time. To see the pics of the model home, go to www.mls.ca and search MLS #642959
Seeking 1 male or female roommate or a couple (rent will be higher) to fill 2nd bedroom (on main level).

For more info. please call Claudia at 613.255.4796 or msn claudiajurt@hotmail.com (feel free to send me info. about yourself)

Location: 798 High St. at Carling

I'm the one on the right!

2006-09-12T08:40:00.000-04:00

The SADC or Scene a Day Club (for those of you who are new to this concept) is still recruiting new members.

Let me think of a more clear mandate here:

The mission of the SADC is to inspire people to write. The goal is to open up our creative selves by committing to writing one scene a day.

Rules & General Guidelines
(subject to change)
1. Write at least one scene each day - it can be hand written or typed and written for any medium (ie: screenplay, television, documentary, stage, commercial, novel, children's story, etc...). The scenes may or may not relate to one another.
2. Make sure to title and date each scene and keep them on file.
3. When you feel inspired, reply to the most current SADC entry on this blog with your progress, revelations, frustrations, questions and/or advice to fellow SADC members.
4. Membership is open to any and all people with an interest in becoming more creative. Simply reply to any SADC postings on this blog.
5. SADC member meetings will be organized periodically to discuss & read one another's scenes. Eventually we may choose to amalgamate all of our individual scenes or a combination of the SADC members scenes to create a feature film, tv series, etc...
6. When writing a scene, do not worry about quantity or quality. The only objective is to write. Eventually you will have so many scene ideas you won't know what to do with them all. Don't get overwhelmed, simply re-read Guideline #1.
7. Writing without the pressure of brilliance will give members less opportunity to resist. We are here to beat creative resistance.
8. Do not write a scene with a previous or future scene in mind. They do not have to relate. They can, but they don't have to. At this point we don't want to stilt anything.
9. Membership begins the day that you reply to this blog and write your first scene.
10. Just keep on writing.

Please note: The above Rules & General Guidelines will evolve as time goes on.

CURRENT MEMBERS OF SADC:
1. Claudia Jurt (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
2. Nancy Kenny (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
3. Meghanne Kessels (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
4. Stephanie Halin (as of Sep. 12, 2006)

REPLY TO THIS BLOG & JOIN THE SADC FUN TODAY!!!

Happy Writing!
(or sad, angry & scared)

C :)

2006-09-11T07:01:00.000-04:00

My mom is the greatest woman in the world!

Today is about creating joy & serenity...or simply seeing it...

Breathe...just breathe... ...and don't forget to write your scene for our 'Scene a Day' Club...while you breathe... Love, C ;)

PS: "No one can arrive from being talented alone. God gives us talent, work transforms talent into genius." --Anna Pavlova (you notice Pavlova did not say "busyness and obsessive work"

2006-09-10T08:43:00.000-04:00

INT. HOME OFFICE - MORNING

CLAUDIA, a 28. yr. old brunette is sitting at her computer, writing yet another blog.

Supertitle: The Blog - Friend or Foe?

She takes a sip of water and begins to read other blogs of random people from around the world. The phone rings.

CLAUDIA
(picks up phone)
Hello?

NANCY (V.O.)
Hey, just calling to see if you've
written your scenes yet?

CLAUDIA
(still scanning blogs)
I was working on it...

NANCY (V.O.)
Uh huh...are we still meeting after the read through?

CLAUDIA
Of course - you and I are having our own read through
after the read through. It's gonna be goooood.

Claudia hangs up the phone and turns back to the computer. She stares at it blankly
then goes to take another sip of water, notices that the cup is empty and then proceeds to the kitchen to get more.

END

The above scene is an example of my resistance to getting to the 'work'. So, this is my official commitment to writing at least one scene a day for the next week. I challenge all writers out there to write at least one scene a day with me. Nancy is already part of the 'Scene a day Club' - yeah...just made that up...not an official name, am open to suggestions...anyhow..the point is to sit down and write,regardless of the outcome. The length and quality of the scene is not of importance at this point. Just write it! Every day. One scene (or more) for one week. Next week I intend to commence a new week. Ultimate goal: to have enough scenes that can be linked together into a feature film. Whether a group of us pool our scenes or we each have our own that remains to be seen. Important: Do not write a scene with a previous or future scene in mind. They do not have to relate. They can, but they don't have to. At this point we don't want to stilt anything.

To join the 'Scene a day Club', please reply to this blog.

Happy Writing!

C :)

2006-09-06T17:18:00.000-04:00

I have this vunderrrful page-a-day calendar, 'For women who do too much' - that's ME. Because I do too much, I have a tendency to leave the calendar on one date for a number of weeks. ie: the last time I tore a page off was on August 15th - until today, I read all the way up to Sept. 6 Of course, I'm a pack-rat and hate throwing anything out, they're just SO good.
A few of my personal favourites:

"We need to learn the difference between isolation and solitude."

"When we accept our 'stuckness', our lives begin to shift."

"Realizing that faster is not always better can be a difficult lesson for those who do too much."

"Our minds can take a perfectly innocent bit of information, chew on it, roll it around, and come to a completely insane conclusion. That's the genius of our thinking."

"Forgetting doesn't usually mean that something is gone forever. It only means that whatever it is has gone on a brief vacation and will return unexpectedly."

"What parts of our life are we missing by not being present to each day?"

"We are never as clever as we think we are and always infinitely more clever than we believe we are."

Now I don't feel so bad about throwing these pages into recycling, as they are forever posted on this page. Yahoo!
Tonight is my first theatre audition in over 2 years - yikes! I think it will be a lotta fun! It's high time to work on a project w/ fellow students of Michèle. Whether it will be this one or something else remains to be seen...
Here is the head shot that I will be bringing to the audition...not really a replica of me now...but it will have to do...

Finally, if you haven't seen 'The Illusionist' (starring Edward Norton) yet, GO SEE THIS FILM - it is brrrrrrrrillllliant - I felt inspired the entire time I was sitting in that theatre. I would even go see it again - I NEVER do that.

2006-09-05T07:17:00.000-04:00

Gosh darnit! It is 7:12 am and I am f r u s t r a t e d. Two of my extras have cancelled on me...they were scheduled for 6:30 and 7:00am - it is pretty much impossible to replace them at this point - no one likes an early in the am phone call to go to set...far, far away. Not to mention, these extras have very specific looks & measurements...uck...Also, this is only my third blog...love that I can come on here and alleviate some of my frustrations. Thank you. However, I am also frustrated because I can't upload a photo for the main page and I can't add links for any of my blogging buddies out there. Boooooooooo........ Here's a pic of me and one of those so-called buddies...she is the inspiration to my blogging beginning's. Hopefully the rest of the day will prove more successful... Definitely hopefully. I will be attending my very first singing lesson with Yoriko Tanno-Kimmons (Michele of singing teachers) today. Eeeeeekkkk...... self-improvement is always a good thing. I have no illusions about becoming a 'professional' singer, but I do believe this will help me find my 'voice'...or something. This woman is cool, that I know for sure.

2006-09-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

Note: Wardrobe people can be very dangerous. I was almost doomed to wear a pleated, plaid, size 46 skirt (I am big, but not a size 46) -- I have big hips - people with big hips should never wear pleated clothing - they should also not wear clothing that is way too big for them, thus making them look like a two-tonne truck. Or clothing that screams '80 yr. old grandmother'. Sheesh. Why am I smiling in this photo? Well...that was taken right after I found out that the producers of the film I was about to be in had a meeting and decided that my 'attire' was not appropriate. Thank goodness! That was the joy on my face...'cause the new outfit was super duper! And I looked kinda hot in the other skirt. Yep. I win. Sometimes I win! Side note: The arms out and smile on my face make me look like the 'After' in a before/after ad for weightloss...hmmm..something is wrong w/ this picture...I'll come up w/ a better 'after' shot in a few months and a lotta lost pounds..

2006-09-02T13:28:00.000-04:00

So... I have been trying to come up with a 'brilliant' idea for a feature film.......zzzzzzzzzz......the more I want this...the more my mind goes something like this: --------------------------------------------------------
painful. I'm a wannabe writer with a whole lot of writer's block. So, I decided to start a blog....just so I can vomit up my boring thoughts and ideas. I figure if I get all the crap out, then I'll make some room for the good stuff. Yeah...that's it...Ok, so today I have not done anything of writing value, unless you call lazing on the couch and watching tv something to write home about...uh...no. Procrastination. yep that's all i got at this moment...I didn't even come up w/ my blog title...that was my roommate (see gal above in purple shirt), when i said "Katie, if you were Claudia and decided to start a blog, what would you call it?" wow...lame...not her, me... Claudia means lame for those of you who don't know that already.
Alrighty.
Time fer a shower.
Being productive always gets the ball rolling.