Just Around the Riverbend

I'm back in the good ol' Newnan for the weekend, and I could not be happier to get away from that stupid rodent for a few days. Seriously this is a much needed vacation.

Last night after watching the terrific Frances Ha (If you haven't checked it out yet, do it now. It's streaming on Netflix!) for the thousandth time, I had a great heart-to-heart with mi familia about what lies in store for me up the road. As most of you know, I am an avid film buff. If you did not know that please head right over here to find out.

Are we finished? Ahem... let's move ahead!

The film industry is something I have always wanted to be a part of. Maybe not always but at least since I was... 11? Okay yeah always. Shortly after I officially moved down to Disney in 2008 is when the film boom exploded in Georgia. Mom sent me newspaper clippings about both Zombieland and Get Low (a cute fable-style movie starring Robert Duvall and Bill Murray) being filmed here. My sister, Emily, spent a day as an extra in the Footloose remake. Also in the past year both "The Walking Dead" and the upcoming Mockingjay have shot scenes in my very hometown. That's right folks. Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth have lived and allegedly hung out in bars in Newnan, GA. Needless to say all this awesomeness was missed by one jealous green monster.

This picture is from "The Walking Dead" episode that aired a couple of weeks ago. Filmed last October. That building across the street with the ramp in front? That's our community theatre. My mother was working inside... while they were filming!! Ugh.

I've said for years it's time to stop being so complacent with my job at Disney and actually get back to the one thing I've always loved. Don't get me wrong. I love performing, and I could not be happier with the time I've spent and the family I've made down at the House of Mouse. I regret none of that. It's just past time to move on, and with Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade closing this summer (more on that subject in an upcoming post), I could not think of a better time to do just that.

Do not fret, Whorlandians. I won't be moving away anytime soon. I'm not the kind to just toss aside my current job of 7 years to move back home without another job waiting for me. I am going to start networking though. My dad happens to know the head of a production company that's building up over in Fayette County (where I used to dance btw). He said he'd put in a good word for me so we'll see where that goes. I've also been chatting with my awesome buddy Nick. I know him from JTA (Jedi Training Academy, for the unaware), and he cuts my hair.

Excuse me while I have a Cataldo moment. "Hairdresser, hairdresser... oh whoa oh"

Anyway Nick's brother Tony is our stage director over at JTA. He also happens to be a screenwriter himself. He and one of his good friends have made a couple of movies over the years. Nick had copies of both and let me borrow them. One was a zombie movie shot back in 2008, and the other was a ghost story shot a couple of years ago. Both are fairly low-budget, but it's pretty cool that I know the screenwriter, and they shot both in the Orlando area! According to Nick, Tony and his friend have already written a new script and are starting pre-production stuff. I think it would be AWESOME to hang out and be a part of the making of an actual movie even if it was just for a day.

So that's what's been going on in my world lately. Lots of exciting things might be coming round the bend here pretty soon. I say BRING IT ON!

Oh and if you didn't understand the Cataldo reference, CHECK OUT THIS AWESOMENESS. You're welcome. Farewell!