🌷🌷April was lovely 🌷🌷 I had been waiting for a specific feeling that I was missing in March. Flow? Divine timing? A knowing? It’s feels elusive, out of my control, yet I know when I’m in it.
It began April 1 when I found out my manager was retiring. I felt no fear or frustration. In fact, I felt unsurprised even though he had made no indication this would be happening. This gave me a focus that I was very relaxed about and had little expectations for. I knew I’d be fine if not better because of it.
I went on a quick girls trip to see The Notebook Musical the 2nd day of my IVF stimulations. It was planned last minute with no stress, EVEN THOUGH I was new to stabbing myself in the belly AND had to do it in the car outside the theater 🥴💉😂.
Luckily, my sweet friend was cool with waiting til the last minute, so I took my time and thought things through and waited til I felt calm making the decision.
I trusted my fertility team and waited a few weeks to start stimulations and it resulted in slightly better results and ultimately I think the best results we could have hoped for. YOU GUYS, in the past I would be FREAKING OUT over waiting 2 more weeks!! There were a few moments I felt annoyed with someone speaking in a way that felt out of fear, which would make me begin to question had I made the right decision. But as soon as I would turn back to peace I was reminded “nope, you’ve got this. You’re on the path.”
Of course, when I least expected it, I booked a Co-Star on a series right before I was ready to schedule my first egg retrieval, which is a timely situation. Again, I had a feeling that all the appointments and egg retrieval and fittings and shoot day would fall perfectly into place. And they did.
And now we wait. I’ll share more pics from set when I am allowed. And from my IVF experience when/if I feel like it. It’s such a personal experience. I have had so many beautiful women share their stories with me and I feel honored to know of that experience now.
Excited for May. I have a good feeling about it.
Another quick blurb from the @ffs_podcasts episode. 🙂↔️ I LOVE that perhaps their favorite scene from the short is of MY FACE! Again, blushing. But this was a great director/actor moment when, after the first take of this shot, Barrett came up to me, told me what he wanted and I was like “got it” even though I only had moments to think it through, I trusted my body would figure it out. And it did. This was the second take, he loved it, and we moved on.
Some thought maybe I went into “too much ecstasy,” but Barrett saw the vision and with brilliant sound design it all came together quite effectively.
If you haven’t yet, GO WATCH “THE ANGEL” on ALTER via YouTube. Link in bio. Watch it on at least something bigger than your phone with decent speakers. The music, the sounds, the cinematography, the details of the wardrobe…all should not be missed! 👏👏👏
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm #mormon #folklore
Co-directing THE ANGEL with my partner @barrettburgin has been the experience of a lifetime, and it’s unbelievably exciting to have our film released on @watch_alter on this week.
@barrettburgin is much more comfortable in the spotlight than I am. And what I appreciated most about working together creatively on this film was his care to make sure we were fully aligned on every decision. He’s often the voice between us, but he listens to my softer, more contemplative approach. We were completely unified on every creative decision in directing this film together.
Telling a story that explores themes within my faith background, incorporates pieces of my own ancestor’s history, and draws upon the horrors of personal lived experiences as a co-creator with the love of my life is a tremendous honor.
Self-promotion is not comfortable to me, but I invite you to watch our thoughtfully crafted film and allow the work to speak for itself. Any time I feel anxious about sharing it with any group or individual, all it takes is watching it again to remember that I stand by it completely, and am proud of what we made.
We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic cast and crew, and I mean that sincerely. It was an honor to have their expertise and trust.
Link in bio! Follow us @burgindiepictures for more info on the feature film and other projects.
#horrorfilm #folkhorror #mormonhorror #womeninfilm #horrorshort
🤭😆 This episode of @ffs_podcasts came out back in July and I never shared it…(I had a lot going on that week), but what better time than NOW that it’s available to stream on ALTER?! I am still blushing so hard ☺️ listening to their breakdown of THE ANGEL and my performance. And there’s more! can you believe?? (Will share tomorrow). The whole episode is worth listening to, and if you haven’t yet watched THE ANGEL on @watch_alter …head to the link in my bio. 🙂↕️ #horror #ALTER #shortfilms
So excited to announce that you can finally watch “THE ANGEL” on ALTER @watch_alter over on YouTube. Follow the link in my bio.
It was such a privilege to play this complex character and I hope you enjoy it. And if you’re not a horror fan, don’t worry…it’s more an “elevated” horror. Spiritual horror? Watch and let me know what you think. It’s just the sort of balance of two worlds I love.
Two plural wives receive a mysterious visitation amidst the blood red stone of Southern Utah.
Starring Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Hellboy) @actordougjones
Tatum Langton
Jessica Staples @jessiutah
Edwin Modlin II @edwinmodlin
Directed by: @barrettburgin@jess_burgin
Produced by: J Celene Anderson, Barrett Burgin, Jessica Burgin @jcelenefilm
Story by: Barrett Burgin & Jessica Burgin
Screenplay by: Daniel Yen Tu @danielyentu Director of Photography: Oscar Ignacio Jiménez @osacre
Trailer: @zachrdoumit
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
🦋✨Birthday/Oscar times were had. 🎂✨🏆💕🎬🎞️ more photos were taken but my photographer’s phone went kaput… so you get pictures of cake!
Thank you to the Best Friends 🏆 who came and to the Sean Penn’s who didn’t show…I love you still. 😉
I made a cake that I want everyone to see because I spent a LOT of time prepping and making it, and I don’t feel I got an adequate picture😵💫. It was a London Fog cake with earl grey soak and a lavender mascarpone cream. 🙂↕️ thank you, thank you.
This year feels so different than last. To be honest, I can’t get a reading on it. Here’s to being pleasantly surprised! Year of the Horse!!!
This incredibly sexy guy had a birthday on the 8th and tomorrow he’s my Valentine. 💘 I love him for so many reasons. He’s kindhearted. Hardworking. So talented. So cool. He’s my anchor. He’s my cheerleader. He’s my best friend. Here’s to Spencer.
🌟 Happy Black History Month! 🌟
As we prepare to share Autumn & Summer (coming soon), we are leading this month with a love offering.
This film is rooted in women’s sisterhood, interracial connection, and the communities that hold us through motherhood, loss, and becoming. 🌿✨ Created with care, love, and compassion, we hold deep respect for Black and Brown mothers and birthing people. 🤎🤍🖤
We honor our ancestors, our mothers, our sisters, and the love that carries us. 🙏🏽💐
Stay tuned for the trailer, and for resources and information uplifting Black and Brown maternal health and reproductive support. 💌🖤
Coming soon… 🎬 #BlackHistoryMonth #AutumnAndSummer #BlackMothers #MaternalHealth #filmmarker
