The lucky three - Oct, Nov. Dec.

December 26, 2011

I sit here, in my cozy little flat.

The day after Christmas, candles lit, wordless music playing.

Soaking in the blur of this past semester.

October, November and December seriously blended all as one giant month.
Mainly because filming projects overlapped from the end of one month into the beginning of the next.

It's funny how quick we are to forget how far we've come and worry about what's next. 

At least for me. 

God is so good. And as I look to the future, I need to remember that. 

He blessed me me above and beyond this past semester, only now I am truly realizing the significance of everything.

If you've kept up with my Facebook page, you saw in October that I posted a goal to be registered with three agencies by the end of October... and on October 31, I signed with my third. Since then, I have registered with two more and been in contact with a third. A total of six this semester. WOW. 

Also, I was hoping to get the opportunity for paid work next semester, since I've been going to casting calls nearly every week, especially in the past two months.
However, in December I was blessed with two very well paid jobs and great experiences.

It's now, as I sit alone and have time to reflect, that I realize just how much He has done for me. 

We get so caught up in the busyness of everything, that although we recognize it's God's doing and thank Him, we don't fully understand how blessed we really are. 

At least I don't. 

So I sit here, in complete awe and thanksgiving to God. 

Humbled with His blessings.

It is with a tired body, but a grateful heart, that I reflect on the past three months:

Octnovdec - that should be a real word

Well, what a semester!

I haven't done an exact calculation, but I had the privilege of participating in roughly 25 films this past semester, not counting the vlogs and series I filmed and created for myself (some of which are on my YouTube page). 

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I love my faculty and the diversity of our program. 

Also extremely blessed by the other acting students in our program. As there are only 10 of us, six of which are girls, they was an original fear of the much ironic word "drama," however, we are family. And drama is merely our profession and study, not our livelihood ;) . 

Very grateful.

There is so much I could say about these past few months, so some highlights from Octnovdec?

-Well, the biggest one: Mum came to visit!

Mum came in mid November and spent a whopping TEN days in Prague!

While I was in class and on set, she was able to travel around Prague and beyond, visiting some of the places she used to go to when we lived in Germany, back when Czech Republic was still Czechoslovakia.

(which split in '92 and became Czech Republic and Slovakia - and I have now lived in both)

  It was wonderful to see her, especially since - OH, YES! ANOTHER BIG HIGHLIGHT:

-I'm staying for a 2nd semester!

Yup, got approved by Prague Film School and Cedarville University (who I'm here through) and I'm staying for the full school year!

I am so looking forward to next semester's classes, as well on pursuing more outside, professional work. 

And so since I wouldn't be returning to the States for Christmas, mum came to visit.... and bring Christmas to me :). 

That's right! She brought all my gifts from the family (in November! That's the earliest they've EVER been ready!) and grandparents... and Santa. He got word of my extended stay and had my Christmas stocking all ready to go. 

Everything was waiting, until yesterday, on the top shelves of my closet to be opened... and you bet I was like a little kid, staring at that top shelf whenever I opened the closet doors, wondering what all was up there. 

It really made Christmas special. So did opening them while on Skype with my parents Christmas morning. My time 9:30 am, their time 3:30 am. 

It may seem little, but I felt so loved by my family, even though they're thousands of miles away. 

I love them so much, and I do miss them. 

-Another highlight, I'm so blessed to still be able to run my Mary Kay business.

It may not be the same income I was receiving from it while I was still in the States, but it's income nonetheless. Wow. I can't sell to Czechs or residence here, but some of my clients in the States have continued to place orders and all I have to do is put the order through online, and their product is delivered to their door. Fantastic.

Another fun part of mum visiting, she was able to bring me more product (for myself) that I was running low on ;). 

-If you've been keeping up with my Facebook page, you saw that one of those two great jobs and experiences was a McDonald's commercial. 

Yup, I'm in a Czech McDonald's commercial :). And let me add, I was the only native English speaker not only cast, but also on set. What a privilege. The commercial is on honor of the 20th anniversary of McDonald's being in the Czech Republic. In my research, I found the last McD's commercial Czech did was five years ago, for their 15 year anniversary. Also let me add, McDonald's here is nothing like McDonald's in the States or Canada. Think of it like a Panara or a very nice coffee house that serves food. Complete with couches and decorations and even a separate counter (or two) to order your coffee drinks and desserts from. Not gonna lie, I meet my friends there quite often. 

Good price, good drinks, good environment, Mmhmm I'm lovin' it ;). 

(I was not paid to say that...)

A couple smaller highlights:

I have a screen name! 

(since Sarah Brown is already a well known American actress in the States)

In the acting world, I'm Sarah Marie.

Finished editing/creating my demo reel - check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKXPPJsjxnw

Yea... I'd say that's it for major highlights. One big one each month it seems. 

October - Goal of three agencies met! (and MK business continuing)

November - Mum visits! (and it's confirmed I'm staying the year)

December - McDonald's commercial (and the other great gig)

Do you see God working?

I sure do. 

Thank YOU for praying. 

God is going above and beyond what I could have imagined. 

There are some great opportunities and exciting things coming up, starting in a few weeks...

And I'm excited to see where they go and what God will do.

Please continue to pray for me. 

For a clear head, for listening ears, for open eyes, for a willing heart.

And for feet to follow Him where He guides me.
I also ask for prayer for strength and for solid relationships. 

If you know even a little of this industry, you know it can be grueling and lonely. 

I hope you, all, had a wonderful Christmas! And may you have an equally wonderful new year, full of adventures and memories :).

With love and gratitude from Prague, 

Sarah

Luke 1:46-47

Because a picture speaks a thousand words....

Behind the scenes on set....

From some of the films this semester...

McDonald's commercial.

Mum in Prague!

American mum, meet my Slovak siblings.

Merry Christmas from Prague :)


Check out my YouTube channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahmbrown88

And my acting demo reel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKXPPJsjxnw&feature=channel_video_title

[the long awaited] September

"You maintain my lot, the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places." -Psalm 16:6


Well, I'm here.

Officially living in Prague, Czech Republic.

Attending the intensive acting for film program at the Prague Film School

... and intense it exactly what it is (but more of that later).

I don't think it's really hit me that I'm actually here.

Walking around the city, surrounded by so many inspirations, 

fashionably, photographically, physically...

it's unbelievable. 

So many languages. So many styles. So many PEOPLE!

It's also very convenient being able to speak Slovak instead of English when need be.

Slovak has proved itself useful many a times, thus far.

I've been here for just over a month now and although time is FLYING by, 

 I also feel like I've been here for months.
*awkward feelings*

So this is school?!

No way... it's not school when you love every single class...

It's not homework when what you're working on is what you want to do for the rest of your life...

They aren't teachers... they're legitimate professionals in their line of work.

(A few of my faculty...
  Nancy Bishop, Brian Caspe, Jessica Boone,Guy Roberts, Daniel Brown...
Check 'em out!)

But as I was saying about intense, uh yea.
My classes:

Acting Block

Acting Ensemble

Acting Styles

Acting Theory

Dance

Film Production

Meisner Technique
Movement

Shakespeare

Singing

Stage Combat

Voice

Yoga

It's a lot, but for the first time in my life, I can focus 100% on acting for film, which is simply amazing.

I leave school thinking,

“Agh, so much to do... wait, no... no job, no 'pointless' homework (math, politics, research, yada, yada, yada), no distractions.... all I have is watching fantastic movies, reading insightful books (and I hate reading), memorizing scripts, scheduling film projects, working out, practicing methods and buy fresh veggies at the market outside my flat.
Whata life.
But seriously, even though I don't have a job here or "pointless homework," 
there is still so much to do. 
I've been incredibly busy.

We're tight with the 50 film making students,

but nothing's tighter then the relationship us actors have with each other. 

After all, there's only 10 of us. 

It's difficult to explain the bond between actors...

Classes everyday for 8 hours, practice outside of class and then of course filming. 

With 60 students total, the PFS (Prague Film School) crew is family. 

An international family; 30 countries are represented here this year.
If there's one thing I've learned thus far,
you can never, ever know where a person is from based on accent and dress.
Needless to say, I'm not the only one who has moved around quite a bit while growing up.
Although I don't speak 5 languages, I feel right at home.

My nationality is Canadian/American here, and although I'm proud to represent both,
I still take it as a compliment when people think I'm from Europe.


It's been about 6 weeks and I already have 10 films under my belt, with 5 more coming up this week.
I'm signed with two casting agencies so far, and have auditions lined up.
My flat is amazing, and my screenwriting flatmate and I get along really well.


Life is so interesting here... 
I find myself in this strange situation....
Last year, at this very time, I could not wait to get here,
could not wait to start the rest of my life.
And now I'm here, and I still don't know where exactly my life is going.

But it's ok...
The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. (Prov. 16:1)
I've prepared, now it's God's job to tell me what to do next.
How much better to get wisdom than gold! (Prov. 16:16)
It's difficult not having job for the first time in years, but I'm here to study. And it's good.

The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Prov. 16:33)

I do what I can, but God decides the results.



I find those verses very comforting and extremely appropriate, especially the past few weeks.
There's so much going on, so much I don't know.
But what I do know is I'm here for a reason.
And that He brought me here.
And that I'm so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity.

As for prayer requests, I would appreciate prayer for wisdom and focus.
There is so much to do, and honestly not that much time.
So many decisions to make, so many opportunities.
I want to make sure my ears are open to Him and my feet are ready to walk His walk.
Whatever, whenever and wherever that may be.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again -
I can honestly feel the prayers.
There are days I have energy, when I should be exhausted.
Calm, when I should be upset.
Healthy, when I should be sick.
Creative, when I don't think I am.
Of course there are rough days every once in a while,
but overall, there's this peace, this calm and a definite excitement : ).

Thank you so much for your prayers.
There is no other way to say it.

With love and gratitude,
 from Prague,

Sarah
Prov. 16:33




A look at September...

My cousin (Lindsay) joined me while I visited Slovakia for a week before school started.

SO good to see my dear friend Veronika again. Stayed with her for most of the week.

 Very much loving European chocolate.

Caving with my host sister Janka.

Here we go...

Screenwriting flatmate Caroline. 

Metros and trams everyday now.

Such a beautiful place to live.

In class.

Filming

The video wasn't uploading to the blog right, so here's the link to see a vlog I had to make for a class:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahmbrown88

To see more pictures and current updates, check out:
http://www.facebook.com/SarahBrownFanPage