Speed Dating

Speed Dating

So by now many of you have seen me post Bouncy Boxer Media's newest film, "Speed Dating." (https://youtu.be/_QcqLqtdvYM) This is the first project my partners in crime, Lexi Balestrieri and Chelsea Wolf, have fully taken the reins on. I wrote the screenplay and was line producer as well as first-time editor. I learned so much with this project. 

The idea of "Speed Dating" is to introduce some characters who will be featured on our upcoming web series, "Relation Shipwreck," which will premiere this summer. The series is currently being filmed and we are doing it all ourselves. Thankfully, we have many filmmakers who are helping us make the concept into a reality. 

When you work with independent filmmakers, you compliment each other. The energy you bring to the table is easily contagious. We strive as women filmmakers to create a positive outlook on our projects. The support of the local and international filmmakers has been humbling.

So if you haven't already, please watch our film, subscribe to the channel, and watch as we grow in our journey. With each set, we learn what works and what doesn't. We've come so far this past year and we will not stop.

 Photo: Bouncy Boxer Media founders Chelsea Wolf, Lexi Balestrieri, and owner Stefanie Davis doing a Q&A after the premiere of "Mograine Hell." 

Quote About Hope

Today is the first day of the Migraine Headache Awareness Month and the first blog topic is:

Favorite quote about hope, and how does it apply to your migraine?

If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him. -Paulo Coelho

Sometimes I feel like like my pain decides when it's time to strike and at the most inconvenient time. This quote reminds me to move on and not let the pain take over my life. I'm way too busy to worry about my next migraine attack. I'm not fully living my life if it's in fear for the next migraine. 

"The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association." - See more at: http://www.ahmablog.com/2015/06/migraine-headache-blog-challenge-1.html#.VWyoQc29KnM

The Transition

Many have already known, but it's time to tell the world that I'm transitioning out of my full time retail job to chase my dream!

Wait what? How is that possible? 

Well here goes:

1. I have been doing promos since last fall, but my availability has been limited due to a retail job. So starting June 1st, I'll be working hard to book enough promos to make a living.

2. Filming has picked up due to the summer so I'll be continuing to work on other projects as well as my own.

3. The money I make with promos and acting go toward bills and travel for new opportunities. So far I'll get to explore more of Northern Florida, North Carolina, and Washington DC! How awesome is that?

I want to blog more, especially with this new direction in my career. I want to keep video documenting my migraine symptoms as well as write more screenplays for the future.

The sky is the limit and I'm ready to soar!

Photo credit: CVI Productions for the upcoming feature film, "The Legend of Kate Kensington" where I play the main character's sister.

Goodbye 2014: A Look at an Amazing Year

Well I've been on a hiatus from blogging lately, but I need to get back into the groove. So many exciting things have happened in 2014!

1. Promotion - In January, I was promoted at my "day job" from seasonal key holder to Assistant Manager. It's a job I enjoy, but it isn't my career goal at the moment. I went full time to gain the income I needed to support headshots, acting classes, paying bills, and reducing debt.

2. Busch Gardens - I auditioned and booked roles in the live entertainment events of Howl O Scream and Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Due to the need to work more than my full time job would allow, I transferred to another store and became a part time manager. This allowed me to keep the freedom of pursuing my passions. Howl O Scream was an amazing experience and I met so many talented people. We all still keep in touch and hopefully will remain friends for a  while. Our characters were cannibals fresh from the mental institution, which was a joy to portray. We used improv the ENTIRE time we were on set. We did have our beginnings to our madness which was reset several times during the performances, but that made it more enjoyable for the viewers. Being in the atmosphere really helped me develop this character and maybe even turn her into a short horror film with the others. For Christmas Town, I was Santa's helper, Dimples the elf. This required a LOT of improv skills, but was so worth it. To see the magic in each child's eyes was simply breathtaking.

3. "White Angel" - In the spring and summer, I worked on a superhero feature film in Daytona. For this film, I was portraying a bully turned snake villain. The latex makeup was stunning and I built a great relationship with the cast. Can't wait to see the finished product.

4. "The Legend of Kate Kensington" - In the fall, I booked a supporting role on the upcoming thriller, "The Legend of Kate Kensington," where I play the main character's sister in flashbacks. This role required deep emotion and really pushed my limits. A piece of the scene can be found on my reel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtTdPOwFGbo&list=UU2u9UpH0OZO-2qzxBH9K9vA

5. "Migraine Hell" - In the summer, I announced I'd be pursuing my first writing to come to life. "Migraine Hell" is about a chronic migraine patient's follow up appointment that goes hell-ish. I'm very excited to film this in January 2015.

6. Indiegogo - For my first film, I launched an Indiegogo campaign that fell flat. I did most of the steps I thought would help it become successful, but it wasn't. I did two promotional teasers to build hype, an interview type video to show each cast and crew and why they wanted to be a part of this project, and of course used social media to share as much as I could with proper hashtags. The crowdfunding process is extremely difficult and stressful, so I will not be doing it again anytime soon.

7. Bouncy Boxer Media - For my self-publishing, I used my Bouncy Boxer Media name, but this year I decided to expand it to film. In 2015, I'll be using this company to make as many things as I can. Every beginning filmmaker starts somewhere. For me, it'll be in YouTube videos, short films, a web series, and spoofs. I want to tap into many aspects of filmmaking to see what my niche is. So far, I'm loving producing. I have control over the start to finish of the project (which being a control freak and a writer comes in handy) and I learn so much. I've built some great relationships with established filmmakers who can help me learn so many things.

8. Balloons! - Toward the end of 2014, I made a connection with a special events company to learn balloon artistry. This will become a side gig for 2015 to make extra money for debt payoffs. It's challenging, but I will learn more with each balloon. Kids love it!

9. Brand Ambassador - One of my other side gigs was to be a brand ambassador for marketing companies. I loved every gig I booked and look forward to many more!

In closing, 2014 was pretty great. I started to challenge myself and make goals for the future. Now 2015 will be about putting plans in place to reach those goals and learn everything I can. Keep a look out! I'm excited!

New gigs, new statuses, and new adventures

Hey guys! So I haven't posted in a while. Mostly because I've been crazy busy! Here's an update since we last spoke:

1. I'm bringing a screenplay to life! That's right! I wrote a short comedy and it'll be filmed in January. This gives me adequate time to find funding (Indiegogo and investors), get all paperwork together, and just have fun with it. We are on social media at http://www.facebook.com/themigrainehell and @themigrainehell on Twitter. I'm line producing and the lead in this production. I'm learning a TON and will bring this experience on to the next project.

2. I scored two holiday gigs! I auditioned and booked roles at Busch Gardens! Very excited!

3. I am now part time at my "day job." Although I'm still being scheduled full time, hopefully soon I'll be getting less hours at the shop so I can do more with my creative endeavors. 

4. I'm meeting so many people! Oh the life of a filmmaker! One thing I enjoy almost as much as filming is making new friends and connections. I'm loving all the experiences!

5. My migraines are going down! This past year has been great for my migraines. Don't jump up and down just yet: I do still get them. However, it's significantly less than before. I think it mostly has to do with me doing what I love and being so happy! 

So be looking out for more! Http://www.imdb.me/stefaniedavis 

The Beginning of the Future

So with my self publishing and now filmmaking, I needed to establish a business to keep things in line. My first thought was my dog, who gives me so much inspiration, love, and laughter. Anytime we go to the beach, she's a bouncy little baby girl. So a thought occurred to me: when I'm on a writing spree, I'm so much like her at the beach. I'm a bouncy boxer too! 

So Bouncy Boxer Media was born. I will be using this business for all my media adventures. So far it's been for self-published projects and a production company for my screenwriting. Someday soon it'll be so much more. 

As I start to gain more experience and credit, I start to think about what I want for my art career. To be able to express myself and offer my own original ideas brings me hope. I hope to also inspire others, especially women and spoonies, to do the same. Reach for it! Grab it! Be a bouncy boxer!