Photography for Fun!

I forgot how freeing it is to take photos for fun! It’s easy to forget in the day-to-day grind of creating for work or money. I decided to buy a new point-and-shoot camera (FUJIFILM X70) since I was so sick of taking iPhone photos. It’s small so I can bring it anywhere and I love the fixed lens.

I took these photos of a model in an alleyway with natural light. They have a carefree and relaxed quality to them. Exactly how I felt shooting them.

And how beautiful is that red bougainvillea? It erupts on almost every street corner in the spring and summer and brightens my day every time I see it.

That’s a Wrap on Fear, Inc!

unnamed-1 Lucas Neff & Caitlin Stasey as Joe Foster & Lindsey Gains in Fear, Inc.

After 3 weeks of shooting overnight we have wrapped on Fear, Inc; a horror-comedy feature film. Producing this feature was so much fun! Our nights on set were filled with lots of fake blood and way too much caffeine! Our cast and crew raised the bar way beyond all of our expectations. You can read about the film on Deadline and The Wrap!

<strong>Cast & Crew on Set for the Diner Scene</strong> Cast & Crew on set during the Diner Scene

Producing this movie with Lone Suspect made the whole process a complete success. We start post-production soon and can’t wait to see it come to life in the cutting room. Stay tuned for Fear, Inc updates!

Stephanie Drake & Chris Marquette on set of Fear, Inc.

Short Film: Love & I

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The last 3 months have been a whirlwind; creatively, emotionally, and spiritually. In late November, I decided after 30 absent years, I would go looking for my father. Coming to this decision did not happen overnight. I would say it took over a year, filled with prayer, being open and honest with friends and family about my fatherless upbringing, and a series of brave, blessed and perfectly serendipitous moments.

One BIG thing that helped move me past the idea of it and towards actually executing my plan was my decision to write about it.  As a filmmaker the ability to step back and think about my life like a story allowed me to take action more easily. I decided I was ready to look for him, even if that meant finding something sad. I was ready to know more. I was ready to own my story no matter how it looked or ended. I did not need a happy ending. I needed to know I tried my best to have closure.

Luckily, I have the greatest roommate in the world. No joke! I never had to ask, he offered to come with me to Portland (from Los Angeles) to search for my dad, even though all I had was an address. My only clue. He not only provided me with the security of not being alone, but he made me feel excited about how we had to become old school detectives to find him. Since the subject matter had been weighing on my heart for so long, having him there to make it light and adventurous was exactly what I needed. I will forever be grateful to you, Dave!

Long story short, I found my Dad. It was actually quite easy to find him. The rest is a little more complicated and still unwritten. Complicated and hard, but good!

Right after I had found my Dad, Digital Bolex announced a short film competition called “Fearless Filmmaking”. The winners would have their films showcased at Slamdance 2015. I quickly knew I had to write and create a short film about my experience finding my Dad. I wrote/directed/and reluctantly acted in my short film over the span of 5 days. With the help of my VERY talented friends, we created a short film called “Love & I’ that Digital Bolex chose to showcase at Slamdance!

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I know not everyone can relate to losing a father at a young age and finding him 30 years later. But this short film is not about that. It’s about overcoming your greatest fears and pushing yourself past what you know and out of your comfort zone. It’s about living a fearless life. It’s about forgiveness and love. It’s about owning your story.

You can watch it here. I hope you enjoy it!  I know you can do anything you set your heart and mind to. I truly believe we can all live a more fearless life. #fearlessin2015

Love, Heather

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Darling Brunch

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I attended Darling Magazine’s first ever “morning of conversation.” The “Darling Brunch,”, was hosted by the talented Kara of ­­Willow and Niche, assisted by Stephanie of Five by Five Catering.

Around 30 woman, mostly strangers, spent the morning enjoying great food (like the cinnamon streusel biscuits with cinnamon honey butter pictured above) and conversation around a theme of oasis, with these questions:

What practices allow you create your own oasis and find your space in the desert?

How do we release the guilt of not having a packed schedule to allow yourself the time for restoration?

We went around the table sharing our opinions and individual stories. The topic struck a cord with me. This summer has definitely felt like a desert for me, where I’ve been struggling to find creative inspiration, where in the past it has come so easily. I feel like I’ve been bombarding myself with so much information (like too much social media) that instead of inspiring me, it has left me feeling drained. I’m excited for the fall. To stop and be still. To find inspiration in myself and the simple things in life, like a long hike or by creating things with my own hands.

Thank you to Darling Magazine for creating a beautiful space for us to open and honest with each other, as woman.

Interested in attending a Darling event? Check them out here.

Also, below is a fun video from the day.

Video by Willow + Niche

 

 

 

Endless Summer

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Summer seems to be slipping by. It’s been pretty hot here in LA and I’ve been stuck inside working a lot! I plan to take it easy in August and play out the rest of the summer on the beach in Michigan and planning new day adventures in Los Angeles. Since I’m a Michigander at heart, summer always feels like it won’t last forever and I must take full advantage of every single sunny day. Even though that’s not the case here in California, I still try to spend as much time as possible outside soaking up the sun!

So, keep working on that tan! HAGS!

*And Happy Birthday to that crazy guy riding the bike, Sean! Cheers to 8 summers in LA and 32 years of life! You truly are the raddest!