Introduce Yourself : My Acting Journey by Claire Weinstein

I was always an odd child growing up…not to say my life made me the odd one, I had loving parents, brother, and sister, when she came along, and they were and always will be my number one fans…yet I always had different ideas of the world, which weren’t anyone else’s, and most likely that kind of confidence and starness scared many people to thinking me to being a weird person. Oh yes, I was picked on because of it, because of this bullying I often cried all to myself thinking I wasn’t good enough for anyone, not even my own family. As being adopted from China, I was the only Asian, ok Chinese since my brother was from Vietnam in Asia, I was an easy target. The only thing that kept me going was cheerleading, which I quit 3 months afterwards because that was boring me (surprising isn’t it?), and my amazing best friend and ONLY friend, Savanna Bailey. She was and still is my best friend in the whole world and I can go to her for anything which makes her double amazing especially during those harsh times for me from 2001-2005/2006. Eventually, my father got another job where we live now.Since I was not good at making friends (DUN DUN DUN) my parents, more my mom, decided it was best if I become involved in an activity that I could express myself…theater arts! I became involved, very, and made friends easily. It was a wonderful experience embarking me on my long road to success! Play ON!: After I started theater in 2006, I had six wonderful years performing in twelve shows! Life was wonderful! I made many friends along the way. Many of my girls: Lily Parker, whom I met during Cinderella 2011, Lexy Bonsignori, Grace Repella, Anna Schneider, Anna Kellam, Jaz Solana, Bailey Keith, and so so so many others. Never a dull moment. Some of the plays I did were as followed: 1) Music Man Jr. 2) Peter Pan 3) Oliver 4) Ever After 5) The Hobbit 6) Village Fable 7) Cinderella I played minor characters for many of my roles, yet I still had a lot of fun. The friends and good times were all I saw when I performed, no matter how small or large my role was. Goodbye Play….HELLO Big Leagues!!!: After I left the theater in 2011, I wondered if I could ever be the same person I was before. I mean, I didn’t change my physical appearance, just my emotions became bitter as I was learning that I wasn’t able to go back to the way things were before. Things were changing, yet I didn’t know this was a good sign till a year later. Soon enough, I graduated in May 2013 after what seemed only a blink of an eye for me. I went on to college and I developed a NEW hobby, which has saved my skin to this day…movie acting. It all started in early February and a film crew came to where my dad works, still, and I didn’t think anything of it, I just thought I’d watch the filming progressing at the fort. I was in for a surprise that day. Meeting the main director and assistant director was stomach-knotting and exciting. I soon became good friends with the assistant director, David Rousseau, who I am still close to this day and age. Rousseau hired me to work, nonpaying, on the film and I agreed though not before making a HUGE sacrifice, which is in fact another story I will tell but not today. The film was called, “Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies” and it was one exciting film to work on! I met the main pro and antagonists of the film, who were all very sweet and understanding as usual. I worked as a zombie in 30 deg. outside standing on a hill all day through lunchtime. Then I worked another weekend in an old abandoned supply store underground for about three-four hours in an attic till lunchtime, then after lunch approx. ten-and-a-half hours in the basement of the store. Hectic, but fun. Seeing myself on Netflix Instant Watch was/is very amazing to me, and also how it makes me feel knowing how far the film had come! Always worth it in the end! After the ALVZ movie, I was determined to do more films and acting things. I became a part of the Savannah Film Office Actor Facebook page and got/am still getting updates on films that are to be filmed here in Savannah, Atlanta, SC, etc. All I do is email the people a resume and head-shot, then they contact me based on the contact info on the resume or head-shot. After I get the info, I wait till shooting day, then I get directions and go for the shoot! I have been in two, soon to be four or MAYBE five, SCAD films for the Senior projects for the SCAD school. Acting in Senior projects is more enjoyable because they are not serious movie makers, so in a way they are still teenagers wanting to have fun and enjoy themselves. However, out of all the events, I am happy I am a part of the film family! ARE YE READY KIDS? ONE MORE YEAR TO GO!!!: As a member of the Savannah Actors Guild, I am notified of many different films being filmed. One such a movie was Paramount Picture’s “Spongebob Squarepants 2” and I sent in an email with a resume and head-shot with contact info, thanks to that email, I landed a role in the movie! I can not spoil too much since we have till 2015 of November to wait! Oh boy…all I can say is the experience was remarkable and I made many new friends on set! One more year to go! Till then, I am still filming and when one films so many movies at different times of the year, you lose track of time and time goes faster than you think! Glamorous For the Premiere: Every person who is a part of a film, or two, will experience what we actors call “Premiere” where we all get together and we watch our work and friends working their butts off(: Being at a premiere means dressing fancy, or as your character, and enjoying being with friends as well! It’s like a reunion for actors, especially if you never see these people for a long period of time. It’s quite an experience and fun(: To Summarize: Basically I have yapped enough for this blog, but anyway the point is I have come so far in my career and I hope for many wonderful experiences in the future. Actually I have my God and faith to thank, since faith gives me strength to get up and try again if I have failed. I have a lot to be thankful for and good friends to help me understand that. Never give up hope. Dreams do come true. Mine came true. I got more than I bargained for when I prayed for a miracle. I am blessed…truly. -xoxo Claire Weinstein(: xoxo