Enter spooky season

Hi everybody – how’s your summer? Still scorching … or sizzling out? It’s been a busy, up and down summer for me, so I figured it’s time to do another blog update.

Ok, first off – San Diego Comic-Con was a blast – and the Art Show was back too! It felt good to be back in person and I even sold an original painting, yay! Thank you to my supporters for showing up – you are my life blood. What made it even sweeter is the fact that I didn’t catch the Con-Crud or the Rona!

Two resident aliens (see what I did there?)

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But then, just two days after Comic-Con ended, I found out about the sudden death of Micah Minor – a talented and promising filmmaker and friend. We worked and helped on each other’s projects several times over the years; and he was part of the crew for my short films The Appointment and Things We Dig. Unfortunately, his exit was not a big surprise to most of us who knew him, but it rattled and shocked us nonetheless. This one hit hard. I am so tired (and angry) of losing friends to mental illness.

RIP Micah – you are missed and I’ll never forget you and the good times we had on set!

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The next day, I had to be on the set for the over the top comedy ‘Sinderella‘, directed by my good friend David Ruiz. I got to play the wicked stepmother and I managed to immerse myself into the role and bring out the bitch in me. I mean…how can that not be fun? And I was surrounded by a talented cast – it felt great being on the set again. I can’t wait to see the premiere later this year!

Did you finish all your chores?

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Just when you thought you’d never hear me talk about Things We Dig again, there’s still life left in it! I’m happy to announce that my short horror comedy is nominated for FOUR awards at the 8th Annual San Diego Film Awards! And the nominees are: Elsa Mickelsen for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Ty Marie Frost for Best Makeup/Hair, and our youngest actor Morgan Marlow for Best Emerging Actor! Congratulations and crossing all my digits for you! You can attend the Awards Show on Friday (tomorrow starting at 6pm, sorry for the short notice) at the MOPA in Balboa Park OR watch it televised on KPBS at 10pm.

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Coming up in September – not to be missed:

Secret Morgue 3.1: When Animals Attack!

If you’ve been to the previous editions (Secret Morgue: Aliens and Secret Morgue: Witches’ Night) by the Film Geeks SD, you know you’re in for a treat!

From their page: “Your ticket will get you 4 films, 1 meal (Lefty’s Pizza), introductions by scientists, art show, photo opps, popcorn (while supply lasts), Bonkers Ass Cinema author selling and signing books, and trivia prizes. Doors open at noon for check in and marathon will end at 10:00 PM.“

Not only am I looking forward to watching (surprise …TBA) horror flicks, but also yummy food, catching up with friends; and I’ll have a painting or two up for sale in the Art Show! So, go get a ticket and see ya there!

Where/when: Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 AT 12 PM – 10 PM

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In closing – I’m still going strong with my newsletter Pia Shares Her Dark Half and even picked up a new subscriber or two! Go check it out and hit that share or even subscribe button – thankee! I also spruced up my Buy me a Coffee page and started adding moar BTS stuff and free stickers for my supporters. You rock! Thanks again for all your love!

That’s it for today – it’s time for my favorite time of the year: Halloween season!!! Till spooky time – stay frosty!

xoxo,

Pia

Bits and pieces round up

Hi everybody, including my lurkers! ;)

As promised/threatened in my “Giving Thanks”  post, here’s the latest on what I’ve been up to over the last few months. It’s been a whirlwind ride for sure!

In August I flew overseas for a way long overdue reunion with family and friends in Germany! I saw my brand new niece, celebrated a birthday and a big wedding anniversary shindig. Needless to say…lots of happy tears!

Then in September, I finally got to cross an item of my bucket list: Visit the H.R. Giger Museum and the adjacent Giger bar in Gruyères, Switzerland! Add Gruyères cheese and a tour of the Gruyères Castle and the dream is complete! I’ve been planning and saving for this trip for years and it was worth every second! It almost seems like an amazing dream several months later! So grateful we could make this all happen!

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The feature drama The Samuel Project has been making its film festival rounds and one of the screenings was at the San Diego Film Festival in October. Of course I couldn’t pass up the chance to re-unite with some of the cast and crew! I wrote a bit about the work I did on The Samuel Project in previous posts here and here.

From left to right: Steve Weinberger, Lilinda Camaisa, myself, Ryan Ochoa, Malina Moye, Casey Nicholas Price, director Marc Fusco, Catherine Siggins and Hal Linden.

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Of course, I HAD to fly my horror freak flag during Halloween season! Shenanigans included doing a little acting in Beth Accomando’s annual (and by now notorious) Halloween haunt. This year’s theme was Death Row Execution – Ride the Lightning, and I played a prison ward who straps a demon-obsessed inmate to the electric chair.

Photo credit: Dante Moran

Good times, mwuahahaha… Of course, you can see more pics on my instagram!

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Just a few days later, on November 3rd, I got to be one of the panelists of SAM 2018 (Storytelling Across Media) moderated by that same Beth Accomando (KPBS Cinema Junkie podcaster) and it was a blast! The event as described in the program:

Storytelling in Film – Independent filmmakers Fernando Jay Huerto (Harley, Finest City Showdown), Neal and Jana Hallford (A Case of Evil), Michael Foster (Hush), Jonathan Hammond (Isabel), and Pia Thrasher (The Appointment) will discuss what influences their approach to telling a story and why they choose to work in film. They will also address how personal identity, genre selection, and budget can impact the filmmaking process and the narrative we see on screen.

I was delighted to find a short bio of myself that Beth added to the printed program: “Pia Thrasher is a visual artist with a flair for capturing macabre beauty, and her film acting and directing also reveal a penchant for dark themes.”……. *squeee* I love it, cause it’s so dead on!

I was really nervous at first, but once the discussion started and my focus was on the subject of filmmaking and being in the moment, I relaxed and had a great time with my fun fellow panelists. I hope it was informative and useful for the audience!

 

I even got my own sign! I’m afraid Beth created a monster by inviting me…cause I COULD TOTALLY GET USED TO THIS! :)

 

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Of course there was/is some film acting, too! We’re getting closer to wrapping up my role as a detective in ‘Penance‘, a horror/thriller feature film. For a suspenseful ‘breach and clear’ scene, we received some real tactical training by pros and worked really hard for this to make it look as legit as possible. Just another reason I love acting – you never stop learning!

Director approved BTS pics of training (back in the summer), recent shoot and wrap (for that day)

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That’s it for now, all caught up, yay! My focus is now back on my own short film Things We Dig! Till next time – thanks for reading!

 

Things are brewing…

…and I’m still waiting for confirmations, details and other info, which means I won’t blog about them just yet. BUT, one thing I can share is this:

I got cast in a fun sci-fi comedy short film, “Still“, by Balestra Entertainment, written and directed by Patrick Russell Burton, yay!!!

Shooting is scheduled for later this month/beginning June. I get to play something a little out of character for me: a promiscuous housewife, ‘Stella’. . . Challenge accepted!

It’s funny, because I auditioned for two roles and didn’t think I did too well on the ‘Stella’ part, but the filmmakers saw it differently. Just goes to show you never know what happens in an audition. I always hear casting directors say to never give them what you think THEY want – just do what YOU would do! Do your own thing. And boy…I guess it worked. It was one of those auditions where you just have to leave ego, inhibition and dignity at the door. (In a fun way, not a degrading way, lol.)

I’m excited and can’t wait to meet the rest of the cast and crew! It’s nice to wear the actor’s hat again and give the director’s hat a little break…for now…(yup, working on that horror short script, but that’s another blog.)

That’s all for today, stay tuned for more exciting news soon!