ONE FROM THE HEART: Discovering Jessica

Mar 2, 2007 | 4:04 PM PST
Tags: JessicaMarie, On The Lot, Seven Turn, blog, love, geeks
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Guys, know this: I didn't come here to write fan mail- I came to win- but I am writing this one anyway. Because a mind-blowing performance has just been given On The Lot, by someone pretty, smart and nice who doesn't think she's performing at all, and I for one am blown away. I feel like breaking into song! Her name is JessicaMarie, and if you haven't heard of her yet, where have you been?

   I didn't know this chick from Eve- we live on opposite sides of the world- but we signed onto OTL in the same week. We swapped some little notes in class ("I like your writing"..."Like yours too.") then as I watched, she pulled off one reveal after another, in a striptease of the mind that left the OTLers panting. Let's recap her two short weeks at OTL:

Charm Personified  

She hit the boards by being friendly and charming to all, betraying those nice midwestern roots. Go look at the threads. Whoever talks to her gets acknowledged with a different personal comment. Always thanked. She has the smoothest way of giving you back to you. And she is always making sense. Great banter too.

 

   Oh yeah, that avatar didn't hurt either. She had been a reluctant model in days gone by, and what a smile. Of course, this hardly made her unique, but more was to come.

 

An Epic Life

Here was the first exceptional move: she put the story of her life, dramatic and painful, into a blog. This, after all, is what a reality show would want, but boy, it must have hurt to write it, let alone live it. If it doesn't make you want to reach out and hug her by the end, all I can tell you is you didn't read it properly.

Early Rejection

Ever the cheerleader, Jessica took to the boards to announce a Blog Challenge. She'd put herself out there, now who would be next to come forward and strip their life bare, warts and all? No one did, and the silence was eerie.

   She must've felt like she'd yelled "Let's go skinny-dipping!" stripped her clothes off, then seen everyone else just standing on the shoreline, looking on. "Please God, don't let me be the only one who did this," is one plaintive little post that I remember. Aw, poor Jessica, so vulnerable, so brave. How could I tell her most of us film geeks just don't have that much to reveal?

 

You're The Bloggiest

I have a theory that JessicaMarie writes even if nobody reads became a Popular Blog, at first, from its author's own visits, moved up the ranks by sheer volume of personal posts. The thing is that Jessica writes like the rest of us breathe. Try keeping up with her one night as she goes bouncing across the boards. It's dizzying.

   Oh, did I mention she had pneumonia? This was why she was stuck at home, in front of OTL all hours of the day and night. That was her story, anyway.

 

Too Pretty, Too Smart and Too Nice

However, the longer this went on, the more I came to believe this person was, in fact, impossible. (Remember lonelygirl15, the youtube star, who did in fact turn out to be a Kiwi actress backed by writers? I was thinking we were looking at something similar.) No human being, I told her openly, was that pretty, that smart and that nice. I quizzed her hard, on-screen and off, because I couldn't shake the thought "Nobody's this good."

   Somewhere in there, she got listed on Pericles' Blog as a Hot Little Fox. So she began to get a following, but continued to be charming to all comers: even those whose only thought was "ur hawt do u hav webcam?"

A Hot Little Fox in a House Full of Dorks

Of course, the odds were heavily stacked in her favour there. There are a lot more men than women on this site. Triumph The Insult Comic Dog summed up this situation well in another context, while attending the geek menagerie at the premiere of Star Wars Episode II, when he announced: 

 

"In amongst all these dorks, I've found an actual girl. Not too shabby, huh, honey, the male:female ratio here? You've got the veritable pick of the litter. I mean, you can choose between all kinds of guys who have no idea how to please you."

 

Jessica maintains that she's a geek like everyone else. I'm not so sure. But I will say that the thought that she was squinting out through pinkeye, coughing phlegm into a cup and sleeping upright like a horse throughout this time did keep me focussed on her writing, not her looks.

 

The Intro

Then came that intro. Whoa, she's real! Sure, underlit and badly framed, but she appeared as advertised: sick as a dog, and speaking exactly like she wrote. I scrubbed the team-of-writers theory. Scrubbed my Spielberg-using-an-actress theory too.

 

The Anticipation Builds

Now all that time on the Discussion Boards was starting to pay off. Without even asking, she had the Ohio filmmakers' consortium (watch out for those people- they're like a big union) out singing her praises all over the boards, and me doing it too, but I'm privately thinking "We'll have to be gentle on her film because, you know, it's just a first try. Realistically, this is probably gonna blow. I mean, a person can't be good at everything.

Seven Turn

Her film was stuck off-site, like mine, but Jessica managed to bring it home. She used her blog to forward people over to see it (you "my film's not up yet" crybabies take note), announcing the premiere to a swelling group of fans. 

...And boy, did "Seven Turn" not blow. It's well made and unique in style. But more importantly, it's heart-rending. It doesn't simply make us think, it makes us FEEL, which is what Jessica has been up to all along. As a cold-hearted bugger (she asked for it!) I gave her 4 stars. Everyone else gave her five. Go and watch it. It's powerful stuff.

You Touched Our Hearts

Now here's the kicker. She collected all the reviews together, on a single page of her blog. And if you read them top to bottom, they have cumulative power. Sure, they're saying this is great, but read the subtext. You'll find real love in those posts. People want her to win, men and women alike.

   "Go, Jess," they said.

   "You rock my world."

   "You touched my heart."

 

My mind was blown, 'cos in my world, no one's that good. And yet this girl, this sweet and self-effacing creature, IS that good. No way around it. I'm not in love, in case you're wondering. I'm in awe. How do people like this happen? Ohio (birthplace of Steven Spielberg since 1946) has done it again. Must be a function of America's population. Such freaks exist.

   No wait, that's cruel. She's not a freak. The word is "star". Congratulations, JessicaMarie. We know it even if you don't: you're one in a million. And I think you're gonna make it on this show.

 

Member Comments: 38

 

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Mar 2, 2007 | 10:34 PM PST

Speechless.


crying.


touched.


Thanks for thinking so much of little old me.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 2, 2007 | 10:39 PM PST

You made me feel something. It's rare.

Last edited by videowilliams on March 2nd at 10:41 PM.

Delete SallySue visit blog


Mar 2, 2007 | 11:09 PM PST

This girl used the word "tuchas," so she's all right by me, but if you really never feel anything, that's kind of sad, Video!

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 2, 2007 | 11:59 PM PST

SallySue: I hear ya. Kinda built myself an insulated world to live in here. But I don't think I'm alone in that. Not on this site!

Delete SallySue visit blog


Mar 3, 2007 | 12:20 AM PST

Uh-oh! D'you mean this site is riddled with numb people?

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 3, 2007 | 7:54 AM PST

Well, maybe not numb. But it's creative people generally: we flee from the uncontrollable world of real people, to create one of our own.

Anyway, that's my excuse.

Last edited by videowilliams on March 3rd at 8:18 AM.

Delete SallySue visit blog


Mar 3, 2007 | 1:05 PM PST

That's a very interesting perspective!

Also, thanks so much for your high rating and lovely review of my film "The Instant Nostalgia Club."

That was really sweet of you! I'm glad you got the punchline!

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 3, 2007 | 1:34 PM PST

Yeah, it crept up on me, that punchline. Clever writing.

And I just accepted your Friend request. SallySue, I'm wondering: what do our friend collections mean? No one ever explained it. Some people have hundreds, and they can't be actually talking to that many people! Are we just supposed to collect 'em like baseball cards?

Last edited by videowilliams on March 3rd at 1:46 PM.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 3, 2007 | 1:51 PM PST

Actually, I just worked it out for myself. It's so you've got a quick link to that person's profile, because God knows how you'd find them again without it!

Delete SallySue visit blog


Mar 4, 2007 | 4:06 PM PST

Thanks, Video.

Yes, it's definitely easier to keep track of people if they're in your friends file.

I've stumbled across a couple of interesting new people, but don't know how I'll ever find them again, because we forgot to "friend" each other!

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Mar 9, 2007 | 2:25 AM PST

You know, Dave, every night I check out my fave blogs for new posts.

Even though you haven't posted in awhile, I'm always so flushed when I see what you wrote the last time.


Thanks. I'm *still* touched to the core.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 9, 2007 | 11:20 PM PST

Could this woman possibly be any more adorable? Every time I think I went too far in singing Jessica's praises, she writes something even more charming that proves I didn't.

But I've taken a cold shower and have pulled my melted heart back into my body. Charm offensives be d@mned, I'm p!ssed off! Life's a b#tch, love is pain, and the good die like dogs, so a new blog is coming. Watch out!

Last edited by videowilliams on March 9th at 11:22 PM.

Delete thecatbywas visit blog


Mar 11, 2007 | 11:26 PM PST

Blah!!!! I miss all the good posts…that;s what I get for trying to have an outside life!!!!

I blame you…

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 12, 2007 | 7:05 AM PST

Yeah, dude:

"Reality is for people who can't handle drugs."

Hadn't you heard?

Last edited by videowilliams on March 12th at 7:10 AM.

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Mar 12, 2007 | 9:15 AM PST

I still love this blog....

Delete cici visit blog


Mar 12, 2007 | 10:06 AM PST

What a wonderful blog!!!

Your writing is just sooo freakin' goood!!!

(she screamed inarticulately.)

Thanks for putting all that love and honesty out there. It feels good to witness.

And Jessica, I couldn't agree more with everything Dave said here.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Mar 12, 2007 | 10:12 AM PST

I've never done this well with women in my life!

I want to reduce myself to electrons and live permanently right here on this blog.

Last edited by videowilliams on March 12th at 10:13 AM.

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 9:55 AM PST

This is a very sweet blog! You and Peri get the award for generously promoting other artists!!!

Maybe I get the last word here.....

:-D

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 1:46 PM PST

And what a clever place for you to put it too!

It did occur to me early on that joining the ranks of all the spammers and self-promoters would be a worse-than-useless effort. It would just make people hate me. Aren't those come-watch-my-film tossers (who continue to leave their droppings all over the place) smart enough to realise that we're all in the same boat? You made a film you'd like us to watch? Gee, fancy that, jerkov! Oddly enough, I made one too...

Far better to shine the light on others. That's what the smart money's been doing for as long as I've been here. These are the authors who now have a circle of friends, and not just as pictures in their Friends folder either. They've got allies who feel gratitude, pointing at them saying "You're great!" and as you'd know from the world of acting, that's when people start to take note.

Not that that's why I wrote this particular piece. But I don't dare say another sweet thing about Jessica, or it'll make her head explode. How I'd love to know the feeling of being as worshipped as you Hot Little Foxes are!

Oops, it looks like the last word is mine once again.

Nice try, doll-face...

Last edited by videowilliams on April 2nd at 2:00 PM.

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 4:26 PM PST

I tried to do the self promoting thing for awhile. It got boring and felt lame in a big old hurry. Frankly, I find it more interesting to engage others and get to know them....as you say, shine a light on their work!

The witty banter is so much more fun and creative! I think you know what its like to be worshipped. I see alot of worshipping of you ;-)

Gee!...it looks like you only get the last word if I stop writing!

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:26 PM PST

(Note to self: I might have bitten off more woman than I can chew here, but I'm d@mned if I'm gonna admit it.)

All right, Dawnikins, here's the score. You get the last word on this blog when I surpass whatever you've got under "Creativity and Pain." The last time I looked, you had 75 comments. And I've just started clearing my throat...

(Please God, don't let her take up this challenge.)

 

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:36 PM PST

I tried to give you the last word on my blog but others stood in line after you....clearing their throat, as it were.

;-)

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:48 PM PST

I noticed that. You and I both knew when the punchline hit. Like sharing a brain. You've just got too d@mn many fans to leave it alone...

I've always envied my improvising actor friends (my younger brother being one)... they're so clever in the moment... what a thrill to get that feeling here in Cyberspace! Give me 5 to 10 minutes to think of something clever and I'm invincible. Live, however, you would have to deal with 5-10 minutes of "Duh..."

Last edited by videowilliams on April 2nd at 6:49 PM.

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:52 PM PST

I love live improv. But I love this too. Live is more free associative and strange, and there is that performance high. But a little time gives the funny more sharpness. And there is a high here too!

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 2nd at 6:58 PM.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:56 PM PST

Know what you mean...

(There, work with that.)

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 6:59 PM PST

Oh stuff it, here's something of substance:

You don't end up with many secrets from each other after doing a bit of improv 'cos there's just no time to think.

A bit like working in a Script Department, actually.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 2nd at 7:00 PM.

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 7:04 PM PST

Of course neither the high of writing here nor the high of live performance beats the high of getting the last word!!!!

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 7:05 PM PST

Oh....that's true. Of course it could be taken off the public forum ;-)

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 7:14 PM PST

Answer to your 2nd post:

Yes, this policy of keeping it nice for 12 year olds really cramps the style of us grown-ups (although I use that word advisedly).

Answer to your 1st post:

F U

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 7:20 PM PST

First things first....that's right, creative writing can't be censured.

Secondly....tsk, tsk, such outbursts only reveal your limitations.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 7:23 PM PST

F U U bleeping bleep-bleeping bleeper! U bleep donkeys in Tijuana!

Delete DawnAkemi visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 8:05 PM PST

Hee, hee....I like the donkeys in Tijuana part ;-)

Last edited by DawnAkemi on April 2nd at 8:06 PM.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 2, 2007 | 8:06 PM PST

You are one sick puppy, Dawn.

I love it.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 2nd at 8:07 PM.

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Apr 4, 2007 | 7:23 PM PST

I officially have an enemy.

Sophie's Mom.

The details are on Melodie's Blog, page 14 or 15.

Comical. Some of my best bytchiness, which isn't half as rare as you think.

Thanks again fro writing this about me, Dave. It still makes me feel so good.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 5, 2007 | 5:22 AM PST

I see no reason to change a word of my article, Jessica.

Sophie's Mom comes over the bytch in that exchange- an angry half-wit bytch at that- while you come over as this cold and hard intelligence cutting through every inch of bull like a laser-beam, while using nice sweet words to do it. I could feel the chill from here.

So I'm intrigued: when you get furiously angry, do you wave your arms and scream a string of obscenities, or do you lower your voice, adopt a steely glint, and spit your words out clearly and slowly through gritted teeth?

I'm guessing the latter.

Last edited by videowilliams on April 5th at 5:27 AM.

 

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Apr 7, 2007 | 4:32 AM PST

I adopt a monotone, forget nothing, and attack like I'm on the debate team, with compound sentences, thesis statements, analogies, and well-thought insults. My calmness is unsettling.

Or so I've been told.

Delete   Edit videowilliams visit blog


Apr 7, 2007 | 6:17 AM PST

I'm glad we're on the same side, Jessica. Truly.

Delete JessicaMarie visit blog


Apr 10, 2007 | 1:37 AM PST

Me, too, pal.

Hugs across the equator to you.