Tag: erik boccio

Western Love

Briana Hansen2 Comments

eastwood_good_uglyI’m currently obsessed with Westerns

Truth be told, I’m almost always obsessed with something, so this is actually a healthier obsession than some of the ones in my past…

Long story short: I did a project for a festival and met a guy who loves Westerns. He suggested we do a comedy western. I was like, “Sure!” He met my main man, they got along splendidly, and now we’re going to go shoot a short comedy Western I wrote in a couple weeks.

Because life is pretty cool like that.

I’m so excited. So I’ve been watching a series of classic westerns to prepare. And I’m getting into them. Like… real into them. As in, sit at home on weekend nights, watch cowboy movies, and walk around (my studio apartment in Los Angeles) pretending to glare down my (invisible) opponent and grasp my (also invisible) gun.

So if you need me, I’ll be in the Wild Wild West of my imagination for the next couple weeks. Please be patient with me, partner. When I return, I’ll be your Huckleberry.

Just Delegate It

Briana HansenLeave a comment

just-do-it-1I’m good at a lot of things. I’m excellent at creativity. I have a comedic mind. I love writing. I’m organized. I’m great at talking to people. I like turning ideas into reality. I’m pretty great at blogging consistently. And, I’ve just discovered in writing this, I’m also adept at finding things I’m good about that I can write about in blog posts.

But we all have our weaknesses. I’ve realized as I’ve become stronger at my strengths, and worked on turning some of my weaknesses into strengths, that you just can’t do everything.

I also realized this when I literally ran out of time consistently to do everything I want to do.

So what do you do to still be productive?

Delegate.

I can be a bit of a Type-A. So I’m not good with delegation. I just want to get it done and I want it done right. And oftentimes, people don’t do it right. Or I feel like in the time it took me to explain how it should be done, I could have just done it myself.

But what I’ve realized is you have to let people help you. There’s a huge strength in admitting you’re not good at something and letting someone help out.

When I was shooting my web series, The Other Client List, people asked me if I was directing, too. I was like, “Hell no I don’t know how to do that.” And as a result, we found a wonderful and magical director, Erik Boccio, who got together an amazing production team and helped us make this idea a reality. He’s an expert. He made every shot look amazing, brought out the best in our performances, and kept us moving along through the script.

When we were midway through filming, we started thinking about an editor. I had no idea who I was going to get or how. I started thinking I may just have to teach myself to edit it. Luckily, I reached out and somehow lucked into an amazing editor in Glen Montgomery. There is no way I could have done an ounce of magic he’s doing with our series. He’s an expert. He’s freaking amazing.

Glen mentioned we need to think of sound. Somehow we lucked into finding more talent willing to help out with this project in the incredible musician Rick Wright of Subtidal Studios. I cannot do what he does. He’s so talented. It’s his field. It’s what he’s good at.

There’s tons more people on board with this team who are making it a reality. And this is only one project. And a few examples of the incredible work going into this project.

My point is this- I can’t do it all. There’s no way. Adding people to the project only strengthens it. I admitted I need help. And the help came-a-runnin’. And I’m so grateful for it. And have learned a valuable lesson.

Step away from the project, Briana. Let the experts do their jobs.

 

Yummy in my Tummy

Briana HansenLeave a comment

I’ve been a little busy. I like to stay busy, as many of you know. But the past couple weeks have been exceptionally busy. The little free time I typically get to get myself in order is being spent coordinating and producing (and filming!) my upcoming web series The Other Client List (which, by the way, is super fun and going to be really really funny so you should totally check it out…)

Now, more than every, it’s extremely important I watch what nutrition I put in my body. Mostly because, I don’t have all the time I usually have to workout. I shoot for about 5 days per week at the gym…but lately I’m lucky if I can squeeze in 3.

I’m ok with it. I’m trying to give myself a break. I know that it’s only temporary while I focus really hard on my series. I know sometimes these things come up and there’s only so many hours in the day. I also know and respect the value of sleep- so I’m not willing to give it up too much. So on the weekends where I only sleep about 6 hours in 2 days… I’m going to sleep in the next day and let myself rest. Which will probably mean I’m not going to the gym. And that’s ok.

We focus a lot on going to the gym as the main way to get and stay healthy. And while it’s a huge part of the equation, nutrition is just as (and maybe even more) important. I’ve worked out for years, but I don’t see big results in my body unless I’m also careful about my nutrition.

And because I’ve been really careful about it the past few weeks, I’m starting to see some results. So I want to keep seeing more results. But I have to do it (right now) without the added benefit of an hour or more at the gym every day because I simply don’t have the time. So I’ve been focusing even more on my nutrition. I’ve been watching calories and controlling portions. Because I want to continue to see results. And because I know that I can only do so much.

So I’ll keep watching what I eat when I can. And knowing that sometimes you just have to chill out and recognize that you can’t do it all.

And now here’s a shot of me stuffing my face with Cookie Crisps for a scene. This shot alone was probably more calories than I have for breakfast and lunch on a good nutrition day. And I could feel the sugar in my esophagus for the next six hours.

Bianca cereal

Totally worth it.