
It is hard to believe that it's JUNE already. Where oh where has this year gone? As they say time flies when you’re having fun and working hard... I've been doing both.
2017 has been a complicated year, but at least it has also been productive. I began by adding four new faces to my team by joining Abrams Artists. Then came the premiere of Training Day on CBS. I was also lucky enough to participate in two enriching mentoring programs with Women In Film and the WGA. 2017 also kicked off a great year of writing. I’ve kept myself (and my managers/agents) busy writing 4 new pilot scripts since January and a feature film in the works. My Tv spec BLACKTHORN was chosen to be included on this year's WriteHerList from WeForShe. Early May we had our gala event and ceremony.
On the theater side of things, my short play SUPERNOVA is being published in an anthology of 10 minute plays and four of my monologues are going to be included in a monologue project/anthology for women of color. I also ventured to Chicago where my play BATTLE CRY received a workshop reading at the 20% THEATER as part of their (Re)Focus series. I was so happy to work with amazing actors, director, and staff! My trip also gave me the opportunity to team up with Chicago Dramatist to work with an incredible new voice in the theater world Osiris Khepera. He's going to hit that scene by force... glad I get to work with him at the beginning of his budding career.
This May was also of course staffing season: an exhausting time of interviews, pitching ideas, and over analyzing who you are… lol. But, it was also a chance for me to see Training Day come full circle. Almost one week to the day I received an offer to work on the show... the series finale aired. It was incredible to realize how much a year can change you. Working with that staff really taught me a lot about the business, but more importantly put things into perspective. One of the highlights of the job was working with Bill Paxton. He was a true light in the world and a joy to be around. It was Bill who gave me my new motto and goal moving forward "Always enjoy the journey". Every time we spoke he always asked if I was "taking it all in and enjoying the ride". He will be greatly missed and those words will always make me remember his warm smile and kind heart.
Although, I was sad to see Training Day end, I am grateful to my amazing team and support system for their help in finding a new opportunity. I am happy to say I was able to land a coveted spot on a writing team. Hooray! Mama always said to wait until the T’s are crossed and the I’s dotted before announcing things…but, since tomorrow is my first day of work I guess I can officially tell folks.... I am excited to be part of THE ORIGINALS writing staff. SO definitely be on the look out for that.
So yeah! These are the highlights of what I’ve been up to the past several months. Lord willing I shall have lots of other great news to share in the fall. Thanks for being a part of my wild journey.
Have a great day,
Bianca Sams aka The Wee Black Lass
2017 has been a complicated year, but at least it has also been productive. I began by adding four new faces to my team by joining Abrams Artists. Then came the premiere of Training Day on CBS. I was also lucky enough to participate in two enriching mentoring programs with Women In Film and the WGA. 2017 also kicked off a great year of writing. I’ve kept myself (and my managers/agents) busy writing 4 new pilot scripts since January and a feature film in the works. My Tv spec BLACKTHORN was chosen to be included on this year's WriteHerList from WeForShe. Early May we had our gala event and ceremony.
On the theater side of things, my short play SUPERNOVA is being published in an anthology of 10 minute plays and four of my monologues are going to be included in a monologue project/anthology for women of color. I also ventured to Chicago where my play BATTLE CRY received a workshop reading at the 20% THEATER as part of their (Re)Focus series. I was so happy to work with amazing actors, director, and staff! My trip also gave me the opportunity to team up with Chicago Dramatist to work with an incredible new voice in the theater world Osiris Khepera. He's going to hit that scene by force... glad I get to work with him at the beginning of his budding career.
This May was also of course staffing season: an exhausting time of interviews, pitching ideas, and over analyzing who you are… lol. But, it was also a chance for me to see Training Day come full circle. Almost one week to the day I received an offer to work on the show... the series finale aired. It was incredible to realize how much a year can change you. Working with that staff really taught me a lot about the business, but more importantly put things into perspective. One of the highlights of the job was working with Bill Paxton. He was a true light in the world and a joy to be around. It was Bill who gave me my new motto and goal moving forward "Always enjoy the journey". Every time we spoke he always asked if I was "taking it all in and enjoying the ride". He will be greatly missed and those words will always make me remember his warm smile and kind heart.
Although, I was sad to see Training Day end, I am grateful to my amazing team and support system for their help in finding a new opportunity. I am happy to say I was able to land a coveted spot on a writing team. Hooray! Mama always said to wait until the T’s are crossed and the I’s dotted before announcing things…but, since tomorrow is my first day of work I guess I can officially tell folks.... I am excited to be part of THE ORIGINALS writing staff. SO definitely be on the look out for that.
So yeah! These are the highlights of what I’ve been up to the past several months. Lord willing I shall have lots of other great news to share in the fall. Thanks for being a part of my wild journey.
Have a great day,
Bianca Sams aka The Wee Black Lass