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Dear Family,
Friends, Fans and whoever else may read this....
I apologize for not keeping you more up to date with the comings and goings
of my life but this last 7 months has been like one whole year already, a
roller coaster to say the least!
My year began with preparations for our Easter wedding in New Zealand, it
was like putting a major film production together. I could see why some folk
choose to elope, but the wedding weekend we experienced, made all the hard
work, preparations and stress that comes with it, particularly for the
bride, totally worth while! It was the most beautiful memorable weekend in
my home town of Moerewa in the beautiful Bay of Islands. We got married on
my Marae, fulfilling my childhood dream.
As Maori protocol dictates, we welcomed our guests from near and far onto
our marae on Friday evening. With the support of the local youth Maori
Culture Groups, we gave them a traditional welcome, the youth were
fantastic, the powhiri spectacular. Even for us locals who have been to many
powhiri, this one was special and full of magic, a wonderful cultural
exchange. An apt way to welcome my husband to be, his family members from
the USA, Samoa and Auckland, and our friends, into the Owen whanau-family.
The welcome was followed by dinner and more entertainment.
Saturday, the big day came.....make up, hair do and a frock and a lot of
prayer to keep the nerves away, your heart beats the fastest when you walk
down the aisle! You really do feel like a Prince and a Princess for the day
surrounded by the people you love...My local Pastor, Howie Edwards married
us with a cherished Christian ceremony, much beautiful singing, and so much
love in the air. The ceremony was followed by the usual bridal group photo
session then onto the reception for our wedding meal, speeches, more
entertainment, the cutting of the cake and dancing into the night...everyone
had so much fun.
Sunday we had brunch at the Tuna Cafe and said goodbye to what was left of
our visitors, then Olo and I, exhausted but elated, had a great time
unwrapping our beautiful wedding gifts..a few more days in the North with my
family then we headed to Auckland where we had another get together with
mostly industry friends who I could not invite to the wedding.
Here I must acknowledge my friend and web master, the man behind this
site-Stein. He traveled all the way from Norway to be at our Wedding. Thank
you Stein. You are a very fine, good man Stein, my family fell in love with
You. I’m sure you have some wedding tales to share on this site, and we’ll
put up some wedding photos too!
Olo flew back to Los Angeles and I went onto Queenstown to work on a feature
film, directed and produced by English, financed in Germany, set in Canada
and shot in NZ....seems the way of film making these days. A family film
called the Water Giant, about a relationship with the leading young boy,
Bruce Greenwood played his Father, and a creature that lives in the lake. I
played a role called; “Crazy Norma”, who was originally meant to be played
by Whoppi Golberg. The locals call her crazy because she is one of the only
ones who not only believes in the Water Giant, but also feeds it regularly,
on salmon, I do say! I really enjoyed working on a project with no cussing,
sex or violence, a film all my nieces and nephews can go and see. Set to be
released next year.
I departed Queenstown at the early May and headed for Toronto, over nighting
in Los Angeles for 3 days to spend time with my beloved husband before my
next gig; Paper Scissors Stone. A thriller set in Toronto, written and
directed by a New Zealand film maker Jessie Warne. I did a couple of short
films for him early in his career, produced by a fellow kiwi; Mathew
Metcalfe. I played Emily Grey, a hugely challenging role. First time for me
playing a totally psychotic/possessed character...it does things to you
playing such a dark disturbed person..it disturbs your own equilibrium
having to go to such a deep dark place in order to make her believable...but
I would do it again.....I like to be stretched and to learn new things...who
knows...once it comes out I may find myself playing a lot of psychos instead
of the usual “Mum”??
I headed back to Los Angeles for the Star Wars premiere at the Chinese Mann
in Hollywood, a most special occasion, and I totally enjoyed the film. I’m
in love with my alien; Taun We, what a babe! I was pleasantly surprised by
how much of the human being remains, once they do your face and costume by
computer...recognizing my body language and sensuality caused me to
giggle...go Yoda go....he steals the film every time!
Then I was onto another airplane destined for Oakland. I accepted an
invitation earlier in the year to do the keynote Graduation Speech for the
Ethnic Studies Department at Berkeley University, an honor to be asked, and
it was a pleasure to do...back to Los Angeles.
A few cherished evenings with my husband before getting on the next plane
destined for Reno Nevada. My next gig, an American Independent coming of age
feature film, a great assemble cast attached to the project. I played the
mum of the leading character Mac played by Freddie Rodriguez, off the hot TV
Show; 6 Foot Under, what a talented young man with a huge future ahead of
him! A great group of people to work with and much fun was had by all.
July, I finally got back to Los Angeles and actually got to unpack my
suitcase! I have been busy this past month, attending to the backlog of
paper work that builds up in one’s absence, answering fan mail, accent
training, taking meetings, doing auditions and catching up with
friends....there never seems to be enough hours in a day!
I’ve also booked my next gig. This week I will be working on “Angel”. A
Warner Brothers television show, a spin off from “Buffy”, and now more
popular than Buffy here in the States. I’m playing “Dinza”, a demi-goddess
of all lost things. She should be alot of fun, a whole new look for me, and
she has the potential of being a reoccurring character.
Exciting Star Wars news. I did my first signing session for a private
collector, Gary Price. The signed Taun We photos and Action Figures
can be viewed and brought at his site-
www.autographcentral.com/wattographs
Next weekend, August 23-25th, I will attend my first Sci-fi Convention in
Dallas Texas, which I’m really looking forward to. And that is all from me
for now.
I close wishing you all love luck laughter and light!
Rena
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