THE WINDFIRE SERIES

Friday, April 29, 2011

Subway Casting Strikes Again!

As those of you who follow this blog know, I cast a few of my roles in my last photo-shoot in fun ways. I cast one from a wedding (he worked at the place the reception was held), I cast two from a night out at a club, and I cast two from running into a young man (Robbie) on the subway. Subsequently, the girl Robbie was roommates with (Lauren) became the lead and has since become one of my best friends...she's truly my mini-me. I heart her very much. Who would've thought my casting process would've handed me that? God has a hand in my life and its times like that where it's overtly obvious.

Anyhoo...fast forward to yesterday.

Ever since I got my Kindle my nose has been buried in it. I mean BURIED. The ride to work, he walk from train to train, the walk from train to job, etc. I've become an obsessed reader. Meh, there are worse things, right?

BUT...much like the day I met my editor Juliet, where I didn't have on my iPod as usual, this time...I wasn't reading as per usual. I was just listening to music.

As I sat riding the A train to work I looked up at one point and standing in front of me was a young man with brown hair I'd have swore was torn from my book for Alastair. Problem was, this young man was too short for that role as Alastair is 6'2" and this young man looked to be about 5'8" or 9". His nose was buried in a book as he listened to music and I watched him...curious of his eye color. They seemed to be light, maybe blue...but I needed brown.

Then he turned to look at what stop we were at and I saw his eyes were a light golden brown. Exactly what I wanted for Stephan. Yeah, the dude wasn't blonde, but I planned to wig who played Stephan anyway as he's got long hair so...all I cared about was that he was cute, young, was about 5'9" and had warm eyes.

Now I had to get the courage to talk to him. You're thinking, "You've done it before! No biggy." Yeah, but it's the morning commute. We're all tired and trying to focus on the day ahead. It felt awkward to interupt his morning. But, I got out my business cards case and told myself, "If he gets off at 59th Street its meant to be and I'll talk to him then."

But, as fate would have it, he let his book drop and was looking around. It was my opening and I gathered up my sense of self (and my bags) and stood up and touched his arm to get his attention. We spoke as the train hurdled towards 59th and my leg shook. Yeah...I have courage but I get nervous just like everyone else. But, I still push past that. NO pain NO gain people.

He was very excited about the opportunity and we both got off at 59th and walked towards his work and my 2nd train of the morning chatting a bit on our way. I gave him my card and told him to get in contact with a picture/headshot. He said he would and we parted ways. Then I hoped he really would. I'd left the ball in his court. I'll be honest, I worry people will think I'm a crazy. LOL! ---no comments from the peanut gallery please---

But...he did get in touch with me via email last night...saw it before I passed out for the night. As soon as I have his pic I'll add it to this post. He's a very nice guy and I'm extremely happy to announce that Thomas Daniels will be playing Stephan Throneburg for the LDG Series Photo-Shoot.

Every now and again things just work out. :)

**Sitting here trying to picture him with long blond hair.** He's going to look amazing!

Have a great weekend all! May you too have the courage to step up and take chances.

xo

Tamsin :)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Most Casting!

Hello!

Hope all you New Yorkers are enjoying the GREAT weather we've been having. Yes...Spring has sprung! Woooo!

Today I have more casting notices to show you...yep! Fun fun fun!

So let's get started.

The role of Celeste Rowan will be played by Shannon Harasen:



The roles of Alicia and Amanda Cane (twins) will be played by Taylor Adams:



The role Riley (one of the Hybrid kids) will be played by Jennifer Goldman:



The role of Gabe (one of the Hybrid kids) will be played by Tyler Gattoni:



The role of Carmon Keziah will be played by Rodney Ladino:



The role of Devon N. Worthy to be played by Jon Corry:



I sent an offer to someone for Javin today also...hoping to hear back soon.

Have a great week all!

Tamsin :)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Shannon


There once was a beautiful girl named Shannon. She was diagnosed with a very deadly cancer and her insurance company was utter shite. Even though she'd gotten insurance before diagnosis, the bastards denied her with a clause, much like you've heard President Obama talk of w/concern to his mother; "A Prudent Person Would've Seen A Doctor Sooner". The technical term is, "Pre-existing Condition".

How a 23 year old girl in her last exams of college would think weight gain and indigestion was cancer and not nerves OR the "college 15" was beyond me. Hell...I even got her PCP to write a letter stating there was no way the patient could've known she had cancer and still her insurance denied her coverage.

THAT insurance company can kiss my ass. I pray that company goes under like a motherf*cker.

I won't bore you all with the details of how we battled them and then her 2ndary insurance...how we had to get lawyers because her 2ndary took back their promise to pay when they saw the bill totals...or how her mom, me and my amazing co-worker in the Physicians Billing Dept. busted our behind to save the family the money they shouldn't have to have paid to begin with.

I won't tell you how she looked in the hospital room when I took her books because she'd taken a turn for the worse and was stuck in a hospital room with a fever that flushed her beautiful face.

I will tell you that from talking to her amazing mom and reading Shannon's blog I learned that Shannon was a fighter. A vibrant girl with a lust for life who loved to be center stage in that life. Her smile filled a room...or a photo.

Shannon died just over a year after her diagnosis. On a Good Friday (which is coming up) at home, surrounded by those who loved her. Two years this darling girl has been gone from this world and I have no doubt in my mind that the world is less for it.

When my co-worker and I heard we must've cried the whole day at work. My eyes water thinking of it now.

Normally, when you're a collector, you don't get involved with the families...but Shannon's case was different. I spent time (both on the clock and off) to appeal and re-appeal these bastards refusal to pay for Shannon's care. It's not bad enough that the family is being destroyed emotionally...but did the bloody bastards of an insurance company need to try and destroy them financially? ---insert long line of cursing here---

So...when I was writing the teen characters in my second book of LDG I wanted to honor Shannon. I emailed her mother and got permission to use her name in the book. I made the character a living vampire so that she'd live for 1000 years...unlike the real Shannon, who was taken home to the Lord before she reached 25.

As of yesterday I cast the young lady who will play Shannon in the photo-shoot and considering the 2 year anniversary of the world losing this amazing girl is upon us, it all triggered high emotions for me again.

Shannon...for the time you were on this Earth it is evident by all those who've written or talked about you that you were a light in the dark. I thank God that I was able to help your family as best as I could...so they could focus more on spending time with you, loving you, instead of fighting the insurance company. May you watch over your family...as you I know you do...and know that they loved you, and miss you every day. And may those insurance companies who were horrid to you and your family...may they get what they deserve...may it come back on them seven-fold.

I proudly announce the role of Shannon will be played by Isabella David:




My heart, prayers, love and thoughts go out to Shannon's family this week...as Friday is Good Friday...and a reminder that one of the lights in their life was taken home.

And just so you all know...in the end...we won. Shannon's bills were paid by the insurance companies. The pre-existing clause was waved and they were paid.

So...if any of you wonder why I cried the day President Obama signed the new insurance bill...where pre-existing for children wouldn't be allowed anymore. Now you know why.

For Shannon I will lift a glass this Friday.

I ask you do the same.

xo

Tamsin

Thursday, April 14, 2011

We take a break from our regularly scheduled casting announcements to...

BRING YOU A CHALLENGE!

Okay...so here's it is...

You are standing in your room at home.
See it in your mind.
Got it?
Good.

I have just walked in and said to you that you have five minutes to collect anything that matters to you, that you can be mobile with w/o a car, because...uh...hell, your building is going to explode (life's hard like that).

WHAT...DO...YOU...BRING? How do you bring it?

Please please please leave comments below with your answers. Remember...5 minutes would be all you'd have and you need to be able to walk out of your apartment with it all in tow. No car to pack. No one to carry anything for you.

This basically makes you decide what the basics you must have in order to walk outta your apartment/house/life to move somewhere else. I thought of this due to a book I'm reading and answered it myself last night.

You'll know MY answer once I hear yours...I don't want to give you any hints by listing mine now.

So.....

Ready...set...GO!

Tamsin :)

Monday, April 11, 2011

An the cast grows on...

So...you want to see more of our cast? I thought so!

Here you go!

The role of Josh will be played by Joshua Price:



The role of Hunter will be played by Hunter Thore:



The role of Jensine will be played by Kara Addington:



The role of Bianca will be played by Unique Mills:



The role of Sinopa will be played by Pete Switenko:



Those I made offers to who've not gotten back to me by tomorrow will be recast so I'll hopefully have even MORE announcements for you later! Only Gabe, Keeb, Kade, Shannon, Celeste and Maria to cast and we be done gang! Woot!

Have a great night!

Tamsin :)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

More Roles Have Been Cast!

That's right...more roles have been cast for the photo-shoot in June!

(psst...see the last blog before this one to see who is playing Alex, Atlanta and Sean!)

Here are the newest cast members!

Elizabeth Hawkins to be played by Melissa Silver:



Phoenix & Harmon Keziah (brothers that look similar) will be played by Mitchell Conway:



Desiree (aka Desi, pronounced Deh-zee) Ma to be played by Lily Henry:



Our primary villian, Valencia, to be played by Amanda Magyar:



Then there are the member of The Knights of Cydonia (teenager band of hybrids) we have so far...

The role of Connor to be played by Garret West:



The role of Tyler to be played by Robert Skadal:



The role of Mandy will be played by Anna Wallace-Deering:



The role of Justin to be played by Christian Caldwell:



And last, but never least...Sean's sister Flora (who's book I'm writing during this year's NaNoWriMo) to be played by Tara Siegel:



The role of Riley (Connor's little sister), Shannon (Tyler's love interest) & Maria have been offered...waiting for acceptance. **drums fingers on desk and stares at email inbox**

I'm also on the fence on a few more offers I'm going back and forth on. I put another anouncement on Craigslist as I'm short a few roles...so...if you know anyone who'd want to apply....DM me at my Twitter account: @tamsinsilver

Hopefully by Monday I'll have the rest of the cast for you!

Have a great weekend!

Tamsin :) xoxo

Monday, April 4, 2011

Meet Atlanta and Sean

That's right...I've found my two leads for my photo-shoot! To say I'm excited doesn't really touch it!

Well, without further ado, here they are:

Atlanta Hart shall be played by Angeliese Adams:



Sean Cameron shall be played by Brian C. Cluney:



Yes, Angeliese will either be coloring her hair or wearing a wig, but this 5'9" beauty will be rockin' some awesome heels to put her at 5'10" or 11" and this handsome young man will be growing his hair out a bit and wearing a contact lens to hazel his eyes up...but other than that...these two are perfect.

I also made an offer today to a gal I'd like to see play Jensine. If she comes back with a "yes" today that means we have the main 4 and they can start rehearsing with Mark, our fight choreographer, for the Bo-staff fighting scenes for the website. :) Because, remember, we already have Alex; posted at the end of 2010 to be David Mavricos:



Stay posted to see who will play Jensine...the character based on me! LOL!

Happy Monday all! xoxo

Tamsin :)