It's a Man's World

Clayton Snyder as "Danny" in What Happened Last Night

People think I'm nuts for doing another project so soon... Before "What Happened Last Night" is even released. The majority of these people (if not all) aren't involved in the entertainment business. Their thought is, "Why don't you wait to see how your first film does?"

Folks, my first film already has a theatrical distribution deal in the USA and Canada. You can't get much better than that, especially since the first shot went off at the end of November last year. Having an entire film done - shot and edited - in less than a year (5 months, actually) is unheard of. It's desirable, for sure, but unheard of. Yet I, as a brand new filmmaker, was able to accomplish the feat that so many in the entertainment industry want to do. This was because of a fabulous cast, crew and production house (shout out to Gorilla Pictures). Frankly, I want to do it again.

Me (rt) with Mechelle Martz-Mayfield & Amber Rose

The issue with the entertainment industry is timing. The question isn't, "What have you done?" Instead, it is, "What have you done lately?" As a woman writer/director - and there is only 1% of women writer/directors - I need  to stay relevant in order to stay successful. The Coen brothers, the Farrelly brothers, Scorsese, Coppola, Spielberg, any other male director you can think of all have the luxury of taking as much time off between projects as they want and not have to worry about their next project. Heck, Joe Wright directed "Pan," which lost over $100 MILLION in the box office, has another studio picture in the works to be released in 2017.

My 7yo daughter "directing" a scene in WHLN

It isn't easy being a woman in this industry. It isn't fair. But, I don't do things because they're easy or fair. I do things because I want to. I don't need to prove myself to anyone. I'm a good director and a great writer. A lot of people want to work with me. If I have the ability to keep making movies, then why shouldn't I? I want to be an excellent example to my kids - especially my daughter - to show them that they can do anything that they put their mind to. I let my daughter "direct" a scene in "What Happened Last Night" because she asked me if she could. I told her what to do, and she repeated after me. I could tell how proud she was of herself, and how proud she was (and still is) of her mom. She keeps asking me if she can direct a scene in my next movie. I promised her that she can.

David Otunga let it be known that he is in "Live to Tell"

My next film is a drama entitled "Live to Tell." It is about bullying and school violence. Many of the people in "What Happened Last Night" have already committed to being in this film. As a matter of fact, David Otunga - a man that I absolutely adore and am proud to call my friend - has already publicized that he is going to be a part of this film. (David stars as Lt. Michael 'Lou' Ortega.) Other people in it from "What Happened Last Night" include Cody Calafiore, Alix Kermes, Natasha Coppola-Shalom, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Austin Davis, Shelley Regner, Matthew Joel Kranyak, Andrew Rogers and Brian Tyler Cohen. There are a LOT of other "big names" out there that want to be a part of the film, which is extremely exciting.

There are two different networks interested in the script, but I don't want to relinquish rights to it until the film is done because I don't want some network's political views or hidden agenda to make its way into my script. This story is about a school shooting, told from the inside of the school and the perspective of the hostages. It's about people, not politics. You won't see anything about gun control in my film. If you look and listen closely, you will see a commentary about the complacency of the media when it comes to these shootings. (Don't get me on my soapbox now...) This film will also make the festival circuit. The sooner it is completed, the faster it will be entered into festivals.

That being said, my dear reader, YOU can be a part of "Live to Tell." I have a GoFundMe Campaign going on in order to help bring in money for the budget. (Yes, we have investors, too, but this gives us the cushion that independent films need.) Check out the campaign and see how you can participate. Believe me when I say that every little bit helps...

Well, I Got It.

Me and 1 of the stars of UNSPOKEN, Lilianna

HECK YES.

Believe me, I would like to write something a bit more explicit, but I know that younger eyes do read this blog, so I will do my best to keep it G-Rated. But, HECK YES.

HECK YES.

Why the heck-i-ness? Well, my dear reader, my short film, Unspoken, won a Special Selection Award at the 2015 Olive Tree International Film Festival. We were all pretty shocked when they called "Unspoken by Candice Cain." I was so shocked that I didn't even get out of my seat until Amie, who was sitting in front of me, turned around, grabbed my leg and growled "GET UP!" My husband jumped up first, then I did. I quickly kissed him, walked down the stairs, grabbed the award from the presenter's hand, mumbled "Thank you" and returned to my seat. No kidding-- I didn't even give a thank you speech or anything!! Everyone from my crew looked at me incredulously. I honestly hadn't prepared anything, and I wasn't even in the mindset to improv anything. It was pure, unadulterated shock. That being said, I think I set a precedent for the rest of the winners since I was the first one called-- Absolutely NO ONE else gave a speech. They finished half an hour earlier than they anticipated!!! HAH! (Oops... My bad.)

Catherine, Charles & Allison in the cab.

Honestly, we had an unbelievable time that day. We all went in to NYC from various points on Long Island, watched our film on the big screen, and almost everyone came to my house for dinner catered by a local Italian restaurant. Oh, and I serenaded the people that I worked with on Unspoken with a parody I wrote with my mom and Nicole on the train home from NYC. My heart is still singing over it, and I can't wait until next year's Cain Awards to do a recap of everything. 

Honestly, I can't wait until we are accepted into the next film festival! I use FilmFreeway.com to find out what film festivals are available to us. We are currently waiting for a response from 46 of them to see where we stand. We have already had two screenings of Unspoken, so I'm positively thrilled. Considering that our budget was just $68, I think the fact that we have been screened at TWO film festivals speaks volumes of what an amazing cast and crew we had. Perhaps if our budget was higher, we would have been accepted to more festivals. Perhaps if we had better equipment, we would have won even more awards. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

Anthology Film Archives theatre

Frankly, it doesn't matter to me how we fare at film festivals. This was our first project right out of the gate. We did it on $68 and 43 people were involved in creating it. The guy sitting next to me spent over $22,000 on his short film, Top of the Rock. Believe me, it was very well done. They had a budget for a green screen, which was cool. And it was a period piece. They took home the award for Best Narrative at Olive Tree. It was easily my favorite film of the night.

If I had $22,000, I would make a kick-butt short film, too. (G-rated, remember...) These guys used IndieGogo to raise their budget. Unspoken was entered into the 2015 Disability Film Challenge at the last minute, so we didn't use IndieGogo to raise any funds. If I had $110,000, I would make an AMAZING feature film. As a matter of fact, I already have the script for it: What Happened Last Night. I even have several actors already interested in being a part of it. I've got locations. I've got a crew. I've got the potential to make my kick-butt movie.

My excited face.

Now, I don't ask for a lot of things. I rarely, RARELY ask for favors. (This weekend, I did as my "little brother" to rescue me from the Jersey Turnpike after my brake line broke...) I do a LOT of things for a LOT of people. I've raised money for all sorts of causes and individuals. I've written recommendation letters for at least 100 people in my lifetime. I've spoken to groups, classes, meetings and such without charging a dime. Heck, I donate clothes every single time Big Brothers & Big Sisters calls me. I volunteer a lot-- As much as my busy schedule permits.

Yes, I sell a lot of stuff. I own a travel agency AND I work from home with another company. (Not as much as I used to, though...) I own Cain Talent, and I post a lot about it on FaceBook. Heck, I post a lot about travel and working from home, too. Oh, and let's not forget about eBay. I love selling stuff on eBay, and even do it for my daughter's twirling organization, The Sparklers. I'm sure I annoy the heck out of people. That's fine-- people can just unfollow me or hide what they don't want to see. I do it to those posts I don't want to see!

Anyway, I'm asking for help now. I want to make my film, What Happened Last Night, and I need help in two ways: Spreading the word and contributions. Now, a LOT of people have shared. I have 1,150 views on the IndieGogo Campaign from the USA alone. Canada is next with 18. France and Germany each have 9 views. There are 26 other countries with between 1 - 4 views as well.  If all of those people viewing the IndieGogo Campaign contributed even $1, we would have raised well over $1,000. Who knows how much we would have accumulated if each person shared it? Of all of those people, we have 13 people that have contributed for a total of $466. I need $109,534 more to meet the budget.

The Unspoken cast & crew after winning at Olive Tree

Obviously, I need help from anywhere I can get it. I need help in any amount. As I said, we are currently at $466 on the IndieGogo campaign. Once we hit $500 on that campaign, I will release the name of one of the actors playing a minor character. That's only $34, folks!! And check out the awesome perks that you can get when you click to contribute to our IndieGogo Campaign. There's something for everyone-- Even something for people that don't want a perk. (Nothing, actually. You get nothing for $1. You want to contribute, but want us to leave you alone.)

I'm not going to overwhelm you with all of the other ways that you can help with making What Happened Last Night a reality. I've applied for grants. I've contacted business owners. I've made videos. I've posted on FaceBook. I've done a ton. This movie will get made. I've got an awesome crew and cast so far. Several name actors are reading the script.

I cannot express to you how great it feels to be a part of something so... amazing. It's the only word that I can use to describe how it felt to create a film from a flicker of an idea and have it culminate with watching it on the big screen and winning an award for it. It was exhilarating-- And the movie was only a little over four minutes long. The thought of having my film - a feature length romantic comedy - on the screen for an hour and a half gives me goosebumps.

We have 30 days exactly left on this IndieGogo Campaign. Please share. Please contribute-- Even if you have $1. If 1000 people contributes $1, we'd have $1,000.

We WILL make this film. Be a part of it.

Please.

And, Boys, I Got It!

Katie Bogdanski took this of me.

Have you heard of "The Secret?" It's a book and a film that basically teaches people how to get what they want by using the Law of Attraction: Like Attracts Like. I believe in it, completely and totally. I found the book again recently and started reading it again. I really do believe that like attracts like. If you've got a positive attitude, then good things WILL happen to you. If you are negative and have negative thoughts (whether about yourself or about others), then negative things will happen to you. This is also called karma. I believe in it. I really, really do.

After my last two blog posts about Brenda and Paul, I decided to wash my hands of negativity. I decided not to deal with any drama that comes my way, and to just turn my back on all attacks and all gossip. One woman called me to tell me that there is some sort of website that is saying bad things about me. Fortunately, Shannon (my fabulous and amazing assistant) was the one that fielded that call, and I didn't even find out what the web address of said website is. Frankly, I don't care. Talk about me all you want-- Just make sure you spell my name right.

In taking my positive attitude towards everything, life has really turned around. My husband had a successful surgery (although there were many complications, he is alive and healthy). Things have been going AMAZINGLY for Cain Talent. My short film, Unspoken, suddenly has been garnering a lot of attention. We started a new webseries that has also been getting lots of attention, called The Kids' Table. 

Projects are moving along smashingly. Aside from our own projects, my company is working on 59 television shows around the country and 19 feature films, let alone countless print campaigns, commercials and other projects. I feel very, very blessed. I AM  very, very blessed.

Thank you to those that support me. :)

An Open Letter to Paul Russell

Dear Mr. Russell,

You don't know me. I don't know you. I have never dealt with you before. I have never spoken with you before. I never even knew who you were, until clients of mine wrote to me with concern that you posted a completely erroneous and libelous blog about me and my company, Cain Talent. You completely trash my reputation. You call me a scam. You say that I "prey on children and their parents." You attack my business. You attack me personally.

Yet, we have never crossed paths before.

Why? Why do you feel so threatened by me as to defame my character as well as my business? Furthermore, your blog post has encouraged hate mail. I have received emails threatening me and my children. Yes, Mr. Russell, there are sick people out there that are threatening the lives of my seven year old twins. Does this please you?

What truly baffles me beyond you and I never having any contact before is the fact that you disabled comments in all of your posts about me and Cain Talent. My clients - who I happen to take VERY good care of - sprung to my defense. They told you that they do not feel that I am a scam, that I take care of them, that I have helped them go far, that their children have been given more opportunities through me and my company than anyone else that they have ever worked with before. Most of all, they said that I am NOT a scam. You deleted their comments. You disabled the comments on your FaceBook page and on your blog. Why would you do this?

In your blog, you mention that I own Candy Cain Travel, as though it is something to be ashamed of. Yes, sir, I do indeed own Candy Cain Travel. I have owned this company since 2006. Yes, I still book clients that contact me. I do not actively market the company, unless I see a great deal that I think my friends would like to take advantage of, such as free dining at Disney. My mother, who retired from her teaching job in 2008, has taken over my company. She can provide you with an excellent quote, should you like to travel. She doesn't charge a fee-- Candy Cain Travel has never charged fees.

In your blog, you mention that I owned the "now defunct" Wedding Lane with Candy Cain. That, too, is true. I was the most successful destination wedding planner in the USA for a couple of years, and even had a reality show in development over it. (You can watch the trailer HERE, if you'd like.) You make it sound as though Wedding Lane went out of business. In reality, I closed that division of Candy Cain Travel because I did not want to do destination weddings anymore. I didn't want to do ANY sort of weddings anymore. I closed it because I wanted to, not for any other reason. I didn't - and still don't - like planning weddings anymore. It doesn't make sense to keep a business open that isn't in, well, business.

You call things that you have copied and pasted on your blog "screenshot." Those aren't screenshots, Mr. Russell. It is you copying and pasting something. A screenshot looks like this:

A screenshot is a picture of a website. You have no pictures. You simply copied and pasted something from an old website. Yes, I had a Wix website. There is nothing wrong with a Wix website. The reason I had it was because my website was being designed and the Wix site was used as a placeholder. If you had contacted me and asked me about it, I would have been happy to tell you that. I'm an open book, Mr. Russell. I'm happy to tell you anything that you'd like to know.

I don't exactly understand what you are trying to accomplish with your blog. I have indeed tried to reach out to you. I really wanted to speak with you before a cease and desist letter was sent to you. The things you said about me in your blog are indeed untrue. I'm sure you got your information from someone else, and I do know who she is. Unfortunately, I believe that she is an unreliable source. It's a shame that you would put your reputation on the line for someone that isn't telling the truth.

After all, isn't it the truth that is indeed important? I'm in business to help people cultivate careers in the entertainment industry. I help people-- Especially children. I am very proud of what I do and what I have done.  I don't attack people. I don't spread rumors. I don't talk about people. And I certainly don't say anything negative about someone until I get my facts straight-- And, even then, I tend to keep my mouth shut.

I welcome you to call me, Mr. Russell. I welcome you to talk with me for the first time. I have emailed you. I have sent you private messages on your FaceBook pages. I filled out your contact form on your website. My phone number is 914.861.5437.


Sincerely,
  Candice Cain
 Owner, Cain Talent
 www.caintalent.com
 914.861.5437

An Update Since this Afternoon

Today has certainly been an exciting day. (They really need a sarcasm font here...)

 

After I wrote my previous blog entry, I got a message from the admin that never replied to me last month, asking. "Why the rude blog post?" And then she gave me her phone number to call.

 

Why the rude blog post? Are you kidding me? How about because you and your two friends are calling me and my company illegal? You're coming after me and my livelihood. You're hurting my company. You're preventing me from doing business. You're hurting my family. That means you're hurting my kids... and NO ONE gets away with hurting my kids.

 

Fortunately, I was out to lunch with Shannon, who is my assistant turned dear friend. I took advantage of this and called the woman on speaker phone so that Shannon could listen as well as participate.

 

Apparently, this woman read my blog. She apologized profusely to me, saying that she was told by the other two women that I ran an illegal operation. Furthermore, she said that she just copied and pasted what Lisa (the "group attorney") sent her to post. Shannon pointed out that she should have done her research on Cain Casting and what she was posting about it. I explained to her how I was advised that I could sue her, Lisa, Rosemary and the rest of the admins for slander to the tune of $500,000, but I hadn't planned on doing that until now. I asked her if she had $500,000 that she would be able to fork over when I won the lawsuit.

 

The woman apologized over and over, and asked me what she could do in order to get me to take my blog post down. I told her three things: 1) Remove Rosemary from the group; 2) Remove Lisa from the group; 3) Post a retraction about calling Cain Casting an "illegal operation" and admit that she didn't do the research on it.

 

The woman agreed to it. She wanted me to write something that she could copy and paste, but I told her that she needed to write it in her own words. I wasn't going to be caught in a situation where I was accused of bullying her. She wanted me to take down my blog post, so I told her what I needed to do in order for that to happen. She said she would do it as soon as she got home from work, around 3pm. I told her that the blog post would stay up until then.

 

At 2:45 or so, she told me that she was home. I was in the car with my kids, driving them home from school. She texted me and told me that she couldn't even get her boys extra work. I had JUST gotten an email from a casting director asking me if I had 15 kids that would want to do extra work on a TV show. I called her and asked her if she would like to get them on the show-- I wouldn't take any money from her; I just wanted to prove to her that I own a legitimate company. (To those of you reading this from the NE Kids Group, were you aware that I offered her two sons to appear on a television show on Friday?) She said that she wouldn't be able to do it, and she thanked me profusely. She told me how disappointed she was in the other two women, and how they brought a lot of drama to the group. I observed that these two women are close, and she was probably on the outside.

 

She told me that she removed them from the group, and that her phone was "blowing up." She also read me the retraction that she wrote:

 

 

For some reason, I really thought that this was going to be the end of the drama. Unfortunately, it just set Rosemary off even more. Rosemary seemingly took the position of the victim and I took the position of the bully.

 

Mind you, I had been trying to reason with these women for over a month. (Please see the screen shots from my last blog entry.) So, Rosemary decided to post this:

 

 

FYI - It's Candy Cain, not Candi. If you're going to write lies about me, at least spell my name right.

 

I didn't bully the other woman-- I gave her a choice. She made her decision and apologized to me-- She also apologized to me profusely on the telephone. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and figured she was a victim of circumstance-- Especially with Rosemary calling her "spineless."

 

This is all that I have the energy to post right now, and I'm sure all you have the energy to read. I will write more tomorrow, and show more proof. I was bullied all throughout my school years. I'm not taking this crap from anyone-- ESPECIALLY someone who hasn't taken the time to learn about me and my business before making sweeping generalizations and accusations. Get your facts straight, or you will be guilty of libel. With the post above, let's add defamation of character to that.

 

I'm not afraid of you.

 

It's a shame that there are people like this in the world. What is even more sad is the sheep that follow them. I'm not a sheep. I've never been a sheep. Frankly, I eat my lamb with mint jelly.

 

 

Entertain You...

So, remember a few posts ago when I said I love casting? And how I prefer casting than being on camera? Well, here's some irony for you... I was just cast in the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler feature film "The Nest." I didn't expect to be called for an audition, but a friend of mine is a casting director working on the show and submitted me, then told me that I was submitted for a role. Mind you, I was in Utah when all this went down. I got an email on Saturday, May 17, telling me that I was chosen to audition for the amazing and talented Jason Moore, who also directed Pitch Perfect. The kicker? Everything was to be improvised. I had to come up with my own back story and character, but would have to improv with other people at the audition.

Allow me to let you in on a little secret... I started "Gagged and Bound" - a comedy improv troupe - at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I'm pretty well-versed in improv. I did a lot of improv in college. I taught a lot of improvisation workshops, and I still do to people on my talent roster. I created a character with a back story, weaving real threads of my life in it. 

And I rocked it.

I'm allowed to say I rocked it-- I got the part, didn't I?

I had to dress like a quirky individual from Orlando. See, here's another great thing in my favor: My father and his parents live in Orlando. They've lived in Orlando since like 1983. (At least, my grandparents have.) My grandparents - especially my grandmother - is indeed quite quirky. So, I based my character off of her, not to mention the outfit I put together. I found a fabulous pair of silver lamé leggings on eBay for 99 cents. My mom found a green loose shirt with palm trees on it. My friend Sam in Orlando recommended I wear strappy sandals. I also found a pair of silver earrings with white feathers at Claire's.

I was an absolute eyesore.

(But I freaking love those leggings. I need to wear them at least once a week. And they really were 99 cents on eBay. God, I love eBay.)

It apparently worked-- I landed the part. I have 20 shooting days over the summer. I'll still be casting as well, and plan on getting a lot of people a lot of work. I honestly wasn't expecting this AT ALL. Perhaps this will be my vested credit for 2014. 

It's amazing how God works. I said "I love casting more" and he responded with "Oh yeah? Try working with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, then tell me what you think."

That just shows you that when you think your life is heading one way, your plans are easily changed by a greater power. Never count yourself out. Never count your chickens before they hatch. Never think that you've closed a door. You just don't know what is going to happen in the future.

And If You're Real Good...

Okay, so I suck at keeping New Year's Resolutions. I said my resolution was to keep up my blogs. Well, that sort of didn't happen. But, I've got a really good reason for it... Lots of reasons, actually. I can just sum it all up by saying that I've been really busy. Not your normal, everyday mom type of busy.. I've been busier than Obama. At least he gets to play gold every now and again. (Not that I even like golf, but you catch my drift.) With working from home, running three companies, keeping up with my kids and getting in front of the camera every now and again, I have barely had time to breathe. I even started an eBay venture, trying to declutter my home and make some money for a Disney vacation. (So far, we bought the plane tickets...) Yeah, I've been inhumanly busy. The only person that I can think of that might be as busy as I am is my best friend Mechelle, but she doesn't have kids. She knows what it's like to be a business owner, though.

Okay, so I digress... This blog is supposed to be about me and the entertainment industry.  Today, I once again worked as the double for Camryn Manheim. I love Camryn Manheim. I think she's a great actress. I hope that I get to meet her some time. I need to get my 76 SAG days (or $18,000 for the year) so that I get my vested credit, which is why I'm doing some on camera stuff.

But, I've got a secret...

I like casting better.

There, I said it. 

I LIKE CASTING BETTER!!!!!!!!!

No, I actually LOVE casting. And I'm actually really, really good at it. For example, I cast eleven kids and one adult to work on Monday. I've got nine of those kids on a movie with Sarah Silverman, and the other three people are on a network TV show. They're thrilled. And seeing them thrilled makes me ridiculously happy.

To me, casting is like a puzzle. I'm given a list of different parts that I have to fill. I go through my roster to see who can fill what, then submit it to the casting director. The casting director sees if they agree with me, then they pass it on to the director. The director selects who the final cast is. I got 11 people cast to work paid jobs on Monday.

Excuse me while I pat myself on the back...

But, that's not just it. I've gotten a LOT of people a LOT of work. I'm teaching people about the industry that I love. I am helping kids build their college funds. I'm having a really good time doing it all, too. Whether it's for TV or film or even print work, I'm having a blast getting people work, giving kids experiences, and watching it all unfold in the final projects. For example, I cast a TON of people on Investigation Discovery's Deadly Sins. It is so cool to watch my talent on screen. And I know how exciting it is for them, too. That just makes it even better for me.

Someone sent me an email tonight saying, "I'm impressed with how much work you are getting your talent." Isn't that what a talent manager is supposed to do? I don't know why people are so surprised when others get cast. It's my JOB to get my talent cast. That's what they pay me for. Why would I take their money and run? That's what a lot of scam companies do, but certainly not me.

So, that's it. My bragging blog post. You can take a look at Cain Casting & Talent Management, if you'd like. And, if you want to work in the entertainment industry, you can also register and give it a shot.

I'm Very Versatile

Me. Fabulous me.

I am sitting in my car on the set of a movie as I write this blog entry. I have been working on the Warner Brothers production Run All Night for the past few days. It is a lot of fun being back on a movie set-- I haven't been on a big budget movie set since for more than one day since I filmed Not Another Teen Movie in 2001. After that, I did TV shows and low budget flicks.

Everyone has been asking me how I booked this job. To be completely honest with you, I am really focused on getting the talent registered with Cain Casting work. In order to do that, I need to register with a variety of websites so that I can access breakdowns and submit people for consideration. Before I fully register my talent, I see if the site is legit and effective by creating a profile for myself and submitting myself for a variety of projects.

One of these websites is Casting Networks, which is owned by Central Casting. I used to do extra work with them in LA, which gave me my start in TV. I did not register with Central Casting before registering on Casting Networks. This website has principal roles as well as background work listed, and everything in between. There are print jobs, commercials, film, etc for pay and no pay. It depends on what you are submitted for.

So, I created a Casting Networks account. I saw a lot of featured extra work, so I submitted myself for a few things. Shockingly, I was snatched up immediately by Kee Casting for a movie called Life Itself for a featured role. Well, I got there and, just like Staten Island Summer, the part was cut. I ended up playing one of the pedestrians walking by Morgan Freeman & Diane Keaton on the street. I don't do anything special-- just walk by. That was last Friday.

I went into NYC for a big audition for an industrial video that shoots for 3 days in San Francisco. I had time, so I went over to Central Casting and registered. (Personally, I think extra work is fun. I like to meet people. Plus, I'm pretty good at networking.) Make no mistake-- I do not want to do a lot of extra work. However, I will certainly do it if the opportunity arises, especially since I found out that any money I earn from extra work counts toward my pension with the Screen Actors Guild AND for health insurance. (I currently have my health insurance through my husband's job, but Obamacare is going to force us into the government system in a few years.) So, yeah, it would be stupid of me to turn my nose up again ANY work if if means security for me and my family in the future.

But, I digress.

Me and my kids.

When I got home, I received a text message asking me if I got the email to work night. I didn't. The text message told me to report to set and bring my blue Mazda to be a picture car. I said okay. Later on, an email arrived in my inbox, telling me where to go and to bring winter clothes. I confirmed everything and headed to the location. Incidentally, this is also the day that my daughter lost her first tooth, so it was a happy day.

I parked my car and went to holding, where I saw Anthony, the adorable PA from Staten Island Summer! We chatted for a few hours, and then I was sent home. They never got to the scene, as it sometimes happens. I was instructed to come back the next night with the Mazda.

I arrived the next night with the Mazda, which is parked next to the main character's house. It has been established on camera, so it MUST be in every shot outside the house. EVERY. SCENE.

Without me, by the way.

I was used briefly in a shot with the second unit, but I personally was not really established on camera. But my

car is. I was wrapped at 6:30am, got home in time to kiss my kids and send them off to school, and went to bed at . I woke up at, took a shower, saw my kids for a little, and headed back to set for a 6:00pm call time.

I got to set, grabbed some dinner, and put my car in its place. I've been sitting in my car for the past 3 hours. They are shooting behind me and can't see me in the car. That's fine-- it is freaking freezing outside.

Me in a cop uniform. Why? Stay tuned.

My hope is that they see what a great sport I've been and keep bringing me back. They are shooting some interiors tonight, so I am pretty sure they won't use me for that. Fortunately, I was given a call sheet for today and can cross off what they have finished. I truly have no idea as to how long I will be here, but I am so okay with that.

I really want to lead by example for the talent I manage. There was a guy on set last night that just complained and moaned... It sucked. I mean, be thankful for the work. Have a good attitude on set-- these crew guys (especially the PAs) have enough stress and don't need to listen to an extra --excuse me, background artist-- gripe. There are 17,000 other people ghost would give their left arm to be in your position. Be grateful. Do what you're told. Have a positive attitude.

That's all you need to get ahead. Oh, and some talent, of course.

Some Old and then Some New Tricks

Back in 1983

When I got involved in the entertainment industry, I was just a kid. I'd be lying to you if I told you that I remembered everything about it-- I really don't. My earliest memory is watching my father playing Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, then jumping up and yelling, "Don't you hurt my daddy!" when someone held a sword to his throat. I was really upset, because the lights went out - the intermission, unbeknownst to a five year old - and then my dad and all of the other people on stage were gone when the lights came back on. 

A man dressed in black with a headset on came up to me, my mom and my sister and said that he would take me to see my dad. We went backstage, and my dad was talking to the guy that had just held a sword to his throat. To this day, I remember everything about that man's face-- Brown hair, brown beard, brown eyes, wearing a blue tunic, thin, tall... You get the idea. He was a scary dude-- At least, he was to five year old me. Anyway, my dad told me how they were really friends and how they were pretending to fight on stage so that they could tell a story.

I was fascinated.

Photo by Molly Garcia

I really think that is the moment in time when I was bitten by the acting bug. I wanted to pretend, too. I believe the way that I believed. I wanted to tell people stories. I wanted people to make people clap, laugh, cry and, most of all, believe that I was the character that I was portraying.

Soon after that, I watched the original Freaky Friday with Jodie Foster. I would only use the name Annabel, and I couldn't understand why people didn't want to play make believe with me. My dad explained to me what actors are.

To be totally honest with you, I never really wanted to be a professional actor. Sure, it looked like fun, but it wasn't my dream. I wanted to have more control than that. I decided that I wanted to be the person that wrote the stories that people were acting out. I wrote my very first play - A Journey to Chocolateland - when I was in third grade. I majored in Dramatic Literature in college, at The George Washington University. Several of my plays were performed, and I even started a production company that was in action until 20011. (Technically, it's still around-- I just haven't done any productions recently.) 

Click the link to purchase my play

Right before I got married in 2005, I was published by Baker's Plays in Boston. I actually received the galleys (author's copies) the day before I got married, which was really cool since I dedicated the play to my soon-to-be husband. Last year, Samuel French bought the rights to my plays, which is wicked cool. All in all, I have four different plays published with Samuel French: The Lovesick Cat, The Woodsmen & The Fairy, The Lion & The Mouse and The Tortoise & The Hare. They are performed all around the world, and I get a nice check once a year. It's really cool.

But I've been blocked lately, and haven't written any plays. I need to get back on it, because I do have some good ideas. I'd really love to write a musical, but I don't know the first thing about writing music.

Anyway, I digress.

When I lived in Los Angeles (Jan 2001 - Jan 2004), I had an agent. My agent was awful. She kept telling me that I needed to lose weight-- Like 30lbs. Thirty pounds is a helluva lot of weight to lose! Why would you sign someone that might not lose that weight? If only I knew now what I knew then... 

Today was a good day.

This agent did NOTHING for me. I think I got one audition from her in 3 years. Well, as a talent manager, I see a lot of breakdowns-- And there are TONS of roles for people my size!!! It's nuts. Tomorrow, I'm shooting a movie called Life Itself in Manhattan. On Monday, I've got an audition for an industrial that films in San Francisco and pays over $2000 plus travel.  And this morning, I was signed by MSF Talent - Print Division to be one of their plus size models. 

So, yeah, today was a good day in the life of Candice.

I've gotta say, I was a little nervous about signing an exclusive agreement with MSF. I've been submitting myself and landing gigs. But, they only wanted me for print work, which I really don't do all that much of. (Yes, working with Steve and Desiree was a print job, which is what I started this entire blog on... But I get more acting parts for myself than not.) So, I signed the agreement and sent it in. I will give it 6 months. If I feel that I can do a better job than they can, I will end my agreement. But, I have never had an agent in NY-- Let alone one that wanted me exclusively. They take 20% of my gross, which is 10% more than what I get from the people I manage. So, we shall see where this takes us over the next 6 months... 

Let Me Do A Few Tricks

People drive me crazy. 

No, let me rephrase that...

Stupid people drive me crazy. I'm talking about people that don't use common sense. People that you have to repeat things to OVER AND OVER to get them to understand. People that don't listen. People that tell you one thing, then do another. Most of all, people that waste my time drive me absolutely BONKERS.

Unfortunately, a lot of those people are the types that you encounter in the entertainment industry. Since I was pretty much born into the entertainment world, I get it. I have a skin as thick as leather. I know that you have to hear "no" 99 times before you get to that "yes."

However, sometimes I get spoiled. Sometimes, jobs start rolling in one after the other, and I just expect that I'm going to be cast in everything that I submit for. Yes, I become a stupid person.

And then something happens to slap me back into reality. 

Attitude?? Moi????

Let's take for instance a new reality show that seemingly fell into my lap. When I'm not an actress, I'm an event and travel planner. A reality show, Wedding Lane with Candy Cain, was in development about me, my family and my business. It never came to fruition, which is what happens with so many projects out there, and I moved on. This week, another reality show came knocking on my door-- Looking for an "event guru with an attitude."

Ahem.

Needless to say, I submitted for it. I got an email back right away, telling me how fabulous I am, and how I fit in with their team, yada yada yada. You know, a bunch of ego-stroking. They asked me for pics, and I sent them. I was told I was amazing-- More ego-stroking. They asked for me to take a video RIGHT NOW, so I did. They thanked me, told me I'm wonderful, etc. In short, they made me feel like I was going to be a part of this production.

CANDYWOOD RULE #1: Never trust anyone until you sign a contract.

While eating dinner with my family last night, I got a one line email:

We decided to go in a different direction.

Hair & Makeup for the show that never came to be

Yep. Shunned. Used and abused. Led on and turned away. Strung along, then the string was cut. You get the idea.

I'm more annoyed at myself for getting so comfortable, than at the production company for making me believe that I had it. That happens all the time. I also run a small casting and talent management company, and that happens to the people that I manage all the time. This time, it was just me that it happened to. I've been carrying that feeling of rejection since yesterday, and it doesn't feel good. I'm in need of a Stuart Smalley moment.

Let Me Make You Smile

My headshot from 2001, my LA days.

Have I mentioned that I love the entertainment industry? I really do. Even all of the crap that comes with the people that think they're the hottest poop out of God's rear end-- I just love it. (And, yes, I wrote poop. I have 5 year old twins, remember?) Granted, I make fun of those self-important celebrity wannabes... I still love it. Those types of people give me plenty of writing material.

My maiden name is Cook. When I did my stint in Los Angeles back in 2001 - 2004, I went by my maiden name. Now I'm Candice Cain-- Yes, Candy Cain. It's my married name. I didn't choose it. My husband chose me, and I am old-fashioned so I took his last name. (Hey, it could have been worse. In college, I was friends with a guy named Cody Landis. If that led somewhere, I could have been Candice Landis.) So, when people try to do research on Candy Cain, they usually find all sorts of drag queens and porn stars-- So they think I'm full of crap. They treat me like garbage. Essentially, they have no idea who they are dealing with.

Then, when I tell them that I worked as an actress and used the name Candice Cook, and they do that research... Well, their tune changes. It's kind of comical really. I love watching people treat me like crap, knowing full well that they are going to eat crow once it dawns on them that they are looking up the wrong name. Sometimes I hand them the ketchup.

I'm nice to people that I like. I really am. I bend over backwards to help people. People I don't like? Well... That is an entirely different story. I might look sweet and people might tell you that I'm really nice, but I'm not. I'm sweet and nice to the people that I like. Otherwise, I'm incredibly condescending and sarcastic. I'm working on it, though. I really am.

In short, I've got an over-the-top personality. Everyone that knows me knows this. Other people, however, are somehow shocked. I don't know why. I'm larger-than-life to begin with. I'm 5'9" tall (plus half an inch-- but who is counting?) and I'm a plus-sized woman. (I'm working on that, too, though.) However, in the entertainment industry, this works to my advantage.

Big Hair? Check. Big Hips? Check.

A couple of weeks ago, I was going through the breakdowns for my talent roster. I saw a casting call for a woman with "big hair, big hips and a big personality." Honey, you can't get much bigger than me. That is exactly the way I started out my letter to the casting director, none other than the fabulous Desiree Kennedy. I was called that afternoon to come in for an audition the next day. I wore an orange shirt, black capris and my sandals-- And I did my hair rather big. (Take a look at the photo to the right.) I headed on into NYC and met Desiree. She's a doll-- We hit it off right away, talking about our names. (I went through a time when I was younger where I wouldn't answer to any name but Desiree, which was my great-grandma's name.)  

My go-see consisted of me pretending to bowl in front of a cool photographer. I didn't get his name, and was in and out pretty quickly. I was the biggest, baddest broad there-- All of the other women were skinny minnies. I felt like a fish out of water, and figured I wasn't going to get the part. Heck, I didn't even know what it was for-- Only that it was a paying gig for a nutritional company that could turn into a national print campaign. It was easy. It was fun. And, yes, I'd totally do it again.

You can imagine my surprise when my phone rang late the next day, and it was Desiree calling me to tell me that they wanted me for the shoot. I was going to be a "avid bowler" for a... get this... Metamucil print ad!!! 

Metamucil??? ME??? I'm 36!

Yeah, that was my thought process. However, I am certainly aware that fiber is for everyone. The majority of Americans do not have enough fiber in their diet. As a matter of fact, I actually do drink a fiber drink each day. It's good for your heart, circulatory system, digestive tract, etc.

But, I digress. 

I landed the gig and headed into NYC for the shoot on Monday. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! The photographer that took the test shots of me was the photographer-- a hysterical guy named Steve Lesnick. Not only is he a really cool dude, he's a fantastic photographer. I got into my outfit, hair and makeup, picked up my bowling ball and had an absolute blast shooting with him. I've never, ever, ever worked with such a fantastic photographer before.

As a matter of fact, the whole crew was fantastic: Marissa, Lana, Cecily, Steve and, of course Desiree. The time just flew by. We had a lot of laughs, and now need to wait and see if the pics are used by Metamucil for their national print campaign.

Me in First Magazine - March 2012

This was my first big step back in front of the camera. I mean, I did a makeover shoot in the beginning of 2012 for First For Women Magazine, but that was just using average people and unpaid. Anyone could have submitted for that and gotten chosen.  

This job was different. I was chosen from other talent that had submitted to be a part of the shoot. I worked with a casting director, producer, photographer and crew. I was paid for what I did. It was a professional job.

And I loved every minute of it.

Landing this gig gave me confidence. It reminded me of what I used to do before I had kids, and even before I got married. I'm really good in front of the camera. I also happen to be good behind the scenes. Now I'm working where I'm actually able to do both. Life is good.