So last week I was lucky enough to be asked by CarlLewis films to be involved in their entry to MK's 48 film challenge, and having worked with Carl & Lewis previously, and after experiencing their determination and dedication to the end product, I jumped at it.

So for those in the dark about a 48 hour challenge, it's a time thing- you're given a certain criteria for a story and then you have 48 hours from that point to write a story, plan shot lists, get everyone in, make up, shoot, move locations, fight the losing light, battle the wind, edit it, put some music to it, and get it back in all within the 48 hour period. Needless to say I've skimmed a lot of the jobs so the sheer enormity of this isn't justified in my description.

But it was so much fun. Having an amazing team put together, everything ran smoothly and we were pretty much running on time the whole day. And the entry won our category! So Congratulations to CarlLewis films & everyone involved- I really enjoyed the day, despite throwing hot water over my hand in the first take of the day we got it haha!

All awesome photos below are taken from the set stills photographer- Ben Gregory-Ring who can be found here.

Soooooo this is a little delayed I know but this week has been all kinds of crazy (Crazy exciting included) but those of you who haven't seen my actress Facebook page won't know I was lucky enough to go to 'The Intern' premiere  (basically an amazing friend had a ticket and invited me- forever in debt!!)

                                                                          Hey!




So I've been out of touch for a while- I tend to prefer blogs when people have something to say- you know?



Okay so I'm currently in the middle of shooting a TV pilot which means I'm between countries and amazing locations and life is pretty awesome.



Cue the point of this entry... So when I was younger I really struggled with body image and eating habits as I'm pretty sure the majority of our society does at some point. And from that I've learned that I have to let go of that when shooting or away as I can't control when or what I eat 100% of the time... still learning.

Everyone on set is amazing and bend over backwards to ensure that I have stuff I can eat (I also have a gluten intolerance). This post is more me expressing my journey to mental well being.



 I'm currently rereading a book (and plan to do so multiple more times for the rest of my life) that I've mentioned before in a blog post called 'Creating a bug free mind'. It basically teaches you to let go of our society taught pressures and worries and relearn to live in your now and your present.




These last few weeks shooting have really honed that for me, I'm currently learning to let go of the guilt I usually feel when I have missed countless gym sessions and eaten odd foods at odd times because of the basic fact that I'm working and doing something that I really truly love to do which means that at times I may be working odd hours and my usual go to foods can't come with me on the flight. Hey, that's okay (See? learning ;) )

My point is I almost let myself become overwhelmed with my food control and body image and almost completely missed this incredible filming experience that I strived for and worked for that is happening right under my nose!!!


So today's message is (in my Mum's very wise words), be kind to you. Don't miss your now because you're stressing about things you 'should' be doing. Have a lay in every once in a while, sit and watch the world go by or pick up your hobby for a bit. Remember we work to live, don't live to work- treat yourself and stop to smell the roses. Be on your side and don't beat yourself up- from personal experience it's much better when you are your own side...



                                                                      Stay happy :)

                                                                       Makenna x

Whoa... Up on cloud nine right now and not dropping anytime soon!

Last night was my first red carpet premiere for my first feature film and that still hasn't fully sank in! How crazy is that?!

Between the interviews, the photos, the autographs and film- it was an incredible night (You can watch my vlog of it all here). But the thing that struck me is peoples' repeated kindness. All night people were approaching us, talking of how we inspired them, how they enjoyed the performances and asking for photos. I had to stop myself looking behind to see if they were talking to someone else.

It's crazy to think that a week ago I was at home, now I'm sat in LA, having people tell me I inspire them and that really puts things into perspective for me. Being British, I think we're very quick to sell ourselves short, underplay our talents in a bid to not disappoint. This is the first time in this whole experience where I've sat there and thought 'Yeah, well done me'- not in an arrogant way, just an acknowledgment of this experience, and reaching this point.

In fact, I think I'm going to treat myself to a dress I've had my eye on as a little present to myself to act as a reminder that it is possible, and we can make things happen.

There's a common belief in the acting world that doors are shut, it's hard to get into and it's dog eat dog. Some people believe that's life. From the kindness I experienced from people last night, I don't believe that's true, and I personally will take away from this experience that a moment of your time for someone else is nothing, but can mean a lot to them- It's all relative- we can all help each other out and if you help others, they'll be keener to help you :)

A friend once told me I have a green hippy brain- absolutely loved that but what I'm trying to say (in a poor round about way) is spread the love! Who's to say that your neighbour who needs a hand moving stuff doesn't know someone who can help you further your career? Apparently it's like 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone in the world- so you know someone who knows someone x6 who knows Brad Pitt. It's a small world- take advantage of that :D

Okay so I'm in LA- Yay! (incase you couldn't tell from my countless posts etc!)

So after the 10+ hour flight delayed by 2 hours (not complaining at all- these things happen), and being up for 22+ hours, I had somewhat of an epiphany laying in bed, wide awake, hungry and jetlagged at 3am local time (11am UK).

On the full flight yesterday, after landing in LAX everyone was doing that awkward stand up half crouched, half pushing thing before the plane doors even opened. I really don't get that- I'm the sitting down straggler last off the plane at the back- but that's just me :) Anyway, I over heard 2 people standing next to me (I know, nosy right?) talking about how they both act, one of them lives here, and one has just come over to jump into any audition and just give it a real shot.

Now it is so human nature to see life as a competition, to secretly start comparing the people who have the same goals as you to yourself to see who is 'winning'. I fell into that trap. WHY?! I couldn't help but listen to them both and think 'Oh no, I'm not doing that, is that bad? Should I be selling everything I have and move to LA?' Hello irrational, tired ego.

This bugged me for the whole walk to baggage claim, and after, even on the journey back to our apartment. It was haunting me, the idea that I should just throw everything out the window and start in LA. Cue my epiphany- I'm here for my first cinematic feature film release. That hit a note with me. Not because I had one up on anyone, but because I had finally stopped to appreciate where I am, and acknowledge this experience as an achievement, and stop stressing about what I should or shouldn't be doing in a comparison to others.

My journey has taken me here for different reasons to those on a plane, and because of that I'll have a completely different experience, and that's okay! I'm learning to walk my own path, and to be proud of it for myself- So today I challenge you to think of one thing big or small that you've achieved in this past week and be proud of it for you! :)

Okay, so I'm a firm believer in 'everything happens for a reason', and that when everything's right, things happen fast because it's the path you're meant to be on.

My 'lucky break' happened over a grand total of 4 days, at a time when I was least expecting it.  In that tiny amount of time I had got noticed by an LA casting company, organised a skype audition, completed it, and then got selected from the 2,300 applicants for one of the lead roles in the $50 million budget film 'David & Goliath'. Insane... I still don't think it's fully settled in... months later :)

So I promised someone I'd talk about getting the audition etc- basically I had let myself believe that my success was in the hands of 'fate' for the majority of 2013. I convinced myself that actors had all just had a series of 'lucky breaks' and that I just had to wait. What is the point in that?! Waiting- why wait? I got told at some point that no one was going to push for my dream as much as I would, and suddenly it was like a light had been switched on. My lull in roles was not due to lack of luck, but down to my lack of applications, my laid back approach to networking and my belief that if it was meant to be it'd happen. I'd somehow lost sight of the fact that it's my job to 'help it along' and needed stop focussing on 'I'll be happy when I get 'there'- to my 'destination'. I had to relearn to enjoy the journey and enjoy the now!

So I took back control. I rejoined casting websites, updated all of my profiles, my website, and began networking again. Suddenly, it was like a backlog of stuff just came through- casting after casting, which then led to filming, which has resulted in one already amazingly successful 2014 for me. It was at this point where I recieved a message on my 'Casting Call Pro', profile in reference to an application I had made. The LA casting company had offered me the opportunity to audition for a feature film set for cinematic release. I didn't have to think twice.

I then got sent my sides (lines) as ususal, and funnily enough everything just felt right. Auditioning for the Kings' daughter, I had the night before watched 'Pompeii', and for no reason at all had paid particular attention to Emily Brownings' portrayal of royalty. It all just clicked. I skyped the director who was in Morocco scouting locations and we talking about the ancient ruins where it was to be set, where we'd be staying, shooting days, and we ran the script a couple of times. I recieved postive feedback, and then told I'd hear.

Three days later I got the email of congratulations and was asked to confirm my availability for shooting.

As much as I still believe in everything happening for a reason, I learnt that I can take control and create my own luck- after all, who will push for your dream more than you?

'It can happen, it does happen, but it can't if you give up'

I'm so so fortunate to be from a family of creatives- who due to the fact they're also following their dreams are crazy supportive of me, and have never told me to 'get a real job' like so many others. They really are my rock and support foundation, and I think everyone no matter what you do in life need one of these- whether it's family or friends, just someone to pick you up when you're down. Speaking of which my mum's written a 'crazy supportive' blog post about our impending red carpet trip linked here if you'd like to see it all from a 'mother of actress' perspective.

Anyway enough gushing about how grateful I am for my family spurring me on, I'm ranting today about giving up on your dreams. Everyone assumes that because their dreams may break the norm of today's expectations that it's out of reach- why? How have we programmed ourselves to think so low of our capabilities in comparison to others? It's crazy! What's the difference between me and say Kate Winslet? Okay location for starters, training and 'lucky breaks' but that's all envirnomental stuff, right? That can all be changed- fundamentally, we're the same.

Back to the quote at the top of this post- It has to be someone, so why can't it be you? Or me? Whether it's being an artist, designer, footballer etc whatever it is, it's happened to people just like us, so it is possible!

Tying into that is my own 'lucky break'- my first feature film role which is due for cinematic release in over 1,500 cinemas in the US early 2015, but I'll reveal more about that in tomorrow's post!

In the meantime, stick with your dream, and remember it is possible for everyone and anyone- so why not you? :)