When her son Jason is falsely accused of murder, Jackie Carpenter fights with a mother’s passion to battle the courts and free her boy; but when the prosecution seeks the death penalty, Jackie’s life spins into turmoil sending her on a difficult journey of wavering faith, tentative hope, and ultimate victory. Jackie’s story, including her family’s ultimate triumph, resulted in two books and an upcoming major motion picture, Georgia Justice. Veteran actress Francine Locke has been tapped to portray Jackie Carpenter in the film.

Mike Parker – You’ve been in this industry – modeling, acting, producing – for more than a quarter of a century, and you’ve achieved a modicum of success. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that success didn’t come quickly or easily.

Francine Locke – Not if you gage success by how popular you are. In the Chicago market success can be rated by whether or not you can pay your mortgage. I managed to pay my bills, so I suppose you could say I was a success.

Parker – The entertainment industry is a continuous work in progress that rarely allows actors to rest on their laurels. Dealing with this ‘what have you done for me lately’ environment can be wearying. What compels you to continue to pursue a career as a professional actress?

Francine – I loved the industry when I first started acting because it provided a lot of down time so I could be with my young son. Of course, when you got the call you had to go, too. The success I have right now I don’t attribute to simply working hard, keeping my nose to the grindstone. When the economy took a downturn and SAG went on strike things got tough. I actually left the industry for around 10 years and took a regular job. I came back to doing film because, one: I really enjoy acting on film, and two: I think it is a place where I can actually impact other people by my performance. When I decided to get back into acting professionally I started making connections with people in the industry that had, if I can say this, a higher calling. I like being involved with people on a different level than simply drawing a paycheck.

Parker – You are getting ready to start shooting the movie, Georgia Justice, where you have been cast to play Jackie Carpenter, the real life woman who wrote the book. Playing someone who is not only still alive, but who is very much involved in the film, has to present a whole ‘nuther set of challenges. How are you preparing for the role?

Francine – A lot of the script hits close to home, not that I have gone through the tragedy that she has gone through, but I can certainly identify with her struggles and emotions. In that sense the role I’m playing is as much about me as it is about her. I am playing me and Jackie. And its not like I’m playing Queen Elizabeth. I don’t have to completely nail every nuance of her character. Jackie has this vivacious, outgoing personality and part if it will be portraying that, but the more I learn about acting the more I’ve found that a big part of the craft is just being yourself. And we have a really great director, so that helps.

Parker – Which of Ms. Carpenter’s character traits do you really want to get right during your performance?

Francine – Jackie has gone through an incredible faith journey, and she still has her faith intact. That is what is important. I think the fact that she is so grounded in her faith is what has to come through. I want to make sure I get that right.

Parker – Jackie Carpenter is quite up front about her Christian faith, which will play a significant, if not central part in the film. Do you expect that aspect of the story to limit the appeal of Georgia Justice to just the religious community?

Francine – I don’t think so. It is not an in your face ‘Christian’ movie. It is the story of the real life experiences that this family went through. There is enough raw humanity there that it will draw in anyone who loves a good story.

Parker – Last words?

Francine – Live life so you can leave a legacy.

The Seven Questions

1. What’s your favorite sound?
Francine – very quiet birds chirping in the morning.

2. What makes you happy?
Francine – there are different types of happy. One type is when everything is going well. Another time is when I see change, personal growth in me.

3. What makes you angry?
Francine – when something that is evil is set forth as good.

4. What is the secret of success?
Francine – not working for yourself. Leaving behind something significant. Influencing others in a positive way.

5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Francine – Mary, the mother of Jesus.

6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Francine – “She made the world a better place.”

7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Francine – “I love you.”

Everyday sees more and more interest in the story behind and the making of  Georgia Justice. All the pieces are falling into place, more people are actively promoting, but what a learning curve!

As much as Facebook is a continually changing creation, new “opportunities” for social media keep cropping up and if you don’t get on the band wagon right away, seems you are left in the dust. From my perspective, it’s quite a juggling act, is it a valid use of time to figure out which will be the latest & greatest & have staying power?

Twitter is firmly entrenched, which means I’ll stick with that. Speaking of Twitter, Georgia Justice now has passed 1,000 Twitter followers! Facebook, however, has been around longer but needs to play catch up! Is this an indication of the fragmented way we are taking in our information? We can handle 140 character tweets, but actually going on to a website, too much info? We don’t read the interview, but listen only to the soundbites? I wonder.

What are our thoughts? Would you rather get updates via Twitter? Read a post on Facebook? There will be more & more interviews & articles being posted. I’m learning the jargon & technique (like the THREE links in this post! Huurah!), thank heavens for a certain son of mine to educate me!

In the meantime, here is a great article about Jackie Carpenter, the woman who wrote the books that led to making the film Georgia Justice, and who I am honored to be playing in the film. (Note the additional link!)

Now please, go to the Facebook page and click “like”!

How about that, 5 links in one blog post! It’s the little things in life that excite me, like learning new things!

How many of us can be as gracious as Tim Tebow?

“I just wanted to show character. You just continue to fight, and it doesn’t change who you are, who you play, how you go out there. You should be the same at all times,” Tebow said. “That’s what I wanted to show. It didn’t matter whether it was the first play or the last play or you were down by 42. I was going to be the same player and I was still going to give everything I have. Because that’s all I have to give. Every time I step on the field, I’m going to give my whole heart, regardless score-wise of what’s happening.”

After loosing by 35 points, he still had a positive attitude & focused on the good that had come out of the season, relationships built, the time he got to spend with sick kids.  Had he not thanked Jesus & gotten on his knee after each successful game, would the media have showered him with such fame? Or such derision?

What  wonderful role model for us, our kids, athletes, heck, everyone should be able take something away from this! Way to go Tim! And thank you!

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/15/tebows-special-season-ends-with-rout-by-patriots-1748170519/#ixzz1jX9nJyDI

Today is the last day to register for the CWIMA January event, held in 5 cities across the country. CWIMA is one of the fastest growing organizations in the country and  Chicago is the newest chapter. Connect with other media professionals, come for refreshment, encouragement, support & prayer.

The Chicago meeting is held at Willis tower (yes, Sears Tower for Chicagoans!) in the Metro club. Lovely dinner, refreshing music, dynamic speaking, a great evening is planned! Come early for networking & social media tips.

Plan on attending the National event in Nashville in February. See what an incredibly dynamic group can do!

Wanted you to know I have been cast as the lead in Georgia Justice!

When her son Jason is falsely accused of murder, Jackie Carpenter fights with a mother’s passion to battle the courts and free her boy; but when the prosecution seeks the death penalty, Jackie’s life spins into turmoil sending her on a difficult journey of wavering faith, tentative hope, and ultimate victory.

Based on a true story, GEORGIA JUSTICE will put your faith on trial as the journey of Jackie Carpenter bridges the gap between Cell Block A and a miracle.

“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” – Psalm 91:2

Producing can be a dream job for those intent on details, keeping a multitude of balls in the air, connecting and coordinating with everyone involved with a production and piles of paperwork. Totally fulfilling if you like all this and can do it with a pleasant disposition! Everyone ought to experience it at least once, but not necessarily in the lead position unless these are natural traits, the production will suffer tremendously if the right person is not in place.

Great words from Andrew Carlberg, independent producer:

“Producing is incredibly fulfilling work, though it is also stressful, and not for the weak-willed. It’s brutal. You are often the first person on the project and the last person to put it to rest. You have a duty to your directors and actors to shoulder any burden you can for them – for the clearer their headspace, the better your chances of a successful production. Production is a jungle. Enter the wilderness first and clear away as much brush as possible. Then let your cast and crew play.”

When I produced Family Law it was quite the learning experience. I learned that the producer must be able to delegate or be in charge of everything! The work flows from a central place, & that place is the producer. But , once the filming begins, stand back & let the pros handle their jobs. If you are also acting in piece you are producing, it is imperative to have in place good people to take over before your acting duties begin, otherwise both will suffer. You must be in control, but then be able to delegate & turn complete control over to the one who will fill your shoes.

Paula Wood was producer for Gary Voelker’s 168 Film project, Breaking. Not only did she have to handle everything imaginable to a production, but also on a strict deadline & dealing with folks from a several different states, long shooting days (& nights) and she did it all with an incredibly joyous perspective! When you’re good, you’re good! Paula, Gary, can’t wait for the next one!

February means time for the engines to engage & get rolling on a short film project. The 168 is an LA based film competition with entries from around the world. Two years ago I flew out & was selected to be in 2 films, last year I made my own entry & this year, I by-passed both & was asked to be a part of Gary Voelker’s team . Wow! Awesome team!

First off, in explanation of the competition, this is a Christian contest, not that all participants are Christians, but each entry will be based on basic biblical principals. Each team is assigned a verse from the Bible, and that’s where it gets really interesting. When you hear how the verses that have been randomly picked has a special meaning for that director or writer, you know something big is happening! Once the verse has been assigned, it gets really hectic, story lines, plots, locations, potential characters all get thought over again and again, and the writing begins, under a deadline. the verse is chosen on Monday, writing begins Tuesday, followed by rewrites on Wed, Thurs, Fri, etc. Then comes casting & locations, finally, cameras are ready to roll 10 days later. During the next 7 days, 168 hours, a short film will be made, from start to finish: filming, editing, sweetening, scoring, and then it has to be postmarked to get back to Burbank for judging.

Jason Hildebrand was the lead in Gary’s riveting drama about a man who wakes with no memory, but flashbacks of a less than perfect life which he wants to rectify. I play his wife with a startling surprise to the ending. What a great opportunity to work with such gifted people, many new friendships were started, and it is apparent this will not be our only project together. Several behind the scene photos are beginning to trickle out on facebook, stay tuned to be the first to hear when nominations are announced at the 168!

What a fun day it was shooting the Palermo Pizza spot. Everyone was throughly pleasant on set, and I had lots of different versions of the scenes to shoot. Usually you don’t see most of it & such was the case here. What was great, was that I had lots to do, and in my mind, that makes for a super day. It’s very easy to stay positive when you are working all day, much better than sitting & waiting!

Very rewarding that they caught the perfect moments on tape, makes for a project to be proud of. Not to mention that there were SO many extra pizzas, they proved to be a staple while I was out of town. I thought Pizza for breakfast was only in college!

Tomorrow a short shoot for a church in St Charles, that is also rewarding, to know that your work goes towards a greater good!

It was 40+ degrees today & sunny, I’m dreaming of the day when I can see green grass under the snow! Share the Dream!

February is turning out to be a lovely, busy, albeit cold, month! First, we were belted by the blizzard, flights cancelled, but I enjoyed every extra moment in NC! Then back to Chicago & shoveling, well, not much shoveling, auditioning, and fighting the months worth of mail, such a chore! BUT a few auditions, meetings with coaches & agents, and formulating concrete plans for 2011!

Many friends & associates are currently involved in their film for the 168 Project. If you are not familiar with it, the 168 Project is a Faith based film contest, a verse from the bible is assigned to each team, and then they have one week, 168 hours, to complete a short film. Shooting, editing, scoring, the whole enchilada! It is a daunting & thrilling experience. 2 years ago I participated in 2 films for the 168 in LA, was nominated Best Supporting Actress for Stealing Home, opposite Frank Ashmore ( V, West Wing). Then last year I produced Family Law, for which I was awarded Best Actress at the Gideon. This year rolled around, and while my intention was to go out to LA & participate again, instead I ended up in NC for 3 weeks. Once I got home I still had the bug to be a part of the 168, but with less than a week realized it would be too taxing to pull together a team & create a high quality project.

Well, lucky me, “someone” was watching out for me, and I have been invited to be a part of Gary Voelkers team in Seattle. He has written a powerful, emotional script, characters with layers & great depth and, well, that’s what I love about film making! So next week I’m off to SEA! My prayers were answered once again, isn’t it amazing what happens when you stop trying to force things along?

Whew, who would have thought the week would just zip right by? Last week felt different somehow, but now it’s as if time is just marching by. It’s difficult to plan for the coming months, too much to do & too few parameters. LA is an option, just for the heck of it, but then there is NC & the friends out there. And they do have a somewhat more stable economy!

Illinois was just elected number one! The worst place to retire, now that’s sad! But a great incentive to get to a warmer climate and of course the audition opportunities will also be better. Unfortunately, all major film roles are cast outside of the Chicago area, even if a project is being filmed here. We have a great reputation for Improv & Theater, but there is still the stigma of being the midwest, and not NY or LA. Once again, a super incentive to get out & explore, see what lies on the other side of the mountain!

Unfortunately, I had to turn down the lead in an upcoming Psychological Drama, because of a funding problem. One of the major concerns of independent film, is how to raise enough capital to make a decent project that has a good chance of not only recouping your investment, but making a profit. It’s a conundrum. I could have invested, but then I thought why not simply invest in my own project that I would have greater control of? So, now the field is wide open, hence the trip to LA & later NC! Decisions, decisions, but isn’t that better than a stalemate?

I pray for a wonderful, exciting New Year. I hope many doors of opportunity are flung wide for all of us! May 2011 be the best one yet!