Latest blog posts by JenPonton

It's Good to be the King

15 02 2012 17:38:29 +0000

After a terribly rough week, I'm delighted to emerge with good news--

"KING KELLY" is premiering at SxSW (South-by-Southwest) this March! :D

My first film to have emerged from post-production, and I'm so excited that it will be showing at this fun, quirky festival!

SeeThink Team, Susan Shopmaker Casting, and the phenomenal cast--CONGRATULATIONS!

Follow "King Kelly" here. Deets on the film and its festival showings here. :)

This is very good news...and hopefully just paves the way for a bunch of great festival appearances!

Jen

For more blogs and info, please visit: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

I Stand

02 02 2012 17:03:21 +0000

Spoiler Alert: I'm a fat girl. Always have been. It took me a VERY long time to be cool with that and even embrace it, but now that I do, it's one of my most steadfast core beliefs--that no one's body is 'wrong,' and that you're given what you're given for a reason.

I'm very into body love, size acceptance, and the belief of Health at Every Size, and I am super proud to know and stand with a WHOLE lot of wonderful people--big and small--who feel the same way. We believe that bullying and shaming people about their bodies will never be 'helping them.' This is especially true for kids.

Georgia is trying to fix fat kids with ad campaigns that shame, bully and insult--they call it 'Strong4Life.' So we body lovers? We're standing with a different message:

You can encourage health, nutritious food and joyful movement without shaming bodies.

Do you want to stand, too? Go on and send a picture with your 'I Stand' statement to the legendary Marilyn Wann: Marilyn@FatSo.com

I stand for less people believing they're 'less than.' <3

Jen

Read more blog posts at: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

Steppin' Out

11 01 2012 11:09:29 +0000

No better way to actualize a dream than to take action, right?

When you put big, bold moves out into the universe, success comes back to greet you!

I bought my tickets for LA, and then I booked a starring role in a film.

I made TV my goal, and a month later I was working on "30 Rock."

Well, our collective goal for FRANNY is to have it premiere at next year's Sundance! How do I take action to fulfill THAT goal?

1. Sundance research--who's going? Who's getting accepted? What kind of work are they doing?

2. Big ol' vision board that's loaded with 'for your consideration' verbiage!

3. Got myself a premiere dress.

That's right, a premiere dress. What am I wearing? Oh, this old thing.

It's got long sleeves for those Utah winters, it's classy, AND it has purple sequins. And I can't wait to wear it alongside Frances Fisher, Steve Howey, Annaleigh Ashford & Ash Christian next Sudance!

There ya go, universe. ;)

Jen

More stuff at the real blog: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com

Better than Gifts of the Magi!

04 01 2012 10:32:01 +0000

Happy New Year, friends!

I am SO READY that I hit the ground running! (No, seriously--I tried to work on Monday, and apparently it was a 'bank holiday.' What kinda hogwash is that?!)

But aside from being PUMPED for the next 12 months, I have to share with you like a 5-year-old.

!!!!I GOT PRESENTS!!!!!

Here were my top *2* this year!

2. A Melodica.

What is a melodica, you ask? It's a delightful merging of a recorder and a piano. It's AMAZING. AND it can do this:

Yeah, I'm gonna learn a lot of bizarre songs and play them. All the time. THANKS MOM!

1. MY VERY OWN STAR IN URSA MAJOR, SNITCHES.

My bestie got me a STAR immediately south of the Big Dipper. She's big into meanings, and this was her logic: She didn't want to get me a zodiac star, because that seemed too cliche and predictable. So she looked into the other major constellations (Cassiopeia, etc.), and she discovered that the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major) is seen as the strongest and most powerful in the sky.

She's immensely supportive of me and my career, and she knows exactly how to motivate me even more than I already am (nearly an impossible task)! She got me a powerful star in a powerful, fame-laden constellation. :)

To add more Awesome to this? She was able to send up a message for me. She asked me about my favorite Living Mantras, which are gracious tools from my career coach,Dallas Travers, and sent them up in a satellite.

And her message was this:

Yeah. It's EPICALLY awesome, just like her. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jen

See the full blog at: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

Sharin' and Declarin'

17 12 2011 10:50:17 +0000

2011 is nearly over, and WHAT. A. YEAR.

The best way that I found to ring in the new year was with my career coach Dallas Travers' "How to Design Your Best Year Yet!"(that's her blog with instructions. HIGHLY recommended!)

Using her steps, I've spent the last 2 years detailing the year in review, and setting my sights forward. It all culminates in declaring goals for the upcoming year, and just to share:

*2011 Career Goals*
1: I will book at least 4 more East Coast TV roles!
Pretty donesies, considering that I did 2 films and 2 TV episodes! :)

2: I will have the career traction to make LA a viable option for 2012!
Done and done!

What does this leave for 2012? Something REALLY exciting, I assure you. I was talking to an LA friend, and she said:

"I'm so mad that you're not here, but I'm so happy for WHY you're not here! [read: FRANNY] When are you getting out to LA?!"

My response was, "I'm gonna be ballsy here and put it out into the universe--I'll get out to LA this spring for the first time, when I book and film my first pilot!" She LOVED it!

So there it is! One goal this year, but a doozy. In 2012 I will book a series regular on a pilot and have my first trip to LA be for work!

It feels like the right goal, and it's just so EXCITING to me that I can't not pursue it with every cell of my being!

May the upcoming year bring you STELLAR success and awesomeosity aplenty!

<3
Jen

For the full blog, visit http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

Oh, I Wanna be a Producer...

10 12 2011 11:43:02 +0000

Been itching to help produce a film lately? Well, hot dog, have I got an opportunity for you! FRANNY needs just a little more oomph for post-production--can you help? A simple $5 and telling your friends will work wonders! ABOUT THIS PROJECT "Franny" is a dark comedy feature film now in post production. The film stars Frances Fisher (Titanic, The Lincoln Lawyer), Steve Howey (Shameless, Reba), newcomer Jen Ponton (as Franny), Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde, Rent) and Broadway veterans Mary Testa, Ruth Gotschall, Eddie Korbich, directed by Ash Christian, and produced by Jordan Yale Levine, Ash Christian, and Amy Salko Robertson. Synopsis: Despite the odds FRANNY PETERSON always knew she’d make it BIG! With a heart of gold and a loving and kind personality, all 250lbs of her knew that one day she’d make it out of her small town. Who knew that today would be that day...while waiting in line at the bank listening to music on her ipod, in walks, from cowboy boots to cowboy hat, the most gorgeous guy she’s ever seen!! When their eyes meet she’s sure this is the one...The fact that RICK is now holding up the bank and taking her hostage does not deter her from her mission. This wasn’t exactly the way she dreamed it would all go down, but she’s eager to get out of her small town and is up for the adventure. Unfortunately for FRANNY, RICK has other plans. We are currently searching for finishing funds for the film (which will include editing, music licensing, color correction, sound mixing, titles, etc...). We wrapped the film Dec 1st and are currently entering post production. Please give us a boost at Kickstarter! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ashchristian/franny <3 Jen See this full post and more at the official blog: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com !

Aaaaand...we're WRAPPED!

02 12 2011 11:10:51 +0000

I cannot even communicate what an AMAZING, WONDERFUL time I had doing this film. It's ineffable. Imagine the best summer camp ever--no horrible people or bad camp food or strict counselors--but all incredible friends, fresh air, and rousing bonfires after a solid day's work. That's exactly what it was like. :) Best Camp Ever, Making Movies, doing my first Starring Role. OHMAZING. I'm home now, and while I am happy to see my husband and bunny and friends, I'm also feeling the hole where FRANNY was. I'm missing my Franny family--especially our LA members; our producer Amy, and my co-stars Steve and Frances. What IS going to be fun for me is this--while this is my 3rd film, the first 2 haven't been released yet. So I don't yet know the thrill of having a release and reunion with everyone! Our producer Jordan is psyched for what comes now--he can't wait to pitch the heck out of Franny. ;) What a magical, special and incredible experience this has been. I couldn't ask for a better story, better team, or better setting--I had a BEAUTIFUL time, and what a gift to have my first *ginormous* role be in such a loving family! Thank you ALL for an unforgettably amazing time, I love you all! <3 Jen To see this full post and more, the real blog is at http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com !

Halfway Through Production!

15 11 2011 22:59:35 +0000

Hey y'all! Having a BLAST here on the FRANNY set! We've collected some PRIME ink. We're featured in The Warwick Advertiser, Around the Lake, The Express Times (my hometown paper!), and we even got coverage on local News 12 in Orange County, NY! Though we're all paring down our FRANNY buzz to save the really good stuff for festivals and releases, I have to share this with you all. Everyone's been urging me to go red for YEARS... [See the picture and more at the real blog! :) http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com ] It IS a wig. But is red a future possibility? Perhaps... My co-star, Steve Howey (Reba, Shameless) just arrived today, and we've already hit it off! Which is good. Considering that he's my love interest for the film. I can't communicate how much FUN I've been having with my film family--from the cast, to the amazing creative team, to the INCREDIBLE crew, every moment with these guys is full of fun and joyful work. And it's not just me! Everyone feels the same way, so I know it's not just my peppy nature at work! I am SO blessed to have a dream role on a dream story with a dream team. :D <3 Jen

FRANNY Arrives!

09 11 2011 19:52:49 +0000

FRANNY arrives! I'm writing LIVE on my one day off for the entire shoot! FRANNY began filming yesterday in scenic upstate New York, where it's been gorgeous and sunny and full of vibrant autumn colors! I'm going into SERIOUS detail, here. I will bold the important stuff if you wanna skim! SUNDAY I hopped in the car with our producer and production coordinator to get to set for an EARLY start on Monday! The whole crew came to the headquarters on Sunday night, and we threw a celebratory BBQ in the freezing cold with a giant bonfire going. It's like camp for adults! XD MONDAY I moseyed on over to hair and make-up at the crack of dawn to get tanned, glowy and bouffanted. Our H/MU team--Yiselle and Morgan--are so friendly and super-lovely, and we'd gotten to know each other at the bonfire. I was then suited up into full bizarre Franny apparel. Franny really marches to the beat of her own drum. So a glittery lily-pad shirt paired with a tropical gypsy skirt and hot pink Keds? MARVELOUS. After I was all dressed and ready to go, I hopped in the car with our 2nd AD, Niki (who I adore), and swallowed a quick cup of coffee and an egg sandwich. I was catapulted into the first scene shot--which was me in my car, Sweet Yellow (a yellow 1965 Mustang). This poor car! It's SO broken-down and falling apart--so much so that the floor under the passenger seat has disintegrated. We moved to a scene that required that poor car to move--which meant it was going in neutral, and the Art dept. was pushing in the back. ;) We also shot a scene in a drive-through, and I moved to a SECOND car full of character--one being billed as a green Pinto! I got to order food from an apathetic fast food server, played by our director. :) So fun! We then moved to this gorgeous boutique for a shopping scene, where I worked with my first principal actor, Alicia Sable as the sales girl. I had Tuesday off, but visited the set of Franny's employ, a dog grooming salon. I met Frances Fisher, who plays my mother (SHE IS THE BEST), and I can't wait to work with her!! In actually on set right this moment as I type, in a quick break while they film a shot that I'm not in. :) I get to play with dogs all day, and my bosses are Broadway actresses Mary Testa and Ruth Gottschall! Sooooo fun. Best job to date, hands down. :) See this blog with pictures at http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

The Calm Before the Storm

01 11 2011 16:13:39 +0000

My life changes significantly on Monday, when we begin shooting FRANNY. :) These last days beforehand are full of quiet promise, as I get together different mailings and e-blasts and blog posts! I'm still waiting on all the details (what day I leave, when I come back), but I know some exciting things--I have the script, and I know who my co-stars are (I'm keeping it mum, but EGADS)! I'm spending lots of time with my husband before I leave, too, because I don't know how frequently I'll be home from start-to-finish. We're having lavish dinners together and demolishing Netflix TV (specifically Arrested Development and Buffy)--which is *amaziiiing*! Trying to do as much and appreciate as much as I can while I'm here, before the whole game changes in a really PHENOMENAL way. XD In fact, I'll be up to my gills with filming next week, so before I miss this: "THE HEART, SHE HOLLER" PREMIERES on SUNDAY! The miniseries runs nightly, Sunday through Friday--catch me on Weds. and Thurs.! I'm bringing a camera to remind me to take pictures and video where appropriate, so I'm hoping to combine those with some great blogs while we're in production! <3 Jen See this blog post and others at: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)

Extree, Extree

26 10 2011 13:57:19 +0000

What a week! I've been just reeling from the news about FRANNY! I've had the intention of creating a press release for myself for about a year; it was a challenge that I wanted to meet by creating my own buzz and not being afraid to share my successes. If there was ever a good time to make one, this was it! FROM 30 ROCK CARVEL CUTIE TO INDIE STARLET CHARACTER DUMPLING FINDS DREAM ROLE IN “FRANNY” Actress Jen Ponton is about to embark upon the kind of role that most actors only dream of—the title role in Ash Christian's indie comedy, FRANNY. Making this opportunity all-the-more juicy is the fact that Ponton is a woman of size—a budding market as studios and networks try to better reflect the diversity of their viewers. Indeed, after actress Melissa McCarthy (ABC's“Mike and Molly”) took home an Emmy, plus-size actresses are facing new and exciting career prospects. For Ponton, it is no different. “I know that my type is classically the best friend and the second banana,” she says, “but I've always felt like I had the spirit of a leading lady.” Walking into a room, Ponton is a human cupcake. Adorably plump with blonde hair, bright colors and a smile from ear-to-ear. She is bubbly and radiant. She will be right at home as Franny, who is confident, lovely, brave and kind--and who ends up being the hero of her own story. “It's like a dream come true!” exclaims Ponton, who, only one year ago, had a memorable co-star on NBC's “30 Rock” as a sweet and gullible Carvel employee who is scammed by Kelsey Grammer. The episode, “Reaganing,” was nominated for an Emmy, and was Ponton's first breakthrough role. When asked what's on the horizon for her, Ponton gushes, “Sitcoms! A series regular, that would be my dream.” And the world of film? “I really love Christopher Guest, I think I'd swallow my tongue if I got to work with him.” She also expressed interest in Judd Apatow and Paul Rudd. “They're the new great comedy,” she says. “They're the ones putting out the best brand of funny, and I feel so aligned with that.” FRANNY begins filming this November in upstate New York. Jen Ponton is a New York-based actress, with recent credits on “30 Rock,” “Law & Order: SVU,” Adult Swim's “The Heart, She Holler,” and the feature films “King Kelly” and “Jack and Diane.” She is represented by Prestige Management. www.JenPonton.com ### Actress AND Journalist. AND I made my first meatloaf last week. Winning! <3 Jen Find this post and others at my official blog: http://jen-ponton.blogspot.com :)