Welcome to The Life of Felicia Hom

Currently revamping for the Internet audience's pleasure!

A Short Screenshot of my Acting

Acting is one of my long-neglected childhood passions and dreams and I have only recently come to resurrect it.

A Brief Glimpse of my Journey around the World

I've been to over a dozen different countries and traveled mostly by myself. It was one of the most enriching and independent experiences of my life. Above is Cesky Krumlov.

I Ain't Gonna Live Forever!

Here is my inaugural intro post, posted in December 2010. I have since moved back to Los Angeles.

Acting Is my Long Lost Love

Or so I wrote back in October 2010. Pictured above is me as Titania, in rehearsal for BITE's Shakespeare Reveries.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Social Advocacy and Responsibility

After experiencing a hair-raising and dangerous incident on the streets of Los Angeles and continued reading in the news about other senseless crimes, my mind has pondered the subject of crime. It isn't enough that we have the police (I am very grateful for their service) to catch the bad guys and throw them in increasingly crowded jails.

As long as we all live in this same society, we are responsible for preventing such things from happening - cutting down to the roots of the problem.

I'm not saying that each and every one of us must devote our lives to a higher cause and advocate to stop human trafficking and global starvation and poverty as that simply is not a realistic demand or expectation. But rather, we should each do what we can to make this world a better place to live in. If you have to ask why, just remember that you and your family and your friends are not always going to be safe.

There's really no reason why an innocent 11-year-old girl should be hit by a stray bullet while she is INSIDE her relative's house. There's no reason why she should be hit by one if she were on the street, either!

It's easy to think that we live in a world separate from the shootings and stabbings and fights, even though we may live within so many miles of kids who fall into a life full of crime and violence. And sometimes it doesn't really get real until it hits you or someone you know specifically - I mean, we are always aware in the back of our minds, but it doesn't really tug at us until we literally see and feel it. The problem is not going to go away by itself.

My goal in life is not to become an actor so I can get rich and famous. No. I've always just wanted to be able to make a difference in someone else's life. If I can do it through my personal relationships, that's good. If I can do it through my writing, that'd be great. If I can do it through acting, that'd be awesome. If I can do it through all of those ways and more, that'd be spectacular.

Of course all of this is my talk - what about action? Is it enough to just be a more decent, generous human being to those you know? That is more than nothing. Even this seemingly simple act of being a better person can be a challenge. Will it help to donate? Yes, but how much can I really donate as a starving actress (It'd probably be of more value if I was actually making money...those with capital definitely do have more power)? On another note one can always volunteer - like for Reading to Kids, an organization I volunteered with during college. Something is better than nothing, even though it may not be enough.

I truly admire the people out there who have dedicated their lives to fighting for worthy causes - and there are many. From my brief year stint as a teacher, I have developed mad respect for those who fuel their time in raising the young. I am truly humbled by those who are contributing to making this world a better place - and saving humanity.

First Impressions and the Mindset of an Entrepreneur

Since my last post, a number of different events have unfolded in my life - some great, some tiring, and some downright horrifying.

I write today after a full day at the Hollywood Nextgen Conference held at my alma mater UCLA. The conference was full of bright and driven individuals. Basically I took away a few key points, for myself and in general.

1. Specificity is key.

  • This point was stressed by several of the speakers and panelists. Ask what do others need and explain specifically what you do.
  • No one really has time to waste on you if you can't be specific. The same goes for actors - actors need to be specific.

2. Work your ass off.

  • Is ass still a bad word? But yes, you get the drift - do it all day. As I sat there, I thought of all the long hours which are required in a multitude of industries. There's always going to be this culture of having to hustle and compete. Digression: This reminds me of a lecture one of my professors at UCLA gave on how even though technology has expanded and has supposedly made life easier - people still work long and hard hours.
  • Personal reminder: I have chosen a path that will not be forgiving to slackers. 

3. Have humility and empathy.

  • This seems to be a general rule of thumb, but we all know that not everyone heeds to this point!

4. Risk it all and just do it.

  • Arguably could be the #1 reason I put up here, but I listed them in no particular order. Scooter Braun, manager for Justin Bieber, stressed this, as did Chris Jacquemin from William Morris Entertainment. Mr. Jacquemin said if he could go back and do it over again, he would've just gone straight into entrepreneurship.
  • Personal lesson: I had better do this (re: acting and/or other unmentioned endeavors).
And just for my sake, I had better keep up to date on technology news as well as those financial markets. It's always better to be well informed.

As for first impressions, especially in networking environments, I definitely need to work on being more confident. I lack confidence in certain situations - not always as I do seem to gel in others. Nonetheless, being the confused and ditzy girl that I sometimes unintentionally project myself to be is not always the best scenario. The best way to rectify this is to actually have that clear and specific goal as to what I am doing in addition to the wealth of knowledge I must acquire.

Within the past few weeks, I started Meisner Technique training (I went straight from the conference to class and got home about an hour ago). I seem to give off this reserved and polite vibe in class despite that not always being the case, depending on the group. I realized today that I'm the girl whose name is easily forgotten. I mean, my goal isn't necessarily to have people remember me "HI, I AM FELICIA AND I HAVE LIVED ABROAD AND TRAVELED BY MYSELF AND I AM EDUCATED BUT DECIDED I WANTED TO ACT AND SEE ALL THE CHALLENGES AHEAD" (Please let this not be the first Google search match pop up for my name! ...I just erased the HOM after FELICIA in hopes this will not be!) and have me stamped in their brains as I'm there to learn how to act - but it seems in any business or industry I really do have to be my own promoter. It seems I still do have to break that shell as it opens and closes. But really, why would I want to be that nameless quiet face who sits in the corner?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

"A Fragile Dream"

Last weekend, I shot a couple of scenes for a short film called "A Fragile Dream." As I promised in one of my blogs, I'd post some pictures - so here is the post. I only had a couple of lines, but it still took many hours! I played a Chinese teacher who spoke English and then a family friend who spoke Chinese.

Teaching is hard! I know this as I once was one.
It was a good amount of fun as the cast and crew were all amazing. It is hard to shoot with kids, though! I'm glad they were good sports.

My expression sure is charming right here.
As a reward for the hours of hard work, I got to take home some organic oranges and grapefruits fresh from the tree of the nice woman named Vicki who had let us shoot in her backyard. Yay for homegrown fruit!

Again with a charming expression!
I've also met a cool group of fellow actors/directors who hold their own workshop to practice. It has been fun - we didn't end until 2 am yesterday! I'm also going to start taking class at the Joann Barron/D.W. Brown studio next week. It means I'll have to commute to Santa Monica, so we'll see how this all works out!

And lastly, in other news - I recommend all Los Angeles based people to check out the "Art in the Streets" exhibit at the MOCA in Little Tokyo. It reminded me how crazy artists must be - but at the same time, how much detail and genius must be put in to those works of art.

It took a certain level of crazy to achieve this. On that note, I should bring my actual camera with me to capture these works of art...I haven't taken it with me anywhere at all these past few months! Shame on me.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Meant to Be Here

Have you ever woken up and wondered what the hell you were doing with your life? (excuse the language, my conservative readers) The first thought on your mind when you wake is literally one of panic, confusion, or doubt.

But have you ever had a moment where you felt that you were meant to be there at that very moment, right there and then?

I had one of those moments this past Monday at a free improv workshop in Hollywood which I decided to attend at the last minute. I didn't know a single other soul there, and yet I stood on stage with all of them as songs were sung with lots of energy and handsome French men looked on, unable to sing along to these silly American songs. It was one of those moments where I remembered I love performing - and that I belonged there. Forget the fact that my time in life has led me to far off places and paths and that I'm not an established somebody in a particular field who is getting married next week. That's all right. This was how it was meant to be.

The improv workshop was great because it reminded me I can be funny. Awesome! It also was special because the director proposed to his girlfriend on stage at the end. That's something I've never seen in my life before - a live proposal. I suppose there's always a first for everything.

This past weekend, after the Japanese clubbing extra bit below, I also shot a few scenes for a short film. Pictures and details to come once I get them!

In the meantime, as I drive down the boulevards of Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles and blast mainstream music...I am once again motivated to start on my projects. I must adhere to my goal statement!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Japanese Clubbing!

Well, not really. I, among many Asian-blooded Los Angeles citizens (as well as a few non-Asians), converged in Downtown LA to be an extra for a Fox TV pilot.

I was supposed to be a Japanese club-goer in Tokyo. Apparently none of the outfits I brought were up to Japanese clubbing standard (I also realize I don't have normal clubbing clothes with me), so I was dolled up with a lime green halter dress, flowery jacket, and yellow heels and had mucho fun not looking like my normal self. I had a pretty kooky get-up, if kooky is a real word - but it was fun.



I didn't realize my hair could be teased to have so much volume. By the time I had looked in the mirror and subsequently snapped this poor quality camera phone image of myself, I looked pretty worn and crazy! We didn't actually do any "clubbing" - but rather walked about on the supposed streets of Tokyo.



Extra work won't really help me advance my acting career, but it is still fun as it's a great opportunity to meet new people and chat. There is the additional pain of walking around in uncomfortable high heels for hours and sleeping at dawn, but no pain no gain as the saying goes.

Also, just for kicks - here is a photo of me during my only true trip to Tokyo. For some reason, I didn't really have many pictures of myself taken - and none with the neon lights and visually appealing parts of the city. The young man standing next to me is a random Australian musician I had met at my hostel. Take note of my fashion disaster! I later tossed those Converse shoes in the trash in Thailand as I had gotten them wet and smelly. I actually did go to a bar/club in Tokyo and that's actually a funny and disastrous story which I would have to tell in person if I didn't already. Sorry Internet!


(a following blog post will appear in a moment detailing other aspects of my recent [acting] life momentarily)

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