Natalie Kim

Cartoon - The Them For The Day

2012-02-02T16:01:33Z

Okay dudes, I've been pretty dang busy. There's a lot brewing in creative studio here.

I'm enrolled at Sketch 101 Class at UCB with Geoff Garlock and I love it. It's the first time in a while that I wasn't looking at the clock and really enjoying myself.

It's always interesting to see what hits and what doesn't. It's also really cool to see what other people come up with and then everyone coming up with their best character voices (i.e Exorcists and evil Nazis etc.)

Anyhoo, I wish you well, y'all.

xo,

I'm a comedic actress/writer/producer...Check out the latest episode of my webseries, here!

THE LATEST NEWS:

A lot of fun stuff going on. I'm in a new comedic play called Occupied by playwright J. Holtham. It's for the Red Fern Theatre Company till February 12.

We're wrapping up the LAST EPISODE of SuperTwins! It's taking a tad longer than expected, but it's getting done.

My very funny and strong writing partner, Josiah Madigan and I have written a *NEW* web series which we are very excited about. We're in pre-pro right now and looking to shoot in March.

I'm also writing a comic book story for the SECRET IDENTITIES anthology headed up by Wall Street Journalist columnist, Jeff Yang. The title is Ching Shih, The Pirate Goddess of the Sea. I'm collaborating with Marvel artist, Robin Ha.

Interview with Playwright J. Holtham

2012-01-27T19:44:56Z

Here's a quick and insightful interview with playwright,

J. Holtham and his comedic play, OCCUPIED.

Check it out tonight at the 14th Street Y! Buy tickets here.

Natalie Kim: What was the inspiration for this play?

J. Holtham: Here's the thing: this play isn't really about the OWS movement. It touches on it and some of the criticisms people have about it (it's unfocused, it's all privileged people, etc.), but mostly it's about the way "good" liberals try to talk about inequality. I blog about diversity quite a lot and find that, when a conversation gets started, it pretty quickly gets lost in everyone's own personal issues and prejudices. I know I do it as well. So you start a conversation about, say, racial discrimination or gender inequality and pretty soon everyone is throwing their two cents about their personal history and we start in on the old game of "my oppression is worse than yours." That's where productive conversations go to die. I wanted to bring that conversation (at least how I see it) to the stage.

"...when a conversation gets
="" color="#D3D3D3">started, it pretty quickly gets
lost in everyone's own personal
issues and prejudices."

Natalie Kim: What are your feelings on the Occupied movement?

J. Holtham: I'm a huge, dyed-in-the-wool, lifelong progressive and leftist, so I'm all about OWS. I think it's the right movement, the right questions to be asked at the right time. Of course, I say all of this as someone who barely participated (sharing charts and graphs on Facebook is barely participating), all the while banking at my big bank and going to my day job. Activism is so hard, especially right now, and I really tip my hat to the people who did the work. This play may poke some fun at the pretensions that come up in any movement, but my heart is firmly behind it.

"I'm a huge, dyed-in-the-wool,
lifelong progressive and leftist,
so I'm all about OWS."

Natalie Kim: It's a comedy but do you have anything serious to say? (Like shutting the hell up and just DOING it?)

J. Holtham: That's exactly what I wanted to say. Again, I write about diversity at Parabasis, a blog run by Isaac Butler. It's an issue that people are passionate about, and the conversation goes round and round, but very little gets done. Even less actually changes. Sometimes you just have to do it, be the change and don't worry about all of the philosophy or ideals behind it, or even worry that someone's feeling will get hurt. I don't mean to sound cold, but if you're gonna fix the problems, sometimes things get broken. That's okay. Just get it done.

Natalie: What's next for you?

J. Holtham: Most immediately, I have a reading of a brand-new full-length play on Tuesday, 1/31 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre. I'll have another ten-minute play presented on 2/17 at the Bowery Poetry Club as part of their regular series, Sticky. Follow me on Twitter for more details: @jholtham!

For more info, please check out: http://redferntheatre.org/
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Created Equal - Red Fern Theatre Company

2012-01-27T11:33:11Z

I'm in a very funny play called:

Occupied

by J. Holtham, directed by the LOVELY Julie Foh and
stage managed by the amazing Sydney Arndt. Buy tickets here.

Occupied

By J. Holtham
Directed by Julie Foh

The political turns very personal when a
troupe of actors rehearse for a demonstration.

Alex C. Ferrill*, Todd
Natalie Kim, Lynn
Corey Allen*, Andre
Amelia Mathews*, Carol
Adam Fujita*, Oscar

Thursday, January 26 - 8pm - First Preview
Friday, January 27 - 8pm - Second Preview
Saturday, January 28 - 8pm - Official Opening
Sunday, January 29 - 3pm

Thursday, February 2 - 8pm
Friday, February 3 - 8pm
Saturday, February 4 - 8pm
Sunday, February 5 - 2pm *Note special Superbowl Curtain time!
Monday, February 6 - 7pm

Thursday, February 9 - 8pm
Friday, February 10 - 8pm
Saturday, February 11 - 8pm
Sunday, February 12 - 3pm - Closing

OCCUPY by playwright J. Holtham

2012-01-17T21:58:37Z

Here are some pics of rehearsal for a play I'm doing this month and next month. It's titled "Occupy" and it's a seriously funny play by J. Holtham. More deets as they come :-)

Look Ma! We're multicultural!

Sexy Green & Beautiful - Karma Organic Nail Polish

2012-01-16T22:32:29Z

Karma Organic Nailpolish. Free of Toulene, Formaldehyde and DBP.

I'm kind of nuts about cosmetics and even have been known to give makeovers to my dearest friends. Even when I was a tomboy kicking asses and taking names, I always rifled through my mom's makeup and made sure I looked good. FOR ME.

This weekend I met up with a wonderful friend who recently had a bout of breast cancer. I gave her a makeover (she is stunning she doesn't really need makeup) but a little makeup always makes a girl feel pretty.

We were talking about what ingredients were in makeup and I realized I had no idea. And looking at my vulnerable friend I realized how foolish that is. WTF. I'm definitely NOT a granola, crunchy person who is a eco-nazi about things. But it was a makeup wakeup call for me. I was putting on products that could potentially harm my recovering friend. It had a deep impact on me and for someone who is as shallow as myself, well that means something.

So I'm going to try and "green" it up and try NOT to be a dick to the environment. ONE LIPSTICK AT A TIME.

(The next day I got these two nailpolishes and nail polish remover from Whole Foods. They go on a bit sheerer than "regular nailpolish". But it looks nice. Also, the nailpolish remover does not stink to high heaven.)

Here's to turning a new leaf and trying new, healthier shtuff.

xo,

Goodbye to Sunshine

2012-01-11T01:28:30Z

A few weeks ago I learned of the death of Kibibi Dillon. My friend called me while I was at Starbuck's and told me that while on her comedy tour, Kibibi had died in a car accident.

I wanted to write about it but couldn't bring myself to do it till now.

I first met Kibibi backstage at Ensemble Studio Theatre where we were performing with the kids of the 52nd Street Project. On our FIRST meeting, Kibibi was teaching someone to rap and I hung around them. She flashed me a huge smile and gave me a hug. According to her business card, hugs were her specialty.

On another night we found ourselves backstage, in the dressing room sharing funny sex tips. She very emphatically and clearly gave us all advice that left one guy's mouth open and my girlfriend and I taking notes.

On stage she was that rare quality that makes a performer always interesting, even when standing still. Kibibi had more talent and personality in her eyelash than a lot of actors do in their whole lifetime. With her shock of a huge afro she was like a human exclamation point both in appearance and personality.

To say that she radiated love and was a really special person sounds trite but it's true. When you were near Kibibi it felt like you were basking in the warm sunshine. Her pure talent on and off stage, her energy, her wit and especially her hugs will be sorely missed.

Exciting Geek News!

2012-01-10T21:50:45Z

This picture courtesy of illustrator Robin Ha.

Do you see the amazingness of the above picture? This is drawn by the lovely kick ass artist, Robin Ha. Please check her stuff out.

Last year I mentioned to Robin the story of Ching Shih, this bad ass Chinese pirate lady. We both thought it was a great story and we flirted with the idea of collaborating on it.

In the 19th century, Ching Shih started out as a prostitute and ended up ruling the seas in Asia and lived to the ripe old age of 69. Not a very common story for women and definitely not a common story for Asian women. Stories about Asian women are usually about how they sit on a straw met on their knees in a fixed position waiting faithfully for their loved one to return for 50 celibate years.

We are finally able to bring the idea to fruition. Robin and I are pairing up to do a few pages for the second anthology of Secret Identities, an Asian American comic book edited by Jeff Yang, a blogger for the Wall Street Journal. I will be writing and THANK GOD she will be drawing.

Stay tuned for more news on this! I am BEYOND thrilled to be working with Robin on this.

Mindy Kaling - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

2012-01-08T22:33:57Z

For Christmas I got a $25 gift certificate for Barnes and Nobles (Thanks, Laurette!!) and though bookstores are becoming rare (though not extinct like Blockbuster Video stores) I found one and bought Mindy Kaling's book.

A REALLY MILD BUT NOT REALLY SPOILER ALERT!!
I've just started the book and (without giving much away) came across a part where Mindy is showing her high school friends Monty Python videos. It's a small incident that may or may not have a profound effect on their friendship.

THAT ALSO TOTALLY HAPPENED TO ME.

When I was in 8th grade, I was at a sleepover with two girls who, in the following year, would be crowned the most popular girls of high school. I will call them Anne and Blane. We were about to hit the sack when I decided to share a tape of Robin Williams' stand up.

Me: "You guys HAVE to listen to this!". (I can barely contain my snorting laughter)

I pop in the tape into a radio and am ready for them to die with laughter along with me.

Anne: (Yawns and rolls over) I don't get it.

Blane: Yea, it sounds like he's some pirate or something.

CLICK! THE LIGHT IS TURNED OUT.

It wasn't just that they didn't like it or understand it, it was how they dismissed it and were not even open to it.

It was an omen that our friendship was not meant to be. For the next four years, they would become gorgeous, blond and would talk about parties in front of other people who were not invited. I would go into theater and drawing making me even more lame than being Korean in a small town in Maryland.

Some days in New York City, when an old lady rams my heels with a shopping cart or I'm groped on a crowded subway and get MAD, I remember where I grew up: a lovely but boring and provincial place where I felt out of place and suffocated.

An acting coach recently said: "You didn't come to New York City for it to be easy." This is true. And I thank my two blondie friends who shot up to high school super stardom while I sat in my room listening to rap songs and making skits of their videos in my mind. I thank them for giving me a large clue that I didn't belong with them and giving me hope that there was something bigger outside of our small town.

They are probably with five kids and divorced at least once and have gained a lot of weight. And look at ME! I'm in NEW YORK CITY, working random odd jobs and struggling to make it as an actress! Sometimes my bank account dips into scary amounts and there is no hope of me ever owning a home. HA HA, IN YOUR FACE ANNE AND BLANE!

In conclusion, if you love comedy, check out Mindy's book. She is LOVELY, SMART and HEELarious. And unlike the many self improvement books on my kindle and iPad, I'm proud to read Is "Everyone Hanging Out Without Me" on the subway.

I'm a comedic actress and writer. Please check out my web series, SuperTwins!

Looking Backwards and Forwards

2011-12-21T13:37:20Z

I'm waiting for my laundry to dry and decided to write a post. I'm rocking out to mother effing Carla Bruni.

Lately a few friends have called and talked about 2012 and what to do. I know it's right around the corner but I haven't thought about it too much. In fact, I feel downright peaceful.

For a Type A high achiever, that's a head scratcher, even for me. I don't know why. (Last night I had a dream that every person on who had a sitcom television show. Is it a hint? I have no idea. I'm not obsessing over it.)

Maybe it's because I was REALLY DAMN sick a few weeks ago, to the point where I wanted to be put out of misery. And now I'm like: Breathing well? Awesome! My throat doesn't feel like the inside of a volcano when I swallow? Score!

Maybe it's because I lost a very good friend to cancer and her death made me remember that life is a gift and that we're here to help each other out.

Maybe I'm grateful I moved to Manhattan from the burbs and I don't have to deal with tying up my godamned recycling.

(The alarm on my phone went off. I went down stairs and changed my laundry. Washer #4 is effed up and luckily I didn't put my clothes in there. YES!!)

I feel good and I feel really happy and nothing extraordinary has happened.

Just the realization that I have the family that I've always wanted and I'll never take that for granted. Anyone who says that you have to suffer to be an artist is full of bullcrap. Having no drama and having nice normal people around makes me far more productive than not.

Nothing is perfect...and yet that's what feels perfect.

I'm grateful for all the wonderful things that have happened and also the exciting things for 2012. But most importantly, I'm happy to feel focused on gratitude.

Right. Now.

I will write a long assed list of things that I'm grateful for...but for now, this is what is on my mind :-D

Happy Holidays!

xo,

Natalie

Cartoon - NONESENSE

2011-12-06T20:10:13Z

I try to keep with cartoons on Tuesdays. This one I was stretching pretty hard for ideas.

Since I've been back from Asia I've been majorly under the weather and even visited the doc.

In the meantime as I have been in bed ridden I've been listening to Bill Cosby's album for the first time and it's interesting because it's obvious he is beloved by his giant crowd. It is gentle humor, and it's a nice thing to listen to when you feel kind of crappy.

I posted this on Facebook and for some reason, the Mouse Horse panel is getting a lot of love. Not sure why but I think it's pretty cool.

Here's to a having gray day on the outside and sunshine on the inside.

Natalie Kim is a comedic actress, writer and cartoonist. Her comedic web series about super hero fraternal twins SuperTwins! can be seen here.

Cartoon - Natalie in Shanghai 2011

2011-11-29T04:29:09Z

I was slightly delirious and jetlagged when I arrived in Shanghai to visit my friend.

Currently I have a fever and I'm sick but I hope to post more pictures and cartoons.

xo,

Thank you so much for checking my cartoon out! I'm an actress, writer and vlogger. Most recently I produced and starred in SuperTwins! A comedic web series about fraternal super hero twins who have stagnant careers.

Preview Pics for SuperTwins! Episode 3 - She Works Hard For The Money

2011-11-05T10:43:11Z

Here are some stills from Episode 3 of SuperTwins!

Just a reminder that SuperTwins Episode 3 drops on Tuesday, November 8th!
Watch it on our YouTube channel: SUPERTWINSDOTTV

Geoff Lerer plays Rex Alexander. He recently wrote and directed an independent feature film, Spencer which is making the festival circuit.

He also happens to be married to one of the most talented singer/song writers, Marissa Levy.

Here is Kai and to the left of him is a drawing done by Nick Abadizis. He is the amazing comix artist/illustrator who created the famous graphic novel, Laika. Obviously, the real story of the Russian female dog sent up to space did not have a happy ending. Everyone tells this to Nick. For my birthday, he drew Laika landing safely and happily back to earth. One of the best birthday gifts I've ever gotten.

Here is Karin, but to the right and above her/my shoulder is a picture drawn for me by Tim Hamilton. A Korean woman dressed in traditional a traditional Korean dress (Hanbok) and a unicorn jumping over her head. Also one of the best birthday gifts ever.

Ones that I didn't put on the walls (because they were drawn of me and that would've been a wee bit strange) Simon Fraser, George O'Connor, James Smith and Nathan Schreiber.
THESE ARE THE FINEST ILLUSTRATORS AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATORS. I am so so blessed they are my friends.

Kai played by Trevor Zhou

Kai & Karin played by Trevor Zhou & Natalie Kim

From creative brilliant minds...

2011-11-04T15:59:15Z

Vlogging - Fotos from Thanksgiving Message...

2011-11-03T11:04:19Z

Don't be jealous, ladies! If there was a beauty contest, there is NO DOUBT in my mind that I would win. Give me my crown now.

I'm going to Shanghai and Hong Kong soon so I am not sure if I'll be access anything internet/social media. I wanted to record an early Thanksgiving message.

Also, if you haven't, please watch and subscribe to SuperTwins on YouTube!

Five Things I Learned From Shooting SuperTwins

2011-11-01T08:56:41Z

(Click on the picture above if you want to watch SuperTwins!)

It takes a village to make a web series and making SuperTwins was a real labor of love. Seeing it on paper and making it come to fruition was an exhilarating and yet at times very stressful. Sometimes the doubt was so strong that I thought I wasn't "doing it right."

There were so many valuable lessons that I learned and I thought I'd share my top five with you:

1. Trust your gut.
There was an individual, who shall remain nameless, who came with big, red warning signs: a. People who worked closely with this person didn't want to work with this person again. b. This person dragged their feet on every occasion. c. There were multiple times where this person tried to subtly and not so subtly sabotage the project.

My natural tendency is to try to believe in the best in people and expect that they will rise to the occasion. This is not the way real life works. If you feel in your body, heart and mind that someone isn't working out, let them go as soon as possible. In this business, if you're talented but an asshole, word travels fast.

2. PLAN LIKE THE DICKENS
If you've seen SuperTwins, in the second scene we were outside a police station. We As the excutive producer, I didn't really plan and do proper pre-production and so we were left to surreptitiously shoot in the police parking lot, guerrilla style. REAL SMART.

My director and assistant director didn't really have an idea of where we'd be or what we'd be doing. I had done storyboards but since we never met and planned what the shot would look like, we did things on the fly. This wasted a lot of time and energy (and MONEY) on running around, looking for a location and setting up shots. I was very very lucky that I had a director and AD that were exceptionally cool and adaptable. It would have been a disaster otherwise.

3. Don't be afraid to speak up.
People were working very hard on the SuperTwins shoot yet there was one scene that I felt needed to be re-shot. I felt like a total tool because we had so little time to shoot so much much material. To ask to do a reshoot of a scene would make people who are not getting paid at all and/or very little to work longer. The pressure of asking for a re shoot (of a scene YOU'RE IN) makes you feel like a ego maniacal jerk.

That said, as I watched the monitor, it was very clear that a short scene needed to be re shot. There was some grumbling but most people were fine with it. And magically, we ended up being on time for our shooting schedule for the day.

If it's your shoot, you don't have to be a dick about it but it's YOUR money and YOUR project. (Thanks, Kevin Meegan :-D) So be prepared to be unpopular sometimes.

4. Beware and be ready for Season 2.
When I began promoting SuperTwins at Baltimore Comicon, many people asked: "When is Season 2 coming out?" I was flabbergasted because we hadn't even finished editing Season 1. But at New York Comicon and our premiere, the same question came up. One friend put his arm around me and said: "Look as a fanboy, I need to know how much I can invest in this." The realization hit me: People cared about the characters and they need to know that there will be more. If you're not doing future seasons, then why would they invest their time to love the show?

This makes sense and probably a cool problem to have.

5. Just do it.
If you're a creator, I hope you might look at SuperTwins and enjoy it but also say to yourself: "I can do that too!". No matter who you are: a truck driver, a lawyer, a housewife or the King of Prussia, you have a point of view and perspective that people would be interested in.

And if you're an actor, don't wait for other people to give you an opportunity. Make your opportunity because you are worth it.

There are many excuses as to why you can not make your project: money, time, resources. But if you have a smart phone or a computer with a camera, you can make SOMETHING. Even if it's terrible, keep doing it and you'll improve and be empowered.

If you have lessons of what you learned on your web series or project, please let me know, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks so much. And once again, big up to Dayside Productions for making SuperTwins happen.

xo,