Gina Renee Valenzuela as Brinn Rainey
Character Description
To cope with the lingering trauma of her childhood, Brinn has embraced a self-destructive lifestyle, seeking escape in wild nights of partying and fleeting connections with strangers. Her default approach to men has always been seduction—a protective mechanism that shields her vulnerability but leaves her feeling hollow. As her carefully constructed facade begins to crumble, Brinn is forced to confront the painful truths she’s spent years avoiding. For the first time, she encounters a man who genuinely cares for her, yet she finds herself paralyzed, unsure how to respond.
Scene Description
Eric, Brinn's childhood best friend whom she hasn't seen for a little over a decade has invited her over for dinner to reconnect and reminisce. There is definitely attraction between the two.
Written by Renee Michaels
Samantha Farmer
ActressYou are very natural and talented!
I wanted to share a few tips:
1. to get a little closer to the camera so we can see your face better.
2. Try not to look away from the camera too much because casting directors want to see your eyes and that's how they see the emotion and connect.
3. Sometimes it was hard to hear you
You are doing awesome Gina!
Johnny Thornhill
ActorGreat job.
When the scene started and you were taking in setting you seemed to look around fast, like you were checking an action off a list and not really observing the world around you. Your eyes sell the emotion just as much as the rest of your face, but are harder to fake. You have to mentally immerse yourself into the world, like a kid playing through imaginary scenarios. If you don't believe it, the audience won't either.
Mark Miertschin
ActorGood job! Nice work through the eating sequence. I really liked your delivery. Think about having a different background. Having the green screen is better than having a green screen effect. With that being said, the green gives the scene a different feel.
Benjamin Dane
ActorGood job. It was very natural. I liked how you interacted with the guy. You see you liked him and were comfortable with him. A couple of suggestions for the future: Remove the bright green screen and use a more muted background. Also, on food, try a small piece of bread, as you've actually picked up a piece of roast. This gives you something solid to place in your mouth without pantomiming the fork and so forth. Your framing could be tighter, mid-chest to top of head, and place your reader just a little closer to the camera... just a few tips that will get you even better for the next one!
Dawn Long
ActressHello Gina! Your calm presence and space where you didn't "do" anything, felt intriguing and realistic. That was great to see. To add to that note, remember to experience beats that change pace, volume, amt of expression as she goes through the experience she is having. Is she playful, is she suspicious, is she shy, is she excited...these will all give some fluctuations in her tone which will make her even more interesting. Way to be doing what you love and keep that great presence that you have. :) Dawn
JP Edwards
ActorGreat job—keep pushing forward! My main note is to stay mindful of how your expressions translate on camera. In my masterclass, I learned a valuable rule: treat big emotions like a smile or a flash of anger as 'single-use tools.' Once you use them once in a scene, put them away. This forces you to dig deeper into the subtext and find more nuance in the dialogue. Also, focus on your internal monologue; when you’re truly thinking as the character, it shows in your eyes. I want you to be the best you can be, and you're off to a strong start!"
GayNell Doshier
ActressVery natural, conversational; great flow. Loved your uncertainty yet flirtatious vibe!
Clint Hankinson
ActorGreat work Gina! Loved your connection with him. It was a sweet scene and we could easily see your attraction. I also loved your use of the space.
A few thoughts - you might consider tightening your frame to right above your head to mid chest so we can see your eyes better. And step away from the wall a couple of feet to reduce or eliminate the shadow. After you try the food, consider giving that a beat or so to really taste it and process it to build some tension on what you really think of it.
Just my 2 cents. Awesome job!
Susan Willis
ActressVery nice job! a few tips. Try to find a different color backdrop, green is not the best color, tends to wash out skin tones. Feel free to use your space if you are going to frame wide. Can also tighten the frame. Careful with "invisible" props, best to just use a real fork with just something on it so you can follow through with the"tasting" aspect It will feel more natural than staged. your timidity was apparent and well. a tighter Frame would bring that shyness and intimacy out and help your performance stand out when we can see you closer. Think of a self tape as your Close up .
Wendy Cyr
ActressGina,
Well done. You had some good moments. The only thing that would make it shine more is if you used the actual handprops. I find that miming brings us as the audience out of the moment. You lose us for a moment because we were with you in the reality and then you're faking the item, it just loses something. You are doing well and have a naturalness. Good job.
Wendy
David Voncannon
ActorDefinitely felt your attraction to the reader... very flirty, but not overboard. Tone was very good. One thing I would adjust is the lighting, but other than that, you did great! Keep it up!!!
Hannah Bate Nelson
ActressHi Gina! You have a really kind personality that came through! I would suggest bringing the camera closer so it's more chest-up instead of waist. I'd also suggest maintaining eye contact more, you seemed to look away a lot. We want to see your eyes and see what you're thinking there!
