Passion Leads to Purpose

... or something like it.

February has been shaping up to be a busy month and as we get further into the year, it may just get worse. I apologize for the delay if you were looking out for a post last week. I had a series of back to back auditions that ate up every second of my free time, followed by a busy Saturday of meeting writer friends. I passed out most of Sunday and Monday, and only then remembered my forgotten blog post!

This week has been more restful, for which I am thankful. I got a couple days off from auditioning, which let me focus on updating my website, social media pages, etc. I have been taking an entertainment business class (I believe I mentioned this a few weeks ago) and have been trying to sync my online presence to my brand: Finding Your Excalibur!

I wanted a brand statement that showed my literal interest in sci-fi/fantasy and the hero’s journey, while also metaphorically pointing to the underdog, marginalized characters I write. I love telling stories about characters that find their purpose, the place or thing inside of them that makes them a hero — whether it’s saving the universe or saving your missing socks from the evil laundry gremlins. The “your” is probably my favorite part of it too. It makes the whole brand feel personal to the person that’s hearing it.

Finding Your Excalibur feels weirdly resonant of my own life too. As a child, I felt called to do something more with my life, but I had so much trouble figuring out HOW I was going to do that. I thought about becoming a doctor, a scientist, a teacher… there were so many paths I could follow, but trial and error proved that they weren’t the right path for me. I suppose I write about characters that find their purpose because I feel like I’m still searching for mine.

I know I want to inspire. I want to see people that are typically ignored or forgotten become their own heroes. I hope that my example or something I created gave them the courage to find their passion or reach their dreams. I want to be the sort of inspiration a young Nandini would have held onto when her family and friends told her she couldn’t be an actress unless she lost weight because fat girls didn’t have starring roles in TV or film.

I want to inform. I’ve always been the know-it-all teacher’s pet, but more than anything, I love sharing what I know. Knowledge is meant to be shared, to be taken in by curious minds, and used for the betterment of everyone. There’s so much hate in this world that could be cured by knowledge and understanding. As a high school teacher, I could teach hundreds of kids a year, thousands in my lifetime — but as an artist and a storyteller, I can reach billions with one film.

And lastly, I know I want to spark change. Knowledge and inspiration are helpful tools, but if they don’t move people to action, then humanity will never progress. I’m not sure what my contribution will be or what form it will take, but deep down I have a strong sense that if my legacy impacts the world in a positive way, then I will have fulfilled my purpose. It’s a tall order, to be sure, but it lands in my belly with an inexplicable sense of ‘right’.

I suppose Finding Your Excalibur was always meant to be my brand. It’s maddening how long it took me to put such a broad concept into three little words. The joy I feel at being able to cross this hurdle and look down the road to my future… well, I imagine it’s much like King Arthur felt when he realized he was on the path to Camelot. Let’s just hope we can skip the tragic ending — I’m more of a happily ever after kind o’ girl. (Though I won’t say no to a smooch with Guinevere!)

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Though I didn’t get around to writing much, I did mull over and problem-solve some world-building issues in Project Hyper! I’m hoping to put in some solid writing time this weekend to get that pilot out the door and ready for viewing. I also got some good news on the rights front, so cross your fingers for me!

Project Bun-Bun is waiting in the wings, while I finish up Project Hyper, but I really hope I can start breaking it in March. Project AHHH! (not sure what I named it before, but let’s go with this now) got a fresh perspective last week and I think I might be close to unblocking what was clunky in my n-th iterations of that pilot. I love the project, so I hope I’ll be able to break it and write it already!

On the acting side of things, my much-awaited episode of PARTY DOWN drops today on STARZ! If you loved the show a decade ago or are just curious about the hype, check out the first episode of the revival. My lines were cut, but you will definitely see lots of me as I serve hor’dourves and fountain shots! It was a fun episode to shoot and everyone was so nice on set. I also got to meet Quinta Brunson AND Jane Lynch on the same day! It was EPIC.

I have to get back to the auditioning and writing, so I’ll sign off for now. Thank you all for reading, following and sharing this around. I really appreciate your support so much!!

Until next time,

Nandini