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Naturally Speaking

An American who was raised in Asia, Europe and the States, Cassandra had the good fortune of a multicultural up bringing making her a true citizen of the world. While in America, she worked on her first film at age 11, Stephen King's The Stand. Upon graduating high school at 14, Cassandra decided to follow her passion and pursue a career in the performing arts. Despite her parent's protestation, she decided to strike out alone. Passion and determination made her take the brave step of moving to New York on her own. While in New York, Cassandra attended a number of acting courses beginning at Sande Shurin Studios. There she learned the basics as well as the method approach to acting. Subsequent to that, she attended the acclaimed School for Film and Television where she studied the Meisner Technique. After finishing the program, she was offered a small part in the daytime soap "As The World Turns" playing the role of Monica. She recollects this as being fortunate and a great experience. After a short stint in the soap world, she felt that she needed to expand her craft. Cassandra decided to move on again and gain more knowledge and experience in other significant roles. By appearing in Off-Broadway shows, guest spots on MTV and New York Undercover, jeans and swimwear advertisements, and doing various modeling jobs, she was able to save sufficient money and continue her education in France. It was here that she manifested her appreciation for the finer things in life, such as culture, languages, couture and interior design. Once again, modeling served as a starting point. She mostly did showroom work for designers such as Sonia Rykiel.

Coming from a strict family background, life has been a struggle. It has made her more appreciative. Whereas before she took life for granted, she is now able to step back and look at the big picture. Her friends and family have been a big influence throughout her life, teaching her that "success lies in the journey, not the destination." In 1999, Cassandra spent time in London, where she studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. There she became versed in Classical and Shakespearean acting, which took her a step closer to the serious side of performing that she aspires to reach. The wealth of training gained through schooling coupled with the breadth of her real world experience gave her an unusually profound understanding of the craft of acting. Cassandra has achieved a great many things in a relatively short amount of time. She has worked alongside some of the great cultural icons of our day. Performing arts are a form of escapism that provides her with a liberating sense of freedom. She sums up her limited and exciting time in the arts by saying, "It isn't easy, but it isn't difficult...it is an experience. And I love every minute of it."

1. Savvy Question: 2008 is an exciting year for you with 2 movies coming out - “Hell Ride” with Quinton Tarantino and “Surfer Dude” with Matthew McConaughey. How do you take care of yourself when shooting a movie?
As for taking care of myself before a movie, well I really just get lots of rest, take my vitamins and take deep breaths!

2. Savvy Question: How do you handle stress?
I take deep breaths or think up of other problems of greater magnitude which usually then helps me realize that there is really nothing to worry about because there are always bigger problems that I could be dealing with than the one I am dealing with at that moment. So this alone helps keep me settled and not worry so much.

3. Savvy Question: With natural and organic products becoming more and more popular, are they something you consider when shopping? Did we inspire you to learn more?
To be quite honest, I never really considered going organic or eco-friendly because the cost is so much higher than just using the regular everyday stuff that I am used to buying. But since I met you ladies, I am definitely going to try my part in at least getting one thing a month that’s organic or eco-friendly. The thing is, being “green” has become such a fad and I think that’s the reason for the high cost, so I'm just waiting for the prices of being green and organic to come way down.

4. Savvy Question: Who are your mentors and why?
My mentors are all the people I meet because they’re always giving me something I can learn from - whether directly or indirectly. That’s why I love to travel, meet new people and learn all about them and their cultures. It teaches me a lot about myself by living and experiencing with others!

5. Savvy Question: We had the honor or meeting you in person at Sundance and you are a very spiritual person. Why is spirituality important to you and how do you feel it helps you in the business you’re in?
It was my honor to have met you ladies. I think if you really look at it, we are spiritual beings and not just bodies because one has to ask what is running the body and what is controlling the mind? It always comes down to the "I" which in essence is the being himself. Once one accepts that s/he is more than just a body, and an actual spiritual entity, then s/he has opened up his/her whole universe to explore, learn and experience. All we are doing is experiencing. As for helping me in my business - it enables me to tolerate different types of people because I know that the spiritual being is good and that I just need to find the right communication line to connect with it.

6. Savvy Question: You mentioned to us that it is just as important to receive as it is to give. Can you please expand on this?
Well this is because we are all here (to sum up in one word) To SURVIVE! And in order to survive, one must be able and willing to help and receive help from their fellow man otherwise one continues on a false pretense that he can go on surviving alone. But eventually he’ll realize that he wasn't surviving but rather succumbing to the pitfalls of the material universe. That’s why certain people who seem to have “made it” in life say that it’s lonely at the top because they forgot they needed to also help others get up there with them! The top is only as lonely as you allow yourself to stop the communication flow of help! Otherwise there is plenty of room for all to flourish and prosper up at the Top!

7. Savvy Question: How do you maintain balance in your life?
I maintain balance by keeping my focus exterior not interior, showing admiration and postulating perfection to my fellow man as well as allowing communication to flow because that’s all life really is - a communication flow of sort.