My Frustration

Just wanted to voice another frustration from yesterday's audition...

See, they were casting for 2 different things.  One was the female lead.  Now, there are many reasons why I'm not right for that.  They wanted a TALL girl.  The male lead is 6'5" so, we're talking tall.  And, of course glamorous, gorgeous and all that.  THAT is not me.

Then, they were casting "hairdressers".  But, they even said that they are to have a lot of character in their face and look as if they've lived a rough life.  THAT is not me.

So, the frustration  comes because in Nashville that is always my problem.  I'm not a supermodel, but I'm not very plain either.  So, I am in this "in between" area reserved for people like Sandra Bullock.  And, I have no chance of getting her roles.  Ya know?  I don't ever seem to get soccer mom roles either.  ugh.

I will say that the Directors don't really know what they're looking for until they see it.  I was cast in a music video at 28 years old, yet they were looking for a rough looking woman in her 40s.  Once I auditioned for a black ex-prostitute.  Sort of a modern day "woman at the well".  The best part of that is the Director called to tell me that I was his choice, but the client really wanted the cast to be diverse, so I was too white!

I shouldn't complain too much.  My agent has her work cut out for her.  I'm a 30 something white female who seems to do a great haggard 40 something or black ex-prostitute.

Music Video Audition

So, last night I received an email about an audition I was to attend today.  Lots of preparation time, right?  Music videos are really done like that.  Bam!  It's done.  They work 'em pretty quick.  I've done several and they are shot quick and out quick and gone before you know it!

The audition was for James Otto.  I haven't heard of this guy yet, but in Nashville, that's not shocking.  I was to play a "hairdresser".  Now, both my mother and sister are hairdressers by trade and I don't see anything exciting about how they dress so I assume they mean the "caricature" of one.  I dressed up sort of "Steel Magnolias" meets Flo from Mel's Diner.  Whatever!

There was no script so it was sort of a free for all.  3 of us at a time went in and first were told to pretend a cell phone was a remote and the camera was a tv and we were fighting, trying to get it to work.  Then, one of us played a woman whose hair was ruined by another salon and she was asking the other 2 for help.  They had to convince her it would be fine!!  That's it.  And, go!

You always try to lead because otherwise, some schmo will take over, mess it up and there's no way to save it.  BUT, you also don't want to be yelling over each other with everyone trying to drive.  This was somewhere in between.  One woman was a little over the top and they did ask her to chill a bit.  The Directors were there, which almost never happens.  So, it took awhile longer than usual.  But, they must know what they are looking for.  Right?

Not usually..

We'll see, won't we?

Nashville 48 Hour Film Fest 2008

Well, I just found out that the 48 hour film fest is coming to Nashville July 18-20, 2008.

Woohoo!

I have worked at the Fest the last 2 years.  The first year I starred in the film, "There's No I in Spy".  The next year (2007), I did makeup and wardrobe (and many other tasks) for the winning film, "Electricity:  Unplugging the Myth".

I have NO idea what I'll be doing this year.  But, stay tuned...

For more info on the 48 hour film fest, check them out here:  Nashville 48 Hour Film.
The entire film is written, filmed, edited, etc. in a weekend. Friday evening the genres are selected for the teams. Then, it's go time for all. You scamper around the city trading favors until you collapse from exhaustion. Sound like fun? Check it out.
See ya!
Life is slow, so I'm going to my "other" job today.

Business is slow

Yeah, not much going on right now.  My agent is slow (I haven't even been helping in the office).  But, it always seems to be that way.  Spring gets a little crazy and then we hit a wall.  It'll pick up again.  Summer is sometimes down time.  UGH!!

Of course, when you're in a small industry, it seems to suck even more.  Kill me..

I did get my first paycheck from Hannah Montana.  Apparently, it'll come in pieces so that's okay.  I have to get it all together and then pay my agent her fee and then, basically I've made NOTHING.  ha.

It sure is a lot of work for not a lot of payoff!

Can I get an "amen"?

Anyway, peace out..

My Paparazzi Moment

Well, I have to say that while filming "Hannah Montana the Movie", I had my first taste of the paparazzi.

When we first started filming (day 1) I truly expected to see some sort of mania.  But, it was like any other set I've been to.  Sort of quiet.  Yeah, people are looking but as they're walking to work and they don't quite know what's going on.

But, day 2 was different.  While on set, they released us for lunch.  That meant moving from one location to 2 blocks away where lunch was catered.  So, we started heading out of the back of the building along a road that had been blocked off for us.  As me and one other woman extra stepped out the door flash bulbs exploded!!  Hilarious!  Across the street was a small gaggle of about 20 folks behind a yellow police line.  I'm sure they started snapping to catch Ms. Miley Cyrus.  And, I'm sure they instantly knew we were not her in any way.  But, who else could we be, right?  So, they kept flashing away as we gracefully walked out into the street and started heading to lunch.  

Ha!  

The sad part of the story is that poor Miley was then "found out".  That day they figured out which trailer was hers and began stalking around.  The photos surfacing are all from that 2nd day of filming.  

Sorry Miley.  But, I enjoyed the excitement oh for just a moment...

Memorial Day Weekend and more

Well, they were supposed to have callbacks Friday for the commercial audition.  You can pretty much assume I'm not getting it.  I've trained myself to not really pay attention after I audition.  BUT, since writing this blog thing, I feel I need to keep you posted.  It's really funny.  You DO NOT hear anything if you don't get it, so "no news" is NOT "good news" in this world.

So, I soldier on through a great weekend of family and friends and I await the next endeavor.  There is always something.  There could be more Hannah Montana, but my agent (and the casting director) know that I don't want to do any big crowd scenes.  I did those for "Walk the Line" and they are NOT fun.  One girl I met on Hannah's set said she's doing some with a couple hundred and 1000.  Are you freaking kidding me???

Again, THAT'S not acting.  That's my favorite term, "moving props" (copyright mine).

HA!

Happy Memorial Day!

Celebrity News

It's very sad that Senator Kennedy has been diagnosed with this horrible tumor.  AND, I really do pray the best for his family.  It's such a tragic family..

BUT, it's amazing to me how much interest they think we take in this.  My husband had the news on the other day and left the room.  Suddenly, I was listening to a "qualified" Dr. explain to me what part of the brain was having the problem.  Luckily for me, he pulled out a plastic sculpture so he could REALLY get it through to me.

Is there nothing else tragic going on in the world that not only do we have to cover the story, but then spend the rest of our day finding anything else we could POSSIBLY tie in with it.  Sadly, I'm sure many of us could inform them of the many travesties handed to people everywhere every day.  But, why?  When I'm sure they're on the phone with the man driving by the hospital where the Senator is while he's explaining what traffic is like outside and how the overall "feeling" is of the drivers.

And all is well in American society..

I pray peace and comfort for the family.

And, lives for those watching this ALL DAY LONG...

Audition confusion

Well you never know what you're going to get, right?  Sometimes an audition has a huge script, lots to think about and hardly any money.  Other times, it pays really well and all you have to do is show up and smile and name your hobbies and you go home.

My audition today couldn't have been simpler.  

First, you can't be pretty.  "look like you're running errands"

So, no makeup, sloppy, got it!

When we arrived, they took us in groups of 3.  You go down the line with a slate.

Name, agent, number etc.  Then, tell them your hobbies.  Nice, eh?  Oh, and if we choose you, you'll get a REALLY nice paycheck.

Can't beat it, right?

Hannah Montana and all that madness

Okay, here's the dealio..

I did work on the Hannah Montana movie.  I did spend 3 days on set with some great celebs.  (besides Billy Ray and Ms. Miley)  But, I was only an extra.  Or "mayor's guest" as I'll claim.  

We spent 3 days killing ourselves (mostly with boredom) just trying to complete our huge scene.  It's your classic Disney high society dinner disaster scenario.  And, the fire happens right in front of me.  Fun, eh?

It was actually nice to see some of the special effects stuff and how it was handled.  Also, there were live animals, so that's always fun (way to go Joseph and Theo)!  And, what everyone wants to know, "how were the celebs?"  All were absolutely normal and wonderful.

If you do have kids who are big fans, this will probably be a great film to see.  So you know, the film also stars Melora Hardin (that's right, Dunder Mifflin fans), Vanessa Williams, and Margo Martinfield (known to me as the mean momma in Million Dollar Baby).  SHE is very kind and I did get to talk to her a bit.  

That's the life of a movie star, baby!!

ha.

Welcome

Well, it's not the big time.  But, it's my life.

Here I'll chat about all things entertainment.  And, I'll take you through my crazy life right here in the middle of L.A. and N.Y.  Crazy, right?  But, things come along and it's a lot of fun.  

I'm writing this because too many people ask and are interested.

So, let's see how fun it can be.

Check back with me.

Thanks.