I'm going to tell a story of a very random nature today.
My neighbor, Dave is a husband, professional, all around nice guy and a sometimes actor. He takes classes and goes on auditions and has even landed a few cool parts. On occasion, he will forward a casting email to me from "his people." One that naturally he wouldn't be a fit for... ya know - 30ish caucasion female. Not really his gig.
I've never taken his encouragement seriouisly... and never felt I had anything worthy of submission to boot.
Anyway, a few weeks ago, I got another forward from Dave, again asking for a 30 something caucasion female... suburban mom type. And I thought, aw hell. Ok.
So I sent in a photo that I took of myself with my self timer in my kitchen (hardly a professional headshot) - actually the one just on the left here... under "About." I included some basic info with the photo...name, height, weight, eye color, hair color, phone number. That's it. I had no clue what I was supposed to write.
Out of the clear blue, a week later, I got a call from the casting office asking if I would come in for an audition. The casting call was for a TV commercial for Next Day Blinds and they needed someone to play a decorator and someone to play a suburban mom... two roles up for grabs. I stammered my way through the phone call, trying to keep my cool... all the while thinking "WHAT THE HELL? This is SO random!"
Once I collected myself, I thought, well... this oughta be fun. I'll drive into the city with no kids, fumble my way through the audition, maybe grab some lunch and come home. Not my typical Wednesday of changing diapers and running around after a 2 year old human hurricane. A fun little break from reality.
I was nervous when I arrived at the casting office, but just tried to keep quiet and pretend I knew what I was doing. I was lead into a small room with 15 people sitting in chairs against three walls with a tiny video camera on a tripod in the corner, a blue screen behind me and a big duct tape "X" on the floor.
They gave me a list of 5 or 6 questions... and asked me to pick one and tell a two minute story about it, and to make one part of the story a believable lie.
I chose the question... "What was it like the first time you met your inlaws?"
The hardest part of my whole schpeel was that I was told to look into the camera and forget about anyone being in the room. When I went on to say that Clark told me in the car on the way there that he had, in fact, NEVER brought a girl home before (at a ripe old age of 30)...everyone laughed... and that this layered the pressure on thick as anything... or that I came to find out later his family was more or less relieved to see me because they had begun to suspect that maybe Clark was.... ahem, gay? These anectotal remarks had them laughing which naturally made me look away from the camera. My social instinct was to acknowledge their response... and in essence, I failed the acting test. LOOK IN THE CAMERA DUMMY!
I walked out of the building about 10 minutes after I arrived (after an hour and a half of driving) not feeling deflated, but not feeling like I aced the test in any way. I just felt like... hey - that was fun. Nothing ventured nothing gained, right? Then, I noticed that there was a Panera across the street and thought.... Oh well... I'm kinda hungry... I guess I'll go have a salad. Which I must also say was eerily weird... eating lunch... ALOOONE. Nobody yelling at me... "MOMMY!!! I NEED THIS OR THAT!" or put the fork down and come wipe my bum!!!! Strange... indeedy.
The shoot was scheduled for March 1 or 2... a week had gone by since the audition and I never heard anything... not that I expected to.
Then, on Monday my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number and almost didn't pick up.
The conversation went something like this...
"Miss Pegher?"
Yes?
"Um, this is Nick calling from ______ _______ Casting office..."
Yes?
"Well, I just wanted to congratulate you. You got the part!"
Huh?
"Yes, you got the role of the decorator for the TV commercial..."
Huh?
"Yes, are you available for shooting on March 8-9?"
"Huh? Ummm... I mean... are you sure? You are calling Katie Pegher, right?"
"Yes, ma'am. Congratulations. Are you available? The shooting days have been changed."
Uh... yeah I'm free...
"Ok, then! The production office will be calling you with all the details."
Uh ok. Th-thanks.
And then I asked him all sorts of silly questions which I'm sure gave my rookie status away big time... but he was nice enough and then said goodbye.
Holy..... cannoli.
I'm gonna be on TV.
Actually, they'll probably throw me off the set before they have a chance to start filming on account of I haven't the faintest idea what I'm doing.
I just stood there with the baby in one arm and my phone dangling in the other... cross eyed in the middle of my living room. I don't know exactly how long I stood like that but it seemed a little while.
O-M-G
And then I called my neighbor, and Clark... and my mom.
The end.
I'm sure I'll have PART TWO of this tale to tell next week so standby... I'll be filling you in on how I'll manage to put the official Boob in "Boob Tube."
Katie!!! You are going to be a movie star!!!!!!
Posted by: Amanda Eltringham | 03/02/2011 at 06:39 AM
holy crap...you seriously need to go buy a lottery ticket...or 2. GOOD LUCK girlie!!! (not that you need it ; ) )
Posted by: heidi | 03/02/2011 at 07:23 AM
Yes... im quite certain that Ill have a star on the hollywood walk of fame after my performance in the Next Day Blinds spot! Hee hee!!!!
Posted by: Katie Pegher | 03/02/2011 at 07:29 AM
Congrats Miss Katie! I don't think any of us who know and luv ya had any doubt they would cast you... I'm so happy for you. Who knows...today- Next Day Blinds tomorrow- shooting a music video with Kings of Leon. Good luck with the shoot. We can't wait to hear all about it.
Posted by: Nikki | 03/02/2011 at 07:42 AM
nikki... you tease. kol. swoon!
Posted by: Katie Pegher | 03/02/2011 at 08:21 AM
Your BFF Sandy Bullock had to start somewhere too. I bet her big break was staring in commercials. Look out Academy Awards! Congratulations.
Posted by: carmi pegher | 03/02/2011 at 08:28 AM
Pretty sure you will be a natural! Enjoy it and have a fun time!
Posted by: Heather B. Ewing | 03/02/2011 at 06:01 PM
That is so exciting!!!! Congrats!!
Posted by: Keri Ann | 03/03/2011 at 01:44 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OMG! This is crazy crazy crazy! I'm so excited! I cannot believe this! This is so cool. I feel like jumping up and down!!!!! Keep me posted! WOW. You are already a star. You should bring that picture of you singing with your mouth wide open. They have no idea the talent they have discovered. oooooh! I'm so excited! xoxoxo
Posted by: Amy McGlinchey | 03/03/2011 at 04:15 PM
LOL!!! So funny you mention that photo. Phil took it at one of my last shows with the band. Amazing night. My friend who is a professional opera star told me that if my singing career didnt pan out - I could do commercials for dental floss. :) How true is that now? HA!
Posted by: Katie Pegher | 03/03/2011 at 04:58 PM