The Skinny...

Like I said, Tuesday was totally cool.

It took me about two hours to get there. My call time was 7am which means I was up EAAARRRRLLLYYY. Dark of night early. It was all good though... I was hardly sleeping anyway. Too nervous my alarm wouldn't go off at 4am to fall "really deep" asleep.

When I pulled into the neighborhood I couldn't believe how many cars were pulled down the street going away from the house.

Here's a shot of the house. Ritzy, eh? (all the shots were taken with my phone - forgive!)

Oddly enough - I wasn't nervous one bit walking in. I was much more nervous walking into the audition... There were people EVERYWHERE! A nice guy came right up to me (I'm sure I looked lost) and introduced himself. When he said his name, I knew from the call sheet he was the producer. He was YOUNG, I thought... Wow.

He told me the "talent" was downstairs and escorted me to a big staircase. Hee hee hee... that's me - the "talent." Gitoutoftown!

SO, downstairs I went where I met the sweetest lady in charge of wardrobe. I had spoken to her on the phone a bit and exchanged a few emails last week. Confirming my sizes, etc. Right away she got to work deciding on my outfit. She had a few choices prepared and asked that I bring some things from home. I tried them on for her and when she was satisfied with a base outfit she took me upstairs to let the director have his say.

Once all that was sorted out, my castmates and I watched the "composite" (a bit of footage shot at rehearsal the day before) on a laptop as the director began explaining the concept for the commercial and what each of our roles would require.

Next I had hair and makeup. The makeup artist was super nice too... and I have to say... Having someone come and "touch me up" on set in-between takes just "felt cool." I felt "important." Which was nice. In my typical days, it's the kids that are important... and their needs. Especially if you ask Macho. He's VERY important. The kid's a high roller, what can I say?

I was cast as the decorator - and would be in two scenes with the homeowner... played by my castmate Nancy.

This is Nancy.

Lemme tell ya about her. She totally made my day. I was pretty candid with folks that I was a complete rookie and had no business being there in the first place.... Well, Nancy, she just scooped me up under her wing and said, "Girl, you're gonna be just fine. Everyone is super nice at these things." And she was right.

Everything was fine. Great actually. Everyone was very sweet and encouraging - but still very professional - and down to business when it was time to be down to business. Lots of respect for one another floating around the room. Respect for each person's role to play - from the lighting guys to the director, producer, camera guys and us, the actors. Surprisingly, there were no "egos." None that I could detect anyway. Which was a blessing and a fear put to rest.

It's a lot of orchestration - and it's all very time consuming. But really cool to see it all come together.

Here's a random - totally blown out shot of the set.... You can't really see much... The equipment was really impressive. An amazing camera set up on a huge dolly and track system operated by a guy on a laptop. A very in depth lighting system... and lots of people with technology all around.

My segment began shooting around 9am and went until we broke for lunch at 12:30 or so. I was asked to stay through lunch so the director could review the footage and make sure he got what he needed before letting me go.

And just like in the movies - there's a particular order and cadence that you go through on every take.

Director : "back to one" (back to the beginning)

Director : "rolling"

camera operator : "speed" (camera is recording)

followed by "camera moving, now"

And on "now" - we began acting out our scene.

Because this is a voice over commercial - the director would give us audible que's throughout the take by saying our names or using other words we had planned out in advance.

Finally, the director would call, "Cut! Back to One" and we'd do it again... after he gave us or someone in the crew some pointers, of course.

I have to admit, being on a film set like this for the first time ever, these words gain a sort of magical feel, I was kind of holding my breath waiting for it all to begin. After a few takes, I was settled in and "working." Being professional about what I was doing. Focused. Happy.... and having FUN.

There were screens like the ones you see below in a couple of rooms for us to watch the playback as they began splicing things together... creating an all new "composite."

The director is the guy just to the left of the screen.

Here's a shot of the clapperboard, or slate, or marker or whatever you want to call it.... classic piece of filmmaking ephemera I had to document...

So... the commercial will only be shown regionally because Next Day Blinds is only regionally marketed. But - maybe, just maybe, they will put it up on their corporate website or YouTube... and if so....

You bet your bottom dollar I'll post it here.

I was pretty stoked as I was driving home. I had a great day. Met some great people. Took a risk, and crossed off number two on my 33@33.

Bada bing.

 

Comments

[heidi]

that. was totally cool. you are too lucky sistah. i bet you rocked it. thanks for sharin'. ; )

[Nikki]

Thanks for bringing us along on a VERY COOL journey. So proud of you!

[Kari]

You look like a pro...I had my big break in Wedding Crashers and clearly my acting carrer went really far after that.

[Katie Pegher]

So fun! What scene were you in? The wedding?

[Beth]

Hey hot stuff! My career took off after a short stint for KMart! Um, don't laugh. Congratulations on your great experience!

[Brooke Hepler]

How exciting! It sounds like you had a wonderful time!

[Katie Pegher]

beth - i have to hear the story sometime!!!

[danna]

Yea! Sounds like such a blast, and a great break from the kiddos. I hope we get to see the commercial, we have NDB here, so I imagine we're in their "target market".