Working It

I have run out of gas on my way to work, helped a woman on oxygen during the apocalypse, raised three teenagers, been robbed at gunpoint AND it's only MONDAY! Shaping up to be an interesting week...

* Disclaimer *
All events have been in the line of work. No aforementioned individuals have been harmed. That's acting!

Determination 101

You are too short. Sorry, you're a little too plain. Ummm, you are too pretty for this. Actually, we want someone with LIGHT red hair. We're looking for a blond. Brunette. Bald. Pixie cut. You're HOW old? Too old. Too young. We need someone with green eyes. Brown. Hazel. Purple. Too pale. Not pale enough. Much too Caucasian. Wrong gender. Chest is too big. Chest is too small. Too many freckles. Butt too flat. Not athletic enough. Too athletic. You really cannot dance. You dance too well. Not perky enough. Too perky. AGH!!! Hmmm...for some parts I'm just right and I'll keep going until I'm the PERFECT fit!!

All Nighters

The Kroger Creeper!

The phrase, "I'm not as young as I used to be" certainly comes to mind. Over the last month, I've pulled three all nighters! All involving night shoots for commercials and film. Whew...I remember when I could stay up all night and feel ALMOST fine the next day...it's been an ENTIRE week and I'm still feeling it. Oh well...the things we do for work! The first two all nighters were for night shoots for Kroger commercials...be on the lookout...you will see the back of my head, my profile AND my entire face! Hey, that's progress!

When we shot the commercial, we were at a 24 hour service Kroger in Durham and there were REAL shoppers throughout the night. Imagine their surprise when they saw all of us frozen waiting for our cue to go. We definitely creeped people out. They couldn't figure out what we were doing. AND, I'm sorry, but my expression probably freaked them out even more! What fun!

My Kind Of Research

Sitcom observation, movie review, t.v. drama perusal, and my personal favorite; people watching. This is considered field work and should only be attempted by experienced individuals. If someone you are observing catches you watching them, you have three exit strategies. One: the blink. Two: the inconspicuous stare. Three: the flirt. One is the most advanced and the trickiest to master. Once caught, you have to blink and hold it. While your eyes are still closed change the direction you are looking before opening your eyes. To the untrained observer, this is a seamless action. Two is tricky but easy to carry off. Once your target sees you, just do a blank stare, like to you are trying to focus on a 3D painting. (They may think you are slow, but you are in the clear either way.) Three is the easiest out but it is a bold move. When your target locks eyes with you, just go with it. Smile and wave, maybe blow a kiss..they'll think you're flirting with them. 

I really LOVE my job!

Walking AND Talking...At The Same Time!!

You would think that walking and talking come naturally. You would THINK. Usually you just do it...and at the same time. Let me tell you when the little red light comes on for the video camera, your lines might be memorized, but once you start adding those extra actions...bbblleeehhhh....bbbbbbb...bleeehhh. I'm not even kidding. BUT if you spend your time memorizing BEFORE you get on set, MOST of the takes come out just fine. If you live in the Triangle and you have Time Warner Cable, keep your eyes open for One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing commercials! You guessed it, I'll be walking and talking AT THE SAME TIME!!

Eat Fresh

Did you know that Subway is now offering soup on their menu? After a really fun shoot this past Monday for Subway Restaurants, I know all about their broccoli cheese and chicken noodle soups! And if you live in the Northeast or possibly the West Coast you'll get to see me in an upcoming commercial. Really looking forward to it! What a perfect day on the set...this was a rare case where all the actors were nice and professional, the crew was great, and the directors were fantastic and so creative. The sun was shining and there was a breeze...it doesn't get better than that. Keep those roles coming!!

In the Closet

This week has been fun! I've been in the studio, and by the studio I mean the corner of my closet that I record in. Listen, it's very high tech. Gray soundproof panels on the wall and ceiling and a mic in the corner. So pay attention to ABC 11...you never know when you are going to hear yours truly voicing an ad! Believe me, it's been tricky to time the recordings just right. There is a prep kitchen below our loft and the staff play music to stay entertained during the day. If I can't record in the evenings, I'm stuck until 12:30pm until I can record in quiet. THEN my husband usually comes home for lunch during that time...once or twice I've had to re-record because of the faint "honey" in the background.