The Dreamer

Sunday night I got an email from a woman at a casting company looking for extras to audition for a movie called “Youth in Revolt.” They were having an actual audition for the extras, because some of them would be needed for close up shots. Monday I was out with a friend shopping and I got a call from another casting company that was casting the Drew Barrymore movie, “Whip It” that I had already been on the email lists. The woman told me out of 3000 emails she was looking at, I seemed like something she was looking for as an extra, or possibly even a stand in. They were asking for people who knew how to sign, and how to skate. These are things I have done in the past. I have deaf family members, and know some sign language, and I grew up roller and ice skating. I am sure I can do those things again.
The next afternoon I went to a nearby skating rink to prove to myself I could still skate. The outside of the building is purple, and the interior and exterior have stayed in true 1980’s decorative fashion with busy speckled patterned carpet, and Peptobismal colored benches. It took me back to days in elementary and jr. high school when roller skating was the coolest way to spend you time.

It was 11:30 in the afternoon on a weekday, and I wondered who could possibly be at the skating rink at this time of day. It turns out adult open skate is actually a type of class or get together for roller skating dancers. There were ladies dressed in fancy costumes, and men accompanying them. The gentleman who runs it calls out different types of dance moves, and then they perform that step. I couldn’t believe the shape a 70 year old women was in. She had great looking legs.

I soon discovered it was a good idea that I practice before I went on set. I was a bit wobbly at first, but I got the hang of it again. Then I remembered that you have to stop as well as skate. I practiced that again. I spent about an hour and a half just circling the track listening to quite possible the worst music ever. It was renditions of the kinda music you have to sing in high school choir class played by only one instrument a church type organ. It was like rollerskating around again and again in a giant elevator. I drowned it out by convincing myself how awesome it was going to be skating on set. The guy who runs the class was really nice, and even instructed me on turning and skating backwards. I was looking forward to going to see a heavy metal show that night more than anything, to drowned out the memories of all that organ music.

That night was the Cavalera Conspiracy/Dillinger Escape plan show in Pontiac. I was still waiting to hear back from casting on Whip It, so I had my calendar print outs (I really need to get some type of PDA phone with a data package.) folded up in my pocket with a pen and my mobile phone. I didn’t know how I would answer a phone in the middle of a metal show, but I guessed I would dart down to the bathroom and hope it was quiet enough. I took it easy on myself that night, and passed up after partying with friends so I could get enough sleep in preparation for my audition the next day.

I drove to an office building where the auditions were supposed to be at 2:15, and then found out that they were moved to a High School at 3pm. The school was actually were they were filming the movie. There were giant electricity boxes, trucks filled with equipment, what I am assuming were trailers, and security guards at the entrances. It was amazing. This is the first time I have been on an actual film set. I thought it was big time, but when I got in we were told that this was actually a small budget film. We filled out applications and then were taken into the gym, lined up with our numbers in front of us, and then someone looked at all of us, and started whispering numbers to the casting company lady. She then went down the line to tell us who could stay and who would be going. My number was not chosen to stay, but I was still completely ecstatic. I had conquered my fears, and went to an actual audition. I had stepped foot on an actual film set.
I also still have “Whip It” to look forward to starting next week. I have been brushing up on my ASL through some really great web sites.

    My boyfriend started working on set this week as a boom operator. He has informed me there are tons of lingo used on a set that one would never even think about. Terms for walking through with sharp objects, special words for clothes pins, etc. He has been gone for 12 hours plus a day. I was surprised to see him come home with a big smile on his face working that long after his first day. It apparently is a type of horror movie which is a genre he is very passionate about. He did not know this when he took the job. It was a great surprise upon reading the script.
I got head shots taken. I had a very talented friend with a good camera as my photographer. I also coordinated with a makeup artist friend. She is doing my make-up and teaching me techniques to do my own. We have decided to form a bit of a beginners “Time for Print” club. We are all new and nervous at our various skills but we all want to work to improve them. A photographer, a makeup artist, a hair stylist, and me a model/actress. Since we are all new, there will be no fear when we eventually work in more qualified and professional endeavors. By working together it helps us gain confidence and experience. We looked at a most of them, and they turned out wonderfully. We are both knowledgeable in photoshop, and will get them in great shape in no time. Then I will hit up the agencies in town to try to get more extra and stand in work, and take some more classes.
I prepared by reading a chapter from “Acting is Everything.” by Judy Kerr. There is a wealth of information I am just starting to dig into. I never realized there was so much to getting a head shot taken. I never realized there could be so much emotion conveyed by a single still frame picture, but it is true. I practiced earlier this week by snapping photos of myself with my photobooth function on my computer, and thought of various topics and feelings when I was snapping photos, and there is a big difference between them. I have begun to concentrate on my own eyes, and the eyes of characters in the television and films that I watch. I have been into the third season of the show, “Lost” and watched “The Dark Knight” this week. I find that the actress Maggie Gyllenhaal communicates much of her character and her emotion in her eyes. They are a beautiful feature of hers, therefore call attention, but she does not only communicate beauty with them. Lost’s Matthew Fox seems to communicate a bit of intense insanity behind the eyes of the heroic leader that he plays. I wonder if these are strategies they control as they do movement and words, or if they naturally seem to happen for them.
Acting is the first thing I ever knew I loved. When I first entered adulthood I almost did give it up for “rational” thinking and planning. I feel so blessed alive and hopeful for the first time in a long time, that I am able to follow the path I am supposed to be on. I am so thankful to all these books I have been reading and the seminars that I go to full of people who have experienced the same fears and doubts, but also have that voice inside their head, and feeling inside their heart, that tells them this is what they are supposed to do with themselves regardless of what others might think, or the risk that they take.
As I was writing this, I got an email from a woman who is a casting director. She is a friend of a friend’s mom. I have an ACTUAL AUDITION for an extra role on Wednesday. OH MY GOSH!!! Okay.. much research to do in three days… Thank goodness I went to those seminars, I actually have some clue of what happens in one of those…Well everyone has to start somewhere… Here I go.

I spent yesterday at a certain department store’s one day sale looking for casual contemporary clothes in efforts to build an economical, yet “normal looking” wardrobe. I wanted to find a shirt for my head shots that wasn’t black. A majority of my “normal” looking clothes are black and I decided that I should probably increase the colors that I have…. Ironically though the first movie I will be an extra for is for the film “Whip It” about Roller Derby directed by Drew Barrymore. In real life the Roller Derby community is full of tattooed and pierced punk, goths, rockabilly girls, and anything in between. The style of look that I am more comfortable and accustomed to, and all ready have a closet full of. I have been wondering how to market myself. If I should try to adapt to a more conventional look, or if playing up what I am and what I already have. I think I should do both. My only question is, will one hinder the other?
I had been applying to be a part of the film as crew, and as and extra, and I got an email from the extra casting company recently. I am beyond excited about this opportunity. I was a roller derby cheerleader for the Detroit derby girls when they first began having bouts here in Detroit. I saw a group of women build the organization up amongst themselves and turn it into an amazing thing. I am so glad that they decided to shoot the film here, and that I am going to be a part of it. It is amazing that the first film I am going to work on is on this great subject.
My boyfriend was working in post all last week, helping out on the transfers for “The Prince of Motor City.” He sent me a text message saying, “too many local extras can be seen looking at the camera in the backround .” So at least I know one thing about being an extra that I will not be doing. He is excited to be working as a boom mic operator for the first time as well. He has been reading the script for the job he is going to spend the next five weeks preparing and familiarizing with the content.

My first week free from the day job in post did not go the way I expected.  A family emergency took my back home an hour’s drive outside of the city for most of the week. I was able through the internet to keep searching for some films to apply to.

I found some information on the Drew Barrymore Roller Derby movie and sent an email and photo from my burlesque persona to the casting agency to be an extra. They are looking for rock and roll types, and I figured my burlesque persona would be the best chance to get into that.  In many cities, roller derby and burlesque troupes often work together. I was a cheerleader for our Detroit Derby Girls when their league was just starting.

I also sent a resume to a “friend of a friend” who is casting the Clint Eastwood movie.
I don’t know if any of these people will take me seriously without real head shots, but I figure trying with what I have is better than nothing.

Actually, the person making most headway this week was my boyfriend the audio guy. He will be working on a film as a boom operator/assistant audio person for about 5 weeks. He too had been working on the post side of things and is now going to be taking advantage of the Michigan Film Incentives to work on set.

So I am back home taking advantage of seeing family I won’t be able to see when I move. I have realized an important thing while sitting here with little to do. I have a compulsive need to tell stories though words, whether they are written or spoken, and images whether they are moving or still. I found myself walking around the river and the woods taking still photos trying to capture the beautiful things in nature that surrounded me.