Casting Call Answered

Sometimes you do something just because you've never done it before -- and you have friends that are crazy enough to drag you along. Today I went to a casting call for a movie that is going to be filmed in this area. Yep, it is a crazy as it sounds. But I showed up with the required non returnable photo not knowing what to expect.

Sheri and I got to the Civic Center about 30 minutes before the doors opened because we were afraid there would be a long line. I think we were invisioning the American Idol try outs. Not quiet that --- we were 15th or 20th (something like that) in line, but the wind was blowing so we had a wind swept look about us when we got inside. The saving grace is that everyone else did too.

Once inside we were told to fill out a form. Basic stuff -- name, address, email, hobbies/talents, previous acting experience. The photo you supplied was stapled to that and on the back of the form your name and contact number were written. Your picture was then taken holding the paper showing your name and number by a girl with a simple camera and you were instructed to stand in another line to be interviewed.

Sheri, Shirley (another friend from work that joined us) and I stood in line together visiting and laughing with those around us. One boy whom I guess to be in upper elementary school finished his interview while we were waiting in line and when the interviewer gave him his paper back and told him to go to the next room he turned to those us waiting and said, "I'm going to Hollywood, I'm the next American Idol." Cracked me up. The interview process was very quick and simple --- two people seated at separate tables would take the "next in line please" --- you sat down across the table from of them and answered a couple of questions. My quetions were "If you weren't here doing this today, what would you be doing?" and "If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?" I guess the young man interviewing me liked how I answered because after we talked he put a Q at the top of my paper, handed the paper back to me and told me to go to room Q. In room Q a young lady with a video recorder had me hold my paper showing my name and phone number up --- say my name and phone number and then answer the question "If you weren't here today what would you be doing?" Then she had me say my name again. I didn't know until I came out of Room Q that neither Sheri nor Shirley were assigned to go to a room for further taping or interviewing.

I will insert a note here that some people were sent to Room D, some to Room Q and others had their papers marked with an E. The only thing that we could decipher from the codes is that those going to Room D were *definate maybes* and those going to Room Q were *questionable maybes* and those with the E were *not exactly right*.

How did you answer the questions you are wondering. Well to the first one I told them I would be cleaning house. I then went on to explain that I'm hosting a birthday party for a one year old tomorrow and really needed to have clean floors for that. I rambled on that this is the daughter of a young couple from the church that we have become good friends with and that they are going to be moving to Austin at which point I realized I was rambling so I just sort of stopped talking. When asked the second question I had to think a moment. I decided in that moment that I really want to go to Australia. I really haven't thought about going to Australia until then. Guess it was because I had seen Russel Crow on the Jay Leno Show the other night. I talked about how we are going to England, Ireland, and Scotland this summer and although we hadn't been many places in the US I wanted to see Australia and I think they have cool accents. I also remember saying something about we had taken cruises. I ramble well when talking to perfect strangers.

I know both Sheri and Shirley were disappointed they didn't go to interview rooms, although neither would admit it, but both were good sports teasing me about how I was going to go on to be a star. Shirley volunteered to do all my stunt work and Sheri said she would get me coffee.

I just got a phone call --- no not from the casting people --- from Sheri reminding me that if hadn't been for her I wouldn't be having this moment and when I "make it big" and receive some award I'd better be sure I mention those (her) who made it possible.