Filming

Filming on Saturday

So, I was offered a role in a movie, and since they'll let me not swear, I'm going to go down to Portland this weekend. How cool is that?

Drama

Drama, Drama, more Drama

Wow. You'd think that being unemployed I'd be, I don't know, resting or something. Instead, life has unfolded unexpectedly for the past few weeks, and "the whole house is in uproar!" My sister is attached to my hip until her grades come up, so less out-of-doors-ing for me. (You would think, as a consequence, that my house would be clean, but no. Both it and my car are steadily getting worse)

Today (I'll preface all this by saying that he apologized) I had another go around with the band leader at church. I like him, but find him difficult to work with because he changes his mind constantly. I hate having my time (oh Lewis would jump all over the notion of "my time")wasted in every way (start late, run an inefficient rehearsal, then run over as a result -- I find that incredibly frustrating). I often find it difficult NOT to have a poor attitude. For example, today I was told to "take ownership of my keyboard" when the sound wasn't working. I'd pushed, pulled and jiggled every chord. The tech guy did the same thing I'd done, then ran back to check the equiptment. As soon as he emerged in the balcony I started playing so he could check the system, and the same director reached over and TURNED MY SOUND OFF because I was INTERRUPTING HIS CONVERSATION. I told him afterwards, "You know, I wasn't playing for my own amusement." He wanted to talk to me after church. I was afraid I was walking into a chewing out, but he apologized. And I had a chance to explain my frustrations. I'm hoping things will be better in the future.

Flogamockers was tonight. We're meandering around Daniel, Ezra, and Psalms. Soon we'll be in Nehemiah and Esther.

I have an audition in Vancouver, BC on Tuesday for a student film (assuming once I see the script that I want to be a part of it) and another audition for an extra in a music video later the same day. I have one part that's been offered me in a short film shooting in Portland this weekend (they had an actress quit last minute due to family problems and need a replacement). I'm still waiting to hear back from the director about whether he thinks my character must swear (It's completely understandable in the scene -- daughter confronts dying father who abused her, but I think it could be acted just as strongly without most of it). If they'll cut all but one, I think I'll do it. Fun, huh?

Drea is in town for the weekend. She leaves tomorrow. I wish she could have stayed longer. She helped move furniture around. Mom and Allie switched rooms today (bedroom and sewing) and Drea took over the move. I've been "in charge" so much the past couple of weeks, I was ready for someone else to take over. *sigh of relief*

I'll keep you updated.

Scrapbooking....and trying not to spend money

Scrapbooking ... and trying not to spend money.

I'm working on a project in my unemployment (which I love, by the way. I can't wait until I'm debt free and, if this job works out, able to make all the money I'll need for the year in 4 months, and then do whatever for the rest of the year!!!). The scrapbook is coming along well, and I'm making at least one trip a day to Craft Warehouse!

Selectivity

Selectivity

I turned down an audition today. I submitted myself for a short independent film that in the synopsis, sounded interesting, but upon reading the script last night, is about a woman who, while adopted herself, has an abortion so that she can go to art school.

Unemployed Again

Also

I quit my job again.

My feeling is, when someone grabs your butt, and management says, 'take it as a compliment,' it's time to leave.

Movie Making

Movie Making

I was in a movie today. It was very exciting. Actually, moviemaking is a very dull process, and benefits a lot from editing.

The call was at 8:00. I was there a few minutes early. They put all the extras in a greenroom, and the costumer came through to check on our outfits and make sure we were all within the color scheme. The AP brought us snacks and showed us the bathrooms. Then we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The lights were shorting out the circuits at the winery, and the generator was not working because of the heavy rainfall. So we waited.

...

...

...At 12:45 they pulled in half the extras for wine tasters in the background of the scene in which the lead actor meets the woman he will have an affair with...

At 1:30, after three takes, they yelled, "Cut! Lunch break." Half hour lunch break featuring catered jumabalaya and coleslaw.

At 2:30 the cameras began rolling, same scene. Same TWO LINES. I counted 45 takes. Four hours. Two lines.

...

Break to move the camera to the next shot.

.....

....

4:00 they bring in the last of the extras (that's me) to stand around holding wine glasses in the background of the scene where the lead actor gives a glass of wine to his wife, who comments on the blonde lady who just flirted with him.

Ten takes, and they send us home.

On the plus side of all that waiting around, I got to have a really cute guy who worked at the winery for my partner in my scene. We were brilliant by the way. We stood talking naturally, and then he'd indicated over my shoulder, and I turned around and smiled and handed one of the wine glasses to the girl walking in from off screen. Stellar acting. You'll be able to see it if you look closely in the background. But watch for the blooper in the movie. Because they shot the next two lines of him handing his wife the glass, while in the background we did our little routine. Then they decided to do an establishing shot of him walking from the last take, into the new scene, and with no instructions, we did the same schtick over again. So, if they use all the takes we did, you'll watch him walk across the room while a woman walks onscreen and is handed a wineglass, then in the next closeup, it will happen again.

I get the credit for this in the Nitpickers Guide.

Oh what a beautiful morning

Oh what a beautiful Moooooooorrrning

Day two of two days off, I spent all day yesterday sleeping - except for a break to go to Bible Study number one. Today I'm going to be scrapbooking at the parents' house while watching Allie do her homework. Fun stuff.

Last night at Bible study (a study on intimacy) we discussed the old phrase that fathers used for centuries; "Young man, are your intentions honorable." But in a day when young women leave home at 18, and don't get married until almost thirty, who is going to ask that question? Well, maybe we should. I mean, most of us begin relationships in the dark about "where things are going" and why the guy is interested because we're afraid we'll drive a guy off if we ask. No guy wants a girl who is always asking "what are we doing exactly." Right? But how much time do we waste on relationships that are going nowhere because we don't ask the question right up front - "what are your intentions?" I know I would have saved my self several months of emotional f---wittage and a case of mono if I'd just been point blank at the beginning, and not accepted non-answers.

So, my new policy, embroider "Are your intentions honorable" and frame it on my front door. That should finally clinch me as a confirmed old spinster, and drive away any waffling insincere guys...

Flutterby Dreaming

Flutterby Dreaming

I'm going to be an extra in a movie filming in Seattle on the 31st. I might get to film another day as well. It doesn't pay anything, but what a neat way to spend a day off!

Hurrah!

The funny thing about philanthropy

The funny thing about philanthropy...

Heifer International has a gift registry at their site. Instead of countless appliances and bits of silver that you'll never use (at least, most people won't -- I have a silver tea strainer that is a regular part of my recreational activities) you can have livestock shipped to a foreign country. You can even have your own donation page with a picture of the happy couple and a message to friends and family...

I think that's a great idea!

But I looked at the featured websites expecting a whole collection of Sunday Paper style happy couple photos. Instead, there were a lot of couples in wool socks, birkinstocks, and had knit hats in very beachy or woodsy settings. It would seem that the type of people who would give up gifts wrapped in silver and gold paper in favor of their favorite charity, also don't believe in waxing and pedicures.

Do you think it's a prerequisite?

Oh my, there's a car in my bed

Oh My! There's a Car in My Bed

Last night at midnight a BMW ran through the front gate and into the corner of the house I'm staying at.

Miles and Becky were in bed, and I was heading there, when this huge crash and shudder went through the house. At first I though it was another Puyallup-based Mt. Rainier earthquakes we've been having around here. But, no, it didn't feel right. I've been through a California one. The driver was not intoxicated, but claimed the break pedal had broken. It was quite a night. The driver tried to back the car out and leave, but several of the neighbors helped Miles and Becky yell loud enough to make him stay put. Four police cars and a fire truck were there within minutes. Then a tow truck had to be called to extract the car from the side of the house.

All damage is cosmetic to the house itself, the porch is a goner as is the front gate. And the police had to put up yellow "Police Line Do Not Cross" tape for liability purposes, so it looks like there's been a homicide.

The only upside (strictly for me) was getting winked at by a cute fireman - in my pajamas with no makeup on. LALALALA!