So this was the second day booked on this show in Brighton Beach. After yesterday's experience I was dreading coming back. Though I got this booking from one of my favorite casting people, and I wasn't going to cancel if I was still on the list.
The voice mail message was released at midnight when I got home from "day 1". I thought for sure that my number was going to be called on the list to "not return" as I was NOT used at all the day before. As the message went on and he was reading the numbers that should not return, I barely made the cut for the numbers they needed, though I was IN! This meant I had to immediately get to bed so I could get up early and get there on time.
I woke up at a decent time to leave Queens and to get to Brooklyn. I did not want to be late and sent home.I gave myself much more extra time to get down to the area. In fact I got there too early. The doors to the restaurant where holding was located, was gated and locked and shut down.
I thought that I slept in and I was an entire day late as there was no sight of anybody there. No crew, no PA's, nobody. It felt like one of those Twilight Zone Episodes where there was some nuclear explosion the day before, this man was in a safe bomb shelter avoiding the explosion. He wakes up the next day to go outside only to find everything is shut down, and he is the only person alive.
Finally after about 15 minutes, someone came and opened the gates. I was relieved and was actually one of the first few people there to check in. So we checked in, and went to the breakfast truck to get some personalized omelette's at the "omelet station". Yes Thank-you HBO!
We returned to holding, sat down had our breakfast and went to wardrobe to get the dresses we were assgiend to wear the day before. I thought, "Great, another day of just sitting around and being treated like I'm in kindergarten class and be told what to do by a power hungry PA!" Well I was wrong..it turned out to be classic background day with much fun and surprises.....
After we got dressed, there was no time to wait around and we quickly got rushed to set. So we get to the set which was inside the Russian restaurant and of course we rush to get there only to wait outside in our dresses and heels on the boardwalk platform, where it was really chilly and overcast. Still at this point I was thinking " I will get through this!"
Finally we get directed to get on set and quietly proceed. We finally get into the restaurant and the tables were arranged differently. At first the PA is placing people, and then she gets called to do something else. We are just standing there feeling stupid and decide to "place ourselves" and sit down at this table which at the time we did not know that it would be the main shot for the day.
So my friend and I sat down and didn't expect anything and the PA didn't come around to throw us out of our seats. Shortly after we get situated, they bring out the principal actor, Jason. He ends up sitting directly across the table from where we are sitting! Nobody says anything about us sitting there and they begin the scene.
The scene was at this Russian restaurant. There are ten of us at this table eating, drinking, saluting, and just having a grand 'ol time. We are pretending to clink glasses and everyone is drunk and full of life. Jason's character is drunk and he is getting along with everyone and getting real chummy. This cute Russian waitress approaches the table to offer a plate of deserts.
He gestures to the waitress and asks her a question about a certain lady that sings there at the club to see if she is available for him to date. The waitress nods she will be here tomorrow night. Jason's' character is a happy drunk and of hearing this news, he gathers everyone at the table to raise their glasses and salute in Russian. So we all raise our glasses and cheer "Nazdrovje"!
What a great comic actor he is. IT was so much fun. From the get go, he is cracking jokes and making everyone feel important being there.The funniest part was that this much older woman was sitting right beside him and did not get any of the jokes or gestures he was making. Most of the jokes were the fact that this woman was clueless to what was going on.
On with the next scene.....
As if that wasn't enough fun, the best time was really yet to come. This time everyone was called to go to the middle of the dance floor of the restaurant. I was like oh great a dance scene. "Well Canada Anne doesn't dance!" While the crew took a break the AD was figuring out the scene. They were on the side, so my friend and I thought this was the opportune time to get up on that stage and get some poses!
The cool thing was that the microphone was one of those 1950's style they used for radio back in the day. I went up and did a quick few bars of the song "fever" and in my Marilyn Monroe pose. It felt great! Though it was for only a few moments. Even the bitchy "PMS PA" saw me up on the stage and didn't even say a word and just let me have my moment.
It was a short moment and it was done when the Director called everyone to the dance floor. We were instructed to form a circle after we dance a little and Jason would be in the center. In the circle Jason and his drunk Russian male partner would dance. And they danced. they danced Wildly, kicking their legs up. Doing the Russian dance.
Then it got even wilder. They got two chairs and they both sat down and were lifted up into the circle. It was just like going to a Jewish wedding. While the two guys were being lifted up we are all cheering and roaring and applauding.They had a bottle of vodka and were toasting each other while it was spilling all over the place. A couple of wild rounds of this and WOW what a day.
I was exhausted just being a part of it. Then we were told to go back to holding. I thought for sure that meant lunch and then we would have another 10 hours to go. Well I was gladly mistaken. Got to holding and "it was a wrap!" Yippee.
Got changed in my street clothes and went back to the "B" Train.
Back to one.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bored to Death In Brighton Beach day 1
I finally got booked on this new HBO series called "Bored To Death!" I got this booking through Desiree for a 2-day shoot. Yippee! When you get two days guaranteed work, it is awesome because on the second day you now how to get to the location and don't have to lug around a suitcase of clothes again.
Of all the shows I have been one, this one sounds most promising with the concept and set of characters as described below from: http://www.buzzsugar.com/1748476
Jason Schwartzman excites HBO.No, the actor who was once Max Fischer isn't yawning every time he channel-surfs past the network that once brought you The Sopranos (at least not that we know of). Bored to Death is just the name of the network's new half-hour comedy pilot that just cast Schwartzman in the lead.
It doesn't sound boring at all.The show centers on Schwartzman's character, Jonathan, a 30-something struggling writer living (and drinking heavily) in Brooklyn. After he breaks up with his girlfriend, he decides to refashion himself as a private detective in the vein of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett heroes. According to the Hollywood Reporter.
So it was appropriate that the scene that I was booked on took place in "Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Also known as "Little Kiev!" I have never been to Brighton Beach and always wanted to go. So I hopped on the "Q" train which I caught on 57 th street in Manhattan and I was on the train for about and hour and a half!
Our call time was originally for 11:00am, and now I knew why. Though that didn't matter because I was still about 40 minutes late on arrival and thought for sure I was going to sent home by casting. Though I wasn't and I got my voucher to fill out and was sent to wardrobe.
This was one of those sets where I could not hide from wardrobe and had to change and accept what I was given in return for my voucher as collateral. This usually sucks and I always avoid this because it means an extra line at the end of the day, but with a set of 80 people, it wasn't that bad. In fact I kind of enjoyed dressing up and putting on a dress for a change.
The worst part of the day had to be the weather. Unlike a few days ago with the unseasonably warm temps, it was freezing cold out on the boardwalk that day. We were all dressed up and were wearing high heel shoes. I brought my flip-flops to walk out on the boardwalk. A couple of women did get their heels stuck walking form the holding area to the Russian restaurant we were shooting at.
Of all the shows I have been one, this one sounds most promising with the concept and set of characters as described below from: http://www.buzzsugar.com/1748476
Jason Schwartzman excites HBO.No, the actor who was once Max Fischer isn't yawning every time he channel-surfs past the network that once brought you The Sopranos (at least not that we know of). Bored to Death is just the name of the network's new half-hour comedy pilot that just cast Schwartzman in the lead.
It doesn't sound boring at all.The show centers on Schwartzman's character, Jonathan, a 30-something struggling writer living (and drinking heavily) in Brooklyn. After he breaks up with his girlfriend, he decides to refashion himself as a private detective in the vein of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett heroes. According to the Hollywood Reporter.
So it was appropriate that the scene that I was booked on took place in "Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Also known as "Little Kiev!" I have never been to Brighton Beach and always wanted to go. So I hopped on the "Q" train which I caught on 57 th street in Manhattan and I was on the train for about and hour and a half!
Our call time was originally for 11:00am, and now I knew why. Though that didn't matter because I was still about 40 minutes late on arrival and thought for sure I was going to sent home by casting. Though I wasn't and I got my voucher to fill out and was sent to wardrobe.
This was one of those sets where I could not hide from wardrobe and had to change and accept what I was given in return for my voucher as collateral. This usually sucks and I always avoid this because it means an extra line at the end of the day, but with a set of 80 people, it wasn't that bad. In fact I kind of enjoyed dressing up and putting on a dress for a change.
The worst part of the day had to be the weather. Unlike a few days ago with the unseasonably warm temps, it was freezing cold out on the boardwalk that day. We were all dressed up and were wearing high heel shoes. I brought my flip-flops to walk out on the boardwalk. A couple of women did get their heels stuck walking form the holding area to the Russian restaurant we were shooting at.
Speaking of shootings..or at least a drug deal gone wrong..We all eye witnessed a "Brighton Beach boardwalk bust!" Within second two police cruised and a helicopter above captured and seized the "boardwalk miscreant" in handcuffs and stuffed him in the NYPD car. Since it was close to where the set was, some of us thought that this was the scene we would be involved in.
Th day started out exciting with that scenario, though the entire rest of the day was a complete bust and a huge disappointment for myself because I never got to be on set and was scolded out by this bitchy PA who was on the rag to "Not talk, or you're out!" Meanwhile, everyone is talking around me and they are not even shooting anything. Really tired of pissy attitudes from power hungry twenty-something PA's. I don't need that crap.
It was bad enough that this little bitch kept looking over me and gave me the evil eye as I was sitting there as quiet as a church mice and freezing as it was really bone chilling cold in there with no heat on at all. Finally I couldn't take anymore and went back to holding and changed my clothes.
About and our later, around 11pm, the other PA came to holding and was getting papers ready. It was a wrap. I was So relieved. It was nighttime now, and we headed to the subway to catch the "Q" train back. That took an hour and a half for me to get back to Queens. Tomorrow would be the same thing. Day 2 of this crap..or so I thought..Stay tuned to Day 2, which clearly was outstanding and totally made up for this day..
Back to One!
Fourth of July BollyWood style
I got a booking to be on a Bollywood movie. Actually I think everyone I know practically got booked on this one. It was advertised on the Craigslist, so it was it was passed on to everyone the the e-mail list. I told Linda about it the night before and she was excited to go.
At first the casting called for All-American types for a fourth of July celebration. They specifically asked people to wear the colors "Red, white and blue". Now since this was a "fourth of July" scene, you would think that the attire would be summer clothes. Yes that's what I thought as well, until I got the e-mail on late Sunday night that they wanted people to bring heavy winter coats!
I actually almost canceled out b/c I didn't want to go through the torture of being on set in winter parkas with the temperatures to hit high 90's that day. Though Linda said that she was going regardless, and I figured if she is going to be there, it's going to be a wonderful day.
First of all, that week was a "Spring heatwave" and the temperatures soared into the 90's for 4 days in a row. Wearing a winter coat in that heat wasn't going to happen for me. Secondly, even if I wasn't a "rule breaker" I didn't have my winter coat, because guess what it's Spring now and I already put it in storage.
The call time was a super early for 5:30 am to get to Central Park West area. It's hard enough to get to any set for that early in the morning, and this was no different. I had to leave Queens by 4 am to make it there. I had no problem getting up as I was not able to sleep at all. It was so hot in the apartment, and we had no air conditioner in yet, so I spent the entire night tossing, turning and sweating.
At first the casting called for All-American types for a fourth of July celebration. They specifically asked people to wear the colors "Red, white and blue". Now since this was a "fourth of July" scene, you would think that the attire would be summer clothes. Yes that's what I thought as well, until I got the e-mail on late Sunday night that they wanted people to bring heavy winter coats!
I actually almost canceled out b/c I didn't want to go through the torture of being on set in winter parkas with the temperatures to hit high 90's that day. Though Linda said that she was going regardless, and I figured if she is going to be there, it's going to be a wonderful day.
First of all, that week was a "Spring heatwave" and the temperatures soared into the 90's for 4 days in a row. Wearing a winter coat in that heat wasn't going to happen for me. Secondly, even if I wasn't a "rule breaker" I didn't have my winter coat, because guess what it's Spring now and I already put it in storage.
The call time was a super early for 5:30 am to get to Central Park West area. It's hard enough to get to any set for that early in the morning, and this was no different. I had to leave Queens by 4 am to make it there. I had no problem getting up as I was not able to sleep at all. It was so hot in the apartment, and we had no air conditioner in yet, so I spent the entire night tossing, turning and sweating.
I transferred to the "A" train at Times Square 42nd street, where I met up with two of my fellow background players. Obviously we were all heading to the same set that early in the morning. None of us have "real" jobs to go to at that time. So we waited, and waited and waited some more. Finally the train came and for all that waiting we just ended up going 2 stops to the 72nd stop at Central Park West.
We get to holding at the church and there were already over 200 background in the holding area, and in the line-up to get pay vouchers and sign in. Linda was of course already there, and saved a seat for the "A-Team!" There were SO many people and So much madness going on as there are 4 different casting agencies that booked people on it. One was this "Universal" casting in New Jersey. By the time they got through the line, there were no more vouchers left to go around for the rest of us. I was thinking' How could they not have known that they are going to need a certain number of vouchers? What a mess!"
So we had to take a seat and wait for these vouchers to be delivered. While we were waiting there and complaining, there was so much activity going on around us as they were preparing for this massive 4th of July scene. Everyone was getting into their costumes.
It was getting really colorful in that space with a wave of red, white, and blues and American flags "stars and stripes" being painted on faces. Every single patriotic costume imaginable that represented July 4th from people dressed up as Uncle Sam, Ben Franklin, George and Martha Washington to a short 4 foot 2 small Woman dressed up as the statue of Liberty! It was really coming together!
As delightful as this all was, my favorite part of the entire day had to be the marching band. They were awesome. While all this was going on inside, outside on the corner the marching band were gearing up., tuning their horns and practicing. I was so exhausted and cranky up to this point, until the entire street was captured with such delightful notes of the songs they played.
They played "Don't Stop believing" by Journey, Just a gigolo by vaious, and then one all time classic and favorite which I haven't heard of in a while which was Cannon Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" Linda really got into it and started dancing with the band leader and trombone player distracting them while they were playing.
There is some great horn section going on with this piece. In my opinion, this is the best version of this song with the best solos that I found on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd4RDLGOQ3I It's long, but here it is just to give you an idea of the sounds of the day. When I hear music like this, I know I didn't waste my time taking music appreciation as a minor in college.
Moving along...
The rest of the day was literally a parade! Once all the costumes and make-up were in check, the sound of the bullhorn blared and we were all summoned to follow the PA to Central Park. An we followed. All 200 of us. The band leading the way, with Uncle Sam's, and clowns, jugglers, You name it, was a parade!
When we finally got to the park, the props people were handing out red and white balloons, flags, bells and whistles, to make this the most decorative parade around. Once we got our props, we were directed up and over the hill to where they had a huge fountain area. With the blue skies, and grand music, it was a beautiful day indeed! I was the most proudest Canadian portraying an American!
The scene was fairly simple, it was a parade enjoy and have fun! If that wasn't enough when they called for lunch around 2pm, the best was yet to come. I was thinking we would just get Indian foo, which my stomach can't take or it would some boxed lunch crap. Wow I was delightfully wrong this time to be taken around the make-shift lake, around the entire park to be guided to the legendary Boathouse restuarant!
It was a luxury catered meal in the boathouse. Do you know how expensive the boathouse is?? It was so special to get to sit down and dine like human beings in this place. It was a buffet style catering, though each dish was served to us on real plates, not paper ones as we usually get. We also sat at nice tables, had cutlery, and fancy napkins to place on our laps. Who could ask for anything more?
Even though we had only 15 minutes to chow down, it didn't matter, it turned out to be a much better day than expected. Though by the time all crew and 200 people went through the line, about and hour and a half elapsed. We went back to set, though even the crew were not ready to immediately go back to work after that meal.
We finally got "Back to One" around 3pm and they would have to wrap it up in a few hours as they were dependant on the daylight. The marching band played on, and we formed a circle this time marching along with the tunes of the band who were now playing "Happy Together" by the Turtles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxGiKgYYKvQ and even a couple of Micheal Jackson songs like "Thriller"! Talk about cheesy.
Though it was So much fun. In the end once the principal"Bollywood actors" got their lines down in a romantic setting where they shared a kiss, we were instructed to let go of all the red, white and blue balloons that we were holding. The band started playing "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzsUOmqpaeg as we let go of all the balloons and they all flew overhead into the clear blue skies. This was the ending song and as the band played, we sang along and the director called it a "Wrap"! Yay!
Walking back to holding to get signed out, passing by Strawberry Fields, where John Lennon's "Imagine" circle is, and still hearing the horns of the band play. Great ending to a great set.
Now I just hope we get paid in US dollars for this, not in Rupees!
LOL
Here is a link to the pictures from the day.
Addendum: Life takes you in mysterious directions. Most of the time we have no idea where we are going. Most of us don't even realize that we are on our path. Most of us try to figure out and over analyze and criticize people and situations and complain of our destiny and question our faith. Most of us, not all of us. Linda, my dear friend who passed away on May 14, 2009, was an exceptional, exuberant person.
I am mentioning this here as this set was the last time I ever saw her again. To think I was going to cancel this shoot b/c I was annoyed with the wardrobe decision. When I talked to Linda on the phone, she was like "Well I am going anyways!" Nothing stopped her. She embraced life to the fullest making every minute and everyone in her life count.
It took me a while to write this addendum as I am still struggling with the fact that she truly is gone. Though her spirit lives on through her son Justin and through all the many people she touched.
This following quote is from Cannon Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!"
"You know sometimes we're not prepared for adversity. When it happens sometimes we're caught short. Sometimes We don't know how to handle it when it comes up. Sometimes we don't know what to do when adversity takes over..."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRrFWp4DUho&feature=related
Forever my friend. Linda Rhodes, you will be missed. Thank-you for being a part of my life.
Back to one!
Ugly Betty Shoot at Citi Fields
Finally after a ga-zillion times of submitting to get on the ABC show "Ugly Betty", I got booked. It's amazing how the powers of "bullshitting" can work wonders. This booking was for an episode of Ugly Betty that was to be shot over in the "new" Shea Stadium, Citi fields. So "C and G" casting was looking for "Mets fans" and people who have Mets shirts and jackets, etc.
I first e-mailed C and G casting and said that I am a HUGE METS fan. A little white lie, as I am a Mets fan, though not a "die-hard" fan for sure. I also do not even own one single thread of Mets clothing. Of course you e-mail them and say you have all these things just to get booked.
After not initially hearing a reply, I took the chance to call them up. Normally these casting people hate for you to call them, though I took the risk, and it paid because I did get booked on it. The call time was for 10:30 pm. This was perfect because it gave me enough time to get a Mets shirt and cap from my friend.
I went to the local pub in Astori, the Sunswick pub, had a few beers, because ballpark prices are outrageous, and I hit the "7" train at 10pm. It took only 20 minutes to get there. As soon as I got off the subway and started walking towards the stadium, throngs of people were leaving the stadium as the game let out. The Mets won! Yippee!
So I try to get through these people and make it all the way aroun the side of the stadium and followed the arrows that pointed to holding. I get in, check my ID and get signed in. I even got an official Ugly Betty "crew" tag to wear(which I never returned heheheheh)
The room or area should I say was very dark, cement floors, probably an area used normally for shipping or loading in equipment. The room was already packed and any table and seats were limited. This was one of those sets where they had "Sagre-gation" and lableled the tables as such.
Of course I went directly to the SAG table. I figure why not? I am SAG eligible now, so I may as well start acting the part. I sat down, got my pay pay voucher, filled it out and then proceeded to the feast that was waiting and calling me with the sweet aromas of SAG food! Ah how sweet it is.
There was a line of buffet style catering which included ballpark food Alla gourmet style! There were franks probably Kosher Hebrew National brand, hamburgers with slices of Mozzarella cheese melted to perfection on top, roasted corn on the cob halves and these really great sandwiches on Onion bread stuffed with provolone cheese, Genoa salami and loaded with prosciutto!Yes thank-you ABC for providing great food!
At the end of this array of food was the desert stand which had a couple of cheesecakes, cookies and these wonderfully delightful "hypnotic" cupcakes! They were a standard chocolate cupcake though it was gorgeously decorated with blue and orange swirls in a spiral pattern. They were simply too pretty to just chomp down and eat them, so we played and amused ourselves with them. My friend, Linda really made the best poses with them!
In fact Linda takes such great photos and she is a real trooper considering she is a die-hard Yankee fan having a gig at "Shitti-Fields" as she phrased it! It was So much fun as she had tattoos of the Yankees on her backside and displaying it to the Mets players.
Finally after we consumed the food and I pilfered some of those amazing onion sandwiches for later, the bull horn went off and we were all summoned to set! We went through "the tunnel" which is basically an underpass, cement-laden walk through to get to the ballpark. Before we could get to our seats, we were stopped by the props department to acquire some Mets paraphernalia.
I first e-mailed C and G casting and said that I am a HUGE METS fan. A little white lie, as I am a Mets fan, though not a "die-hard" fan for sure. I also do not even own one single thread of Mets clothing. Of course you e-mail them and say you have all these things just to get booked.
After not initially hearing a reply, I took the chance to call them up. Normally these casting people hate for you to call them, though I took the risk, and it paid because I did get booked on it. The call time was for 10:30 pm. This was perfect because it gave me enough time to get a Mets shirt and cap from my friend.
I went to the local pub in Astori, the Sunswick pub, had a few beers, because ballpark prices are outrageous, and I hit the "7" train at 10pm. It took only 20 minutes to get there. As soon as I got off the subway and started walking towards the stadium, throngs of people were leaving the stadium as the game let out. The Mets won! Yippee!
So I try to get through these people and make it all the way aroun the side of the stadium and followed the arrows that pointed to holding. I get in, check my ID and get signed in. I even got an official Ugly Betty "crew" tag to wear(which I never returned heheheheh)
The room or area should I say was very dark, cement floors, probably an area used normally for shipping or loading in equipment. The room was already packed and any table and seats were limited. This was one of those sets where they had "Sagre-gation" and lableled the tables as such.
Of course I went directly to the SAG table. I figure why not? I am SAG eligible now, so I may as well start acting the part. I sat down, got my pay pay voucher, filled it out and then proceeded to the feast that was waiting and calling me with the sweet aromas of SAG food! Ah how sweet it is.
There was a line of buffet style catering which included ballpark food Alla gourmet style! There were franks probably Kosher Hebrew National brand, hamburgers with slices of Mozzarella cheese melted to perfection on top, roasted corn on the cob halves and these really great sandwiches on Onion bread stuffed with provolone cheese, Genoa salami and loaded with prosciutto!Yes thank-you ABC for providing great food!
At the end of this array of food was the desert stand which had a couple of cheesecakes, cookies and these wonderfully delightful "hypnotic" cupcakes! They were a standard chocolate cupcake though it was gorgeously decorated with blue and orange swirls in a spiral pattern. They were simply too pretty to just chomp down and eat them, so we played and amused ourselves with them. My friend, Linda really made the best poses with them!
In fact Linda takes such great photos and she is a real trooper considering she is a die-hard Yankee fan having a gig at "Shitti-Fields" as she phrased it! It was So much fun as she had tattoos of the Yankees on her backside and displaying it to the Mets players.
Finally after we consumed the food and I pilfered some of those amazing onion sandwiches for later, the bull horn went off and we were all summoned to set! We went through "the tunnel" which is basically an underpass, cement-laden walk through to get to the ballpark. Before we could get to our seats, we were stopped by the props department to acquire some Mets paraphernalia.
I always try to avoid getting props, as my cohort, Linda does to, though this was unavoidable. We got stopped. I got the green light as I had on my Mets cap and t-shirt on. Though Linda got stopped and was given a plush Mets doll! At first it was like, "Oh great, now you have to hand in your voucher just to hold this thing"!
In order to make a bad situation work to our benefit, we decided to have fun with this prop, and believe me, we did. I don't think Mr. Mets knew what was coming to him and how we violated the poor plush toy. I don't think I even need to explain any further, the following pics illustrates the shoot at Citi Fields:
Did we have fun. What do you think!?
Back to One..or for Mr. Mets guy.."Back for more!"
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Casting for a British and Canadian accent, EH!
This was the original posting for this casting call:
Sid Paterson Advertising is casting for non-union on camera talents for buyout. We are casting for “Real People” roles, both male and female, between the ages of 25 – 50, plus one child. Looking for both English speaking and bilingual Spanish and English speaking, as well as dialect talent in British, Canadian, Indian, Mexican, Argentinean and Peruvian. Also non-speaking roles. Must be welcoming and personal.
So you would think that this would be a perfect role for me. I went to this casting call over on Madison avenue. I went up to the 6th floor and signed in and then sat in the waiting area, and waited and waited some more. I went in there wearing my Canadian emblem with a maple leaf hat and Canadian "Moose" shirt. There was NO way anyone could compete with me on this one. Had this in the bag....or so I thought.
There were several different types in the waiting room. You had the model "Untouchable" types, the "way too pretty" types, the "delicate flower" types, and a couple of Indians, and Hispanics. Most of them were auditioning for the "Middle America" role.
For the role I was auditioning for doing the "British-Canadian" part, there was NO ONE else in that room for the role I went for. Being this fact, and knowing that I didn't have to compete with the "fresh young nubiles", gave me the confidence that I needed to get this role.
So finally after 3 hours, my name is called "Anne Canada". I storm into the audition room with my Canadian emblems and say "Guess where I'm from? Eh!" So I immediately went in front of the camera, slated my name and then proceeded with the audition. The line was "We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City." I did it first in Canadian, which is my regular voice and then in British.
They loved it!! They asked me to do the line in British again an I was on a role. The director even told me that I have "Betty Davis eyes". I mean what a huge compliment. Then I was joking with the director about Canada. "How many Canadians does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Then he asks me "Is the population in Canada still 500,000?" I respond, "No actually it's only 499,00 after Celine Dion left us!"
I left the room with a great feeling and on top of it I had the entire room laughing and I knew they were interested me. Even the receptionist was asking me where I perform and all. I knew I nailed this part. I left that place happy and my head held up high!
A couple of days later I get this e-mail from them:
Hey Anne This is Dara from the Sid Paterson Casting for IDTI was wondering if it would be possible to get a recording of you saying this line with a Canadian accent and a British accent?
"We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City."
Let me know!
Awesome I thought, this means I got the part!!!! I responded to her Yes I am available to do this role and for her to send me details. So Monday goes by, nothing. Tuesday goes by and still no word, nothing. On Wednesday I call up that office and ask to speak to her and I get put through the voice messaging system.
I leave a message and basically say that I would like to speak with her and I am a little confused to what she is asking, and if she could get back to me to clarify. Very professional and to the point. Thursday goes by and still no word. I figure I will give it until Friday before I try calling again.
I went out and did my regular job, get home to check my e-mails and LO and Behold there is an e-mail from her. I was getting excited and before I opened it I was thinking "well I guess she took so long in getting back to me because she has been busy.
Here is the e-mail she sends me:
Hey Anne!Sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you.By the time I had a moment to schedule something with you to hear more accents, the client decided on someone else and it was off to 2 days of shooting! Thank you though for getting back to me. Hope all is well!
CAN YOU F'IN BELIEVE THIS?????? I e-mail her back because I was really angry and upset. First off all for having me wait around so long and to make me believe that I had the role. On top of it HOW MANY CANADIANS WHO CAN DO A BRITISH ACCENT IN NEW YORK ARE THERE?????
I mean this is such a HUGE slap in the face. I really don't think I will get over this one. I mean if I can't even get a role as a Canadian, being an authentic Canadian..then what in the world is the "right role" for me??? Unbelievable. I am SO upset over this right now I can't even breathe. I give up. This has really done it.
Sigh :(
Sid Paterson Advertising is casting for non-union on camera talents for buyout. We are casting for “Real People” roles, both male and female, between the ages of 25 – 50, plus one child. Looking for both English speaking and bilingual Spanish and English speaking, as well as dialect talent in British, Canadian, Indian, Mexican, Argentinean and Peruvian. Also non-speaking roles. Must be welcoming and personal.
So you would think that this would be a perfect role for me. I went to this casting call over on Madison avenue. I went up to the 6th floor and signed in and then sat in the waiting area, and waited and waited some more. I went in there wearing my Canadian emblem with a maple leaf hat and Canadian "Moose" shirt. There was NO way anyone could compete with me on this one. Had this in the bag....or so I thought.
There were several different types in the waiting room. You had the model "Untouchable" types, the "way too pretty" types, the "delicate flower" types, and a couple of Indians, and Hispanics. Most of them were auditioning for the "Middle America" role.
For the role I was auditioning for doing the "British-Canadian" part, there was NO ONE else in that room for the role I went for. Being this fact, and knowing that I didn't have to compete with the "fresh young nubiles", gave me the confidence that I needed to get this role.
So finally after 3 hours, my name is called "Anne Canada". I storm into the audition room with my Canadian emblems and say "Guess where I'm from? Eh!" So I immediately went in front of the camera, slated my name and then proceeded with the audition. The line was "We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City." I did it first in Canadian, which is my regular voice and then in British.
They loved it!! They asked me to do the line in British again an I was on a role. The director even told me that I have "Betty Davis eyes". I mean what a huge compliment. Then I was joking with the director about Canada. "How many Canadians does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Then he asks me "Is the population in Canada still 500,000?" I respond, "No actually it's only 499,00 after Celine Dion left us!"
I left the room with a great feeling and on top of it I had the entire room laughing and I knew they were interested me. Even the receptionist was asking me where I perform and all. I knew I nailed this part. I left that place happy and my head held up high!
A couple of days later I get this e-mail from them:
Hey Anne This is Dara from the Sid Paterson Casting for IDTI was wondering if it would be possible to get a recording of you saying this line with a Canadian accent and a British accent?
"We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City."
Let me know!
Awesome I thought, this means I got the part!!!! I responded to her Yes I am available to do this role and for her to send me details. So Monday goes by, nothing. Tuesday goes by and still no word, nothing. On Wednesday I call up that office and ask to speak to her and I get put through the voice messaging system.
I leave a message and basically say that I would like to speak with her and I am a little confused to what she is asking, and if she could get back to me to clarify. Very professional and to the point. Thursday goes by and still no word. I figure I will give it until Friday before I try calling again.
I went out and did my regular job, get home to check my e-mails and LO and Behold there is an e-mail from her. I was getting excited and before I opened it I was thinking "well I guess she took so long in getting back to me because she has been busy.
Here is the e-mail she sends me:
Hey Anne!Sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you.By the time I had a moment to schedule something with you to hear more accents, the client decided on someone else and it was off to 2 days of shooting! Thank you though for getting back to me. Hope all is well!
CAN YOU F'IN BELIEVE THIS?????? I e-mail her back because I was really angry and upset. First off all for having me wait around so long and to make me believe that I had the role. On top of it HOW MANY CANADIANS WHO CAN DO A BRITISH ACCENT IN NEW YORK ARE THERE?????
I mean this is such a HUGE slap in the face. I really don't think I will get over this one. I mean if I can't even get a role as a Canadian, being an authentic Canadian..then what in the world is the "right role" for me??? Unbelievable. I am SO upset over this right now I can't even breathe. I give up. This has really done it.
Sigh :(
Accuvein commercial Audition
I went to this audition for this new pharmaceutical device named “Accuvein”. Yes as you can determine in the name, the device checks for “good veins” to tap into in order to draw blood from.Like any other audition, you go there and don’t expect much of anything. Just go in and give it all you got. So I went to a casting agency over in the Flatiron district. There were already 100 people signed up on the list.
In the room there were heavy set people, thin people, and most of all babies. Big babies, small
babies, chubby babies, ugly babies, cute babies. All these babies were in carriages and strollers wailing away as their Mothers were trying to shut them up and comfort them for their audition.When I got to the audition I was check in #102 and I thought I would have to wait forever. To my surprise it went very quickly..only 2 hours of waiting!
You watch every person; baby and Mother go into the room and see their reaction when they come out. Most of the babies went in crying and within seconds were out the door wailing stronger than ever.
Finally after sitting there for 4 hours through all this madness going on the guy calls out check in #102. I looked at my card..”Hey that’s me!” At first when I entered the room I was nervous as with any audition, though by the time I was called, I really just wanted to get this audition done and over with.
I thought it to be strange that after all that time in the waiting room, there were NO sides or lines handed out to study before going into this audition.. So I figure, great it’s going to be one of these “improv auditions”.
I get into the room; the guy takes my information and tells me to take a seat. There is one camera set up and a blue screen backdrop. I slate my name to the camera and I am expecting to get a scenario by the director to work off of and just improv this product to try and sell it.
Instead, the director says: “Roll up your sleeves as far as you can and Put out your arms so we can see your veins”. I was like what??? So I did as directed, rolled up my sleeves as far as they would go and thrust my arms out towards the camera to display the best veins I have.
The Woman in the room then comes by with a red light device and streams it up and down my arms to “highlight” the best veins. Then the hard part came, I was asked to show the back of my arms. Same thing again this time with the red light up and down the arms to the hands. After 5 seconds that was it! Thank-you and get out! Next!
So much for getting that part. I didn’t have the right veins! Can you believe this? I would have had better luck being a heroin addict to have the best veins to tap into. Maybe I need some good "heroin veins" to tap into!Maybe this product is being marketed to druggies! Who knows? What I do know is that I faltered at another audition, wasted an entire day to do this and don’t get the part b/c my veins are not good enough.
Go figure.
CA.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Baster - New Jennifer Aniston comedy!
(from April 10,2009) 
Thinking that I would have no work this past week as it was Passover and Easter, I really didn't expect to get any work. Lo and behold, things always happen when you don't expect it. Sure enough this was true this past week as I was booked on
the new Jennifer Aniston move "The Baster" co-starring Jason Bateman.
The movie “The Baster" is a comedy with co-star Jason Bateman. Which is about you guessed it...one thousand ways to use a turkey baster! You can either baste a turkey
or "baste" yourself!Thus a new movie synopsis is born!
It’s basically about an unmarried 40-year-old woman turns to a turkey baster in order to become pregnant. Seven years later, she reunites with her best friend, who has been living with a secret: he (Jason Bateman) replaced her preferred sperm sample with his own!
Shocking! As if this concept has never been done before on a Soap Opera. Still I have to admit, it's a cute premise with comedy potential. On to the night....
The night consisted of mostly line, lines, and more lines. The night started in a line to get checked in and to get the pay voucher. Then you have to get into another line to get checked by wardrobe. Then you wait…and you wait and wait some more in a holding are until a some PA comes in the room with a bullhorn and tells you have 5 minutes to get ready for lunch!
Mind you before we got summoned to Lunch, we totally rationed and hunted out for any drivel of crumbs, food, and chips we could find. I was not going to let myself starve on this movie as we did on the Angelina Movie, "SALT", with a walk-a-way lunch!
So instantly when we saw the food table stationed down the block of the Roosevelt hotel, we
started "pilfering" as much food as we could. With the past experience and knowledge of working on a big budget film and getting NO food, any sight of food meant.. "Take NOW! ...Pilfer. PILFer.. PILFER!" Oy Vey. All of a sudden I am feeling mighty Jewish! LOL.
Being the fact the it was Easter /Passover week, I think we made the Lord proud of the food we did manage to take and distribute amongst our brethren background brothers.
Of course we started stuffing our faced with rolls, meats, cheeses, Oreo cookie packs and then we find out that JEN..OH Glorious Jen was to feed us non-union folk as good if not as well as the Sag-folk. Just to get fed was a huge "Hallelujah" and rejoice across the non-sag tables. If felt like the part in the "The Commandments' where Moses takes his
staff and parts the sea apart so all the (non-union) slaves can get through to where there will be food and new dwellings.
The best line of all! That is of course if there is a good buffet lunch provided for both the Sag and non-Sag players. Luckily
on this movie, we did have a decent catering service provide for all 300 extras! The food was really good and some of us were just SO happy in glee and thanked JEN, our "Moses" for the night! Thank-you Jen!
The worst line has got to be the “Sign-out” at the end of the night line. This line can be brutal as people get demanding and bitchy and an entire state of panic and anger ensues. What’s amazing about this line is that after being on a set for over 14 hours and it ‘s 6am in the morning and the director still wants all the extras to act fresh and active, people are ready to drop.
Though as soon “It’s a wrap” is called, a big mad mass of people regain their energy and will race, run, scream, push, trip and fight to get into that line to get checked out! It’s a swarm of insanity and tired reckless people with the same objective “GET IN THE LINE; SIGN OUT TO GET HOME AND CRASH!”
This is what happened on a set of this nature where you have at least 300 background extras. Why I am still doing this is simply because I need the money. Though I have to admit that the madness of it intrigues me. It’s like once you get through the lines, you have accomplished something great! Strange, but true.
Just like on the Jennifer Aniston movie, we were trapped in Grand Central subway shuttle train
where they shot the scene. Clearly I was not in the scene. And not visible, though when I asked if I could leave the set to use the bathroom, it was a big NO!
So it was being trapped there all night ling until they wrapped. It was 14 hours of this craziness. Walking in and out of the subway train doors, over and over again, a thousand times.
Will I do it again. Of course. My favorite part is how people complain how horrible it is, yet they ALL come back…."Back to one!"
CA ;)
Thinking that I would have no work this past week as it was Passover and Easter, I really didn't expect to get any work. Lo and behold, things always happen when you don't expect it. Sure enough this was true this past week as I was booked on
the new Jennifer Aniston move "The Baster" co-starring Jason Bateman.The movie “The Baster" is a comedy with co-star Jason Bateman. Which is about you guessed it...one thousand ways to use a turkey baster! You can either baste a turkey
or "baste" yourself!Thus a new movie synopsis is born!It’s basically about an unmarried 40-year-old woman turns to a turkey baster in order to become pregnant. Seven years later, she reunites with her best friend, who has been living with a secret: he (Jason Bateman) replaced her preferred sperm sample with his own!
Shocking! As if this concept has never been done before on a Soap Opera. Still I have to admit, it's a cute premise with comedy potential. On to the night....
The night consisted of mostly line, lines, and more lines. The night started in a line to get checked in and to get the pay voucher. Then you have to get into another line to get checked by wardrobe. Then you wait…and you wait and wait some more in a holding are until a some PA comes in the room with a bullhorn and tells you have 5 minutes to get ready for lunch!
Mind you before we got summoned to Lunch, we totally rationed and hunted out for any drivel of crumbs, food, and chips we could find. I was not going to let myself starve on this movie as we did on the Angelina Movie, "SALT", with a walk-a-way lunch!
So instantly when we saw the food table stationed down the block of the Roosevelt hotel, we
started "pilfering" as much food as we could. With the past experience and knowledge of working on a big budget film and getting NO food, any sight of food meant.. "Take NOW! ...Pilfer. PILFer.. PILFER!" Oy Vey. All of a sudden I am feeling mighty Jewish! LOL.Being the fact the it was Easter /Passover week, I think we made the Lord proud of the food we did manage to take and distribute amongst our brethren background brothers.
Of course we started stuffing our faced with rolls, meats, cheeses, Oreo cookie packs and then we find out that JEN..OH Glorious Jen was to feed us non-union folk as good if not as well as the Sag-folk. Just to get fed was a huge "Hallelujah" and rejoice across the non-sag tables. If felt like the part in the "The Commandments' where Moses takes his
staff and parts the sea apart so all the (non-union) slaves can get through to where there will be food and new dwellings.The best line of all! That is of course if there is a good buffet lunch provided for both the Sag and non-Sag players. Luckily
on this movie, we did have a decent catering service provide for all 300 extras! The food was really good and some of us were just SO happy in glee and thanked JEN, our "Moses" for the night! Thank-you Jen!The worst line has got to be the “Sign-out” at the end of the night line. This line can be brutal as people get demanding and bitchy and an entire state of panic and anger ensues. What’s amazing about this line is that after being on a set for over 14 hours and it ‘s 6am in the morning and the director still wants all the extras to act fresh and active, people are ready to drop.
Though as soon “It’s a wrap” is called, a big mad mass of people regain their energy and will race, run, scream, push, trip and fight to get into that line to get checked out! It’s a swarm of insanity and tired reckless people with the same objective “GET IN THE LINE; SIGN OUT TO GET HOME AND CRASH!”
This is what happened on a set of this nature where you have at least 300 background extras. Why I am still doing this is simply because I need the money. Though I have to admit that the madness of it intrigues me. It’s like once you get through the lines, you have accomplished something great! Strange, but true.
Just like on the Jennifer Aniston movie, we were trapped in Grand Central subway shuttle train
where they shot the scene. Clearly I was not in the scene. And not visible, though when I asked if I could leave the set to use the bathroom, it was a big NO!So it was being trapped there all night ling until they wrapped. It was 14 hours of this craziness. Walking in and out of the subway train doors, over and over again, a thousand times.
Will I do it again. Of course. My favorite part is how people complain how horrible it is, yet they ALL come back…."Back to one!"
CA ;)
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