Yesterday I worked a 12 hour shift at the country club (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Today I had one event scheduled--A taping at a bar to be an extra for a TV show called "Bartender Wars." The casting producer contacted me a week ago to give me the information about it. She remarked, "These things are always more fun if you have a friend with you," Translation: we need as many extras as we can get. Then again, they only asked me to bring 1 friend. The dress, as she described it was, "New York Lounge chic" or "If that doesn't make any sense, dress as if you were going to an art gallery or a red carpet premier at a film festival." Does she realize I'm an ASPIRING actress, and not Julia Roberts? No, I don't go to premiers or art galleries and I don't know what the hell "lounge chic" means. So I wore the strapless dress I wore to my cousin's wedding. I was excited to get another usage out of it! Couldn't get my hair right...had to hot roll it and curl it still wet from the shower, which just pretty much didn't work at all and so it looked like I did NOTHING with it... very deceptive, as I had actually devoted an hour and 20 minutes to my hideous hair. Terrible. I wore my fake eyes (blue colored contacts,) jewelery, make-up and dress were fine *but as every woman knows, the hair makes or breaks you.* Can't win every time. Best part of the ensamble--the old, nasty black SCRUNCHY used to pull half my hair back... yes, semi-formal attire aaaaaand a scrunchy. That sums it up.
My call time downtown was 2 p.m. When I arrived there was a crew member checking names off a list and having us sign releases. Closer to the door there was a bouncer checking ID's, since alcohol tasting was part of the deal (everyone who knows me knows I do not drink...more on this in a minute.) There was also a pretty girl standing next to the check-in table nervously checking her cell phone... when I gave the staffer my name, this mysterious girl reminised," I used to know a Meredith O______." I smiled and responded, "Really?? That's funny because it's not a very common name." Oblivious, I made small talk with her... "You lugged a big bag too! It's a girl thing..." so on.........
I gave the bouncer my passport, as my license was stolen (see previous posting, it was in the pilferred wallet) and I have yet to replace it. After verifying that I AM in fact beyond age 21... he let me go inside the dark, narrow space (very typical of NYC bars.) I was directed downstairs by an intern who looked to be about 12...I asked if he was an employee of the bar or the production company, he replied, "I work for the show, as an intern, obviously." :-) Doogie took me to the basement, which was labeled "Patrons Holding." (that's what the extras were called--"bar patrons.") There was a big table of food and an open bar serving free drinks, as well as several crew members circling. The room was divided by a resourceful line of stools sectioning off an area reserved for "Production Staff Only."This included an energetic host who was getting her hair and make-up done, (I was tempted to beg the artist to do something about my hair,) the 3 bartenders who starred in the show, and several busy-looking people with walkie talkies. One lady kept approaching everyone and making sure that they had everything they wanted/needed...meanwhile the casting director stayed just long enough to say "hi! you all look great! thanks so much for coming! byeee!" Nevertheless, it was a networking goldmine. I brought my resume, broadcasting demo and headshot in an envelope. ... and held it awkwardly until I drank the courage to harass...I mean, confront...no, APPROACH these people.
Everyone who knows me knows I DO NOT DRINK. However, those who know me even better are aware that my number one rule of life is: I will do anything (except porn) to be on camera. Drinking is not penetration, therefore it qualifies as one of the things I will (reluctantly) do to be on camera. As I sat awkwardly waiting for my friend to arrive, in an attempt to appear relaxed, I had a drink of some sort, mostly just to hold in one hand and slightly sip occassionally. I met some fellow aspiring actresses and chatted about where they become informed about casting calls, etc... until my friend showed up. We were then escorted upstairs to the studio--a simulated bar scene. There wer 3 bartenders who were given challenges. As they competed for our votes, we were asked to sample each of their drinks (one each round,) and by round of applause, cheer for our favorite. So, for the first time in my life, I did shots..... My friend left early... By 6 we went back downstairs for pizza and after an hour and a half of recording, and drinking for the first time.........While having a mind-altering experience in the dark basement, surrounded by strangers and staff. I just sort of stumbled to the couch and watched the lights swirl and the room spin. The state I was in exasperated the strangeness of the next encounter. The aforementioned girl standing outside when I first arrived came and sat next to me. "Did you go to Markham?" she asked...............wha? Does vodka affect cognition? Did I understand her correctly? In the middle of Manhattan, a girl just correctly identified the elementary school I attended in PITTSBURGH. She then started reminiscing fondly about my 3rd grade teacher, whom I hadn't thought of in yearssss.... It was an all-around straaaaaaange experience. It served as a haunting reminder that no matter where you go or how far you think you've come; you can't escape who you are.
After eating, peeing and consuming copious amounts of water, I felt sober enough to approach the director and inquire about auditioning for hosting positions or, minimally, a PA job (Production's Assistant.) He referred me to the casting director, you remember-the one that left 5 hours prior. I was advised to emai her. Which I did.... again with the run-around. Ya get a lot of that......
Now I must go, because I recieved a script that I need to practice for an audition: Crime scene reenactments. The audition is supposed to take place at an apartment??? I got the notice on Craigslist. This doesn't sound kosher at all.... I think I saw something like it on Forensic Files...hmmmmmm I hope I'll be an actress in the reenactments and not the victim in the case.
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