Finally I’m A Professional Actress

I’m not joking folks. I’ve arrived! The day after I registered for Central Casting I was able to pick up a shift as a background actress in a show on CBS! But I get ahead of myself… again. I had so much to tell you on the last post but I had an itchy trigger finger and I posted before telling you all about registering! So we’re in line at 4 am waiting to register and a family of raccoons comes by! Not joking. Mom and babies too. They got close enough to make people nervous. The guy that was standing by me is on the Air Force. He was threatened enough to throw his breakfast to them so they would back off. I guess that’s what happens when we are up when the nocturnals are.

I thought they were super cool… but I also wasn’t standing nearest them. Apparently I don’t get out much though because as soon as the sun came up there were hummingbirds flitting through the trees! I instantly took out my phone to record them to show the girls (it was too dark to record the raccoons). I guess I was the only one completely enthralled by the wildlife. Oh well. I’ll be the silly environmentalist that records it all. They don’t know what they’re missing.

So after being registered I was able to pick up a shift for Wednesday. And yes… I was very nervous. I haven’t left my children for an entire day since… well, since I gave birth to Adrie. And maybe that doesn’t even count because the girls visited me in the hospital. And Adrie was there. Before then… umm… well, it’s been about two years.

But really though… I don’t need to be worried. It’s not like I’m leaving them alone or with strangers or babysitters. I’m leaving my children with their Daddy whom they love. Ben and I decided to take turns working so that one of us is always at home with the children. That way we can fill up our schedule with work. We’re thinking that after Christmas we’ll go back to just Ben working again (unless a super interesting role catches my eye).

Anyway, I was also nervous that I’d get lost or traffic would be so heavy that I wouldn’t get there on time. Or… that I’d sleep through my alarm or fall asleep while driving. Okay… really though. I think about these things.

Lucky me I have a super experienced actor hubby to help show me the ropes. I mean… technically he couldn’t “show me” but he was able to tell me what to expect. He also helped me know what to wear, what to take, who to talk to, and tips and tricks of the trade. He insisted that I take a “more comfortable” chair because I’d need it.

I arrived on time, in the parking garage without incident, so most of my fears were out of the way. Once I was in the gates I realized how much of a maze the studio was. Someone showed me an interactive map online that I could use to find my way around. No joke… an interactive map is definitely needed.

I arrived at the correct stage and was directed to a line for costume check. As I’m standing there I hear someone behind me say, “Excuse me, do you know how to fill this out?”

When the background actors arrive on set we’re handed a voucher to fill out. It’s what they use to fill out our paycheck. And I knew just how to fill it out, cause guess why. My sweet hubby even showed me how to fill out a voucher! Turns out the guy behind me in line also was there for the first time and I was able to help him figure things out. Like a pro.We were directed to a place to put our stuff and sit for a moment. They refer to this place as “holding.” Honestly… it sounds like a prison term to me. I was the only one to bring a lawn chair and I felt slightly out of place, but… I was very comfortable. At least for the few minutes we were there.

We were taken directly to the set that we’d be working on. We were placed in our spots for the scenes. I was to stay put in one spot and interact with the people near me (all in pantomime). Others were given direction to walk in or cross the scene etc.It was fun to see the director interacting with the leads (none of whom I recognized). There were so many people there to get the scene just right. I mean… dozens of people working cameras, microphones, lights and monitors. Others were on the makeup crew. Then there were PAs, directors, assistant directors, assistants to the assistant directors and many more. There was even a special effects guy!

Tables and chairs were moved to accommodate the cameras at different angles. Green screens were put up, cars brought in, and people moved in and out of the scene depending on the angle the camera would hit.All in all it worked like a very well-oiled machine. This here, is a real job in a competitive work environment. They really said “rolling” and “quiet on the set.” There really was a bell that went off when we were supposed to be quiet. It was all just as I imagined.

What struck me the most was the idea that everyone here must love their jobs! What an amazing concept! Everyone there worked so hard to get to the point where they were. Working in the film industry. Making movies and shows that they love! I mean… wow, right?!

Wrong.

Sadly enough… there will always be people who don’t see what they have. People who want more out of life than being a background actor. I get that… and yet, being a bitter background actor doesn’t move anyone forward in their life goals. I know… I want more out of life too. And yet… I wanted to shout from the rooftops, “We’re living it! We’re making movies! We’re professional actors! Yeah!”

I’m learning a lot about living the dream by being grateful for the life that we lead. I am living the dream. I’m a professional actress! My husband is a professional actor! How awesome is that! What’s more… I have amazing girls and an amazing husband who adore me. What else could I ask for? I’ve always had all I needed.