So, remember a few posts ago when I said I love casting? And how I prefer casting than being on camera? Well, here's some irony for you... I was just cast in the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler feature film "The Nest." I didn't expect to be called for an audition, but a friend of mine is a casting director working on the show and submitted me, then told me that I was submitted for a role. Mind you, I was in Utah when all this went down. I got an email on Saturday, May 17, telling me that I was chosen to audition for the amazing and talented Jason Moore, who also directed Pitch Perfect. The kicker? Everything was to be improvised. I had to come up with my own back story and character, but would have to improv with other people at the audition.
Allow me to let you in on a little secret... I started "Gagged and Bound" - a comedy improv troupe - at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I'm pretty well-versed in improv. I did a lot of improv in college. I taught a lot of improvisation workshops, and I still do to people on my talent roster. I created a character with a back story, weaving real threads of my life in it.
And I rocked it.
I'm allowed to say I rocked it-- I got the part, didn't I?
I had to dress like a quirky individual from Orlando. See, here's another great thing in my favor: My father and his parents live in Orlando. They've lived in Orlando since like 1983. (At least, my grandparents have.) My grandparents - especially my grandmother - is indeed quite quirky. So, I based my character off of her, not to mention the outfit I put together. I found a fabulous pair of silver lamé leggings on eBay for 99 cents. My mom found a green loose shirt with palm trees on it. My friend Sam in Orlando recommended I wear strappy sandals. I also found a pair of silver earrings with white feathers at Claire's.
I was an absolute eyesore.
(But I freaking love those leggings. I need to wear them at least once a week. And they really were 99 cents on eBay. God, I love eBay.)
It apparently worked-- I landed the part. I have 20 shooting days over the summer. I'll still be casting as well, and plan on getting a lot of people a lot of work. I honestly wasn't expecting this AT ALL. Perhaps this will be my vested credit for 2014.
It's amazing how God works. I said "I love casting more" and he responded with "Oh yeah? Try working with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, then tell me what you think."
That just shows you that when you think your life is heading one way, your plans are easily changed by a greater power. Never count yourself out. Never count your chickens before they hatch. Never think that you've closed a door. You just don't know what is going to happen in the future.
