A Brush With the Movies

A few months ago the secretary in the middle school where I work contacted me on facebook.  She sent me a link of information on a movie audition in the town where I live.  I hadn't heard of it before, and I was trying to hurry out the door for a date with my husband.  I decided last minute that I would go.  The movie plot was too perfect for me to pass up.  I haven't ever auditioned for a movie before, but I figured it couldn't be much different than other things I had auditioned for, or auditions I had judged before.  I chose to get up with the sun, and put my heart and soul out there on a silver platter for yet another "audience member," in this case producer, to judge.

I'm old, and way past my prime in so many ways, so when we walked in, and I saw so many young and beautiful fresh faces, it was intimidating to say the least.  The producer walked through the crowd, and made his way straight to me, which immediately made me think that they were looking for someone a little more old and weathered.  The truth is, the movie plot is totally me, and it would be perfect for someone in my age category, and experience to be in. 

I stepped in the glass room, sang a quiet jazz song, which is out of character for me.  The producer said, "I need to hear you belt something."  This shouldn't have been a problem, as that IS what I do.  I don't, however, do it without a band behind me.  That was quite a shock, and quite nerve-racking for me.  I sucked it up, and pulled out one of my favorites - "At Last." 

They handed me a script and I had to read for a part which I haven't done in years.  I've sat and judged many readings myself.  I've written and directed countless musicals and plays, but to have to do it myself was just another thing altogether.  I read a few times with my husband, and then decided the best thing to do was just be real.  I had no idea of the history of the character, but when I read it, it could've easily been me, so I just read it as me.  Risky, but it felt right.

It was an amazing experience.  All of the people there to audition us seemed really interested and it was just fun to do.

Today, my husband called and told me that my name was on the callback list.  We will know in about a week when we will have to travel to Kansas City to the actual movie site and do the second audition.  There are 5 other ladies up for the role I'm up for, and I can't wait to meet them.  The auditions were in 21 cities, and I was 1 of 6 across the nation that was chosen.  That is just amazing.  Just to be recognized for a callback is fantastic.  I'm so excited to get the opportunity to work with Sean Penn and the other fantastic people already cast in the movie.  What a great time, and whether I get the part or not, what a great story and experience my husband and I will get to share.

Roll em

Sweet Brenda