It's pouring opportunities right now. It's what I always hope for. Then when it happens, I remember how crazy and weird being an actor can be sometimes...
I've been called back for two projects this week. The first is a commercial campaign that has to do with a healthy eating plan. I could legit stand to lose five pounds of fat and put on some muscle, so I definitely qualify. But to try to bloat up just a little more noticeably, I spent the entire week stuffing my face and hoping it would help.
I got called in for project two today. Project two includes a bedroom scene--nothing too risque, but I'd likely be in my underwear. On film. On Friday! Just that possibility makes me want to start working out right now and not stop, like, ever, regardless of whether or not I get either job.
I used to think it was crazy for actors to put on or take off weight for a role. I totally buy into that whole body as a temple thing. And here I am playing the game without even thinking about it--until today. I guess it was easy to embrace the whole "eat whatever you want" thing because food is awesome. But it would be much easier to embrace any future scantily clad experiences if I were in prime shape. I guess what I'm saying is that I should probably just be my best self until anyone asks me to do otherwise. It's tempting, you know? We want to work. We want to be right for the part. And we want to dive in. But seriously, I've gotta just be my health food munching self... plus cookies... until further notice.
On the other side of the table (no pun intended), I've realized lately how much I prepared myself for this career as a child. Or more accurately, that my playful self was doing exactly the things people are asking me to do now.
Exhibit A) My mom, my sister, and I played this game growing up. We'd go around the house singing instead of speaking. We'd pick a theme like "Modern Dissonant Opera" and communicate as such until we were laughing too hard to continue. A couple weeks ago in my Second City class, one of the Music Directors came by to do some musical improvisation with our class. And the final challenge? Improvised opera. I was probably the only person in the room who was thinking to myself, "Psh, I've done this a million times." It was certainly still challenging, but I was laughing the whole time in my head imagining I'd be the first person to reveal that I'd done it before--and not in a class. I didn't tell my story because it didn't matter. But I laughed. Because as ridiculous as everyone thought it was, we never once thought it was ridiculous in my house. : )
Exhibit B) As a child, I would often disappear into one of the bathrooms at home. Fast forward a half hour to my mom knocking on the door asking if I was alright. I was fine. I was merely going through every product on the counter and doing commercials for them in the mirror. I'd read the bottles to my mirror audience, and I'd add my own touches and personal endorsements here and there. This week's commercial audition was completely unscripted, but I found myself so comfortable, selling the product off the top of my head. Sure, it took every bit of concentration and creativity I had in me. But I felt like I was in the suburbs--I felt right at home.
I'm constantly fascinated by the work/life dynamic. Sometimes, the two worlds seem worlds apart, one real life, one something plastic and fantastical. And sometimes the fabrics find each other, and while your head is turned, they weave themselves together and wait for you to notice. Sure, you were the one who put them there to begin with, but they found each other seemingly seamlessly. This week I turned back to find mine laced there, natural as can be. Everything is starting to fit...
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