SAG-Eligible in Elk Grove

Just back from a 4-hour jaunt to that audition in the media room of a Raley's in Elk Grove, in the kind of place where there is no there there nor even a concept of having one; and the strip-mall characterless town is so new it looks like it's barely been rolled off a CAD drawing.

I drove along many different 2-lane highways East of San Francisco, past a wind farm, over narrow bridges, on 4, 260, 12, and finally, I-5, basically following the Delta towards Sacramento - it's another world of camper vans, trailers, trucks, and hardy-looking men in caps hauling motorboats. You pass fields of corn and wheat, cows drinking from ponds, sparkling waterways and vistas of bone dry mountains. It was hot as southern India today, but the little Miata holds its AC very well, and the Radio Lab stories were particularly entertaining. You need something mind-opening to get you through those strangely soul deadening places like Antioch and Pittsburgh, my friends.

I brought the starched white audition blouse in the trunk and when I finally located the parking lot and the local Starbucks (after a momentary sinking feeling that this was a set-up and not a true audition due to Mapquest directions that led to pre-nowhere and the end of a road), I ordered an iced coffee and ran into the ladies' room to change from my sleeveless T-shirt and powder up.

Entering Raley's, I looked as fresh as a daisy. But, not as fresh as the sedate blond 13-year-old with blue eyes and perfect nose, in matte make-up and pretty floral dress, accompanied by her loud and talkative middle-aged mother in polka dot decolletage. My audition followed the children's. I asked Tina, the director, to tell me a bit about my role and what had happened before my scene. They videotaped my reading. Afterwards, the assistant casting director saw me outside the room and thanked me for coming. A good sign?

Here's the film description I found online for "A Detour in Life" on www.myproducer.tv

After James (Corey Haim) wife is tragically killed by a horse, as a father he takes a dangerous detour in his life of self-destruction, ignoring the cries of his coming of age daughter, Abbey(Kaytlyn Summer). What will James do after his great loss of his love? Will he totally destroy his life, in turn destroying the life of his daughter. Will he be able to fight his inner demons and gain control of his life, if not just for himself, but for his daughter? What about Abbey? After losing her mother, then having a drunken father, chores piling on, cooking, tending to horses and then school, what detour will she take? This is an emotional rollercoaster that is guaranteed to take you right in with this ordinary family, and feel what they feel, experience the sorrow with them, the laughter and joy. You will cry, you will laugh, you will smile, you will enjoy this film. You will take this with you and still be able to feel from it.

Apparently they already did some casting in LA. I'm amazed that they brought it up here, too. But, it will be shot in Folsom.

So, why, you ask, did I drive all the way up to the sticks for a 5-minute audition? Because, I am non-union and SAG eligible, and that's what they are looking for. If I get this one, I will be well on my way to attaching my career to that coveted SAG card. I know that's a mixed blessing, but the road ahead only goes forward.