Professionalism, punctuality, and proficient performances

All last week I was revved up because I got a call to do the role of a Latina IT manager at a major corporation in the South Bay. Cast from headshots and reels. My role called for me to instruct my direct report, a young man from India, in the ways of the world, specifically as it pertains to the dangers of blogging. Talk about typecasting! The lines came heavily embedded in a 40-something page training scenario, a key controls video, so I asked the producer to send me just my sides, if possible. Once they arrived, I plugged memorization into the rest of my week, and that's not so easy these days. In addition to teaching 19 students online, I also teach a live class for 17 during the week, and I'm constantly on call for my elderly mother who has emotional and physical needs that can drive one to distraction. As a care manger, I use this old political slogan: No justice, no peace! 

But, I'd take the script with me on my daily walks, to the cafe, and keep it by my bedside, and eventually, I figured, Friday would come and I'd be ready for Saturday's shoot. Except for this: on Thursday it became clear that this was not the final version and sometime on Friday new sides arrived. I barely had time to read my part and print it out...and the producer said in his cover note, "don't bother to print this out, we'll have sides for you onsite." Well.

We were to bring, as usual, three wardrobe changes. On Friday afternoon I found myself, after getting my hair done, at Marshall's, in a last-minute effort to find a Latina IT manager look, picking up a black skirt, a short-sleeved silk sweater by Joseph A, and one of those swingy knit jackets with no buttons, in royal blue. No time to get my nails done.

Slept fitfully that night, didn't really feel I knew the script cold yet, especially with the changes. Brought along the mini tape recorder with script read into it, in case I had time to do an aural rehearsal.

The producers were very together and detailed. We got great directions to the site and even photos of the buildings printed from Google maps. We got some instructions from Make-up: come with clean faces. OMG! As a rosacia sufferer, the last thing I want to do is leave the house with absolutely no coverage on my otherwise beautiful skin. What to do? I applied my skin medication and a light powder and bravely faced the world. 

My call was, luckily, for late morning - another advantage for the under-rehearsed. I pulled into the big box parking lot across from the set and studied the lines before driving into the private corporate parking lot, where I slipped the Miata into a reserved section (I would later be asked to move it: oops, it's reserved for head honchos, not for actors!). Grabbing my bag of extra shoes, my large satchel with emergency supplies, script, student papers to grade (dream on!), and the three wardrobe selections neatly hung in a Macy's garment bag, I arrived exactly on time and was greeted by the casting director/producer. I was wearing an oversized cowl-necked red sweater, the kind that I hope disguises, among other things, my un-chisled chin. He was delighted to see me, and said that what I was wearing was exactly perfect for my character! Ah, the folly of youth, I thought, but decided to go with the flow. This deep snazzy almost maroon red is so in vogue this year, and this gave my make-up colleagues the opportunity to really go to town! 

My shapely lips were broadened in a dark red lipstick, my eyes given the full treatment with brown and gold eye shadow, black waterproof mascara, and my own designed-by-me eyebrows were pretty much left alone. Then they took my mid-length hairdo by Matine of Emeryville and brushed it forward. "Get rid of that pouf in the front," Jonathan from New Jersey, who reminds me of Joan Rivers on steroids, commanded Molly-go-lightly. Meanwhile, I had no idea what was going on. I asked to take a look, and I was absolutely blown away! I was now totally from south of the border, with a bit of corpo-attitude.

Self-portrait on set. Copyright Lisa Carlson.

There was  a real buzz of activity as I chatted with Manik, who would play my employee. From India, in the U.S.for about two years, he said, Manik has vast experience in Bollywood and has been a Chippendale's dancer on cruise ships! He showed me his funny YouTube videos. Cute guy. 

Then I 'd try to disappear and review the script. We were all asked to work background during another scene at a bar shot in the company dining room. For this I changed into a blue faux suede top. Then, it was time for lunch. I would not be on camera before 3:30.

Just as I was getting ready to perform, the producer came over and kneeled next to me where I sat on the couch. "You saw from the revised script, right, that most of your new dialog is going to be shot as stills?" Now, that was a relief! I had been so worried about my little role and lines, so distracted by all the goings on, that I had missed that cue in the script! There would only be one video shot, for my scene introduction, and the rest of my dialog would be recorded as voiceover. Not to have noticed this detail seems really crazy for a woman who has worked as a tech writer and instructional designer. But, there you go. The rest was a breeze!

The client is one I have worked for as tech writer. All my former colleagues will be seeing me in the Latina IT manager role, as this key controls training is mandatory. Will they recognize me? Can't wait to find out. Should I be called to work there again, I'll be taking the course, too.

Yesterday we actors got this lovely note from the producer that said, among other things: "I sincerely appreciate your professionalism, punctuality, and proficient performances, and thank you on behalf of the crew and clients as well... I will definitely keep you in mind for any upcoming work ... and hope we all get the chance to work together again soon..."

What a great way to spend the last day of the Year of the Dragon!