I received a phone call last week.
“Hey! How are you? Are you available to work on [insert name of major network TV show here]?”, the voice inquired.
My heart leapt. ”Yes”, I responded happily. ”I can be available!”
“Oh, that’s great. We’ll need to you do stand-in and it’s perfect because you look just like her. We’re only waiting on her height.”
“Oh…alright”, I answered as normally as possible, my heart sinking. I knew exactly what was going on.
“We’ll call you later with the details.” Click.
Flashback to the previous week…
I’m nervous. I’ve slept as much as possible. I’m memorized, have an outfit packed neatly in an unassuming bag, a headshot in hand and I’m prepared to ride a bus. I’m on my way to audition for a guest-star role on [insert name of major network TV show here]. My mental checklist has been reviewed to the point of tatters and I’m certain I’ve got everything I need.
Once in the audition room, I forget the review of the other candidates waiting in the hallway and focus on my character choices and hope my wardrobe change is enough to imply the character but not beat the casting director and guests over the head with obviousness. Overall, my experience is good. I read four times with direction provided between each take. A few questions are asked and I answer all truthfully, knowing that some of my responses may not be the ones they want to hear. Specifically, I don’t play certain sports. Will it affect my chances? I don’t know…
Return to the phone call…
After the hang-up, I knew exactly what had happened. I hadn’t gotten the role. But clearly, someone looking like me had. And the casting associate thought I was being handed a great opportunity to work stand-in. Would I take it?
Fast-forward to two hours later…
“Hello?”
“Hey. I wanted to let you know she’s five-eight. So…” The voice trails off.
A pregnant pause.
“So does that mean you won’t be needing me?”, I ask gingerly.
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“That’s alright”, I comment, knowing I’ve now lost two jobs; one due potentially to sports (or some other reason) and the other due to height (or lack of it).
Lately, I am continually reassuring myself that everything happens for a reason. Am I right?
Hey Alecia ~ this was the actress: http://www.facebook.com/meg.steedle#!/meg.steedle?v=wall and, yeah, she had a crash course in lacrosse, but she was clearly already athletic. Sorry for the double-whammy, but better things are on the horizon for you I’m sure!
Yeah, I hope you’re right! I guess horseback riding, running and mountain biking aren’t athletic enough. Oh, well!