The World Of WD
Why are there so many self involved people in Hollywood? It takes a certain level of it to do well. You have to believe that you are attractive enough for people to want to look at. You have to believe that you are talented and compelling enough for people to want to watch you.
You have to believe that your vision for a movie is different enough that people will pay to watch it. You have to believe that the story you are telling is the best way to tell it. In the Entertainment Industry you are the commodity, you are what you are selling. The rub is that there is no real concrete way to sell your abilities other than "I know I can."
As a doctor, you went to med school, residency, years practicing, years with no one suing you for malpractice. That counts for something. As a director, writer or actor, where you went to school, and years of experience means absolutely nothing unless it happens to be attached to a successful film or television show. So yes, a little self involved goes a long way. But then comes the delicate balance. You don't go overboard. Don't change who you are. Just don't let yourself be taken advantage of.
So Wednesday I shot a commercial. So excited. First paid gig in almost a month. (been working just working for free) The morning of, I wake up sick as a dog. 102 temperature, sheets sweated through, coughing up a lung. Yuck. It's 3 hours before call time. I have a dilemma.
Do I call them and tell them? They would call their second choice and I'd be out of a paycheck, which I desperately need.
So I pull myself out of bed. Shower and doped myself up with Airborne, Midol (oh yeah that too!), Sudafed and cough drops.
When I get there I'm feeling pretty good. Can't feel my extremities but feeling good. Now in the spot, I’m supposed to do 2 very difficult things at the same time. I happen to be good at one of the things and not so hot at the other. This they know, so I was expecting someone there to help me with part #2. Nope. No one. No rehearsal for the #2 part. Just here are the moves. Go. Keep in mind I'm usually pretty coordinated...that is, when I can feel my limbs I am. So for 6 hours I
did these 2 very physical things at the same time non-stop. Except of course when I was barreled over with coughing. The whole time they would be shouting (nicely) "faster....more movement....have fun....be intense....be sexy.....have attitude...smile...growl at the camera (yes. really.)"
Inside I'm thinking "Don't throw up....stop the room I'd like to get off...don't pass out....don't die."
Then I was wrapped. Just like that. Just when I didn't think I could possibly give anymore effort, and said to myself that I don't know what to do if they say do it again, I was wrapped. They actually seemed happy with what I gave them. I don’t even remember what I did. So I’m a little uneasy to see it. I went home and slept for 2 days. When I told my dad about the whole situation, he said “next time you’re sick get a Sudafed commercial.“ Ah dad, now that does make sense. If only it worked that way.
