My 15 minutes... or, actually 5 minutes.

So, I starred in my first movie. That's right, I'm an actress!

Bill is writing and directing a movie for work. They have an annual inter-office film festival where they show original 5-minute movies. He wrote a really great screenplay that got chosen to be one of the films shown this year. He's been working on the project for weeks, auditioning actors, setting up locations, etc. Unfortunately, weather and our vacation haven't left much time for error. His original shoot was scheduled right before we left for Indiana, but it rained all day (the movie takes place in a park) so they had to reschedule.

The shoot took place on Monday, pretty much the last chance they had before the movie had to be edited for the deadline next week. Monday morning Bill's lead actress called in sick, just an hour before they were to shoot. As you know, I was home sick with the kids. I was the last option besides canceling the whole project. So I loaded up the kids, got myself somewhat presentable (I only had 30 minutes to shower and get ready for my first time in front of the camera) and we headed to the park to meet him and the crew. He lined up an intern to watch the kids while we worked.

I'd only read his screenplay once before, but I was pretty familiar with what was going on. Luckily for me, I also knew the male lead, Matt Arden, one of Bill's coworkers who does on-air commentary.

I wish I could say I was nervous, but I was actually pretty calm. The script worked out well in that I only had to do short bits of lines before the shot had to be changed. At one point, Matt and I got into a fit of giggles but we recovered in enough time not to waste the camera or audio guys' time. Speaking of those guys, they were incredibly helpful and nice. I'm so thankful to them for their patience with me. It was not only my first time in front of the camera, but also my first time acting. I've never even been in a school play. I've done clowning shows, and I modeled a bit as a teen, but nothing like this where I had to actually act.

Or not act. To be honest, I tried my best not to act at all. Just to say the lines as I would have had I been the character. Sounds obvious, but I'm used to clown shows where EVERYTHING is exaggerated: facial expressions, hand movements, speech. It was a stretch for me to actually be realistic and subtle.

My only nervousness is now, wondering what the whole thing will look like. I didn't get to see any of the rough shots of myself, so I have no idea what I looked like, how I sounded, or how big that one zit was (they got pretty close on a couple of shots). I'm anxious to see the tape when it's done being edited.

Unfortunately, since it's an inter-office film festival, I won't actually get to go to the viewing to see it on the big screen. I'm hoping Bill finds a way to sneak me in, although, in truth I'm not sure how I'll feel about seeing my big mug stretched across a giant screen at the Fox Theater. Maybe it will be better to watch it at home on the TV where I can curl up on the couch and watch between my fingers, like a horror film.

And the girls? They were AMAZING during the whole 5 hour shoot. They played in far end of the park and Lauren, Bill's intern, said they didn't cry or get fussy once.

In all, I'm thankful to Bill for giving me the opportunity. Sounds cheesy, but I never-in-a-million-years thought I would have the chance to do something like this. I know it wasn't the ideal situation for Bill (he had an ACTUAL actress in the role originally) but he at least helped me cross one more thing off my list of things to do before I die.

I'll post the video as soon as it's done... I think. It depends on just how embarrassed I am.