I'm not sure why I'm even putting this up because it's actually kind of embarrassing but it's funny and you know what they say- if you can't laugh at yourself... So here it is, the First National Bank commercial that I was recently in. Yes, little ol' me was in a commercial. Not a real commercial (a national spot) but just a regional commercial airing only in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio but nevertheless, it's a commercial, my first one and it's hilarious!
Hilarious because all I can do whenever I see it is just cringe and laugh out loud. I knew I was going to feel very awkward when I saw it and I definitely do. Awkward and critical. I think I look funny and the height difference between me and the other actress is just too much! It's definitely like hearing your recorded voice and going, "That's what I sound like?" When you see yourself in a video or on TV you think- "Ugh, that's what I look like?".
I'm back! I totally had blogger burn out last week and only posted once! That combined with the fact that I was sick lead to a week of just veggin' out wrapped up in my favorite blanket. Anyhoo, I think I've regenerated and am ready to get back in the bloggin' saddle. And what better way than to talk about the Oscars! Let's talk!
I saw Ryan Seacrest interview Gwyneth Paltrow on the red carpet and was surprised when I heard her say she hadn't slept in a week because she was so nervous for her performance that night. You could just really see in her face that she was very, very nervous. Poor thing. I must say though, it was nice to see that even a seasoned performer such as her still gets nerves. I so totally can relate to those nerves!
Here's her performance from last night, I think she did okay. You could tell she was nervous. I don't care for the song (love her song Country Strong) but I do think she has a great voice.
And now for the dresses...
TO DIE FOR
Amy Adams
L'Wren Scott and those amazing Cartier jewels
I loved this dress! It was simple in cut but blinged out with the sequins and fit her body perfectly. Loved the gorgeous emerald Cartier jewels worth $1.3 million!
SHE LOOKED GOOD FOR HER
Reese Witherspoon
Georgio Armani Prive
When I first saw her I didn't recognize her! She always pretty much looks the same on the red carpet, nice but nothing amazing. This look is still very simple but I just love that she did something totally different. And her hair! Love the hair. I heard Erin Andrews on Good Morning America this morning say she looked like vintage Barbie- so true, she so does!
Celine Dion
Giorgio Armani Prive
I thought Celine looked gorgeous and loved this dress. She usually picks weird, quirky pieces (like the backwards tuxedo she wore in 1999) so it was nice to see her in something so simple, sleek and elegant. And to think that she just had twins a couple months ago!
UGH
Marisa Tomei
Charles James
Can somebody please help Marisa Tomei? She is such a wreck. The poor woman just can not get it right. The top on this dress sat too high on her chest making the sides ride high up into her armpits. The bottom is too poufy, weird and unflattering with its asymmetrical line. I actually saw her kicking it out from underfoot every time she walked.
NICE TRY BUT UH, NOT SO MUCH
Jennifer Hudson
Atelier Versace
I think this dress is very pretty and love the color against her skin BUT I just don't think this dress found its rightful owner. Mainly because of her boobs. Sorry but they just looked so smushed, flapjack pancake-y. And I know she just lost a ton of weight and good for her and all that stuff but this dress just did not work with those boobs. This dress definitely calls for a small breasted woman.
BEST INTERPRETATION OF A
CARTOON/SCI-FI CHARACTER
Cate Blanchett
Givenchy Haute Couture
This is Givenchy Haute Couture so maybe it's just that I'm not sophisticated enough to "get it" but I just couldn't look away from those jarring cap sleeves. I think if the dress was strapless with a halter-like top it would have, for me, worked better. I thought the top part of the dress looked like a Star Trek uniform. My husband said he thought she looked like a Teletubbie.
I don't know about you but I am over the top, crazy excited about the up coming nuptials of two of my most favorite faux friendsPrince William and Kate Middleton! I am obsessed and will definitely be "attending" the wedding this April.
I remember trying to stay up with my mom to watch Princess Diana and Prince Charles get married in 1981. My mom was so into it that her excitement filled the room and pervaded me. Of course I fell asleep, periodically waking up to catch glimpses of it but the one thing I do remember in full detail is that dress. That legendary, perfectly awesome 80's dress with a mile long train!
So funny that now, all these years later, here I am with the next generation of royals, waiting and anticipating the grandeur that is sure to be. A sort of full circle moment.
I just love the royals, the entire spectacle of it. The pomp, the circumstance and most importantly... the hats! I mean come on, who doesn't love a ridiculous hat with a fabulous outfit? I'd die to attend events wearing some of the hats that Kate wears. So posh, so avant-garde, so... only appropriate for royals to do. Anyone else and you just end up looking like you got a dead bird sitting on your head.
I'm not the type of person to toot my own horn but uh... toot, toot! I thought I'd share my experiences on being a commercial print model. I just started doing this so I am definitely a novice but I wanted to put something out there that could possibly help someone else looking for information on the subject since there was not much first hand account info out there when I looked for it.
I started doing commercial print modeling and acting after moving to Ohio. We'd only lived here for a few months when one morning I saw a listing on Craigslist looking for women in their 30's with nice teeth for a dental commercial. Having never been into Cleveland before I thought it was a nice excuse to drive into the city that day and yes, I think of myself as having half way decent teeth. My parents still remind me to this day about the thousands they spent on my braces, head gear, tooth positioner etc. (Yeah, it was a very tough couple of pre-teen years! Not cute!)
I walked into the agency, they took my picture, signed me as talent, gave me the name and number of their photographer and told me to get some headshots taken. It was weird and fast and all of a sudden I was a commercial print model. I really didn't think much of it because I thought that it didn't mean anything until I actual booked something. Right off the bat I went on a ton of auditions for national commercials, print jobs, corporate videos- lots of things but I didn't book any of them. Still, I thought- who cares? It's not costing me anything and it's all really kinda fun. I finally booked my first gig many months later and it happened to be a pretty big one- a multi-regional/state print campaign with Key Bank.
I knew that there was a possibility that they would use my image on a billboard but I really didn't think it would happen or that I would actually see it. I figured if anything it'd be on a random billboard buried on some obscure corner in the city. I ended up seeing the billboard on the way back from our trip to St. Martin. It was 1 a.m. and we were dead tired making the 45 minute drive back home. I saw the billboard, saw myself and thought "Huh, she looks familiar." Ten seconds later I screamed, "That was me on that billboard!" Dave swung the car around at the next exit and we drove back toward it. Laughing, we pulled over to the side of the road and took pictures.
Seeing yourself on a billboard that big is so strange. Most people who see it say that it looks like me but it doesn't look like me. I guess I'd have to agree since I initially didn't even recognize myself. The boards were up for a couple of months along freeways and roads. It was weird driving and all of a sudden randomly seeing yourself- very weird!
Here is what I have gleaned so far, in my very short time doing this:
Even if you're brand new to the industry most agencies will not hold your hand through the entire process. They are there to book you and expect you to be able to handle yourself professionally, on your own. When I was booked on my first gig I didn't get any instruction other than where to go, who I was meeting and what clothes I should bring. There was no pep talk about what would happen, what to do when I got there, how to pose, etc. Basically it's a figure it out as you go situation. If you can't do that or are uncomfortable with that then this definitely is not for you.
When you're booked on a shoot your agent will tell you what type of clothes to bring. Make sure to bring a lot of different options. And I mean A LOT. If they tell you to bring five options I would bring ten or more. You want to present them with as many options and looks as possible. Colors, cut and fit- make sure you have a variety.
Along with the specified clothing you are told to bring, you'll also need to bring your model bag. Every agency has a standard "model bag" that they require you to have with you at each and every shoot. In it are standard things like different colored nylons, bras, underwear, shoes, accessories and basic clothing pieces. Your agency should provide you with a list of these items when you sign with them.
Ask whether or not there will be a hair/makeup person for the shoot. If there is one, you should arrive with a clean face, no makeup on and clean hair. If not, then you will need to arrive at the shoot camera ready. Obviously you'll need to know what part you're playing so that you can do your hair and makeup to fit.
I've been told many different things about nails. One makeup artist told me to always get a french manicure for every shoot but I've had shoots where I was told specifically no nail polish at all. I've since decided to always make sure my nails are manicured and buffed with no polish or a clear coat.
Have a variety of clothes in your closet. Most parts I audition for are as a nurse, business woman, soccer mom, country club mom and even a cheerleader! You'll need a wide range of clothing styles to cover these types of parts. I even have a pair of scrubs that I wear when auditioning for nurse/doctor/medical related stuff. The more you look the part the better.
The most important piece of advice I can give you:
As exciting as it is for you, you are NOT a star. You're not Natalie Portman or Cameron Diaz. You're not starring in a $100 million dollar movie. You're a piece of the puzzle. Be professional, do what's asked of you, don't talk too much and then leave when they're done with you.
