A Little "Extra" Work

My loving, supportive husband often laments my rather extensive wardrobe. In all fairness, it is everywhere. Maybe even excessive. Okay, maybe it overwhelms three closets in my home, multiple dressers, various storage bags and bins, even some off-season storage in the attic. I could never quite convey why I needed so much, only that I get an amazing deal (95% off) on new items all the time and tend to keep everything that fits. I can't really explain my thinking either, but I just seemed to know that it would all come in handy. As a homeschooling, DIY furniture refinisher, it was hard to justify the vast array of clothes I was compiling. Everything from upscale party clothes, office attire, brand-name casual wear, fancy pocket jeans, workout wear, scrubs, shoes, purses, scarves, coats...it really is more than any one person could possibly need or ever wear.

Imagine my surprise when I spent a few days looking online for casting calls for my middle son, the "background actor," and found several that fit myself. This was something I had done briefly back in MY twenties and hadn't even considered since until they were making a movie just down the street. The booking asked me to bring four wardrobe choices for each potential role they were casting the first day. That meant TWELVE full sets of clothing (with accessories, shoes, etc.), for just one job. I loaded up and headed off, into mind-numbing traffic that is the daily commute in Atlanta.

Two hours later, while others were being turned away or dressed in ill-fitting studio wardrobe items, I was deemed "perfect" and sent to hair and makeup. The first job back was pretty frustrating. I wound up not being used in the scene and sent home short of eight hours (a bad day). The second job, however, hit it out of the park. Fourteen hours on set, used in the scene beside the principal actors, and obligated for several more days to complete the episode - all in my own clothes and makeup. I was asked back for location work, wound up being used as a stand-in (cha-ching). Suddenly my clothes hoarding has a purpose. From bar scenes to offices, from random pedestrian to funerals, with a flashback, some period costumes, driving my SUV on camera to the potential biker chick (for a film, fingers crossed), I get to dress up and play out all the MANY sides to my quirky personality. And they pay me. Most of the day is spent sitting around waiting for other people, reading a book, making new friends, letting someone style your hair to look like a millionairess, AND they feed you.

Extra work here in Atlanta is somewhat seasonal, right now being a busy time, so I am taking all the jobs I get offered. The hardest part for me is not being able to talk about the exciting things that happen until the episode actually airs or the trailer is released. Pesky confidentiality agreements. I am having a blast, doing something that comes very naturally and making a few bucks. It's a new chapter in my life. No idea how long it will be or what the ending might look like, but I am enjoying the ride.