So, Tuesday July 1st I skipped rehearsals to go film my commercial.
I had to be downtown @ 6:00 pm on 3rd South and Main Street. As mentioned I was just told to wear pants and heels. I wore black dress pants (the only pair I have) and a black and white shirt. (I've been told I look skinny in this shirt-which is why I chose it!)I did at the last minute throw a few shirts, jeans and a couple more pairs of heels in a bag just in case they didn't like what I was wearing.
When I arrived I introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Wendy. I'm here to fall off a curb?"
There is a little canopy for shade set up on the sidewalk with a few chairs and lights and cameras and screens everywhere. We even have a police officer to stop traffic while we shot. People keep passing by and are very curious as to what we're doing.
First thing it's explained to me that due to all intersections being handicap accessible in Salt Lake there isn't a curb to fall off of and so I'll need to twist my ankle out in the street, a guy will attempt to help me to the curb but he becomes distracted by a stunning woman walking by and instead of helping me, leads me into a metal post where I hit my head and fall to the ground. I am thinking: Are you kidding? I've never done stunts. What if I don't do this like they want? I thought I was falling off a curb! I am pretty nervous but don't say anything. It's not like I can back out now!
Not to mention everyone knows everyone. The guy leading me into the post was at the auditions and I think an employee of the advertising agency (he does tell me I was the best by far at acting like I was falling off a curb!) and the two other back ground actors I meet are the directors daughter and her friend. (Twee and Olga-beautiful girls that look 14 until they light up. They're actually 20 and 21.) The other background people are the cute little make up lady, and two tech guys who I'm sure have important jobs but I'm not sure what they are.
One of the guys walks me through my action shot. He tells me not to sacrifice myself. (Sacrifice? I'm just worried I'm going to get a hole in my pants and I don't have another pair to change into. I mean I'm falling on pavement!)
The director has me change my shirt to a pink, short sleeve sweater I threw in my bag that makes me look sort of pregnant. Keep in mind there is no dressing room, I just change on the sidewalk-luckily I'm pretty good at this and my shirt is stretchy that I change into. However, I do think it's possible that a glimpse at my under clothing may have shown which shouts "She is a MORMON!"
I then get my makeup done by the tiny makeup girl dressed in black with a huge tool belt full of make up brushes tied around her waist. (My fav! I love being in the make-up chair!) She takes like 20 minutes putting on my makeup. I have no mirror so I'm just assuming I look beautiful now.
Then here comes the "stunning woman". Holy cow! I am distracted by her. She is beautiful in a stripper/hooker kind of way. The first words I hear out of her mouth are swear words but she truly is stunning. She is a personal friend of the directors too. So, technically I'm the only "hired" talent. I'm sure pretty sure that no amount of makeup is going to make me look good compared to this tiny, blond, 105 pound hooker/stunning woman in the highest heels I have ever seen.
We wait for the sun to set more and then it's show time! I got one rehearsal which, stops the whole production as everyone starts saying "OMG" are you okay? I'm of course lying on the pavement at this point and unsure if I did okay or what. Yes, I'm fine I say. Then I hear a "She's (f-word)marvelous" from some guy and everyone starts explaining that they really thought I was hurt and how real it all looked. (Gosh, that was easy! But I'm wondering how buffoon like I really must look! )
Then we do the same shot about thirty more times. From a few different angles and with tight shots on me and the guy leading me into the post and then from the top of a very tall building where I'm sure we look like ants.
Now, honestly, I'm not marvelous. I'm just good at being a klutz. I'm asked again how I know how to do this. All I think to say is "I'm a stage actress and we do our own stunts?"
While doing it over and over again it didn't really hurt but I could feel my knees clonking into the post and my shoulder was taking quite a hit. (I used my shoulder to catch the post instead of my head. I only clonked my head on the pavement once.) Everyone was very concerned and sweet to me. Wanting to know if I wanted a break, a drink, or was okay each time. The director even said "G-d that was great, I mean GOSH that was great!" (Apparently he had picked up on my LDS vibes!) Anyway, I was just fine, until I woke up the next morning with multiple bruises on my right shoulder, both knees and shins. Oh well, bruises heal. However I do look like a battered wife right in time for James to be home!
The funniest thing was that when I got ready for bed that night, I couldn't get my bra off. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I finally slipped the straps off and twisted it around and the eyelets were smashed flat. I had to pry them up to undo my bra! How funny! Lesson to self: When doing stunts be sure to wear a sports bra! (I think I probably have a bruise in the middle of my back under my bra eyelets, I can feel it but I can see it.)
So there's my story. The commercial is for X insurance and will air on channel 5 during the Olympics. I really hope I don't look stupid. Kambree's pretty worried it will be embarrassing. But I will happily nurse my bruises, cash my check and do it again if they ask me!
