An Unexpected Call

Reached me on monday of this week.

"We'll be having a photo session and costume parade at 4 if you can make it give me a call."

Of course by now we know to call back, right?

Sometimes things will pop up out of nowhere. Remember when I talked of relaxed readiness? A much better picture of this is a lion at hunt or a regular car drive. Basically all this means is relax and expect anything and everything. That also helps greatly with improvisation.

It's because I've already achieved that state that I was not angered that Karla had screwed up the times a bit and even given two girls the same part....though she should be doing her job as stage manager. However, still you need to be ready when they are lest it is your moment on the stage.

So what exactly is a costume parade and photo session? Well before the play (usually not THIS much before) the director and costume designers get together with a handful of actors to try on first tries of the costume. This also gives the director a clear view of what they'll be working with and how to best apply lighting and make-up. (Thirty minutes in make-up here, but then again...i am a puck!)

And ironically, and definitely to the entire campus' amusement these costumes were not finished, very flimsy and well...mine was a piece of lengerie with a clowns neck-collar as a skirt (don't ask how it fit, must have been a metal head clown) and the rest was scarves and twigs....so be prepared to...develop a character once again from scratch to fit the costume and director's idea.

Secondly, if you happen to be walking through campus in nothing but togas and sandals and scarves and the director does want you up in a tree HAVE FUN WITH IT! Because it's these slightly outrageous moments every actor loves. Even if your near bare cootch is being scraped up by a tree and you realize too late that your shoes are still on making both producer and director work on the unkottable knots you tied in there ages ago. lol even that can be learned from-wear easy clothing to remove and reapply at every rehearsal.

And another tip about actual pictures: The professional camera moves faster than yours, you can hear it by the clicks. In between those clicks (if you can move lol and you're not dangling in a tree by your last breath) is when you act your character, stopping before each click. Now if you do happen to be dangling in a tree with your tummy and leg muscles screaming you'll really put forth all you got because guess what-that's the only way down. There's facial expressions to make up for little body movement but don't be afraid to change posture as long as you plan it out ahead of time in your noggin, and move quickly enough.

One thing I personally always loved about photosessions was the fact that as much fun you may have with it shows in the finished product. Not only that but it's crazy fun to race a camera click to your next expression or pose. One thing I know I need to work on is looking/not looking at the camera and how that affects shots because eyes squint in sunlight and that makes the puck look a true creature of the night.