Use Your Acting!
My original festive prop did not pan out.
In some ways, I'm thankful.
If you happen to be watching channel 13 (here in Rochester, New York) and notice a commercial featuring a girl with a Santa’s hat on, running as though she had a boom mike up her bum…
that’d be me.
A friend of mine who works for the local ABC network affiliate, asked me to appear in a commercial promoting the upcoming Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run. Being that I am no stranger to the performing arts [sic], with both my theatre and previous commercial* experience, how could I say no?
After I arrived to the shoot, myself and another "actor" were adorned with festive garb and escorted into the studio. From there, the producer instructed us to stand in front of the green screen, run in place, then read off the cue cards.
Wait, cue cards? There was no mention of cue cards!
I was nervous. Very nervous. Very nervous and hot (winter running gear + jogging in place under the studio lights = sweat city).
Out of the two of us, I was chosen to go first (doh). Can I just say that it is really hard to smile, run, and read from a cue card without sounding like a monotonous college radio DJ or a total spazzhead?!?! There were a bunch of outtakes, not to mention a few incidents that I think qualify for the station’s annual gag reel. If I only I could get a job in making a total arse of myself; I bet I would be really good at it.
The producer gave me some pointers:
“Talk to the camera as if you were a Kindergarten teacher! Do you have any children?”
“Uh, no.”
“OK. Say the words like you are a Cheerleader! Do you have any Cheerleading experience?”
“Uh, no.”
The sound guy started to laugh. “Did you see the face she just made?” he asked.
"Just be PERKY!" The producer requested.
If they use any of my 100% faux-perk induced lines complete with dramatic hand gestures, who knows. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, and pray they don't.
* I was in a commercial for the Rochester Marathon as “girl in black, running” - a real stretch for me.
Comments
That's too funny! Do you have a link to the commercial online?
Posted by: MappyB | November 9, 2006 1:39 PM
I know they can give me a copy on VHS, but I am going to see if I can get a mpeg or the like. If so, I shall post it on this here website. Public humiliation - bring it!
Posted by: kir | November 9, 2006 2:16 PM
Saw the commercial last night. You have a real knack for the running, reading, and reciting all at the same time. I think you might be looking at a second career. Or third.
Posted by: Pam | November 17, 2006 8:23 AM
lol, thanks pam. D keeps making fun of me because i licked my lips prior to talking, i didn't think they were going to put that in!
Posted by: kir | November 17, 2006 9:11 AM