The Promised Land
October 5, 1993 -- Day 1 (and only)
Mara gave me a call late last night and reminded me of an audition four weeks ago for a little student-type/independent-sort-of deferred pay film "to be shown at Sundance." Here was the offer as Mara presented it: A couple of lines in an elevator at around 11am. Sounded pretty painless, and you never know, I might actually make some money on it some day.
The next step was to conference call with Stephanie Scott, the casting director for the project, to get the details. Lo and behold, I had a 7am call time. Yuck. Still, you never know where a break or a good connection might come from. So I said I would do it.
I arrived at the location at 7am. The crew arrived at 7:30. Bad start. I sat and did some work I had brought along, trying to take advantage of this quiet time, but all I could really think about was how nice it would be to be sound asleep, dreaming about how fun Against the Grain was.
People did eventually arrive and things started moving a bit. I was given a room of my own, to which I moved and continued my quiet work, still wishing for sleep, but too cold to actually pursue it.
At about 9:30, Anthony, the 2nd AD, entered my little room and announced that there had been a change in the schedule and that my scene would go up a little later, but would I mind working as an extra!?! With a big interview at 3 and a huge callback at 6:30, I inquired when, approximately, they would reach my scene. I was more than a little surprised to hear, "About 4 o'clock." That's right. A mere 9 hours after my call-time. I balked. "I specifically told Stephanie Scott that I had to be in my car and driving away at 3:30." He found this in his notes and said he would mention it.
Over the next hour I walked around and witnessed a few arguments, some frazzled nerves, and much confusion. Nothing was getting done. As of 10:30, the first scene had yet to be shot. I approached Anthony again and reiterated my concern. He left and returned with good news: my release. They would have to reschedule my scene. (I doubt I'll be back.)
The only plus of the day is that I now have the knowledge,
confidence, and wherewithal to say, "This is ridiculous. I'm
above this. Let me go!" Bad morning, otherwise.