Authors: L. Anne Carrington
9
“Yeah, a Ladies Hockey League of Canada team that sucked until they came out of nowhere last year to win the LHLoC National Championship. A few other actors mentioned interviewing or auditioning. Why?”
“You have an appointment this afternoon with the film’s casting director. I told him about your experience. Sherman Gray expressed interest after seeing your resume and demo reel.”
“Doris, I could kiss you!”
“Save that kiss for when you get the lead, Alexandra.”
“At this point I’ll settle for a non-speaking role!”
Doris laughed. “I’m glad you’re pleased. I also forgot to add that
Vancouver Venus
will be shot on location in–”
“Vancouver,” Alex finished with a smile. “That’s obvious. I’ll need to brush up my Canadian accent and French within the next few hours.”
“Keep me updated on the interview.”
“I certainly will. By the way, I promised one of my roommates I’d talk to you about possibly representing her. She already has an agent, but not happy with the job he’s doing.”
10
“Oh? What’s the name?”
“Jennifer Barton.”
“I meant the agent’s name.”
“Randy Powers.”
Doris grimaced. “She’s not the first to complain about him, and I can bet she won’t be the last. Let me see if I can get your roommate out of her contract. I have some time Friday afternoon if she wants to see me.”
“Thanks a bunch! I’ll have Jen give you a call after I finish with the movie interview.”
***
11
Chapter 4
“Ahhh, Miss Galloway,”
Vancouver Venus
casting director Sherman Gray addressed her. “Doris Mullens highly recommended you. It’s been tough finding actresses who can play ice hockey. She also mentioned you’re able to speak with a Canadian accent and in French.”
“Throw me an English sentence and I’ll translate.”
“That won’t be necessary. We reviewed your demo reel Ms. Mullens sent. We’d like to offer a role if you’re interested.”
Alex was elated. “Are you serious?”
“It’s not a large part; only three spoken lines,” Sherman clarified, “but you’ll play a Venus team member who scores the LHLoC championship game’s winning goal.”
Who cares? I’ll be in a movie doing something besides roaming in the background!
“When does filming start?”
12
“Details will be sent to your agent once everything’s confirmed,” Sherman replied and shook Alex’s hand. “Welcome aboard, Miss Galloway. We look forward to working with you.”
***
Alex felt as if she floated on air while heading back to the townhouse she shared with Jennifer, Greg, and Beau. The
Vancouver Venus
role may not be large, but she sensed it would lead to better parts in the future.
She smiled and entered the house.
Goodbye being Girl #199 in movies, hawking toilet paper on TV or wearing stupid chorus costumes in Off-Broadway shows!
“Hey, Jen; are you still here? We need to talk!”
Jennifer entered the living room munching a tuna sandwich. “What’s going on? You sound excited.”
“I have good news and better news.”
“Don’t keep me in the dark, Alex; what’s up?”
13
“First the good news: Doris is available Friday afternoon if you want to discuss her representing you. Funny thing; she agreed Randy’s a creep. Give her a call soon as possible. Now, for the better news…”
“Judging from how you’re talking ninety miles a minute, it has to be something big.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say big far as the part’s concerned, but I got picked to be in the
Vancouver Venus
movie!”
“Oh my God, that’s so awesome! When do you leave for location?”
“I don’t know. They’re supposed to let Doris know once everything’s in place. How was your day?”
“You know the drill; another day, another sucky audition.”
“I’m sorry, Jen. Maybe things will change once Doris signs you. Granted I worked a bunch of shitty acting gigs before I got this one, but–”
“You finally landed a decent gig! Who knows; you might meet some cute hockey guys in Vancouver.”
14
“Not likely,” Alex replied with a laugh.
“Vancouver Venus
is about a women’s team.”
“Too bad; some men with the nicest asses in hockey hail from Canada.”
“Now you sound like a puck bunny. I’m going to Vancouver to make a movie, Jen, not chase guys. I have enough problems without dealing with a man in my life. Besides, most players have successful blonde models on their arms, not short struggling actresses with ‘strange violet eyes’.”
Jennifer was taken aback. “Who said your eyes were strange? I think they’re pretty!”
“Believe it or not, many,
many
casting directors; I actually considered getting my hair done blonde and some blue color contacts at one point. Thank God common sense kicked in.”
“I agree; blonde, blue-eyed actresses are so common, not to mention some wouldn’t know what a hockey stick looked like, let alone how to use one.”
“I didn’t either until I was eight years old,” Alex replied. “What’s for dinner?”
15
“Remember that payment due me from the shampoo commercial? Well, it finally came today, so we will be having one of our rare pizza nights. One, the guys are in some traveling musical until Friday, and two, we’re entitled to one night of not concerning ourselves with whether or not we’ll gain a pound from pigging out. Oh, and I took liberty on starting our secret food stash.”
“Pizza sounds like a winner! Go ahead and order; I’ll have whatever you’re getting. Meanwhile, I need some help brushing up my French.”
***
16
Chapter 5
Alex spent the next several weeks preparing for
Vancouver Venus
. She knew lots of work lay ahead; organizing proper documents for her trip to Canada, getting back her “hockey skate legs” by practicing shots at a nearby rink and falling in with a group of college students playing street hockey; honing a Canadian accent, speaking French whenever possible, and repeating the same three lines from a script she received.
Nevertheless, Alex was nervous. She’d done many other bit parts, but never for a major motion picture. There was a large difference in speaking roles–whether being the lead or having only a few lines–and background action that usually ended up on some cutting room floor.
The pay would be nothing special, but the increased chances of being spotted by industry bigwigs and offers of larger and better parts appealed to her.
17
Alex’s phone rang as she prepared to shower after another day of practice at the rink.
“I wanted to get in touch and alert you to a change of plans,” Doris said.
Oh God, has my role been cut? I knew things were going too well.
“What?”
“Remember I said production of
Vancouver Venus
begins early next month? It turns out production’s been pushed up a few weeks. The arena where game scenes are being filmed is scheduled to host a live children’s show and needs shooting completed soon as possible in order to prepare. You’ll leave for Vancouver Monday morning.”
Alex grabbed a pencil and paper. “What time?”
“Your flight is scheduled for five-thirty a.m.”
“I should go to bed early Sunday night since I’ll need to be at the airport long before that. Are there any other production changes?”
“No; I’ll be in touch if any more come into my office.”
“Thanks, Doris. You have no idea how grateful I am for this opportunity, no matter how small my part.”
18
“Check in after you arrive in Vancouver,” Doris advised.
“I will. Maybe I’ll bring you a souvenir after filming wraps.”
***
19
Chapter 6
Snowflakes speckled the Vancouver air when Alex’s flight landed the following Monday in contrast of New York’s seventy-degree plus weather.
An assistant met her at the airport and offered additional instructions while they were en route to the cast members’ hotel.
Script changes were made during the interim of Alex receiving her initial copy. The three lines remained intact and she was delighted to find additional game scenes added to her character.
Alex glanced up from her new copy. “When do I start?”
“Either tomorrow or Wednesday if production remains on schedule,” the assistant replied. “However, everyone must be present during the entire shooting in case additional changes are needed.”
20
“Works for me; Vancouver isn’t exactly an ideal vacation spot this time of year.”
“This is where most of the cast will stay during production,” the assistant informed Alex as their limo pulled up to a hotel. The outside appearance wasn’t fancy, but she was ready to collapse almost anywhere after a long day.
They entered the lobby and checked in at the reservation desk, where a bellhop collected their bags. Alex noticed presences of additional supporting and bit part actors chattering among themselves, but no sign of the leads or extras.
“Did Lily Stahl change her mind about playing Venus owner Annabelle Archer?” she wondered. “I don’t see her or anyone appearing to be extras.”
“Miss Stahl is staying at an undisclosed location to avoid any potential problems. The casting director who handles extras decided to recruit local citizens for game night and other necessary scenes,” the assistant said. “He thinks doing so would give additional authentic flavor, plus a boost to the Vancouver economy.”
“Oh…well, that makes sense. What time should I report to the set tomorrow?”
21
The assistant flipped through several pages from a book she held and smiled at Alex. “Prepare to arrive for makeup and costume by six a.m.”
“In that case, I better go upstairs for rest of the night. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
Alex caught an elevator just as its door was about to close and rode up to her room on the ninth floor. She unlocked the door and gasped at the splendor before her.
My God, if these are the minor actors’ rooms, I can almost imagine what the stars have!
Alex squealed and flopped on the king-sized bed, basking in the moment for several minutes before she dialed Doris’ home number and received a voice mail message.
“Hi, Doris; it’s Alex! Sorry to call you at home so late, but I just got into my room in Vancouver and can’t chat long anyway. I’m due on the set by six tomorrow morning. Call my cell number if you need anything. Talk soon, bye!”
***