Scribblings of Robs

27 Jan 2010

Average Girl: Casting #59: Mexican Wave

Headed off to a callback .

When I say I was the only actress there, I am not lying. Standing shoulder-level with some of Cape Towns most stunning, stick-thin imports ( Dutch, Spanish, Brazillian) who are all complaining about how overweight they are.

Inside the studio I was asked to perform a mexican wave, with a tray full of things ( wooden blocks, a highlighter, a water bottle) in my hand. Now call me dim, but I didn’t see how throwing a tray of stuff up above my head was smart on any level.

So the Casting Director said action and I threw the tray up and outwards. Away from me.

“No, no , no,” said the casting director. “Is that how you do a Mexican Wave ? Throw your hands upwards”.

“And hold onto the tray?” I asked.

“No,” he replied sounding frustrated. “Just let go of it.”

“It won’t hit you,” chipped in the Director who had been sitting on a couch rather quietly.

It’s horrible investing in a brain in these situations, because you know what you’re about to do is not smart.

But you do want the job. So you foolishly believe them because  you reason that they’ve seen about 20 do this girls already, so they must be right.

What you fail to remember is that super skinny girls have less surface area.

So up went the tray, off went the things and of course  one of the heavy wooden blocks hit me square in the middle of my head. Ouch!

Grabbed my head and winced … not quite the happy,carefree facial expression they were after.

Both Casting Director and Director had the grace to laugh