Nostalgia in the shopping mall

Today was an interesting day of nostalgia for me. I got the chance to do some acting on camera for a shoplifting training video, and it was quite the experience, I have to say. Now you may know from the show that my "day job" is as a voice over announcer - so basically, I'm an actress behind a microphone everyday for things like radio and tv commercials, narrations for tv shows and corporate videos, and the occassional on hold message. You know, the annoying girl who's voice is supposed to calm you while you stay on hold frustrated with your bank, wireless company or (insert company who annoys you here)? Yep! Thats probably me! Sorry, but I've gotta pay my bills somehow and whoring is no longer an option at my age.

So our friend, Steve Strangio is a seasoned on camera actor for a local company who regularly does these types of "videos". Shame its not porn cause that would have been good for the show, but I digress. ANYWAY, Steve suggested me for the part of "female, 30-40 year old, shopper". When he asked me if I'd be interested, I thought, heck! I'm female! I'm in my 30's! I like to shop! Sign me up! Not really realizing that this is a JOB. Not some little funtime for Lindy.

So I didnt really think about it till I showed up at the site and in front of me, were 5 -6 actors standing around (Steve included), waiting for their time to do their scene. Suddenly it hit me. Crap! I havent done any acting on camera in years! These people do this all the time! Now I'm getting a little worried. One actor showed up with her headshot in hand. I havent had one of those since I was 23, had bangs and big eyebrows. Oh dear!

Needless to say, I decided on the route of "watch what others do and follow along". Now some of you may say, "Why didnt you just ask Steve the pro?". Well, cause "Steve the Pro" was off running some errand for the director and could not be found. AH! Stay calm Linda, its okay. All the director asked you to do was to push the baby stroller a few feet and act like you're shopping. WHAT? I need to do WHAT? Wait! Stop the camera! Whats my motivation?!

Breathe in, Breathe out. Act calm and collected.

Yep! All that stuff was going on in my head guys, but thankfully once the camera started, my old instincts kicked in again and I was pushing that baby stroller and pretending to shop like a mother f**ker! Guess all those acting classes and on camera workshops were still ingrained in me - way deep inside my brain. And the Oscar for best baby stroller pusher goes to...

Linda