Monday, August 10, 2009

I shot "The Mentalist" today!

I know I need to be in bed right now (because I have a callback in the morning), but I took a long nap earlier, so hopefully excess sleep can be used as currency. I want to let y'all know how my shoot went.

Today I shot my episode of hit CBS show, "The Mentalist." My car is in the shop right now, so I had to enlist a friend to drive me to the set for my 5:48AM call. Of course, there was no traffic headed to Burbank at that time of the morning, so we got there very quickly. I ended up being about 20 minutes early, it was dark, there were a few crew people there, but nobody from production, and I couldn't find a trailer with my name on it, so I just wandered around the lot for about a half hour until somebody 'found' me, lol. Since I got dropped off at base camp instead of parking at crew parking, I didn't get coffee (!) or breakfast (!!) and I was a little worried about that, but production had someone go pick something up for me and all was well.

I got my makeup done, the hair person tried to "pat my hair down a bit" (HA!), I put on my bailiff uniform and headed to set for rehearsal at 7AM. I recognized the wardrobe team (because I've worked with them on "Boston Legal" and "Legally Mad," I recognized the director (Eric Laneuville) from my audition, and I recognized Robin Tunney from TV (she later came over and introduced herself to me)! Everyone was really nice, and I think I've worked enough now to formulate the opinion that this is the norm. I know we only hear about the sensationalized stories where someone is a screaming harpie throwing diva-tude everywhere, but so far, I have only seen one 'episode' that even came close (and still it was pretty mild), and have only had to interact with one nasty crew person. Don't believe the hype - most like to keep their drama onscreen. More on this in a later post (because I now have a better understanding of how a lot of little things can get blown out of proportion).

So, after rehearsal, I went to my trailer, ate my BLT & fruit, then went back to set to shoot at 7:30. I only had one scene and was WRAPPED before 11AM. It was just very professional, everyone came, did their thing and that was it! Not bad for a workday, huh? Still, I would prefer to have more scenes and MUCH more time on set. Still working toward that, but this was a nice, easy day working with great people on a great show.

I do find it interesting that I keep working on shows with Christian Clemenson (who I think is very talented). Unfortunately, he wasn't on set today, but he will be in "my" episode.

Right now, IMDb says that my episode will air on October 2, but casting has told me that the episode, entitled "Red Badge," will air on CBS on October 8. I'll let you know for sure when it gets close.

I have a commercial callback in the morning, so I'm off to bed now.

Every moment on set just makes me want to be on set more. That's how I know I'm on the right path.


Still enjoying the journey,

--Nicole

10 comments:

  1. Work it, girl! Doing what you love & loving what you do. Ain't it nice?

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  2. Michelle, yes! What else is there, really? ;o)

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  3. Nicole. That is such an awesome post. LOL at the "patting the hair down" comment. I am excited for you and really glad that you are getting so many chances to show ppl who you are. Auditions are awesome....ppl get to know us from them. (Bookings are the cake and ice cream). You are a real encouragement to me as an actor and writer. One day when I grow up I will be on IMDB....smile. from Evelyn.

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  4. Hi Evelyn -

    Glad you enjoyed the post. I go in with my hair already done and most people are happy that they don't have to bother with it, but sometimes they feel like they need to earn their money I guess. She patted my hair a bit, and that was it.

    Thank you for the feedback. It encourages ME! Auditions are an opportunity to act and to show 'em whatcha got!

    Yes, you will be on IMDb - just keep at it and enjoy the journey. ;o)

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  5. Anonymous5:18 PM

    And my dream is just to work BACKGROUND on The Mentalist!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I exactly know what you mean. Being on a set or even acting in class gives me the feeling of - how do you say that in english - home?
    Hope that the audition went well!
    All the best from Munich,
    Julia

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  7. @Lary - Come on Lary, surely you can dream bigger than that! Don't aim low, or that's what you'll hit. If you want to be on the show, aim there! Start a postcard campaign targeted to the CDs that cast that show. Let me know what happens.

    @Minou - That's the feeling we get when we are where we belong, be it the set, the boardroom, or the operating room.

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  8. I just found your blog today--in a very roundabout way because I'm a HUGE "Mentalist" fan--and I'm very excited to find someone else as excited as I am about a show.

    I'm "only" a fan and not a professional but congratulations! I can't wait to be watching on October 8 and say to my husband, "I 'know' that actress!" LOL!

    And best of luck to you, for your continued success.

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  9. It is my dream to be on The Mentalist. I watch it all the time and I love all the actors. How did you get an audition? It would mean so much to me :D

    P.S. Love the post ... patting the hair down lol :)

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  10. Hey Leah -

    The casting directors called one of my reps (either my theatrical agent or my manager) to have me come in and audition for them.

    Wendy -

    Thanks for watching. Unfortunately, when it aired, they cut out everything except for my voice saying one line! Oh well, it happens...

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