It all started one fateful day in July... I was sunbathing by the pool when host dad told me he needed me to help him run an errand. I ran upstairs put some clothes on (over my swimsuit because I had every intention of going right back out to the pool) and we headed out. I soon found out that we were on our way to pick up host mom's truck from the dealer because she was taking it to NYC later that day. I told Mark (host dad) that I should probably go with her, you know, for moral support. He told me to call her, and she said I could come along! We got back and I had to change out of my swimsuit : ( and start packing : ) . Lynn (host mom) mentioned that it was an open audition, anyone and everyone was invited to show their stuff. Then all of the sudden both Mark and Lynn were trying to convince me to audition. I was like, "Are you people crazy! Heck no!" Then I finally caved and decided it would be a fun experience and I would do it.
We left late that evening and got into NYC at 3AM. There was a issue with check-in, but after we got that resolved we thought we were in the clear. We weren't! Finding a place to park an Excursion in NYC is not the easiest task...
I woke up a few hours later and went for a run... to Central Park.
Then went to Whole Foods and got some coffee.
AND soy!
This was our view, much better in person, but I think you get the idea.
We stayed IN Manhattan. Big deal.
Lynn walked me through all the steps to putting on make-up. It was a pretty intense process, I think i'll stick to the basics.
I insisted on some New York style pizza for lunch.
It was worth it.
My new $5 shades.
Thanks Lynn!!
We arrived at Central Casting early all pretty and ready to make a good impression. They sat us down to fill out some paperwork and then took a "mugshot." After that the woman looking for talent said, "Ok, I am going to play some music and you are going to dance. I want to see how well you can move." Let me just say that I do NOT dance. Ok, I can move my body, but it is VERY awkward.
We left. Lynn said she saw the lady write, "NO" in red pen on her paper.
I left feeling thankful I would never have to see the people in that office again (they were probably thinking the same thing about the awkward moving girl, me).
BUT much to my surprise on I got a phone call that would change my life (haha, jk). Central Casting called and asked if I would be available to be a part of the flashmob. I said, "What exactly do you mean by that?" She reminded me I auditioned for the flashmob (duh!) and told me they were filming on Thursday. I told her I would have to call her back (just playing hard to get...) I told Lynn and she said she got a call too!!!! That was it- we were going back to NY to be in a movie!
We left after soccer practice on Wednesday night around 9PM. We stayed in New Jersey (free, safe parking and only a train away from the city) Little did we know Newark has the most confusing highway system, EVER. We drove around for at least an hour trying to find our hotel. Finally we found it and got to bed at 7AM to wake up again a few hours later to get ready for our BIG DAY!
I'm getting a little worried about the color of my teeth with all this coffee I've been drinking.
So, I brushed.
Last minute prep before we checked in!
Non-SAG check in line.
Broccoli. Really?
Who decorated this place!?
All the flashmob-bers.
Times Square
So many people, so little space.
Ashley Wallen, the choreographer, slightly gay.
They brought out an actor and actress for us to get centered around. I was like, "Are you kidding me!? Who are these people? I'm going to be in a lame movie. GREAT..." Then out walk Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Apparently they have people stand in for them to help figure out camera angles and stuff...?
I took a nap on those steps. Totally against my morals to lay on dirty, nasty public property like that, but at 430AM (my second night of no sleep) I DID NOT care.
thurs:
430 PM- check in Crowne Plaza, right next to the Hershey store in Times Square
530 PM- we met with the choreographer to learn our flashmob dance
6 PM- dinner (well we didn't really have time to eat. we got our plates and then were told to go back to rehearsing.
615 PM- wardrobe check (we were supposed to bring 3 different outfits)
730 PM- headed out to Times Square to start shooting
we got random breaks throughout the night, but they were short lived...
i'd say they probably took around 50 (?)takes of us doing our thing. There was lots of standing and dancing. I was wearing my Toms, which were definitely not the most ideal shoes to stand in for 10 hours straight, but I survived!
5 AM- "that's a wrap" we were finally able to go back to the hotel. they had pizza for us (it'd been too long since i'd had pizza for breakfast) and we checked out.
530AM- Starbucks stop on our way to the train
6AM- Almost missed our train back to NJ
7AM-11AM- SLEEP
12PM-8PM- trek home along the eastern shore
Friends With Benefits is the movie- I have no idea what it's about, but it sounds a little inappropriate.... Hopefully not because I worked hard to hopefully get my face, hand, arm, finger (anything!) in this movie!
it might be time for a real camera...
