Day 1: Passions @ CBS Studio Center

Last night was interesting. The excitement really began to hit me. Some other stuff hit me too, like how funny it was to be sitting in a car doing my "day job" knowing that on Thursday I'd be doing what I most enjoy doing. I also received the 3 remaining scripts for next week. This is too much fun.

Call time 11am. Arriving today, I felt some nerves kick in too. It's a bit like going to a new school for the first time...a school where you don't know anyone personally, although you do know they've all got model good-looks, and where you have no idea what sort of customs, traditions, and personalities you'll encounter. I parked on Gilligan's Island, or rather, in the parking deck which stands where the lagoon scenes for Gilligan's Island were filmed, filled out my contracts and paperwork, picked up my costume and visited the make-up folks where I was basically passed through because my face is already perfect -- OR because they understandably wanted us to look less polished than the heroes...hmmm...

Preparation for taping generally involves a dry-block rehearsal, which is a quick walk-through of movement and marks without the acting. Once the scene is up, there's another rehearsal for camera. During this one, everyone behind the scenes works on their own moves and responsibilities. Then, you shoot it...maybe twice, maybe not. By the end of the day, I was much more comfortable with the process. I walked away with a healthy respect for the work these actors put in every day. It's no easy task. Tomorrow, we'll have a different director and more fun in store.