I returned home from the glorious afternoon of Sisterhood only to then have to get serious.
I was selected as Featured Background for an upcoming film (I signed a nondisclosure agreement, so I cannot reveal too many specific details). I have always been background. That means I was basically a prop. Featured background means you have been selected to most likely be seen in the film. In this case, there is no doubt I will be seen in this film and probably multiple times for a minute or so (that is a lot for us props).
Let me try and paint a picture of what we do for what we love.
November 16, 2025, I return home around 5:00 and await my email about the following day. You do not get any information about what you have to do until the evening before. No idea about wardrobe/looks. No idea about the call time. Once you have this information, you have to assemble usually three outfits under the parameters outlined and then be ready on set when they tell you, set to go, full makeup, one of the outfits on and the others in tow. What I will tell you is we had to dress for a mansion party, a celebration of life/funeral. My call time was 6:15AM, knowing I had to be dressed, makeup, with my various outfits and in this case, a 30-minute drive. I assemble my looks and hit the sack with a 3:30AM alarm.
November 17, 2025, I arise and get right to work, and this is me out the door. THANK GOODNESS I selected this outfit! We are forbidden to use our phones on set, so this is all I got photo-wise.
It was never above 40 degrees. I was outside from 6:10AM until I got back into my car at around 6:00PM. We were outdoors the entire time! One fortunate thing was that I wore the sweater dress and that I was able to get the coat approved as part of my look. There were many ladies in dresses, with no coat, on set, shivering for hours on end.
Those glasses are not prescription, I wore contacts. For continuity purposes, you have to have a consistent look. For some reason, about two hours into my day, both contacts decided to torture me. Imagine driving in the rain with no windshield wipers. That was what everything looked like the entirety of my morning. It was absolute misery. Once we had lunch, I removed them, put on my actual glasses, which thankfully looked close to these and many of my fellow actors said I looked pretty much the same.
We were all freezing! In the holding area, there were heaters, but we only spent about an hour and a half in holding. On set, no coats or jackets unless they were approved parts of our looks. Since it was a “party” we all had cocktails in our hands, all day, for about 8-9 hours. Try holding anything in your hands for an entire workday, in 30-degree temps, without gloves. I had a champaign for a while, then switched to a bourbon (no actual drinks, ginger ale and apple juice). My hands were shaking like I had Parkinsons (not trying to be funny, that was what it was like). The bourbon glass was only half full, but because of shivering, I kept splashing it all over my hands. I literally had trouble walking as I was standing on wedge heels, on freezing concrete, for hours.
That said, when can I do it again! We were at a fabulous mansion. I am 1,000% in the movie, with my backside literally next to a co-star in a key scene (he is an 80’s rapper, you would certainly know him), for the entirety of the scene. I was selected to show my best ass-et. The assistant director came up, asked my name and told me he loved my energy. I met one wonderful person after another. I have some non-PG13 stories to tell. Much like the Boston Marathon, I have never been so physically miserable and so gleefully happy at the same time.
In one week, I worked the Diversity Center event, saw my wonderful sisters at Erie, attended Mo’s fantastic Sisterhood party and then this. I am so fortunate beyond words. I am the definition of the blessings and curses we all have in life.
I ask anyone supportive of me and my efforts to spread love and acceptance to do me one favor. It will only cost you a minute of your time. My friend Darlene (at right in the photo) is such a supporter of our community and she even lets me model and represent her wonderful boutique! She has entered a window decorating contest in my beloved Cleveland. Please click this link, find the button to vote and vote for Darlafoxx. Votes are free and help a small business owner and a great human being! Thank you.
