Day 1

The long drive to Utah seemed faster than usual.  It was probably because we stopped midway at my brother's house and my children absolutely adore their cousins and played with them every second they could.

But after Grandma and Grandpa O had taken them the feeling of being alone in the car felt so strange.  Like suddenly I wasn't quite me.  Then I looked down at the title of the song that was playing on the radio and I laughed. It said, to my eyes the first time, "It's time for you."  I laughed and read it again, "It's time for bed."  Kids music.  But, somehow it felt like a little thrilling gift.  A gift of reminding me that this is right for me, right now. I'm being guided and directed.

That feeling came again as I prayed this morning, in the car on my way to Provo and few moments into the meeting.

I left early to go to Provo because I needed to go to the store and they have the same store in Provo and I did not want to be late.  They finished their pre-work early and guess what?! I was late!  I can't help that I am directionally impaired--even with a GPS.  I pulled into a parking lot--across the street from the film studio--and didn't see the 1.5-foot tall curb and smashed my front bumper into it.  I heard a crunch, but thought it was more the bumper going over the curb--it was a bit more than that.  Oy! I pulled out of the parking lot and saw these children making shocked faces at me.  I rolled down the window and said, "Does it look bad?"  They nodded in great consternation and their mom came out and helped me snap the bumper back on.

Then I went the wrong way again and called Ron Tanner. He's pretty much a super-mentor. He guided me back to the right place and I walked into the meeting, not the only person late since they bumped it up. Whew!

I was so nervous and excited.  I guess they all know now, whatever I am lacking, I have the enthusiasm to make up for it.

The people working on this film are so nice!  I immediately felt welcomed. Though I should have gone over all the faces on IMDB before I got there.  I met S Lee first and then Ron Tanner who gave me a hug--over 123 emails and a phone call every couple of days for the last three weeks, it felt right.

I have had to cancel several women for one scene that I overbooked. Cringe!  That may be my least favorite part, especially since one extra, Utahna Jessop, worked all day to find people and she found 6 women. I even had to cancel my mom. :/

But, I am still learning and enjoying this.  We read through the script, talked about locations, extras, make-up, and props.

When TC introduced me, he told everyone that I'd sent him a letter. Ron told everyone I was a fan.  TC said that they were watching me to see if I would do something strange.  Ha!  I said I wasn't planning on anything strange.  I honestly couldn't think what to say, but everyone chuckled. No words needed.  Phew!

This was posted over a month after this happened.  

Just when you think I've fallen off the planet...

Fifteen years of stay-at-home motherhood, a master's degree, completion of residency for my sweet husband, a child in high school, two other children hopping through the hoops of middle school, a kindergartener, plus an almost-two-year-old that loves his mom more than almost anything else...that is the current description of my life.

But, for the next month of my life, it is going to be different.

I'm going to be an extra's coordinator/intern/PA for a well-known Utah filmmaker, TC Christensen as he makes a faith-based film.

It may sound like I'm bragging.  I'm not. But, I will say it is a dream come true.  One that has been on the "back burner" of my life for about eight years at least.

You see, I'm a prayerful sort of person. I truly believe I can talk to God and He can talk to me.  I kept feeling that I needed to do something. I knew I needed to contact directors. I had two in mind.  One closer to my house, I hoped, and one that was in Utah doing family history films--which is my goal.

My husband suggested I call TC.  But, sometimes I get nervous talking on the phone and I can really think about what I am writing when I write a letter, plus I can erase and move things about--where you can't do that in a phone conversation.

Every time I sat down to write a letter on Facebook to TC, the Utah one, my mind would go blank and I wouldn't get past, "Dear TC Christensen."

Three months passed.

Then one Sunday night about 10:30 the words just came, pouring through my brain and fingers like they had a mind of their own. In our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we call that personal revelation.

And then the prompting, "Send it now, before you lose your nerve."

I'd like to say that I would never lose my nerve. Ha!

I held my breath and pushed the button to send it. Then I did a squeal of delight.

And guess what?!  He replied.  He invited me to film a video and send it to him with me telling him about myself. I did. Then he told me that they work with internships, not volunteers. I would get $35 a day in this internship.

Then I got a call from the line producer, S Lee, a few days later and he asked about my interests.

Then I got a call from the producer, Ron Tanner, and he told me I had been appointed the Extra's Coordinator and would get real credit on IMDB.  Whaaat? Sweet!

This week I have been emailing like my life depended on it.  I think it was around 12-14 hours a day.  I have about 150 extras I'm in charge of lining up and getting measurements to the costume department head, Jacqui Newell.

I am accepting this opportunity to work my hardest, learn absolutely everything I can, and am hoping that I would learn just about the same things I would learn in film school.  What film school can you name where they pay you at all, let alone $35 a day?!

What about your family?  That sweet little toddler and all those kids?!  Grandmas and Grandpas are stepping in to parent for a bit--which my kiddos have been absolutely delighted about.

I know it will be an adjustment, for all of us, but I have a feeling that it will be a great benefit to our family, even if it is a challenge right now.

I keep reminding myself, "This is inspired. It will be so fun! I am loving this!"

Even when I overbooked some people for a couple of scenes, I tried to reply as graciously as I could to those wonderful women who were willing to be in the movie for a day for a DVD.  I kept thinking, "I can do this! This will be such a blessing!"

My goal is to remind myself that this is easy, comfortable, and joyful.  Because, in the long-run, it is.

Tomorrow is the first meeting. Ron called to talk to me tonight and I was so excited about tomorrow I was shivering and I'm pretty sure my voice was about an octave higher than normal.  I even told him about my five children.  I think it really surprised him.

Eeek!