LINK-UP: WHATEVER WEDNESDAYS - FIRSTS

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

The super fun Shay, over at A Girl, A Story, A Blog., presented the idea of joining forces with a fellow New Yorker, Alissa, over at Graceless Lady, and other bloggers to do a link-up known as Whatever Wednesdays. 

Needless to say, I agreed to join in on the fun, how could I not with these two fabulous ladies behind the wheel!  Plus, I've been wanting to get more involved with other bloggers and always enjoy getting to write and let you learn more about little me, and learning about you!

Now, I know I usually do Wordless Wednesdays, but at least for now, I believe I will be taking part in both, which means a double post on Wednesday...don't get too excited! ;)

Want to join this link-up yourself and be part of the fun?  

Just e-mail whateverwednesdays@yahoo.com to be added to the list, I'd LOVE to learn more about each of you!  Yay!

The topic this week, thanks to Tiffany over at Polka Dotted Cats, is...

F I R S T S

First time acting on a TV/Film set...

Summer of 1998 in Wilmington, NC.

Playing the role of Cylla in the CBS TV-Movie titled "Holy Joe."

Starring: John Ritter, Meredith Baxter, JoAnna Garcia & David Tom. 

I played the girlfriend of David Tom's character David Cass.

I received the role after Mark Fincannon, the casting director from Fincannon & Asscoiates, picked me out of the crowd to do a cold read from a "Dawson's Creek" script, during a workshop he was holding for all theatre students at UNCG.

Thanks to Mr. Fincannon this role earned me my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card, which is what every actor works towards. I realize mine was gained far too easily, I still have friends who have been trying to get one for over 10 years, and I was very fortunate.

I moved to Wilmington, NC for the summer to film, and everyone on the set welcomed me with open arms.

The pants they put me in were far too small for me...hehe...but the Emmy Award winning costume designer, Peggy Farrell, showed me a trick, lie flat on your back and zip up tight jeans, it worked!  Ha!

Sat and talked with John Ritter in between takes, and he was so warm to me on set, sharing stories from his family and times with his sons, Tyler and Jason, growing up, he was such a proud dad, so, hearing he had died suddenly in 2003 was quite sad.

The little sister of the young girl in the movie took to me, so, we were buddies, and she drew me lots of pictures to take home.

It was Mr. Ritter who stopped the action on set the moment I wrapped, and was done filming, to say, "thank you," and told everyone to "give me a round of applause for a job well done," which I have never forgotten.

It was my 1st TV/Film experience, and to this day one of my best.

Fun Fact: Ran into David Tom at the "Rock of Ages" auditions in LA, over a decade later, and he came out to my annual holiday party that year.

 At my 2009 holiday party in LA with David Tom, over 10 years after filming "Holy Joe" together.