Hmm.

[stoney321]

So, I'm heading out for an audition, which is fine, but I'm auditioning for the part of someone in their 40s (I just turned 36 and look younger, no, really) and I'm supposed to play someone that's unhealthy enough to be dying. (It's actually a funny commercial.)

The underlying message: I look overweight. TV overweight. Guys, I'm 135 pounds and a size 8, five foot six.

...I'm remembering why I quit the acting biz in my early 20s. Hmm. This is the part of acting I hate. You know, the stuff that has NOTHING to do with acting and how's it's really all about you looking a certain way? Bah.

[ETA] Please know that I'm not complaining about MYSELF, but being bothered with the ideal that someone of my physical stature/health/measurements is what constitutes "unhealthy and large." I'm really happy with myself, so....

Comments

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Hmm...while you don't look 40, I can see the look they're going for "Hollywood 40" -- Jennifer Aniston *is* 40, but she doesn't look it, know what I mean? So I can see they could want you (who doesn't look 30, no really) but they could make *YOU* look unhealthy even if they covered you in track marks and cigarette burns and put you under a puce-tinted light. You're all fresh-faced and glow with that every sexy Texas cliche I can think of (except the fake boobs.)

But I've no doubt you can *act* unhealthy! Think of...unfiltered cigarettes and Ho-Hos! Or something. Meh -- *huge hugs* How goes the acting thing otherwise?

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I let my paid account expire and I can't edit. They couldn't make you look unhealthy...

Jeez.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

That's sweet of you. I'm just bothered that me (and the others auditioning) are all similar body types. We're curvy, but we certainly don't look overweight. All the call sheets for "hot babes" and the like want girls over 5' 8" and under 115 pounds. It's just ridiculous and unhealthy.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I've decided that when auditions go awry, I'm going to ask if I can re-do it as James Spader. :D I do a fantastic James Spader now. :D

[slasheuse.livejournal.com]

....I can only imagine that you won't get the part, or they'd have to pad you AND put you in make-up for hours and hours. Because jesusgod, 135 for a woman your height at any age would be nothing, for a woman of 36 with three kids it's UNBELIEVABLE!

Yeah to everything in your last para. *hugs*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

it's making me miss theater where it's all about your ability to, you know, ACT.

*hugs you, too*

[slasheuse.livejournal.com]

Is there any good regional stage theatre near you? I can see that could be much more difficult with the kids, obviously, but. Hmm. Well, dude, the thing is that you can definitely play whatever role they want, because you're awesome, but if they want you to look rough, they're going to need to schedule a lot of makeup time!

What's it advertising?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'm not really able to do theater because of my mom status. Too much time needed to devote to the performance, rehearsals, etc. Maybe when they're older and more self sufficient, but with the Mr. traveling? It's not really possible. :(

I don't know if I can talk about the commercial in a public post, so if my agent's reading, sorry! It's heart health. I apparently a woman that eats broccoli.... wrapped in bacon and my time is up. :)

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

*smooches you* Don't worry about anything. Just blow them away on the audition.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

<3

I just don't think I enjoy commericals, I think. It's... weird and usually this is where they want the unrealistic bodies/looks. I'm not ugly, but I'm not a model. :|

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

I somehow missed the commercial part. Ugh. I can't imagine anyone would enjoy doing commercials. (Do them for the money, sure. But want to do them?)

Hang in there, babe.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the industry standard is size 4 and under. It is unhealthy, but even after mucho outcry it's not changing...Knock their socks off acting unhealthy and overweight. Channel Ted Kennedy.

[kwizbit.livejournal.com]

I understand that they have to get some one who fits the part, but at the same time, I agree with you.

I hate how it feels. No matter how well some one acts, if the people don't like how some one looks, they don't get the part. That feels shitty.

I wish you luck ♥

[deevalish.livejournal.com]

This is the part of casting that I always hated. When I first started doing them, I wasn't "seeing" people the way the camera was seeing them which was really how Hollywood and the ad agencies were portraying them. The actors that I selected as good looking were too "quirky" (not blond or glamazons). I'm kind of glad I don't do casting for tv anymore.

[maevebran.livejournal.com]

This is why I never got cast in high school and college. I do not have anything remotely like good looks so I wouldn't get cast so I do not know if I have any acting talent although I do enjoy acting.

Good luck on the audition. =)

[anelith.livejournal.com]

A size 8 is considered overweight?!!! At 5'6"?!!!

What a strange world we live in where apparently according to the CDC we have an obesity problem in our country, but a very healthy and perfectly lovely person like yourself is considered not thin enough by the standards of TV. Makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Aww, you're sweet, Anne. But I'm glad that you see my point on this one! I could lap those stick thin girls anyday, plus they're all smokers to keep their weight down. Thin =/= perfect and healthy, that's for sure!

[wicked-charie.livejournal.com]

Yeah not only do they smoke to keep their weight down, they do a fair share of coke too. By today's standards, women like Marilyn Monroe were total pigs. Pffffttttt. Give me curves and boobs any day. Sorry but God did not mean for 40 year old women to look like 13 year old boys. I like having cleavage.

I stopped auditioning in my 20's too. I would get that copy of Backstage and read "Wanted - Female, Auburn hair, 5'3, 18-25" and say "Hey that's ME!" Then I would get there and be #525 - with 524 girls 18-25 who were 5'3 with auburn hair in front of me. One day I just wanted to scream "I WANNA BE SPECIAL!" So I became a clown for 8 years. Talk about special! Gain a few pounds? Your costumes are padded anyway. Got a zit? Cover it with clown white. Bad hair day - pink wig covers all. Got a bump on your nose? Who needs a nose job? Pink rubber noses cover anything nature lays on ya. I had a lot of show business experiences - starting with acting as a 7 year old, but clowning was the best of all.

[realpestilence.livejournal.com]

You're 4 inches taller than me *and* weigh a lot less. If *you're* "tv overweight", *I* am tv Moby Dick. *sour face*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Their standards are just ridiculous. Just focus on being healthy, and damn the "proper numbers" is what I say.

[realpestilence.livejournal.com]

Damn 'em all! *power fist*

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Such a crazy business! But just remember they will have to use a metric ton of make-up to make you look anything approaching 40, you twenty-something-looking-chiquita!

[violethamster.livejournal.com]

Fuck the audition, take this opportunity to tell them what dickless poopyheads they are. Unless you reeeeeally want this part or something.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA to your icon!! i've watched it go through three full rotations, now.

BWEEEE!

[bitchygrrl.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean the industry is so skewed, but what's weird is working in certain segments of the sex industry you see more variety of sizes accepted, now you would think that wouldn't be. *throws hands up*

[tricksterquinn.livejournal.com]

I hate TV. *sigh*

I mean, that's just so unspeakably messed up.

[mskakaako.livejournal.com]

You don't have to convince me you're gorgeous. :D

Yeah, that's messed up. If you ever read those trashy magazines (People, etc. ) they're always ragging on celebrities who aren't size 0. It's pretty messed up.

Although, is it true that the camera adds 20 lbs? That might explain why even if it doesn't excuse the wackadoodle thinking.

[bu-doodlebug.livejournal.com]

AH CRAP. I meant to tell you that they tossed the age on that audition!! They were seeing girls from 25 to 40...MY bad.

I hope it went well otherwise... :/

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

No, no, that's not a problem at all - and when you get closer to the big 4-0 you'll see why I'm clinging to my 36. *G* I think the audition went well at my end, mostly I'm just making a commentary on how Hollywood/the media sees women's bodies. (The call sheets from Actors Access? If I didn't like myself, I sure wouldn't after reading a few of those, whooo.)

Why can't ALL the parts be fun like Lynette? :D

[soundingsea.livejournal.com]

I'm suspicious about what the point of the Hollywood size standard is. I mean, women are going to go out in their communities and see a wide range of bodies. They'll look in the mirror, and then they're going to look at TV and feel inadequate. And they will then buy many products and/or services to try to look like a goal that I for one couldn't reach without sawing down my hip bones. Oh, look! An entire industry built on insecurity! *stabbity*

Obviously you are perfectly healthy; you're a long-distance walker for chrissake.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

That's exactly my problem with the TV/movie ideal. I look at Keira Knightly and aside from being frightened by her jaw, I'm HORRIFIED by her shoulder to sternum ratio. When you can see the ridges in someone's sternum, it's time for an order of onion rings.

And we wonder why girls have so many food issues?

[wicked-charie.livejournal.com]

Check out Susan Lucci on Dancing With the Stars. She and Achmed the Dead Terrorist have the same body type.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

They way many actresses look it ain't no wonder there fans, young girls, end up with anorexia. I agree. It is annoying.

[turnonmyheels.livejournal.com]

Ugh, the absolute worst part of the biz, without a doubt.

[dovil.livejournal.com]

I must say the first thing that popped into my head on meeting you was, 'My, what an elderly and obese woman that Stoney is", so I'm glad to see that the tv industry has taken a stand and called you out on it.

I didn't know what was more prominant, the age wrinkles or the waves of fat rolling down your body. It was...it was a sad thing to see.